Justice

Sermon Notes - January 16, 2022
The Worlds We Create: Justice - Jon Furman

John 14:27-28a (NLT)
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again…”

John 16:33 (NLT)
“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

A human society can agree on the wrong thing, establish the wrong thing, and protect the wrong thing, all in the name of “justice”.

Deuteronomy 32:4 (ESV)
“(He is) the Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.”

Believers look to God for the definition of our words, we allow those words to form our thoughts and feelings, and we speak them into actions of obedience to him.

Romans 13:1&5-6a (NLT)
Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God... So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience. Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons, For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do.

Acts 10:34-35 (NLT)
Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right.

Psalm 146:9 (NLT)
The Lord protects the foreigners among us. He cares for the orphans and widows, but he frustrates the plans of the wicked.

Psalm 89:14 (NASB)
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Mercy and truth go before You.

Biblical Justice is Retributive: We face the consequences of our actions.
Biblical Justice is Restorative: We work for restoration by making repairs.

Biblical Justice:
Biblical justice is the work of making individuals, communities, and our world whole, by supporting goodness and impartiality in efforts that reflect God’s original intention for all of creation to flourish.

Internalize God’s Definitions
Verbalize God’s Definitions

Proverbs 31:8-9 (NLT)
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.

Actualize God’s Definitions

James 1:22 (NLT)
But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.