Finding Hope and Purpose Amid Life's Injustices
Summary
Life is undeniably unfair, a reality that stems from the presence of sin in the world. While Jesus came to set things right, the current state of the world remains unjust. Many of us have experienced discrimination, abuse, or betrayal, and it is heartbreaking. As a pastor, I grieve with you over these injustices. However, it is crucial to understand that God also grieves over the pain and suffering in the world. He sees every hurt and injustice, and He is keeping a record of all the wrongs done to you. God could eliminate all evil by taking away our freedom, but that would also mean taking away our ability to choose good. Instead, He allows us the freedom to choose, even though it means we sometimes choose wrongly.
God promises to handle justice in His time. Romans 12:19 reminds us not to seek revenge but to leave it to God, who will repay those who deserve it. Holding onto bitterness and resentment only harms us, and God wants us to let go of these burdens. Trusting in God's promise to settle the score allows us to move forward and live a life free from the poison of bitterness.
Furthermore, God calls us to live a life of service and generosity, modeling our lives after Jesus, who came to serve and give. The Christian life is about learning to be unselfish, to love, and to serve others. God rewards our service and generosity, and He desires for us to grow in these areas continually. Our lives find true meaning and joy when we give ourselves away in service to others.
Finally, God promises to keep us saved until we reach heaven. Our salvation is secure in His hands, and nothing can snatch us away from His love. Even when we are unfaithful, God remains faithful. He began a good work in us, and He will carry it to completion. We can trust in His promises and live confidently, knowing that our future is secure in Him.
Key Takeaways:
1. God's Grief Over Injustice: God sees every injustice and grieves over the pain in the world. He is aware of every hurt and keeps a record of all wrongs. Trusting in His justice allows us to let go of bitterness and resentment, freeing us to live a life of peace. [01:53]
2. The Freedom to Choose: God allows us the freedom to choose, even though it means we sometimes choose wrongly. Eliminating evil would require taking away our freedom, which is a gift from God. This freedom is essential for genuine love and goodness to exist. [02:25]
3. Trusting God's Justice: Romans 12:19 teaches us to leave vengeance to God. Holding onto bitterness only harms us, and trusting in God's promise to settle the score allows us to move forward and live a life free from resentment. [03:47]
4. Living a Life of Service and Generosity: The Christian life is about learning to be unselfish, to love, and to serve others. God rewards our service and generosity, and He desires for us to grow in these areas continually. Our lives find true meaning and joy when we give ourselves away in service to others. [09:35]
5. The Security of Salvation: Our salvation is secure in God's hands, and nothing can snatch us away from His love. Even when we are unfaithful, God remains faithful. He began a good work in us, and He will carry it to completion. [16:51]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:12] - Life's Unfairness
[01:08] - God's Grief Over Injustice
[02:12] - The Freedom to Choose
[03:31] - Trusting God's Justice
[05:25] - Letting Go of Bitterness
[07:33] - Reward for Service and Generosity
[09:19] - The Christian Life: Serving and Giving
[12:24] - Living Beyond Self-Centeredness
[15:34] - The Promise of Salvation
[17:05] - God's Unfailing Grip
[19:32] - Assurance of God's Faithfulness
[21:20] - Living for God's Plan
[23:18] - Testimony of Transformation
[25:50] - The Purpose of Christmas
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 12:19 - "Never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'"
2. Mark 10:45 - "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
3. John 10:28 - "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Romans 12:19 instruct us to do when we feel wronged or hurt by others? How does this relate to the sermon’s message about letting go of bitterness? [03:47]
2. According to Mark 10:45, what are the two main actions that describe Jesus' mission on earth? How does this relate to the call for Christians to live a life of service and generosity? [09:35]
3. In John 10:28, what assurance does Jesus give about the security of our salvation? How does this promise provide comfort in uncertain times? [16:51]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of leaving vengeance to God challenge our natural instincts for justice and revenge? What might be the benefits of trusting God with justice? [05:25]
2. What does it mean to model our lives after Jesus in terms of service and generosity? How can this be practically applied in our daily lives? [09:19]
3. How does the assurance of eternal security in John 10:28 affect a believer's confidence in their relationship with God? What implications does this have for how we live our lives? [17:05]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you held onto bitterness or resentment. What steps can you take to release these feelings and trust God with justice in that situation? [06:38]
2. Identify one area in your life where you can serve others more selflessly. What specific actions can you take this week to serve someone in need? [09:52]
3. Consider how you can be more generous with your time, resources, or talents. What is one practical way you can give to others this month? [12:54]
4. How does knowing that your salvation is secure in God's hands change the way you face challenges or uncertainties in life? [19:32]
5. Think of a person or group who has wronged you. How can you begin to let go of the desire for revenge and instead pray for them or seek reconciliation? [22:25]
6. In what ways can you remind yourself of God's promises when you feel tempted to doubt or fear? How can these promises strengthen your faith? [21:51]
7. How can you incorporate the practice of gratitude for God's faithfulness into your daily routine? What impact might this have on your outlook and interactions with others? [20:10]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Heart for Justice
God is deeply aware of the injustices and pain in the world. He grieves over every act of discrimination, abuse, and betrayal that we experience. This understanding of God's heart can be a source of comfort, knowing that He is not indifferent to our suffering. He keeps a record of all wrongs and promises to bring justice in His time. By trusting in God's justice, we can release our bitterness and resentment, which only harm us. This trust allows us to live a life of peace, free from the burdens of anger and revenge. [01:53]
Psalm 56:8 (ESV): "You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?"
Reflection: Think of a specific injustice you have faced. How can you invite God into your healing process and trust Him to handle justice in His time?
Day 2: The Gift of Choice
God has given us the freedom to choose, a gift that allows for genuine love and goodness to exist. This freedom, however, also means that we sometimes choose wrongly, leading to the presence of evil in the world. Eliminating evil would require taking away our freedom, which is not God's desire. Instead, He allows us to make choices, hoping we will choose love and goodness. Understanding this can help us appreciate the significance of our choices and the responsibility that comes with them. [02:25]
Deuteronomy 30:19 (ESV): "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent decision you made. How can you ensure your future choices align with God's desire for love and goodness?
Day 3: Trusting in Divine Justice
Romans 12:19 teaches us to leave vengeance to God, reminding us that holding onto bitterness only harms us. Trusting in God's promise to settle the score allows us to move forward and live a life free from resentment. This trust is not passive but an active choice to believe in God's justice and timing. By releasing our desire for revenge, we open ourselves to healing and peace, knowing that God will handle justice in His perfect way. [03:47]
Proverbs 20:22 (ESV): "Do not say, 'I will repay evil'; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you."
Reflection: Is there someone you need to forgive today? How can you begin to release your desire for revenge and trust God to handle justice?
Day 4: Embracing a Life of Service
The Christian life is about learning to be unselfish, to love, and to serve others. God calls us to model our lives after Jesus, who came to serve and give. Our lives find true meaning and joy when we give ourselves away in service to others. God rewards our service and generosity, and He desires for us to grow in these areas continually. Embracing this call to service can transform our lives and the lives of those around us. [09:35]
Galatians 5:13 (ESV): "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."
Reflection: Identify one way you can serve someone in your community this week. How can you make service a regular part of your life?
Day 5: The Assurance of Salvation
Our salvation is secure in God's hands, and nothing can snatch us away from His love. Even when we are unfaithful, God remains faithful. He began a good work in us, and He will carry it to completion. This assurance allows us to live confidently, knowing that our future is secure in Him. Trusting in God's promises gives us the strength to face life's challenges, knowing that our ultimate destiny is with Him. [16:51]
2 Timothy 1:12 (ESV): "Which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me."
Reflection: How does the assurance of your salvation impact your daily life? What steps can you take to deepen your trust in God's promises?
Quotes
God could stop all the evil in the world just like that take away our freedom to do it but if he's going to be fair he's not only going to have to take away other people's freedom he's going to have to take away yours too if we're going to be just and fair and the fact is you've hurt people you haven't always done the right thing to people. [00:02:16]
God is keeping a record the Bible says very clearly that God is keeping a record of all the ways you've been heard in life did you know that in Psalms Psalm 56:8 it says God stores up your tears in a bottle you don't even know all the tears you've shared God does says he's kept an accounting of how much how many tears you've shed in your life. [00:03:05]
Never avenge yourselves in other words don't retaliate don't try to get revenge against P person who's hurt you never avenge yourselves leave that to God for he has said that he will repay those who deserve it wow now follow me on this God is a god of love and because God is love that's why we all have love in our lives. [00:03:34]
God says the people who hurt you in your life he says trust me I'll handle this and I've got more weapons than you do and I can administer Justice better than you can and God says I don't want you wasting one second of your life on resentment and retaliation and revenge and trying to get even because that's just going to fill you with the poison of bitterness. [00:05:27]
God promises to reward my service and generosity God promises to reward my service and generosity now part of God's plan and purpose for your life is he wants you to become like Jesus Christ Jesus is the model of perfect Humanity God wants us to grow up like Christ he wants us to think like Christ to feel like Christ to love like Christ to serve like Christ to be uh uh giving like Christ. [00:07:37]
The whole goal of life is learning how to become more and more unselfish because to be unselfish is love and God wants you to be like him God is love so when you're born you are born as a baby totally selfish as a baby you're not thinking about anybody else it's me me me I I I I want it I want it now. [00:08:15]
I did not come to Earth this is Jesus talking I didn't come to be served I didn't come to live for myself I came to serve and to give I came to serve and to give my life for many there are two verbs in that serve and to serve and to give friends those two verbs describe the Christian Life serving and giving. [00:09:19]
God has wired the universe in such a way that you're life will never make sense until you give it away You're Made by God and you're made for God and until you figure that out your life isn't going to make sense and God wired the universe that we're rewarded when we do what he does God is a giving and serving God. [00:12:24]
God promises for my future to keep me saved until Heaven he's going to keep me saved until I get to heaven I don't have to keep myself saved thank God cuz if it were up to me me to keep myself saved I'm in deep deep weeds that's like there's no way I can save myself God says it's not up to you. [00:15:34]
Once you put your hand in the hand of the man who still the waters you may want to let go but he's not going to let go and once you are saved it is his job to keep you saved no matter what happens in your future three verses three promises and we'll close John 10:28 Jesus said I give them eternal life and they shall never perish. [00:16:15]
If we are faithless he God will remain faithful for he cannot disown himself thank you God I can be unfaithful but he's never going to be unfaithful to me that's how much he loves me last verse Philippians 1:6 being confident of this that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. [00:19:32]
What God started in your life he is going to finish God never leaves anything half finished ASL wat said God doesn't sponsor flops so you can be confident of this that God who started something in you is going to finish it in you and you're going to make it to the finish line so let's thank him let's bow our heads. [00:20:20]
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