Sermon – June 01, 2025 “Forgotten by Empire, but Not by God!”

Forgotten by Empire, but Not by God! – June 01, 2025

Bulletin-06-01-2025

Christian Lesson: Acts 16:16 – 34

This week, Pastor Chris offered a powerful message drawn from the story of Paul and Silas — imprisoned by empire, yet liberated by faith and divine presence. But the call reached far beyond the pages of scripture.

Empires, Pastor Chris reminded us, are not always armies. They show up as Christian nationalism, white supremacy, corporate greed — systems built on fear, silence, and domination. These empires still punish truth-tellers and suppress voices that call them out.

Yet God has not forgotten those who have been erased. And neither can we.

As followers of Jesus, we are called to speak truth to empire — to expose injustice, challenge the economics of exploitation, and stand in solidarity with the silenced. Our faith calls us to disrupt, to restore, and to resist with love.

Just as the Spirit shattered prison walls for Paul and Silas, we are empowered to move with holy fire — not fear.

“Go forward,” Pastor Chris proclaimed, “not with fear… but with fire.”

May we carry that fire into the world — unafraid to name empire, unwavering in our hope, and alive with the Spirit of liberation.