A House Divided Cannot Stand

This message from Matt Chandler (“A House Divided Cannot Stand: Understanding and Overcoming the Inconsistencies in White Evangelicals on Racial Issues”) was delivered at the MLK50 Conference in Memphis, TN on April 4, 2018.

The 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s tragic death marked an opportunity for Christians to reflect on the state of racial unity in the church and the culture. It created the occasion to reflect on where Christians have been and look ahead to where we must go as we pursue racial unity in the midst of tremendous tension.

[backrhodeskansas]

If Chandler loves his people so much, then why does he publicly call 300 of them fools when they left The Village Church?

[michaelmannucci]

Voddie Baucham gives a far more Biblical presentation on racial reconciliation.

[natureocean]

It's not a MELANIN issue, it's a HEART issue.

PSALM 51:10
Create in me a PURE heart, O God, and RENEW a STEADFAST spirit within me.

ROMANS 12:2
DO NOT confirm to the pattern of this world, but be TRANSFORMED by the RENEWING of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s WILL is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

PROVERBS 23:26
My son, GIVE me YOUR heart and let your eyes delight in my ways,

PSALM 26:2
Test me, LORD, and try me, EXAMINE my heart and my mind;

MATTHEW 5:8
Blessed are the PURE in heart, for they will SEE God.

MARK 6:52
for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were HARDENED.

[xFeloxX]

I came because I was told I was gonna find proof Chandler is "woke" and drifted away from the Gospel. Instead, I found a man who loves his brothers and sisters and has a concern for and is willing to address something that brings pain to a group people and outrages another.
I also found in the comment section the very reason why this sermon was necessary....

[wbcpalestine]

He was 1/3 of the way into his "talk" before he opened God's Word and then took the verses out of context. I used to love to listen to Chandler. Not any more.

[swiggs_]

As a Black Christian, this comment section makes me sad, yet I'm not surprised. Nothing about discussing racism is easy but it's a conversation that must be had. I hope that other white pastors will follow Matt Chandler's lead.

[audacity]

This is non-biblical sermon if you can even call it a "sermon"

[hoythendrix]

I don’t remember the gospel making distinctions. I do know of the world we live in is a prejudice world that makes division and causes distinctions to be made. Unfortunately, African Americans have gotten the low end in terms of favor in our country. That is a sin that should be addressed in light of the gospel. A sin in the world should not change how we preach God’s word. It should only motivate us more to try to mortify it and eradicate it. We preach the word to pull something out of it (exegesis); not read something into it (narcigesis). I love Matt Chandler. He’s one of my favorite Bible teachers. I have learned much from observing him, but I believe he missed here.

[themagicalducklings]

Matt you set the bar, that in the future, anyone who doesn't agree with you will be labeled a "fool". Interesting sheparding skills you have...

[jarrodvsinclair]

25:50 Pastor Matt, you need to read James 2:1: “Show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.”

[ReformedFamilyWorship]

I hope “white pastors” are busy preaching the holy scriptures and not CRT to their congregations like this guy.

[DavidPat]

As a Chinese American Missionary, I cried listening to this. I have felt so much pain from the American church. Thank you for bringing the word of God into this space. God's love moves 🗻

[genkisudo]

I attend the village church and know Matt very well. This is an issue very close to his heart and something I fully agree with. We aren’t saying that if you don’t support BLM you can’t be saved - but there’s a good chance you’re not a Christian and not yet saved. You aren’t beyond redemption just because of your white privilege but you do need to a. Acknowledge it and b. Seek to make everything right with POC afterwards. Whether that’s in finance reparations or service…The point is it’s not too late! Hope you don’t mind me explaining pastor Matt !

[billhunley]

Did I really hear him say at 20:00-20:30 that if I meet a black brother and we agree say...on the gospel... that black brother or sister... is probably just seeking approval. Wow... just wow. I can’t believe anyone going to this mans church who hears this can still go there.

[benjamincamping]

I’m very encouraged by this comments section. Stay foolish my friends!

[raphaelamin]

Well... What about addressing it this way:

Between a Black 8 and a White 7, there are people choosing White 7 because of prejudice, racism, segregation, and etc... that should not happen! Choose the best men and women for the job using biblical standards!!

"My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory." ... Doesn't say we should put the poor in the front row either. I'm afraid pastor Chandler did exactly that, and I'm sure this intentions are not to. But apparently, good intentions is not being enough.

[PIF]

I was a member at the Village for years, and I can say that it’s not the content of what Matt says that upsets people, it’s how he says it. He tends to have a very harsh, divisive tone, and the effects are seen all throughout the church.
This is a problem he’s had from the beginning. He thinks everyone else is the problem because they disagree with him, but he’s unable to acknowledge the way he divides the body of believers with his tone and demeanor.

[kimiramsey]

As someone who has respected Pastor Chandler's willingness to tackle and say what isn't typically popular from the pulpit I was disheartened by this message not because I disagreed with what I believe to be the overall message that we are one church and one body and there shouldn't be a place for racism in the heart of a Christian. What concerned me was the spirit in which I felt this message was delivered it had a decidedly "Thank you Lord I'm not like those fools that are so racist I'm more spiritual then all those other white people" and I was curious as to why Pastor Chandler felt the need to weave the "stereotypical black slang" in and out of his message would he do the same if he were speaking in the UK or Mexico Would he pick up a British accent or speak Spanish? It had the feel of trying to sound cool like you're the white guy with the black friend. In other words I believe that was racist in and of itself. I'm not sure I'm describing this well..I guess the general thought was while I don't think the message in and of itself was evil ( I think it's good to reach across all ethnic divides to build one Church) but I think many times the more we pointed out the more it causes the divide. I believe we'll truly be christ-like when we stop seeing color altogether and just Souls.

[ortizlydia]

It's insane to me that folks are really upset that he or any other Pastor is speaking on this subject! It is a very real issue and very much so in the church!!!! Unbelievable! It's those kinds of comments that leave people feeling abandoned by the church!

[Yantelope]

I was a member there for well over a decade. Matt is wrong about a lot of stuff in this video but most of all he's wrong about how he is "knit" to his church. He's not. He showed no care or love for me and neither did the elders. It was a heartbreaking experience. Believers should not follow him.