The Great Compassion
This week, Bill Chapman delivered an impactful sermon, expanding on the themes we've explored in recent weeks. He emphasised the crucial role of the church in championing the cause of social justice in our communities.
The Essence of Social Justice:
Social justice, Bill reminded us, is meant to breathe life into our world. However, it has often been tainted by cultural influences, leading to confusion. He stressed that the key to understanding social justice lies not in "what" the issue is but in "who" it affects.
Quoting Psalm 33:5 (NIV), Bill reinforced that God Himself is a social justice warrior: "The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love."
By dissecting Colossians 3:10-16 (NLT), Bill unveiled the biblical elements of social justice:
“Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilised, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us. Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.” Colossians 3:10-16 NLT
1. Love of Self and Knowledge: Understanding that God loves us and loving ourselves because of His boundless love. It's about loving God wholeheartedly and growing in our understanding of Him as we live in His light.
2. Respect for Others: Treating others with the same love and respect we desire for ourselves, reflecting the depth of our kindness and love through our actions.
3. Addressing Issues of Social Justice: A sincere concern for the well-being of marginalised groups, such as widows, foreigners, and the poor. As Christians, it should deeply trouble us to see hunger and financial hardship in our own community.
4. Social Movements and Change: Acknowledging the transformative power of collective action and social change in addressing injustices.
5. Awareness and Action: Raising our eyes to see the needs around us and actively sharing the goodness of God that we have personally experienced.
Bill challenged us to consider what the world might be like if more people were compassionate and showed tenderness toward one another. He emphasised the importance of empathy over sympathy and declared that our level of love is the measure of our followership.
When God's love fills our hearts, we become social justice warriors because people matter, and lives are transformed. True social justice ensures that people receive the love of God and the freedom they deserve.
The sermon concluded with powerful testimony from Kate and Carol, who shared their experiences of social justice in action through their work in the Community Life Hub and Foodbank.
Kate left us with a poignant reminder from Proverbs 31:8-9: "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice."
This reminded us that without genuine care, all our knowledge about social justice is empty.
May we all be inspired to live out 'The Great Compassion' and advocate for social justice in our lives, making a difference where it truly matters.
