Laying Down Prejudice
April 27/28, 2024
Daniel Im, Lead Pastor

Prejudice (noun):
- A preconceived judgment or opinion (Merriam Webster)
- A negative attitude toward another person or group formed in advance of any experience with that person or group (American Psychological Association)
- An unfair and unreasonable opinion or feeling, especially when formed without enough thought or knowledge (Cambridge)
- An irrational attitude of hostility directed against an individual, a group, a race, or their supposed characteristics (Merriam Webster)

- The book of Jonah is a “subversive story of a rebellious prophet who hates God for loving his enemies.” - The Bible Project

1. Why prejudice forms in us
• We learn prejudice through education and experiences.
• Jonah learnt prejudice through his education and experiences

2. What prejudice does to us
• It minimizes who God is and how God works.
• Jonah couldn’t fathom a reality where God could love the evil Ninevites—where God could love his enemies.

3. How to lay down prejudice
• By remembering who God is and who he is.
• "A Jonah lurks in every Christian heart, whimpering his insidious message of smug prejudice, empty traditionalism, and exclusive solidarity. He that has ears to hear, let him hear and allow the saving love of God which has been outpoured in his own heart to remold his thinking and social orientation." - Leslie C. Allen

Reflective Prayer Exercise:
1. Ask God to reveal who you have prejudice against
2. Admit that you are prejudiced against them
3. Repent of your prejudice
4. Ask God to show you how He sees this person, group, etc.
5. Ask God to fill you with His love for them