We Preach

When we need the right words to say in a particular situation, we can rely on the presence of the Holy Spirit to speak through us. In Luke 12, we find these words:
11 Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say.
12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say."

We are living in a culture that needs to see Godly wisdom in action and to hear the words of God spoken. We can develop a sense of boldness with dependence on the Lord, who has given us powerful resources, in order that we may represent Him well. In the midst of turmoil and the presence of anger, we can be the people of peace, who are praying in unity and proclaiming truth as God directs. He is the One who gives us the direction to know what to say at the proper time.

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Acts chapter 4 tells the story of a man who had been healed as the result of the prayers of Peter and John.  These men were bold to preach God's Word in an increasingly hostile situation.  We can read 
these verses:
18 And they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge.
20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."

The stunning destruction of property and lack of wherewithal by officials in cities across the country to do something about it certainly can make Americans feel unsafe.  Two brothers who until recently operated a deli in Chicago have experienced the effects.  As Faithwire reports: "Juan Riesco and his brother, Jose, were heirs to a flourishing family business — Nini’s Deli — in downtown Chicago."  In the midst of protests, the article says...

Having since left Chicago in the wake of the restaurant’s forced, permanent closure, Riesco told Faithwire he and his brother are focusing on ministry.

“If they’re gonna protest,” he said, “we’re gonna preach.”

Everyone certainly has a right to peaceful protest. The brothers chose to make a Biblically-informed statement, rather than tow the line for the protesters who wanted to force them to adopt and endorse a point of view that violated their faith.

“I had felt in my spirit that I needed to, yes, take a stand [against] injustice, but also take a stand, most importantly, for Christ,” Riesco explained. “Because my business was so successful, by God’s grace, we had a lot of eyes waiting on us to make a statement about what was happening.”

It all came to a head on June 5, when, "Nini’s Deli shut down permanently as liberal protesters descended on the once-popular eatery."  Faithwire notes:

Tensions only rose when Riesco’s brother Jose began brashly preaching during the raucous protest outside the deli, calling out many of the protesters for their “wicked agenda.” With his at times confrontational style, he talked about how his brother once identified as gay but “Jesus fixed him, straightened him out.”

The bottom line: "Ultimately, the social pressure proved to be too much: the constant protests, the endless stream of social media posts slandering the restaurant, and the cancelled partnerships with big-name brands resulted in Nini’s Deli having to permanently closed its doors after a decade of business."

Across our land, we have seen others adopt the viewpoint, in the midst of sometimes violent protests or enormous social pressure, that they will be a witness for Christ.  Kenosha, Wisconsin is one of those places.  According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, there were "Hundreds of people gathered in Harbor Park along Lake Michigan" last Thursday for the purpose of prayer and transformation.  The article says:

“Transform our city, Lord God,” local faith leader John Lalgee exclaimed to cheers and outstretched arms.

The article relates:

Earlier in the day, volunteers worked to beautify the boarded-up downtown businesses with coats of paint and messages of love, and a Minneapolis-based Christian band played worship music to a dancing crowd in a park near much of the damage.

And, the newspaper notes: "At the prayer service, several faith leaders spoke on the same theme. Healing is possible through love and unity, they said."

The article referred to comments by Lawrence Kirby, pastor of Acts Church in Kenosha, who said, “Kenosha for a couple days was like a war zone,” adding, “People are hopeless and tired and frustrated.” He said, "In the midst of protests and all kinds of other gatherings...the church should be gathered as well.”

Like the Riescos, these Kenosha pastors believed that if some were going to protest in violent and angry ways, they would preach. It's an informing contrast, isn't it?  I thought it was interesting that Pastor Kirby, according to the article, mentioned the "religious roots of the civil rights movement."  There was certainly a strong faith element during that time period, in which many who desired social change were motivated by faith and the Church was a key component.  

Not so in this new wave of social protests, which has come to be increasingly marked by destruction and an endorsement of anarchy - and the positive vibes that were generated after the death of George Floyd, the intentionality and energy to improve race relations, have degenerated into a more widespread display of anger and lawlessness.  

And, as I mentioned last Thursday, a survey shows that over 6-in-10 Americans do not wish to express their views out of fear.  But, the Church can continue to be emboldened to speak its views - for the worth of all individuals and to express a sense of peace.  In the midst of violence and anger, we can go to prayer for peace.  People need to see the expression of the presence of Christ, the hope of the world, who teaches us how to love one another and possesses the power to enable us to do so.  But, our approach is vastly different from the anarchists, the perpetrators of chaos, who want to force everyone to adopt their views.  We can be empowered to speak what God shows us in His Word.