Sunday May 24, 2009 | Dwayne Polk
6 With what shall I come before the LORD and bow down before the exalted God?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?
7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil?
Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
8 He has shown all you people what is good. And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
There is a consistent and persistent message God has been sending through both the Old and New Testaments: Love your neighbor as yourself. And everyone is your neighbor! What was recorded as law in Lev. 19 was echoed by the prophets and reiterated by Jesus in the gospels.
Dwayne called our attention to the consistent and persistent message God has been sending through both the Old and New Testaments: Love your neighbor as yourself. And everyone is your neighbor! What was recorded as law in Lev. 19 was echoed by the prophets and reiterated by Jesus in the gospels.
The prophets Isaiah and Micah came from different social classes, but they both had the same message for the people of God at the time, uphold the covenant with God by fighting oppression, judging fairly, acting justly and showing mercy on those who are unable to care for themselves.
The cycles of violence, suffering and oppression have always persisted, but so too has God’s command to overcome this with love, mercy and justice. Dwayne’s challenge to us was to respond to the many texts in Scripture that call us to make a difference for those who suffer. As he closed in prayer he pointed toward several upcoming opportunities to make a practical difference as individuals and as a group. Please take the time to read the key texts from today’s sermon and prayerfully submit yourself to God’s leading for how this can impact your life.