Biblical Reference: “Life in the Spirit” (Roman 8:1)

Theme: INCLUSION

By Pastor J. Alfred Smith, Senior
Allen Temple Baptist Church
Oakland, CA

SCRIPTURE:
• 1 “There is, therefore, now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after flesh, but after the spirit.”

THEMES:
1. All are welcome in the church: When so many in our society would reject and exclude, we Christians, like Christ our Lord and Savior, encourage and support the inclusion and participation of all God’s children in the membership and ministry of the church.

2. God’s inclusive love, mercy and grace: Scriptures continuously speak of a God who reaches out to those who are cast out for any reason and those who live at the margins of our community. We are disciples of the One who ate with those rejected by the religious establishment of the day. The Lord’s objective is that the lives of those that were rejected be changed and restored in the spirit of Christ. The church is not a museum for saints. It is a hospital for sinners who are being saved by God’s grace.

HIV/AIDS References:
• The church is an integral part of the African American lifestyle. Yet many feel alienated from the church because they might be shunned or identified as sinners because HIV is primarily contracted through illicit drug use and unprotected sexual activities. Christians have an opportunity and obligation to welcome everyone, including people living with HIV/AIDS, into the church community to gain the spiritual guidance and love they need to endure the battle ahead.

• HIV can touch everyone. It affects many people regardless of age, gender, or sexual orientation or lifestyle. African Americans account for 12 percent of the US population. However, in 1997, they accounted for 57 percent of new infections of HIV and nearly50 percent of AIDS cases. Chances are, someone you know may already be living with HIV. Those with HIV need to be welcomed, and having open discussions about the virus is critical to raising awareness and lowering infection rates.

• HIV/AIDS is not just a “gay disease.” Worldwide, over 75percent of AIDS cases are heterosexual. HIV can infect anyone regardless of race or social status, and is currently hitting women hard, especially African American women who accounted for 60percent of female AIDS cases in 1997 in the U.S.

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FULL SEMON

SERMON ON HIV/AIDS
By Pastor J. Alfred Smith, Senior
Allen Temple Baptist Church
Oakland, CA

Written for World AIDS Day on December 1

Today, World AIDS Sunday, we at Allen Temple celebrate the HIV/AIDS ministry of this congregation. Through this ministry, many people have had compassionate companionship during their struggles with AIDS. Through us, men, women, teenagers and children with real, often urgent, needs are receiving support and services to sustain their lives. Also, through this ministry Allen Temple members are experiencing deeper meanings of Christian discipleship.

This reality is due to the vision of our Pastors, Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Sr. and Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Jr. The members of the HIV/AID S Ministry thank them and thank God for His vision. It is our hope and prayer that every church will have an HIV/AIDS Ministry or some other kind of outreach to HIV/AIDS affected persons.

Mission Statement and Biblical Basis

The HIV/AIDS support ministry is a ministry of comfort through support, education and training for individuals, families and friends affected by HIV Disease.

Our ministry is composed of members who serve the Allen Temple Baptist Church congregation and the community at large. We organized with individual men and women of varying sexual identities, HIV infected and affected from a wide variety of backgrounds.

Biblically our ministry is based on the belief that “There is there fore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Roman 8:1) Ours is a “INCLUSIVE CHURCH” where all are welcomed, where the gifts of all are recognized and received and where the rights of all are defended and promoted. When so many in our society would reject and exclude we Christians, like Christ our Lord and Savior, support the full inclusion and participation of all God’s children in the membership and ministry of the church.

As we approach the Christmas season and celebrate the birth of the Christ child, we remember that he was named “Emmanuel, God with Us”! (Matthew 1:28). And indeed God is with us even if one has HIV/AIDS. Israel, the Lord who created you says “Do not be afraid – I will save you. I have called you by name – you are mine. When you pass through deep waters, I will be with you, your troubles will not overwhelm you. When you pass through fire, you will not be burned; The hard trails that come will not hurt you... for I am the Lord your God... I will give up whole nations to save your life because you are precious tome and because I love you...Do not be afraid – I am with you...”(Isaiah 43:1-5)

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