Answering God's Call: The Fight Against Modern Slavery

 

Summary

In a stirring sermon, the speaker delves into the pervasive issue of modern-day slavery and the Christian responsibility to combat it. The sermon begins with a personal story of the speaker's childhood, where his Uncle Chuck invited him to a construction site. This experience is used as a metaphor for God's invitation to join in His work, emphasizing the joy and love in being called to participate in meaningful tasks. The speaker draws parallels between this personal invitation and the broader call for Christians to engage in justice work, particularly in the fight against slavery.

The speaker references Isaiah 1:17, which calls for action to do good, seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, and plead for the widow. This biblical mandate sets the tone for the sermon's focus on social justice and the active role that believers are encouraged to take. The speaker, Gary Haugen, shares the story of Godson, a young boy in Ghana who was sold into slavery on Lake Volta, to illustrate the harsh realities of modern-day slavery. He emphasizes that slavery is not a thing of the past but a present-day atrocity that affects more than 50 million people worldwide.

Haugen highlights the historical successes of the Christian abolition movement, led by figures like William Wilberforce and Frederick Douglass, who rallied the church to end slavery in their time. He draws inspiration from this movement, suggesting that today's Christians have the same opportunity to make a significant impact. The speaker points out that slavery is now illegal everywhere, and with the right combination of law enforcement and survivor services, its rates can be drastically reduced.

The sermon concludes with a call to action, urging the congregation to take up the mantle of responsibility that God has placed upon them. The speaker shares the success story of the International Justice Mission's (IJM) work in South Asia, where they achieved an 82% reduction in slavery over eight years. This example serves as a beacon of hope and a testament to what can be accomplished when people of faith mobilize against injustice. The speaker encourages the congregation to partner with IJM and other organizations to end slavery, particularly in Ghana, and to make the belief in God's goodness believable through acts of compassion and justice.

Key Takeaways:

- The Christian call to justice is not merely a suggestion but a divine invitation to participate in God's transformative work in the world. Just as Uncle Chuck invited his nephew to experience the reality of his work, God invites us to engage with the struggles and triumphs of bringing about justice, particularly in the fight against modern-day slavery. [38:05]

- Historical Christian abolitionists serve as a powerful example of how faith can mobilize a generation to confront and dismantle systemic evils. The speaker reminds us that the fight against slavery was once thought impossible, yet it was the relentless efforts of believers that led to its legal abolition. This legacy challenges contemporary Christians to rise to the occasion and address the injustices of our time. [30:47]

- The prevalence of slavery today, with over 50 million people enslaved, is a stark reminder that the work of justice is far from complete. The speaker emphasizes that slavery is not a relic of the past but a present-day crisis that requires urgent action and the commitment of the global church. [19:53]

- The "Dignity of responsibility" is a concept that underscores the honor and significance of being entrusted by God with the task of doing His work on earth. The speaker encourages believers to embrace this responsibility, recognizing that God has chosen to work through His people to accomplish His purposes, including the pursuit of justice and the liberation of the oppressed. [15:52]

- The success of IJM's anti-slavery efforts in South Asia demonstrates the potential for significant progress when resources, law enforcement, and survivor services are aligned. This example serves as an inspiration and a model for how Christians today can effectively contribute to the eradication of slavery, particularly through strategic partnerships and collective action. [28:09]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Isaiah 1:17 (NIV): "Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow."

#### Observation Questions
1. What specific actions does Isaiah 1:17 call believers to take in their pursuit of justice?
2. How did the speaker use his childhood experience with Uncle Chuck to illustrate the concept of the "dignity of responsibility"? [15:52]
3. What historical examples did the speaker provide to show the impact of Christian abolitionists in the fight against slavery? [30:47]
4. What were the key factors that led to an 82% reduction in slavery in South Asia, according to the speaker? [28:09]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the call to "seek justice" in Isaiah 1:17 relate to the modern-day fight against slavery as described in the sermon?
2. What does the speaker mean by the "dignity of responsibility," and how does this concept apply to Christians today? [15:52]
3. Why does the speaker believe that this generation has a unique opportunity to end slavery, and what factors contribute to this belief? [26:08]
4. How can the historical successes of Christian abolitionists inspire contemporary Christians to engage in justice work today? [30:47]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on Isaiah 1:17. What specific actions can you take this week to "seek justice" and "defend the oppressed" in your community?
2. The speaker shared a personal story about his Uncle Chuck to illustrate the joy and significance of being given responsibility. Can you recall a time when you were given a meaningful responsibility? How did it impact you? [15:52]
3. Considering the speaker's emphasis on the prevalence of modern-day slavery, what steps can you take to raise awareness about this issue among your friends and family? [19:53]
4. The speaker mentioned the success of IJM's anti-slavery efforts in South Asia. How can you support organizations like IJM in their mission to combat slavery? [28:09]
5. The sermon highlighted the importance of historical Christian abolitionists. How can you draw inspiration from their legacy to address injustices in your own life and community? [30:47]
6. The speaker encouraged the congregation to partner with IJM and other organizations. What practical steps can you take to get involved in justice work, either locally or globally? [38:05]
7. Reflect on the concept of the "dignity of responsibility." How can you embrace this responsibility in your daily life to make a positive impact on those around you? [15:52]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing God's Transformative Invitation
God invites each believer to join in the transformative work of justice, particularly in the fight against modern-day slavery. This divine invitation is a call to step into the reality of God's mission, to engage with the struggles and triumphs of bringing about justice in the world. It is an opportunity to experience the joy and love that comes from participating in meaningful tasks that reflect God's heart for the oppressed. [38:05]

Micah 6:8 - "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
Reflection: How can you respond to God's invitation to fight injustice in your community today?

Day 2: Learning from the Legacy of Faithful Abolitionists
The historical Christian abolition movement serves as a testament to the power of faith in mobilizing a generation against systemic evils. Believers of the past, like William Wilberforce and Frederick Douglass, demonstrated that what seems impossible can be achieved through relentless faith and action. This legacy is a challenge for contemporary Christians to rise and address the injustices of our time with the same fervor and commitment. [30:47]

Hebrews 11:33-34 - "Who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies."
Reflection: What historical figure's faith-driven actions inspire you, and how can you emulate their commitment to justice in your own life?

Day 3: Acknowledging the Present Crisis of Slavery
The staggering number of over 50 million people enslaved today is a call to recognize that slavery is not a historical issue but an ongoing crisis. This reality demands urgent action and the commitment of the global church. As believers, acknowledging this truth is the first step towards joining the fight to liberate the oppressed and to bring God's justice to the forefront of societal issues. [19:53]

Proverbs 31:8-9 - "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."
Reflection: How can you raise awareness about modern-day slavery in your circles of influence?

Day 4: Honoring the Dignity of Responsibility
Being entrusted by God with the task of doing His work on earth is an honor that carries great significance. This "Dignity of responsibility" is a concept that underscores the privilege of being chosen to work through His people to accomplish His purposes. Embracing this responsibility means recognizing the role each believer has in the pursuit of justice and the liberation of the oppressed. [15:52]

1 Peter 4:10 - "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms."
Reflection: What gifts has God given you that you can use to serve others and promote justice?

Day 5: Celebrating the Power of Collective Action
The success of anti-slavery efforts, such as those by the International Justice Mission in South Asia, demonstrates the potential for significant progress when resources, law enforcement, and survivor services are aligned. This example serves as an inspiration and a model for how strategic partnerships and collective action can effectively contribute to the eradication of slavery. It is a call for Christians to partner in this mission and to make a tangible difference in the world. [28:09]

Ephesians 4:16 - "From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."
Reflection: What is one step you can take to support or partner with an organization fighting against slavery?

Quotes

"There are all kinds of opportunities to take on the Dignity of responsibility for something that is passionate in God's heart in which he invites us into the work." [36:14]

"God may be inviting you and me to be part of this Justice generation who take responsibility for going to work with him in the world to finally end slavery so boys like Godson and others don't have to continue to wait for Hope." [38:05]

"There are actually more people in slavery today than in any other time in human history." [19:53]

"God has decided in his Sovereign will to place in our hands responsibility for accomplishing the things that he is passionate about." [17:18]

"After eight years of working with the authorities, the outside auditors just reported the impact this past summer, and they reported that slavery had been reduced by 82% over this 8-year period of time. This means 380,000 people who were previously held as slaves are now free." [28:09]

"In Ghana where Godson had suffered so much on Lake Volta, the government authorities and local church leaders have actually asked IJM to come in and carry out a program that will end for good forever this practice of slavery on the lake." [28:47]

"Will this be the generation that finally makes this kind of Freedom available to everybody? Is that actually possible? Could God be giving us the Dignity of that responsibility?" [30:47]

"A passionate generation of Christ followers were invited by God into the Dignity of responsibility, and they launched the first mass movement of Christian abolition." [31:25]

"God gave common everyday church-going Christians the Dignity of responsibility, and by the millions, they took up their prophetic work." [31:57]

"History is totally amazing; the end of slavery seemed to have come, and the church by the millions went back to sleep because slavery did not, in fact, end everywhere as we now know. Slavery evaded extinction by adaptation; it took on forms that the old laws did not address, and it amassed in places where the laws were not enforced. And then human population exploded in the 20th century, and we find ourselves where we are now with more people in slavery than ever but also with the capacity to know what will end it." [33:09]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?