Justice for the Sake of Peace

Introduction

Welcome — Greeting & Bibles

Romans 9:14–16 ESV

14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.

Pray over Scripture

Peace is more important than all justice: and peace was not made for the sake of justice, but justice for the sake of peace.

Martin Luther (Founder of the German Reformation)

Is peace really more important than justice?

Matthew 5:9 “9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

Romans 12:18 “18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”

Hebrews 12:14 “14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”

Will Smith/Chris Rock smack while preaching

Justice = Essential Attribute of God

peace was not made for the sake of justice,

Making peace without payment for the sake of justice is, by nature, unjust.

but justice for the sake of peace.

Our sin demands payment (Rom 3:23; 6:23). It is in Jesus’s death on the cross that he paid that price for us. And it is there that God brings justice for our sins for the sake of peace with him.

So yes and amen, Peace is more important than justice… but it is only because of justice that we can have peace.

Exposition

Romans 9:14 ESV

14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means!

Our minds tend to question God’s fairness in: 1. Comparing ourselves to other people 2. “bad things happening to good people” (and vice-versa)

Paul is addressing the concern of God’s justice in the minds of his readers, based on their human understanding of Justice.

“injustice” (adikia) - unrighteousness, wrongdoing, wrong, iniquity

God’s thoughts are higher than our thoughts and his ways are higher than our ways (Isa 55:8-9), and we know 2 things: - He is perfectly good - He is perfectly just

So, it is a worthy thing to wrestle with recognizing God’s character and, in humility, accepting his sovereign will and divine prerogative.

God’s mercy comes not at the expense of his justice, but according to his goodness.

Romans 9:15 ESV

15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”

Come with me to Exodus 33

(While you’re turning there) Background: Moses petitions God on behalf of his people: “Have I not found favor in your sight? Show me your ways.”

Exodus 33:17–19 “17 And the Lord said to Moses, “This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.” 18 Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” 19 And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.”

Major point: God’s mercy is an act of grace. God’s compassion, expressed through Christ’s sacrificial work, is a gift, not a reward for human merit.

Romans 9:16 ESV

16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.

This is a beautiful truth, and one that should drive us to joyful, humble gratitude and obedience — it removes anyone’s right to arrogance or boasting in their salvation. Because there’s nothing we can endeavor to do in order to earn God’s mercy, we can joyfully and humbly respond by grateful obedience to his commands!

Key Takeaways

1. Our lives must be shaped by our blood-bought peace.

...peace was not made for the sake of justice, but justice for the sake of peace.

Even in God’s merciful, compassionate offering of peace with sinful man, there was a cost. Our undeserved peace with God was purchased by the blood of Jesus at the cross.

We must let this shape our lives as Christians:

First, in our own spiritual walks. When we get caught up in sin, we no longer have to walk around full of guilt and shame (Romans 8:1)! Instead, when we recognize it, we must simply give it to God in repentance, knowing that the price has already been paid, and pursue righteousness in Christ.

Next — and this one is really hard for me — we must be willing to make peace with those who have wronged us. Peace requires justice, but Romans 12:19 tells us “that ain’t up to us.” In light of the undeserved, blood-bought peace we have received, we must be peacemakers and let God handle the rest.

And that leads us right into key takeaway #2...

2. Even when we don’t understand, we can trust God’s plan.

Jesus making peace with us through his atoning work on the cross wasn't reactionary...

Isaiah 53:1–6 ESV

1 Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 2 For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

You might be surprised to find out this isn’t a recounting of the events of Jesus’s trial and crucifixion. This was a prophecy by the prophet Isaiah about seven hundred years before Jesus lived. It was God's plan from before the creation of the world.

The next time that you feel like your life “isn’t going to plan,” remember that it is going exactly as God planned. He set the final score, and guess what? The good guys win.

3. When it feels like the whole world is crashing down, we can find comfort in the arms of the Father who sees us and knows us by name.

I used to think sheep were stupid... (beat)

They blindly follow the flock.

They lack self-preservation skills in the face of danger.

They die if they fall over the wrong way.

They wander off, get lost easily, and frequently run into stuff…

And do you know what we as humans are compared to most often in the Bible? Yep, sheep.

But sheep aren’t stupid… they’re actually quite intelligent. They have good memory and can recognize faces. They form complex social bonds. But they are... dependent.

They follow the flock, because if the flock is going somewhere, they probably know what they are doing.

When presented with danger, they panic and freeze up… or they flee any direction away from the danger — even off a cliff.

If they fall over, due to their heavy wool, sometimes they are unable to get up by themselves, and need help.

And, they are completely reliant upon their shepherd for protection, food, and guidance.

Explain sheep pens and the “door”

John 10:7–11 ESV

7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

John 10:14 ESV

14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,

In Exodus 33, when Moses was distraught and interceding for his people, how did God respond? “I know you by name”

Whatever it is you’re going through in life, if you are part of the Good Shepherd’s flock: He knows you. He sees you. He loves you. He values you. And he has come that you may have life and have it abundantly.

There has got to be one person here who is so fed up with trying to do life on their own.

I have good news for you, my friend. Here is all you have to do: Jesus says Matthew 11:28–30 “28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.””

Response

Instruct people to come forward for prayer, to give their life to the Lord, or to join the church

Benediction

Philippians 4:4–7 ESV

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.