Series: Just Mercy Part 2: Let Justice Roll

Sermon Text: Amos 5:18-24, Matthew 25:1-13

Series Memory Verse: Micah 6:8

“He has shown you, O mortal, 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.” (Micah 6:8) 

What would the prophets say to us about children and families in the foster care system?  

1. The day of the Lord will be dark for those who embrace and continue injustice

2. God hates religious shows

3. Let justice roll

 What dams up the rolling of the river of justice?

The dams of justice

1. Disobedience

2. Apathy

3. Ignorance

4. Negligence

5. Fear

6. Distraction

7. Short-sightedness

8. Greed 

When we give our life to Jesus, when we put our trust in Him, he turns us into the kind of person through whom Justice Rolls. 

 How can I be the type of person through whom the river of justice flows?

1. Listen to God

2. Care for His people

3. Understand the need

4. Remember my responsibility

5. Trust His provision

6. Focus on Him and His mission

7. Plan for His arrival

8. Give your life away

“Therefore, if you’ve been assigned the goods of the world by God and you don’t share them with others, it isn’t just stinginess, it is injustice.” (Tim Keller, Generous Justice, 92) 

Ways that You Can Join In the Foster Care Initiative

1. Prayer - receive a monthly prayer email with praise and prayer requests from Keystone Family Alliance.

2. Become a foster family - Our goal is to have more than enough foster families than children in care. Is God calling you to answer the call to open your home? You will be contacted and guided through the process. 

3. Join a Stillnaz care community - 90% of foster parents will quit fostering before the 2 year mark. With a supportive community, 90% of them will foster past 2 years. A few hours a week of support can make a huge difference for foster parents and the children they serve. 

4. Join Gateway - Sign up to receive emails of tangible needs posted by caseworkers that you can meet. www.Keyfam.org/gatewayform 

5. Give Financially —Support the mission by giving to Keystone Family Alliance.

Reflection Questions:

1. Read Amos 5:24 and then be quiet for two minutes.

2. Describe what you see in your imagination when you hear Amos 5:24.

3. What is your experience of fostering or the adoption process? What stood out to you about ministry to kids and families involved in the foster process? Which way were you feeling led to join (pray, become a foster family, join a care community, join gateway)?

4. Read Matthew 23:23-24. Why are justice, mercy and faithfulness “the more important matters of the law”? How do those three things work together?

5. Compare Amos 5:18-24 to Matthew 23:23-24. Why does God care more about justice and righteousness than religious worship?

6. How can families live out justice, mercy and faithfulness in their homes? How is having a Christ-centered family an act of justice, a display of mercy and a revelation of faithfulness in this world?

7. When Jesus was preparing his disciples for his death he told the story of the ten bridesmaids in Matthew 25:1-13. Why is practicing justice, mercy and faithfulness necessary for “being ready” for Jesus’ return?

8. Explore: How can we live out Micah 6:8? Which of the three steps (Act justly, love mercy or walk humbly) do you struggle with most? Take time to pray for God’s help in that.

9. Pray: Take time to pray for the kids in the foster care system, the parents of the kids, the foster parents and families, the care communities around the foster families and Keystone Family Alliance.