Justice
Audio Recording
Sermon Outline
Speaker: Rev. Tim Chang
Sermon Series: Proverbs
Proverbs 21:3; 28:5; 14:31; 21:13; 14:20-21 (ESV)
21:3 To do righteousness and justice
is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
28:5 Evil men do not understand justice,
but those who seek the Lord understand it completely.
14:31 Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker,
but he who is generous to the needy honors him.
2:13 Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor
will himself call out and not be answered.
14:20 The poor is disliked even by his neighbor,
but the rich has many friends.
21 Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner,
but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.
Sermon Outline
1. The centrality of justice
Proverbs 21:3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
Proverbs 28:5 Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand it completely.
2. The reality of injustice
Proverbs 14:31 Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him
Proverbs 21:13 Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered.
Proverbs 14:20 The poor is disliked even by his neighbor, but the rich has many friends.
Proverbs 14:21 Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.
3. The God of justice
Proverbs 14:21 Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner
Proverbs 14:31 Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker
Proverbs 21:13 Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered.
Prayer of Confession
Our Heavenly Father, you are the God of justice. You always do what is right and good. But we confess that we fail to do righteousness and justice. We fail to love our neighbors. We close our ears to the cry of the poor. We favor those who bring us benefit. We choose to protect our own advantage. Forgive us. We deserve your just judgment, not your mercy. But in your kindness, you sent Jesus, who disadvantaged himself for our good. Jesus received the judgment we deserved and gave us the mercy we did not deserve. May this gift of the gospel change our hearts and lives, that we would do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with you, our God. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
What connected with you from the sermon or the passage?
What are some ways Christians today can be faithful in reading the Bible, prayer, and going to church, but still neglect righteousness and justice in everyday life?
Reflect on Proverbs 28:5. What connection does this verse make between seeking the Lord and understanding justice? Why do the two belong together?
Consider the idea that the wicked “advantage themselves by disadvantaging others.” Where do you see this dynamic in your life?
Reflect on Proverbs 21:13. What’s the difference between actively harming someone and passively ignoring someone’s suffering? Why do you think the Bible takes both seriously?
How does Jesus reverse the patterns of injustice in these passages?
How does the cross of Christ demonstrate both God’s justice and his mercy?
How does the mercy of Jesus compel us to pursue justice?
What do you sense God calling you to do from this passage?