4 Sermon Illustrations on Prejudice

4 illustrations

Prejudice in Christian preaching highlights the barrier fixed biases create against truth and grace, often resisting correction despite clear evidence (John 7:24). Illustrations portray prejudice as a blinding extinguisher or unconscious filter that distorts understanding and fuels rejection, echoing the call to discern rightly and love impartially (Romans 2:11).

Prejudice, Influence of

Fixed prejudices resist truth even when faced with clear evidence to the contrary.

A gentleman was one day stoutly asserting that there were no gold-fields except in Mexico and Peru. A nugget dug up in California was presented to him as evidence against his positive assertion. He was not in the least disconcerted. "This metal, sir, is, I own, extremely like gold; and you tell me that it passes as such in the market, having been declared by the assayers to be indistinguishable from the precious metal. All this I will not dispute. Nevertheless, the metal is not gold, but auruminium: it cannot be gold, because gold comes only from Mexico and Peru." In vain was he informed that the geological formation was similar in California and Peru, and the metals similar. He had fixed in his mind the conclusion that gold existed only in Mexico and Peru: this was a law of Nature. He had no reasons to give why it should be so; but such had been the admitted fact for many years, and from it he could not swerve. Lewes.

Prejudice, Power of

Prejudice acts like an extinguisher, blocking understanding even when truth is presented.

Dr. Taylor of Norwich once said to me, "Sir, I have collated every word in the Hebrew Scriptures seventeen times; and it is very strange if the doctrine of the atonement you hold should not have been found by me." I am not surprised at this. I once went to light my candle with the extinguisher on it. Now, prejudice from education, learning, &c., often proves an extinguisher. It is not enough that you bring the candle: you must remove the extinguisher.

— John Newton

Prejudice, Unconscious

People often hold prejudices unconsciously, interpreting events through personal biases.

Persons often, from some cause or other, are under the influence of prejudice without even knowing it. "Men," said a late writer, "in general, and particularly professional men, view objects through the media of their own pursuits, and express themselves accordingly. A gentleman was thrown from a very restive horse in Hyde Park, and had the misfortune to break one of his legs. A crowd instantly collected around him, in which were a riding-master, a painter, a mathematician, a lawyer, and a clergyman. 'If this unfortunate man,' said the riding-master, 'had taken a few lessons in my school, that accident would not have happened. "How finely the figure was fore-shortened in falling!' said the painter. 'He made a parabolic curve,' said the mathematician. 'It is a hundred to one,' said the lawyer, 'if he has made his will.' 'Run for a surgeon,' said the clergyman, 'and let us assist the poor man in getting home.'" T. Hughes.

Prejudice, Works of

Prejudice causes rejection and persecution of the righteous and faithful throughout history.

What will not prejudice do? It was that which made the Jews call Christ a Samaritan, a devil, a wine-bibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. It was that which made them hale the apostles to their governors, and cry out, "Away with them! it is not fit that they should live." It was this made Ahab hate the upright Micaiah, and the Athenian condemn the just Aristides, though he had never seen him. It was this made the poor man, who knew not what John Huss's doctrine was, so busy and industrious to carry wood for his funeral-pile, and as zealous to kindle it, inasmuch that the martyr could not but cry out, "O holy simplicity!" It is this sets men against consideration of their ways, and makes them give out that it will crack their brains and disorder their understanding.

— Anthony Horneck

The Cleansing Baptism

by Aaron Hills

The sermon emphasizes the importance of the Holy Ghost blessing in cleansing us from our inbred sin, giving us power for service, and satisfying our hunger for righteousness.

The Perils of Prejudice 31:42

by Steve Mays

The sermon emphasizes the importance of overcoming prejudice and treating people equally, as this reflects the character of God and allows us to share the love of Christ with every

The Voice of Jonah

by T. Austin-Sparks

The sermon explores the voice of Jonah as a warning against prejudice and exclusivism, highlighting the consequences of misinterpreting God's nature and election.