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Racism
Bible Study for April 3 - 9, 2000
Today's scriptures:
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” I Samuel 16:7
Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too,
Romans 3: 29
This Bible study is on racism, and whether God judges us or not. Before I get into the Bible study let me get the political junk out of the way. My personal belief is that no one, regardless of race, should not be discriminated against, nor should they get special rights or privileges. I came up with this one a few months ago. When I started this ministry I looked on the Internet for kid's web churches. Most of them I found promoted "white power." That's a bunch of junk. Be careful out there. I hope I can prove to you here that God doesn't care what color your skin is, but what you do.
Now to the Word! You might have noticed that we have had a few lessons from I Samuel 16. That's because there is a lot of good stuff in there! Samuel is trying to find the next king, to replace Saul. When David's older, bigger, and stronger brothers were brought to Samuel, God said "NEXT!" That's where our first verse comes in. Samuel thought the good looking, strong, oldest brother of David would be the new king. But God said that only men looked at the outside, he looked at the heart. He knew that David's brother Eliab didn't have the right stuff, but that little kid, David, had everything he needed to be king. David had God so strong in his heart that he didn't know there were things he couldn't do. He knew that through God he could do anything!
To the New Testament we go. The Jews knew that they could be saved. I'm talking about the apostles after Jesus had floated to heaven. They couldn't decide what the gentiles had to do to be saved. Who are Gentiles? ANY RACE OTHER THAN JEWISH. You see, Jew can be used to address a religion or the race of people. The Jews were used to being discriminated against. For years and years they had been beaten down and made slaves.
In fact, they recognized only two races. Theirs and everyone else. They didn't care if you were yellow, black, white or red. If you weren't Jewish, you were a Gentile. So the disciples argued about whether Gentiles could be saved, and if they were, what did they have to do? Did they have to obey Jewish laws, or were they under new laws? They decided that Gentiles could be saved. The Jews were God's chosen people, but if a Gentile accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior, they were saved. Aren't you glad? I am!
What if God pulled a joke on you? Have you ever given money for a missionary? Most people that go to church have. Even if you didn't realize it, your church probably have given some of your money to missions. Let's say you are white. I don't know, because I have never seen most of you. Let's say that you gave a dollar to missions. Let's imagine that your dollar went to a missionary in Africa who bought tracts with your dollar. One of the tracts goes to a black African who gets saved. Then he witnesses to his family and they get saved.
Soon, the 10 people in his family are witnessing to their friends who witness to their family and friends, and after a year 200 black Africans have been saved because of your dollar. In fact, over your lifetime 2000 black Africans get saved because of your dollar. When you die, you go to heaven and God tells you that he has a special treat for you. He has built your mansion right in the middle of the mansions of a group of people that were saved because of a dollar you gave in Sunday School once. All of a sudden, you are living in the middle of 2000 souls, that while on earth had black skin! Would you tell God that you don't want to live there? Of course not!
Jesus said that we have to love our neighbors just as much as ourselves. That means no matter what color your neighbor is.
God is prejudiced! That's right! God is prejudiced. Don't get me wrong, he doesn't care what color your skin, hair, or eyes are. He doesn't care if you are tall or short. He doesn't care if your belly button is an innie or an outie. Or, I don't think so, anyway. But he does care what is in your heart. No matter what good things you do on earth, if you don't accept Jesus as your savior and follow his rules, then you can't live in his neighborhood. The ACLU should sue God over that one. If you are gay, you can't move onto Gold Street. If you're a thief, the pearly gates won't open for you. If you live in sin, the Heaven Hotel will not let you check in.
So we shouldn't look at a person's skin and judge them. Look at how they act. Then you can decide whether to be friends with them or not.
Are you sure? Are you ready to move into God's neighborhood when the time comes? The alternative is hotter than Texas in July! If you aren't sure, then you to talk to the landlord of heaven, now. Look at the page "How to become a Christian" to get started.
Have you been judging people by the way they look? Do you want people judging you by the way you look? Wouldn't be easier for all of us to judge each other by the way we act?
This week's prayer:
Dear heavenly Father,
Help me to stay away from judging people by their looks. Give me the wisdom to properly judge their actions. Please help me and guide me to be the person that others can look to as a good example of Christianity.
Amen
Story for week April 3 - 9, 2000
What happened to her skin?
This story includes Tonya, Tex and his trusty horse Alpo, and Fred Red
Tex and his trusty horse, Alpo, have just ridden into town after a long time on the range. When they get into town they run into their old friend, Fred Red.
"Hello human, Tex! Hello animal Alpo!" shouts Fred Red. He always seems to be shouting.
"Well howdy, pardner. How ya doin’ feller?" Alpo shook his head in a "hello", too.
"I am doing well, human Tex. I have been looking at the new web site called Kids4God.org. Have you seen it?"
"Naw, I haven't been around one of them new fangled computers in a while."
"Well in this weeks lesson MrGene talks about trust," Fred Red tells him.
About this time, Tonya is walking by. Neither Fred Red or Tex have met her yet.
" Well hello there young lady, where'd Ya'll come from?" asks Tex.
" I'm new around here." replied Tonya.
"What is your name human female?" asked Fred Red.
"My name is Tonya. My family just moved here. What's your names?"
"My handle is Tex, this is my trusty horse, Alpo. And that critter is Fred Red."
"Yes, human Tonya, my name is Fred Red. What happened to your skin?"
"Now pardner, nothin’ a happened to her skin. She just ain't the same color as you and me."
Then Tex continued to tell Fred Red that earth is made of people with a lot of different skin colors.
"And you have no room to talk, you red alien. You're more red than a fire truck." snarled Tonya. She had never seen a red creature like Fred Red.
"I apologize, human Tonya. I did not mean to offend you. I just haven't seen anyone with your color skin. Are you a Christian?"
"Yes, I am, red boy. I do have Jesus in my heart. And I went to church in my old neighborhood. I just haven't found one here yet." answered Tonya.
"Great! Then we are brothers and sisters in Christ. My God does not discriminate." said Fred Red with excitement.
But Tonya disagreed. She said, "Oh yes he does too discriminate."
With that, Tex had to jump in. "Now that's just silly. God loves everyone, and he don't care what color your skin is."
Tonya was quick to answer, "No, he don't care what color your skin is, even if it's red. He doesn't care what style hair you have, or how tall you are, or if you are ugly or not. But he does discriminate."
Now this was starting to confuse Fred Red! "What do you mean, human Tonya?" he asked.
Tonya answered, "He cares if you obey His laws or not! He discriminates against those who don't accept him as their Lord."
Tex jumped in, "Yer right, but he loves ever body." Alpo nodded his head in agreement.
Fred Red agreed, too. "Yes, human Tex. He loves every one, but the ones who do not accept Him will not see His kingdom."
"That's right Fred Red. Not only that, but he gives us gifts and comforts us," continued Tonya, "He can't give that stuff to those fools that turn away from Him."
"So He don't judge ya by whatcha look like, but whatcha act like." stated Tex.
"Now you're starting to understand." said Tonya.
" Very good, human Tonya. Will we be seeing you again?"
Tonya answered, "I guess I’ll be seeing you around. I might even talk to you if you act cool enough."
"I will try to act cold, human Tonya." Fred Red replied.
"Don't even try to explain it to him little lady. " Tex said, shaking his head.
"I have an idea, human Tonya, why don't you go to the facility of Godly worship with us, this Sunday."
Tonya had a confused look on her face, "Where?"
Tex helped out, "He means church, little lady."
"Sounds cool to me." answered Tonya.
" Good, human Tonya. Goodbye human Tex. Bye animal Alpo. Bye human Tonya."
" See ya’ll later." said Tonya, waving goodbye.
"Nice meetin' ya, little lady. See ya at church pardners."
And they all went their separate ways.
How about you? Would you have invited Tonya to your church?
Word game for April 3 - 9, 2000
Unscramble the words!
1. MEUSALE _ A _ _ _ L
2.IDDVA _ A _ _ D
3.JCDPEEURI P _ _ J _ _ _ _ _
4.TGIESNEL _ _ N _ _ L _ _
5.SWIEHJ _ _ W _ _ H
6.PAARAEEPCN _ P _ _ A _ _ _ C _
7.LOCOR _ O _ _ R
8.YAOTN _ O _ _ A
9.EDGJU _ _ D _ _
10.RATEH _ _ _ _ T
Answers to word game.
Answers for word game April 3 - 9, 2000
Unscramble the words!
1. MEUSALE SAMUEL
2.IDDVA DAVID
3.JCDPEEURI PREJUDICE
4.TGIESNEL GENTILES
5.SWIEHJ JEWISH
6.PAARAEEPCN APPEARANCE
7.LOCOR COLOR
8.YAOTN TONYA
9.EDGJU JUDGE
10.RATEH HEART
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Copyright 2000 by Gene Powell