Ashworth Church - West Des Moines

Pastor Ryan address how the pandemic has effected the mental, emotional, and spiritual condition of everyone and the importance of persevering during this time.

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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.

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 if diversity were more of a reality in our friendships? In our schools and communities? In the church? What do you sense God might be saying to you specifically in the areas of equality, justice, and racial reconciliation?

Good morning all. It is so great to see you that are with us in person and to connect with those of you who are joining us online live or at a later time.

Welcome to Tension Sunday. Why is the tension Sunday? Because today we are going to look at something we can’t get away from, no matter how much we may want to, or even think we have put behind us. Today we are looking at What the World Needs Now is Equality and Justice. See, the tension in this room and online just rose by 100% by saying those two words! I can see some of you tense up right now.

I realize this is an uncomfortable subject, and some might prefer we leave it alone. After all, isn’t this just religion inserting itself into politics? One of the reasons this has become a political debate is because we, Christ-followers, have been derelict in our responsibilities and looked to shift this issue for someone else to deal with.

Our unwillingness to wade into the uncomfortable has contributed to the problem when I strongly believe that Christianity can make the best case for the solution.

Today, my goal is not to become political, although as I speak, some of you may equate what I am saying with one political party or another.

I realize that no matter what I say today, one side may say I said too much, meddled too much in things the church should stay out of. The other side may say I didn’t say enough and should call out specific people and events.

Fortunately, both sides will agree that I have said something wrong or incorrectly. So if that happens, I am glad I could bring the two sides together in some way.

One quick ground rule for today is I have been making these messages a bit more interactive, both in-person and online. However, because of the sensitive nature of this topic and the fact that far too often we are more concerned about making a point than the person on the receiving end of that point, I would ask we leave the chat window silent today.

And at the end, if you have questions or would like to comment to me directly, you can email me or text me.

With that said, I want to begin by testing your response to some words. Take a look at the screen. Black Lives Matter. All Lives Matter. Blue Lives Matter. White Privilege. Slavery. Equality. Racist. George Floyd. White Flight. America. Jacob Blake. Segregation. Integration.

As you look at those words, how do you feel? Take a look at another set of words. Not answering aloud, but maybe making a note, how did those words make you feel. Animosity. Anxiety. Apathy. Anger. Anguish. And while there is no right answer, there are some answers that if you feel them, you should probably see how they line up with the values Jesus modeled for us and explore why you might feel that way.

Why is this such a problem? And where does this come from? To understand this, we need to realize that this is not a uniquely American problem. There is inequality and injustice in other countries, as well. Racism is everywhere.

There’s a popular show on Netflix right now called Indian Matchmaker. It shows how families can arrange marriages. After I watched a few episodes, I read an article called “Indian Matchmaking Exposes the Easy Acceptance of Caste: Netflix’s popular reality series is a tacit defense of arranged marriages and the role they play in upholding a system of discrimination.”

However, even though this exists in other places, it should not be an excuse for us to turn a blind eye to what we see happening around us.

Also, this isn’t anything new. Before slavery, before America, all the way back to early civilizations, there have been people in power and people under the control of those in power. Genesis ends with Joseph and his family in Egypt, and Exodus begins with their enslavement.

With God’s covenant with Abraham to bless him and make him a chosen nation, there was ongoing, as one article I read this week called it “othering.” The belief we are sup...

Pastor Brent looks at the barriers we put up when thinking about giving and how the parable of the Good Samaritan models for us how to be generous and put compassion in action.

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Pastor Ryan looks at Luke 6 and how Jesus desires those who follow him to show mercy to those around.

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Pastor Brent Clark looks at the importance of those who follow Jesus to be filled with and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

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