Prejudice to Love
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· 7 viewsThe Samaritan people were the most hated group by Jews. It was practically a curse word to call someone a Samaritan. Yet, amazingly, the disciples changed heart and ended up converting many Samaritans to Christianity.
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For centuries people believed that Aristotle was right when he said that the heavier an object, the faster it would fall to earth. Aristotle was regarded as the greatest thinker of all time, and surely he would not be wrong.
Truth - heavier item would strike with more force.
Error - heavier item would not actually move faster.
Anyone, of course, could have taken two objects, one heavy and one light, and dropped them from a great height to see whether or not the heavier object landed first. But no one did until nearly 2,000 years after Aristotle's death. In 1589 Galileo summoned learned professors to the base of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Then he went to the top and pushed off a ten- pound and a one-pound weight. Both landed at the same instant. The power of belief was so strong, however, that the professors denied their eyesight. They continued to say Aristotle was right.
Today we discuss,
overcoming prejudice.
Prejudice - an opinion or belief, whether conscious or unconscious, that is not based completely on fact.
Each human being
has been taught
from early age
to develop certain
opinion about
world around them.
These opinions and belief
often based on
certain experiences
carried to generalizations.
We can pre-judge
many things in life.
Most common
most controversial
racial prejudice.
Today,
we discuss the issue
of racial prejudice
among believers
in the NT.
History of Israelite Racism
History of Israelite Racism
For many Jews
their history naturally
developed bias.
God called
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob
Fathers of great nation.
God made covenant with
a national group.
Because of the influence
idolatry and immorality
God told his people
minimize time spent
with other national groups.
They were afforded
special privileges.
Not to mingle much
with those outside covenant.
Natural bias developed
very conscious bias
Jesus time.
Jews are better.
Jews are blessed
others are not.
Jews are good
others are not.
They forgot
greater mission:
he says:
“It is too light a thing that you should be my servant
to raise up the tribes of Jacob
and to bring back the preserved of Israel;
I will make you as a light for the nations,
that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”
Part of
original promise
to Abraham was:
and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”
The New Testament
The New Testament
Fast foreward now
to the New Testament.
Racism and nationalism
is rampant in Israel.
Conquered by other nation.
Taxed
Persecuted
Abused
By Romans
Their entire philosophy
of a coming Messiah
wrapped in their
racial prejudice
theological bias
confused nationalism.
Their belief
Messiah is coming.
to overthrow Romans.
to establish Israel
conquer nations
Make Israel Great Again
MIGA - Make Israel Great Again
MIGA - Make Israel Great Again
Virtually all Israelite
were racist
and believed
it was a positive virtue.
and spiritual value.
Satan knew
he could divide
and destroy
mission of God
through racism.
It has been
one of his greatest tools.
Division in Unity
Division in Unity
Of all moments in time
when the people of God
where most united
shortly after Pentecost.
Christians
selling property
living in commune
sacrificing for each other.
In moment of
greatest unity
world has seen
Satan goes back
to favorite tool.
Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.
Today,
we may be discouraged
by prejudice around us.
Let us remember,
should be addressed
effort to change
addressed directly.
Yet in this life
may not
ever fully experience
life without prejudice.
That being said,
Issue in NT church
God was constantly
growing his people.
Story today...
The Back Story
The Back Story
Previous Sermons
stoning of Stephen
persecution lead by Saul
people flee for life
Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.
They went everywhere.
Previously huddled in
their groups
people like them.
God allowed persecution.
force Christians
take gospel to world.
Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ.
Samaria?
Samaria?
of all places
why Samaria.
Let’s be honest.
they wouldn’t go there
unless forced.
They hated Samaritans.
No persecution
No evangelization.
Remember,
if you ever experience
hardship in your life.
maybe God allowed it.
for reason that
you don’t understand.
History of Hatred
History of Hatred
Long history of hatred
between Jews
and Samaritans
10 Northern Tribes
Mixed
ethnically
spiritually
After Babylonian Captivity
Rebuilding of Temple
Samaritans to help
Jews said no.
Samaritans hated.
A Curse Word
A Curse Word
I used to curse a lot
took while to stop
punch me...
People use lots of words
as curse words.
In Jesus time,
calling someone a
Samaritan was
like curse word.
Greatly offensive.
Romanian Gypsy
Adjective form
“The way you are dress is very gypsy.”
Jesus get in verbal fight
with the Pharisees:
Jesus tells Pharisees
they are slaves to sin
and error
They claim to be free:
They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?”
Jesus says,
“you are not Abraham’s kids.”
“you have different father.”
They attack Jesus:
You are doing the works your father did.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God.”
They know that Mary
was pregnant when
they were unmarried.
They accuse Jesus’ parents
of sexual sin.
A curse word
“bastard”
Jesus counters:
You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
Ouch…
tough words.
Jesus called them
children of Satan...
Some say Jesus was
always gentle.
Not exactly.
he was blunt
when needed.
Jewish leaders
try to find a curse word
to throw at Him.
The Jews answered him, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?”
Greatest attack ->
you are a Samaritan.
That is a fighting word.
Romanian Gypsy
This depicts how hated
the Samaritans were.
There was no thought
to evangelize them.
they were lost.
period!
Parable of Good Samaritan
Parable of Good Samaritan
You know the story.
Jesus makes
the Samaritan the hero.
You can only imagine.
grated on Jews nerves.
End of parable Jesus asks
Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?”
The lawyer can’t answer.
doesn’t want it to be true.
Samaritan the hero?
the righteous?
Priest and Levite wrong!
He can’t get word out.
Can’t say
Samaritan is righteous.
Luke 10:37 (ESV)
He said, “The one who showed him mercy...”
He worded it like that
because he refused to say.
Samaritan was righteous.
It goes against everything
they have been taught
and believe.
Jesus was a radical teacher.
He wouldn’t teach
their bigotry
or racism.
In his autobiography, Mahatma Gandhi wrote that during his student days he read the Gospels seriously and considered converting to Christianity. He believed that in the teachings of Jesus he could find the solution to the caste system that was dividing the people of India.
So one Sunday he decided to attend services at a nearby church and talk to the minister about becoming a Christian. When he entered the sanctuary, however, the usher refused to give him a seat and suggested that he go worship with his own people. Gandhi left the church and never returned. "If Christians have caste differences also," he said, "I might as well remain a Hindu." That usher's prejudice not only betrayed Jesus but also turned a person away from trusting Him as Savior.
USA Today
Don’t understand.
Somehow race issues
still a thing.
Let’s be clear.
Racial Issues
Are against Christ’s Teaching
To a degree or other
we all struggle with some
unconscious bias
Fictitious resumes with White-sounding names sent to help-wanted ads were more likely to receive callbacks for interviews compared to resumes with African-American sounding names. Resumes with White-sounding names received 50% more callbacks for interviews (Bertrand & Mullainathan, 2004).
We want to believe
that is others
not me.
We all have forms of
unconscious bias.
Racial Issues everywhere.
California - Mexicans
Nebraska - Native Americans
South - Black v. Whites
Albania - Gypsies
My ancestors - Irish
Romanian Gypsies
Raluca
Germs are gypsies
In our area
strong push
make racial issues political
Black Lives Matter
George Floyd
Etc.
Polarization
Mixing of ideas
often contradictory
Peaceful Protest
blended with violent protest
Confusing!
Racism
Jesus never wanted this.
work of Satan to divide.
And its not new.
Satan’s method
from centuries ago.
Two apples up in a tree were looking down on the world. The first apple said, "Look at all those people fighting, robbing, rioting -- no one seems willing to get along with his fellow man. Someday we apples will be the only ones left. Then we'll rule the world."
Replied the second apple, "Which of us -- the reds or the greens?"
Important Point - >
Many Jewish Christians
overcame their racism!
Their racism was deep.
If they could overcome
we can too!
Even the unknown
Unconscious Bias
“Given half a chance, people often crawl out of the boxes into which we've relegated them."
Let’s learn from
Their story.
Great Commission
Great Commission
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
When disciples heard this.
I’m sure they were
very surprised.
They didn’t consider
Samaritans
salvation material
simply lost.
Jesus’ previous directions were:
These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
After cross
marching orders change...
Disciples not ready for it...
After persecution
they flee for lives.
Great place to hide
nearby
Samaria.
Acts of the Apostles Chapter 11—The Gospel in Samaria
And when His disciples were driven from Jerusalem, some found in Samaria a safe asylum. The Samaritans welcomed these messengers of the gospel, and the Jewish converts gathered a precious harvest from among those who had once been their bitterest enemies.
Bitterest enemies...
you may not have any.
but imagine you did.
wars between group.
fights
death
hatred.
Imagine being
first missionary...
tough job.
Jesus was first missionary
Woman at the Well
Woman at the Well
Not tell full story
result was amazing.
Jesus broke through
the prejudice.
And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all that I ever did.” So when the Samaritans had come to Him, they urged Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. And many more believed because of His own word.
Broke prejudice
paved way.
Prejudice still there
in hearts of disciples .
This fact is clear
in next story.
Near end of
Jesus ministry.
3 1/2 years with disciples.
tried to change
prejudiced hearts...
Calling Fire Down
Calling Fire Down
When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?”
Hospitality
sacred honor.
To deny
great offense.
James and John
felt their job,
defend honor of master.
Remembered story of Elijah
So Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, “If I am a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.” And fire came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty.
Jesus is appalled
But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” And they went to another village.
James and John
would not have asked this
if it were Jews.
In their mind
Samaritans deserve fire.
Fire and Brimstone.
Disciples are stuck
in old way of thinking
even after
years with Jesus.
So...
what changed?
how did they
let it go?
Bible doesn’t fully explain.
Mission to Samaria
Mission to Samaria
Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city.
Great success
many conversions.
Disciples changed.
We would like to believe
At Pentecost
everything change.
No more
racism
unconscious bias.
Unfortunately,
just not really true.
(mentioned earlier)
(racism in unity)
(commune)
What Changed?
What Changed?
Firstly,
persecution forced them
to mingle with
gentiles
otherwise avoided.
Some were able
move past
trained racism of past.
Others took long time.
Decades pass
still trying to figure out
circumcision.
Some don’t believe
Gentiles can be saved.
Most believe can be saved.
argue about
require circumcision...
Jerusalem Council
Acts 15 - church votes
Paul tells story
in Galatians
how difficult it was
for many Jews.
But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”
Many years after cross
still trying to understand
Ceremonial law
what applies
How does God
relate to other people groups
what position Israel has
in the NT.
It took years
to work through issues
as whole church.
I pray for us.
to work though it
General Robert E. Lee was a devout follower of Jesus Christ. It is said that soon after the end of the American Civil War, he visited a church in Washington, D.C. During the communion service he knelt beside a black man. An onlooker said to him later, "How could you do that?" Lee replied, "My friend, all ground is level beneath the cross."
Thankfully,
we are somewhat past
practice of slavery
still have
aggressive race riots.
1960’s gone.
Sadly,
decades later,
still residual issues.
How did disciples overcome?
Service.
Mission work.
Appeal
Appeal
Let’s work through issues.
talk openly.
spend time
cross-culturally.
Clicks at church
Push out of clicks
Most important
Serve
Serve
Serve