In the “Let’s Be Clear” series, we are teaching what the Bible clearly says on controversial topics regarding the Church today. The big idea for this series is this: Clarity is the answer to confusion.
In the Bible, we see that Jesus Christ Himself was not clever or coy. He was unambiguous about His identity and mission. Week nine unveiled the big idea that God created different races on purpose for His glory. Racism is sin.
Sermon Recap: Defining Racism and God’s Endgame
To begin, we must define racism. Racism is devaluing groups of people based on race, and this is the exact opposite of how Christians should think. Instead, we should value all the peoples of the earth. Read Revelation 5:9-10:
“And they sang a new song, saying, ‘Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.’”
The question I want us to wrestle with is, “What is God doing with the end of all things?” In other words, what are God’s ultimate purposes for the world?” God’s endgame is to receive glory from all the peoples of the earth. His endgame is to establish His kingdom, which will be God’s people in His place under His reign. It’s not a whole lot different from Genesis really! God wants a relationship with people He made in His image for all eternity for His own glory!
Looking at Revelation 5:9, we see that there is a scroll that only one person can open. Earlier in Scripture, John wept because it looked like no one was worthy to open the scroll. The scroll is the script for the end of the world, so the failure to open the scroll meant that the world could not begin to come to an end. Think about that for a moment. Our world is full of modern slavery, corrupt governments, disease, domestic violence, abortion, and racism. To say this is sad is a drastic understatement! So John wept. He wept because until we get to the end, this world remains utterly and devastatingly broken!
But then enters Jesus Christ, our champion! Jesus is worthy to begin the end by opening the scroll. Jesus is the only one worthy to open the scroll because of the gospel. In our sin, we deserved to be wiped out. We deserved to find ourselves in death here and in hell forever. Romans 6:23 tells us that “the wages of sin is death.” But praise God, the verse doesn’t end there. “…the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Jesus is worthy to open the scroll because He gifted us His life. He was slain so we didn’t have to be. Jesus’ blood was the price of our ransom.
Look back at Revelation 5:9-10 again. God is not a tribal deity over one group with one language, skin color, background, and culture. Our God is worthy of praise from thousands of languages. This is the purpose for multitudes of race, cultural backgrounds, and languages. He receives maximum glory when He receives praise from every tribe, language, people, and nation.
Application: Give God glory for His global church.
Every believer is called to give God glory for His global Church. This is impossible to do if we are devaluing groups based on race.
Here are a few practical ways to consider whether you’re giving God the glory for His global Church:
1. Ask yourself: “Am I valuing or devaluing different races?”
2. Ask yourself: “How can I take steps to value different races as God does?”
3. Consider how you’re speaking about what God is doing globally. Are you celebrating churches from other traditions?
4. Enter into this conversation with your kids, even when it’s scary or difficult.
5. Learn to disagree without dividing.
6. Be charitable with one other rather than buying into the age of outrage.
Racism is a difficult topic, so we must lean on the Bible rather than the culture. Would we unite around the gospel and seek maximum glory for our King as we await the day where every tribe, tongue, people, and nation will worship together around the throne. Our differences will no longer divide us, sin will be no more, and we will be perfectly united in glorious praise for our Father!
-Andrew Hopper (Lead Pastor)
Watch the full sermon from week nine here!
Additional Resources:
“Beyond Colorblind” by Sarah Shinn
“Doesn’t Christianity Crush Diversity” (Ch. 2) in Confronting Christianity by Rebecca McLaughlin
