“Wisdom of Justice (Part 1/2)” - Proverbs 21:2-3
Sermon series: Navigating Life with Proverbs
Sermon Title: Wisdom of Justice Pt. 1
Scripture: Proverbs 21:2-3
Introduction:
We look at the wisdom of justice, for how we respond in the face of injustice reveals a lot about who we are and the God we worship. As Christians, our lives are no longer lived out for ourselves. We care not only about our personal injustice but also the injustice we see from other people.
Within the biblical context, justice is more than just punishment for doing wrong. The Hebrew word for justice is “mishpat”. Timothy Keller describes this word as “… giving people what they are due, whether punishment or protection or care”. We look deeper into the scriptures to see what justice is and what our role in bringing about justice in the way of Jesus looks like. For worship without justice is worthless.
A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. (Prov 21:2-3).
Overview:
Back in the Old Testament days:
The sacrificial system was what the Israelites held on to: sacrificing according to God’s commandments for his people
God was meticulous and detailed in his requirements of sacrifices for his people
Sacrifice was deeply engrained into the psyche and practice of the Jewish believers, and sacrifice was central to their spirituality
But what the Israelites missed was that God does not look only at the act of sacrifice, but the intention and, especially, a sacrificial worship with justice at its center
We see it is not only a one-dimensional or one-directional (“vertical”) relationship we have with God, but also a horizontal relationship between God, others, and us, especially the vulnerable, the poor, the marginalized, and the overlooked.
God desires for us to not remain content with only a one-directional and one-dimensional relationship with him:
Isaiah 1, the Message
Amos 5:21-24, the Message
Matthew 23:23, ESV
Today’s passage:
Is meant to open our eyes against our own self-deception
It is not only how our relationship with God is going, but also our actions in the face of the injustice we see around us
Until we see worship without justice as worthless, we continue living in a deceptive way
Why do we remain so focused on ourselves?
We run into justice fatigue
We see the gospel as only theological truth, bring salvation for our souls but not so so much liberation from the system
Instead, we should look toward the day when injustice will come to its end:
Jesus Christ has secured the victory on the cross
Injustice will fall to the cross, and instances of oppression and exploitation will come to its end
We will look into the applications on how to live out this life of justice next week.
Sermon reflection questions:
What do you see justice as? Do you compartmentalize justice in your everyday with the justice God promises and has secured for us?
Do you see your life lived as a life of justice? In which area of your life have you been convicted to stand up for justice in? Is it in your workplace, at school, or in your local community?
Have you been limiting the gospel to your own small realm of life or is your gospel big enough to include and remedy all things, even systems and principalities and powers?
