“The Third Race”
Sermon by Rev. Ben Garris
1.
How do you define peace? What does peace mean
or look like to you?
2.
Peace
is more than just the absence of conflict and the waving of a white flag; it is
the greater presence of wholeness and completeness in its place. Peace, Eirene,
Shalom.
3.
“The best of the serpents crush . . . the best
of the Gentiles kill.”
“No foreigner may
enter within the barricade which surrounds the sanctuary and enclosure. Anyone
who is caught doing so will have himself to blame for his ensuing death.”
Have you ever felt that strongly about another person, race, group, or nation?
Have you ever felt that strongly about another person, race, group, or nation?
4.
HE
HIMSELF IS OUR PEACE [SHALOM]! [Ephesians 2:14]
John 10:16, “I have other sheep that are
not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my
voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.”
5.
Eph. 2:15 | Historically, people were understood
to be one of two races: Jew or Gentile. Here, Paul says that the very purpose
of Jesus is to create a whole new race altogether, a third race!
6.
Any version of peace that does not begin with
the shalom of Jesus is no peace at all.
7.
How
is your shalom? How is your peace? How is your well-being?
Romans 5:1, “Therefore, since we have been justified through
faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
