RACE AND ETHNICITY

Nosa Nosakhare’s Message Notes: July 23, 2020

COMPASSION
THE GOOD SAMARITAN
CARE
LUKE 10:25-37
COMMITMENT

“It’s bad enough that you have an accent and to make it worse you are wearing a mask.”

These were the very words that an older lady said to me last month when racial protests and tension were
on the streets.
• On the issues of race, ethnicity, and racial injustice, the church has been largely wearing a mask.
• We are speaking behind the mask but we sound muffled, sometimes ambiguous, and sometimes silent.
• We hide behind the mask of “it’s uncomfortable to talk about race and ethnicity.”
• For me, I have been wearing a mask too. In the past I did not process my pain, hurts, and “lived
experience” on these issues with my community group. That’s on me.

HOW DOES THE AMERICAN CHURCH MINISTER TO A CULTURE MARKED BY

RACIAL INJUSTICE?

HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN HURT BY RACISM?

Opening Prayer
Today, I am grateful for this rare opportunity to speak on this. My goal and prayer is to use this platform
respectfully. I recognize that you (my audience) will not have the opportunity to present your own
perspective or ask me questions that could destroy my position on this discussion of race and ethnicity. But I
beg you to listen to me. I beg you to hear my side as a Christian who is African American specifically from
Nigeria. Hear me, not as a defense attorney going to cross examine this message and give a rebuttal but as a
neutral judge seeking to know more on this case. But better still as a brother. Along with many others, I am
hurting from this issue and this is a cry for help.

A Cry For Help: My wife, Ese Nosakhare

There is a pain that we don’t always share well and often is downplayed as “overreaction” or an attitude. I have sat
AT WORK with co-workers that claim to love the Lord and me look at me and justify the treatment of black people or
I am met with silence and a blank gaze with disagreement.
White patients ask to replace the “colored” or black nurse with anyone else. Or when they realize I’m a NURSE
PRACTITIONER ask to see the doctor. Being called the N word. My husband and I being followed around a
supermarket. Let’s not get started on my white neighbor across the street that stares at my family like a science
project and not wave hello or speak when WE try to break the silence. Looking at my beautiful black boys and
wondering “when do my babies go from “cute” to “scary”?
To my sweet friends – my non-black friends:
If you love me, you will ask me questions to be better. Let’s be a part of the solution. I am tired. I’m praying for us. Call
me and ask me about my story. Call your black friends and check on us. We are scared. We are hurting, and we need
you to know it. I want to encourage all of my sweet friends to open up their Bibles -if you haven’t in a while, blow the
dust off- or Google 1 John 4:20 [If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not
love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen] Remember that your “brother” includes
me.
 • I used to be silent for the most part in the past because in my thinking I was low risk for police
brutality. But that is a selfish way to think. Black men including me are more worried about their lives
than they are of getting a ticket during encounters with the police.
• A part of the body of Christ is hurting.
“that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one
another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice
together”1 Corinthians 12:25-26
• We do not have to agree on everything but we can all care for the hurting. We just need a common
ground (Amos 3:3). First, we can all trace our ancestry back to Adam and Eve. No matter our physical
differences, we all bleed red. For Christians, our common ground is our spiritual birth. We are ONE
BODY! And we're all washed by the same blood of Jesus. WE ARE BROTHERS! My identity should not
be in my ethnic background but in Christ.

How are some members in WM handling this? Short answer: “for the most part, not well”
• Some in our body are wondering if this church is for them or just for people of one ethnic group and
are seriously considering leaving. Others who left or are just positional members instead of
participatory are saying, “this is why we left”, or this is one of the reasons we are not seeking
membership.
• Some have been offended by how leaders in this local assembly have spoken on the issue with the
terms such as “White privilege” being a big trigger word for them.
• The police and other law enforcement officers are hurting.
• Addressing these issues in community groups with diverse ethnicity and perspectives is becoming a
divisive issue.
• This issue of race, ethnicity, and racism is hurting and offending members in our body.
Sunday is already the most segregated day in America. We like the idea of diversity, but do not like being
around different people. - Ed Stetzer
In Plano, we have a diverse population in terms of ethnicity that if we reach can potentially
increase our ability to reach places in the world we may never go to for short term mission trips.
For example, I have friends in Nigeria that I have shared biblical content with that is produced
here.
• This issue of race and racism is hindering our message.
Some are in doubt if a church truly desires to see them experience eternal life when they feel we
do not care about their physical life. An average black man feels he is deemed guilty by society
including the church until proven innocent.
On June 6th, there was a meeting between the leadership of this campus and some who are
hurting. We did an exercise on, “When preparing to meet your neighbor for the first time what do
you think about doing?”
• Most Members – Bake cookies, find things we like in common (sports, kids etc.)
• Non-White Members – How am I dressed? I go in the early evening when its bright, go with
my wife and kids so that I am seen as non-threatening, stay a long way from the door while my
wife knocks. One couple answered, "we no longer consider going because a neighbor called
the police on us when we were out knocking on our neighbor’s doors, but no one opened.”
They even had their baby and dog with them.

How am I handling this? I had to realign my expectations

• First, let me state that this is not only about George Floyd.
• I thought every Christian was going to be outraged by how George Floyd died irrespective of his crime
or race. I was wrong! My mom once said, sadly, if a dog had died the way he died, we would have had
more consensus against injustice. Why? Because, it would have been an animal rights issue. George
 Floyd’s death lends itself to a human rights issue. As a man, he was an image bearer of God that died
unjustly.
• I quickly realized that everyone was not affected by it the same way because they do not see what I
see and so do not feel what I feel. I thought education was what was needed. I was wrong again.
• I realized that there are Christians who validly think that what I see does not exist.

RESPONSES THAT ARE MOSTLY TRUE, BUT UNLOVING

Withdrawal
“Talking about race is uncomfortable for me.” It can be uncomfortable, but it is necessary. Silence is no longer
an option. “In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” — Martin
Luther King, Jr.

Escalation
Politicizing the issue of racism, negative interpretation, and invalidation

Negative Interpretation
“All lives matter.” Negative interpretation and reaction to terms like “white privilege” and “white fragility”
which are very valid.

Invalidation
This is the most common I have seen play out in the conversations that I have had and in the media.
• “If black people will just…” e.g. not resist arrest
• “What about black on black crime?”
• “How about how affirmative action is denying us of what we deserve!”
• “Let me get all of the facts first.”
These responses are mostly true but how well do they help care and comfort the hurting? I am reminded of
Jeff Parker’s recent message and a scripture he used, Galatians 5:15 which says, “But if you bite and devour
one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.”
I do have rebuttals to these but I am not here trying to win an argument. I am here so that we can all help to
care for those hurting. In the feeding of the 5,000 in Matthew 14:13-21, Jesus was faced with a hungry
crowd, He did not say “man shall not live by bread alone” Matthew 4:4. That would have been invalidation.
He “served tables” after preaching the Word.
The real enemy is Satan who tries to rob us and hurt us. The real enemy is the system of this world that tries
to divide us. The real enemy is our flesh that wants to respond in anger and point the finger at others while
the other 4 fingers points at me forgetting to take the log out of my own eye.

HOW DO WE RESPOND?
The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)
We know that parable was not told to answer the question of how to be saved but the specific question of
“who is my neighbor?”

Compassion
“But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion.” Luke 10:33.
The Samaritan approached the man with compassion. Approach this issue with compassion. This is a heart
issue so look within your heart for compassion so that you do not sound unloving.
• Speaking about Jesus, Matthew 9:36 says, “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them,
because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” When we see the crowd of Black
Lives Matter protesters protesting or rioting on the streets, are we seeing them like Jesus would with
compassion – like sheep without a godly shepherd.
 • When you see those hurt by the actions of others, let compassion move you. But here is the challenge.
Compassion/empathy cannot be created. It can only be felt by feeling what others feel. When we look
in our hearts and do not find compassion, then we should be careful not to rush to care for those
hurting because we could hurt them more. In that case, we should let God work on us so that we can
have something good to give. We cannot give what we do not have. And we cannot minister to others
what we have not received from God.
• Still on compassion we are to “mourn with those that mourn” Romans12:15. You cannot genuinely
mourn for those you do not know. Jesus mourned at the death of Lazarus because he knew Lazarus
and his sisters (John 11:33-36). Seek to know others so that you can genuinely mourn with them. We
mourn and fight for the right to life of unborn babies. Our fight and mourning for the right to life
should not be limited only for the unborn but to the living irrespective of ethnicity. Mourning with
others who mourn reveals love, “….So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” John 11:36. How can we be
more genuine in loving others? If you bake me cookies to celebrate every event with me but do not
mourn with me or withdraw during crisis, I won’t see your love.

Care
The good Samaritan reached for his oil and wine to bind up the wounds. Care for those hurting by binding up
wounds with words that promote healing not divisiveness. It is not mentioned that the good Samaritan was
eager to correct the wounded man on why he should not have travelled alone, have carried a weapon to
defend himself, etc. That would not be helpful. With the man left half dead, with little or no words, he bound
up his wounds. Sometimes even in silence, our presence with compassion can be a blessing. Remember Job’s
friends!
If the priest or Levite acted with compassion and care, the Samaritan would have had no opportunity in this
parable. When we neglect care for the wounded, God will make a way for the wounded to be cared for even
if He has to use a Samaritan. What ends up happening is that the wounded sees the Samaritan as a good
neighbor while the priests and the church misses an opportunity to be the church.
• The good Samaritan was not seeking justice against the robbers. He was simply caring for the
wounded. We may not be able to see the same way on that stuff, but we can both care for the hurting
in our body.
• Jesus essentially told the rich young ruler to go to the poor not to go preach to them but to go use his
possessions to serve the poor and come follow Him, Matthew 19:16-21. In my pursuit of Christ, how
do I use my gifts and platform to serve others who are in need or hurting? Jesus never did any miracle
for Himself. His power and platform was always used to serve others and we are called to do the same.

Commitment
The good Samaritan was committed to his care for the long term. Committed his care to the innkeeper.
Commit the care of those hurting to God in prayer. He gave his resources to the inn keeper and promised to
follow up. Follow-up to do what we promised or plan to do can be challenging. This is not a one-time
conversation. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. So, we need patience and endurance. Will our conversations
about this end after this current situation passes until someone else dies unjustly again?

What are the big goals I believe we can work towards?

• Discussions about race, ethnicity and racial injustice should become easier to bring up
• Get to a place where community groups can have healthy, loving, and supportive conversations
• Become something that one can raise their hand without shame and guilt to share how God has
worked in their hearts through the gospel, through conversations, God’s Word, re:generation, etc.
The point is not to make anyone feel guilty. Racial prejudice is a spectrum, not binary. Can a believer display
acts of racism? Of course. Does it make them a bad person or not a believer? Not at all. Our families of origin,
friends, influences of various relationships, and experiences have may largely informed our views when
growing up. Racism can go both ways between any ethnic group. We all need God’s Word and love to expel
any bias and prejudices.
We now stand at a focal point in history. Let us not be caught on the wrong side of how God will have us
respond. Let us, “learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's
cause.” Isaiah 1:17
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge
fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” Proverbs 31:8-9
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love
kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8
These scriptures ask those who suffer injustice or can’t speak for themselves to stand up for themselves and
seek justice. Why?
• They walk a thin line of seeking revenge out of anger on one hand and trusting God to fight for them
on the other
• They may not have a platform strong enough to do so.
Certainly, the church isn’t a social justice organization, but we have a lead role to play.

QUESTIONS THE CHURCH (YOU AND I) MUST WRESTLE WITH

Will the church follow Christ’s command in Luke 10:37 to “go and do likewise” and act like the Good
Samaritan? Or will the church act like the priest/Levite acted?
We are not called to become the Good Samaritan; we are called to be the good priest by being a good
neighbor. Christ is not asking us to change who we are but to do what we can with compassion, care, and
commitment (3 C’s). Let love and truth go before you. “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your
throne; Lovingkindness and truth go before You” Psalm 89:14. While some are so focused on justice and others
are so focused on righteousness, we are to remember that those are the foundations which are vital but are
not readily seen. Lovingkindness and truth should go before us. In other words, our lovingkindness and truth
should be what people see as we approach these conversations.

Will the church individually or corporately withdraw from this because of how our response will affect
others and inconvenience us?
Martin Luther King Jr. said, "The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: 'If I stop to help this man,
what will happen to me?' But... the good Samaritan reversed the question: 'If I do not stop to help this man, what will
happen to him?'" Luke 10:25-37.
The priest and Levite may have been thinking of how touching a man scripture says was “left half dead” could
make them unclean and prevent them from worshipping God in the assembly of others. As we engage in
these conversations, are we thinking how we might alienate others we know and love?
• Our local church leaders have shown what it is like to stick out their necks to care for the hurting with
compassion and the word of God in difficult conversations like this without fear of challenging
responses from others.
• You may not have a pulpit, but you have a platform. Start with your Judea and Samaria. Have these
conversations with friends and family members and others who are not approaching these
conversations with love and truth. We must let love permeate our discussions about race and
ethnicity at our kitchen tables, extended family dinners, and behind closed doors.
Today, we have a choice. To either keep our masks on when it comes to race and ethnicity or remove them.
When we hide behind our mask, getting unmasked by someone else can bring embarrassment and trigger
self-defensiveness. But when we let God search our heart and we unmask ourselves before God, then we
can truly have the compassion, care, and commitment needed to care for those hurting.
So here is my prayer: “Lord, Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there
be any wicked way of racial bias and prejudice in me and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24