Proverbs 31:1-9; Luke 18:1-8

July 4, 2020 Sermon Review

Introduction

In case you haven’t noticed, it’s almost impossible to turn on the news or pick up a newspaper without seeing some kind of protest or demonstration unfolding right before your very eyes. Whether it is a protest against the right to life or a protest against racial injustice, there is simply no way to avoid it. And that’s how many who are confronted with the issue of protests choose to respond, by avoiding it altogether. But can it really be avoided? And if there was some way that it could, is sticking one’s head in the sand really the correct response, especially for those of us who live under the banner of the Lord Jesus Christ? And if avoidance is not the correct response, then how should we as disciples of Jesus Christ respond to the debate as to whether or not believers should take part in such events? And better yet, what would Jesus do if he were here today being confronted with protests on a daily basis? In today’s message, “Protest and Progress,” our goal is to ask the hard questions in hopes that whatever path we eventually choose to take, it will be one that ultimately upholds truth and brings glory to God.

• One’s right to protest, the ability to make a statement or action expressing one’s disapproval of or objection to something, which is out of alignment with God or his character, although ratified within the first amendment of the United States Constitution, does not have its origin within the minds of humankind. Rather it is a right that was given by God to every member of his creation, with the expectation that it would be used in a manner that would uphold truth while all the while, bringing glory to his name.   Proverbs 21:13; 31:1-9; Isaiah 1:13-17; Jeremiah 22:3-5

• If we as Christians were willing to be brutally honest with ourselves about the message of the gospel of Jesus, we would know that protesting, despite what many may perceive it to be, could actually serve as a holy act of righteousness on the part of the believer that can bring about progress in advancing the kingdom of God.   Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 2:1-12; John 2:13-25; Luke 4:16-31; 18:1-8

Conclusion

Although there will be some who will turn the right to protest or not to protest into a political issue to be debated and fought within the media, those of who call ourselves Christians must understand that it is not only our right, but it is our duty to use our voices not only for the voiceless, but those who because of repeated injustices against them, may be too tired to use their own.

Question for Reflection

Has there ever been a moment in your life where despite the fact you held strong convictions regarding something that you knew went against all that you believed in and stood for, but because you were afraid of reprisal, you neglected to stand with those who could have benefitted from your voice? How did that make you feel?

Quotes of the Week

“We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference.” — Elie Wiesel

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” – Edmund Burke

“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.