Living Faithfully: Justice, Kindness, and Humility
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, Menlo Church! Today, we celebrate Father's Day and Juneteenth, recognizing both our progress and the work still ahead. We also conclude our series, "Smear Campaign," where we've been exploring how to navigate politics through the lens of our faith. In these contentious times, it's crucial to move from being shouters to showers, embodying the love and justice that God calls us to.
We began by reflecting on the Shema and the teachings of the prophet Micah, who emphasized that faithfulness is both simpler and more demanding than we often realize. Micah's call to "do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God" is a timeless directive that challenges us to live out our faith in tangible ways. This means not just talking about justice but actively pursuing it in our daily lives.
We also looked at the importance of loving kindness, or "hesed," which is a faithful, covenantal love that mirrors God's unwavering love for us. This kind of love is not conditional; it doesn't wait for others to deserve it. Instead, it is a constant, unbreakable commitment to love others as God loves us.
Walking humbly with God involves a careful self-examination and a commitment to making Jesus the core driver of all our decisions, including our political ones. This requires us to move beyond casual faith and engage in a more intentional, Jesus-centered approach to life.
James, the half-brother of Jesus, reminds us that faith without works is dead. Our faith should manifest in practical acts of service and love, not just in words or beliefs. This is especially relevant in a world where political and social divides are deepening. We must ensure that our faith informs our politics, not the other way around.
To help us live out this faith practically, we explored six options from the book "The Party Crasher": the local option, the Daniel option, the prophetic option, the scuba option, the monastic option, and the reform option. Each of these provides a unique way to engage with our communities and the world, making a real difference through our faith.
As we move forward, let's remember that living faithfully makes it hard to live hatefully. Our world needs us to be different, to be a light in these polarized times. Next week, we will begin our summer series, "Beyond the Basics," diving into Romans 8, often called the greatest chapter in the Bible. Let's continue to grow in our faith and make a positive impact in our world.
### Key Takeaways
1. Faithfulness in Simplicity and Demand: Micah's call to "do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God" is both simple and demanding. It challenges us to live out our faith in tangible ways, not just in words but in actions that reflect God's love and justice. This requires us to move beyond over-complicating faith and under-emphasizing its practical implications. [29:02]
2. Loving Kindness (Hesed): The Hebrew word "hesed" signifies a faithful, covenantal love that mirrors God's unwavering love for us. This love is not conditional; it doesn't wait for others to deserve it. Instead, it is a constant, unbreakable commitment to love others as God loves us, even when they don't reciprocate. [34:43]
3. Walking Humbly with God: Walking humbly involves careful self-examination and making Jesus the core driver of all our decisions, including our political ones. This requires us to move beyond casual faith and engage in a more intentional, Jesus-centered approach to life, ensuring that our faith informs our politics, not the other way around. [36:07]
4. Faith Without Works is Dead: James reminds us that faith without works is dead. Our faith should manifest in practical acts of service and love, not just in words or beliefs. This is especially relevant in a world where political and social divides are deepening. We must ensure that our faith informs our politics, not the other way around. [41:30]
5. Practical Engagement Options: The six options from "The Party Crasher" provide unique ways to engage with our communities and the world: the local option, the Daniel option, the prophetic option, the scuba option, the monastic option, and the reform option. Each offers a practical way to live out our faith and make a real difference. [45:37]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[23:54] - Recap and Greetings
[24:49] - Juneteenth Recognition
[25:18] - Opening Prayer
[26:04] - Personal Story: Coaches
[28:00] - Enjoying Hatred
[29:02] - Faithfulness and Micah's Call
[31:54] - Idolatry and Justice
[34:43] - Loving Kindness (Hesed)
[36:07] - Walking Humbly with God
[41:30] - Faith Without Works
[45:37] - Practical Engagement Options
[52:19] - Jefferson Dinner Concept
[53:34] - Upcoming Series: Beyond the Basics
[53:34] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 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?"
2. James 2:14-17 (ESV) - "What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the three actions that Micah 6:8 calls us to embody in our lives?
2. According to James 2:14-17, what is the relationship between faith and works?
3. In the sermon, what does the pastor mean by moving from "shouters" to "showers"? ([27:33])
4. What are the six options from "The Party Crasher" mentioned in the sermon for engaging with our communities? ([45:37])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Micah's call to "do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God" challenge the way we live out our faith in today's world? ([29:29])
2. What does the concept of "hesed" or loving kindness mean, and how can it be applied in our interactions with others? ([34:43])
3. How does James' teaching that "faith without works is dead" apply to the way we engage with social and political issues? ([41:30])
4. What does it mean to walk humbly with God in the context of making Jesus the core driver of all our decisions, including political ones? ([36:07])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily life. How can you actively "do justice" in your community? Are there specific actions you can take this week to address an injustice you see around you? ([29:29])
2. Think of a relationship where you can show "hesed" love. What steps can you take to demonstrate this faithful, covenantal love, even if it is not reciprocated? ([34:43])
3. Evaluate your political views and actions. How can you ensure that your faith informs your politics rather than the other way around? What changes might you need to make? ([36:07])
4. Identify a practical way to serve someone in need this week. How can you ensure that your faith is accompanied by works, as James teaches? ([41:30])
5. Choose one of the six options from "The Party Crasher" that resonates with you. What steps can you take to engage with your community or a specific issue in a meaningful way? ([45:37])
6. Reflect on a time when you were more of a "shouter" than a "shower." How can you change your approach to be more constructive and loving in future interactions? ([27:33])
7. Consider hosting a Jefferson dinner. Who would you invite, and what topic would you discuss to foster understanding and bridge divides? ([52:19])
Devotional
Day 1: Faithfulness in Simplicity and Demand
Micah's call to "do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God" is both simple and demanding. It challenges us to live out our faith in tangible ways, not just in words but in actions that reflect God's love and justice. This requires us to move beyond over-complicating faith and under-emphasizing its practical implications. The simplicity of this call lies in its clarity, but the demand comes from the depth of commitment it requires. We are called to actively pursue justice, embody kindness, and maintain humility in our walk with God, ensuring that our faith is evident in our daily actions.
This directive from Micah is timeless and relevant, especially in today's polarized world. It calls us to be more than just passive believers; it urges us to be active participants in God's work on earth. By doing justice, we stand against oppression and inequality. By loving kindness, we extend grace and compassion to others, reflecting God's love. And by walking humbly with God, we keep our focus on Him, allowing His guidance to shape our lives and decisions. [29:02]
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: In what specific ways can you pursue justice, show kindness, and walk humbly with God in your daily life this week?
Day 2: Loving Kindness (Hesed)
The Hebrew word "hesed" signifies a faithful, covenantal love that mirrors God's unwavering love for us. This love is not conditional; it doesn't wait for others to deserve it. Instead, it is a constant, unbreakable commitment to love others as God loves us, even when they don't reciprocate. Hesed is about showing steadfast love and mercy, reflecting the nature of God's relationship with His people. It is a love that goes beyond feelings and is rooted in action and commitment.
In our relationships, practicing hesed means loving others with a steadfast, loyal love that mirrors God's love for us. It means being there for others, showing kindness and mercy, and maintaining a commitment to love even when it is difficult. This kind of love can transform relationships and communities, as it reflects the heart of God and His desire for us to love one another deeply and faithfully. [34:43]
Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV): "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who needs to experience God's steadfast love through you. How can you show them hesed this week?
Day 3: Walking Humbly with God
Walking humbly with God involves careful self-examination and making Jesus the core driver of all our decisions, including our political ones. This requires us to move beyond casual faith and engage in a more intentional, Jesus-centered approach to life. Walking humbly means recognizing our dependence on God, seeking His guidance, and allowing His will to shape our actions and decisions. It is about living a life that is centered on Christ and His teachings, ensuring that our faith informs every aspect of our lives.
In a world where pride and self-reliance are often celebrated, walking humbly with God is a counter-cultural act. It means acknowledging our limitations and our need for God's wisdom and strength. It involves a daily commitment to seek God's presence, listen to His voice, and follow His lead. By doing so, we align our lives with His purposes and become more effective in living out our faith in a way that honors Him. [36:07]
James 4:10 (ESV): "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to practice humility and seek God's guidance more intentionally?
Day 4: Faith Without Works is Dead
James reminds us that faith without works is dead. Our faith should manifest in practical acts of service and love, not just in words or beliefs. This is especially relevant in a world where political and social divides are deepening. We must ensure that our faith informs our politics, not the other way around. True faith is active and alive, demonstrated through our actions and the way we treat others. It is not enough to simply profess faith; we must live it out in tangible ways that reflect God's love and justice.
In practical terms, this means looking for opportunities to serve others, stand up for justice, and show compassion. It means being the hands and feet of Jesus in a world that desperately needs His love. By putting our faith into action, we become a living testimony of God's grace and truth, making a real difference in the lives of those around us. [41:30]
James 2:17 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
Reflection: Identify one specific way you can put your faith into action this week. How can you serve someone in need or stand up for justice in your community?
Day 5: Practical Engagement Options
The six options from "The Party Crasher" provide unique ways to engage with our communities and the world: the local option, the Daniel option, the prophetic option, the scuba option, the monastic option, and the reform option. Each offers a practical way to live out our faith and make a real difference. These options encourage us to think creatively and intentionally about how we can be active participants in God's work, whether through local community involvement, prophetic advocacy, deep personal reflection, or efforts to reform systems and structures.
Each option provides a different approach to engagement, allowing us to find the one that best fits our gifts, passions, and context. By exploring these options, we can discover new ways to live out our faith and make a positive impact in our world. Whether it's through local service, prophetic witness, or personal spiritual growth, each option offers a pathway to meaningful engagement and faithful living. [45:37]
1 Peter 4:10 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."
Reflection: Which of the six engagement options resonates most with you? How can you begin to implement this option in your life and community this week?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "It's been said that we can make a point or we can make a difference, but rarely both. And we have so many people who appear willing to surrender impact and influence for indignance. Even maybe ourselves. In a recent opinion piece, Peggy Noonan voiced the concern that it appears we are beginning to enjoy hatred. She summarizes the regression this way: She said, 'We split into a thousand pieces within two big camps on the left and the right. We decry the harshness of our political discourse, particularly online, where outrageous and dehumanizing things are said. But what I'm seeing is that we don't mind disliking each other now. We like it. That's the new thing that we're enjoying, the estrangement. Nobody's trying to win anybody.'" (56 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When we live faithfully, it's hard to live hatefully. You just don't have much time. Your heart and your direction in life is aimed different. Hate is exhausting. Whether you have been the recipient of hate or you have been the broadcaster, the perpetuator of hate, you know the weight that hate puts on you. It's a weight that you aren't meant to carry. It's a weight that none of us are meant to carry. Because when we live faithfully in our lives, God's got a different vision for us in our relationships." (34 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "If you're not a Christian, the good news is you don't have to do any of this. This is just a suggestion for you. And so if you don't choose to do any of it, here's what I bet is true for you. I bet you're hoping that some Christians in your life will live the way that I just described. I bet you're hoping that some Christians in your life, that aunt, that uncle, that parent, that friend, they'll post in light of this vision from Micah over the course of the next few months." (26 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Remember, I'm not advocating that we all have the same politics or that we have no politics. We should vote. We should get involved in a way that is informed by our faith rather than our faith being formed and informed by our politics. But it should go way beyond our politics. How are we actually serving people practically? If you're more interested in your political involvement than you are in your faith, in your practical serving involvement, you have flipped. You have flipped the paradigm of what Jesus calls each and every one of us to." (32 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "I never considered a difference of opinion in politics and religion and philosophy as a cause for withdrawing from a friend. Can you imagine? With a Jefferson dinner, you take around eight people. With one table and one topic, not one take on one topic, one topic. You bring a group of people with different views, starting with a snapshot of each person's story and answering a common question about that topic. And then you let the conversation go from there." (29 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "See, in the midst of so much upheaval all around him and the divided nature of God's people, he gives this incredible encapsulation that if we want to love God, we will do justice, not just talk about justice, not just post about justice, not just vote about justice, not just hope about justice, but actually be about doing justice at whatever area of influence and opportunity we are given, at a ground-level opportunity, bringing the ways of God into the worries of our world. That rather than going, well, because I can't fix everything, I'm not going to do anything. No, no, Micah says, whatever you can do, just bring yourself and the vision of God's kingdom to the worries of your day." (47 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "What's so amazing is that if we will snap into this vision that Micah is calling us to, it demonstrates a love that doesn't make sense to people. It's not a reciprocal kind of love. You don't do it when he or she starts caring for you back. You don't do it when they apologize for you. You don't do it when they deserve it. This kind of love is a love that we extend all the time. He's writing this as Yahweh, the covenant name for God, the God of Israel, is actively demonstrating this kind of love towards Israel. They don't deserve it. They are rebelling against him. They are living as an adulterous generation, and God is loving them with a chesed kind of love. And he's saying, you should love people with that same kind of love." (47 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Being humble is a part of living carefully, but it has more to do with a careful self-examination of our lives and a commitment to daily focusing on Jesus as the core driver of all of our decisions, including our political decisions. I wonder for how many of us, we are not thinking about this carefully. We're thinking about it casually. We're not thinking about this carefully because we're on cruise control, and we're letting other people and other systems, even political polarization, form and shape us rather than Jesus being the centerpiece of the decision-making framework for our lives. That's what Micah is calling us to." (40 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "James, he writes this profound letter, and he gives us a really important idea at the core of it, that workless faith is worthless faith. Now, before you think we change religions, we have not. The gospel message is that we are saved from the judgment that we all deserve by grace, undeserved favor, through faith, trusting what I can't see, not as a result of our works, but a saving faith will result in works. You can't really follow Jesus without a faith that works. And James knew that firsthand. He had watched his brother Jesus embody this his whole life, and he had watched hypocritical leaders and politicians say one thing and live something different his entire life." (45 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The first option that's given is what's called the local option. And with this approach, you focus on what you maybe have as the greatest level of influence and knowledge in your life, which is your immediate context. This might look like getting involved at a school or with city council or maybe a nonprofit that serves locally trying to address something that God has given you a passion for. Now, not everyone can take all of these options, but if we all listen to God and take the option that he's calling us to step into, I think we can make a much bigger difference than just posting about it." (36 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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