Setting the Standard

Everything Has a Standard

Being in a capitalistic society in which we are consumers of so many things, the standard of an item, place or person is very important. Often times before we try a new restaurant we will search google and read a review, or yelp and see the review take a look at the menu or even the pictures. We know that the standard for Walmart is going to be a lot different than the standard set by Target. A steak at applebees can be appetizing but it’s not of the same standard as a steak from Hyde Park steakhouse. Many things we do have standards, with that being said, God has a standard as well. He has a standard pertaining to how the church is to operate amongst each other and with the community. God has a standard as it pertains to righteousness and justice, God has a standard as it pertains to how we treat people.

Are we meeting the standard or are we making up our own standards?

We have to be careful when it comes to the way church operates. The church does not belong to us but with the responsibility and influence that comes from the collective body of believers we have to be careful that our influence and our duties do not become these places of standard creation in which we manipulate the doctrine of God to meet our selfish needs. We have to be careful because it can lead to innovative ideas that become culture, and tradition that we idolize rather than staying in line with what God desires. Power, tradition, and influence can create a breeding ground for oppressive behavior in the church.

God Resets the Standard

Only God has the power to set the standard, it is our duty to align ourselves in obedience to the standard. We see this when leaders are out of line with the standards of God and oppressing people in effort to gain more power.

The princes of Israel has a long history of oppressing the people of God in effort to save themselves from oppression by aligning with the oppressor in spite of protecting God’s people.

The shepherd is placed in the pasture to protect the sheep not use the sheep for their ill-mannered benefit.

Jeremiah 22:3 “Thus says the Lord: “Execute judgment and righteousness, and deliver the plundered out of the hand of the oppressor. Do no wrong and do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, or the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place.”

Zechariah 8:16 “These are the things you shall do: Speak each man the truth to his neighbor; Give judgment in your gates for truth, justice, and peace;”

There’s enough oppression in this country, we don’t have to oppress each other. We should be sticking together, building together, growing together. There’s enough violence in our community, the peace of God, the Gospel of Jesus Christ should prompt us to preserve the life of each other and teach the next generation the value of life!

Megan Bailey states “God does not set this standard to burden us or make our life harder. Instead, God sets a standard for us because He wants us to live our best lives and because He loves us unconditionally.”

Embracing God’s standard is going to require some humility and us putting our pride to the side. There were a lot of perks and amenities with being the oppressor, but there is a far greater consequence when we do not do right by the people of God.

Understand the standard, with great privilege comes great responsibility. The privilege of worshipping in the presence of God. Here’s the takeaway, every time I’m in the presence of God I should leave different than when I came. Ezekiel 46:9 ““But when the people of the land come before the Lord on the appointed feast days, whoever enters by way of the north gate to worship shall go out by way of the south gate; and whoever enters by way of the south gate shall go out by way of the north gate. He shall not return by way of the gate through which he came, but shall go out through the opposite gate.”

Worship should prompt improvement.

When I’m locked in with God I should become better at some things I might have been struggling with.

The purpose of being in the presence of God is so that I can handle the next obstacle in a better and more Godly way.

Worship is an extension of our daily burnt offering unto God!

Romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Every day we wake up is another opportunity to present ourselves to God! To worship God, to be a blessing to someone!

Justice and Righteousness

Understand that Justice and Righteousness are the very nature of God but in effort for us as a church to exude justice and righteousness it has to be developed and built!

The work execute in this text means to manufacture. How are we manufacting justice as a church? How are developing individuals to seek and strive for righteousness!

Manufacturing justice might take some perserverance and the willingness to not take no for an answer.

Luke 18:1-8 “Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ” Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?””

Equipping saints is greater than teaching bible verses and singing songs! Equip the saints how to forgive, how to show justice, how to be righteous, how to love, how to show mercy!

Justice, or judgement according to the law of God, not man! What does God say about the poor, what does God say about the afflicted!

Sometimes justice and righteousness can be used interchangeably, but in this instance they work together but are different in context. Justice or mishpat meaning what is right as it pertains to the divine law of God. Whereas righteousness is the virtue of doing the right thing! When no one is looking, when no one is around how do you treat your nieghbor, when you are in your home by yourself what comes from your heart in those moments!

You may feel displaced with the world but with Jesus you always have a home!

In order to enact justice and righteousness it’s going to take some perserverance and stick-to-it-taveness.

So much so God tells the prophet to pass this message along! We belong to God, Jesus gives us a home when the world displaces us. You might not fit in anywhere in your community, family, or workplace. But grace makes space for you in the kingdom.

Understand that God is setting a standard because as a community we are at a critical place! Our communities, our families are in critical condition and it’s important that we do what is going to bring about health not what makes us feel comfortable.

Matthew 5:21-26 ““You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.”