Breaking the Chains of Prejudice

INTRODUCTION

The late Chuck Colson told a story from the childhood of a biologist named Benno Muller-Hill.

Teacher set up a telescope to show students a planet and its moons.

One by one the students looked through the telescope and said, “Yes”, they could see the planet.

Finally one student said, “I can’t see anything.”

The teacher angrily told him to adjust the lenses.

Still the student saw nothing.

Finally the teacher himself leaned over and looked.

When he stood up, he had a strange expression on his face.

He glanced at the end of the telescope and saw that the lens cap was still on.

Just as these students were falsely claiming to see what the lens cap prohibited but they knew the teacher wanted them to see, many of us grow up learning to mimic our parents and grandparents in the way we see the world.

“Racism isn’t born, folks. It’s taught. I have a two-year old son. You know what he hates—naps.” - Dennis Leary, Actor

If we are honest with ourselves today, generational bondage is very evident in the form of prejudice, bigotry, and even racism in many of our very own families.

Many here today were taught to hate or look down on others based on:

Nationality

Ethnicity

Skin color

Spoken language

Political party

Gender

Denominational differences

Tattoos

________fill in the blank with thousands of other things....

THIS SERMON IS FOR YOU TODAY. EVERYONE HERE HAS PREJUDICES IF WE REFLECT DEEPLY ENOUGH INTO OUR OWN HEARTS. THIS ISN’T FOR YOUR NEIGHBOR OR SPOUSE, THIS IS FOR YOU.

PRAYER FOR GOD TO OPEN OUR HEARTS AND REVEAL OUR OWN OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHANGE AND REPENTANCE

THIS IS NOTHING NEW, IN FACT IT WAS REALLY BAD IN THE DAYS OF CHRIST AND THE EARLY CHURCH

Sociologist of religion, Rodney Stark, notes in The Rise of Christianity that the city of Antioch during the days of Roman rule was divided into 18 different and intensely antagonistic ethnic groups with almost no social integration.

It was the followers of Christ in the multi-ethnic church of Antioch who were first called Christians (Acts 11:19-26) and who took the gospel of Jesus Christ around the world (Acts 13:1-3).

The Greco-Roman world stood in awe of the people who formerly hated each other because of ethnic distinctions and now loved each other as family, worshipping and serving together in the name of Jesus (John 13:35).

The Church was revolutionary in the way that all groups were accepted and loved, regardless of their background, language, or color. Let’s look at a few fundamental things regarding this today:

1) Problems with Prejudice 101: The Samaritans

The Samaritans were considered as people who were part Jewish and had mixed with the pagans from Babylon, Cuthah, and other various nations following Israel’s defeat by Assyria. The Samaritans were deeply hated by the Jews. Imagine all of the issues we face in this country today between different ethnicities, none of this compares to the hatred Jews had for Samaritans.

Sirach 50:25–26 NRSV

Two nations my soul detests, and the third is not even a people: Those who live in Seir, and the Philistines, and the foolish people that live in Shechem.

In this historical church writing, the author places the “foolish people of Shechem” below the hated Edomites and Philistines.

Another example is in another historical church writing called the Testament of Levi (7:2):

Pseudepigrapha of the Old Testament 7

For from this day forward shall Shechem be called a city of imbeciles; for as a man mocketh a fool, so did we mock them.

Some of this hatred can even be relatively understood, as the differences between the Samaritans and Jews were religious, cultural, and political. In AD6, a group of Samaritans even desecrated Jerusalem’s holy temple by spreading bones within the temple porches and sanctuary during the Passover.

We can even observe Samaritan hostility toward Christ’s disciples:

Luke 9:51–53 NIV

As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem.

Simply because someone was traveling to Jerusalem, they were unwelcome in Samaria!

In John 8:48 the word Samaritan is used a slur word toward Christ. The disciples response to the passage we just read in Luke was asking Christ if they could call down fire from Heaven and destroy the Samaritans.

Christ’s Response to the Samaritan Situation

Jesus rebuked the disciples for their attitude and request in wanting to bring fire down on the Samaritan people:

Luke 9:54–55 NIV

When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” But Jesus turned and rebuked them.

Jews didn’t talk to Samaritans, but Jesus spent time with the Samaritan woman at the Well and the disciples who had been taught from birth to hate the Samaritans struggled to understand it (John 4:9, 27)

Jesus Told the Story of the Good Samaritan:

Luke 10:29–34 NIV

But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.

The two respected men that everyone would expect to care for a fallen man passed him by. The man the fallen Jew would have hated was the one who stopped, and risked his own potential welfare to help him.

2) Prejudice Looks Down on Other People Created in the Image of God

Genesis 1:27–31 NIV

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so. God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.

Every race and creed traces back to Adam and Eve. God didn’t make a mistake or create any “lesser race.” God created the human race and said that it was “very good.”

Acts 17:26 NIV

From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.

3) Prejudice Clouds Our Perspective Toward People Whom Christ Loved Enough to Die For

John 3:16 NIV

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

For us to hate someone because they are different from ourselves in some way or another is for us to say that we despise someone who God loved enough for His only Son to die for.

Prejudice not only puts us at odds with the person we look down on or hate, it puts us at odds with God because of our attitude toward an object of His affection.

We cannot love God while hating whom He loves.

Romans 10:12 NIV

For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,

Revelation 7:9–10 NIV

After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”

4) When Our Identity Is Firmly In Christ, We Will Love and Serve Those We Once Hated

Galatians 3:26–29 NIV

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

As Christ-followers it places an entirely new perspective on life, race, differences, and prejudice.

Prejudice is really about our own insecurity. We are insecure in our own identity and insecure in how to engage someone with different look, beliefs, preferences or culture than us.

When our own identity is rooted in Christ, the way we view those around us becomes completely different.

CONCLUSION

1) We should be known for our love, not our hatred.

John 13:35 NIV

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

As hatred and evil attitudes of supremacy or prejudice increases around us, our love will shine brighter and be more distinct than ever. The darker the world is around us, the more becomes our opportunity to glorify God and love others being abused by people bound by sin.

2) We should stand as a voice for those being oppressed or treated differently.

Ephesians 5:11 NIV

Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

Whether it is racism in your family, prejudice among your friends, hatred displayed by coworkers, or any type of supremacist attitudes toward others in our community - we must stand up and be a voice for truth and righteousness. Don’t ignore or laugh at prejuduce or racism because it is directed toward a different skin color. Speak up and stand up for one another because God created, loves, adopts, and avenges us all.

3) We should repent of any “us” versus “them” mentality.

Many in here today may not view ourselves as “racists” or “bigots”, but we all struggle with prejudices if we are honest with ourselves. Anytime we frame something as “us” versus “them” or “those people” we are displaying an attitude from within our hearts that believes someone is different.

The reality is that everyone was sacrificed for by Christ, is loved equally by God, and should therefore be loved and treated with dignity by Christ’s followers.

Psalm 24:1 NIV

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;

4) We should repent of any attitudes that we have had of supremacy towards others.

Any attitude that lifts anyone or anything supreme other than God is anti-God, anti-gospel, and anti-Christian. Period.

Many of us may have had these attitudes throughout our family’s past. Let’s repent of this attitude, submit to God, and serve our neighbors - regardless of their differences.

Romans 12 NIV

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform 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. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Acknowledge our sin, love our enemies, be a friend to the friendless, do everything to God’s glory and in His love.

5) If you have been degraded or denigrated, recognize your worth and identity in Christ far exceeds what people with prejudice attitudes tell you on earth. Know your value and know that you are specially created by God and loved deeply by Him.

CLOSING PRAYER

Dear God, please reveal to me my own prejudices toward others whom you love. Please create in my heart the passion and love for others that you have shown to me and have equally for them. I pray for victory over pride, arrogance, hatred, and bigotry in my life and ask for your forgiveness for those I have treated or viewed differently out of my sinful pride. Please show me ways that I can be a bridge builder and show love to others this week in a way that reflects your heart. I also thank you for reaffirming my identity in you regardless of any insecurities I may have about myself. I pray that my love for others and attitude toward those around me will always reflect your heart and bring glory to your name.