A Christian viewpoint on Immigration in Springfield, Ohio
Sunday, September 15, 2024

Excerpts from transcript:

Let’s quiet our hearts – lead you in a prayer that takes into account the events of the past week. Father in Heaven – Hallowed be your name. 

We come to as our almighty God…..and our always loving God 

We come as residents of Springfield, Ohio…..but as citizens….of the Kingdom of heaven Where there has been chaos in our city……replace it with peace. 

Where there has been sorrow in our city….replace it with joy. 

Where there has been division…..replace it with unity. 

And where there has been hate in our city…..replace it with your love. 

For yours is the kingdom….and the power….and the glory forever and forever……Amen.

The Bible’s message is that we are not to stand on the sidelines …but we are to stand with the oppressed.

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…we must not forget that Jesus launched his ministry quoting this passage from Isaiah:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

We must not forget that in the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said that those who are truly righteous won’t just greet and welcome those of their own tribe….Jesus said….. 

And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 

Earlier in the sermon Jesus said …. 

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 

And then immediately he added… 

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 

When asked what matters most in the Kingdom of heaven Jesus replied…. 

……“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself”. 

In another place he said…. 

…Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”