His Dying Wish - A Command | Pastor Tijuanna Adetunji

 His Dying Wish - A Command

  

One of the most famous quotes of all times is by former president JFK who said, “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country,”

• Look for what we can receive

• What’s in it for us

• How will it benefit  me

This Easter season. We must not continuously ask what God can do for us. But what can we do for God, to make our homes, neighborhoods, city, state and our nation better.

Great Commission - Our marching orders from Christ

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing 

them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of 

the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have 

commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the 

end of the age” (Matthew 28:19–20). 

6 Things - In Order to Do this And Bring Change and not Overthink it 

1. Know Your Role - We don’t change hearts. God does that. Our actions may influence change. But God ultimately has that ability.

1. We share truth and point to God

2. Not Contingent on our ability - God does not call the equipped; He equips the called. As Christians, called to share what Christ has done for us.

3. Moses was not eloquent nor was the Apostle Paul. He depended on the Holy Spirit. Phil 4:6-7 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

4. Luke 12:11-12 “Do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say”

2. Know Your Opportunity 

1. There’s a lot of opportunity not enough willingness to take it. Mat.9:37 "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.

2. Make the most of every circumstance - “Bloom where you are planted”

3. Don’t have to go on a mission trip. Make your location a mission field based on the needs

4. Be intentional about forming relationships & Don’t underestimate the power of prayer

3. Know Your Audience

1. Know their language and background as much as possible

2. Keep It Simple - 

1. Kneel (meet people where they are)

2. Initiate conversation (be understanding)

3. Show people you care (follow-up phone call, text, Bday, lunch, prayer)

4. Be An Example - 1Cor. 11:1 Follow me (imitate) as I follow Christ.

1. Live Godly Life (decisions influence others)

2. Do what I do and just what I say

3. arguments and debates do not win people won by discovering who Jesus Christ is and the difference He can make in their lives.

4. Evidence is how you changed

5. The Struggle is Real to change But Jesus is More Real

6. The power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead is the same power that raised us up

5. Power in Prayer -Do not Underestimate It

1. Billy Graham “Prayer is crucial in evangelism: … No matter how logical our arguments or how fervent our appeals, our words will accomplish nothing unless God’s Spirit prepares the way.” Pray for the opportunity to share, the words to speak, and open hearts for those who hear.”

2. Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me

3. Strength comes from prayer, communion and fellowship with the Lord

6. Gossip the Gospel - Romans 10:13–14 s “‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?”

1. This is how we give back to God who gave us so much

2. This is how we make this world a better place

3. This is how we fulfill his dying wish by making sure He lives through us and in others

4. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19–20)

SEVEN SAYINGS OF JESUS ON THE CROSS

SEVEN SAYINGS OF JESUS ON THE CROSS

1. Father Forgive them for they know not what to do. Luke 23:34

The first word from the cross was the word, “Father.” And the last word will begin with

the simple word, “Father.”

Love forgives –

Eph 4:32

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ

forgave you.

Col 3:12-13

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness,

humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13  bearing with one another, and forgiving one

another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you

also must do.

2. Truly I say to you today you shall be with me in Paradise. Luke 23:34

Ex. Thief on the Cross

St. Augustine, commenting on this scene, observed: “so little is asked... so much is

given.”

Rom 10:23

For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”

So free and wonderful why run from it?

3. Woman behold your son…behold your mother. John 19:26-27

When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He

said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” 27  Then He said to the disciple, “Behold

your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.

Shows His care and compassion. Even in His deepest pain as a human He cared

Luke 2:34-35

Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined

for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against 35  (yes,

a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may

be revealed.”

1 Peter 5:7

casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Phil 4:6-7

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving,

let your requests be made known to God; 7  and the peace of God, which surpasses all

understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

4. I thirst. John 19:28

Psalm 69:20-21

Reproach has broken my heart, And I am full of heaviness; I looked for someone to take

pity, but there was none; And for comforters, but I found none. 21 They also gave me gall

for my food, And for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

He understands our suffering

Heb 2:17-18

Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful

and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of

the people. 18  For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those

who are tempted.

He thirsted so we never thirst again….

John 4:

5. My God, My God why have you forsaken me? Matthew 27:46

Isaiah 53:10

Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief.

2 Cor 5:21

God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness

of God in Him

The harshness of sin, holiness and the effort of God to redeem it

6. It is Finished

Surely he was expressing relief that his suffering was over. “It is finished”, I believe

meant, in part, and “This is finally done!” But the Greek word translated as “It is finished”, means more than just this. The Message: captures the full sense of this word,

“It’s done . . . complete.” Jesus had accomplished his mission.

John 17:4

I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to

do.

Rom 5:8

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ

died for us.

7. Father, into your hands I commit my spirit

Psalm 31:5

Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.

He gives us a picture of death for those who die in Christ

Absent from the body present with the Lord

Two scenes for each who die are pictured on the Cross

Why have you forsaken me….

Into your hand I commit my spirit…

LIFE

 LIFE

I. THE ORIGIN

1. Creation

Gen 1:1-2

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2  The earth was without

form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God

was hovering over the face of the waters.

Gen 1:26

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let

them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over

the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the

earth.

Make ‘śh (ahh – sah) - to do, labor, make, manufacture

Job 33:4

The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

Evolution

II. THE VALUE

1. It’s fearful and wonderful

Psalm 139:13-16

For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. 14 I will

praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works,

And that my soul knows very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from You, When I

was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16

Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all

were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.

Fearfully – yr’ (ya reah) reverence, frightening, afraid

Wonderfully – pl’ (pay la mi daliph) – separate, distinct, surpassing, extraordinary

2. The image and likeness of God is stamped on it

Gen 1:26-28

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…

1 Thess. 5:23

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your

whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord

Jesus Christ.

spirit – pneuma (pen ev ma) – Holy spirit, wind, spirit

soul – psuche (psu kay) – life, inner self, mind, thoughts, feelings

body – sōma (so máh) – body, corpse

3. Glory and Honor

Psalm 8:4

What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him?

5 For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned

him with glory and honor. 6 You have made him to have dominion over the works

of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet

Glory kābod – weight, divine Presence, reputation, importance

Honor – hādār – ornament, adorning, decoration, splendor, majesty

III. THE PROTECTION OF LIFE

1. Life is in the blood

Lev 17:11

“For the life of the flesh is in the blood…”

Gen 9:4-6

But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood. 5  Surely for your lifeblood

I will demand a reckoning; from the hand of every beast, I will require it, and

from the hand of man. From the hand of every man’s brother I will require the

life of man. 6 “Whoever sheds man’s blood, By man his blood shall be shed; For in

the image of God He made man.

2. It defiles the land

Psalm 106:38

And shed innocent blood, The blood of their sons and daughters, Whom they

sacrificed to the idols of Canaan; And the land was polluted with blood.

Gen 4:9-10

Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not

know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” 10  And He said, “What have you done? The

voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.

3. God hates it

Prov 6:16-17

These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: 17 A proud

look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood,

IV. ISSUES RELATING TO LIFE AND INDIVIDUALS

1. Individuals

a. Suicides

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

WISQARS Leading Causes of Death Reports, in 2018:

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/suicide.shtml

 Suicide was the tenth leading cause of death overall in the United States,

claiming the lives of over 48,000 people.

 Suicide was the second leading cause of death among individuals between

the ages of 10 and 34, and the fourth leading cause of death among

individuals between the ages of 35 and 54.

 There were more than two and a half times as many suicides (48,344) in the

United States as there were homicides (18,830).

b. Euthanasia

Life and death individually is in the hands of God

c. Murders

In 2019 there were 16,425 murders

https://www.statista.com/statistics/191134/reported-murder-and-

nonnegligent-manslaughter-cases-in-the-us-since-1990/

Most of time whites kill whites and blacks kill blacks..

Murders by Police

Statista.com

https://www.statista.com/statistics/585152/people-shot-to-death-by-us-police-by-race/

2017 - 452 white; 223 black; 179 Hispanic; 44 other; 84 unknown

2018. - 399, white; 209 Black; 148 Hispanic;

2019. - 370 White; 205 Black; 158 Hispanic

2020 – 432 White; 226 Black; 156 Hispanic

Washington Post

https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/investigations/police-shootings-database/

Black = 35 Per Million (2020)

Hispanic = 26 per million

White = 14 per million

V. Abortion

Not a political issue but a moral and religious issue

Easy to ignore

Two issues – Moral right and wrong issue. – Then hurting scared people in the

middle

There is pain on this issue. 

There is healing and forgiveness from God

Opposition to abortion does not mean opposition to those who have them

1. The unborn are people

a. Some say 40 weeks (Simply Location)

b. Viability (24-26 weeks) (Technology, As it gets better will you be ok with it)

c. Brain Function and sentience [aware of feelings and sensations] (6-14

weeks).

d. Agnostic Individualism – We don’t know when so we leave it to the woman

to choose.

Jer 1:5

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I

sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”

Luke 1:15

15  For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor

strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his

mother’s womb.

Luke 1:41,44

And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe

leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit… 44  For

indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe

leaped in my womb for joy.

Every human should want to protect life in the womb.

 Woman’s right to her own body

o 50% are men

o It’s a person

o Different person and DNA – not really her body but developing in her

body.

 No Govt intrusion (Women should Choose)

It’s not God’s desire to take away a woman’s right to choose. He just

wants us to choose correctly

Deut. 30:19

I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set

before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life,

that both you and your descendants may live;

Ex. George Floyd (We do want laws to protect this) we should also want

laws to protect the unborn

Unjust laws go against the moral fiber of our society. It’s legal but so are

slavery. MLK Jr.

 I am especially offended by the racist roots of abortion in America

Margaret Sanger, founder of Planned Parenthood (the leading provider and

promoter in the country), wrote a historic and infamous letter to Dr.

Clarence Gamble (of the Proctor and Gamble empire) in 1939, concerning her

strategy to control and reduce the birth rate of Black Americans.

She wrote, “We should hire three or four colored ministers, preferably with

social-service backgrounds, and with engaging personalities. The most

successful educational approach to the Negro is through a religious appeal.

We don't want the word to go out that we want to exterminate the negro

population and the minister is the man who can straighten out that idea if it

ever occurs to any of their more rebellious members.

WHAT WE ARE DOING TO HELP

Government is set for punishment of evildoers

1 Peter 2:13-14

Therefore, submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake,

whether to the king as supreme, 14  or to governors, as to those who are sent by

him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.

Rom 13:4

For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does

not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath

on him who practices evil.

As of February 6, 2020, the Registry has 2,754 known exonerations in the United

States since 1989. More than 24,960 years lost. The National Registry does not

include more than 1,800 defendants cleared in 15 large-scale police scandals

that came to light between 1989 and March 7, 2017, in which officers

systematically framed innocent defendants. 

https://www.law.umich.edu/special/exoneration/Pages/about.aspx

Heart Health

 HEART HEALTH 

Pro. 4:23

Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life

Keep – nsr (nat saow) – to watch

Diligence - miš-mār (miss – ma-ohr) - guard, confine, lock down, imprison

Heart - Ones inner self

I. HEART VALUE

1. As your heart is so are you

Proverbs 23:7

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.

We are a summation of our thoughts, meditation and history

Heart is developed in the womb before the brain.

You can live brain dead but you can’t live heart dead.

God speaks to the heart.

2. True words come from your heart

Luke 6:45

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil

man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the

abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

Ex. Holding a ball down under water

3. We act from the heart

Acts 5:3

But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit

and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?

4. Faith comes from the heart

Rom 10:10

For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth

confession is made unto salvation.

Mark 11:23

For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be

cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things

he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.

II. HOW TO HAVE A GOOD HEART

1. Cultivate a Tender Heart

1 Peter 3:8-9

Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as

brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; 9  not returning evil for evil or reviling

for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this,

that you may inherit a blessing.

Eph 4:32

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God

in Christ forgave you

Tenderhearted – compassionate; healthy bowels

a. You plant the right seeds (unity, love, kindness, courtesy, forgiveness)

 Your heart is tender when you are quick to repent…so repent quickly

2 Kings 22:11,19-20

Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the Book of the Law,

that he tore his clothes. Thus says the LORD God of Israel“Concerning the

words which you have heard— 19  because your heart was tender, and you

humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I spoke against

this place…and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have

heard you,” says the LORD. 20  Surely, therefore, I will gather you to your

fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace; and your eyes

shall not see all the calamity which I will bring on this place.

Ex. With God

Ex. With other people

Ex. With yourself

 Your heart is tender when you are concerned about others

Phil 2:3-4

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness

of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4  Let each of you look

out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

 Your heart is tender when you humble yourself

Prov 13:10

By pride comes nothing but strife, But with the well-advised is wisdom.

Ex. Dr Suess Geeches

b. You weed out the bad seeds (hardness)

 Your heart is hard when you don’t care…so care

Mark 3:1-5

And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a

withered hand. 2  So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him

on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. 3  And He said to the man

who had the withered hand, “Step forward.” 4  Then He said to them, “Is it

lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But

they kept silent. 5  And when He had looked around at them with anger,

being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man,

“Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored

as whole as the other.

 Your heart is hard when you’re stubborn

Exo. 4:21

And the LORD said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you do

all those wonders before Pharaoh which I have put in your hand. But I

will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go.

Ex. Some watch marriage destroyed and stay hard

Ex. Watch kids disintegrate and stay hard

Ex. Some watch God deal with them and they ignore it

 Your heart is hard when you are not thankful

Psalm 95:8-11

8 “Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion, As in the day of trial in

the wilderness, 9 When your fathers tested Me; They tried Me, though

they saw My work. 10 For forty years I was grieved with that generation,

And said, ‘It is a people who go astray in their hearts, And they do not

know My ways.’ 11 So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My

rest.’ “

a. A Hard Heart is a Path to Destruction

Exo. 4:21

And the LORD said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you do all

those wonders before Pharaoh which I have put in your hand. But I will

harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go.

b. Can hinder your destiny

Psalm 95:8-11

8 “Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion, As in the day of trial in the

wilderness, 9 When your fathers tested Me; They tried Me, though they saw

My work. 10 For forty years I was grieved with that generation, And said, ‘It is

a people who go astray in their hearts, And they do not know My ways.’ 11 So

I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest.’ “

LET’S TALK JUSTICE

 Micah 6:8

He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?

1. GOD IS INTO JUSTICE

 

1. He loves Justice

Psalm 33:5

He loves righteousness and justice; The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

 

2. He Commands it

Jer. 22:3

Thus says the Lord: “Execute judgment and righteousness, and deliver the plundered out of the hand of the oppressor. Do no wrong and do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, or the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place.

 

 

3. The Prayer for Justice Deeply Impacts Him

1 Kings 3:9-12

Therefore, give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?” 10 The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. 11 Then God said to him: “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, 12 behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. 

 

4. It’s a form of knowing Him

Jer. 22:16

He judged the cause of the poor and needy; Then it was well. Was not this knowing Me?” says the Lord.

 

5. Apathy towards the Oppressed can Hinder our Prayers

Isaiah 1:15-17

When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood. 16 “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, 17 Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow.

 

 

2. INJUSTICE AGAINST GOD IS A FACTOR

 

The ultimate injustice is against God

 

Romans 1:18-22

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. 

Ultimate Justice is being reconciled to God

Romans 3:23-26

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

 

 

3. JUSTICE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS ARE TWINS

 

The word ‘justice’ occurs 115 times in rsv OT, usually for mišpāṭ, ‘judgment’, the rule that should guide *judges. In the av, however, it represents mišpāṭ only once (Jb. 36:17); elsewhere it translates ṣeḏeq or ṣeḏāqâ.  The more frequent rendering of these latter nouns is ‘righteousness’; but when mišpāṭ and ṣeḏāqâ appear together av translates the whole phrase as ‘judgment and justice’

The word “justice” does not occur in the NT, and in most cases where we find “just” in AV it is changed to “righteous” in ARV. The idea of justice or righteousness (remembering that these are essentially the same) becomes more spiritual and ethical in the NT. It is a matter of character, and God’s own spirit is the standard 

 

 

1. They are foundational

Psalm 89:14

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Mercy and truth go before Your face.

 

2. He repays for injustice and unrighteousness

Ezek. 16:49-50

Look, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. 50 And they were haughty and committed abomination before Me; therefore I took them away as I saw fit.

 

3. It’s pure religion

James 1:27

Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

 

4. JESUS AND JUSTICE

1. He started His Public Ministry with a Justice Declaration

Luke 4:18

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed

 

2. Jesus is the perfect Judge

Isaiah 11:3-4

His delight is in the fear of the Lord, And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, Nor decide by the hearing of His ears; 4 But with righteousness He shall judge the poor, And decide with equity for the meek of the earth

 

 

3. The Second Coming is all About Justice

Isaiah 41:1-4

“Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles. 2 He will not cry out, nor raise His voice, Nor cause His voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth. 4 He will not fail nor be discouraged, Till He has established justice in the earth; And the coastlands shall wait for His law.”

 

Isaiah 11:1-5

There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots. 2 The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. 3 His delight is in the fear of the Lord, And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, Nor decide by the hearing of His ears; 4 But with righteousness He shall judge the poor, And decide with equity for the meek of the earth; He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, And with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked. 5 Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins, And faithfulness the belt of His waist.

 

 

 

5. THE STARTING POINT OF JUSTICE IS THE DIVINE IMAGE OF GOD IN ALL HUMANITY

 

Gen 1:26-28

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…

 

Psalm 8:4

What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? 5 For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor. 6 You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet,

 

 

 

6. WE MUST BE CAREFUL THAT WE STAND FOR TRUE JUSTICE

 

****GOD IS DEALING WITH INJUSTICE…

 

1. We must stand for righteousness judgment

John 7:24

Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”

 

Difference in Justice and Some Social Justice

Justice pursues what is right according to an absolute, impartial standard. 

 

Justice is driven by what is morally acceptable, or what God says is right. 

 

Some Social justice is sometimes driven by what is socially acceptable, or what certain people say is right. 

 

Justice is objective. 

Social justice can be subjective. 

 

Justice involves matters that can potentially impact anyone.  

Social justice involves matters that are believed to only impact specific groups.

 

Equality is not necessarily justice 

 

7. AS BELIEVER’S JUSTICE IS NOT OPTIONAL

 

Micah 6:8

He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?

Prov. 31:8 NLT

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.  9 Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless,  and see that they get justice. 

 

 

8. MY PARTIAL JUSTICE BURDEN

1. Persecuted Believers

 

 

2. Poverty

 

Deut 15:7

7 “If there is among you a poor man of your brethren, within any of the gates in your land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother

 

Prov 14:31

He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, But he who honors Him has mercy on the needy.

 

Gal 2:1-10

Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and also took Titus with me. 2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain. 3 Yet not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. 4 And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage), 5 to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. 6 But from those who seemed to be something—whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God shows personal favoritism to no man—for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me. 7 But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter 8 (for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles), 9 and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10 They desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do.

 

3. Economic Issues

4. Fatherlessness and Widows

Deut. 24:17-21

17 “You shall not pervert justice due the stranger or the fatherless, nor take a widow’s garment as a pledge. 18 But you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and the Lord your God redeemed you from there; therefore I command you to do this thing. 19 “When you reap your harvest in your field, and forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it; it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. 20 When you beat your olive trees, you shall not go over the boughs again; it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow. 21 When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not glean it afterward; it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow.

 

5. Sex Trafficking

6. Criminal Justice Reform

Matthew 25:36

I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’