WEBVTT 00:00:00.220 --> 00:00:07.900 Well, it's a pleasure to be here tonight, and it's a pleasure to be able to open up this passage and the subject of justice. 00:00:08.939 --> 00:00:13.560 So as Graeme said, and as if you're around this morning, I'm a member of the Edinburgh Street Pastors. 00:00:14.339 --> 00:00:17.240 And as Graeme said, we go out into the streets of Edinburgh. 00:00:17.699 --> 00:00:21.800 We do that. We want to show God's love to the most vulnerable in society. 00:00:23.080 --> 00:00:25.400 And, you know, it was my very first patrol. 00:00:25.399 --> 00:00:31.859 We were out at 2 a.m. on a December night, and we were chatting to this group, and they'd spilled out of the pub. 00:00:32.879 --> 00:00:36.359 And, you know, this guy was talking. He said, you know, why are you here? What are you doing? 00:00:37.379 --> 00:00:43.640 Often people think it's a council-run thing, and we're paid to be there, a sort of, you know, social response from the council. 00:00:44.399 --> 00:00:48.640 But, you know, we are there as a response to God's love and his mercy. 00:00:50.920 --> 00:00:53.820 We are there to show love and to care for the most vulnerable. 00:00:53.820 --> 00:00:55.960 We come across the homeless. 00:00:56.859 --> 00:01:00.920 We come across people who have no control because of drink or drugs. 00:01:01.939 --> 00:01:04.879 We come across girls who are alone, have got lost. 00:01:05.500 --> 00:01:08.719 They've lost their friends. They've got no battery left on their phone. 00:01:10.420 --> 00:01:15.159 And, you know, it's a joy and a passion of mine, and my heart goes out to these people in their vulnerable state. 00:01:15.780 --> 00:01:19.060 And it's a joy to be able to share God's love with them at these times. 00:01:19.060 --> 00:01:26.740 Well, why am I telling you this? Well, I wonder what comes to your head when you think of justice. 00:01:27.640 --> 00:01:32.359 When Graham asked me to speak on justice, my head started going all sorts of places. 00:01:33.359 --> 00:01:36.000 I thought of phrases like, justice must be done. 00:01:37.159 --> 00:01:40.760 And I thought of the demonstrators chanting, no justice, no peace. 00:01:40.760 --> 00:01:44.700 The news, it's been filled with justice recently. 00:01:45.700 --> 00:01:51.340 We've had the protests in America and across the world about the injustice, often aimed at the police. 00:01:52.400 --> 00:01:56.080 We also had the death of the U.S. Supreme Court justice. 00:01:56.800 --> 00:02:02.580 And the political effects that that's going to have and the implications on the American court system and laws. 00:02:02.579 --> 00:02:06.700 So I found myself asking all these questions. 00:02:07.519 --> 00:02:08.979 So that's what we're going to do tonight. 00:02:09.159 --> 00:02:12.219 We're going to ask some questions about what justice is. 00:02:13.159 --> 00:02:15.319 We're going to see what the Bible says about justice. 00:02:16.520 --> 00:02:18.000 We're going to see why it matters. 00:02:18.680 --> 00:02:21.879 And we're going to have a look at how we can apply it into our own lives. 00:02:23.460 --> 00:02:27.199 So we're going to get straight dived into the subject. 00:02:28.840 --> 00:02:29.979 So what is justice? 00:02:30.460 --> 00:02:32.419 Well, I always think you're good to start in the dictionary. 00:02:33.180 --> 00:02:38.020 So Merriam-Webster says it is the maintenance or administration of what is just. 00:02:39.900 --> 00:02:42.920 It can also be a title, so the Supreme Court justice. 00:02:44.180 --> 00:02:46.660 Or it is the administration of law. 00:02:46.960 --> 00:02:48.960 So you could have a fugitive from justice. 00:02:50.340 --> 00:02:51.460 So they're all under one heading. 00:02:51.460 --> 00:02:57.200 And a secondary meaning of justice is also the quality of being just, impartial, or fair. 00:02:58.860 --> 00:03:02.080 You know, when I first thought of justice, my head went to judgment. 00:03:02.580 --> 00:03:05.280 The punishment for wrongdoings. 00:03:05.280 --> 00:03:10.840 But the other side of justice is what we would nowadays call social justice. 00:03:11.719 --> 00:03:14.759 This is the fair treatment and the upholding of people's rights. 00:03:14.759 --> 00:03:19.019 So what does the Bible say about justice? 00:03:19.199 --> 00:03:23.379 Well, as we read here in Micah 6, it's a great passage. 00:03:23.379 --> 00:03:30.139 And in verse 8, we are to act justly and to love mercy. 00:03:31.259 --> 00:03:34.479 To act justly and to love mercy. 00:03:34.479 --> 00:03:39.979 Now that word justice there or justly in Hebrew is mishpat. 00:03:40.819 --> 00:03:45.899 And that word is actually used 200 times, over 200 times in the Old Testament. 00:03:46.439 --> 00:03:49.139 So it's safe to say there's plenty of references to justice. 00:03:50.139 --> 00:03:55.699 And in the Bible, it means to treat people equitably, which I always struggle to say. 00:03:55.699 --> 00:03:58.659 Which means fairly or impartially. 00:03:59.259 --> 00:04:02.739 So that is whether we are punishing or whether we are acquitting people. 00:04:02.959 --> 00:04:06.179 We are to do so impartially and fairly. 00:04:07.719 --> 00:04:12.719 But justice, this word mishpat, also means to give people their rights or what they are due. 00:04:12.719 --> 00:04:18.519 If you have someone in your house and you get them to paint a room, you should pay them for their work. 00:04:18.639 --> 00:04:21.759 You shouldn't withhold that money from them because they are due that. 00:04:23.579 --> 00:04:28.259 And this word mishpat or justice is also most of the time linked with this other word, 00:04:28.360 --> 00:04:31.079 which I definitely can't pronounce, which I'm going to call tzedakah. 00:04:31.899 --> 00:04:34.480 And this is often translated as righteous. 00:04:36.579 --> 00:04:41.120 And this word means to treat all with fairness and generosity. 00:04:41.120 --> 00:04:47.019 An example of when these two, and Graham actually read, run out earlier as well, 00:04:47.180 --> 00:04:48.980 would be Psalm 33 verse 5. 00:04:50.439 --> 00:04:53.079 The Lord loves righteousness and justice. 00:04:53.720 --> 00:04:56.079 The earth is full of his unfailing love. 00:04:58.340 --> 00:05:01.939 Another way you could paraphrase that would be the Lord loves social justice. 00:05:02.620 --> 00:05:04.759 The earth is full of his unfailing love. 00:05:06.379 --> 00:05:10.720 But you know, being just and righteous is not just some state that we adopt. 00:05:10.720 --> 00:05:13.720 We don't wake up in the morning and go, today I will be just and right. 00:05:15.540 --> 00:05:17.300 These are actions that we live out. 00:05:17.520 --> 00:05:18.380 These are doing words. 00:05:20.480 --> 00:05:23.060 So justice, justice is primary. 00:05:24.520 --> 00:05:28.880 We are to be fair and equitable in our relationships to avoid injustice. 00:05:30.080 --> 00:05:34.160 But justice is also rectifying in the sense that we punishment, 00:05:34.500 --> 00:05:35.940 there is punishment for wrongdoing. 00:05:35.939 --> 00:05:39.420 And there is also the care for the victims of injustice. 00:05:40.779 --> 00:05:43.660 You know, the protesters in America that I mentioned before, 00:05:44.420 --> 00:05:48.819 and elsewhere, they want to see an overhaul to create a fair society 00:05:48.819 --> 00:05:50.740 where there is no need to protest. 00:05:50.879 --> 00:05:53.920 There is no need to demand justice from those in power. 00:05:55.240 --> 00:05:59.139 They want the rectifying justice of bringing those responsible to court. 00:05:59.659 --> 00:06:03.399 And yet they also want that primary justice of a society that is fair, 00:06:03.399 --> 00:06:09.859 So that is what the Bible defines as justice. 00:06:10.279 --> 00:06:11.299 So where do we see it? 00:06:12.560 --> 00:06:15.560 Well, we see justice in the form of judgment from God. 00:06:16.819 --> 00:06:19.359 Throughout Micah, and it's a fascinating book, 00:06:19.799 --> 00:06:21.199 but the Old Testament as a whole, 00:06:21.599 --> 00:06:26.079 we see God as a judge who brings judgment for wrongdoing. 00:06:27.479 --> 00:06:29.139 Micah 6, 12 to 13. 00:06:29.299 --> 00:06:29.939 We didn't read it. 00:06:30.000 --> 00:06:31.339 It's just a few verses later. 00:06:31.339 --> 00:06:32.459 It says, 00:06:32.539 --> 00:06:33.959 Your rich people are violent. 00:06:34.739 --> 00:06:36.579 Your inhabitants are liars. 00:06:37.179 --> 00:06:39.000 And their tongues speak deceitfully. 00:06:40.519 --> 00:06:42.500 Therefore, I have begun to destroy you, 00:06:42.799 --> 00:06:44.719 to ruin you because of your sins. 00:06:46.899 --> 00:06:50.339 God brings judgment because it is the fair 00:06:50.339 --> 00:06:53.559 and the right response to the sins of the people. 00:06:55.120 --> 00:06:57.199 In Micah, the leaders are called out. 00:06:57.839 --> 00:06:59.059 The prophets are called out. 00:06:59.059 --> 00:07:00.620 The powerful are called out. 00:07:00.620 --> 00:07:02.500 For being corrupt. 00:07:03.019 --> 00:07:04.519 For being self-serving. 00:07:05.319 --> 00:07:06.139 And for being greedy. 00:07:07.060 --> 00:07:09.220 We could be reading this in the newspapers today. 00:07:11.160 --> 00:07:13.220 So we see justice in the form of judgment, 00:07:13.459 --> 00:07:16.660 but we also see justice in the instructions and the teachings 00:07:16.660 --> 00:07:18.300 to care for the poor, 00:07:18.879 --> 00:07:20.019 to care for the elderly, 00:07:20.699 --> 00:07:21.920 and to care for the vulnerable. 00:07:21.920 --> 00:07:27.460 An example of this in the Old Testament would be the leftover grain. 00:07:27.900 --> 00:07:29.840 So when the Israelites were harvesting their fields, 00:07:29.939 --> 00:07:32.540 they weren't to sweep back round and do a second look 00:07:32.540 --> 00:07:34.620 in order to pick up all the grain off the ground. 00:07:35.319 --> 00:07:36.640 They were to leave this, 00:07:36.980 --> 00:07:38.520 and in behind would come the poor. 00:07:39.400 --> 00:07:40.379 They would come the vulnerable, 00:07:40.600 --> 00:07:41.759 so they could have food as well. 00:07:43.379 --> 00:07:47.080 Another one would be when the people of Israel were in the wilderness, 00:07:47.079 --> 00:07:49.139 and there was the manna, 00:07:49.199 --> 00:07:51.859 the bread that was left every morning on the ground for them to eat. 00:07:52.859 --> 00:07:54.719 If they were greedy and gathered too much, 00:07:54.759 --> 00:07:55.680 it would rot overnight. 00:07:56.339 --> 00:07:58.500 And this taught them that there was enough to go around, 00:07:58.639 --> 00:07:59.539 and they weren't to be greedy. 00:07:59.540 --> 00:08:05.939 But we also can't avoid calls to care for the vulnerable in Jesus' teachings. 00:08:07.020 --> 00:08:10.379 In Mark 12, we have the call from Jesus to love our neighbor. 00:08:12.320 --> 00:08:13.620 Jesus lived by example. 00:08:15.340 --> 00:08:16.660 He lived alongside the poor. 00:08:17.600 --> 00:08:18.840 He cared for their needs. 00:08:19.660 --> 00:08:20.580 He gave them time, 00:08:21.379 --> 00:08:22.320 and he gave them help. 00:08:23.540 --> 00:08:24.939 But it wasn't just the poor. 00:08:25.540 --> 00:08:27.320 It was the whole spectrum of society, 00:08:27.740 --> 00:08:28.740 from rich to poor, 00:08:28.740 --> 00:08:29.860 popular, 00:08:30.240 --> 00:08:30.840 and unpopular. 00:08:32.340 --> 00:08:36.080 Some examples of this would be when Jesus spoke to women in public. 00:08:36.360 --> 00:08:38.000 This was a social faux pas of the time. 00:08:39.560 --> 00:08:40.919 He healed and touched lepers. 00:08:42.279 --> 00:08:43.560 He gave time to children, 00:08:43.879 --> 00:08:45.779 who the disciples thought was crazy. 00:08:47.200 --> 00:08:48.680 He stopped in his tracks. 00:08:48.799 --> 00:08:50.419 He stopped his journey in order to 00:08:50.419 --> 00:08:53.019 give time and to heal the blind beggar. 00:08:54.320 --> 00:08:56.740 He also ate in the house of a tax collector, 00:08:56.740 --> 00:08:59.539 who were hated people for what they did for a living. 00:09:01.620 --> 00:09:04.080 We can learn so much from Jesus' life on earth, 00:09:04.299 --> 00:09:05.580 and how he treated those, 00:09:06.220 --> 00:09:07.460 not only who came to him, 00:09:08.139 --> 00:09:10.240 but who he sought out where they were. 00:09:10.240 --> 00:09:14.100 Jesus was the embodiment of justice. 00:09:16.200 --> 00:09:17.480 So that's what justice is, 00:09:17.700 --> 00:09:19.480 and that's what the Bible says about it. 00:09:19.919 --> 00:09:21.200 But how does God do justice? 00:09:22.659 --> 00:09:23.600 Well, first of all, 00:09:23.639 --> 00:09:24.379 God is just, 00:09:24.980 --> 00:09:25.879 and God is holy. 00:09:27.159 --> 00:09:28.799 God can't turn a blind eye. 00:09:29.279 --> 00:09:30.639 God can't just let one go. 00:09:31.639 --> 00:09:33.759 God must judge and confront evil. 00:09:33.759 --> 00:09:35.439 You know, 00:09:35.500 --> 00:09:36.340 the U.S. system, 00:09:36.559 --> 00:09:37.740 which I talked about before, 00:09:37.819 --> 00:09:39.819 with the death of the Supreme Court justice, 00:09:40.879 --> 00:09:42.779 this may change the balance in the court, 00:09:43.159 --> 00:09:44.500 from liberal to conservative, 00:09:44.860 --> 00:09:47.279 and it might have an implication for years to come. 00:09:47.840 --> 00:09:48.179 And you know, 00:09:48.220 --> 00:09:49.460 there's a political edge here, 00:09:49.659 --> 00:09:53.299 because if Trump gets to appoint one before the election, 00:09:54.159 --> 00:09:55.460 then it'll have a varying effect, 00:09:55.519 --> 00:09:56.580 and if Biden gets in, 00:09:56.639 --> 00:09:57.620 then he gets to appoint one. 00:09:58.240 --> 00:10:00.799 So there's a political edge to the court system. 00:10:00.799 --> 00:10:03.319 But this is not the case with God. 00:10:04.379 --> 00:10:05.219 God is just. 00:10:06.399 --> 00:10:07.199 God is holy. 00:10:09.279 --> 00:10:09.679 Secondly, 00:10:09.779 --> 00:10:10.759 how does God do justice? 00:10:11.599 --> 00:10:11.779 Well, 00:10:11.839 --> 00:10:14.079 Jesus will be the just judge at the end of time. 00:10:15.779 --> 00:10:18.859 This means that we need to be right with God when this happens. 00:10:20.039 --> 00:10:21.539 We see in Micah 6, 00:10:21.579 --> 00:10:22.339 6 to 7, 00:10:22.500 --> 00:10:23.099 that we read, 00:10:24.240 --> 00:10:25.439 I'll read it again. 00:10:25.539 --> 00:10:25.759 It says, 00:10:25.839 --> 00:10:27.679 With what shall I come before the Lord, 00:10:27.819 --> 00:10:29.839 and bow down before the exalted God? 00:10:30.799 --> 00:10:33.379 Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, 00:10:34.219 --> 00:10:35.479 with calves a year old? 00:10:36.399 --> 00:10:37.779 And it starts to accelerate. 00:10:37.979 --> 00:10:38.219 It says, 00:10:38.359 --> 00:10:40.439 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, 00:10:41.079 --> 00:10:42.679 ten thousand rivers of olive oil? 00:10:43.359 --> 00:10:45.620 Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, 00:10:46.339 --> 00:10:48.419 the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 00:10:50.299 --> 00:10:53.879 These were empty offerings that had no meaning behind them. 00:10:55.079 --> 00:10:57.759 And this teaches us that we can't get by on our own merits. 00:10:57.759 --> 00:10:59.919 We are not good enough in ourselves. 00:11:01.340 --> 00:11:02.200 Romans 3, 00:11:02.299 --> 00:11:06.840 22 to 24 tells us that there is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 00:11:07.639 --> 00:11:10.360 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 00:11:11.100 --> 00:11:14.120 And all are justified freely by his grace, 00:11:14.600 --> 00:11:17.059 through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 00:11:17.059 --> 00:11:23.359 We all need to be made right by the redemption that comes through Jesus. 00:11:24.419 --> 00:11:28.000 Nothing we do on our own will ever stand up in the court of Christ. 00:11:31.039 --> 00:11:31.519 Thirdly, 00:11:31.559 --> 00:11:32.519 how does God do justice? 00:11:32.719 --> 00:11:32.859 Well, 00:11:33.299 --> 00:11:34.299 God gives us mercy. 00:11:35.159 --> 00:11:37.919 This is something we as Christians can be so thankful for. 00:11:37.919 --> 00:11:40.279 In Micah 6, 00:11:40.360 --> 00:11:44.879 we see that God has proven himself to be faithful and merciful to his people. 00:11:45.819 --> 00:11:46.939 In 4 and 5, 00:11:47.479 --> 00:11:48.899 we read that he took them out of Egypt. 00:11:49.079 --> 00:11:50.559 He brought them out of slavery. 00:11:51.459 --> 00:11:52.539 He gave them leaders. 00:11:53.959 --> 00:11:55.159 Instead of being cursed, 00:11:55.259 --> 00:11:55.919 they were blessed. 00:11:56.839 --> 00:12:00.399 And he took them across the Jordan and into the promised land. 00:12:02.199 --> 00:12:03.939 History means that we can trust God. 00:12:04.719 --> 00:12:06.360 We can have confidence in him. 00:12:06.360 --> 00:12:12.639 The death of Jesus on the cross was the justice of God fully demonstrated. 00:12:13.460 --> 00:12:15.980 But it was also the greatest act of grace. 00:12:17.639 --> 00:12:19.779 So how does mercy tie up with justice? 00:12:21.039 --> 00:12:21.200 Well, 00:12:21.259 --> 00:12:25.680 Jesus took the punishment from God for the sins of those who will believe in him. 00:12:26.919 --> 00:12:28.460 The price has been paid. 00:12:29.279 --> 00:12:30.779 We just need to accept it. 00:12:32.399 --> 00:12:33.659 Can you imagine you're, 00:12:33.980 --> 00:12:34.340 hopefully not, 00:12:34.440 --> 00:12:36.039 but you're up at the wrong mile at high court. 00:12:36.899 --> 00:12:40.039 And the judge is handing you down a life sentence and saying to you, 00:12:40.139 --> 00:12:41.240 justice must be done. 00:12:42.139 --> 00:12:43.259 And just at that moment, 00:12:43.360 --> 00:12:44.539 someone steps in and says, 00:12:44.820 --> 00:12:46.740 I'll take that punishment for you. 00:12:48.879 --> 00:12:50.060 Justice has been done, 00:12:50.539 --> 00:12:51.759 but we have been spared. 00:12:53.700 --> 00:12:55.480 That's what Jesus has done. 00:12:55.480 --> 00:12:59.420 So we've looked at what justice says. 00:12:59.420 --> 00:13:01.000 The Bible says about it. 00:13:01.539 --> 00:13:03.139 We've seen how God does justice. 00:13:03.960 --> 00:13:05.879 So why are we to care about justice? 00:13:06.759 --> 00:13:07.639 Why should we care? 00:13:08.980 --> 00:13:09.259 You know, 00:13:09.300 --> 00:13:09.740 at this point, 00:13:09.779 --> 00:13:11.399 we might be thinking of the Justice League. 00:13:12.259 --> 00:13:12.539 You know, 00:13:12.560 --> 00:13:13.200 the superheroes, 00:13:13.440 --> 00:13:13.720 Batman, 00:13:14.159 --> 00:13:14.460 Superman, 00:13:14.620 --> 00:13:18.320 and the others who go about dishing out justice as they see fit. 00:13:18.320 --> 00:13:19.660 You know, 00:13:19.720 --> 00:13:21.500 these people with superpowers, 00:13:21.700 --> 00:13:22.460 special abilities, 00:13:22.640 --> 00:13:23.879 looking out for the lowly, 00:13:24.280 --> 00:13:24.720 the helpless, 00:13:24.920 --> 00:13:25.660 average Joe, 00:13:26.000 --> 00:13:27.379 who can't help themselves. 00:13:28.740 --> 00:13:29.320 But you know, 00:13:29.360 --> 00:13:33.300 doing justice is not just for those who are strong, 00:13:33.440 --> 00:13:34.140 those who are mighty. 00:13:34.480 --> 00:13:35.600 It is for all of us. 00:13:37.240 --> 00:13:38.420 So why should we care? 00:13:38.599 --> 00:13:38.740 Well, 00:13:38.799 --> 00:13:39.319 first of all, 00:13:39.360 --> 00:13:41.519 because of what God has done for us. 00:13:42.620 --> 00:13:45.299 It is our response to his love and compassion. 00:13:46.399 --> 00:13:46.979 Once again, 00:13:47.099 --> 00:13:47.620 Micah 6, 00:13:47.679 --> 00:13:48.120 verse 8, 00:13:49.000 --> 00:13:51.679 to act justly and to love mercy. 00:13:54.099 --> 00:13:54.919 By grace, 00:13:55.000 --> 00:13:55.979 we have been saved. 00:13:57.599 --> 00:14:00.939 We are to respond to this amazing grace. 00:14:02.879 --> 00:14:06.620 We are to do so by doing justice out of merciful love. 00:14:09.419 --> 00:14:10.399 Why are we to care? 00:14:10.559 --> 00:14:10.899 Secondly, 00:14:11.039 --> 00:14:12.519 while we're made in the image of God, 00:14:13.139 --> 00:14:14.019 as are all people. 00:14:15.199 --> 00:14:17.519 This means that we aren't to discriminate or favor. 00:14:17.819 --> 00:14:20.439 Ian was saying this morning that none of us are better than the other. 00:14:21.819 --> 00:14:22.099 And you know, 00:14:22.159 --> 00:14:22.599 discrimination, 00:14:22.899 --> 00:14:24.639 it comes from the idea of superiority. 00:14:26.259 --> 00:14:27.419 I am better than you, 00:14:27.500 --> 00:14:29.159 therefore I can treat you however I like. 00:14:30.799 --> 00:14:31.860 As we read before, 00:14:31.939 --> 00:14:34.179 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 00:14:35.699 --> 00:14:37.559 Jesus never showed partiality, 00:14:37.559 --> 00:14:39.319 and he is our ultimate example. 00:14:40.399 --> 00:14:41.539 He met and interacted 00:14:41.539 --> 00:14:43.299 with the rich and the poor, 00:14:44.359 --> 00:14:45.639 the lepers and the kings, 00:14:46.339 --> 00:14:48.359 the religious and the irreligious. 00:14:50.000 --> 00:14:51.059 Now this isn't easy, 00:14:51.159 --> 00:14:52.079 and I know this isn't easy, 00:14:52.219 --> 00:14:54.839 because we naturally come across people who we bond with, 00:14:55.319 --> 00:14:56.419 people we get on well with, 00:14:56.539 --> 00:14:59.179 and there's those that we naturally don't get on well with. 00:14:59.699 --> 00:15:01.500 But this is what we are called to do. 00:15:01.500 --> 00:15:03.500 Thirdly, 00:15:03.500 --> 00:15:05.360 why should we care? 00:15:05.539 --> 00:15:05.740 Well, 00:15:05.860 --> 00:15:06.720 as God's followers, 00:15:07.019 --> 00:15:08.440 we are to see as he sees, 00:15:08.919 --> 00:15:10.860 and to love what he loves. 00:15:13.019 --> 00:15:14.779 The end of verse 8 says, 00:15:14.980 --> 00:15:16.500 to walk humbly with your God. 00:15:18.019 --> 00:15:20.200 Walk humbly with your God. 00:15:20.559 --> 00:15:21.240 What does that mean? 00:15:21.320 --> 00:15:21.480 Well, 00:15:21.559 --> 00:15:22.340 we are to know God. 00:15:22.340 --> 00:15:24.040 You know, 00:15:24.060 --> 00:15:25.060 if I live my life, 00:15:25.620 --> 00:15:27.940 and I never knew what my wife liked in her cup of tea, 00:15:28.580 --> 00:15:31.379 or I never knew what she liked to do if she had a spare hour of her time, 00:15:31.800 --> 00:15:33.040 there would be something wrong with that. 00:15:34.660 --> 00:15:35.000 And you know, 00:15:35.040 --> 00:15:36.360 as we walk life with God, 00:15:36.440 --> 00:15:37.180 we are to know him. 00:15:39.720 --> 00:15:41.740 We are to do as he would have us to do. 00:15:42.700 --> 00:15:44.220 We are to love what he loves. 00:15:44.220 --> 00:15:48.220 That is what walking closely with God is. 00:15:49.960 --> 00:15:50.460 And finally, 00:15:50.580 --> 00:15:51.700 why are we to care about justice? 00:15:51.960 --> 00:15:52.100 Well, 00:15:52.600 --> 00:15:53.540 justice brings hope. 00:15:55.019 --> 00:15:55.660 Last week, 00:15:55.700 --> 00:15:57.480 Graham was speaking on Ephesians 2, 00:15:57.580 --> 00:15:59.060 and how Jesus is our peace, 00:15:59.279 --> 00:16:00.220 that amazing truth. 00:16:01.279 --> 00:16:01.460 Well, 00:16:01.480 --> 00:16:02.680 I was sitting wanting to shout, 00:16:02.860 --> 00:16:03.560 no justice, 00:16:04.019 --> 00:16:04.639 no peace. 00:16:06.080 --> 00:16:06.600 You know, 00:16:06.620 --> 00:16:07.740 if Jesus wasn't judge, 00:16:08.700 --> 00:16:10.080 then there would be no justice, 00:16:10.840 --> 00:16:12.660 which means there would be no peace. 00:16:14.220 --> 00:16:17.040 Peace being eternity in harmony with God, 00:16:17.779 --> 00:16:18.779 creation restored. 00:16:20.160 --> 00:16:21.920 We see this throughout Micah, 00:16:22.500 --> 00:16:24.960 that as God brings justice in the form of judgment, 00:16:26.120 --> 00:16:28.300 Israel is given hope of a future peace, 00:16:29.560 --> 00:16:31.040 free of corruption, 00:16:31.860 --> 00:16:32.500 free of sin, 00:16:33.639 --> 00:16:34.420 free of oppression. 00:16:37.480 --> 00:16:38.120 So, 00:16:38.379 --> 00:16:38.700 finally, 00:16:39.120 --> 00:16:40.420 who are we to do justice to? 00:16:41.379 --> 00:16:42.740 We've seen what justice says, 00:16:42.740 --> 00:16:44.560 we've seen what the Bible says about it, 00:16:44.759 --> 00:16:46.000 how God does justice, 00:16:46.480 --> 00:16:47.419 and why we should care. 00:16:48.519 --> 00:16:48.919 So, 00:16:48.980 --> 00:16:50.139 who are we to do justice to? 00:16:51.019 --> 00:16:51.379 Well, 00:16:51.440 --> 00:16:51.860 first of all, 00:16:51.919 --> 00:16:52.279 everyone. 00:16:53.399 --> 00:16:55.220 Galatians 6 and 10 tells us, 00:16:55.340 --> 00:16:55.519 therefore, 00:16:55.740 --> 00:16:56.940 as we have opportunity, 00:16:57.680 --> 00:16:59.299 let us do good to all people, 00:17:00.039 --> 00:17:03.039 especially to those who belong to the family of believers. 00:17:03.700 --> 00:17:05.099 It's Galatians 6 and 10. 00:17:05.099 --> 00:17:07.779 we aren't to show partiality. 00:17:08.259 --> 00:17:09.459 We aren't to discriminate. 00:17:10.639 --> 00:17:11.740 We aren't to favor. 00:17:13.259 --> 00:17:16.119 And it isn't just fellow Christians that we should do good to, 00:17:16.679 --> 00:17:17.159 but all. 00:17:19.259 --> 00:17:19.779 But, 00:17:20.319 --> 00:17:24.199 we should be especially wary of the vulnerable, 00:17:24.200 --> 00:17:27.539 the foreigner or the immigrant, 00:17:28.140 --> 00:17:28.740 the widow, 00:17:29.140 --> 00:17:29.519 the poor, 00:17:29.640 --> 00:17:30.039 the orphan. 00:17:31.460 --> 00:17:32.259 Luke 14, 00:17:32.360 --> 00:17:33.720 12 to 13 says, 00:17:34.100 --> 00:17:35.559 then Jesus said to his host, 00:17:36.039 --> 00:17:37.480 when you give a luncheon or dinner, 00:17:37.880 --> 00:17:39.140 do not invite your friends, 00:17:39.240 --> 00:17:40.400 your brothers or sisters, 00:17:40.740 --> 00:17:41.279 your relatives, 00:17:41.519 --> 00:17:42.420 or your rich neighbors. 00:17:43.220 --> 00:17:43.980 If you do, 00:17:44.059 --> 00:17:45.160 they may invite you back, 00:17:45.200 --> 00:17:46.580 and so you will be repaid. 00:17:47.480 --> 00:17:48.759 But when you give a banquet, 00:17:48.980 --> 00:17:49.779 invite the poor, 00:17:50.519 --> 00:17:51.240 the crippled, 00:17:51.799 --> 00:17:52.259 the lame, 00:17:52.259 --> 00:17:52.740 the blind, 00:17:53.379 --> 00:17:54.440 and you will be blessed. 00:17:55.359 --> 00:17:56.839 Although they cannot repay you, 00:17:57.319 --> 00:17:58.379 you will be repaid 00:17:58.379 --> 00:18:00.559 at the resurrection of the righteous. 00:18:02.079 --> 00:18:03.720 This is a remarkable passage, 00:18:03.720 --> 00:18:05.059 which instructs 00:18:05.059 --> 00:18:07.539 who we should be showing hospitality to. 00:18:08.700 --> 00:18:10.680 In these days that Jesus is speaking, 00:18:11.440 --> 00:18:12.859 banquets were social affairs, 00:18:12.980 --> 00:18:14.379 but they were also business affairs, 00:18:14.759 --> 00:18:16.379 where networking would be done. 00:18:17.200 --> 00:18:19.259 It was that case where I'll scratch your back, 00:18:19.299 --> 00:18:20.839 and at some point you will scratch mine. 00:18:22.259 --> 00:18:24.160 We're told here to care for those, 00:18:24.920 --> 00:18:26.779 and quite literally invite them in, 00:18:27.660 --> 00:18:30.279 those who can't defend themselves, 00:18:30.920 --> 00:18:32.640 those who can't repay you the favor, 00:18:34.059 --> 00:18:36.220 those who are most likely to suffer injustice, 00:18:37.019 --> 00:18:38.619 and need that care and support. 00:18:38.619 --> 00:18:42.699 Finally, 00:18:42.799 --> 00:18:44.259 who are we to do justice to? 00:18:44.359 --> 00:18:44.500 Well, 00:18:44.519 --> 00:18:46.099 it's going to be different for each one of us. 00:18:47.759 --> 00:18:49.279 It depends where you are, 00:18:49.659 --> 00:18:50.739 what you do with your time. 00:18:51.659 --> 00:18:53.419 It depends where God has put you in life. 00:18:54.599 --> 00:18:56.839 It also depends on your gifts and your talents, 00:18:57.159 --> 00:18:57.779 what you're good at, 00:18:57.839 --> 00:18:58.959 your strengths and your weaknesses. 00:19:00.579 --> 00:19:01.119 But you know, 00:19:01.179 --> 00:19:02.359 there are some things we can do. 00:19:02.739 --> 00:19:04.279 We aren't to live in a bubble, 00:19:04.579 --> 00:19:05.519 a comfortable bubble. 00:19:05.519 --> 00:19:07.680 We need to get out there, 00:19:08.019 --> 00:19:09.359 be involved in people's lives. 00:19:11.160 --> 00:19:13.019 We also aren't just to give handouts, 00:19:13.319 --> 00:19:14.200 and hope for the best. 00:19:16.119 --> 00:19:19.319 Jesus was the prime example of getting involved in people's lives. 00:19:20.980 --> 00:19:21.460 You know, 00:19:21.519 --> 00:19:22.160 some examples, 00:19:22.400 --> 00:19:23.779 and I take them from my own life, 00:19:23.859 --> 00:19:25.879 because that's the only experience I have, 00:19:26.619 --> 00:19:28.180 is we spent some time in Tanzania, 00:19:28.180 --> 00:19:30.240 and we were at a leper colony. 00:19:30.840 --> 00:19:31.180 And you know, 00:19:31.220 --> 00:19:32.039 when you would arrive, 00:19:32.340 --> 00:19:33.880 they would quite literally crawl to you, 00:19:33.940 --> 00:19:35.080 because they would look, 00:19:35.180 --> 00:19:36.019 they didn't have their limbs, 00:19:36.100 --> 00:19:36.640 because of what, 00:19:37.100 --> 00:19:38.279 the leprosy that they had. 00:19:39.420 --> 00:19:39.660 And you know, 00:19:39.660 --> 00:19:41.480 these were people that the government had abandoned. 00:19:42.299 --> 00:19:45.240 Their family and friends couldn't help them. 00:19:45.680 --> 00:19:46.820 There was no one there for them. 00:19:48.320 --> 00:19:49.880 These were the most vulnerable people, 00:19:50.420 --> 00:19:51.380 in that society. 00:19:51.380 --> 00:19:53.540 You know, 00:19:53.580 --> 00:19:54.060 in the church, 00:19:54.140 --> 00:19:55.260 we run the basics back. 00:19:56.200 --> 00:19:56.420 And you know, 00:19:56.440 --> 00:19:57.940 that's for people who've 00:19:57.940 --> 00:19:59.880 ended up in a situation 00:19:59.880 --> 00:20:01.080 where they cannot help themselves, 00:20:01.600 --> 00:20:03.360 and they need help to get through the week, 00:20:03.600 --> 00:20:05.280 to feed themselves or their families. 00:20:07.540 --> 00:20:09.540 But it's also just in our day-to-day lives. 00:20:10.460 --> 00:20:10.700 You know, 00:20:10.740 --> 00:20:11.740 maybe we're an employer, 00:20:11.880 --> 00:20:14.440 maybe we have people underneath us at work. 00:20:15.140 --> 00:20:16.920 Do we show them favoritism? 00:20:17.400 --> 00:20:18.960 Do we discriminate between them? 00:20:18.960 --> 00:20:21.279 Maybe we're an employee. 00:20:21.740 --> 00:20:23.259 How do we act towards our colleagues? 00:20:23.960 --> 00:20:24.840 Do we have our favorites? 00:20:26.720 --> 00:20:28.059 Or maybe it's within our families, 00:20:28.799 --> 00:20:29.920 whether it's with our children, 00:20:31.539 --> 00:20:32.759 whether it's with our relatives. 00:20:34.559 --> 00:20:37.079 Do we show no partiality in our dealings with them? 00:20:41.279 --> 00:20:41.720 You know, 00:20:41.759 --> 00:20:42.740 I love doing street pastors. 00:20:43.259 --> 00:20:45.680 I love being able to go to where people are at, 00:20:46.180 --> 00:20:47.460 and engage in their lives. 00:20:49.360 --> 00:20:50.460 Like I said this morning, 00:20:50.559 --> 00:20:51.180 the chances are, 00:20:51.259 --> 00:20:52.500 if you're out in about at 2 a.m. 00:20:52.519 --> 00:20:53.340 on a Saturday night, 00:20:53.380 --> 00:20:54.340 going into Sunday morning, 00:20:54.460 --> 00:20:56.100 you're not going to turn up to church the next day. 00:20:56.920 --> 00:20:58.100 Certainly when I'm on patrol, 00:20:58.340 --> 00:21:00.380 I rarely make it up in time. 00:21:01.220 --> 00:21:03.420 But it's amazing to be able to go on the streets, 00:21:04.039 --> 00:21:05.880 and to share God's love with people, 00:21:06.240 --> 00:21:07.900 practically through just being there, 00:21:08.299 --> 00:21:08.880 if needed. 00:21:09.579 --> 00:21:10.539 Listening to people, 00:21:10.799 --> 00:21:11.600 caring for people, 00:21:12.100 --> 00:21:13.680 sometimes in their lowest place. 00:21:13.680 --> 00:21:16.220 You know, 00:21:16.259 --> 00:21:17.720 it's sometimes a shocking reminder 00:21:17.720 --> 00:21:19.220 of the vulnerability of people. 00:21:20.140 --> 00:21:21.600 Whether it's the homeless person 00:21:21.600 --> 00:21:23.060 who's sleeping in a shop doorway, 00:21:23.980 --> 00:21:24.860 open to the elements, 00:21:25.019 --> 00:21:25.740 open to other people, 00:21:25.900 --> 00:21:26.640 open to animals. 00:21:27.660 --> 00:21:28.740 Or maybe it's a teenager 00:21:28.740 --> 00:21:30.019 lost in a new city, 00:21:30.340 --> 00:21:31.019 lost her friends, 00:21:31.140 --> 00:21:31.680 lost her keys, 00:21:31.799 --> 00:21:32.320 lost her phone. 00:21:34.560 --> 00:21:34.980 And you know, 00:21:35.039 --> 00:21:36.519 street pastors might not be for you. 00:21:37.519 --> 00:21:37.960 You know, 00:21:38.019 --> 00:21:38.880 it's only an example, 00:21:39.120 --> 00:21:39.940 but the challenge 00:21:39.940 --> 00:21:41.860 I want to leave with you 00:21:41.860 --> 00:21:43.180 is how are you serving 00:21:43.180 --> 00:21:44.840 the most vulnerable in our society, 00:21:45.559 --> 00:21:46.380 protecting them, 00:21:46.519 --> 00:21:47.460 or caring for them, 00:21:48.180 --> 00:21:48.980 because of injustice? 00:21:50.799 --> 00:21:52.079 In your day-to-day life, 00:21:52.120 --> 00:21:53.180 are you treating people fairly? 00:21:54.100 --> 00:21:55.140 Not discriminating, 00:21:55.259 --> 00:21:56.240 not showing favoritism? 00:21:58.160 --> 00:21:59.539 As I talked about at the beginning, 00:21:59.740 --> 00:22:01.240 justice can have different meanings, 00:22:01.240 --> 00:22:04.160 and it elicits various thoughts 00:22:04.160 --> 00:22:04.759 in our heads. 00:22:06.220 --> 00:22:07.519 Hopefully this has encouraged you 00:22:07.519 --> 00:22:08.799 to seek out 00:22:08.799 --> 00:22:10.000 and learn more about justice 00:22:10.000 --> 00:22:10.539 in the Bible. 00:22:10.960 --> 00:22:12.139 We could do a sermon series 00:22:12.139 --> 00:22:13.480 on justice until Christmas 00:22:13.480 --> 00:22:15.259 and still not complete it. 00:22:16.559 --> 00:22:17.440 Once you start, 00:22:17.519 --> 00:22:18.379 you begin to see justice 00:22:18.379 --> 00:22:19.339 everywhere you look 00:22:19.339 --> 00:22:19.799 in the Bible. 00:22:22.160 --> 00:22:23.000 I've been reading 00:22:23.000 --> 00:22:23.920 Tim Keller's book, 00:22:23.960 --> 00:22:24.599 I haven't finished it, 00:22:24.619 --> 00:22:24.960 but it's called 00:22:24.960 --> 00:22:25.759 Generous Justice, 00:22:25.980 --> 00:22:26.839 and I would recommend it. 00:22:27.019 --> 00:22:27.539 It's really good. 00:22:29.379 --> 00:22:29.920 You know, 00:22:29.960 --> 00:22:31.000 most of all my prayer 00:22:31.000 --> 00:22:32.359 is that this has ignited 00:22:32.359 --> 00:22:33.799 a desire in your heart 00:22:33.799 --> 00:22:34.960 to do justice 00:22:34.960 --> 00:22:35.879 in love 00:22:35.879 --> 00:22:37.339 in your daily life 00:22:37.339 --> 00:22:38.379 as you walk with God. 00:22:41.659 --> 00:22:42.579 As we finished, 00:22:43.720 --> 00:22:44.720 I would just like to read 00:22:44.720 --> 00:22:46.259 James chapter 2 00:22:46.259 --> 00:22:48.159 just as we go. 00:22:49.839 --> 00:22:51.339 It's James chapter 2. 00:22:52.079 --> 00:22:53.439 I've got to read 1 to 13. 00:22:56.240 --> 00:22:57.799 James is just after Hebrews, 00:22:58.119 --> 00:23:00.459 just a few before Revelation. 00:23:00.460 --> 00:23:04.799 James chapter 2, 00:23:05.000 --> 00:23:05.460 verse 1. 00:23:05.460 --> 00:23:05.960 My brothers, 00:23:06.100 --> 00:23:06.460 show no partiality 00:23:07.200 --> 00:23:08.299 as you hold the faith 00:23:08.299 --> 00:23:09.640 in our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:23:09.799 --> 00:23:10.720 the Lord of glory. 00:23:11.980 --> 00:23:12.840 For if a man wearing 00:23:12.840 --> 00:23:13.460 a gold ring 00:23:13.460 --> 00:23:14.240 and fine clothing 00:23:14.240 --> 00:23:15.460 comes into your assembly, 00:23:15.960 --> 00:23:17.140 and a poor man 00:23:17.140 --> 00:23:17.960 in shabby clothing 00:23:17.960 --> 00:23:18.860 also comes in, 00:23:19.400 --> 00:23:20.480 and if you pay attention 00:23:20.480 --> 00:23:21.079 to the one 00:23:21.079 --> 00:23:22.380 who wears the fine clothing, 00:23:22.960 --> 00:23:23.380 and say, 00:23:23.440 --> 00:23:24.079 you sit here 00:23:24.079 --> 00:23:24.819 in a good place, 00:23:25.420 --> 00:23:26.579 or you say to the poor man, 00:23:26.640 --> 00:23:27.559 you stand over there, 00:23:27.559 --> 00:23:29.659 or sit down at my feet. 00:23:30.019 --> 00:23:31.039 Have you not made then 00:23:31.039 --> 00:23:32.500 distinctions among yourselves 00:23:32.500 --> 00:23:33.440 and become judges 00:23:33.440 --> 00:23:34.460 with evil thoughts? 00:23:35.480 --> 00:23:35.819 Listen, 00:23:35.940 --> 00:23:36.740 my beloved brothers, 00:23:37.240 --> 00:23:38.299 has not God chosen 00:23:38.299 --> 00:23:39.220 those who are poor 00:23:39.220 --> 00:23:39.740 in the world 00:23:39.740 --> 00:23:41.299 to be rich in faith 00:23:41.299 --> 00:23:42.319 and heirs of the kingdom, 00:23:43.000 --> 00:23:43.839 which he has promised 00:23:43.839 --> 00:23:45.039 to those who love him? 00:23:45.039 --> 00:23:47.940 But you have dishonored 00:23:47.940 --> 00:23:48.619 the poor man. 00:23:49.539 --> 00:23:50.460 Are not the rich ones 00:23:50.460 --> 00:23:53.299 who oppress you 00:23:53.299 --> 00:23:54.559 and the ones 00:23:54.559 --> 00:23:55.599 who drag you into court? 00:23:56.159 --> 00:23:56.980 Are they not the ones 00:23:56.980 --> 00:23:57.680 who blaspheme 00:23:57.680 --> 00:23:58.579 the honorable name 00:23:58.579 --> 00:23:59.599 by which you are called? 00:24:00.779 --> 00:24:02.279 If you really fulfill 00:24:02.279 --> 00:24:03.799 the royal law 00:24:03.799 --> 00:24:05.059 according to the scripture, 00:24:05.599 --> 00:24:06.680 you shall love your neighbor 00:24:06.680 --> 00:24:07.639 as yourself, 00:24:07.759 --> 00:24:08.500 you are doing well. 00:24:09.180 --> 00:24:10.879 But if you show partiality, 00:24:10.980 --> 00:24:11.980 you are committing sin 00:24:11.980 --> 00:24:12.839 and are convicted 00:24:12.839 --> 00:24:13.599 by the law 00:24:13.599 --> 00:24:15.379 as transgressors. 00:24:16.379 --> 00:24:17.299 For whoever keeps 00:24:17.299 --> 00:24:18.019 the whole law 00:24:18.019 --> 00:24:19.740 but fails in one point 00:24:19.740 --> 00:24:21.059 has become accountable 00:24:21.059 --> 00:24:21.959 for all of it. 00:24:22.720 --> 00:24:23.519 For he who said 00:24:23.519 --> 00:24:24.579 do not commit adultery 00:24:24.579 --> 00:24:25.220 also said 00:24:25.220 --> 00:24:25.799 do not murder. 00:24:26.879 --> 00:24:28.500 If you do not commit adultery 00:24:28.500 --> 00:24:29.220 but do murder, 00:24:29.319 --> 00:24:29.939 you have become 00:24:29.939 --> 00:24:31.259 a transgressor of the law. 00:24:32.119 --> 00:24:33.339 So speak and so act 00:24:33.339 --> 00:24:34.599 as those who are to be judged 00:24:34.599 --> 00:24:35.819 under the law of liberty. 00:24:36.519 --> 00:24:37.119 For judgment 00:24:37.119 --> 00:24:38.299 is without mercy 00:24:38.299 --> 00:24:39.699 to one who has shown 00:24:39.699 --> 00:24:40.259 no mercy. 00:24:40.259 --> 00:24:41.980 mercy triumphs 00:24:41.980 --> 00:24:42.779 over judgment. 00:24:44.339 --> 00:24:45.180 Thanks for listening.