Racism And Prejudice

Introduction:  history is filled with accounts of people being discriminated against due to race, skin color, religious beliefs, and gender... Prejudice is nothing new in this world. As Christians, God's people, how should we view this? What does God's word say?

Body:

1.  Examples from the Bible

·  An Egyptians view of shepherds—Joseph brings his family of shepherds to Egypt and warns them about the prejudice they may encounter in Genesis 46: 33-34. The Egyptians may have despised shepherding because they thought it was beneath them. This is an example of occupational discrimination.

·  Jews and Samaritans: There was intense bitterness and hatred that existed between these groups for hundreds of years. Jewish people would not even drink from the same cup as Samaritans, John 4: 7-9. This prejudice went both ways. Note that this Samaritan village would not receive Jesus on his way to Jerusalem, Luke 9: 51-53.

·  Jews and Gentiles: Jews saw themselves as superior to the Gentiles. Paul dealt with this in Romans 2 and 3.  And also in Romans 3: 9.

2.  God's creation of mankind

·  Genesis 1: 26-27; all people have been created in God's image, according to his likeness. A person's race, nationality, culture, profession, gender, or religion does not change that fact.

·  Therefore each person has a soul that is worth more than the wealth of the entire world combined; Matthew 16: 26. Racism and prejudice judge people to be of less value than themselves.

·  Note Acts 17:26-27, “And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings”

3.  What the Bible says about prejudice

·  God told the Israelites on several occasions not to discriminate against the stranger in his midst: Exodus 22: 21, Leviticus 19: 34, Deuteronomy 10: 17-22. This reminded them of when they were slaves in Egypt.

·  God is often described as one who does not show partiality; 2 Chronicles 19: 6-7, Acts 10: 34-35, Galatians 3: 26-29.

·  As you read through the book of acts, you discover that the gospel of Christ and the blessings God offers through him are extended to everyone IPhone Jew and gentile; Ephesians 3: 6 - given the same inheritance; Members of the same body; Partakers of the same promise; Saved by the same savior through the same gospel. 1 Corinthians 12: 13, Romans 10: 12, Galatians 3: 26-29.

·  God's people are called to follow Christ and not be racist or discriminatory; James 2: 1, 4, 8-9, 1 Timothy 5: 21, Colossians 3: 25.

4.  Conclusion

·  God has shown his love for people of all nations to see; Revelation 7: 9-10.

Sermon prepared by Bobby Stafford

December 20, 2020

Prepared by Bobby Stafford

The church of Christ at Granby, MO

Located at
516 East Pine St.
P.O. Box 664
Granby, Mo. 64844
(417) 472-7109

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