RHCCC DTM Latest Sermon

Sermon Notes

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The overarching theme that revealed itself during the course of this series: How God has called us, his church, to join Him in engaging oppression and living justly?

The Church is in the Hot Seat today (v. 1-3)
Reflection: Where have I failed to reflect the new reality God has brought about it Christ, is creating in me (personally), and also in my community (church/corporately)?

We have a gracious God who seats us with Christ to extend His grace in the face of oppression (v. 4-10)
Oppression is a form of sin whereby we see ourselves better or deserving than the other.

We are Jesus’ courageous and humble agents of reconciliation (v. 11-22)

Overall, hot seat applications:
1. Live incarnationally (v. 15)
2. Recognize the reality (v. 16-17)
3. Love above all

Sermon Notes

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Review: Troubling War Texts
kill all (women, children, men)
yes, we killed everyone
not one person is left standing
none remain breathing

Better Answer?
1. Hyperbole
2. Incremental Ethic
3. The crying war God
4. The war God who hates WMDs
5. The war God who hates David’s bloody war hands
6. Q&A

1. God says “No” to WMDs
God says

No. Don’t go buy them! Don’t stockpile them!
—Deuteronomy 17

And don’t keep them if they fall into your hands. Instead, destroy them!
—Joshua 11



2. God says “no” to David’s Bloody War Hands (1 Chronicles)
ANE Background: “Battle, build, boast”


Not Yahweh

David said to Solomon: “My son, I had it in my heart to build a house for the Name of the LORD my God. But this word of the LORD came to me: ‘You have shed much blood and have fought many wars. You are not [!] to build a house for my Name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in my sight.
—1 Chronicles 22:7-8 NIV

But you will have a son who will be a man of peace and rest, and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side. His name will be Solomon [shalom-man], and I will grant Israel peace [shalom] and quiet during his reign. 10 He is the one who will build a house for my Name… .’
—1 Chronicles 22:9-10 [cf. 28:3] NIV
“I’m not David. My name/reputation is Shalom” (1 Kings 6:32, 7:18-19)

Is Yahweh a genocidal, bloodthirsty, [literally] kill-everyone war God?

Seems like it… if we take the total-kill language in biblical war texts literally. But this series has argued, “No, we got it wrong.”


Better answers..

1. Hyperbole. We (and new atheism) have misread the war texts. Think hyperbole.
2. Redemptive movement. God helped Israel move the ethical scrimmage markers incrementally downfield. Cf. ANE warfare.
3. Tearful War God. Yahweh weeps over the death of his war enemies.Cf. ANE gods.
4. No-WMDs God. Yahweh bans Israel’s use of war horses and chariots. Cf. ANE gods/kings.
5. “I am not David!” kind of God. Yahweh is the shalom, peace-loving God. Images of creating life (not taking it) fill his temple. His temple walls offer a resounding “no” to glorifying violence and war. Cf. ANE kings/gods.

Sermon Notes

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Review: Troubling War Texts

kill all (women, children, men)

yes, we killed everyone

not one person is left standing

none remain breathing
 

Better Answer?

1. Hyperbole

2. Incremental Ethic

3. The crying war God

4. The war God who hates WMDs

5. The war God who hates David’s bloody war hands

6. Q&A



1. God says “No” to WMDs

God says
No. Don’t go buy them! Don’t stockpile them!—Deuteronomy 17
And don’t keep them if they fall into your hands. Instead, destroy them!—Joshua 11

2. God says “no” to David’s Bloody War Hands (1 Chronicles)

ANE Background: “Battle, build, boast”
Not Yahweh
David said to Solomon: “My son, I had it in my heart to build a house for the Name of the LORD my God. But this word of the LORD came to me: ‘You have shed much blood and have fought many wars. You are not [!] to build a house for my Name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in my sight.—1 Chronicles 22:7-8 NIV

But you will have a son who will be a man of peace and rest, and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side. His name will be Solomon [shalom-man], and I will grant Israel peace [shalom] and quiet during his reign. 10 He is the one who will build a house for my Name… .’—1 Chronicles 22:9-10 [cf. 28:3] NIV

“I’m not David. My name/reputation is Shalom” (1 Kings 6:32, 7:18-19)
Is Yahweh a genocidal, bloodthirsty, [literally] kill-everyone war God?

Seems like it… if we take the total-kill language in biblical war texts literally. But this series has argued, “No, we got it wrong.”

Better answers..
1. Hyperbole. We (and new atheism) have misread the war texts. Think hyperbole.
2. Redemptive movement. God helped Israel move the ethical scrimmage markers incrementally downfield. Cf. ANE warfare.
3. Tearful War God. Yahweh weeps over the death of his war enemies. Cf. ANE gods.
4. No-WMDs God. Yahweh bans Israel’s use of war horses and chariots. Cf. ANE gods/kings.
5. “I am not David!” kind of God. Yahweh is the shalom, peace-loving God. Images of creating life (not taking it) fill his temple. His temple walls offer a resounding “no” to glorifying violence and war. Cf. ANE kings/gods.

Sermon Notes

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Introduction: Troubling War Texts
kill all (women, children, men)yes, we killed everyone
not one person is left standing
none remain breathing

———
Traditional: Yes, it literally happened. But God is good, just and holy. We simply cannot to resolve the ethical problems (mystery).

New Atheism: God wanted to literally kill every breathing Canaanite men, women and children. So, you worship a genocidal God.

———
Better Answer?
1. Hyperbole
2. Incremental Ethic
3. The crying war God
4. The war God who hates WMDs
5. The war God who hates David’s bloody war hands
6. Q&A

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1. Hyperbole
Is hyperbole truthful?

2. Incremental Ethic

3. The crying war God
Subversive war texts

I [God] weep as Jazer weeps … I drench you with tears … my heart throbs for Moab like a harp, my very soul laments for [them] …—Isaiah 16:9,11

I will wail for Moab; I will cry out for all Moab; for the people of Kir Hareseth I mourn. More than for Jazar I weep for you… .My heart moans for Moab like a flute, and my heart moans like a flute for the people of Kir Hareseth …—Jeremiah 48:31-32, 36

Sermon Notes

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There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe nor politic nor popular, but he must take it because his conscience tells him it is right.
—Martin Luther King Jr.


What is Justice?
Justice is: How do I be an agent of the Kingdom of Heaven to make right what is wrong?

While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel and making my request to the Lord my God for his holy hill— 21 while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. 22 He instructed me and said to me, “Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding. 23 As soon as you began to pray, a word went out, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed.
—Daniel 9:20-23



3 Ways to be Effective People of Justice:
1. Personal Influence: Analyze your self-awareness and empathy
2. Micro Influence: Who do I have direct impact over?
3. Macro Influence: How can I influence the system?

Sermon Notes

———
There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe nor politic nor popular, but he must take it because his conscience tells him it is right.
—Martin Luther King Jr.


What is Justice?
Justice is: How do I be an agent of the Kingdom of Heaven to make right what is wrong?

While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel and making my request to the Lord my God for his holy hill— 21 while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. 22 He instructed me and said to me, “Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding. 23 As soon as you began to pray, a word went out, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed.
—Daniel 9:20-23



3 Ways to be Effective People of Justice:
1. Personal Influence: Analyze your self-awareness and empathy
2. Micro Influence: Who do I have direct impact over?
3. Macro Influence: How can I influence the system?

Sermon Notes

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God’s Justice Reflects His Character

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God’s Justice is Revealed through His Covenant People (Genesis 12, Deuteronomy 16:18-20, Isaiah 1:15-17)

18 “You shall appoint judges and officers in all your towns that the Lord your God is giving you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment. 19 You shall not pervert justice. You shall not show partiality, and you shall not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and subverts the cause of the righteous. 20 Justice, and only justice, you shall follow, that you may live and inherit the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
—Deuteronomy 16:18-20


When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood. 16 Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil, 17 learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.
—Isaiah 1:15-17


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God’s Justice is Redeemed by the Cross of Christ

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
—Romans 3:23-35


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The gospel offers a better metanarrative of justice and atonement

Exodus: The Israelites were oppressed, and God delivered his people from their oppressors through his chosen servant (Moses) and the blood of the Passover Lamb.

Judges: The Israelites were being oppressed and God delivered his people from their oppressors through his chosen servants (imperfect Judges).

1 Samuel: The Israelites were being oppressed by the Philistines and God delivers his people through his chosen servant (David).

New Testament: God’s people are spiritually oppressed by sin, God delivers us through his chosen Servant, Christ–the Lamb of God.

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BIG IDEA: God’s justice reflects his character, is revealed through his covenant people, and is upheld by the cross of Christ.

Sermon Notes

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In the Beginning… (Genesis 1:27-28)
God Created and designed men and women to co-labour and co-rule together. (Genesis 2:18)

———
Bet then Something Happened…
Everything changed and inequality began.


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But God was working and honouring women the whole time.
Jesus and the rest of the New Testament shows a pattern of change where women are valued even when it was going against common culture of that time. (Luke 8:1-3, Acts 2:17-18, Galatians 3:28)

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Men and women are both gifted and called for bringing God’s kingdom to earth and of great worth.

So, what about the verses about women being silent and submit and not ask questions in church? (1. Corinthians 14:34-35, 1 Timothy 2:11-12)

The church is a “bride”, a family, and a body where everyone is respected, needed and loved.

———
The overarching storyline of the Bible is actually pushing for women to be honoured and respected in cultures where they weren’t. (1. Corinthians 12:27)

Sermon Notes

———
In the Beginning… (Genesis 1:27-28)
God Created and designed men and women to co-labour and co-rule together. (Genesis 2:18)

———
Bet then Something Happened…
Everything changed and inequality began.


———
But God was working and honouring women the whole time.
Jesus and the rest of the New Testament shows a pattern of change where women are valued even when it was going against common culture of that time. (Luke 8:1-3, Acts 2:17-18, Galatians 3:28)

———
Men and women are both gifted and called for bringing God’s kingdom to earth and of great worth.

So, what about the verses about women being silent and submit and not ask questions in church? (1. Corinthians 14:34-35, 1 Timothy 2:11-12)

The church is a “bride”, a family, and a body where everyone is respected, needed and loved.

———
The overarching storyline of the Bible is actually pushing for women to be honoured and respected in cultures where they weren’t. (1. Corinthians 12:27)

Sermon Notes

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Paul would say: a female is not a proper extension of male leadership. That doesn’t make sense. That’s a contradiction of male leadership, not an extension of male leadership. And a woman teaching men, with authority, week in, week out, or every other week, or regularly in an adult Sunday school class, or whatever: a woman teaching men, with authority, under the elders, is not under the authority of the New Testament.
—John Piper

Thank God for strong, gifted women in the church. No, the problem in the church is not strong women, but rather weak men who feel threatened by strong women, and have tried various means, even by dubious exegesis to prohibit them from exercising their gifts and graces in the church.
—Ben Witherington III

I support women in all levels of leadership in the Church. I did not always have this “view” but after years of praying, wrestling, discussing, listening, fasting, and praying some more, I came to this conviction some time ago and while it has been questioned, pushed back, and tested, I remain convicted.
—Eugene Cho

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4 Reactions by the Church:
Traditionalist, Complementarian, Egalitarian, Progressive

———
Start with Common Desire:
Complementarians and Egalitarians both have a deep desire to live faithfully to God’s word.

We should first recognize the common desire to be faithful to scripture and God’s calling on us.

———
What are some reasons why some churches believe that women SHOULD NOT be allowed in all levels of leadership and church ministry?

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2 Primary Biblical Texts

1 Cor 14:33-35, 1 Tim 2:11-12
Context: Epistles are usually written in response to particular contextual issue. What is happening here? What is Paul responding to?

Universal Principle vs Specific Cultural Context

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What are some reasons why some churches believe that women SHOULD be allowed in all levels of leadership and church ministry?

Examples of Women Leaders in the Bible
- Priscilla (Teacher, ministry co-worker with Paul) Rom. 16:3
- Junia (Apostle) Rom 16:7
- Pheobe (Deacon , Benefactor) Rom. 16:1-2
- Deborah (Judge, Prophetess) Judges 4-5

This is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: “In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.
—Acts 2:16–18

Wives submit to your husbands, as to the Lord…
—Ephesians 5:22

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…
—Ephesians 5:25

…submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
—Ephesians 5:21

The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
—Luke 4