“ Great Sermon! ” Heard the podcast. This article by Mr. Ashby is to get people talking about divorce as acceptable. He talks in circles and has a thesis (which is to have divorce acceptable) and tries to use scripture to support his thoughts. Typical commie tactic. This was used to get abortion legal, homosex legal, and marijuana legal. Find a one extreme case to justfy what the real goal is. To make something evil acceptable. Again, the goal is to get believers to second guess the scriptures by using a crazy, extreme case that may or may not be true. These situations need to be handled by the local church by elders and the members need to know and as a church prayerfully. Folks like Mr. Ashby is a pot stirrer. He wants people to talk and talk until divorce is acceptable across the board no matter what the scriptures teach. Like you said in the beginning of the podcast Believers don't beat each other. When there is sin in the church it is disciplined. Sin in the lives of members is dealt with according to the scriptures. Anyone can come up with "what if" situations all the time or any subject. Kids use that tactic all the time to manipulate parents and agitators are masters at it. Keep preaching the scriptures prayerfully and don't turn to the left or right, but be steadfast.
“ What could you expect from Pastor Sean Harris? ” This is another attempt to align to the theme of our culture. Remain biblical !!! Women deacon qualifications are NOT stated nor found in the bible.
“ Slavery is the real issue ” Behind all this talk about racial reconciliation is the real cause which has caused the controversy and which is constantly raised by those requiring a change in others. The cause of offense is slavery. But the only reconciliation that needs to take place is to return to the scriptures and for professing Christians to be reconciled back to what scripture teaches about slavery and the verses that nobody ever talks about, even though they are absolutely clear. Social and spiritual conflict will continue until people are reconciled to what scripture teaches.
Highly recommend Derek Carson's forthright sermon called Considering Slavery which has 2 parts. That is one step instead of 14 steps.
“ Great Sermon! ” God grows His church and it is and will be diverse. Rev says people from every tribe, nation, kindred, and tongue will worship in heaven. God saves whom he will and we don't need to worry about ethnic groups. We are told in the gospels to make disciples of the nations. Pastors according the epistles are to preach the word in season and out. All this racial reconciliation stuff is a bunch of nonsense and not according to scripture. This is taking away from the gospel.
“ Excellent Discussion ” Pastor Sean, staff and guests;
Without question this maybe the most insightful, on point and significant discussion regarding racial reconciliation I have heard these last few years.
I wish this is how the panels at T4G had gone. Pastor like you I left Louisville with the question of what next - a problem had been identified, it seemed that I was the problem just because of my ethnicity but no solution offered. I think that Dr Duncan was closest to a solution.
I am blessed by your approach in this discussion, frankly by the approach and attitude of all involved.
I do have s question like you and most of your staff I am former military (recently retired CSM, 32 years) and like you we have lived /worked in an environment where we didn’t deal with others based on ethnicity we were all equal - how much does that affect our ability to empathize/sympathize with brothers and sisters on both sides of the issue who don’t have that experience?
“ Great Sermon! ” It seems that my previous comment was cut off. To continue...
Justice means getting what you deserve without favor. “Social Justice” means getting what you don’t deserve because you are favored. Today this term is used effectively to further divide people into subgroups as “victims”. Which is why some felt the need to tell you that because you have white skin that you now have to take responsibility for slavery, because they have been told they are “victims” under this umbrella of “social justice”. As an African American I have experienced more condescension because of this “victimhood” association than I have experienced racism. This notion, that because I’m brown skinned I somehow need extra help, or must be treated like a “victim” is I think the greater point of concern. To give a practical example of this: let’s say my son gets accepted at Yale, people may question if he was accepted because of his skin color or because he actually deserves to be there. Something to keep in mind when choosing leaders at berean who are ethically different from you. My point is: continue to preach the word and I think you will find diverse leaders and will keep trending toward a diverse congregation.
“ Great Sermon! ” Great discussion. I’m glad you felt lead to address it from your perspective. Your candidness is refreshing. To your question: As the pastor what changes need to be made to welcome and promote more diversity?
1. You are stepping in the right direction by addressing issues of diversity, with people of different diversities.
2. In the podcast you addressed the lack of diversity within leadership at Berean, I agree, don’t compromise doctrine to find it, but know that when you do find it, it will go a long way to promote a more diverse congregation.
3. First off, praise and worship songs at Berean is a blessing, hymns and many songs are inspirational and turns the heart towards Gods goodness and prepares us to hear the word. Simply put, I think the same things can be achieved with more diverse styles of praise and worship music.
My last point is on the discussion about injustices we experience today such as police brutality of black etc being addressed from the pulpit. I think if you preach the word of God as you do these issues will be addressed. Furthermore, the Bible speaks much of Justice, but we must use caution against another term that a lot of these issues get thrown underneath today (and is creeping into the church) and that is “Social Justice”. Justice means
“ Great Sermon! ” Pastor Sean I really appreciated your part in this podcast. I don't know you, but your thinking and questions you asked were right on and showed your discernment. As a black american and fellow believer you were right and on it even about not bringing social issues into the pulpit UNLESS the text warrants it to drive a point in the sermon as an application. I am glad you questioned being lectured about presupposed sin in your life as a church leader from people who don't know you and then never told you what to do about it. God is clear in his word what sin is how to repent and the works to perform in keeping with repentance. Think about it. About 12K people were told at that conference that they were bigots towards blacks because they were white and the blacks in attendance were told they were victims since they were black. Pastor Sean keep preaching the Word. We need the scriptures preached by our local pastors who know us. The Spirit will work it out in our lives as it relates to others. We will love our brothers in Christ. If we don't we are liars and the truth is not in us according to Apostle John. That simple. TGC is not the vatican for evangelicals. Keep up the good work you are doing. Don't waiver. May God be with you and strengthen your hand.
“ A Very Good Message! ” The Lord has commanded some things of us and "We need to get to gettin'," as some older folks that I knew would say. And I am again reminded not to worry about what the other person is or isn't doing, I need to concentrate on the assignment(s) I've been given.
“ Great Sermon! ” This was a very helpful sermon - lots of simple stuff that I had never realised before. The sort of sermon that will have me thinking for days.
Bless you Pastor Harris
“ Great Sermon! ” Very sober broadcast and thought provoking. We are living in a time of gross sexual immorality tha is running rampant in oir society and it has crept into the church. I agree that if a crime is commited it should be reported to the authorities especially involving children. Sad times indeed. I wonder what would be the right biblical response for a husband who repeatedly indulges in pornography. It's not illegal, but sinful and traumatic for the wife. Many women have complained about not getting support from their pastors. Same reponses that Mrs. Denhollander said she received when they come forward. How should that be handled? I wonder.
“ Teaching is fun and frustrating ” I was one of those wanderers when I was in school, skipping and failing all my classes. Now that I'm a teacher, I can easily see myself in some of my students, but I realize that even though I can relate, I cannot help them, as much as I would love to. They don't have that foundation in life that teaches them to make smart life choices, and that is the parent's job. Without that, no matter the opportunities in their life, they will always waste them. I just finished final semester grades, and dealing with failing students, some are shocked that it's even possible to fail, some cheated and got caught, and now don't know how to tell their parents. They played their games, and now have to live out the consequences. It's just too bad they have to learn this from me and not from home.
“ Full of insight! ” Many Republicans hail the now fallen Roman Catholic judge Antonin Scalia as a Republican defender of the U.S. Constitution. Even though Antonin Scalia espoused hard core Republican views putting him in conflict with the former Obama Administration as well as the former Clinton Administration and many other elitist political organizations and personalities, he believed a damnable false gospel of sacramental salvation which damned his own soul to a fiery Hell. One day, Antonin Scalia will be judged at the Great White Throne and cast into the Lake of Fire because of his faith in the damnable religion of Roman Catholicism. We must not get sidetracked with political narratives of Republican vs. Democrat as well as those of populist organizations like the Tea Party like populism vs. globalism. The real heart of the matter is that the United Nations, and other global political and religious organizations, will bring the Antichrist into the world which is what the UN, Vatican, and WCC is really planning from the very beginning.
“ Great Sermon! ” Thank you for your honesty! God chooses to deal with us in the present. Scripture is very clear about this in its wording. We need not worry about our past Christ takes care of that and we are not promised tomorrow what we do with now is our peace and assurance! .
“ Great Sermon! ” This conversation/discussion demonstrates to the degree that we all as Christians are very likely to build an idol in our hearts and try to justiy it towards ourselves, the church, our pastors, and most of all to God. Just read chapter 14 of Ezekiel. We should all be so careful to tear down the idols in our own hearts that interfere with truly following Christ.
5/24/18 5:38 PM
