Christiantiy: Unedited-Treating People Right

Teaching from Rick Olmstead on July 20 at the Vineyard.

The Museum of Tolerance is a museum that is dedicated to the loss of the Holocaust. It is set up to where there is a door for people who think they are non-prejudice and a door for those who think they are prejudice. The entrance for 'non-prejudice' is not an entrance at all. EVERYONE has their own prejudices against a variety of people or things or personalities or what have you.

Common Prejudices
-Appearance: Favoritism-so many men/women get the job or the woman or man because of their appearance. Our world is prejudice and favors those who "look the part."

-Race/ethnicity/nationality: We don't often value people that are different. If you can't value someone, then you can't respect them. If you can't respect them, then you can't accept them. If you can't accept them, then you can't love them.

• Rick told a story about a white pastor who, when a black Christian knocked on his door, would not even let the man inside. The pastor told the man to go pray and see what God has to reveal to him. About a week later, these two men run into each other and the pastor asks the man if he had prayed. He replied with, "Yes. And God told me 'I've been trying to get into that church for years and I still can't get in.'"

-Achievement: Typically, America looks at those who have accomplished more as more successful. Look at Hollywood. Those with more movies and more success have 'achieved' so much. But we need to look at those around us that aren't famous and look at people for who they are, not their status in society.

-Age: In our world, the young don't trust the old and the old don't trust the young. We're either too young or too old. In Timothy, there's a verse that states "Don't let anybody look down on you because you are young..."

James 2:1-4, 8-9 "My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also come in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, 'Here's a good seat for you,' but say to the poor man, 'You stand there' or 'Sit on the floor by my feet,' have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thought?"..."If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, 'Love your neighbor as yourself,' you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers."

Romans 2:11 "For God does not show favoritism." -It's as simple as that. So why do we do it?

• Jesus treated everybody with dignity and value
• The lepers were even loved and Jesus was willing to touch them. He saw everyone as a human created and loved by God and who has a purpose.
• The place in our world where there should not be prejudice is the church, but the church can be on of the most prejudice places to be...which is VERY unfortunate.
• People need to be treated with dignity, respect, and value.
• Prejudice works both ways: You can be prejudice towards the poor AND the rich.

James 2:13 "Because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!"

Steps to be a doer of the word

1. Accept people for who they are. Romans 15:7 "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God."-We can accept somebody without approving of their lifestyle. For example, Christians often don't accept those within the gay community, but why can't we just love them!? That's one of my biggest issues with the church nowadays but that's why I love the Vineyard! I have gay friends and love them very much, but I don't accept their lifestyle. That doesn't mean I can't love them like God loves them.
2. Gold Rule. Matthew 7:12 "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."-Church isn't just for believers!! Christ's own disciples didn't know what to believe for 3 years and they were walking by His side!
3. Love! Love unconditionally whether they love you back or not. Jesus had no enemies because of His love for everyone. John 13:34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." Love doesn't happen accidentally. It can draw people to Jesus.

Rick then told a story about a young college man. He had wild hair, weird shirts, and, well, looked like today's typical college guy. He lived across the street from a middle-class church and he decided one day to go and visit. He showed up a little late and there were no seats available and everyone was starring. The young man, Bill, decides to sit down in the isle up front. One of the deacons, who was 80-years-old, started moving towards this man. Everyone thought he was going to ask Bill to leave or hit him with his cane or something. Turned out, the deacon, with difficulty, sits down next to Bill, puts his arm around him, and worshipped with him. He loved him. The pastor then said, "You will never remember what I'm about to preach, but you will never forget what you just saw." That 80-year-old man was the only accepting man in that church and when everyone never expected it, he loved the young college man that didn't fit in. THAT'S what church should be about.