FIGHTING RACISM AND PREJUDICE (4 OF 4)
by Scott Maze
Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-22
This content is part of a series.
Fighting Racism and Prejudice (4 of 4)
Series: I'm Changed
Scott Maze
Ephesians 2:11-22
I was but a high school student when then President Ronald Reagan gave one of the most famous Cold War speeches against the backdrop of the Berlin Wall. For those who may not know the story, the Berlin Wall was erected more than a decade after the conclusion of World War II in Berlin. Essentially the wall divided the city of Berlin into two nations: East Berlin, controlled by the former Soviet Union and West Berlin, friendly to America, Great Britain, and France. For nearly forty years the wall divided Germans friends and family - it was guard and few could pass through because it was well-guarded. The pain the wall created was incredible. At least one hundred people died or were killed as they attempted to get over the wall.
So with the wall as a backdrop, President Reagan stood outside and declared to a West Berlin crowd in 1987:
''There is one sign the Soviets can make that would be unmistakable, that would advance dramatically the cause of freedom and peace.''
He then called upon his Soviet counterpart:
''Secretary General Gorbachev, if you seek peace - if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe - if you seek liberalization: come here, to this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.''
It would be another two years before the wall came down. All of the city of Berlin was finally reunited allowing families and friends to see one another freely in October, 1990. As big as that event was, it pales in comparison to the impact of the cross of Christ. In effect, Jesus' death was a ''Tear Down that Wall'' moment.
In the next few minutes, I want to show how the cross of Jesus can unite us like nothing else. Jesus death not only reconciles God and us, the death of Jesus also brings harmony to the different races of people.
We continue our ''verse by verse'' study of the book of Ephesians that Paul ...
Series: I'm Changed
Scott Maze
Ephesians 2:11-22
I was but a high school student when then President Ronald Reagan gave one of the most famous Cold War speeches against the backdrop of the Berlin Wall. For those who may not know the story, the Berlin Wall was erected more than a decade after the conclusion of World War II in Berlin. Essentially the wall divided the city of Berlin into two nations: East Berlin, controlled by the former Soviet Union and West Berlin, friendly to America, Great Britain, and France. For nearly forty years the wall divided Germans friends and family - it was guard and few could pass through because it was well-guarded. The pain the wall created was incredible. At least one hundred people died or were killed as they attempted to get over the wall.
So with the wall as a backdrop, President Reagan stood outside and declared to a West Berlin crowd in 1987:
''There is one sign the Soviets can make that would be unmistakable, that would advance dramatically the cause of freedom and peace.''
He then called upon his Soviet counterpart:
''Secretary General Gorbachev, if you seek peace - if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe - if you seek liberalization: come here, to this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.''
It would be another two years before the wall came down. All of the city of Berlin was finally reunited allowing families and friends to see one another freely in October, 1990. As big as that event was, it pales in comparison to the impact of the cross of Christ. In effect, Jesus' death was a ''Tear Down that Wall'' moment.
In the next few minutes, I want to show how the cross of Jesus can unite us like nothing else. Jesus death not only reconciles God and us, the death of Jesus also brings harmony to the different races of people.
We continue our ''verse by verse'' study of the book of Ephesians that Paul ...
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