Religion & Spirituality
Three Types of Reconciliation One More Step | Week 2February 14, 2021Mark Cruz, Daniel Bunn, and Dave Brown Mark Cruz on Racial ReconciliationWhat is your next step?the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.…the most segregated hour of Christian America is eleven o’clock on Sunday morning.John 17:21 NLTI pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.Pastor Tony EvansThe goal isn’t just about repenting from the sin of racism, but it’s geared towards developing authentic friendships with different races and cultures than our own. Once we repent from the sin of racism, develop relationships across racial lines, then in unity, we can serve our communities. The church is supposed to be the salt and light of our neighborhoods regardless of the racial demographic.ListenJames 1:19 NIVUnderstand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.LearnPsalm 25:5 NIVLead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.LeverageEphesians 5:15-16 NIVSo be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.The Heart of God is Unity Daniel Bunn on Familial ReconciliationPhilippians 2:1-4 NIVTherefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Dave Brown on Spiritual ReconciliationWhat did the sons do?How did the father respond?Luke 15:20 NIVBut while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.Luke 15:31-32 NIVMy son...You are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again. he was lost and is found.Tim KellerTo ask this while the father still lived was the same as to wish him dead. The younger son was essentially saying that he wants his father’s things, but not his father.Tim KellerThey both were using the father for their own self-centered ends rather than loving, enjoying, and serving him for his own sake. This means that you can rebel against God and be alienated from him either by breaking his rules or by keeping all of them diligently.