Human Race Relationships

Ever since the fall, the unity and harmony that God intended for humans to experience with Himself and one another has been disrupted. The sin of racism has plagued our relationships ever since. This week, we will examine the one solution that God has provided that accomplishes reconciliation and empowers to pursue the unity and harmony that was meant for us.

Tyler’s Main Points

1. God’s good design is that there is one human race.

2. God’s good design is one human race, but many nations.

3. God’s good design was disrupted by sin.

4. God’s good design provides one savior for all people.

5. God’s good design is that through Jesus we are reconciled into one new people.

6. God’s good design culminates with one reconciled worshipping multitude.

Key Takeaways

  • Ideas have consequences. Bad ideas have victims.

  • Racism disrupts God’s good design and has one root problem, sin.

  • There are 3 potential mistakes in listening to this week’s message:
    1) To believe Tyler is a social justice warrior simply because he is addressing racism.
    2) To believe Tyler is a racist because he denounces the secular ideologies that are prevalent today.
    3) To believe Tyler should not have a voice because he is a white male.

  • All humanity has 1 common ancestry. We are all sons and daughters of Adam and Eve. The differences in external appearance comprise .01% of human DNA.

  • Every single human, regardless of race, is an image bearer of God.

  • External differences should lead us to worship God more because of His beauty and wisdom in diversely designing us.

  • The root problem and disruption of our relationship with God and each other is sin.

  • If we want the problem of racism addressed, we must turn to the sole solution– Jesus Christ. Believers are born again, made alive with Christ, given a new heart, transformed to walk in the newness of life, empowered by the Holy Spirit, enabled to purse/practice God’s good design, and can respect, value, and love every life.

  • In Ephesians 2, Paul’s first application coming out of his audience’s redemption in Christ is for them to walk in unity and peace with one another. In Christ, the Jews and Gentiles were reconciled to God and each other. They were one body, of one Spirit, of the same Father, of one household, and of one family.

  • We are not primarily defined by our ethnic differences, but in our attachment to Christ.

  • Only the Church has the lasting solution for racism. The Gospel is what changes hearts.

  • Cultural lies:
    1) Racism doesn’t exist in America, so we need to move on.
    2) Racism in America is happening all the time.
    3) Your skin color is your identity.
    4) The definition of racism is prejudice plus power.

  • Practical applications:
    1) Combat the lies with prayer.
    2) Combat the lies with the truth of God’s good design.
    3) Combat the lies with the message of the Gospel.
    4) Combat the sin of racism through confronting the sin of racism.
    5) Combat the lies by pursuing unity in the church.

  • The lack of confession of racism in the Church keeps us from the healing, forgiveness, grace, unity, and progress that Christ purchased on the cross.

Discussion Questions/Application

Personal reflection:

  • Reread Ephesians 2. What is the reality of relationships without redemption in Christ? What is the new reality for all of God’s redeemed people?

  • Spend time this week praying for our church, community, nation, and world to walk in the unity and peace purchased by Christ, as we eagerly await the final restoration in the world to come.

Discuss with your community group:

  • Are there any unconfessed prejudices or sins of partiality that you need to confess to      your group and seek healing, forgiveness, and accountability?

  • How can you practically contribute to the restoration of human race relations?

Passages Referenced
Genesis 1:26-27; Acts 17:26; Ephesians 2:1-22; Ephesians 6:12; Revelation 7:9-12.

Looking for more resources in the area of racial reconciliation?
Visit: https://www.centerforbiblicalunity.com/