This is a sermon Pastor Holmes delivered on racism.  Last summer it was George Floyd among others. This spring's our Asian communities are under attack. Scripture reference Revelation 7:9-12.

Rev 7:9  After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; 

Rev 7:10  And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. 

Rev 7:11  And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, 

Rev 7:12  Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. 

Gen 1:26  And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 

Act 17:26  And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; 

Gal 3:28  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 

This is a message taken from a sermon Pastor Holmes preached to his members. This is a message of reconciliation and how it is impacting the church.

Biblical References 

Rom 2:11  For there is no respect of persons with God. 

God's Judgment and the Law

Rom 2:12  For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; 

Rom 2:13  (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. 

Rom 2:14  For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 

Rom 2:15  Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) 

Rom 2:16  In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel. 

Act 10:34  Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 

Act 10:35  But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. 

Act 10:36  The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) 

1Co 12:12  For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 

1Co 12:13  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 

1Co 12:14  For the body is not one member, but many. 

1Co 12:25  That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 

1Co 12:26  And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. 

1Co 12:27  Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 

Pastor Holmes asks the question, "Can love conquer hate"? Using the Bible as his spiritual guide Pastor Holmes goes to Matthew 5:44 and Matthew 22:39. Our Country is in need of healing.

 Mat 5:43  Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 

Mat 5:44  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 

Mat 22:36  Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 

Mat 22:37  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 

Mat 22:38  This is the first and great commandment. 

Mat 22:39  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 

Mat 22:40  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. 

In this issue Pastor Holmes takes a look at when politics enter into the church how the church's mission can become skewed. Although we are to perform our civic duties those duties should never override the Scriptures.

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Pastor Holmes gives some bullet points on the various things that have gone on during this year. 

In Pastor Holmes' opinion on what is the cure.

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land (2 Chron. 7:14, KJV).

Pastor Holmes uses this title as a means to seeking that we should live our lives to obtain significance. When we are young we are in a discovery mode. It's when we get older that we gain wisdom. Moral of this is start to seek out your significance at an early age.

Pastor Holmes shares an article by Kristen Rogers discussing racism and using our sphere of influence to help mend our relationships with one another. When we remain silent Pastor Holmes calls this the "Sin of Silence."

Pastor Holmes muses over the loss of integrity on a individual and national level.

Pastor Jim Martin and I had a discussion on racial reconciliation in the Body of Christ.

Jim has served in various capacity over the 30+ years. In addition to numerous volunteer roles, He has served as pastor of six congregations. Prior to joining ABCS.

Jim was the Associational Director of Valley Rim for five years. In addition to supervising the staff and programs, he focused on resourcing pastors and helping them connect with one another.

Leader Care exists to provide hope and care to pastors, church staff and their families through Christ-centered support.

The facilitators of Leader Care seek to proactively facilitate spiritual, emotional and relational health among pastors, ministry staff members and their families by providing quality and affordable counsel, encouragement and opportunity for renewal.

Pastor Holmes discusses the terms of Church vs the Body of Christ. Why they are the same and why they can be different. Pastor Holmes refers to Mathew chapter 16:13-19.