Put Jesus Above Our Blackness … article from Yahoo News – very good

Put Jesus Above Our Blackness’: Guess Which Pastor Has a Blunt Message Following the Trayvon Martin Outcry

Billy Hallowell 22 hours ago / Society / Arts & Entertainment / Shooting of Trayvon Martin
Pastor Ken Hutcherson’s story both inspires and captivates audiences. The faith leader, who recently participated in Glenn Beck’s “Man in the Moon,” has battled terminal cancer for years — and has had a fascinating journey when it comes to his views on race relations in America. Considering this latter element of his story, Hutcherson is speaking out in the wake of the George Zimmerman verdict.

After opening a recent op-ed with a Martin Luther King Jr. quote about speaking the truth, he warned readers that what he was about to say wouldn’t be popular, polite or safe — but that it is, in his view, “right.” From there, he dove right in to the tragic Trayvon Martin saga.

“When you have a young black boy who is killed by what some are calling a white Hispanic, and Jackson and Sharpton (of the PPA or the Poverty Pimps of America), and a liberal media involved, you have the equivalent of nitroglycerin,” Hutcherson wrote. “Oh by the way, I never heard of ‘white Hispanic’ before but I guess this fits the bill in this case. This incident only needed someone to light the fuse. Why is this true because black people are involved?”

Pastor Ken Hutcherson (Photo Credit: TheBlaze/Billy Hallowell)
The preacher went on to state his agreement with some of Dr. James Manning’s sentiments surrounding George Zimmerman and the Martin case. As you may recall, Manning delivered a controversial message proclaiming that African Americans are viewing the world — and the Martin case — through their “black eyes” and that they need to start looking, instead, through the “blood of Jesus.”

Hutcherson continued:

I believe Dr. James Manning hit it on the head when he said that black people have a difficult time accepting truth simply because they are black. That’s right, black people are involved and it is impossible for the average black person to believe the truth. They refuse to believe that a black boy could be in the wrong when it comes to a white Hispanic. Blackness is the apex of victimhood and our blackness is above truth, above our Christianity, above our God, above our Holy Spirit, so that means if our blackness is above the Holy Spirit, then it is above Truth. This is so important for everyone to know this so they can understand why this Trayvon and Zimmerman case is where it is today and why blacks refuse to believe what really happened.
The preacher, who also highlighted the actual events that he believes might have taken place between Zimmerman and Martin, went on to say that African Americans need to “put Jesus above our blackness” if they want to be the “great people” that they truly are. Hutcherson also implored African Americans to take action, to help promote change and to alter the conversation about racism in America.

Read the pastor’s article here. In addition to Hutcherson and Manning, the Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson also recently took a similar view, making controversial comments during a heated exchange with CNN’s Piers Morgan last week.

http://news.yahoo.com/pastor-ken-hutcherson-speaks-fellow-african-americans-amid-120417593.html

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John R.W. Stott on election …

Thoughts from The Message to the Ephesians by John R.W. Stott

  • “The doctrine of election is divine revelation not a human speculation” (John R.W. Stott).
    It was not invented by Augustine of Hippo or Calvin of Geneva. On the contrary, it is without question a biblical doctrine, and no biblical Christian can ignore it.

(Ephesians 1:3–6)

  • 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

Dave thoughts following …

Must realize who was it written to …
What we must realize is that this was written to “the saints” (Ephesians 1:1). The saints are those who have trusted in Jesus Christ and received the gift of eternal life, the holy ones who have been set apart for service to God. To this group God through the writing of Paul begins instructing them as to who they are and what God has done in their behalf.

This is not …
This is not a discussion on whether God is fair or not, and following that thought, it is not a discussion as to why some are chosen and others are not. Neither is it an explanation as to how God goes about his process of choosing.

It is …
It is a very simple and clear statement. He chose us (the saints, believers in Jesus Christ) before the foundation of the world. And he predestined us (chose ahead of time, foreordained) to be the sons and daughters of God.

God speaking to his people …
This text is about God speaking to his people and teaching us who we are in Christ and the greatness of our salvation in Christ.

 

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On the complexity of election …

I have just started a series of messages on Ephesians. I admit that I wondered how I was going to navigate the waters of election and predestination in the first chapter.

(Ephesians 1:3–6)

  • 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

But as I prayed and studied, this excellent thought came to me, that is, I believe the Spirit of God spoke to me.

Just say what it says …
Don’t try to explain it. God didn’t. He just stated it through the writing of Paul.

Receive it as God intended …
A letter to his “peeps.” God wanted the believers in Jesus Christ to know these things, to be thrilled with what he has done for us and to take great comfort in his thoroughness and care.

These truly are simple, clear statements. God chose us before the foundation of the world and he predestined us to be his sons and daughters. Why say more than God did?

Can I explain that to you? No. And I see absolutely no need to.

Does it make me feel really good that God has done this for me? Oh, yes!

Praise you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

 

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John Calvin on election …

John Calvin preached through the book of Ephesians in 48 sermons beginning on 1 May 1558. Here is a comment he made concerning election.

  • Although we cannot conceive either by argument or reason how God has elected us before the creation of the world, yet we know it by his declaring it to us; and experience itself vouches for it sufficiently, when we are enlightened in the faith.
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This God…

http://bible.us/59/2SA22.31.ESV This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.
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I love the Lord

http://bible.us/59/PSA116.1.ESV I love the Lord , because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.
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Blessing and the fear of the Lord…

http://bible.us/59/PSA112.1.ESV Praise the Lord ! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments!
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The fear of the Lord…

http://bible.us/59/PSA111.10.ESV The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!
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Deceitful workmen …

http://bible.us/59/2CO11.13.ESV For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.
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Fear the Name of the Lord!

http://bible.us/59/PSA102.15.ESV Nations will fear the name of the Lord , and all the kings of the earth will fear your glory.
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