As I read God’s words today to the early church in Rome, I marvel how we are still fighting battles over prejudice. Even after 2,000 years of God’s church (The salt of the earth and the Light of the world) being able to make a difference in our world, we can visibly see how badly we have failed to communicate the message of love that should unite us.
In Romans 4 we read words that challenge the church in Rome, a church divided over race, to find their unity as one in the common father in the faith that we share. Paul writes, Romans 4:16–18 (CSB) ”This is why the promise is by faith, so that it may be according to grace, to guarantee it to all the descendants—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of Abraham’s faith. He is the father of us all. 17 As it is written: I have made you the father of many nations., He is our father in God’s sight, in whom Abraham believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls things into existence that do not exist. 18 He believed, hoping against hope, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what had been spoken: So will your descendants be.”
This is not the time to focus on the few things that make us different but on the multiplicity of the things that we have in common. One of my black brothers challenged me with these words today that we share the same blood as the human race. This is what we have in common. As the writer of Hebrews points out, Hebrews 2:14–16 (CSB) “Now since the children have flesh and blood in common, Jesus also shared in these, so that through his death he might destroy the one holding the power of death—that is, the devil—15 and free those who were held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death. 16 For it is clear that he does not reach out to help angels, but to help Abraham’s offspring.
I’ve met and prayed with black preachers in our community today, brothers in the faith who have challenged me in my faith walk and inched me ever so slightly to a better understanding of their view in the midst of this turmoil. And I admit that there is much more I must learn. I will not charge anyone else with the same sin that I must confess and repent. But I do challenge all who read these words to earnestly seek the Holy Spirit’s direction on how they should respond. He will do a much better job of directing you than I could.
Dear God, Help me to not simply sympathize with my brothers and sisters of color but to heed the call of Paul to, Acts 26:20 (CSB) “Repent and turn to God, and do works worthy of repentance.” In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Attention All PBC Kids:
Every Tuesday night at 7 pm, we will be having Sunday School
for kids in Kindergarten through 5th grade. Join Carol Jo Taylor on Zoom
for Sunday School. Contact Carol Jo if you need the link.
Also, all kids are invited to a Biblical Storytime with Carol Jo on Sunday nights at 6 pm on Piner Baptist Church Facebook Live.
Food Cards Needed for NKU International Students
We have 50 international students stranded at NKU (primarily from African nations). There is a need to collect gift cards FOR THESE RESTAURANTS SPECIFICALLY (walking distance to where they are housed with no transportation) to help feed these students: Chipotle, Canes, Chick Fil-A, Ichiban, Subway, Wendy’s, and Meijer. They were supplementing their income to cover food costs at NKU and are now unemployed.
Currently, we no longer need food for the Piner Families. If we receive any more requests, we will restart this program.
VBS on the Road
We are looking for volunteers to lead and/or host 2-hour day camps in subdivisions around our area during the month of July. If you are interested in teaching or hosting, please contact Bro. Mark. mark@pinerbaptist.org
Women’s Bible Study
“Discerning the Voice of God,” Bible Study will meet on Tuesday evenings 6:30-8:00 p.m., beginning TONIGHT Tuesday, June 2. Zoom channel to be announced. Call Amy in office to sign up to make sure you get a book.