Messages on Race
Crossing the Starting & Finish Lines
Throughout the last few weeks, we’ve learned what it means to cross the line — with ourselves, into community, during conflict resolution, and ultimately into the world. In the race of life, we will encounter sin and struggles that may entangle the race marked out for us. The journey into emotional health involves learning to notice and name our emotions in the presence of God. What could be hindering you from running the race? What baggage might you be carrying…
All in the Family
In Galatians, Paul encourages the Jewish community to remove the ethnic, racial, economic, and gender barriers they’ve placed on others in order to see God and His people in a more realistic way. Here, we learn that our identity isn’t based on information or the social constructs placed on us. Its based on intimacy with a Father who adopts us into His family.
Diversity
Whether we like it or not, our cultural, ethnic, and racial backgrounds have a profound impact on the way we perceive the world and Jesus. Rather than ignoring that influence, we have the opportunity to learn more about God’s heart and character through His diverse creation. Listen to a conversation between several Ashworth members about their faith and experiences in light of their cultural contexts.
What the World Needs Now is Justice
Pastor Brent Clark looks at how the issues of equality and justice are not political issues but something God has been addressing since the beginning of creation and how Christ-followers are uniquely positioned to address racism and injustice when we see and experience it. Ashworth@Home Questions If we are all created in the image of God (the imago Dei), what does that say about ethnic diversity? What does that say about the nature of God? What difference would it make…
God is a White, Male Republican
Pastor Brent Clark addresses the lie that some believe that God is a white, male, Republican, but he also addresses the more dangerous underlying tendency to make God in our own image. Sermon Transcript In June of 1964, a man took the pulpit of a church and prayed this prayer: “Oh God, our Heavenly Guide, as finite creatures of time and as dependent creatures of [Yours], we acknowledge [You] as our sovereign Lord. Permit freedom and the joys thereof to…
Racial Reconciliation
Introduction Last year, the pastoral team and I went away to plan our preaching calendar for this year. One of the topics we thought we should cover was the issue of racial reconciliation.A couple of months before our meeting, we had seen the reporting of the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. Images flashed across the television of the response of the people in the community and in the nation. We knew this would be an important topic to…
Can’t We All Just Get Along: Racial Reconciliation
Introduction Last year, the pastoral team and I went away to plan our preaching calendar for this year. One of the topics we thought we should cover was the issue of racial reconciliation. A couple of months before our meeting, we had seen the reporting of the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. Images flashed across the television of the response of the people in the community and in the nation. We knew this would be an important topic…