Grace Community Church
Big Idea: God calls His people to be a voice for the voiceless and to come to the defense of those who cannot defend themselves.
Proverbs 31:8-9 (NLT)
8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves;
ensure justice for those being crushed.
9 Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless,
and see that they get justice.
Exodus 22:21-27 (NLT)
21 “You must not mistreat or oppress foreigners in any way. Remember, you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt. 22 “You must not exploit a widow or an orphan. 23 If you exploit them in any way and they cry out to me, then I will certainly hear their cry. 24 My anger will blaze against you, and I will kill you with the sword. Then your wives will be widows and your children fatherless. 25 “If you lend money to any of my people who are in need, do not charge interest as a money lender would. 26 If you take your neighbor’s cloak as security for a loan, you must return it before sunset. 27 This coat may be the only blanket your neighbor has. How can a person sleep without it? If you do not return it and your neighbor cries out to me for help, then I will hear, for I am merciful.
Zechariah 7:10 (NLT)
Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor. And do not scheme against each other.
Leviticus 19:32-34 (NLT)
32 “Stand up in the presence of the elderly, and show respect for the aged. Fear your God. I am the Lord. 33 “Do not take advantage of foreigners who live among you in your land. 34 Treat them like native-born Israelites, and love them as you love yourself. Remember that you were once foreigners living in the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.
Micah 6:8 (NLT)
No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good,
and this is what he requires of you:
to do what is right, to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God.
Matthew 25:45 (NLT)
“And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’
James 2:15-16 (NLT)
15 Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, 16 and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?
Isaiah 1:17 (NLT)
Learn to do good.
Seek justice.
Help the oppressed.
Defend the cause of orphans.
Fight for the rights of widows.
Scripture teaches us to be people of compassion, mercy and justice, and there is a big difference with each one.
Compassion literally means "to suffer with." It is to be moved by the sufferings of another.
Mercy is different. It is something we show when we have some sort of power, influence or control that someone else does not have.
Justice is taking it a step further. Justice is to help stop or prevent the suffering from happening in the first place.
For My Personal Time With God This Week:
[#1] Read the following passages in the Bible: Proverbs 31:8-9, Psalm 82:1-5, Leviticus 19:32-34, Exodus 22:21-27, Matthew 25:31-46, James 2:15-16. Don’t rush, but spend some time with them, while praying and asking God what He is asking of you. What burdens has God placed on your heart? Which people, or groups of people, is God asking you to defend or be a voice for?
[#2] Grace is part of a faith tradition known as the Evangelical Covenant Church. Take a look at some of the articles written and resources provided by them at covchurch.org/justice/immigration and consider their viewpoints from Scripture. Do they challenge or affirm some of your own views? What does God want your perspective — and response — to be to the largest refugee crisis the world has ever known?
[#3] Take some time to research and understand the differences in the words compassion, mercy and justice, as Pastor Dave talked about in his message. Which of these do you struggle living into the most? Why?