THIS EPISODE:
Essential Empathy—In this brief departure from our "First Thing First" series, we attempt to make better sense of how we can (and should) be responding to the storm that's raging all around us right now.
We all tend to view these things through our own lens, which is often filtered by political convictions, circles of influence, and personal experiences. As Christ followers, it's most critical that we do our best to view these events and the people involved through a biblical lens above all.
How shall we respond to the pain, heartache & brokenness roiling around us right now? An important question we'll unpack together in today's message…
PRIMARY TEXTS:
Galatians 3:28 (NIV)
28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
James 1:19-20
19 You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness.
James 1:26
26 If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless.
James 3:5-12
5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits. How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, 8 but no one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.
Proverbs 17:27
27 One who spares words is knowledgeable; one who is cool in spirit has understanding.
James 1:20
20 for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness.
