Scripture: Colossians 3:22–4:1
Scripture Memory: Psalm 46:4-5
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
Journey: This past week as I was reading an article on CNN about a Malaysian “pastor” (who is also a homosexual) I took a look at the posted responses of other readers. It went like this in the main: One reader would post a biblical injunction against homosexuality as a lifestyle. Another reader would parry with something like, “The Bible? Do you believe other fairy tales as well?” This didn’t surprise me, it’s pretty typical blog-banter, but several anti-bible tirades did especially catch my eye. A few responses read similar to, “The bible? Although it condones slavery, you still believe that archaic book?”
I don’t know if you are aware of it or not but this view of the Bible (condoning slavery) is a very popular criticism of Scripture and is the precise reason why we’ll spend today thinking about slavery historically and Scripturally.
Although this is not “usual” Sunday morning fare I hope that it will be profitable us as we see more of the brilliance of God’s plans to redeem humanity from our moral messes.
Please bring a pen and a piece of paper(!),
Will (for the pastors)