Seeing Others Anew: The Power of Respect

Summary

### Summary

In today's sermon, we explored the profound concept of respect, starting with a humorous anecdote about a man who demanded respect but didn't receive it. We delved into the etymology of the word "respect," breaking it down to mean "to see again and again." This idea of continually seeing and understanding others is crucial for living a life aligned with God's will. We then examined the story of Jonah, a prophet who was called by God to go to Nineveh but chose to flee to Tarshish instead. Jonah's reluctance stemmed from his deep-seated hatred for the Assyrians, who had oppressed and brutalized the Israelites. Despite Jonah's disobedience, God showed mercy to the Ninevites, leading to their repentance.

We also drew parallels between Jonah's story and the parable of the Good Samaritan, where Jesus challenges us to love our neighbors, even those we consider enemies. Both stories highlight the importance of seeing others with fresh eyes, free from prejudice and hatred. The sermon concluded with a call to action: to respect the beliefs and experiences of others, thereby fostering empathy and understanding. This respect is not just a moral obligation but a core commitment of our church, essential for building a just and compassionate community.

### Key Takeaways

1. Respect Means to "See Again": The etymology of the word "respect" teaches us that it means to see someone again and again, to continually strive to understand their beliefs and experiences. This ongoing process of re-seeing helps us empathize with others and diminishes our tendency to judge or other them. [01:52]

2. God's Love for Our Enemies: The story of Jonah challenges us to accept that God loves even those we consider our enemies. Jonah's reluctance to go to Nineveh stemmed from his hatred for the Assyrians, yet God showed mercy to them. This compels us to question our own prejudices and to embrace God's inclusive love. [10:19]

3. The Parable of the Good Samaritan: Jesus' story of the Good Samaritan teaches us that true neighborly love transcends social and ethnic boundaries. The Samaritan, despite being despised by the Jews, showed compassion and care for the injured man. This parable calls us to act with mercy and respect towards all, regardless of their background. [12:18]

4. The Sin of Othering: We often fall into the trap of "othering," seeing people as fundamentally different from ourselves. This begins at a young age and is a form of sin that separates us from God's love. By recognizing and addressing this tendency, we can work towards a more inclusive and loving community. [15:47]

5. Respect as an Antidote to Othering: Respect, or the act of re-seeing others, is the antidote to the sin of othering. When we respect others, we begin to understand and empathize with their experiences, leaving less room for judgment and division. This respect is foundational for a free, just, and equal society. [19:10]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[01:52] - The Meaning of Respect
[03:46] - The Story of Jonah
[05:13] - Jonah's Reluctance and the Assyrians
[07:02] - Jonah's Journey and the Big Fish
[08:41] - Jonah's Reluctant Sermon
[10:19] - God's Mercy and Jonah's Anger
[12:18] - The Parable of the Good Samaritan
[14:11] - The Sin of Othering
[15:47] - A Personal Story on Othering
[17:23] - The Antidote to Othering
[19:10] - Conclusion and Call to Action

Study Guide

### Bible Reading
1. Jonah 1:1-3 - "The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: 'Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.' But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord."
2. Jonah 4:1-2 - "But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry. He prayed to the Lord, 'Isn't this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.'"
3. Luke 10:25-37 - The Parable of the Good Samaritan

### Observation Questions
1. What was Jonah's initial reaction to God's command to go to Nineveh, and where did he decide to go instead? ([05:13])
2. How did Jonah respond to the repentance of the Ninevites and God's mercy towards them? ([10:19])
3. In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, who were the first two people to pass by the injured man, and what did they do? ([12:18])
4. What did the Samaritan do differently from the priest and the Levite in Jesus' parable? ([12:18])

### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jonah was so reluctant to go to Nineveh, and what does this reveal about his character? ([05:13])
2. How does Jonah's anger at God's mercy towards the Ninevites challenge our understanding of God's love for our enemies? ([10:19])
3. What does the Parable of the Good Samaritan teach us about the nature of true neighborly love and respect? ([12:18])
4. How does the concept of "othering" relate to both the story of Jonah and the Parable of the Good Samaritan? ([14:11])

### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt reluctant to follow God's command. What were the reasons behind your reluctance, and how did you eventually respond? ([05:13])
2. Think about someone you consider an "enemy" or someone you have a hard time respecting. How can you begin to see them with fresh eyes and show them respect? ([10:19])
3. In your daily life, how can you practice the kind of neighborly love demonstrated by the Good Samaritan? Identify specific actions you can take this week. ([12:18])
4. Have you ever found yourself "othering" someone based on their background, beliefs, or experiences? How can you work towards overcoming this tendency? ([14:11])
5. Respect is described as "seeing again and again." How can you apply this concept in your interactions with family, friends, and colleagues? ([01:52])
6. The sermon mentioned that respect is foundational for a free, just, and equal society. How can you contribute to building such a community within your church or local area? ([19:10])
7. Are there any specific prejudices or biases you need to address in your own life? What steps can you take to confront and overcome them? ([14:11])

Devotional

Day 1: Respect Means to "See Again"
Respect is more than just a polite gesture; it is an ongoing process of seeing and understanding others repeatedly. The etymology of the word "respect" reveals that it means "to see again and again." This continual re-seeing helps us to empathize with others and diminishes our tendency to judge or other them. By making an effort to understand the beliefs and experiences of those around us, we can foster a deeper sense of empathy and connection.

This concept is crucial for living a life aligned with God's will. When we respect others, we are not just fulfilling a moral obligation but are actively participating in God's plan for a just and compassionate community. This ongoing process of re-seeing others helps us to break down barriers and build bridges of understanding and love. [01:52]

Romans 12:10 (ESV): "Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor."

Reflection: Think of someone in your life whom you find difficult to understand. How can you make an effort to "see" them again and understand their perspective better today?

Day 2: God's Love for Our Enemies
The story of Jonah challenges us to accept that God loves even those we consider our enemies. Jonah's reluctance to go to Nineveh stemmed from his hatred for the Assyrians, who had oppressed and brutalized the Israelites. Despite Jonah's disobedience, God showed mercy to the Ninevites, leading to their repentance. This compels us to question our own prejudices and to embrace God's inclusive love.

God's love is not limited by our biases or boundaries. He calls us to extend that same love to everyone, even those we find difficult to love. By doing so, we align ourselves with God's will and open our hearts to the transformative power of His love. [10:19]

Matthew 5:44-45 (ESV): "But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust."

Reflection: Think of someone you consider an enemy or someone you have a hard time loving. How can you show God's love to them today?

Day 3: The Parable of the Good Samaritan
Jesus' story of the Good Samaritan teaches us that true neighborly love transcends social and ethnic boundaries. The Samaritan, despite being despised by the Jews, showed compassion and care for the injured man. This parable calls us to act with mercy and respect towards all, regardless of their background.

The Good Samaritan's actions challenge us to look beyond our prejudices and to see the humanity in everyone. By showing compassion and care to those in need, we fulfill Jesus' command to love our neighbors as ourselves. This kind of love is radical and transformative, breaking down barriers and building a more inclusive and loving community. [12:18]

Luke 10:33-34 (ESV): "But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him."

Reflection: Think of someone from a different social or ethnic background whom you can show compassion to today. What specific action can you take to demonstrate neighborly love to them?

Day 4: The Sin of Othering
We often fall into the trap of "othering," seeing people as fundamentally different from ourselves. This begins at a young age and is a form of sin that separates us from God's love. By recognizing and addressing this tendency, we can work towards a more inclusive and loving community.

Othering creates divisions and fosters prejudice, making it difficult for us to see others as God sees them. By acknowledging this sin and actively working to overcome it, we can build a community that reflects God's love and inclusivity. This requires humility, self-awareness, and a commitment to seeing others with fresh eyes, free from prejudice and hatred. [15:47]

James 2:1-4 (ESV): "My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, 'You sit here in a good place,' while you say to the poor man, 'You stand over there,' or, 'Sit down at my feet,' have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?"

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you have "othered" someone. How can you repent and take steps to see them as God sees them today?

Day 5: Respect as an Antidote to Othering
Respect, or the act of re-seeing others, is the antidote to the sin of othering. When we respect others, we begin to understand and empathize with their experiences, leaving less room for judgment and division. This respect is foundational for a free, just, and equal society.

By continually striving to see and understand others, we can break down the barriers that divide us and build a more inclusive and loving community. This requires a commitment to empathy, humility, and a willingness to see others as God sees them. Respect is not just a moral obligation but a core commitment that reflects God's love and justice. [19:10]

1 Peter 2:17 (ESV): "Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor."

Reflection: Think of a specific person or group you have judged or "othered." How can you show them respect and seek to understand their experiences better today?

Quotes

### Quotes for outreach

1. "When we respect someone, we're willing to see again and again who they are and why they do the things they do, why they believe the things they believe. That's respect. Aretha wanted that, and she wanted to be seen by her man when he gets home. All I want when you come home is a little r-e-s-p-e-c-t, and that's, I would say, what we all want. And if we are to live a faithful life, a life that's in alignment with our God, then it is imperative that we be people who show others respect." [03:46]( | | )

2. "Are you okay with the fact that God loves your enemy? That's the question this book is compelling us to ask. You see, Jonah had zero respect for the Ninevites, zero zip zilch, no respect at all for them. But God, love them nevertheless." [12:18]( | | )

3. "These two stories of Jonah and of the good Samaritan, they both show what it means to not respect the other. See, the priest in Jesus' story passed by on the other side, didn't respect the man who was lying there, didn't re-see. The Levite passed by on the other side, he didn't re-see the man. But the Samaritan saw again and again the man lying there, desperate for life, and he took him and he cared for them." [14:11]( | | )

4. "Somewhere between the age of two and nine, we begin to see people as different than ourselves. A child psychologist could probably explain that, but you know what I'm going to call it? I want to call it sin. We begin to not see people for who they are, othering. It's what Adam and Eve did in the garden when they put fig leaves over themselves after they enjoyed the fruit. Somehow they saw themselves as different from God, and now they're hiding." [17:23]( | | )

5. "There is an antidote, and you know what that antidote? Is? Sing it for us, Aretha. R-E-S-P-E-C-T. That's the antidote to othering, and this is why it's one of our core commitments here at the chapel. Say it or read it with me one more time. We respect the beliefs and experiences of others." [19:10]( | | )

### Quotes for members

1. "Jonah is called by God to go where? Nineveh. And Jonah decides to go to where? Tarshish, which is really hard to say, by the way. I think I did okay. Tarshish. He went to Tarshish, the opposite direction. Let's talk about Nineveh at the time. Nineveh was the capital city of the Assyrian Empire. Not only that, it was the largest city in all the world for a few decades. Why did Jonah not want to go to Nineveh? Well, I don't think there would be too many Israelites who would have wanted to have gone to Nineveh, which, by the way, is in modern-day Iraq. It's part of the northern city of Mosul, current-day Mosul in Iraq. Jonah didn't want to go because Israelites hated the Assyrians. Why did the Israelites hate the Assyrians? Well, the Assyrian Empire conquered the northern kingdom of Israel in all the brutalities that war brings with it. And then they were subjugating the southern kingdom with taxation and oppression and subjugation. They hated, Israelites hated the Assyrians. And you can't blame them too much, can you? Nevertheless, God loved the Assyrians. And so God wants to send Jonah to them to tell them to change their ways so that he could spare the Ninevites from total destruction." [05:13]( | | )

2. "Jonah reluctantly goes to Nineveh, and he goes around, and he preaches the shortest sermon in the history of sermons. It's only five words in Hebrew, Nineveh, overthrown in 40 days. So he walks around, and he's doing it, you know, he's not giving it much effort. Five-word sermon, wouldn't you be so lucky? Five-word sermon, Nineveh overthrown in 40 days, Nineveh overthrown in 40 days. When I was a kid, I would sometimes do things to get out of doing chores. Like one time, my parents asked me to go and mow the lawn. I didn't want to mow the lawn. I didn't want to mow the lawn. I didn't want to mow the lawn. So I thought, how can I get out of mowing the lawn in the future? So I mowed down one of my mother's, mom, if you're watching, I'm sorry. I mowed down one of my mom's favorite plants, beautiful flowering plant. I don't think she knew that until this moment, I don't think I ever had to mow the lawn again. And that's what Jonah's doing here. He's doing his utmost to make sure his message is heard. And he's doing his utmost to make sure his message is as weak and ineffective as possible. Nineveh overthrown in 40 days. Hey, Nineveh overthrown in 40 days. And guess what? It worked. That's part of why this story is so upside down. Most of the other prophets in the Bible, they preach and they give it their all, and still it's ineffective. Nobody turns. But Jonah says five words, and the entire city is repenting before God with sackcloth and fasting. And the king, the most powerful man on the entire planet, joins in their fasting, commanding even the cows to fast." [08:41]( | | )

3. "Jesus here is poking at the lack of respect that the Jews had for the Samaritans, just as the author of Jonah is poking at the Israelites and their lack of respect for the Assyrians. And if I'm going to be a good preacher, sometimes, occasionally, my job is to poke a little at us. I include myself in that us. To poke a little at us and ask the question, are there people that we are othering? You know that word, othering? Othering, when we kind of see people as different than us, when we say those people, when we other another person. We kind of put people into camps. Well, he's a man, he's a woman. He's a man, she's a woman. He's black, she's white. He's gay, he's straight. He's a Republican, he's a Democrat. You see, we want to put people in camps. We want to other other people, make them different. We do this so subtly, I could name so many more ways." [14:11]( | | )

4. "We respect the beliefs and experiences of others. Now, respect is an interesting word. It's not a word that's used a lot in church circles or Christian circles, so I had some fun putting together today's message. Let's start with examining what the word respect means, and I think the deepest meaning can be found if you do a small etymological study, right? Breaking apart the word, figuring out what the parts mean, and put it together. So, re-spect. What does re- mean? The prefix re- again, or maybe even again and again. What does respect mean? Mean. Spectacles. To see. Put it together. To see again. To see again and again." [01:52]( | | )

5. "Mutual respect is the only possible foundation for a free, just, equal, and responsible society. With freedom from the need, to promote oneself or one's nation, tradition, or religion by devaluing others comes a great release of energy. What had been invested in protection is now available for caring for and rejoicing in others. So let me ask you a question, chapel. Are you okay with the fact that God loves your enemy? Because the fact of the matter is, there is no east or west. He's got the whole world in his hands." [19:10]( | | )

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?