Rising Above Bias: Embracing Unity in Christ
Summary
In today's message, we explored the concept of the Fundamental Attribution Error, a cognitive bias that leads us to attribute others' behaviors to their character while attributing our own actions to external circumstances. This bias is particularly prevalent in political discourse, where we often label entire groups based on the actions of a few. However, as followers of Christ, we are called to rise above this bias and engage with others through empathy and understanding.
We delved into the early church's example of culturally disruptive unity, which transcended social, economic, and racial barriers. The early Christians' commitment to unity and love, despite their differences, was revolutionary and ultimately transformative for the Roman Empire. This unity was not based on political alignment but on the shared belief in the teachings of Jesus, who came to establish a new kind of kingdom where everyone is invited to participate.
The challenge for us today is to prioritize our faith over our political affiliations. We must be kingdom people first, influencing our political parties rather than being defined by them. This means putting our faith filter ahead of our political filter, a task that is difficult but essential for true followers of Christ. By doing so, we can bring about change in our culture and society, just as the early Christians did.
We are reminded that Jesus did not come to support existing political structures but to take over and reverse the order of things. When we align Jesus with political ideologies, we rob the world of the transformative message that changed history. Instead, we are called to love unconditionally and work towards unity, even when we disagree politically. By carrying each other's burdens, we fulfill the law of Christ and demonstrate the love that transcends all differences.
Key Takeaways:
- The Fundamental Attribution Error leads us to misjudge others' actions as reflections of their character while excusing our own behavior due to circumstances. Recognizing this bias is crucial for fostering empathy and understanding in our interactions. [00:17]
- The early church's unity was culturally disruptive, breaking down barriers of race, class, and gender. This unity was rooted in the teachings of Jesus, who invited everyone to participate in His kingdom, challenging the social norms of the time. [07:33]
- As followers of Christ, we must prioritize our faith over political affiliations, putting our faith filter ahead of our political filter. This requires a conscious effort to be kingdom people first, influencing our political parties rather than being defined by them. [04:42]
- Jesus did not come to support political structures but to take over and reverse the order of things. Aligning Jesus with political ideologies robs the world of His transformative message, which calls us to love unconditionally and work towards unity. [05:46]
- By carrying each other's burdens, we fulfill the law of Christ and demonstrate love that transcends political differences. This approach allows us to gain a better understanding of one another and work towards a more united community and world. [29:37]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:10] - Introduction to Fundamental Attribution Error
[00:45] - Personal vs. External Attribution
[01:20] - Political Bias and Rhetoric
[03:07] - Carrying Each Other's Burdens
[03:40] - The Church's Role in Politics
[04:42] - Faith Filter vs. Political Filter
[05:46] - Jesus' Kingdom and Political Ideologies
[07:33] - Culturally Disruptive Unity
[09:24] - Paul's Revolutionary Teachings
[11:30] - Equality in the Kingdom
[13:37] - Dignity and Status of Women
[15:15] - The New Kingdom Paradigm
[16:17] - The Church's Enduring Unity
[18:27] - Pliny the Younger's Observations
[22:18] - Christian Ethics and Morality
[24:09] - The Appeal of the Upside-Down Kingdom
[26:05] - Christianity's Impact on Civilization
[29:37] - Loving Unconditionally Despite Differences
[30:22] - Invitation to Follow the King
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Galatians 6:2 - "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
2. Galatians 3:28 - "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
3. Luke 16:16 - "The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing their way into it."
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Observation Questions:
1. What is the Fundamental Attribution Error, and how does it affect our perception of others' actions compared to our own? [00:17]
2. How did the early church demonstrate "culturally disruptive unity," and why was this significant in the context of the Roman Empire? [07:33]
3. According to the sermon, what is the challenge for Christians when it comes to political affiliations and their faith? [04:42]
4. How did the early Christians' actions and beliefs challenge the social norms and political structures of their time? [05:46]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does recognizing the Fundamental Attribution Error help us foster empathy and understanding in our interactions with others? [02:19]
2. In what ways did the early church's unity transcend social, economic, and racial barriers, and what can we learn from their example today? [07:33]
3. What does it mean to put our "faith filter" ahead of our "political filter," and why is this important for followers of Christ? [04:42]
4. How does the concept of carrying each other's burdens relate to fulfilling the law of Christ, and what impact can this have on our communities? [29:37]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you may have fallen into the Fundamental Attribution Error. How can you approach similar situations differently in the future to foster empathy? [00:17]
2. Consider the unity demonstrated by the early church. What practical steps can you take to promote unity within your own community, especially among those with differing political views? [07:33]
3. How can you prioritize your faith over political affiliations in your daily life? What specific actions can you take to ensure your faith filter guides your decisions and interactions? [04:42]
4. Think of a person in your life with whom you have political disagreements. How can you carry their burdens and demonstrate unconditional love, despite your differences? [29:37]
5. Identify a social or political issue you are passionate about. How can you engage with this issue in a way that reflects the teachings of Jesus and promotes unity rather than division? [27:49]
6. Reflect on the idea that Jesus came to reverse the order of things. How can you apply this concept to challenge existing structures or norms in your own life or community? [05:46]
7. What is one specific way you can demonstrate the love of Christ in your interactions this week, especially with those who hold different views from your own? [30:10]
Devotional
Day 1: Recognizing Our Biases to Foster Empathy
The Fundamental Attribution Error is a cognitive bias that causes us to misjudge others' actions as reflections of their character while excusing our own behavior due to circumstances. This bias is particularly prevalent in political discourse, where we often label entire groups based on the actions of a few. Recognizing this bias is crucial for fostering empathy and understanding in our interactions. By acknowledging our tendency to judge others harshly while giving ourselves the benefit of the doubt, we can begin to approach others with more compassion and understanding. This shift in perspective allows us to engage in more meaningful and empathetic conversations, breaking down barriers and building bridges. [00:17]
"Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment." (John 7:24, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you judged someone harshly. How might understanding their circumstances change your perspective and response?
Day 2: Embracing Unity Beyond Differences
The early church's unity was culturally disruptive, breaking down barriers of race, class, and gender. This unity was rooted in the teachings of Jesus, who invited everyone to participate in His kingdom, challenging the social norms of the time. The early Christians' commitment to unity and love, despite their differences, was revolutionary and ultimately transformative for the Roman Empire. This example calls us to transcend our differences and embrace a unity that is grounded in love and shared faith. By doing so, we can create a community that reflects the inclusive and transformative nature of Christ's kingdom. [07:33]
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28, ESV)
Reflection: What barriers (social, economic, or racial) do you see in your community? How can you actively work to break them down and promote unity?
Day 3: Prioritizing Faith Over Politics
As followers of Christ, we must prioritize our faith over political affiliations, putting our faith filter ahead of our political filter. This requires a conscious effort to be kingdom people first, influencing our political parties rather than being defined by them. By doing so, we can bring about change in our culture and society, just as the early Christians did. This means engaging in political discourse with a mindset that is rooted in our faith, allowing our beliefs to guide our actions and interactions. It is a challenging task, but one that is essential for true followers of Christ. [04:42]
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways have your political views overshadowed your faith? How can you realign your priorities to reflect your commitment to Christ's kingdom?
Day 4: Jesus' Transformative Message Beyond Politics
Jesus did not come to support political structures but to take over and reverse the order of things. Aligning Jesus with political ideologies robs the world of His transformative message, which calls us to love unconditionally and work towards unity. By focusing on the teachings of Jesus, we can transcend political divisions and work towards a more united and loving community. This approach allows us to carry each other's burdens and fulfill the law of Christ, demonstrating a love that transcends all differences. [05:46]
"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (Romans 14:17, ESV)
Reflection: How can you demonstrate unconditional love to someone with whom you have political disagreements? What steps can you take to prioritize unity over division?
Day 5: Carrying Each Other's Burdens
By carrying each other's burdens, we fulfill the law of Christ and demonstrate love that transcends political differences. This approach allows us to gain a better understanding of one another and work towards a more united community and world. When we choose to bear one another's burdens, we reflect the love of Christ and create a space where empathy and understanding can flourish. This act of love and service is a powerful testament to the transformative power of the gospel and its ability to bring about change in our lives and communities. [29:37]
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life is carrying a heavy burden? How can you come alongside them today to offer support and love?
Quotes
When we choose to carry someone's burden, you know what we do? We listen, we learn and we lean in. When we choose to carry somebody's burden, and what divides us diminishes, and what unites us surfaces. We fear less, we understand more, and what we're gonna discover today is this is how the church began, and this is how the world changed. [00:33:13]
Are we willing to put our faith filter ahead of our political filter? And this is very difficult to do. It's so difficult to do that most of you think you've already done it. It's so difficult to do that most American Christians think they've already done it. Is so difficult to do, they can't even see that it's something that needs to be done. [00:04:39]
Jesus did not come to be a footnote to a political platform. He did not come to support an existing structure, as we said last week, he didn't come to take sides, he came to take what? Over. Thank you, that's right, Tony Evans said, he didn't come to take sides, he came to take over. He came to replace everything that was in place. [00:05:37]
They did it through culturally disruptive unity. In a world that honored and was organized around citizenship and wealth and power, where people purchased their way up the ladder and purchased their way to social standing, the ecclesia of Jesus, the gathering of Jesus, the assembly, the congregation of Jesus that would later be called the church, it stood in direct opposition to all of that. [00:07:20]
Because the message of Jesus was so clear. I've come to establish a new kind of kingdom and everyone is invited to participate in it, in this disruptive kingdom. We can't imagine how counter cultural, how disturbing, how dangerous the apostle Paul's words were. We read 'em like, oh yeah, whatever, because what is, we talked about this. [00:09:02]
There is neither Jew nor Gentile. Wait, wait, wait, wait, no, that's not how it works. We got Yahweh, yes we do, we got Yahweh, how 'bout you? He's our God. Wait, wait, wait, we're sharing Yahweh? Wait, we're all worshiping the same God? Wait, okay, I gotta invite Gentiles into my home and get Gentile cooties? [00:09:48]
In this new kingdom with this new value system, with this new king, men and women have the same dignity, the same standing. Of course, the men are hearing this going, if the women find out about this, man. Fortunately, most of 'em can't read, right. Later the apostle Paul in his letter to the church in Colossae that we call the book of Colossians he says this, this is amazing. [00:12:09]
Christianity achieved the well-nigh impossible. This is the part we cannot even begin to get our minds around. The Christian doctrine elevated the individual soul. This was unheard of, placing slave and master and commoner and nobleman alike on the same metaphysical footing rendering them equal before God and the law. [00:25:21]
The kingdom of God as described by Jesus struck the ancients as appalling, eventually appealing and in time it became contagious and it swept the empire like an airborne disease. And against all odds a Nazarene Cult or the book of Acts, they refer to it as the Nazarene Sect, they're following a dead Nazarene, a Nazarene Sect who worship a crucified rabbi with no territory. [00:26:02]
And when you help me carry my burden you gain understanding about who I am, where I sit and consequently where I stand. And when you help me carry my burden I get a better understanding of where you sit and consequently where you stand. And when we carry each other's burdens there's something that happens that can't happen any other way and we may never agree politically. [00:29:06]
We can disagree politically. We can love unconditionally while we pray and work for unity. So, let's do this. Let's, come on, this is a unique opportunity. It's a unique opportunity for our communities and for our nation. Let's not miss the opportunity of a lifetime. The invitation to follow the king who turned everything upside down and reversed the order of things. [00:30:06]
And together we will make our towns better. We will make our community better. We can make the nation better. We can make the world better and that's not hyperbole because once upon a time a handful of Jesus followers multiplied to the point to where the empire finally threw their hands up and embraced the crucified God. [00:30:38]
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