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Jul 22, 2018

Wisdom for Justice

Passage: Proverbs 19:17

Speaker: Brian Land

Series: Proverbs

Category: Grace Brevard

We grow up proclaiming “that’s not fair” because we are made in God’s perfect image, designed to naturally and passionately pursue justice. But because of our self-centeredness, our definition of justice has been radically skewed and our pursuit for justice on behalf of the oppressed often lacks wisdom and heart. The gospel tells us that in addition to being Just, God is also Love, and therefore sent Jesus to pay our “justice payment” to the Father while sending us out to faithfully, sacrificially and graciously pursue justice for others, all the while realizing that perfect justice won’t be found in this world but will absolutely be found in Him.

ORDER of Worship

Call To Worship: Psalm 8:3-5 ESV

Songs: 

Reading: Romans 12:17-19 ESV

Prayer: The Mediator

LEADER: Everlasting God. Giver of Life.  We approach You with reverence and gratitude.

ALL: Saved by Your mercy and goodness. Undeserved. Astonishing.

LEADER: We confess our rebellious hearts and trust You for an everlasting covenant in Jesus; rejoicing in His accomplished work.

ALL Justified by his blood, we are saved by His life

LEADER: Holy Spirit, grant that we may walk in the healing power of the Resurrection. Finding mercy, joy, honor, and renewal.

ALL: Trusting Your Word and living this good news. Thy Kingdom come.  

Sermon Title: Wisdom for Justice

Central Text: Various Proverbs on Justice

  • 3:27
  • 19:17
  • 29:7

Response

  • Prayer of Confession - Micah 6:8

  • Assurance of Forgiveness: Psalm 130

Benediction: Amos 5:24

Media:

7.22.18 Album

Related Scriptures:

  • Micah 6:8
  • Matthew 25:40
  • Amos 5:24
  • Psalm 130
  • Psalm 8:3-5
  • Romans 12:17-19

Discussion Questions & Applications:

  1. Why do children learn the phrase “that’s not fair” so easily?
  2. What is justice?
    1. What happens internally when we experience injustice (and why is that)?
  3. When has somebody stood up for or with you when things weren’t “going right”?
  4. Why is it easier to see when others act unjustly but easy to pass over us doing the same?
  5. Left to our own raw behaviors and heart, explain the “scales of justice” between us and God.
  6. Since in Christ our “sin scales of justice” has been totally leveled (we’ve been ransomed), what do we now “owe God”?
    1. owe him to make things right?
    2. owe him in thanksgiving and worship?

Quotes:

  • Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.

  • In the absence of justice, what is sovereignty but organized robbery?” - Saint Augustine

  • “Deserves it! I daresay he does. Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see all ends.”- J.R.R. Tolkien (The Fellowship of the Ring)

  • “If a person has grasped the meaning of God's grace in his heart, he will do justice. If he doesn't live justly, then he may say with his lips that he is grateful for God's grace, but in his heart he is far from him. If he doesn't care about the poor, it reveals that at best he doesn't understand the grace he has experienced, and at worst he has not really encountered the saving mercy of God. Grace should make you just.” - Timothy Keller

Books:

Sermons:

Justice by Timothy Keller

Isaiah 58:1-14

Flourishing Are the Merciful by Jeff Vanderstelt

Matthew 5:7

The Mercies of God and the Transformed Christian Mind by John Piper

Romans 12:9-21