This week in the U.S. we have experienced an unprecedented level of racism, injustice, and violence. We are currently experiencing a high rate of “black on black crimes” with Chicago being the murder capitol of America, “police on black lives crimes” with the wrongful death of Philando Castile, and even “black on police crimes” in Dallas.
Certainly, the issues are not only involving black (African American) people but as of right now the highest amount of tension is in the black community, especially those in urban areas. Many from within the black community and without are offering up reasons and remedies to stop the madness. Yet, nothing is helping but rather things are only getting worse.
The American church has been mostly irrelevant in recent times not because it has been silent but because instead of showing the world Jesus, the church has only been a mirrored reflection of the world. In other words, the church has dressed up Jesus to look so much like the world that there isn’t a difference from the Jesus they represent and the world.
America has had community meetings, heard political promises, held both violent and peaceful protests, been educated on racial inequality (“White Privilege”) and “Black History,” and have listened to all the news outlets, along with social media bloggers without any real change.
Therefore, what is the real solution? More of the same? Or could we all be missing something important and foundational?
THE MISSING INGREDIENT
Imagine if you were a doctor and had discovered the cure for cancer. The cure is made from one main ingredient and without it the cure cannot work. Now consider if the drug companies said to you, “We like everything about your cure, except the main ingredient. Change the ingredient so we can make and distribute your cure.”
What would you say?
God teaches us that Jesus is the cure to humanity’s trouble- especially those the U.S. is facing right now. Yet, we as a culture keep saying back to God, “Give us the cure without Jesus.” We don’t want prayers to Jesus in our schools, His Words in our courtrooms, nor His morals in our lives and entertainment. We want to rid Him from our consciences and freely promote same sex marriage, abortion, drug use, adultery, greed, evil entertainment, pornography and teach our children that mankind is nothing more than an animal evolved from apes.
Is it any wonder we as a people are so sick?
The prophet Isaiah warned Israel about the same mindset we have today, “20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. 21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight,” Isaiah 5:20-21.
We need to repent and turn to God and receive the only cure that can save us- Jesus Christ.
SERMON TEXT
Proverbs 29:2, “When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.”
FOUR ATTRIBUTES OF THE RIGHTEOUS
- They serve one God, Ephesians 2:13-18.
- They have one faith, Ephesians 4:4-6.
- They know one blood, Ephesians 1:3-10.
- They give one love, Ephesians 4:31-5:7.
What would the world be like today if everyone was righteous and received God’s cure- Jesus Christ?
