Thread:

Message in one Its not you its the system!

sentence:
Scriptures referred Psl.82:1-8; Mic.6:1-8; Mat.23:23-32 [woe #4-7];
to:
Illustrations:

Sermon:
Intro:
Last week we looked at blind-spots or scotomas, and how we turn a
blind eye to things that we don’t want to see. One of my blind-spots is
when I say, “I’m not racist I’m colour blind.” Which is an insult to God,
because I can see colours. That was personal. But we don’t live in our
own little bubble.
And although I personally strive to be anti-racist, what about the
community in which I live? Are they part of the solution or part of the
problem? Today we look at our society.

Psl.82 is our first heavenly courtroom setting today.

Verse #1 of Psa.82 in the NIV reads: “God presides in the great assembly
He gives judgement among the “gods.” That is a small “gods”.
Commentators are divided upon whether these “small gods” are angels or
lords – as in lords of the manor. Please allow me to stretch a point here and
suggest that here we are talking about civil authorities.

And as Paul tells us, Rom.13:1b “...there is no authority that exist

except that which God has established.” And we are to obey these
authorities.

“The Bible speaks very clearly about the relationship between the
believer and the government. We are to obey governmental authorities,
and the government is to treat us justly and fairly. Even when the
government does not live up to its role, we are still to live up to ours.” 1

In the words of the psalmist, in verses 3-4 [cev] those placed in authority
over us are called to be “... fair to the poor and to orphans. Defend the
helpless and everyone in need. Rescue the weak and homeless from

1
https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-government.html
1
the powerful hands of heartless people.

Moving on...

From one heavenly courtroom scene, we go to another Micah 6.

But in this instance Micah is not just addressing the “authorities and leaders”,
he is also addressing the individual – you and me. What does God require of
us?
“...to do what is just, to show constant love, and to live in
humble fellowship with our God.” [gnb]

What does that word, “just” mean? One definition says,

“An action or person is deemed to be “just” when it is “based on or
behaving according to what is morally right and fair.”2
Allow me to take a wee detour share part of my story with you.
When I came to South Africa in 1973 I worked in Simon’s Town
dockyard. I spent two winters in Cape Town and decided that I’d had
enough of that weather, so I decided to move to Johannesburg. I
resigned, got in my car and headed North to start a new job in Pretoria.

So what you may think? But, in 1973 apartheid was still in force. So
although I could do that, the coloured artisans whom I worked
alongside could not! They would first have to obtain permission before
they could relocate to any other town.3

Was that morally right and fair? Was that “just treatment” of God’s people?

Yes I know that that was what happened in those years. Apartheid is off the
statute books now. But, after 28 years of “democracy” I wonder if apartheid
has worked its way out of our system yet?

I ask that question because of two incidents circa 2004 which spoke to my
soul. I will discuss both of these on Wednesday evening, not today – there is
no time.

2
https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/what-god-is-just-means-to-believers.html
3
1986 the dompas law was rescinded.
2
In our Gospel reading, Jesus condemns the Pharisees for their public display
of being “holy unto God”, while ignoring the most important duty of all: “...
you ignore the most important duty of all: to walk in the love of God,
to display mercy to others, and to live with integrity. Readjust your
values and place first things first. [Mat.23:23b tpt]

Does our society live up to what Jesus says? Is South Africa today a just and
fair society?

I want to close by referring to a reading from Deuteronomy where I feel we

find but one example of a just and fair society.

Deu 23:15-16 "If slaves run away from their owners and come
to you for protection, do not send them back. They may live in
any of your towns that they choose, and you are not to treat
them harshly.” [gnb.4]

How does that sound to you? Is it morally right and fair? Is that how slaves
were treated in the USA slavery days?

Call to action:

1. I believe that structural injustice still exists in our communities today.

a. As you leave here today, think about, what steps are you going
to take to help bring the Kingdom of God here in South Africa?

4
I wonder what Paul had in mind when he sent the slave Onesimus back to his master Philemon?
3
 Wednesday evening:
The first incident:
There was a “Fresh Expressions” conference in Cape Town, which Rodger
Norman and myself were at. In one of the breakout sessions it so happened
that Rodger and myself were in a group of about ten people and we were the
only whites. The other participants were university students. During that
week there were student protests in Cape Town and some property had been
destroyed. So before we started to discuss what we were there to discuss, I
asked, “Why do you students always have to destroy something?” Rodger
and I got an earful. Rodger interrupted to explain that the ‘church’ was busy
establishing crèches in townships. To which one student replied, “But they
aren’t as good as the crèches in the suburban areas! Because apartheid still
exists in the structures.” Thankfully our break-out time ran out, and we beat
a hasty retreat to the tea table.
The second incident:
A number of years later this student’s prophecy came to Nahoon Methodist.
As most parents are aware young children must develop their fine motor
skills. We had been told that many Black children were entering pre-schools
unable to hold a pencil? Little to no training or mental stimulation was taking
place in township crèches! So that student – all these years ago, was correct.
There is this thing called structural racism. And, yes in South Africa today it
works both ways!