THE KINGDOM GODS ULTIMATE COUNTERCULTURE

July 12, 2016

Pastor Daniel C. Rhodes

The Kingdom of God and Bigotry

Bigotry - Any Expression of Intolerance, Hatred or Aggression Toward Anyone or
Any Group Who Is DIFFERENT.

Differences That Ignite Bigot Attitudes

Ethnicity, Nationality, Skin Color and Shades, Sibling Rivalry and Favoritism, Social
Status (elitism and the ruling classes who feel privileged and superior), Economic
Status, Educational Status, Vocational Status, Gender Issues, Age Discrimination,
Religious Affiliation, Ideological Differences.

Question: Is the Root Cause (Not the Symptom) of Bigotry Natural or Spiritual?

If the Root Cause is a Spiritual Problem, then the only answer is to address it
spiritually!

The Root Cause of All Bigotry IsThe Fallen (Sinful) Nature

Sin separates people from God and alienates them from one another.
Sin generates jealousies, hatred, violence, domination, cruelty.

(A Few) Biblical Examples of Bigotry Expressed Through the Fallen Nature

1. It all began in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eves sin.
Blame Shifting - Adam blamed both God and Eve for his problem.
Jealousy, Hatred and Violence Cain murdered his brother, Able.
2. Gen. 46:34 (Egyptians hated Shepherds); Esther 3:16 (Haman tried to exterminate all
Jews); Luke 15:2 (Pharisees hated sinners); Acts 10:28 (Jews hated Gentiles); Luke
9:5156 (James and John wanted to call down fire on the Samaritans); Acts 1:13 (two
disciples were Zealots overthrow Rome at all costs); Acts 6:1-6 (Greek Christians
complained against Hebrew Christians because of unequal distribution of food). Acts
10:34-35 (Peter was shocked when God filled Gentiles with His Spirit!).

Gods Solution to Bigotry

1. First of all, there is only one racethe human race created in the image of God. The
Nations (ethnos) are different ethnicities of the human race.
2. The entire human race is fallen. Unregenerate humankind will NEVER find a lasting
solution to bigotry. All human efforts are like placing a Band-Aid over cancer.
3. Gods solution for the fallen humanity is redemption in Christ. Our assignment is to
make Disciples of all Nations (ethnos). Matt. 28:1820
4. When Gods Kingdom comes in us as it is in heaven, the King redeems us and rules
in righteousness in and through us. We cannot love God and hate our brothers (1
John 4:19-21). When we are in Christ, there is no ethnic, social or gender distinctions
(Gal. 3:2829; Eph. 2:19).

5. Only when the Holy Spirit joins people together as brothers and sisters in Christ, will
there be an end to Bigotryat least in those individuals.
6. The world (fallen masses) will continue to exercise bigotry with strife and war (Matt.
24:7), but not so with Christs Church. We are Gods redeemed community living
above the chaos of the world, modeling the way of Christ and beckoning to all men to
come to Him.

How Then Shall We Live?

1. Honor Civil Authority

In 58 AD, during the demonic reign and oppression of Nero, Paul wrote the epistle
to the Roman Church. Christians are more than natural citizens of a nation, they
are citizens of Gods Kingdom ((Phil. 3:20; Col. 1:13)! We live under the Righteous
Rule of Christ, the King.

Rom. 13:1-7 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For

there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by
God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and
they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are
not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of
authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a
minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not
bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings
wrath on the one who practices evil. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection,
not only because of wrath, but also for conscience sake. For because of this you
also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very
thing. Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom
custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

2. Pray for Civil Authority

1 Tim. 2:1-4 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and
thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in
authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and
dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all
men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

3. Become Leven to Influence Society for Godly Change (Who is the conscience of society?)
Matt. 13: 33 He spoke another parable to them, The kingdom of heaven is like
leaven, which a woman took and hid in three pecks of flour until it was all
leavened.

4. Demonstrate Life in Gods Kingdom (His Righteous Rule) at all Times

Philip. 2:14-16 Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove
yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the
midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in
the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have
reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.

5. Be Gods Ambassadors in an Evil World, Entreating the Fallen to Be Reconciled to God

2 Cor. 5:20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making
an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.