In 2 Chronicles 29 through chapter 31, Hezekiah reopened and cleansed the temple in Jerusalem and he invited all Israel to come to Zion, to the holy temple, to worship God. After rededicating themselves to serving God, the people purged the land of idols. Oh, that we would have the courage just to purge our hearts ! To purge ourselves of prejudice ,and the poison of pride !... To empty ourselves of ourselves and be filled with God and his Spirit!... For the sake of peace , for the sake of unity , for the sake of saving the lost – what would you be willing to do? Most of us are racist and don't even realize it , or prejudiced and don't see it , divisive or sectarian and deny it. In our rejecting to face our flaws and fix them , we reject the very Gospel that saved us! How can we "be all things to all men" when we esteem ourselves better than others? How can we "live peaceably with ALL" when we look for bridges to burn , rather than mend? How can we possibly "Go into all the world and preach the Gospel" when we have made our world ,a small familiar circle? If the Gospel confirmed anything other than the obvious , it confirmed that there is NO PLACE for racism , or prejudice in the Lord's body , mission, and purpose... NONE. What have we become? What have we let the media , politics, and FEAR do to us ,church? Titus 2:11-12 " For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for ALL PEOPLE, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age ..." Come join us tomorrow , and lets "Purge Our Temples" and give thanks to our mighty God that his salvation is for ALL people , EVERYWHERE. Come as you are , leave changed...

1. Welcome!
www.fultondalechurchofchrist.net

2. Purging Our Temple
Racism ,Politics, and The Gospel
2 Chronicles 29 , Romans 12:18

5. Purging Our Temple
• Matthew 5:9 - “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they
shall be called sonsof God".
• Romans 12:18 – “ If possible, so far as it depends on
you, live peaceably with all ”.
• 1 Corinthians 14:33 – “For God is not a God
of confusion but of peace”
• 1 Peter 3:11 - “Let him turn away from evil and do
good; let him seek peace and pursue it ”.
• Hebrews 12:14 – “Strive for peace with everyone, and
for the holiness without which no one will see the
Lord”.

6. Purging Our Temple
• Recognizing the Need For Peace = The need for Jesus!
• Peace is “a state of harmony, tranquility ,the absence of
hostility, the absence of mental stress or anxiety ”
• Not everyone will enjoy peace
• Not everyone will make peace with God
• Sin separates us from him (Isaiah 59:1-2)
• Jesus offers peace
• Justification – 1 Corinthians 6:11
• Sanctification - 1Corinthians 6:11
• Reconciliation – 2 Corinthians 5:18
• In a world of diversity , diversity often leads to hostility

7. Purging Our Temple
• Jesus Died to Make Peace for Mankind
• Before his death, there was division
• Jews - Deuteronomy 10:15 – “ Yet the Lord set his heart in love
on your fathers and chose their offspring after them, you
above all peoples, as you are this day”.
• Gentiles – Ephesians 2:11-12 – “11 Therefore remember that at
one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision”
by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by
hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated
from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and
strangers to the covenants of promise , having no hope and
without God in the world .
• Jesus Died to END DIVISION!
• Ephesians 2:13 - 18

8. Purging Our Temple
• The Peace Jesus Offers
• Distinctions pale in comparison!
• Neither Jew nor Greek – Ephesians 3:28
• Salvations for ALL – Acts 15:11
• TRUE Unity in diversity – Colossians 3:11
• Acceptance abounds!
• We receive the weak and bear their burdens - Romans 14:1
• Seek to worship with one mind and voice –Romans 15:5-6
• Receive one another , as Christ received us- Romans 15:7

11. Purging Our Temple
Racism ,Politics, and The Gospel
2 Chronicles 29 , Romans 12:18