The following materal was was written by Jeremy Summers. Jeremy is the director of Adult Spiritual Formation in the Division of Church Multiplication and Discipleship at the Wesleyan Church Headquarters. The material in its entirety along with more information on the Wesleyan Church can be found at https://www.wesleyan.org/3524/advent-2015-love-revealed#_=_
LOVE Revealed:
To Bring Justice
Purpose:
To see how our desire for justice can take a Christ-centered
shape.
Scripture Focus:
Isaiah 42:1-9
Sermon
Introduction:
If you have ever seen flashing lights in your rearview
mirror though you were a model driver; if you have ever been asked about a
rumor that was spread behind your back; if you have ever been found guilty—in a
court or a simple conversation—when you were innocent; if you have ever been
terminated without cause, then you have a glimpse of the experience that many
of this passage’s first hearers felt. Isaiah 42 is part of a section that
captured the words of God to a group of people suffering injustice. The Jewish
people had been in exile in Babylon for almost fifty years. Injustice can roil
up within as rage, anger, bitterness, helplessness, frustration. All of those
things can lead for our desire for vengeance, revenge.
And revenge, we are told, is a dish best served cold. In
other words, we are to wait to exact revenge. It feels best when done in the
proper time—after an appropriate amount of waiting. Advent is different kind of
waiting. We are not waiting on revenge, but we are waiting for justice. Paul encouraged
the believers in Rome not to seek revenge, but to turn it over to God. Does
this mean we ought not to work for justice? No. As the passage teaches us, God
promised to send One who will bring justice. The prophecy was fulfilled in
Jesus and while in Advent we wait for His second coming—a coming that will bring
final justice—we know that His first coming was a coming for justice, as well.
It is not whether we work for justice, but how we do so—in a way that points to
His final justice and does not to slip into revenge.
Here are five pointers from Isaiah 42:1-9.
Sermon
Outline:
1. Loving
justice is GENTLE (vv. 1-3).
The
servant promised in Isaiah 42 offers a strange combination of power and vulnerability. The
servant will bring justice to the nations, but He does not do so by screaming
and shouting. Old Testament professor Julia Claassens points out the contrast
this servant of justice shows to the nations. One of the benefits of being gentle in the pursuit of justice is
that it can de-escalate a situation. Proverbs 15:1 says, “A gentle
answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Learn to work for
justice while being gentle.
Who
are your examples of justice? When thinking about justice, recall the gentility
of Jesus in dealing with the broken—even when dealing with the unjust.
2.
Loving justice is GLOBAL (v. 4).
Notice
the extent of justice that the servant of God will bring. He will bring justice
on the earth—even to the islands. Justice
that is loving does not draw boundaries around where we will work for justice.
John Wesley exemplified this desire and openness to bring justice in his
attitude that the world was his parish. Wesley considered it his duty to
proclaim the Gospel wherever he was. Likewise for us: Wherever we have been
placed by the servant, we are responsible to work for justice there.
3.
Loving justice is GROUNDED IN GOD
(v. 5,9)
In case we can become overwhelmed
by the notion that loving justice is global, look to verses 5. Loving justice
is the work of God! OT scholar Terrence Fretheim says, “What God will do on
behalf of an abused and oppressed people is made a matter of divine promise.” What
we are called to do is not in our own strength. None of us is called to be the
servant. Jesus occupies this role. While we work for justice wherever we are
planted, we remember that we do so because Jesus is already at work there.
4.
Loving justice is about GATHERING TOGETHER
(vv. 6-7)
It can
be easy to think that justice is something we do Monday through Saturday; that
justice is something we do “out there” and not “in here.” But our gathering in worship is already the beginning of justice.
Every Sunday is a gathering meant to embody justice—where sins are condemned
but sinners are forgiven. Where people
from different backgrounds are brought together in unity.
But
our gathering is not meant to be exclusive. The servant brings a justice that
is a light to the nations. How we treat each other is meant to be a witness, a
sign that this community is focused on justice both for itself and as a
community.
5.
Loving justice is GOD’S GLORY (v.
8)
Finally,
it is God who is glorified through loving justice. God’s display of justice through
the servant is what sets Him apart from other gods. But He has brought us into
the secret. He has told us about justice before He has brought it into reality.
We can begin manifesting justice, then, by affirming His lordship in our lives,
by making sure there are no idols in our lives.
Theologian
Andy Crouch says that the connection between idolatry and injustice is very
close. Idolatry always leads to injustice. When God’s glory is the focus of our
lives, we cease perpetuating injustice and we become agents of loving justice.
Reflection
Questions:
1.
Where
do you see injustice in your life, community, or world?
2. Is there any idol in your life that
keeps you from being an agent of justice?
3. What do you think about loving
justice being gentle?
4.
Where
are you waiting for God to bring justice in your own life?
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