I want to speak about doubt and unbelief, this morning. Given what our nation is currently in the throes of again, given our nations inability to be just and equal for all. Such that it continues to be highlighted by the vivid and visceral killing of Mr. George Floyd, a black man by a white police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota. So shocking was the video recording of his public killing, that demonstrations for equality have spread to other nations of the world. But the question I want us to ponder on while in the midst of these tumultuous time is, what next?
As the anger subsides, as the passion for many lessen, as the pent of frustrations of being in a somewhat closed society for over two months to stem the spread of a worldwide virus pandemic and that combined with this recurring flash of our nations racism, again the question, what next?
But first let me thank and honor each of you for gathering this morning and making time in your life to come honor our worship and praise God with your presence today. I want to say emphatically as people of faith God has expectations of us, and you should and ought to have expectations of God, and Christ Jesus God’s only begotten Son. What are those expectations, where do we begin or go to, to get an understanding of these expectations?
I offer and say to us, we go to Scripture; for, from Exodus to Revelation we read and encounter God striving to establish relationship with humankind, with us. Story after story, event after event we encounter a concerned loving God who has entered and established “Covenant” with God’s people, with us!
In Jeremiah 30:20-21, we read these words from God Almighty; “…their community will be established before me, I will punish all who oppress them…I will bring their leader close to me-he who will devote himself to be close to me-declares the LORD. So, you will be my people, and I will be your God.”
So, this tells me there is an expectation of relationship, what might that relationship look like? Again, let us go to and review Scripture, for we might hear a word on this and all matter of life and righteousness in these ancient texts. In Micah 6:8; there are words about the expectation of what God expects from us, if we’re read, reflect, pray and discern on if only for a moment. So, we read; “The LORD has shown you O, mortal what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
As people of faith there is an expectation that we apply this text to our living and our lives. Let us now broadly apply it to what occurred on a fateful afternoon at a street corner in Minneapolis to where Mr. Floyd, and a police officer lives intersected.
Did that officer act good, did he act justly towards and with Mr. George, did the officer show Phila, that is brotherly love towards Mr. George, as Mr. George struggled to breathe, went motionless, with a knee still on his neck even as the paramedics aid car arrived, did the officer show or extend mercy with or towards Mr. George? Lastly, and I don’t know if the officer is a man of faith or not, but can it be said by casual observation that he walks humbly with God?
Fear, doubt, anger unbelief are but a few of the many and possible emotions and responses as humans we’ll generate from what happen, and what should have happen, and what if anything will happen next. And as our nation grapples with this tragic event, there is the Fear for a future where this is again un-addressed, as will thoughts of Doubt that again we as a nation, as a people can not and will not muster the will to address the circumstances and conditions that allow and produce such occurrences. And lastly a sense of Unbelief that changing this condition is so overwhelming, difficult and impossible to change.
Know that such are not the options for people of faith. In Luke 24;49, we get these reassuring words; “Jesus declares to his disciples; “I am going to send you want my Father has promised: But you stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” In 2 Timothy we read; “For the Spirit God gives us does not make us timid or fearful, but gives us power, and love…”. These are the expectations that God our creator, and Christ Jesus our Savior and redeemer has of we the people of faith.
Know that you are worthy that is why God sent His only begotten Son, because you are worthy. I wanted that portion of Pentecost read again not just because it is insightful and informative, but it is wholly and Holy informative to remind you again because of the love of Elohim, Yahweh we are never alone, you are not an afterthought, we are not abandoned, not orphans and have not been left alone because we are all worthy, in the sight of God Almighty.
Consider your heritage from God worthy to get or carry you through whatever troubling, heart-wrenching journey you may find yourself or your child, husband or wife, in this life. Know that everyday will not be perfect and good, storms of life and living will rage-but you’ve got a friend in Jesus.
Ohhhhhh, what needless pains we often bare because we do not take everything to God in prayer.
Miracles are so much more possible when you believe, hope and prayers are so powerful and again you are worthy.
In scripture we read about a father concerned about the seizures his son suffers from having the real ability to toss him into fires and waters. Therefore to one day possible kill him, the asked Jesus if he could, would he help them…he told Jesus, “I believe but help me with my unbelief…”
Last week was Pentecost but as Christians, Pentecost is not just one Sunday it is a way of life, it is a way of living for we Christians.
Jesus has stated, shared and taught us by his living the sacrificial laying down of his life for us, to save us from sin, and redeem us damnation, that we are not alone in our journey through this life, there is an otherness to our existence.
That we are not abandoned, not orphans but indeed as the Apostle Paul stated lived and witnessed by “we are more than conquerors…”
We have not been given a spirit that ought to make us timid, scared, unsure, afraid. Every day we face opposition, the world rejected “the one who comes in the name of the Fathers, the world at times scorns the “Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world…the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.
Can you not see, not fantom that if such reactions were and still are directed at the One who claimed; “On this rock I shall build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
There is work to do, miracles to still affirm, testimonies to be shared, grace, love, compassion and concern to be given, for God is still in the healing business, the caring, concerned, transforming business, and heavens storehouses of blessings still has more blessings many with your name, your children’s name your families name on many of those blessings.
As for me it is both a privilege and a burden to bring and utter divine directed words in hope of the comforting at times un-comforting, sometimes convicting, sometimes inspiring sometimes reflective, at other times validating.
So I say to you this morning without reservation, without condition, without hesitation “Even with Doubts and Unbelief’s Go With God!”
The counselor, the enabler, the truth, the “Neshamah” the divine life giving breath of Elohim that gave both life, consciousness thought and spirit to the first persons God created, when God breathed the divine breath “Neshamah,” is still alive and active today, there is miracle you get to look at every time you catch a glimpse of yourself in a reflection, you’re staring at one of God’s miracles that God has and is still blessing each time you look into a mirror.