The Gospel & Racism

INTRODUCTION

1. Recent events have stirred the minds of many about the problem of racism and prejudice in our country.

2. The horrible images of hatred, bigotry, and violence never cease to shock the heart of those who love the Lord.

3. What are we to do in the face of such horror?

4. What does the Bible say about racism and prejudice?

3. What are we to do in the face of such horror?

4. What does the Bible say about racism and prejudice?

5. How can humanity achieve the unity with one another God desires?

DISCUSSION

5. How can humanity achieve the unity with one another God desires?

I. RACISM & PREJUDICE AREN’T NEW

DISCUSSION

I. RACISM & PREJUDICE AREN’T NEW

A. Racism, discrimination, and prejudice are not a new problem but one that has been around for a long, long time.

B. While today the issue is painted along purely racial ties that was not always the issue.

C. In fact, “personal identity in the ancient world was not primarily based on race but on family, tribal, city, national, ethnic, or religious ties.”[1]

D. For example, in the Old Testament, the Egyptians couldn’t abide people who were shepherds ().

i. Some think this was based on religious issues.

ii. Some believe it was because shepherds tended to be Semitic people while Egyptians were non-Semitic.

i. Some think this was based on religious issues.

E. In the time of Jesus and the apostles, there was an issue between Jews and Gentiles.

ii. Some believe it was because shepherds tended to be Semitic people while Egyptians were non-Semitic.

E. In the time of Jesus and the apostles, there was an issue between Jews and Gentiles.

i. God had foretold through the Old Testament prophets that He was seeking the salvation of all humanity (; ).

Joel 2:28–29 ESV

“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit.

ii. Jesus had commissioned His disciples to go and preach the gospel to every person ().

i. God had foretold through the Old Testament prophets that He was seeking the salvation of all humanity (; ).

Joel 2:28–29 KJV 1900

And it shall come to pass afterward, That I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids In those days will I pour out my spirit.

ii. Jesus had commissioned His disciples to go and preach the gospel to every person ().

iii. But it took a miracle to get some Jewish Christians to understand that God is no respecter of persons (; ).

F. Still, among Christians, this issue persisted with some Judaizing teachers.

i. It wasn’t just a “religious issue”, but even simple association ().

F. Still, among Christians, this issue persisted with some Judaizing teachers.

ii. It was so bad that Peter himself succumbed to the pressure and stopped socializing with saints who were Gentiles ().

i. It wasn’t just a “religious issue”, but even simple association ().

iii. But Paul withstood him to his face because he was wrong ().

ii. It was so bad that Peter himself succumbed to the pressure and stopped socializing with saints who were Gentiles ().

G. If it was wrong for people to refuse to share the gospel with others because of their race or ethnic background in the days of the apostles, how could anyone think it could be right today?

iii. But Paul withstood him to his face because he was wrong ().

H. If it was wrong for Peter and other Jewish Christians to refuse to socialize with their fellow Christians because of their race or ethnic background thousands of years ago how could anyone think it could be right today?

G. If it was wrong for people to refuse to share the gospel with others because of their race or ethnic background in the days of the apostles, how could anyone think it could be right today?

II. RACISM & PREJUDICE ARE SINFUL

H. If it was wrong for Peter and other Jewish Christians to refuse to socialize with their fellow Christians because of their race or ethnic background thousands of years ago how could anyone think it could be right today?

A. No one who has honestly read and considered the scriptures should believe that his or her race, ethnic group, or nation is superior to any other.

II. RACISM & PREJUDICE ARE SINFUL

B. Consider just a few of the reasons that these attitudes and practices are sinful.

A. No one who has honestly read and considered the scriptures should believe that his or her race, ethnic group, or nation is superior to any other.

B. Consider just a few of the reasons that these attitudes and practices are sinful.

C. All people are created in the image of God ().

i. Paul’s sermons to the Athenians proclaimed this truth ().

C. All people are created in the image of God ().

ii. All of humanity are God’s offspring and should be respected and valued ().

i. Paul’s sermons to the Athenians proclaimed this truth ().

ii. All of humanity are God’s offspring and should be respected and valued ().

D. All people are to love God and to love one another ().

i. The greatest commandment is to love God with all your being.

D. All people are to love God and to love one another ().

i. The greatest commandment is to love God with all your being.

ii. The second is to love your neighbor as yourself.

iii. Jesus taught in word and deed that all humanity is to be loved ().

ii. The second is to love your neighbor as yourself.

E. God sent Jesus to give His life to redeem all of humanity ().

iii. Jesus taught in word and deed that all humanity is to be loved ().

E. God sent Jesus to give His life to redeem all of humanity ().

i. Jesus did not die to save one race, tribe, or nation.

ii. God’s desire is for all to be saved (; ).

1 John 2:2 ESV

He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

F. Racism, discrimination, favoritism, and prejudice are sinful ().

ii. God’s desire is for all to be saved (; ; ).

1 John 2:2 KJV 1900

And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Romans 10:11–13 KJV 1900

For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

F. Racism, discrimination, favoritism, and prejudice are sinful ().

i. If it was sinful to discriminate against someone just because he is poor, how could it possibly be right to do so based on race, ethnicity, or nationality, etc.?

F. Racism, discrimination, partiality, and prejudice are sinful ().

ii. It is a failure to respect someone who has been made in the image of God and is worthy of God’s love and the offer of salvation in Jesus.

i. If it was sinful to discriminate against someone just because he is poor, how could it possibly be right to do so based on race, ethnicity, or nationality, etc.?

G. If God loves and values the soul of every person how can anyone think it would be right today to hate someone or mistreat someone because of the color of their skin or some other non-character trait?

ii. It is a failure to respect someone who has been made in the image of God and is worthy of God’s love and the offer of salvation in Jesus.

G. If we are struggling with racism and racial tensions we need to do some serious soul searching and self-examination as this issue.

i. Perhaps we need to do some serious souls searching and self-examination as this issue.

ii. In an article by brother Stan Cox we find some relevant and timely questions.

iii. He writes, “Do I have an US versus THEM mentality when thinking about other races? Do I consider myself in some way superior because of the color of my skin, or because of the culture of which I am a part? Do I feel discomfort in the presence of other races?”[2]

iv. Do you or I feel anger or hostility toward someone because of their race?

v. If so, we need to change.

H. If God loves and values the soul of every person how can anyone think it would be right today to hate someone or mistreat someone because of the color of their skin or some other non-character trait?

G. If God loves and values the soul of every person how can anyone think it would be right today to hate someone or mistreat someone because of the color of their skin or some other non-character trait?

CONCLUSION

G. If God loves and values the soul of every person how can anyone think it would be right today to hate someone or mistreat someone because of the color of their skin or some other non-character trait?

1. Racism is contrary to the gospel of Christ.

CONCLUSION

2. But how does the Christian confront such ungodly hate as we have seen in recent days?

1. Racism is contrary to the gospel of Christ.

3. The answer to racism is not hatred or denial.

2. But how does the Christian confront such ungodly hate as we have seen in recent days?

3. The answer to racism is not hatred or denial.

4. We cannot overcome evil with evil and we cannot ignore sin ().

5. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "Always be sure that you struggle with Christian methods and Christian weapons. Never succumb to the temptation of becoming bitter. As you press on for justice, be sure to move with dignity and discipline, using only the weapon of love. Let no man pull you so low as to make you hate him.” [2]

6. The only answer to racism is to change the hearts and minds of people by surrendering to the gospel of Jesus Christ (; )!

4. We cannot overcome evil with evil and we cannot ignore sin ().

a. As we sing, the gospel is for all (; )!

5. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “"Always be sure that you struggle with Christian methods and Christian weapons. Never succumb to the temptation of becoming bitter. As you press on for justice, be sure to move with dignity and discipline, using only the weapon of love. Let no man pull you so low as to make you hate him.”[3]

b. In Christ, all humanity is to be one ()!

6. The only answer to racism is to change the hearts and minds of people by surrendering to the gospel of Jesus Christ (; ; )!

Romans 12:2 KJV 1900

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Philippians 3:20 KJV 1900

For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

a. As we sing, the gospel is for all (; )!

c. The Bible says that by His sacrifice Jesus “ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation” ().

Revelation 14:6 KJV 1900

And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,

b. In Christ, all humanity is to be one ()!

7. May we all strive to put racism, prejudice, partiality and favoritism to death in our hearts by the power of God’s word in Christ and fervently love one another the way God loves us.

Galatians 3:28–29 KJV 1900

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

c. The Bible says that by His sacrifice Jesus “ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation” ().

[1] Wright, P. H. (2003). Racial Tension. In C. Brand, C. Draper, A. England, S. Bond, E. R. Clendenen, & T. C. Butler (Eds.), Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (p. 1361). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

7. May we all strive to put racism, prejudice, partiality and favoritism to death in our hearts by the power of God’s word in Christ and fervently love one another the way God loves us.

[2]King, M. L., Jr. (1958, June 03). Paul's Letter to American Christians, Sermon Delivered to the Commission on Ecumenical Missions and Relations, United Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. Retrieved August 15, 2017, from http://stanford.io/2zmZC4C

[1] Wright, P. H. (2003). Racial Tension. In C. Brand, C. Draper, A. England, S. Bond, E. R. Clendenen, & T. C. Butler (Eds.), Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (p. 1361). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

[2] Cox, S. (2016, April 12). Racism and the Christian. Retrieved August 15, 2017, from http://bit.ly/2glYczX

[3] King, M. L., Jr. (1958, June 03). Paul's Letter to American Christians, Sermon Delivered to the Commission on Ecumenical Missions and Relations, United Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. Retrieved August 15, 2017, from http://stanford.io/2zmZC4C

[2] King, M. L., Jr. (1958, June 03). Paul's Letter to American Christians, Sermon Delivered to the Commission on Ecumenical Missions and Relations, United Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. Retrieved August 15, 2017, from http://stanford.io/2zmZC4C