Extending Mercy & Justice

Introduction

Why did Jesus come?

During Advent we prepare ourselves for His coming.

We recognize He came … but we must consider why He came in order to truly appreciate His coming.

Why did Jesus come … and to what degree are we here for the same purpose?

This Advent we are recognizing that Jesus came to serve … and that we are here for the same reason.

How is it we serve? How is it we are supposed to serve?

Are we serving one another well?

Are we known to our community as contributors and givers?

Is there a distinct ministry of service the Lord is opening up for us?

To serve is to make ourselves available to others for their betterment.

Last week we considered the forgiveness of Jesus as extended to us and as we are called to extend to others and to ourselves.

Another piece of Christ’s service is what I will call “serving without deserving”.

He extends mercy and justice.

He reaches even to those who deserve no such thing.

* In no way are we able to earn or deserve Christ’s place in our lives.

Today, as we look through scripture, we will see a continued call to and example of being just and merciful.

Mercy Over Sacrifice - , ,

We often minimize the OT when it comes to Christian living, but it has much for us.

We often judge the OT for being only about rules, laws, and animal sacrifice.

But it is very clear these are a means to an end.

We are called to mercy over ritual and relationship over duty.

We are called to love, mercy, justice, and kindness.

Please consider these texts with me … , ,

Many of us have some form of legalism in our history, and we have worked hard to put that mindset “to death” (along with our old nature).

God is not just about rules, and we know that - but it is easy for us to fall into “boxes” … ways and styles that we like and prefer because they do not stretch our comfort zone.

If we are not careful, we begin following God in a habitual way rather than a relational way.

We are called to holiness and obedience, but not as robots.

Our holiness and obedience flows out of personally walking with God; they are motivated by who we are in Christ.

Is there a “box” we are in right now that must be relinquished in order to serve?

Many Christians have fallen into a wrong mindset.

In my understanding of scripture, God has clearly called us to be part of a local church / a group of believers with which we serve and share our lives … and yet many live their faith very individually, claiming to have been hurt by the church or claiming they can live out their faith by themselves.

Others of us attend church but do so sporatically and even jumping from church to church … or we attend one church but do not truly engage relationally with the people there (coming and going quickly, avoiding volunteering, keeping distance between us and others so nothing more is required of us).

These describe boxes much like legalism … where we live out our faith in a very prescribed way.

But, we are called to mercy over sacrifice.

We are called to serve not to be served.

Self-checkout lines have become part of many large stores; these are a good example of what we are talking about here.

I have minimized the times I use a self-checkout because I realized that I was using them in order to avoid people / to just do my own thing.

This is the opposite of what God has called us to.

Too often we come to church so we can “give to” or appease God / so we can feel good about ourselves … thus keeping our faith to ourselves without having to actually interact with Him or one another.

But, we are actually called to live in community / to interact with each other / to serve one another / to get to know each other and to live life alongside each other.

Our faith in God is not about self-service but about outward service … service which causes our lives to intersect with one another.

These OT passages are clear.

God is not pleased when we merely go through the motions of worship.

shows God bringing His people to trial because they are so distanced from Him; they bring Him stuff (offerings) and yet are completely disconnected from Him.

They seek His blessing but are completely missing the way into God’s blessing.

It is not about what you do for God but about how you engage with God.

Serving is not duty but rather an overflow of His presence in our lives.

It is not an item on a checklist but rather a natural response to the ways He has served us.

Is there something we are doing to appease God rather than to serve Him? What is our true motivation in coming to service, in volunteering within the church? Have these in any way become habit or ritual more so than an expression of His reality in our lives?

Let us personally and deeply connect our lives to God’s; let us serve one another in mercy and humility.

Continued Openness to All Who Come - , ,

This idea of mercy is always somewhat mind-blowing to me … to give what is not deserved.

Mercy is extending compassion, forgiveness, blessing when it would be more appropriate to punish or judge or push away.

God has not only extended mercy to each of us but also calls us to extend it to others.

Throughout scripture (even in the OT … as we have just seen) we are called to be merciful.

With the advent of Jesus / through the life of Jesus on earth, we see His mercy demonstrated time and time again.

He was merciful; He was “full of mercy”.

There was room in His life for everyone who came.

For the woman who had been bleeding and in faith touched His cloak in the crowd for healing; He not only took time for her but healed her.

For the children whom the disciples pushed away but Jesus invited closer.

For the Pharisees who had God so wrong.

For the criminal on the cross who expressed repentance.

For Peter who denied Him publicly three times.

There was room in His life for everyone who came.

He demonstrated an openness to everyone.

We tend to judge one by their sins; so those with sin in their lives which is publicly known experience a great amount of rejection.

Jesus was the opposite … deeply valuing anyone who came, calling them out of sin but offering them salvation just the same.

Again we have three passages that express this … a prophecy of Jesus and then the words of Jesus. , ,

When you think of mercy, who do you think of? Who has demonstrated mercy for you?

On a general level, we picture someone like Mother Theresa; she was known for her service to the untouchables and outcasts of society.

I think of groups like Compassion Canada or Samaritan’s Purse who reach out to help countries, communities, and individuals who can do nothing in return … providing clean water and bathrooms, building into families and children and churches.

I think of my youth pastors, Sunday School teachers, college deans and professors, and many whom I have had opportunity to do church and life alongside.

Children also are often better at seeing past the differences and issues that adults struggle to see past.

With the coming of Jesus, He provides a clear example of merciful living.

A life that is open to all - young and old, disciple and persecutor, Pharisee and follower, sinner and saved.

Jesus exemplifies merciful living - what are examples from His life?

How do you see mercy and justice in His life?

He healed (extending health and forgiveness), He received the “sinners” rejected by the Pharisees (never overlooking their sin but always valuing the person), feeding those who did not bring their own food, being patient with His disciples when they should have known better, meeting faith with forgiveness.

Jesus lived a life continually open to all who came.

How do people find us?

When people meet me, do they find me receptive and welcoming? When people experience NCC on some level, do they find us welcoming or closed?

I read an article recently that I have been sharing around a little.

It is a short and to the point kind of article.

It is looking at how we as churches can over-program ourselves … which generally means the majority of our energy is spent on maintenance rather than ministry.

It reduces our focus to five key ministries … kids (and families), worship, groups, missions, and (the one I’m drawing attention) first impressions - the ministry of first impressions / guest services.

I have rarely seen first impressions as a ministry of the church but it totally makes sense for us to see it that way.

For us, this is having coffee on, our ushers and kiosk.

What are some steps we can each take to help newcomers feel welcome and appreciated?

Talk to them; don’t just look at them.

Invite them to come sit with you … making room in your row by moving to the middle.

Introduce yourself to them and invite them to join you at a coffee table.

Leave room especially in the back row and along the aisle for latecomers so it is easy for them to find a seat.

Prepare lunch in such a fashion you can easily invite them to join you.

Are we open?

Many times churches and Christians are friendly on the first meeting but do not leave room to actually integrate people into their everyday lives.

We often have our friendship circles and small groups established and maintain rather than expand.

This openness requires a church growth / church planting perspective - not only talking about reproduction and discipleship realities but actually working towards it and fitting our life around the opportunities that come our way.

Some people are easy to integrate with but others are very challenging.

We once had someone join our church who was very awkward to be around; it was a real challenge to integrate them … but they stayed.

Their differences have not always been appreciated but they too have seen past the differences and remained committed.

It required bending on both sides but it was done in order to integrate.

Integration is actually bringing our lives together - out of church just as much or more than in church.

It’s easier with people are similar to us … but what about those different than us?

How do we integrate those of different ethnicities or lifestyles or personalities?

How will we welcome those who live alternate lifestyles but still want to come to our church?

How do we take on Jesus’ openness to all?

It requires desiring for them to be part of us.

Stepping out of our comfort zones to bring them in.

Let us extend mercy and justice by being open to anyone who crosses our path.

Serving the Most Vulnerable - , ,

But … merciful service goes beyond those who walk through our door.

What about those who do not come to us / that we need to go to?

Who are the most vulnerable / the ones who God is leading us to serve?

If we are considering whether God is directing us to a distinct ministry, we must ask if it is to the most vulnerable?

Who is in front of us … that we can reach out to?

In Great Commission language, who is our “Samaria”? Who is close to us but that we only interact with if we make continued effort to do so?

How and where can we serve those who are in need, those who are lonely, those who have no one else to turn to?

, ,

Scripture clearly teaches us to serve the vulnerable.

James writes a letter which is very practical and hands on; in a context calling believers to be “doers” of the word, he says “doing” the word is not religious acts but caring for widows and orphans.

In , Jesus offers the parable of the sheep and goats, where He describes evidence of salvation as feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, visiting the imprisoned, providing the basic needs of life, welcoming these people into our lives.

Jesus and the apostles demonstrated a clear openness to those in need … welcoming the sick, the young, the needy, the sinner.

We have already made mention of Jesus’ healings, extending forgiveness, feeding the hungry, and having time for people even when in the middle of busy situations.

has been on my heart and mind lately; the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery before Jesus.

Her life was literally in His hands.

He cared deeply for her (being gentle and forgiving) … but He also clearly called her out of sin and into obedience.

Serving the needy / those who are struggling / those commonly cast off or pushed away … serving the most vulnerable is close to God’s heart.

Who are the most vulnerable to us? Who is within reach of us serving but we have no natural way of reaching?

Bob and June had a ministry with Divorce Care that brought renewal to those facing the hurts and struggles coming out of divorce; how do we serve the divorced person who often feels more judged than received?

Amongst us, we have people grieving loss of a loved one or loss of a relationship, people facing financial loss, people battling addiction.

There are relational hurts and changes in life that have been forced upon us.

Christmas is often treated like a happy season for all, but how do we serve those who are facing the first Christmas without a loved one?

We have those who are single parents, laid off from work, are carrying secret sins, who are needing help with groceries.

We have first nations, the old folks homes, the sick and shut-ins.

Right here we have NeighbourLink, the backpack program, the Manor and Riverview, the hospital … and others with opportunity for us to volunteer our time and talents.

How can we serve? Are there any doors opening for us?

What / who is God laying on our hearts?

Is God directing your or your family in any particular ministry direction?

How are we as NCC extending mercy and justice?

Do we serve the people God brings across our path (whether they deserve it or not)?

More than anything, are we recognizing and appreciating how we have been served by Christ even though we did not deserve it in any way?

Conclusion

As we prepare for Christmas, it is essential we remain focused on Christ Himself.

Coming as a baby / coming in a most vulnerable form, we recognize He came to save and to serve us … He came purely with the cross in mind.

When in sin, we are the most vulnerable.

We have the truth and salvation that meets and counteracts that vulnerability.

Let us live in such a way that we serve as Christ serves / that we bring hope into the middle of need.

As Jesus said of Himself in , let us come to serve not to be served; let us extend mercy and forgiveness, love and justice to one another and to those we have opportunity to serve.