Message Title: Reconciliation
Date: May 16, 2021

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Churches in the New Testament were multi-ethnic from the beginning

Divisions existed in the Roman and religious systems:
--formerly, separate, excluded, without

"Dividing Walls of Hostility"
--In the temple, Gentiles were as far from Yahweh as possible
--Wall that stated "No Gentiles"
Not just true for the Jews - we all put up walls

Jesus tore down the walls

Walls of hostility (sin) were torn down by Jesus' death on the cross

--we are all on the "outside"
--no good or bad people, only those in desperate need of salvation

New Race: In Christ
--Once a believer, it's our new identity

BIG IDEA
How God treated us informs fundamentally and forever how we treat others.

The Gospel is a message of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:19). We are the peacemakers of God (Matthew 5:9).

PCC BENEDICTION
May you jump into the arms of Jesus and may He push out into the world. May you be healed as you participate in the healing of others. Not because you must, but because you may. This is why we were born!

BEYOND SUNDAY
At PCC, we want any person from any racial or ethnic background to feel like they are among family. In order to do so, we must become more aware of God’s heart for racial reconciliation, key historical events, and the harm caused to many. Each week, our “Be The Bridge” (BTB) series will help us journey toward greater understanding, empathy and, in time, action. This week, we focus on the essential role of Christ in reconciliation and how to overcome the roadblocks, including shame and guilt.

Individual / Group Discussion Questions
1. In the last week from the BTB book or life, in what way have you become more aware about race? How has it made you feel?

2. Read Ephesians 2:11-18. What is this passage declaring about racial reconciliation and the power of being “in Christ”? How was this possible back then between Jews and Gentiles? What had to happen between the two groups for this to be so?

3. Gary Gaddini, our Lead Pastor, stated in his Sunday message, “Jesus died so that we might be unified as one new humanity/race (v.15) in one body (16) having access to God in one Spirit. (18) This, friends, is the road to reconciliation...but there are roadblocks.” What are the roadblocks you see that are hindering the work of Jesus?

4. Author Latasha Morrison, in the Be The Bridge book, states, “When we honestly acknowledge and lament the truth of our sins (especially our racial sins), we will come face to face with the shame and guilt of our collective past. Dealing with that guilt and shame, really owning it, can be a tear-filled, painful process. But if we’re going to find freedom, if we’re going to build bridges to freedom for others, it’s a necessary part of the work. We can’t bypass the weight of our guilt and shame if we intend to arrive at true reconciliation and justice. And in America, we have plenty of collective guilt and shame to acknowledge.”

Why do guilt and shame become such easy roadblocks that hold us back from being the solution when it comes to racial reconciliation with others? How have you felt guilt and shame when it comes to race issues? How did you get held up by it or work through it? Note: Ezra’s example in Ezra 9:5-8.

5. Acknowledging the communal racial sins of our nation seems to be challenging enough to many of us. Then to face our guilt and shame seems even more difficult. However, what are the benefits to doing so and how does it bring about redemption and restoration? Note how it relates to James 5:16. What next step are you feeling led to take?

6. As a group or individually, declare the prayer below:

A Prayer to Confess Shame & Guilt (BTB p.81 at the end of Chapter 4)
Heavenly Father, we confess that in our humanity, we have sinned against you by our actions and thoughts and we have sinned by failing to do the things you have required of us. At times, our lives have reflected only our selfish desires and motives through hurtful and harmful words spoken against others created in your image and through actions that do not honor you. Apart from your grace, we are incapable of living into the fullness of who you have created us to be. This awareness brings with it the burden of shame and guilt. In our humility, we are grateful for the blood of Jesus Christ, which redeems and covers all shame and guilt, and for the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to forgive like you, to love like you, and to see others the way that you see them. We are thankful that because of the cleansing power of the cross, we can lay all our guilt and shame at the feet of our Savior. In the powerful and redeeming name of Jesus, amen.

Resources (see links below)
1. Get a FREE Be the Bridge Book! [Pick up at church or request to be sent to your home]
2. Get in a Be the Bridge Group [this week / read chap. 4 prior]
3. Read chapter 5 prior to Week 4 [Be the Bridge - Schedule]

For PCC's budgeted giving:
Fiscal year (June 1 - To Date)

Giving Update
Budgeted Giving: $4,072,377
Giving to Date: $3,105,165
Still Need: $ 967,212