God's Heart for the Oppressed

Week 2 of Justice Series

Main Text: Isaiah 61:1

Isaiah 61:1 MEV

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor; He has sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

I. INTRODUCTION

Opening Prayer

Attention Grabber: "Every 30 seconds, someone becomes a victim of human trafficking somewhere in the world."

Personal Story: Brief testimony of a trafficking survivor who found healing through Christ's love.

"Maria was trafficked at age 15, rescued at 19, and now at 24 leads a ministry to other survivors. She says, 'I felt forgotten by everyone except God.'"

Hard Reality: Human trafficking affects over 27.6 million people globally today - more than at any other point in human history. That's approximately one victim for every 300 people on Earth.

Scripture Connection: When Jesus began His ministry in Luke 4, He read from our main text in Isaiah 61:1. These weren't just words to Him—they were His mission statement. And they should be ours too.

Central Question: What does Scripture reveal about God's heart for the oppressed, and how should that shape our response as His people?

Transition: "Today we'll explore God's uncompromising stance against oppression and our calling to reflect His heart."

II. GOD SEES AND RESPONDS TO SUFFERING

A. God Personally Witnesses Oppression

Exodus 3:7–8 MEV

The Lord said, “I have surely seen the affliction of My people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows. Therefore, I have come down to deliver them...

Insight: God doesn't merely observe suffering—He experiences it with His people

He sees ("I have indeed seen") - Nothing escapes His notice

He hears ("I have heard them crying") - Every cry reaches His ears

He feels ("I am concerned about their suffering") - Their pain moves His heart

He acts ("I have come down to rescue") - He intervenes decisively

Application: This means that right now, in this moment, God sees each one of the 27.6 million trafficking victims. He hears their cries. He feels their pain. And He is moving to rescue.

B. Jesus Continues This Mission of Liberation

Luke 4:16-21 – Jesus reads Isaiah 61:1-2 in the synagogue and declares, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."

Luke 4:16–21 MEV

He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day. And He stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. When He had unrolled the scroll, He found the place where it was written: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” Then He rolled up the scroll, and He gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all those who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Jesus embodies God's response to suffering:

Proclaiming good news to the poor (Hope where there is despair)

Binding up the brokenhearted (Healing where there is trauma)

Setting captives free (Freedom where there is bondage)

Releasing prisoners from darkness (Light where there is darkness)

Powerful truth: This wasn't just Jesus' mission then—it's His mission now through His church.

Transition: "Throughout Scripture, God raises up individuals to participate in His work of deliverance. Let's look at three powerful examples that show us what this looks like in practice."

III. GOD'S PEOPLE CONFRONT INJUSTICE

A. Moses: Called to Speak Truth to Power

Exodus 3:10 – "So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt."

Exodus 3:10 MEV

Come now therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh so that you may bring forth My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.”

Moses' journey from excuses to obedience:

"Who am I?" (inadequacy) → God doesn't call the qualified; He qualifies the called

"What if they don't believe me?" (doubt) → God provides supernatural confirmation

"I am slow of speech" (limitation) → God uses our weaknesses for His glory

God's unchanging promise: "I will be with you" (Exodus 3:12)

Exodus 3:12 MEV

And He said, “Certainly I will be with you, and this will be a sign to you, that I have sent you: When you have brought forth the people out of Egypt, all of you shall serve God on this mountain.”

Application: The global anti-trafficking movement began with ordinary people who, like Moses, felt inadequate but stepped out in obedience. Organizations like International Justice Mission started with one lawyer who heard God's call.

B. Esther: Using Position and Privilege for Justice

Esther 4:14– "And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?"

Esther 4:14 MEV

And who knows if you may have attained royal position for such a time as this?”

Esther's strategic response:

She recognized her unique position ("for such a time as this")

She counted the cost ("If I perish, I perish")

She developed a plan (She didn't just react emotionally)

She acted with courage (She approached the king uninvited)

Sobering Statistics: Only 1-2% of trafficking victims are ever rescued. Like Mordecai told Esther, silence and inaction are not neutral positions—they are decisions to let evil prevail.

Application: What position has God given you "for such a time as this"? Parent? Teacher? Business owner? Church member?

C. The Good Shepherd: Valuing the One

Luke 15:4-7 – The shepherd leaves the 99 to find the one lost sheep

Luke 15:4–7 MEV

“What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he places it on his shoulders, rejoicing. Then when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.’ Likewise, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous men who need no repentance.

Counter-cultural truth: In God's economy, the one is worth pursuing at significant cost

The world says, "It's just one person—the needs are too great."

Jesus says, "That one person matters infinitely to Me."

Perspective shift: When we hear "27.6 million victims," we should listen to "27.6 million individual stories"—each one precious to God

Shocking Reality: The average age of trafficking victims continues to decrease, with children now making up nearly a third of all victims. The Good Shepherd's heart breaks for each one.

Transition: "God's heart for the oppressed should be mirrored in His church today. Let's consider our specific role in this mission of liberation."

IV. THE CHURCH'S RESPONSIBILITY TODAY

A. Be a Voice for the Voiceless

Proverbs 31:8–9 MEV

Open your mouth for the speechless in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

The scale of the challenge: Human trafficking generates approximately $150 billion annually worldwide, with sex trafficking accounting for $99 billion, making it the fastest-growing criminal enterprise in the world.

Breaking the church's silence:

Trafficking thrives in silence and secrecy

Our speaking brings darkness to light (Ephesians 5:11-13)

Ephesians 5:11–13 MEV

And do not have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness; instead, expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things are exposed when they are revealed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.

Our advocacy changes laws, culture, and systems.

Practical example: Because churches spoke up, numerous states have passed Safe Harbor laws protecting child victims from being criminalized.

B. Provide Healing and Restoration

James 1:27 MEV

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

The journey from victim to survivor to thriver:

Physical healing and safety (The average life expectancy after entering trafficking is just 7 years without intervention)

Emotional and psychological support (87% of survivors experience PTSD)

Spiritual guidance and restoration (Many have been spiritually abused or told God has abandoned them)

Community and belonging (Isolation is both a trafficking tactic and a post-rescue struggle)

The church's unique role: Studies show that trafficking survivors with faith-based support have higher recovery rates (over 80% vs. 40%) and significantly lower rates of being re-trafficked.

Powerful truth: The church has what the world doesn't—a God who specializes in restoration and new beginnings.

C. Partner with Kingdom Work Already Happening

Isaiah 58:6–7 MEV

Is not this the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and break every yoke? Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry and bring the poor who are outcasts into your house? When you see the naked, to cover him and not hide yourself from your own flesh?

God is already moving:

Project Rescue: Operating in 10+ countries, providing holistic care and education

International Justice Mission: Has helped rescue over 76,000 people from violence and oppression

A21: Working in 14 countries to identify and rescue victims and prosecute traffickers

F.R.E.E. International: Using mobile command centers to identify trafficking victims at major events

Ways our church can multiply impact:

Prayer coverage (every rescue operation needs spiritual warfare)

Awareness (hosting events like "Freedom Sunday")

Financial support (ongoing monthly partnership)

Volunteering (skills from hospitality to legal expertise are needed)

V. CALL TO ACTION

Three Practical Steps:

Become Informed – Learn to recognize the signs of trafficking in our community

The National Human Trafficking Hotline: [phone]

Key warning signs:

Cannot come and go freely

Works excessively long hours

Shows signs of physical abuse

Appears fearful, anxious, or submissive

Not in control of their own money or identification

2. Engage in Prayer – Commit to regular prayer for:

Victims to be found and rescued

Survivors' healing and restoration

Justice systems to function effectively

Traffickers to be brought to justice and repentance

"We're launching a weekly prayer focus in our church app with specific prayer points for the anti-trafficking movement."

3. Take Action:

Financial support of anti-trafficking ministries (We'll be taking a special offering next Sunday)

Volunteer with local organizations (Sign-up sheets in the lobby for our local safe house)

Advocate for stronger laws and enforcement (Join our letter-writing campaign)

Support survivor-made products and businesses (Visit our resource table)

Personal Challenge:"If you only remembered one thing from today's message, remember this: God sees. He hears. He feels. And He acts. The question is: Will we join Him?"

Closing Prayer

Prayer for God's justice to prevail

Prayer for the church to reflect God's heart for the oppressed

Prayer for victims and survivors

Prayer for our own hearts to be moved to action

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on us, because the Lord has anointed us to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent us to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners." – Isaiah 61:1 (personalized)