the beyond weekend For the sermon on October 19-20, 2013 “Two Ways to Live”

Welcome to Beyond the Weekend! The experiences below are designed to connect with the weekend message and fit a variety of learning styles. They provide additional readings from other sections of Scripture such as the Old Testament, Psalms, Gospels, and Epistles (letters). Take 20-30 minutes each day and enjoy your pursuit of God!

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Day 1 Amos 5.11-14 | Justice

In the middle of his massive project to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, Nehemiah becomes aware of several issues requiring immediate attention. The issues stemmed from economic injustices—a food shortage, properties being mortgaged to buy food, and children sold into slavery as collateral. While Nehemiah was trying to provide physical security for God’s people, their deteriorating sense of community ethics needed rebuilding as well.

Nehemiah’s judgment was quick and clear. To those responsible for economically oppressing others he said “What you are doing is not right” (Nehemiah 5.9). Nehemiah’s judgment was in line with the heart of God. All of Scripture testifies to God’s compassion for the poor and oppressed. Three hundred years earlier the prophet Amos recognized similar injustice and called the people to repent, “There are those who oppress the innocent and take bribes and deprive the poor of justice in the courts…Seek good, not evil, that you may live” (Amos 5.12b, 14).

God continues to draw our attention to situations of injustice and oppression, even when we’re in the middle of our own “rebuilding project.” Being involved in “rebuilding” does not excuse us from acting when we see injustice in our community. Today, identify an area of injustice in West Michigan and offer to help. For ideas on issues and organizations, contact local missions & service coordinator Dan Geurink at [email protected].

Day 2 James 4.1-3 | Anger

Nehemiah’s initial reaction to this injustice was deep anger. The greed, selfishness, and insensitivity of the nobles and officials—who should have been a source of caring and compassion—prompted Nehemiah’s righteous indignation. The people who should have been part of the solution were, instead, guilty of exploitation. Nehemiah knew something needed to be done.

While this type of anger at injustice and suffering is entirely appropriate, most of our anger is wrong and sinful. It’s what James describes when he writes, “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you” (James 4.1)? James says that much of our anger and conflict comes from uncontrolled desire (4.1), unfulfilled desire (4.2), and selfish desire (4.2-3).

The contrast between being rightly offended by injustice and selfish anger should prompt us to evaluate the source of our anger. As you review the past week, notice those situations over which you became angry or offended. On a sheet of paper place them in one of two columns: “Righteous” and “Selfish.” Today confess one area where you see selfish anger and commit that area to God, trusting his power to conquer that anger. Day 3 Malachi 3.6-12 | Generosity

Confronting injustice head-on, Nehemiah’s anger led him to “lash out” in generosity: he redeemed Jews from slavery, lent money and grain, and refused to take advantage of his privileges as a government official (Nehemiah 5.6-19). Nehemiah’s generosity was disciplined and long-term. Rather than a one- time event, he demonstrated a lifestyle of generosity.

The prophet Malachi records the only time in Scripture that God invites us to test him. And it concerns God’s commitment to provide us what we need in order for us to be generous, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it” (Malachi 3.10). While God’s blessings today are not necessarily always financial, he does bless those who live generously (2 Corinthians 9.6-12). Make the commitment today to “lash out” in consistent generosity.

Day 4 Nehemiah 5.12-13 | Accountability

Recognizing their role in the injustice, the nobles and officials of Jerusalem decide to make things right (Nehemiah 5.12). While this was certainly what Nehemiah was hoping to hear, their “on-the-spot” declaration wasn’t good enough. He demanded they take an oath affirming they would do what they said and he built a system of accountability into the process.

Greater accountability and mutual support help ensure success: “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: if either of them falls down, one can help the other up” (Ecclesiastes 4.9-10). Even Jesus sent his disciples out in pairs (Luke 10.1)! As you continue your rebuilding project, especially if you’re lagging just a bit, find someone to journey with you who will provide accountability and encouragement.

Day 5 Psalm 33 | Fear of the Lord

Nehemiah’s challenge to those responsible for the injustice spoke to the heart of the matter: “Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our Gentile enemies” (Nehemiah 5.9)? He knew that “fear of the Lord”—understanding who he is and living in reverential awe of him—leads to trust and obedience. The Psalmist understood this when he wrote, “Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him” (Psalm 33.8). When we do revere (fear) the Lord, we choose to trust him and—as a result—other fears are diminished. We become bolder and better able to persevere.

We often run into problems, especially during “rebuilding projects,” when we fear something more than we fear God. Today, as you meditate on Psalm 33, commit again to fearing the Lord and trusting him to remove all other fears. Memorize Psalm 33.8 and call it to mind every time you sense being overcome by fear.

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