Embracing Justice: The Call to Serve Together
Summary
### Summary
Today, we concluded our vision series by focusing on what it means to be the church in Kansas City. We began by addressing the decline in volunteerism both in the broader American context and within our church circles. Many people avoid volunteering due to beliefs in personal responsibility, passivity, and the overwhelming pace of life. However, Jesus' teachings make it clear that serving those on the margins is a gospel mandate. We explored Matthew 21:12-17, where Jesus drives out the money changers from the temple, demonstrating a passionate commitment to justice and inclusion.
We discussed the Hebrew concept of "tzaka," which means both righteousness and justice, emphasizing that personal devotion to God cannot be separated from acts of social justice. Jesus' actions in the temple were not just about cleansing a physical space but about breaking down systems of exclusion and segregation. He welcomed the blind and the lame, who had been marginalized for centuries, into the temple, healing them and restoring their dignity.
We also examined the importance of relationship in enacting justice. Jesus didn't just serve the marginalized; He built relationships with them, eating and living among them. This relational approach to justice is crucial for us as a church. We are called not just to serve but to integrate those we serve into our lives, making them part of our family. This requires commitment, communication, and a willingness to embrace awkwardness and discomfort.
Finally, we introduced a new model for serving our community, encouraging everyone to make realistic commitments to volunteer regularly with local non-profits. This approach aims to foster deeper relationships and more consistent service, aligning our actions with Jesus' teachings on justice and righteousness.
### Key Takeaways
1. Decline in Volunteerism and Its Implications: The decline in volunteerism reflects a broader societal trend that has infiltrated the church. Many avoid serving due to beliefs in personal responsibility, passivity, and the overwhelming pace of life. However, Jesus' teachings make it clear that serving those on the margins is a gospel mandate. Ignoring this call is not an option for true followers of Christ. [01:29]
2. Righteousness and Justice Are Inseparable: The Hebrew word "tzaka" means both righteousness and justice, indicating that personal devotion to God cannot be separated from acts of social justice. Jesus' actions in the temple were a demonstration of this principle, as He broke down systems of exclusion and welcomed the marginalized. Our faith must be expressed through both private devotion and public acts of justice. [09:41]
3. Jesus' Holy Tantrum: Jesus' actions in the temple were not just a display of anger but a holy tantrum aimed at correcting systemic injustices. He targeted those who should have known better and used their privilege for personal gain. This teaches us that true justice involves confronting and dismantling systems that marginalize people. [14:33]
4. The Importance of Relationship in Justice: Jesus didn't just serve the marginalized; He built relationships with them. This relational approach to justice is crucial for us as a church. We are called not just to serve but to integrate those we serve into our lives, making them part of our family. This requires commitment, communication, and a willingness to embrace awkwardness and discomfort. [23:04]
5. A New Model for Serving: We introduced a new model for serving our community, encouraging everyone to make realistic commitments to volunteer regularly with local non-profits. This approach aims to foster deeper relationships and more consistent service, aligning our actions with Jesus' teachings on justice and righteousness. This is not just about checking a box but about creating a new kind of family that crosses social and economic divides. [26:30]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:29] - Decline in Volunteerism
[03:02] - Personal Responsibility and Passivity
[04:34] - Pace of Life and Volunteering
[06:24] - Introduction to Matthew 21
[07:54] - Jesus' Actions in the Temple
[09:41] - Righteousness and Justice
[11:15] - Jesus' Teachings on Caring for the Poor
[12:53] - Relationship with the Marginalized
[14:33] - Jesus' Holy Tantrum
[16:12] - Segregation in the Temple
[17:56] - New Era of Belonging
[19:42] - Story of King David
[23:04] - Importance of Relationship
[24:48] - Vision for Serving Kansas City
[26:30] - New Model for Serving
[28:07] - Practical Advice for Volunteering
[29:52] - Creating a New Kind of Family
[31:20] - Story of Will
[33:16] - Invitation to the Holy Spirit
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 21:12-17 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple
#### Observation Questions
1. What actions did Jesus take when He entered the temple in Matthew 21:12-17?
2. According to the sermon, what are the three main reasons people avoid volunteering? ([03:02])
3. What does the Hebrew word "tzaka" mean, and how does it relate to both righteousness and justice? ([09:41])
4. How did Jesus demonstrate His commitment to justice and inclusion in the temple? ([07:54])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is the decline in volunteerism within the church a significant issue according to the sermon? ([01:29])
2. How does Jesus' "holy tantrum" in the temple challenge our understanding of righteous anger and justice? ([14:33])
3. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between personal devotion to God and acts of social justice? ([09:41])
4. How does Jesus' relational approach to justice, as described in the sermon, differ from merely serving the marginalized? ([23:04])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life. Have you ever avoided volunteering due to personal responsibility, passivity, or the overwhelming pace of life? How can you address these barriers? ([03:02])
2. Jesus' actions in the temple were a direct confrontation of systemic injustices. Are there any systems or practices in your community that you feel need to be challenged? How can you take action? ([14:33])
3. The sermon emphasizes the inseparability of righteousness and justice. How can you integrate acts of social justice into your personal devotion to God? ([09:41])
4. Building relationships with those we serve can be awkward and uncomfortable. Can you think of a time when you embraced discomfort to build a meaningful relationship? How did it impact you? ([23:04])
5. The new model for serving encourages regular commitments to local non-profits. What realistic commitment can you make to serve your community consistently? ([26:30])
6. Jesus welcomed the marginalized into His life and healed them. How can you make space in your life to welcome and build relationships with those who are often excluded? ([23:04])
7. The sermon calls for creating a new kind of family that crosses social and economic divides. What steps can you take to foster such a community within your church or neighborhood? ([29:52])
Devotional
Day 1: The Gospel Mandate to Serve
The decline in volunteerism reflects a broader societal trend that has infiltrated the church. Many avoid serving due to beliefs in personal responsibility, passivity, and the overwhelming pace of life. However, Jesus' teachings make it clear that serving those on the margins is a gospel mandate. Ignoring this call is not an option for true followers of Christ. Jesus emphasized the importance of serving others, especially those who are marginalized and in need. This is not just a suggestion but a command that is integral to living out the gospel.
In Matthew 21:12-17, Jesus drives out the money changers from the temple, demonstrating a passionate commitment to justice and inclusion. He shows that true worship of God involves caring for the marginalized and ensuring that everyone has access to God's presence. This act of cleansing the temple was a powerful statement against the systems of exclusion and exploitation that had taken root in the religious establishment. As followers of Christ, we are called to challenge these systems and actively work towards justice and inclusion in our communities. [01:29]
Isaiah 1:17 (ESV): "Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause."
Reflection: Think of a marginalized group or individual in your community. How can you take a concrete step this week to serve and support them in a way that aligns with Jesus' teachings?
Day 2: Righteousness and Justice Are Inseparable
The Hebrew word "tzaka" means both righteousness and justice, indicating that personal devotion to God cannot be separated from acts of social justice. Jesus' actions in the temple were a demonstration of this principle, as He broke down systems of exclusion and welcomed the marginalized. Our faith must be expressed through both private devotion and public acts of justice. This dual commitment to righteousness and justice is essential for living out the gospel authentically.
Jesus' actions in the temple were not just about cleansing a physical space but about breaking down systems of exclusion and segregation. He welcomed the blind and the lame, who had been marginalized for centuries, into the temple, healing them and restoring their dignity. This act of inclusion and healing was a powerful demonstration of the inseparability of righteousness and justice. As followers of Christ, we are called to embody this same commitment to both personal devotion and social justice in our lives. [09:41]
Micah 6:8 (ESV): "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
Reflection: Reflect on your daily routines and spiritual practices. How can you integrate acts of justice and service into your personal devotion to God?
Day 3: Confronting Systemic Injustices
Jesus' actions in the temple were not just a display of anger but a holy tantrum aimed at correcting systemic injustices. He targeted those who should have known better and used their privilege for personal gain. This teaches us that true justice involves confronting and dismantling systems that marginalize people. Jesus' passionate response to injustice serves as a model for us to follow in addressing the systemic issues in our own communities.
In Matthew 21:12-17, Jesus' actions were a direct challenge to the religious leaders who had allowed the temple to become a place of exploitation rather than worship. By driving out the money changers, Jesus was making a bold statement against the corruption and greed that had taken root in the religious establishment. This act of righteous anger was a call to action for all who seek to follow Him. As His followers, we are called to confront and dismantle the systems of injustice in our own communities, even when it is uncomfortable or challenging. [14:33]
Amos 5:24 (ESV): "But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream."
Reflection: Identify a systemic injustice in your community. What steps can you take to actively confront and work towards dismantling this injustice?
Day 4: Building Relationships with the Marginalized
Jesus didn't just serve the marginalized; He built relationships with them. This relational approach to justice is crucial for us as a church. We are called not just to serve but to integrate those we serve into our lives, making them part of our family. This requires commitment, communication, and a willingness to embrace awkwardness and discomfort. Building genuine relationships with those on the margins is essential for enacting true justice and living out the gospel.
Jesus' ministry was characterized by His deep relationships with those who were marginalized and excluded by society. He ate with tax collectors and sinners, touched lepers, and welcomed children. This relational approach to justice was a radical departure from the norms of His time and serves as a powerful example for us today. As followers of Christ, we are called to build genuine relationships with those we serve, integrating them into our lives and communities. This requires a willingness to step out of our comfort zones and embrace the messiness of real relationships. [23:04]
Luke 14:13-14 (ESV): "But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who is marginalized or excluded. How can you take a step this week to build a genuine relationship with them, integrating them into your life and community?
Day 5: A New Model for Serving
We introduced a new model for serving our community, encouraging everyone to make realistic commitments to volunteer regularly with local non-profits. This approach aims to foster deeper relationships and more consistent service, aligning our actions with Jesus' teachings on justice and righteousness. This is not just about checking a box but about creating a new kind of family that crosses social and economic divides. By committing to regular and consistent service, we can build deeper relationships and make a more significant impact in our communities.
This new model for serving emphasizes the importance of realistic and sustainable commitments to volunteering. Rather than sporadic or one-time acts of service, we are encouraged to build long-term relationships with local non-profits and the people they serve. This approach aligns with Jesus' teachings on justice and righteousness, as it fosters deeper connections and more consistent support for those in need. By creating a new kind of family that crosses social and economic divides, we can live out the gospel in a powerful and transformative way. [26:30]
Hebrews 13:16 (ESV): "Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."
Reflection: Consider your current commitments and schedule. How can you make a realistic and sustainable commitment to volunteer regularly with a local non-profit, fostering deeper relationships and consistent service?
Quotes
1. "Many of us have adopted a philosophy that says certain people or ministries are called to serve the poor, vulnerable, and struggling as a way of shifting our responsibility onto other people. And there are a few reasons why both Christians and non-Christians alike do this. Number one, personal responsibility. There are many who do not serve because of their belief in personal responsibility. They believe that they have worked hard for what they have, and that others should too." [01:29] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When we believe personal responsibility is the only thing that matters, we can quickly dismiss those who struggle as undisciplined or lazy. And this is not the heart of Jesus as we will see today. The second reason why people do not volunteer is passivity. Many of us have grown up with certain privileges in life that have either kept us from understanding the plight of poverty or have kept us at arm's length from those in need." [03:02] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Relationship with and service to those on the margins is a gospel mandate. And Jesus demonstrates what this looks like when we read Matthew chapter 1 starting in verse 12. So if you would turn there in your Bible or if you want to follow along on our gathering guide today, just hit today's liturgy, scroll down, and you'll see the sermon notes." [04:34] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Modern Christianity has a tendency to divorce or separate personal righteousness or devotion to God from acts of outward justice. But interestingly enough, the biblical text does not do this. In the Hebrew, the word for personal righteousness is tzaka. Any guesses on what it is for justice? Tzaka. They're the same. This means that when we read the scriptures, the term justice and the term righteousness are interchangeable." [09:41] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "This means prayer can be a radical act of justice as we talk to God about what we are working on together. This means fasting can be a powerful act of solidarity as we experience the pain of food insecurity and hungry. This means that almsgiving, service to the hurting, can be an act of devotion and righteousness. That in serving, we declare our love for God and praise to him." [11:15] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Relationship with and service to those on the margins is not an optional expression of Christianity, but an inseparable part of what it means to follow Jesus. I think American journalist and social activist Dorothy Day sums this up well. When asked, how do you live the gospel? She responded by saying, stay close to the poor." [12:53] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "You cannot divorce private forms of righteousness from outward social justice. You cannot devote yourself to Jesus through prayer and fasting and also disregard those on the margins. You cannot live the gospel and ignore the poor. And this is what Jesus demonstrates time and time again. And in our story today, he calls out the injustice that had invaded the temple and he enacts justice in two ways." [14:33] (32 seconds)
8. "For the first time in thousands of years, Jesus welcomes the blind and the lame into the temple, into his house. And he doesn't just send out invitations. He heals them. He meets them where they're at. He draws close. He gets intimate. He dignifies them by saying, you are now a part of the house of God and the family of God. Welcome." [23:04] (26 seconds)
9. "Here is my vision for you, church, that through serving the city, you would discover that you are not alone. You are not alone. You are not alone. You are not alone. That you have love over family. That you would enter into rich and deep relationships with those that look different from you. That you would have dinner with individuals across social class lines with those that live across town." [24:48] (26 seconds)
10. "Kansas City does not need a church with all the right political persuasions, posts, and stances. Kansas City needs a new kind of family. A community where friendships don't make sense. A community that ignores the rules of the world. A community that ignores the first unspoken codes of conduct. And a community that crosses invisible dividing lines." [29:52] (18 seconds)
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