Message Title: One Blood Session 4

But, I’m Not a Racist

Nate Perkins, Senior Pastor

Acts 17:26 (NKJV) – And He has made from ONE BLOOD every NATION of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their pre-appointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings,

We are the product of the same man/woman. We are essentially the same – 99.9%

The differences in our appearance resulted from the scattering at the Tower of Babel.

The differences in our abilities or character traits are not the result of some evolutionary process that is tied to our genetic makeup.

So, inherently, there is no racial group that is superior or inferior to any other.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This conversation is not a black/white issue only

We have made major strides in our country, but there is still a very long way to go.

So often, people don’t fully see it because the lens we see things through is “But, I’m not a Racist!”

Practices that Foster Racism:
1. Making Important Life Decisions Based on Racial Bias

John 16:13 (MSG) – But when the Friend comes, the Spirit of the Truth, he will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is…

Romans 8:14 (GNT) – Those who are led by God's Spirit are God's children.

Holy Spirit is supposed to be our guide and the one who leads us in major, as well as minor decisions.

Unfortunately, too often people allow something other than Holy Spirit to guide our decisions.

Deuteronomy 7:1 – 4 (NLT) “The Lord your God will bring you into the land that you are going to occupy, and he will drive many nations out of it. As you advance, he will drive out seven nations larger and more powerful than you: the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 2 When the Lord your God places these people in your power and you defeat them, you must put them all to death. Do not make an alliance with them or show them any mercy. 3 Do not marry any of them, and do not let your children marry any of them, 4 because then they would lead your children away from the Lord to worship other gods. If that happens, the Lord will be angry with you and destroy you at once.

Malachi 2:10, 14-15 NIV 10 Do we not all have one Father? Did not one God create us? Why do we profane the covenant of our ancestors by being unfaithful to one another? 14 You ask, “Why?” It is because the Lord is the witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have been unfaithful to her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant. 15 Has not the one God made you? You belong to him in body and spirit. And what does the one God seek? Godly offspring. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful to the wife of your youth.

2. The Subtle Message that Black is Bad and White is Good

No way to truly estimate the effect it has on a child when you are told you are black, but so much of society around you tells you that black is associated with negativity.

This is one of the reasons blacks instinctively look to celebrate the accomplishments of other blacks.

But, sometimes it goes too far. And a celebration of black positivity becomes Racism in Reverse.

Philemon 1:6 (NKJV) – that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

Romans 12:3 (NLT) – Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.

3. Expecting the World to Fix a Problem that Only Jesus Can Heal

Psalm 20:7 (NIV) – Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

Our trust can never be in the government, a political party, or waiting for wrongs to be made right.

There’s no amount of money the government can give to anyone to make up for the ills of slavery.

TRANSLATION: Stop looking for a handout…but start demanding a hand up!

4. Failure to Understand or Acknowledge White Privilege

246 years of slavery; 89 years of segregation; 66 years of trying to fix it.
Systems that have had 335 years to bake don’t fully change in 66 years.
We’ve made MAJOR PROGRESS. But we still have a battle to fight TOGETHER!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4K5fbQ1-zps


National Repentance:
Jonah 3:10 (NLT) – When God saw what they had done and how they had put a stop to their evil ways, he changed his mind and did not carry out the destruction he had threatened.

II Chronicles 7:14 (NLT) if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land

At Impact Church we practice tithing for the support of Christ's Body, the Church, as God commands. We recognize that returning 10% of our income is the Biblical standard of tithing. The returning of tithes and giving of offerings is worship to Jesus Christ and is an expression of the love relationship between the individual giver and the Lord. Tithes and offerings are worship, and must not be considered as a business transaction, but as an expression of gratitude toward God