READ | SERMON NOTES
Summary l Justice is not an optional add-on to evangelism. It is part of the Gospel. It is one of the most powerful ways the church can bear witness to Jesus in the world today. In Timothy Keller’s book Generous Justice, he shared, “If a person has grasped the meaning of God’s grace in his heart, he will do justice.” How do we do biblical justice today?
- Blessing (James 2:15-17)
Justice is meeting Tangible Needs with Generous Love. Warren Wiersbe in his book Be Mature Growing Up In Christ shared, “Faith in Christ brings life, and where there is life there must be growth and fruit… Dead faith is not saving faith. Dead faith is counterfeit faith and lulls the person into a false confidence of eternal life.” Justice is not about feelings, intention or intellectual experience, it is about actions and meeting real needs. It is not enough to feel sorry; we must act upon it as Paul encouraged in Galatians 6:10. True righteousness shows itself in practical acts of love. Jesus said in Matthew 25:36-40, when we bless others, we are blessing Jesus Himself. Tim Keller wrote, “Doing justice includes not only the righting of wrongs, but generosity and social concern, especially toward the poor and vulnerable.” There are three levels of doing justice:
i) Relief – immediate aid
ii) Development – long term empowerment
iii) Social Reform – addressing systemic injustice
We look at people, not as projects but, as persons created in God’s image. We act in love, not because we have to but, because the love of Christ compels us. Justice is a form of blessing, especially for those forgotten or marginalised. In blessing others, we bear witness to God who has blessed us. Through blessing, we build trust, credibility and people see the gospel. - Belonging (Luke 10:25-37)
Justice is Creating Inclusive Community, where compassion crosses all boundaries because everyone is made in God’s image. Tim Keller asked, “What if your only hope was to get free grace from someone who owed you the opposite?” In the recent news where migrant workers saved children from the fire in River Valley, the men showed biblical justice and true compassion. They rendered help that was needed. Justice creates a community where no one is excluded because of race, class, background or stigma. It tears down division and builds a new belonging base on mercy, not status. True biblical justice means moving towards the hurting, to welcome the marginalised, to include the outsider, creating space where everyone experience dignity, care and connection. Biblical justice actively works to heal, restore and reunite broken communities. Justice is costly. It involves compassion and sacrifice. Justice means building bridges within the Community:
• Across races – Jesus praised Gentiles and challenged Jewish superiority [Luke 4:25-27]
• Across genders – He honoured women and broke social norms [John 4:27]
• Across generations – He welcomed children and honoured the elderly [Luke 18:15]
It is about giving our time, our heart, our attention and our friendship, even if it means interruption of our plans. Christine Caine (founder of A21) said, “Compassion is only an emotion, until your cross the street and act upon it.” - Believing (Acts 2:42-47)
Justice Points to the Gospel That Transforms. In the Acts 2 Church, people liquidated their assets because the Spirit of God changed their hearts. From blessing those who are in need, many felt belong in this inclusive Christian community. Biblical justice is not just helping them; it is also welcoming them to be part of the community. Thousands came to the faith because there was something different about this community. Radical generosity did not replace the Gospel; it opened doors. When people see a just and generous community, they believe Jesus is alive! The early church did not just preach the Gospel, they embodied it. The community of believers became the Good News. This is our call too – To be a witnessing community where people can see Jesus, not in what we say but, in how we love, share and care for one another. Jesus’ love re-oriented the people’s view of possessions, community and mission. Justice is Gospel driven. When we bless and build belonging, we earn the right to be heard and boldly tell the story of Jesus. Jesus did not just cross racial barriers; He came from Heaven to rescue the broken. He gave His own life for His enemies. He did not bind our wounds but took it on Himself. The ultimate good Samaritan died, and He rose again to bring justice and mercy to gather at the Cross. Doing justice is too complex and too hard? Jesus did not save us from a quick prayer from afar. He stepped into our brokenness, He walked down our road, and He paid the cost of our healing with His own life. Tim Keller said, “Only if you see that you have been saved graciously by someone who owes you the opposite will you go out into the world looking to help absolutely anyone in need.” Justice and evangelism are not enemies, they are inseparable. Our deeds give credibility to our words, and our generosity makes people open to our message.
Blessing opens hearts. Belonging invites relationship. Believing leads to salvation. Let us inspire to do justice.
(Sermon notes by Honey Vreugdewater)
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- Study Scripture
Read these passages.
• James 2:15-17
• Luke 10:25-37
• Acts 2:44-47
Discussion Questions:
a. What does James say about faith without action?
b. How does the parable of the Good Samaritan redefine who our “neighbour” is? - Recall Sermon
Briefly recap the key points from the sermon:
• BLESSING: Justice begins with meeting tangible needs in love.
• BELONGING: Justice builds inclusive, bridge-building communities.
• BELIEVING: Justice, done in the Spirit, opens hearts to the gospel.
Discussion Questions:
a. What illustration or story from the sermon impacted you the most? Why?
b. What challenged or surprised you about the idea of doing justice? - Relate Personally
a. Can you recall a time when someone met your tangible need in a way that made you feel seen or loved?
b. What social, racial, or economic boundaries are hardest for you to cross personally?
c. Where have you seen generous justice lead to someone coming to know or experience God’s love? - Commit to Action
a. Who around you is in need of tangible help this week? What small act of generosity can you do?
b. Is there someone God is inviting you to move toward in compassion to build belonging?
c. How can your life and small group create space for others to encounter the transforming gospel through community?
