Nobody’s Perfect -

New Zealand Pakeha culture is one marred by prejudice, racism, & in some instances hatred

This was made evident by the terrorist attack in Christchurch on the muslim community

That is something that Pakeha like myself find it hard to swallow

National minister for education Nikki Kaye said

“...while it was important not to overstate the prevalence of what she referred to as unconscious bias, it did exist.”

https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2018/11/06/308935/our-racist-education-system#

Although “unconscious bias” is a nice soft way of saying prejudiced - I think she’s right

Although “unconscious bias” is a nice soft way of saying prejudiced - I think she’s right

The Education Matters to Me

Office of the Children’s Commissioner (OCC), alongside New Zealand School Trustees Association produced report = The Education Matters to Me

Study of 2000 children - included 150 face-to-face interviews

Report found many young people experienced racism at school & were treated unequally because of their culture

1 student in an alternative education unit said during an interview - “Racism exists – we feel little and bad” - Education Matters to Me 2018 Report

for the .

Children’s Commissioner Andrew Becroft said he was surprised by the consistency of the message from non-Pākehā students.

Those with different cultures or backgrounds to us; those who hold different beliefs

“Whether we like it or not, or even agree with it, that is the lived experience of some children and it is significant to them.” Children’s Commissioner Andrew Becroft

If we’re in disagreement with them in anyway we like to express our disagreement

If we’re in disagreement with them in any way we like to express our disagreement

And if they disagree with us - then we claim they’re being intolerant of our views / thinking / beliefs

Nobody’s Perfect -

Sadly we can jump to conclusions when tragic things happen - like in Christchurch

Some people believe tragedy is the fault of those who it falls upon

Because they are poor, or rich, or of different ethnicity & culture, or even different gender

Today we’re going to consider what Jesus response is to prejudice in passage from

Sad reality = Humanity been prejudice for millennia

See that Jesus’ answer = simple - we’re all same flawed, imperfect people

Nobody is better than anyone else

Today we find out how Jesus dealt with it...

This was made evident by the terrorist attack in Christchurch on the muslim community

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That is something that Pakeha like myself find hard to swallow

“...while it was important not to overstate the prevalence of what she referred to as unconscious bias, it did exist.”

https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2018/11/06/308935/our-racist-education-system#

Although “unconscious bias” is a nice soft way of saying prejudiced - I think she’s right

Office of the Children’s Commissioner (OCC), alongside New Zealand School Trustees Association produced report = The Education Matters to Me

Study of 2000 children - included 150 face-to-face interviews

Report found many young people experienced racism at school & were treated unequally because of their culture

1 student in an alternative education unit said during an interview - “Racism exists – we feel little and bad” - Education Matters to Me 2018 Report (https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2018/11/06/308935/our-racist-education-system#)

Children’s Commissioner Andrew Becroft said he was surprised by the consistency of the message from non-Pākehā students.

“Whether we like it or not, or even agree with it, that is the lived experience of some children and it is significant to them.” Children’s Commissioner Andrew Becroft

“Whether we like it or not, or even agree with it, that is the lived experience of some children and it is significant to them.” Children’s Commissioner Andrew Becroft

(https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2018/11/06/308935/our-racist-education-system#)

National minister for education Nikki Kaye said

“...while it was important not to overstate the prevalence of what she referred to as unconscious bias, it did exist.”

(https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2018/11/06/308935/our-racist-education-system#)

Although “unconscious bias” is a nice soft way of saying prejudiced - I think she’s right

Quick To Assume

In gospel passage today - group of people came up to Jesus His views on why group of Galileans been tragically murdered by Romans on order from Pilate

Luke 13:1

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Luke 13:1–2 NIV84

1 Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way?

Historically Josephus records number of incidents where Pilate ordered the death of Jewish people in horrific ways

Jewish people murdered in their most sacred sight - sounds familiar doesn’t it

We don’t know why Pilate killed them but we do know from historical records that Pilate was a cruel & prejudiced man

For Pilate to kill Jewish people in such sacred place & in such horrific way would’ve create outrage amongst Jewish people

Sounds incredibly familiar doesn’t it...

Mention Bishop Tamaki - Chch due to sin of homosexuals & recent comments on Twitter

At that time - was common for Jewish people think these Galileans had brought it upon themselves

God allowed them to be killed because of some past bad or evil deed they had committed

Particularly as those killed were from Galilee = considered lower rural class citizens compared to upper class Jerusalem city dwellers

This isn’t only time in Gospels this sort of prejudicial thinking appears - e.g. John’s gospel

Man born blind considered lesser person - he’d been punished with blindness for something bad / evil he’d done or parents done

John 9:1–2 NIV84

1 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

In fact Jewish people believed calamity, suffering, & disease were result of people’s bad / evil words & deeds

- Example of common held belief that calamity, suffering, disease is result of others sin

Sadly people still think in same prejudicial way today

Sadly people still think in same prejudicial way today

Now our PM has done great job of empathising with victims & their families - acting appropriately both politically & socially

However widely made claim in first few days after attacks = perpetrator of horrific evil acts was not “one of us”

Everyone jumped on this to show empathy / sympathy to Muslim community & said - “No, that’s not who we are”

But sad reality is - it is who we are as New Zealanders particularly Pakeha culture

But sad reality is - it is who we are as New Zealanders

Now you might find that an offensive thought - But before you write emails & texts of complaint to Presbytery

But before you write emails & texts of complaint to Presbytery -

We need to realise - Jewish people who approached Jesus pretty much said same thing...

Galileans who died in sacred place in Jerusalem were “not us” - they were bad people / done bad things

That’s why Roman’s murdered them - they must have done something to deserve it

As Pakeha / European’s - our culture marred by prejudice, racism, & in some instances hatred

New Zealand Pakeha culture is marred by prejudice, racism, & in some instances hatred

This was made evident by the terrorist attack in Christchurch on the muslim community

That’s something that many Pakeha, like myself, find hard to swallow

For e.g. Office of the Children’s Commissioner (OCC), alongside New Zealand School Trustees Association produced report = The Education Matters to Me

Study of 2000 children - included 150 face-to-face interviews

Report found many young people experienced racism at school & were treated unequally because of their culture

1 student in an alternative education unit said during an interview - “Racism exists – we feel little and bad” - Education Matters to Me 2018 Report (https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2018/11/06/308935/our-racist-education-system#)

Children’s Commissioner Andrew Becroft said he was surprised by the consistency of the message from non-Pākehā students.

“Whether we like it or not, or even agree with it, that is the lived experience of some children and it is significant to them.” Children’s Commissioner Andrew Becroft

This same person also spoke out negatively on Friday about the Muslim call to prayer using very inappropriate language

(https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2018/11/06/308935/our-racist-education-system#)

National minister for education Nikki Kaye said

“...while it was important not to overstate the prevalence of what she referred to as unconscious bias, it did exist.”

(https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2018/11/06/308935/our-racist-education-system#)

Although “unconscious bias” is a nice soft way of saying prejudiced / racist - I think she’s exactly right

Now our PM has done great job of highlighting fact we’re with the victims & their families - acting appropriately

However the widely made claim over this past week has been that the perpetrator of the horrific terrorist act is not “one of us”

Everyone has jumped on this as an act of empathy & sympathy & said - “No, that’s not who we are”

But sad reality is - it is who we are as New Zealanders

Now you might find that an offensive statement...

But before you write emails & texts of complaint to Presbytery -

We’re going to consider how Jesus respond to these Jewish people who approached him & said essentially same thing...

Those who died in Temple at Jerusalem were “not us” - they were bad people / done bad things

Now you might find idea of being prejudice or even racist offensive thought

But before you write emails & letters of complaint to Presbytery just pause… & look back at your Bible

Because prejudice / racism aren’t just present day issues - Jewish people who approached Jesus thought same sort things

They believed Galileans who died in sacred Temple in Jerusalem were “not us” - they were bad people who’d done bad things

That’s why Roman’s murdered them - they must have done something to deserve it

We too can be quick to jump to prejudiced conclusions - “they are bad people over there but we are not like them”

SLIDE

Slow to repent

The sentiment of message “this is not us” is good & admirable BUT it’s just not true

SLIDE

Aaron Hendry on Newshub, "The ideologies and beliefs" which drove the shooter "are sentiments shared and broadcast by 'regular' Kiwis daily on talk-back radio and social media"

In past week there’ve been number of articles saying quite accurately - NZ has history of prejudice, racism, hatred

And its not just recent immigrants who are on receiving end of racism, prejudice, & hatred

For years & years Maori & Polynesian peoples been subject to racism, prejudice, & abuse

Considered by many Pakeha to be lesser people

For e.g. Office of Children’s Commissioner (OCC) alongside NZ School Trustees Association produced report = The Education Matters to Me

Study of 2000 children - included 150 face-to-face interviews

Report found many young people experienced racism at school & were treated unequally because of their culture

SLIDE

1 student in an alternative education unit said during an interview - “Racism exists – we feel little and bad” - Education Matters to Me 2018 Report (https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2018/11/06/308935/our-racist-education-system#)

Children’s Commissioner Andrew Becroft said he was surprised by the consistency of the message from non-Pākehā students.

SLIDE

“Whether we like it or not, or even agree with it, that is the lived experience of some children and it is significant to them.” Children’s Commissioner Andrew Becroft

(https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2018/11/06/308935/our-racist-education-system#)

National minister Nikki Kaye said:

SLIDE

“...while it was important not to overstate the prevalence of what she referred to as unconscious bias, it did exist.”

(https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2018/11/06/308935/our-racist-education-system#)

Although “unconscious bias” is a nice soft way of saying prejudiced / racist - I think she’s exactly right

Now I know these subjects many of us find uncomfortable - but days of sweeping these problems under rug have well & truly gone

And as Followers of Jesus we have duty to face up to them & deal with it - So how did Jesus deal with prejudice & racism?

SLIDE

Luke 13:3–5 NIV84

3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

Luke 13:

So what’s Jesus saying here? No one is better than anyone else - we’re all just as guilty of being flawed / doing bad stuff as everyone else

Jesus tells us we need to repent = need to recognise / acknowledge we’re just as bad as everyone else

So we need to make our hearts right with God - make our relationship right with God

Jesus reminds us - we need to make sure our hearts are right with God before we think or do anything else

Do that by recognising Jesus is our Saviour - He’s one who’s done all work so we can make ourselves right with God

That’s what he meant when he said to those in crowd they needed to repent

Make your relationship right with God through recognising Jesus as our Saviour - one who’s done everything needed to make us right with God

Every person alive today & every person who’s ever lived - has failed to meet God’s moral standards - His moral laws

But If we refuse to accept we’re guilty of being flawed / doing bad stuff as everyone else - we have serious problem

Then we have serious problems & need to deal with it now

Jesus makes it clear - we will face consequences of bad / evil stuff we refusing to deal with…

In Christian language traditionally say - we’ve all sinned & fallen short of God’s glory - i.e none of us are perfect - we’re all way off the mark

Or put it another way - none of us are perfect - we’re all way off the mark

But we don’t like admitting we’re wrong - we try to avoid it = its embarrassing, humiliating, shameful

- John the Baptist preaching a similar message

But today we don’t like admitting we’re wrong -

We don’t want to take responsibility for our faults / flaws - want to blame someone else for them

We’re really quick to judge / condemn others - but more often than not we fail to own up to our own flawed / rotten thinking & actions

Now some of you may be thinking - “Wait a minute! I haven’t killed anyone, I haven’t stolen anything, I’m not a bad person”

Jesus defined what God’s moral standard when he addressed Israel’s religious leaders who thought they were better than everyone else

Jesus said;

SLIDE

Don’t leave it too late

z Cited from ; ; [ch. 19:18; ; ; ; ]

a []

b

3 Some manuscripts insert without cause

a [See ver. 21 above]

4 Greek says Raca to (a term of abuse)

c ch. 18:9; ; ; [ver. 29]

5 Greek Gehenna; also verses 29, 30

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016),

Matthew 5:21–22 NIV84

21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.

.

In other words - God see an angry hateful thought towards someone as same as actually committing that act

That’s God’s moral standard - every single person has failed to meet it - as Apostle Paul said in Roman’s - “there’s none righteous, no not one...”

Or as Apostle Paul says in Roman’s - “there’s none righteous, no not one...”

SLIDE

Don’t leave it too late

But before we get too heavy on ourselves - start feeling like there’s no hope - need to consider rest of passage in Luke

Great thing about Jesus / God’s Word - there’s always hope

Judeo-Christian God = God of love, hope, grace, mercy, compassion & forgiveness

So Jesus tells a parable / a story to help Jewish people understand how God sees things

SLIDES

Luke 13:6–9 NIV84

6 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. 7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ 8 “ ‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’ ”

Jesus parable use pretty serious language - its a parable remind us - God will calls us to account for all of our thoughts & actions

That’s what he meant when he said to those in crowd they needed to repent

Make your relationship right with God through recognising Jesus as our Saviour - one who’s done everything needed to make us right with God

That is most important thing to be concerned about - If our hearts aren’t right with God - if we’re not in a personal relationship with God...

If our hearts aren’t right with God - if we’re not in a personal relationship with God

Then we have serious problems & we need to deal with it now

Jesus parable is pretty heavy - its a parable reminding us - God will calls us into account for our thoughts & actions

He wants us to bear fruit i.e. to exhibit love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control

22 But ethe fruit of the Spirit is flove, joy, peace, patience, gkindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 hgentleness, iself-control; jagainst such things there is no law.

f See ;

g

h

i

j

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), .

To do that we need to allow Holy Spirit to change & mould us to be more like Jesus

To be transformed into someone who loves God with everything they are / love others with love, mercy, compassion, grace

Notice in parable - man who cared for vineyard wanted to save fig tree wasn’t producing fruit from being destroyed

He asked for an extra year to try everything he could to make it grow - to give it best chance to bear fruit

He wanted to try everything he could to make it grow - to give it best chance to bear fruit

God wants us to do same thing for us because He’s loving merciful, compassionate, gracious

‘s loving merciful, compassionate, gracious

He tells us ahead of time what’s going to happen - then gives us best chance to become best version of ourselves we can be

Peter reminds us of same thing when he wrote;

SLIDE

2 Peter 3:9 NIV84

9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:9–10 NIV84

9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.

God delays judgment because he is merciful & doesn’t want anyone to suffer

Bible’s clear - God delays judgment of evil, injustice, suffering & death because He loves all humanity / He’s merciful / He doesn’t want anyone to suffer

In fact it was God who sent Jesus into creation to live perfect life we could never live

Jesus died on cross to pay penalty for all rebellious things we will ever do in our lives

Then He rose from grave to prove He is one who will finish what he started - destruction of evil, injustice, suffering & death

So that eventually all creation & humanity will be renewed & restored

So God is one who delays, who waits patiently for us to finally admit - we’re more flawed and sinful than we ever dared believe

But that God loves & accepts beyond anything we ever dared hope for

So if we’re willing to accept our flaws before God - He will begin to rebuild us into better people in Jesus through His Word & Spirit

So questions I want to leave you with is this;

SLIDE

Will you allow God to reveal your faults and flaws to you? Will you allow God to transform you into the best version of “you”?

Will make you into the best version of “you” possible?

What events in Christchurch reminds us = future is unknown / life is unpredictable

We don’t want to put God off / don’t want to resist God / to ignore His still small voice calling us to know Him better

-

(v 1-2) (v 3-5)Don’t leave it too late (v 6-9)

- God delays judgment because he is merciful & doesn’t want anyone to suffer

We don’t want to put God off / don’t want to resist God / or ignore His still small voice calling us to Him

Global

Jesus doesn’t leave us with doom & gloom - He leaves us with hope

God’s love & grace has overcome our flaws / failures - there’s still time BUT don’t put God off until tomorrow

Global

Lets make a commitment today to make our relationship with God our number 1 priority

But instead make our relationship with God our number 1 priority

But Jesus doesn’t leave us with all doom & gloom - He leaves us with hope

Global

And make our 2nd priority to love all our neighbours… Maori, Pacific Island, Asian, Arab, African, Middle Eastern, & European

God’s grace has overcome our failures, shortcomings, all bad / evil things we say & do - there’s still time… its never too late

So let us make a commitment today to not put off our relationship with God

All our Maori, Pacific Island, Asian, Arab, African, Middle Eastern, & European neighbours

But instead make our relationship with God our number 1 priority

And to make our 2nd priority to love all our neighbours

All our Maori, Pacific Island, Asian, Arab, African, Middle Eastern, & European neighbours

God expects us to refrain from sinful thinking & actions

Vs 12 warning / vs 13 hope

Anthem

humanity’s sinfulness - God’s grace