The Vanity of Justice

Introduction

General: 1961 JFK quote: “My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country… My fellow citizens of the world, ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”

Personal: Have we done anything? Politically-motivated violence (Charlie Kirk, attack on an ICE facility, school shootings)… human trafficking, poverty, starvation… attacks on Israel, invasion of Ukraine… over 7,000 Christians killed in Nigeria this year alone…

Biblical: Three thousand years ago, Solomon wrestled with the reality of oppression and injustice under the sun. And he didn’t have much hope that things would improve. See Eccles 4:1-3.

Subject: Is there any hope for justice in the world today?

Body

Oppression is inevitable because of the way we live and the things we value. Injustice is unavoidable because of how we go about life.

Exposition

Envy (Eccles 4:4) — “We spend money we don’t have to buy stuff we don’t need to impress people we don’t like.” —Dave Ramsey

Laziness (Eccles 4:5)

Materialism (Eccles 4:6) — “In pursuing out of envy the neighbor above us on the ladder, we inevitably step on the head of the neighbor below us.” —Provan, NIVAC

Individualism (Eccles 4:7-8)

Vain ambition (Eccles 4:13-16) — The king “no longer knew how to take advice.” It’s better to be poor but wise man than rich and powerful fool.

Being rich for the sake of being rich // Being famous for the sake of being famous // Power for the sake of power // Not for God’s glory or the common good.

There is no hope for justice in a society that rejects God and lives for self. Oppression exists not because we don’t tweet about it enough but because we live oppressive lives. Injustice is inevitable because we are not just people—we are sinners. Unjust people do not build just societies.

Illustration: Selfish, insecure single people get married and become selfish, insecure married people. 1 sinner + 1 sinner = 2 sinners. How much more for society?

Application: Sinners don’t build societies of peace, love, and harmony.

But God calls us to live a different way and value different things.

Exposition

Live in harmony with God (see last week). John 3:16 // Deut 10:18 // Ps 103:6 // Matt 22:37-39.

Live in community with others (Eccles 4:9-12)

Value… Mutual success instead of envy

Value… Working hard together instead of laziness or handouts

Value… Contentment with peace instead of greed with strife

Value… True friendship instead of more money

Value… The common good instead of self-advancement

Illustration: God’s way works (from Barna, Pew, CAFO)

Public hospitals… 40% of healthcare in sub-Saharan Africa is provided by Christian organizations

Ending slavery… William Wilberforce, Harriet Tubman

The Salvation Army… founded in 1865 by William Booth

Christians donate to charity more than 3x the % of their income compared to unbelievers.

Christians volunteer more than non-Christians.

Christians are more likely to donate blood.

Christians are more than twice as likely to adopt and 3x more likely to be foster parents. // Christians make up 65% of non-family foster parents.

Esperanza y Futuro… I got to baptize 9 girls in Guatemala who were rescued from the most extreme abuse imaginable by a Christian who felt called to make a difference.

Application: Oppression is inevitable in a world that rejects God and lives for self. But God calls us to live a different way—the way of Jesus.

Conclusion

The first step of living the way of Jesus is to come to Jesus. // If you’ve already surrendered to Christ, then hear these words from Micah 6:8…