https://youtu.be/sniaOthEkbQ

Racism2 Sam 18:1-18 “he was left hanging between heaven and earth”See, the bulk of this story is about Absalom, David’s son who has taken over David’s kingdom.Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, sent and told- “Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom.”David loved his son! He wanted his kingdom back, but didn’t want to lose his son in the processThis ISNT what happens!They go out to battle Absalom gets caught up in a tree- “Hanging between heaven and earth” Unable to free himself- unable to defend himself. Unable to fight. CaughtAt the whim of men. A man- who had done wrong- but the King- “Deal Gently” and is in a treeA man comes to Joab- says “I found Absalom” Joab says “ I would have paid you to kill him” the man says “I would never do that” V 12-13David made it clear “Deal gently for my sake” to Joab but he ignored it- He wanted HIS JUSTICE14 And he took three spears in his hand and thrust them through Absalom’s heart, while he was still alive in the midst of the terebinth tree. (Kills a defenseless man because he thought it right)To add insult to injury- 15 And ten young men who bore Joab’s armor surrounded Absalom, and struck and killed him.- They didn’t defend Absalom- While a criminal- wasn’t to dieAnd where’s Abishai and Ittai? And the thousands of others? No where to be found!Only one man stood up and said- You are wrong Joab- I’m not taking part in this.

There’s huge problems with this story- and today it speaks specifically to what is going on around usToday I am going to use this scripture to show you how you can’t sit idly by and allow injustice to happen in your midst and to remain silent is to be complicit in the actionWhy do we need to talk about racism? I’m not racist- Church not full of homo- but still talk aboutHere are some hard truths that need to be said- Racism still exists in America. By and large White people are either ignorant or apathetic about it. Maybe not you- But its real. It’s a sin against GodI get it! I’m white- And white people say “What am I supposed to do about it”- starts in the churchYou can start by admitting that racism still exists. You may not be, you may not have experienced it, but if you had black or brown friends, you would know- Its still out thereThe church talks about sin- Homosexuality, fornication, envy, covetedness, anger, etc. Racism is a sin. It needs to be talked about. One of my first sermons at 18 was on Racism- Near to meWe’re not blaming anyone- Its like a Sermon about tithing- You shouldn’t feel uncomfortable about a sermon about tithing unless you don’t tithe, and you shouldn’t feel uncomfortable about a sermon about racism unless its in your heart. And that goes for everyone- regardless of raceGal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Ro 10:12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. Ro 2:11 For there is no partiality with God. Acts 17:26 And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings,We are all equal in the eyes of the law and in the eyes of the Lord-The image of God- Gen 1:26 but we can’t sit here in Church and pretend that our Black brothers and Sisters aren’t struggling- Educate yourself- Learn the struggle- Don’t pretend it doesn’t exist. – be the one who STANDS UPBut the POC have a opportunity in the church as well not to fix it- but to help others understandMake new friends- Pastor John and Pastor Raymond are my safe black friends- I can ask anythingYou can’t get angry at ignorance- Help us understand- Mikey Crack v Heroin epidemic

So let me Show you how this scripture speaks to our current ...