October 25 2020 - Justice and Mercy Series Intro
The glory and grace of God revealed in justice and mercy
• THE GLORY OF GOD = THE GOODNESS OF GOD (Exodus 33:18-19)
• THE GOODNESS OF GOD = THE CHARACTER OF GOD (Exodus 34:6-7)
• These verses are repeated at least 20 times throughout the Bible
• God is merciful – he acquits/ pardons the guilty
• Demands justice (his righteous standard must be met)
• "God's holiness…is the means of our salvation…and the basis for his mercy." (John Frame)
• Known as his “darling” work (Thomas Goodwin) – that which God delights to do
• “God remains sovereign and free in his mercy, and he thus glories in his expression of it (Exodus 33:19).” (Mark Jones, God Is)
• God is just – he will by no means acquit/ pardon the guilty
• Demands judgment against all that falls short of his glory
• God's hatred for sin and wrath against are expressions of his justice, which are really expressions of his holiness and his love
• Known as his “strange” or “alien” work (Isaiah 28:21) – God does not delight to bring judgment, but must because he is just
JUSTICE \ RIGHTEOUSNESS \ MERCY
What is justice?
Justice displays God's absolute commitment to all that is right according to his own character, and his opposition to sin and all that is evil. (Jones)
Deuteronomy 32:4 // "The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are just. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he."
• Psalm 72:1-4 // Justice = Righteousness!
• Isaiah 11:3-5 // the Messiah is the righteous Judge
• Matthew 5:17-20 // Jesus fulfills the law of righteousness
• Isaiah 1:16-17 // God's command you his people.
What is mercy?
• An eye for distress, a heart of pity, an effort to help, in spite of enmity — that’s mercy. (John Piper)
Mercy sees human suffering, in all of its various manifestations, and is moved by compassion toward those suffering with the intent to do what it can to alleviate misery.
• This is the gospel.
• Luke 4:18-19 // Jesus' Objectives
• Romans 3:19-26 // Righteousness fulfilled
.
"When God justifies a sinner, everything in God is on the sinner's side. All the attributes of God are on the sinner's side. It isn't that mercy is pleading for the sinner and justice is trying to beat him to death. All of God does all that God does." (A.W. Tozer)
In Christ, God's righteousness is fulfilled and given, justice is served, and mercy poured out on the undeserving.
Application:
God's justice ought to leave us sobermindedly humble, when we recognize how far we fall short of measuring up to his righteousness and what we deserve were justice to be served.
God's mercy ought to leave us joyfully humble, when we recognize what God has done to satisfy his justice in Christ in order to make us righteous.
God is intent on conforming us into Christ's image, making us whole and healing us from our dividedness.
Point:
Only the gospel can bring true peace, which is our ultimate aim as the church - to proclaim Christ's life, death, and resurrection and to call those far from God to faith. But we do so as servants of mercy, marked with a deep humility because of what we have been spared from and what we have been given.
Matthew 5:7 - "Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy." (Matthew 18:21+ // the unmerciful servant)
Luke 6:36 - "Be merciful as your Father is merciful."
Q’s:
1. How does God’s commitment to justice reveal his glory? How can believers respond to individuals who question God‘s goodness regarding his judgment on sinners?
2. How does Exodus 34:6-7 reveal God‘s heart regarding Mercy?
3. Are you prone to perceive God as leading out primarily with his just judgments, or his gracious mercy to sinners?
4. How does the gospel provide clarity regarding justice and mercy in a culture that is prone to confusion over these matters?
5. What are the implications of God‘s justice and mercy for his church (all believers) as we live out our faith in the world?
6. Does your life give evidence that you love justice? Does your life give evidence that you love Mercy? Are there any areas that need to be confessed and repented of?
October 25, 2020
Justice and Mercy :: Series Intro
October 25, 2020 • Pastor Josh Kee
November 22, 2020
November 22, 2020 • Pastor Phil Burggraff
Theme: Believing Response to Injustice Passage: Micah 7 Main Idea: God expects his people to respond appropriately to him in the midst of injustice. 1. Grieve the evil you see (1–6) Prayer: Confess the evil that is all around us 2. Confidently watch for God’s salvation (7) Prayer: Express confidence in God’s ability to save 3. Plead for God’s rule to come (8–17) Prayer: Beg God to intervene so that justice prevails in our lives, nation, and world 4. Praise God for his faithful mercy to deliver us from our sin (18–20) Prayer: Thank and praise God for a) his willingness to forgive the repentant, b) his delighting to show us love, c) his victory over our sin, d) his faithfulness to keep his promises. Application Questions: • What evil and injustice, both from your own experience and what you see happening in this world, grieves your heart? How should this affect your prayer life? • In what ways does turning to God and expressing confidence in his salvation affect your attitude and action toward the injustice and evil that you see and experience (v. 7)? • From vv. 8–17, what specifically could we pray for as we desire God’s rule to come to this earth? • What does the prophet praise God for in vv. 18–20? What promises in these verses can we hold onto that will give us hope no matter what we face in this world?
November 15, 2020
November 15, 2020 • Pastor Phil Burggraff
Theme: Relating to the Just and Merciful God Passage: Micah 6 How we relate to our just and merciful God: 1. Remember God’s Faithful Love (3–5) a. He delivers from bondage (4a). b. He provides good leadership (4b). c. He protects when his people are unaware of danger (5a). d. He fulfills his promises (5b). 2. Set aside self-righteous worship (6–7) a. It is self-deceptive (6b). b. It is ostentatiously exaggerated (7a). c. It is morally perverse (7b). 3. Do the good God requires (8) a. Towards others: i. Do what is right ii. Show mercy b. Towards God: walk wisely in God’s ways 4. Heed God’s warning of judgment (9–16) a. God detests the injustice of ... i. Greed (10–11) ii. Violence (12a) iii. Deceit (12b) b. God will judge by frustrating the normal order of things i. No satisfaction from eating (14a) ii. No ability to save (14b) iii. No success from hard work (15) Main Idea: We must follow God’s plan for justice and mercy if we want to experience contentment in this life and the next. Application Questions: o Why is it that we so easily forget the amazing things that God has done for us (6:3–5)? What are you doing or could you do that will help you remember God’s work in your life? o If God were to critique you today, what would he point out in your worship that is self-righteous (6:6–7)? o How do we fail to do what is right and to show mercy towards others in our lives today (maybe identify how we exhibit vv. 10–12 in our lives)? What could we do to change these behaviors? o What does this passage indicate about contentment in this life? How might it change the manner in which you strive for contentment in your life?
November 8, 2020
November 8, 2020 • Pastor Phil Burggraff
November 8th 2020 Passage: Micah 3–5 Theme: Justice in Uncertain Times Main Idea: We can rest, assured that our God is at work for his glory and our good. What is God doing? Assuring truths of God’s activity in uncertain times 1. God holds leadership responsible for their treatment of others (3:1–12) a. Politically, leaders who do evil rather than good for those under them will not find God on their side (3:1–4). b. Religiously, leaders who serve only for their own gain will lose God’s word (3:5–8). c. In general, violent and unjust leaders that self-deceivingly believe God is with them will lead their people to destruction (3:9–12). 2. God calls his people to demonstrate their faith in him by following him as leader (4:1–8). Why? For the following escalating reasons: a. God will establish his kingdom rule (4:1) b. The nations will turn to God (4:2) c. God will establish peace among the nations (4:3–4) d. God’s people will find their satisfaction in him (4:5–8) 3. God fulfills his word to give hope to those who rely on him (4:9–5:9) a. In the midst of crises, God works his plan of deliverance (4:9–5:6) b. In the end, he will demonstrate his power by elevating his faithful followers (5:7–9) 4. God will destroy all those things that people turn to for security (5:10–15): a. Military strength (5:10–11) b. False idols (5:12–14) c. Misguided Understanding of his word (5:15) Application Questions: • From Micah 3, list and discuss the characteristics of leadership God despises. Why are we prone to look past some of these things in our following of ungodly leadership? • In Micah 4:1–8, God describes a time when he will lead his people. How do we see and experience this leadership today? • From its place within its surrounding context, in what ways does the coming of Jesus (5:2) provide us hope in the midst of crises and uncertainty? • What competes with God as a source of security in your life (5:10–15)? How can these be overcome?