Sermons on Racial Justice:

Ishmael And Isaac: From Mistake To Mission

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 20, 2009

We live with dreams deferred, and act hastily, out of impatience. Either we then go into denial or we try to make do with a substitute. But Christ makes all dreams ever new.

The playwright Lorraine Hansberry asks it: "What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up, like a raisin in the sun?" A dream deferred. A dream deferred is something you’ve put heart and soul into, for a long time, but it’s delayed. It hasn’t come. It’s incomplete. What happens to a dream ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

We Must Break Down The Walls

Contributed by Riley Turner on Jan 26, 2001

If the Body of Christ is ever to be the true example of reconciliation that God wants us to be, we must break down the walls of racial, ethnic, and cultural segregation that currently exist within the church.

(This sermon was preached at a Unity Workshop at the Sterling Blvd. Church of Christ in Sheffield, AL, held in September of 2000. The Sterling church is predominately African American; however, they have been moving toward becoming a more racially mixed church. Following this sermon, the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Joining Together Of Two Cultures

Contributed by Nelson Lin on Nov 7, 2006

This wedding message was used at a bi-racial wedding ceremony. The audience was mostly non church going people. Had a lot of positive comments on the differences between covenant marriage and contract marriage.

Marriage Ceremony of Dan and Kimm August 5, 2006 Greeting On behalf of Kimm and Dan, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all of you. I know that some of you traveled a great distance to be here, some of you even came from another country, Texas, just to be here to celebrate this ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Creating A Culture

Contributed by Ronnie Smith on May 19, 2018

Definition of Culture - a: the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group. b: the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution or organization.

Creating a culture. John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Painful Visit

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Apr 10, 2009

For Martin Luther King Sunday. Misunderstanding comes about because we do not hear one another, we do not have the context to understand, or someone deliberately creates distance. Racial understanding needs to take all this into account.

Misunderstanding is an inevitable part of life. Just because we are human, just because we have limitations and are imperfect, we are going to misunderstand one another. And the sooner we accept that as a part of life and learn to deal with it, the better off we’ll be. There are several reasons ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

2025 King Day Celebration Sermon: "we Can Complete The Mission No Matter What!"

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Jan 20, 2025

In Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. we reflect on his vision for justice, freedom, and equality, we must ask ourselves: can we complete the mission

2025 King Day Celebration Sermon: "We Can Complete the Mission No Matter What!" Theme: Mission Possible: Protecting Freedom, Justice, and Democracy in the Spirit of Nonviolence 365 Greetings, brothers and sisters in the spirit of justice, peace, and freedom, Greetings to My NAACP Branch ...read more

Scripture: James 1:22-25

Denomination: United Methodist

God's Judgment Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Jan 23, 2009

In this sermon we notice that God sends judgment on some, and that is not inconsistent with his justice.

Scripture Today I would like to study what is arguably one of the most difficult doctrines in the entire Bible: the doctrine of reprobation. The previous two weeks we studied the positive side of predestination, which is election. Of course, many people struggle with the doctrine of election. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 9:17-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Piercing The Darkness Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Dec 15, 2014

Through the Spirit, God's servant will be a light to the nations, bringing justice and release to prisoners.

Isaiah 42:1-9 “Piercing the Darkness” INTRODUCTION For most of us our Christmas preparations have been completed or nearing their finished splendor. The Christmas tree is up and decorated. Garland has been hung around the house and special Christmas candles have found their ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 42:1-9

Denomination: Lutheran

The Identity Of Faith Series

Contributed by Greg Powell on Aug 19, 2020

There is an identity crisis in our country. I believe that our racial problems are a result of an unbiblical view of our identity. This passage has long been used to rebuke a racist and bigoted view of the gospel.

INTRO: Galatians 3 has been a history lesson through the Old Testament. One of the more complicated chapters of Paul’s writings, it’s been a difficult hike, but like many hard journeys, there is a rewarding view at the end. We have climbed the mountain peaks of Abraham and Moses and have seen ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:26-29

Denomination: Baptist

"How Will We Serve God In 2016?"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Dec 23, 2015

A sermon for the New Year.

"How Will We Serve Christ in 2016?" Matthew 25:31-45 I think this is a very appropriate passage of Scripture to look at as we come to the end of a year, and prepare for a new one. The reason I say this is that Jesus is filling in the metaphors of the parables that come before it. "This is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: United Methodist

God Is Just

Contributed by Brian Bill on Aug 6, 2018

While we so readily set ourselves up as judge and jury, we’re going to learn today that God alone is qualified to be the judge because He is always just and knows everything.

Our Just God Romans 3:25-31 Rev. Brian Bill July 28-29, 2018 I came across an article in the Huffington Post a week ago. Brent Gehring from Nebraska was returning home after having dinner with his daughter Emma. While he was carrying her in his arms, a man yelled at him, “What the ? Make her ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:25-31

Denomination: Baptist

A Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Waste

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 2, 2010

Martin Luther King Birthday 1989: Solomon began with promise, but lost his identity and squandered his gifts. African-Americans and the church must recommit to solid teaching, to evangelizing, and to fighting the scourge of drugs, lest we waste a whole

There is a kind of presumptuousness involved when a white preacher stands to offer any words on this the anniversary of the birthday of Martin Luther King. It is audacious indeed, as Janice Williams pointed out when she was teaching our foreign mission study on South Africa about a month ago, for ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Making The Most Of Every Opportunity

Contributed by David Owens on Mar 25, 2024

Where did the Easter holiday come from? How do Christians and Churches navigate holidays in a way that takes advantage of what is on people's minds without creating religious holidays and traditions that are not biblically authorized?

A. One day an atheist was complaining to his Christian friend, “You Christians have your special holidays, such as Christmas and Easter and Jews celebrate their special holidays, such as Passover and Yom Kippur, but we atheists have no recognized special holidays. It’s just not fair!” 1. The ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:2-6, 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, Acts 17:23, Revelation 22:18-19, Matthew 15:8-9, 2 John 1:9, Jude 1:3-4, Matthew 7:21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Been There, Done That, Got The T-Shirt

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 9, 2001

This sermon was done while peeling off T-shirts, one by one. The focus is that the presence of the Lord in our lives, as an active participant, drives out cynicism and preserves our joy.

I wish I had bought stock in the T-shirt industry. Of the making of souvenir T-shirts there is no end. People are using T-shirts to send all sorts of messages. Some T-shirts advertise products. Some T-shirts identify the work places. Some focus on the club memberships. And then some T-shirts ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Redemption #18 - The Essence Of God #1 Series

Contributed by Clyde White on Mar 30, 2005

If all of us really believe that God is the apex of justice, IF we really believe with our whole heart that God ALONE is the totality of justice, THEN we will not hear, nor will we utter the phrase, “Why would God allow….”

Biblical Truth Never Changes, Neither is it static God’s word is established forever! That’s good to know!! Our eternal existence depends on the truth of the Word of God, and on the fact that the Word will not change with the passing of time or fluctuating circumstances. That should make Bible ...read more