Faith in Action: Serving the Poor and Discerning Good

 

Summary

In a thought-provoking discourse, the central theme revolves around the deceptive tactics of Satan, particularly his penchant for discrediting what is inherently good. The discussion begins with a stark reminder that there is no other name under Heaven by which one must be saved than Jesus Christ, and living for Jesus necessitates caring for those in need. This is a foundational Christian belief, emphasizing the importance of both faith in Christ and the practical outworking of that faith through acts of compassion and service.

The discourse draws on the wisdom of influential Christian thinkers like C.S. Lewis and Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who both underscored the ease with which humans can descend into evil, especially when power becomes an object of worship. Bonhoeffer specifically pointed out that the church only truly exists when it serves others, highlighting the call to engage with the secular problems of ordinary human life, not by dominating, but by helping and serving.

Practical ways to help the poor are suggested, such as supporting local food pantries or engaging in global initiatives like microloans through organizations like Kiva.org. These microloans support individuals in developing countries who are striving to improve their lives, reflecting the interconnectedness of the modern world and the ability to make a tangible difference globally.

The discourse then delves into the subtleties of Satan's strategies, particularly his ability to twist perceptions of good into something perceived as negative. This is illustrated through the biblical passage from Isaiah 5, which laments those who confuse good with evil and light with darkness. The speaker warns that this tactic is prevalent and can lead to the mislabeling of virtuous actions or principles.

The biblical Book of Amos is then explored, highlighting God's displeasure with those who neglect justice and mistreat the poor. The book is used as an example of the consistent biblical theme that God cares deeply for the poor and expects His followers to do the same. This theme is not isolated to the prophets but is echoed throughout the Bible, from the law and wisdom literature of the Old Testament to the teachings of Jesus and the epistles in the New Testament.

The discussion emphasizes that caring for the poor is not a means of salvation but a reflection of God's nature being developed within believers. It is a response to the transformation that occurs through faith in Christ. The speaker encourages believers to integrate this care into all aspects of life, including voting and advocacy, as well as personal generosity and service.

The speaker also addresses the potential criticism that comes with advocating for the poor and disenfranchised. Terms like "woke" or "social justice warrior" are sometimes used pejoratively to discredit those who prioritize these issues. However, the speaker asserts that caring for the poor and proclaiming the exclusive salvation through Jesus Christ are both non-negotiable aspects of Christian faith, and believers should not be swayed by political or social pressures to abandon these principles.

Key Takeaways:

- The descent into evil is a gradual process that often begins with the worship of power, which can eventually lead to the worship of evil itself. This underscores the importance of focusing worship solely on the one true God and serving Him alone. [55:04]

- The church's identity is intrinsically linked to its service to others. It is not through dominance but through helping and serving that the church fulfills its role, engaging with the everyday problems of people and reflecting God's love and compassion in practical ways. [55:43]

- Satan's strategy often involves the distortion of good, making virtuous actions seem negative. This tactic can lead to the misrepresentation of Christian values and discourage believers from pursuing good works. Awareness of this strategy is crucial for maintaining a clear perspective on what is truly good. [25:56]

- The consistent biblical message across both the Old and New Testaments is that God cares for the poor and expects His followers to reflect that care. This is not just a theme of the prophets but a pervasive principle throughout the scriptures, demonstrating God's heart for justice and mercy. [40:14]

- Engaging in social justice and caring for the disadvantaged is not a means to earn salvation but a reflection of the transformation that occurs within believers. It is an expression of living out the values that God is cultivating in His people, aligning actions with the character of God revealed in the Bible. [42:58]

Study Guide

### Bible Reading

1. Isaiah 5:20 - "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter."
2. Amos 5:21-24 - "I hate, I despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a stench to me. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!"
3. James 4:17 - "If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them."

### Observation Questions

1. According to Isaiah 5:20, what are the consequences of confusing good with evil and light with darkness?
2. In Amos 5:21-24, what does God say about the religious practices of the people, and what does He desire instead? [29:14]
3. How does James 4:17 define sin in the context of knowing what is right? [24:46]
4. What examples did the sermon provide of practical ways to help the poor both locally and globally? [56:26]

### Interpretation Questions

1. Why does God express such strong displeasure with the religious festivals and offerings in Amos 5:21-24? What does this reveal about His priorities? [29:14]
2. How does the concept of "calling evil good and good evil" in Isaiah 5:20 relate to the modern-day mislabeling of virtuous actions or principles? [25:19]
3. In what ways does James 4:17 challenge believers to act on their knowledge of what is good? How does this align with the sermon's message about avoiding the sin of omission? [24:46]
4. How does the sermon suggest believers should respond to criticism when advocating for the poor and disenfranchised? [50:50]

### Application Questions

1. Reflect on a time when you might have confused good with evil or light with darkness. How can you ensure that your perceptions align with God's truth? [25:19]
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of practical acts of compassion. What specific steps can you take this week to support a local food pantry or a global initiative like Kiva.org? [56:26]
3. How can you integrate the care for the poor into your daily life, including your voting and advocacy efforts? What specific actions can you take to reflect God's heart for justice and mercy? [41:26]
4. Have you ever felt discouraged from doing good because of societal or political pressures? How can you stay focused on God's call to care for the poor despite these challenges? [50:50]
5. The sermon mentioned that caring for the poor is a reflection of God's nature being developed within believers. How can you cultivate this aspect of God's character in your own life? [42:23]
6. How can you speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves in your community? What are some practical ways you can advocate for justice and fairness? [41:26]
7. Think about the criticism that comes with being labeled as "woke" or a "social justice warrior." How can you remain steadfast in your commitment to both proclaiming the gospel and caring for the poor? [50:50]

Devotional

Day 1: Resisting the Worship of Power
The allure of power can subtly lead one down a path away from God, where the ultimate end is the worship of evil. Recognizing this danger is essential to maintaining a steadfast focus on God, who alone is worthy of worship. This understanding helps to guard against the gradual descent into actions and attitudes that do not honor Him. [55:04]

Matthew 4:8-10 - "Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 'All this I will give you,' he said, 'if you bow down and worship me.' Jesus said to him, 'Away from me, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'"
Reflection: In what ways might the pursuit of power be influencing your priorities and how can you refocus on serving God alone?

Day 2: The Church's Call to Serve
True church identity is found not in dominion but in service to others, reflecting the heart of Jesus. By engaging with the world's suffering and offering practical help, the church embodies the compassion and love of Christ. This service is an authentic expression of faith that reaches out to meet the needs of people in tangible ways. [55:43]

James 2:14-17 - "What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, 'Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?"
Reflection: How can you contribute to the church's mission of service this week in a practical way that meets the needs of others?

Day 3: Discerning Good from Evil
In a world where good is often misrepresented as evil, it is crucial to have discernment. The enemy's tactics include twisting the perception of virtuous actions to discourage believers from doing good. By staying rooted in scripture and prayer, one can maintain clarity on what is truly good and resist the enemy's deceptions. [25:56]

Isaiah 5:20 - "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter."
Reflection: Can you identify a situation where you may have accepted a distorted view of good and evil, and how can you seek God's wisdom to discern rightly?

Day 4: God's Heart for the Poor
The consistent message of the Bible is God's deep concern for the poor and His expectation for His followers to reflect that care. This theme is woven throughout scripture, calling believers to act justly and show mercy. Caring for the poor is a natural outflow of a transformed heart that seeks to emulate God's character. [40:14]

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: What is one action you can take this week to advocate for or directly assist someone who is facing poverty or injustice?

Day 5: Reflecting Transformation Through Justice
Engaging in social justice and caring for the disadvantaged is an expression of the transformation that occurs within believers. It is not about earning salvation but about living out the values that God instills in His people. This commitment to justice and mercy is an integral part of the Christian walk, reflecting the character of God. [42:58]

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 your current lifestyle be adjusted to better reflect God's call to justice and mercy in your everyday decisions and interactions?

Quotes

1) "When we help the poor, we are not earning our Salvation; we're reflecting the nature that God is developing in us. We are living his values." [42:58] (Download)

2) "One of the most common themes in the Bible is care for the poor and the disadvantaged. I am 100% certain that one of the top five themes in the Bible is care for the poor." [42:58] (Download)

3) "The church is the church only when it exists for others. The Church must share in the secular problems of ordinary human life, not dominating but helping and serving." [55:43] (Download)

4) "Satan's one of his favorite tricks is to give good things a bad name to make us start talking about something good as if it's something bad." [25:56] (Download)

5) "God cares so much for the poor, the hurting, and the powerless. How did he send his son? Jesus showed up in a manger with shepherds, and his parents were poor." [34:29] (Download)

6) "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." [38:58] (Download)

7) "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." [41:26] (Download)

8) "We've got thousands of dollars that are currently circulating around the world in Uganda, in the Dominican Republic, you name the place where there are lots of people who are hurting, and we've got a few dollars there helping somebody get ahead." [58:58] (Download)

9) "Vote well for the people who will help those who need helping. Make it part of your thought process, make it part of how you make decisions everywhere." [01:00:04] (Download)

10) "The Bible reveals God to us, and the prophets, in my opinion, reveal God's heart more than anything else. God cares for the poor, the hurting, and the powerless." [33:49] (Download)

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Transcript
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