Collective Faith: The Passion for Jesus Notes

Passion for justice is key to spiritual growth and a deepening relationship with Jesus.

We can do all the “right religious” things but if we do not seek justice and love with compassion, then we fall short of the glory of God.

Matthew 19:16-26

Now someone came up to him and said, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to gain eternal life?”

He said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”

“Which ones?” he asked.

Jesus replied, “Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother, love your neighbor as yourself.”

The young man said to him, “I have wholeheartedly obeyed all these laws. What do I still lack?”

Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go sell your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

But when the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he was very rich.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven! Again I say, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter into the kingdom of God.”

The disciples were greatly astonished when they heard this and said, “Then who can be saved?”

Jesus looked at them and replied, “This is impossible for mere humans, but for God all things are possible.”

Collective Faith is another way to say “Others-Focused Life.”

• highly concerned with justice and compassion
• let go of self-preservation and egocentricism
• desire to show others the sweetness of knowing God
• threaten parochial perceptions of justice, righteousness and goodness
• seek Shalom over personal piety

Jesus put me in a life-saving position.

We must learn to recognize injustice and try to turn it around.

Jesus I am sorry that I have let other people and my own desires lead me. Please forgive me and show me what You look like recognizing injustice and bringing change with compassion and love and Your passion. Amen.

Chapters 13: Jesus Justice Notes

The poor and crippled and afflicted are our responsibility…Not someone else’s.

We must restore people’s dignity or we cannot experience God’s kingdom.

A desire for social justice means we will confront oppression and be bothered and against any oppression.-Treat ALL people equally regardless of ANY factor that makes us different.

Justice is not charity. Charity is giving money to someone in need. Justice is changing the system that isn’t empowering people in need.

Justice helps us realize our privilege and intentionally helping others — not out of guilt or trying to make up for sins of our ancestors or our past but out of love from God.

• “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Martin Luther King Jr.
• Malala Yousafzai has been a voice for eduction for girls in Pakistan. Her bravery has been recognized with a Nobel Peace Prize.
• The Koran does not require women to cover their faces with burkas. Men who are insecure, jealous or unwilling to change a culture require burkas.
• Forcing Native Americans to live in remote and barren areas is one form of injustice.
• In Thailand fathers sell their daughters for sex because they think this is the way to keep hotels and restaurants filled and tourists happy. This is actually keeping tourists away and steels joy from their people.
  • Hate crimes
  • Child labor
  • Human trafficking
  • Gender discrimination
  • High cost for higher education
  • Inaccessible health care
  • Commercial farming
  • Monopolies
  • The role of women in the church

…all these things need justice — Jesus’ justice.

Lord if You have created me to bring change, please guide my steps and help me see where Your passion in me lies. Amen.

Feel free to leave your comments below!

My name is Summer. That is how you can call me. I hope that I am a blessing to you. I am not perfect. I will fall again. But I am forgiven.

Do you know Jesus? Do want the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you understanding and salvation? Ask Him. Want someone to pray with you? Contact me.

If you would like to know Jesus as your friend, but want to make this amazing commitment by yourself please pray something like this:

Thank you Jesus that You are the Son of God, the God that created heaven and earth. Thank you Jesus that You came to earth in the form of a man so that You would be able to empathize with my humanity. Thank You that You did this in order to fulfill the promises You made at the foundation of the world.

I realize that I am a sinner and do things that hurt myself and keep myself away from you. Thank You that You died for my sins so that You could defeat death and bring me into Your life. Please forgive me.

I ask You to be Lord of my life. I ask you to heal my hurts and show me what my new life, empowered by You looks like. Thank You for Your mercy.

Amen

The Lord is with you always.