Page Title

KevinGlenn.net
issues: racism / prejudice

The problem with PREJUDICE: inaccurate assumptions (stereotypes) based on fear and
ignorance.

How does fear play into prejudice? Fear the unknown
How does ignorance play into prejudice? Lack experience

The results: we pause, we treat someone different even through they don’t deserve it

Discuss some of your experiences with prejudice.
What does prejudice look like here in Austin?

FILTER -Alter thoughts & behavior because we should
vs
PREJUDICE-Alter thoughts & behavior without reasonable cause

How to keep from hurting others with your prejudice

1.Have I Adopted God’s Perspective?
Jonah 4:8 And as the sun grew hot, God sent a scorching east wind to blow on Jonah.
The sun beat down on his head until he grew faint and wished to die. "Death is certainly
better than this!" he exclaimed. 9 Then God said to Jonah, "Is it right for you to be
angry because the plant died?" "Yes," Jonah retorted, "even angry enough to die!" 10
Then the LORD said, "You feel sorry about the plant, though you did nothing to put it
there. And a plant is only, at best, short lived. 11 But Nineveh has more than 120,000
people living in spiritual darkness, not to mention all the animals. Shouldn't I feel sorry
for such a great city?"

Zechariah 8:20-22- "This is what the LORD Almighty says: People from nations and cities
around the world will travel to Jerusalem.21 The people of one city will say to the people
in another, 'Let us go to Jerusalem to ask the LORD to bless us and to seek the LORD
Almighty. We are planning to go ourselves.'22 People from many nations, even powerful
nations, will come to Jerusalem to seek the LORD Almighty and to ask the LORD to bless
them.

Matthew 28:20-Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Acts 1:8-But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell
people about me everywhere--in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the
ends of the earth."

Acts 10:28 Peter told them, "You know it is against the Jewish laws for me to come into a
Gentile home like this. But God has shown me that I should never think of anyone as
impure.34Then Peter replied, "I see very clearly that God doesn't show partiality. 35 In
every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right.

Galatians 3:28-There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. For you
are all Christians--you are one in Christ Jesus. 29 And now that you belong to Christ,
you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and now all the promises God
gave to him belong to you.

How do these verses reflect the unity of the human race?

All are created by God,
all are in need of God,
all are accountable to God,
all are of equal value to God

2. Monitor your thoughts, feelings and actions
Galatians 2:11-13-But when Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him publicly,
speaking strongly against what he was doing, for it was very wrong. 12 When he first
arrived, he ate with the Gentile Christians, who don't bother with circumcision. But
afterward, when some Jewish friends of James came, Peter wouldn't eat with the
Gentiles anymore because he was afraid of what these legalists would say. 13 Then the
other Jewish Christians followed Peter's hypocrisy, and even Barnabas was influenced to
join them in their hypocrisy.

Proverbs 18:19- It's harder to make amends with an offended friend than to capture a
fortified city. Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with iron bars.

How was this principal played out in the racial controversy over Don Imus’ recent
comments?

What do you think of the controversy over the Virginia Tech convocation service?

How can we avoid adding bricks to walls of separation?

Don’t act on your first thought!!!

3. Don’t let comfort be your guide
Acts 11:1-2- Soon the news reached the apostles and other believers in Judea that the
Gentiles had received the word of God. 2 But when Peter arrived back in Jerusalem,
some of the Jewish believers criticized him.

Why would standing against prejudice be misunderstood or even opposed?

Is this a reason to quit?

Galatians 1:10-Obviously, I'm not trying to be a people pleaser! No, I am trying to
please God. If I were still trying to please people, I would not be Christ's servant.

4.Does equality negate distinction?
Revelation 7:9-10 - After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation
and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb.
They were clothed in white and held palm branches in their hands. 10 And they were
shouting with a mighty shout, "Salvation comes from our God on the throne and from the
Lamb!"

Reach out, make the effort to get to know someone
Watch your words
Learn to TOLERATE, RESPECT, and CELEBRATE differences