Curtis May “What is Jesus’ Dream?” Theme Scriptures: Luke 4:16-19; Isaiah 61:1-3 His Mission Statement “Nazareth Manifesto”

Luke 4: He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. 17 The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

Luke 4: "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

Fulfilling the Dream: Removing Walls of hate Building Bridges of love Practical Application of TT John 17:20--That they may be ONE Lord as you are in me and I am in you. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

“Like life, racial (ethnic and other) understanding is not something that we find, but something we must create. And so the ability to work together to understand each other will not be ready made, it must be created my human contact.” Dr. Martin Luther King Many police-citizen issues involve race partially due to lack of proper contact (example of the PPD/Chief to DC)

“Slavery was America’s original sin, racism is America’s cancer and it is not in remission.”--Former Senator Bill Bradley of New Jersey Getting sick from the disease of racism was not our fault but getting well is our responsibility—CFHR Allowing Jesus our Healer to live out the love, unity and peace found in Him, the Father and Holy Spirit

“the greatest social problem in America today is racism. And the responsibility [to combat it] does not lie with the government but the Church.” --Billy Graham God has given man the opportunity to reveal who He is on 3 occasions: Adam and Eve, Ancient Israel and now the church-you and me W/29,000 Denom.

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” (THAT’S YOU AND ME) --Edmund Burke - British Statesman – Irish -also quoted by Thomas Jefferson What are you/I doing about the ISMS?

Places of Conflict and Broken Relationships (from: Healing America’s Wounds by John Dawson) 1.Race to Race (Native American vs. European American) 2. Class to class (Homeless Person vs. Holders of Home Equity) 3. Culture to Culture (Immigrants vs. Native Born)

4. Gender to Gender (Working Woman vs. Male Hierarchy) 5. Vocation to Vocation (L.A. Police Dept. vs. Civil Rights Advocates) 6. Institution to Institution (Auto Industry Management vs. Organized Labor)

7. Region to Region (Westside vs. South Central L.A.) 8. Governed to Government (College-age Youth vs. Vietnam Era Government) 9. Religion to Religion ( Muslim vs. Christian)

10. Denomination to Denomination (Protestant vs. Catholic) 11. Enterprise to Enterprise (Monopoly vs. Small Business) 12. Ideology to Ideology (Leftist vs. Rightist Political Parties)

13. Nationality to Nationality (Americans vs. Cubans) 14. Generation to Generation (60’s Youth vs. Parents) 15. Family to Family (Neighbor vs. Neighbor)

Six types of Racism and Biases Institutionalized racism (Examples) Internalized racism Unaware racism Cultural racism Denial Stereo-typing (Recent comments by Ellie Wiesel- genocide is still taking place today)

Confession Stating the truth, acknowledgement of the unjust or hurtful actions of myself or my people group toward other persons or categories of persons.

Repentance/Change Turning from unloving to loving actions. Escape, Change, Liberation.

Reconciliation Expressing and receiving forgiveness, and pursuing intimate fellowship with previous enemies (If practical). (Ex. Of Wendy Moore, a white SA woman shot by a black SA man and Forgiveness through intentionality and human contact (not the shooter)

Restitution Attempting to restore that which has been damaged or destroyed, and seeking justice wherever we have power to act or to influence those in authority to act. “Owe no man but love one another” (Rom. 13:8)

Cycle of Oppression Early Years Misinformation Missing History Biased History Stereotypes Socialization

Cycle of Oppression Early Years Misinformation Missing History Biased History Stereotypes Socialization Cycle Reinforced by Stereotypes, omissions, distortions People/systems/institutions we know, love, trust (family and neighborhood, Education, Media, Government, Houses of Worship

Cycle of Oppression Early Years Misinformation Missing History Biased History Stereotypes Socialization Cycle Reinforced by Stereotypes, omissions, distortions People/systems/institutions we know, love, trust (family and neighborhood, Education, Media, Government, Houses of Worship Internalization We Collude-both oppressed and oppressor (act together) We have internalized the process We view the information as truth Difference is not different but equal Difference = wrong or abnormal

Cycle of Oppression Early Years Misinformation Missing History Biased History Stereotypes Socialization Cycle Reinforced by Stereotypes, omissions, distortions People/systems/institutions we know, love, trust (family and neighborhood, Education, Media, Government, Houses of Worship Internalization We Collude both oppressed and oppressor We have internalized the process We view the information as truth Difference is not different but equal Difference = wrong or abnormal Cycle Continues Dissonance (JESUS) The Path of Liberation

Cycle of Oppression Early Years Misinformation Missing History Biased History Stereotypes Socialization Cycle Reinforced by Stereotypes, omissions, distortions People/systems/institutions we know, love, trust (family and neighborhood, Education, Media, Government, Houses of Worship Internalization We Collude both oppressed and oppressor We have internalized the process We view the information as truth Difference is not different but equal Difference = wrong or abnormal Cycle Continues Dissonance (Jesus) The Path of Liberation Feelings Engendered Anger, Guilt, Confusion Alienation

The Solution for Ending The Cycle of Oppression (along w/the 4 steps) A) INTENTIONALITY! B) A DECONSTRUCTION of biases and prejudices—dealing with them C) Replacement of error with TRUTH D) The TRUTH must be preached, imbibed of and practiced--LIVED! E) Acceptance and celebration of WHO WE ARE in CHRIST—ADOPTED!!!

Isa 61:1-3 (NIV) 1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,

Isa 61:1-3 (NIV) 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,

Isa 61:1-3 (NIV) 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion-- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.

Isa 61:1-3 (NIV) v3 (cont’d) They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. ALLOWING JESUS TO LIVE OUT THAT ONENESS THAT HE SO DEEPLY LONGS FOR, THROUGH US.

Amen?