HIGHLAND PARK CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Tough Questions: What does the Bible say about Justice?

August 23, 2020

Sermon notes and discussion questions

Q: “What’s the first thing you think about when you hear the word justice?”

Does God care about justice?

God cares a ton about justice because he loves people more than we can imagine.

Q: Read Matthew 23:23. How does this apply in our day?

How does the Bible define justice?

To do justice is to do what is right for someone else.

Q: What is the connection between righteousness and justice.

5 principles of Biblical Justice

All resources belong to God.

I can’t claim what’s in my pocket, nor can I claim what’s in yours.

A lot of the Proverbs can be summarized to tell us that the wicked person takes advantage of others for his own gain, but a Godly person disadvantages themselves for another person’s gain.

All people are created in the image of God.

Lev. 24:22 – “You are to have the same law for the foreigner as for the native born.”

Q: What unlikely people did Jesus affirm?

I have some responsibility for the sins of others.

Dan. 9, Josh. 7, Numbers 16, I Sam. 15, Dt. 23 teach it.

I’m fully responsible for my sin, but only partially for my outcomes.

If I’m wealthy, it’s not all because of my good. If I’m hurting, it’s not all because of my bad.

I’m responsible to act.

God commands us over and over to show special concern for the poor and marginalized.

Prov. 31:8-9 “Speak up for those who can’t speak up for themselves. Defend the rights of the poor and the needy.”

Q: When was a time that someone spoke up for you?

Q: Will you take the time to read Deuteronomy. 23:15 through ch. 25?

What fuels injustice?
Fear (Exodus 1 and Matthew 2)
Prejudice (John 4).
Greed (I Kings 21)
Ignorance (Matthew 25)

About the Bible

About the plight of others

Apathy (Matthew 20)

Why is Biblical justice the best solution?

Q: Why do attempts at justice without God always fall short?

2 Don’ts:

Don’t chase a form of justice without God.

Don’t dismiss Biblical justice because you see the faults in secular justice.

Q: What did you learn about Biblical justice?

Q: Why does God speak so much about justice?

Q: Will you pray about these matters?

Resources

Whose Justice? Which Rationality? by Alasdair MacIntyre

When Helping Hurts by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert (foundational book for our Food Pantry)

Deep Justice in a Broken World by Chap Clark and Kara Powell (Biblically rich book designed for student ministries)

Let Justice Roll Down by John Perkins

Good News About Injustice by Gary Haugen (founder of International Justice Mission)

Toxic Charity: How Churches and Charities Hurt Those They Help (And How to Reverse It) by Robert D. Lupton

Prophetic Lament: A Call for Justice in Troubled Times by Soong-Chan Rah

I leaned heavily on Tim Keller’s research. I was pleased to hear so many trusted friends in the justice world recommend it to me.

https://quarterly.gospelinlife.com/a-biblical-critique-of-secular-justice-and-critical-theory/

I highly recommend “The New Activist” podcast, produced by International Justice Mission. They’ve become faithful partners with Blackbox International.