"And Justice For . . . Some"
July 18, 2004

The Old Testament Lesson: Amos 8: 1-12

I.  People have a longing for Justice
    A. Have you noticed that there has been a rash of Superhero movies?
        1. These are characters taken from comic books
        2. The most recent is the blockbuster success Spiderman 2
        3. Past movies have included Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Hulk, and many others
    B. The reason for that popularity is the longing people have for justice!
        1. In the majority of these movies, good and bad are easily identified
        2. Both might have superpowers, but good always prevails
        3. One of the clearest examples is last year's hit, DareDevil
            a. The hero is a blind lawyer by day, a deeply religious man
            b. Indicates his stance by saying, "I only defend innocent people."
            c. At night, he dons his costume and brings justice to those who escaped the legal system.
        4. Through his efforts, made a great sacrifice, justice prevails
    C. That indicates one of the deepest desires of the human heart!
        1. We long to know that in the end, all wrongs will be righted, all the good people rewarded and all the evil doers get what they deserve
        2. But it often doesn't seem that way to us.
            a. We know plenty of good people who continue to suffer
            b. And we know that crooked people get away
        3. We cry out at such times, where is God?
        4. from our perspective, the scales are not balanced.
    D. This is nothing new! At all times, people have wondered and wished.
        1. The rich seem to get richer.
        2. The poor continue to work hard for little reward.

II.  The prophet Amos declared Justice is not wishful thinking but a certainty.
    A. In Israel, there was a group who specifically dealt with this question.
        1. They were known as prophets.
        2. Their special job to confront those who wandered from God's way
        3. They often took up the plight of the poor who were often abused
    B One such prophet was Amos
        1. He gave a number of scathing denunciations to other nations.
        2. The some of the worst he saved for Israel.
        3. He addressed the business men who built their wealth on the backs of the poor.
            a. They were eager to make all the money they could.
            b. ignored fair practices in favor of profit
            c. They used weighted scales to give less grain for the price.
            d. They sold inferior product to the poor who had no choices
            e. I'm sure they found ways to justify their falsehood
    C. God sent Amos to speak to those who were in power.
        1. They already knew what was right because it was written in the law
        2. Amos was sent to remind and to warn.
            a. He reminded them of their responsibility to the poor.
            b. told they the poor were God's special concern.
            c. called their attention to the requirements of the law.
        3. But, he didn't stop with reminders, he gave warning.
            a. made it clear God would not put up with this behavior forever.
            b. There was a day coming just around the corner when God would act to restore the balance.
            c. They wouldn't want to be around to see that judgment!
        4. God is the insurance that Justice will be given.

III.  We each have the opportunity to be a Superhero for God!
    A Today, we hear again the words of Amos.
        1. We are well aware that God will not tolerate the abuse of people.
        2. We know what justice is.
        3. We have been warned that judgment is coming.
        4. The question to us is, "What are we going to do about it?"
    B. God has actually place superheroes in the world.
        1. But they don't wear colorful costumes an fly.
        2. Walk around in clothes just like we wear…because we wear them!
        3. God has instructed us and called each of us to stand for justice.
    C. Our tools include prayer, fair dealings and words.
        1. For the larger world issues that are beyond us, we pray.
            a. there are some giant issues that we can't begin to change.
            b. I think of the wars that rage in other countries
            c. There are mistreatments of despotic rulers
            d. famines rage through countries we can't place on a map
            e. These troubles are beyond our intervention, but not God's
            f. We are called to remember these things constantly in prayer
        2. For those things within our hands, we live out justice.
            a. We have business dealings all the time.
            b. We interact with our neighbors.
            c. to our everyday dealings, we must live justly!
        3. One small example is in tipping wait persons
            a. Utah is a tough place to work for tips!
            b. People have no idea how to tip correctly, let alone generously!
            c. You can live out justice by leaving a little extra the next time you go to a restaurant! Leave 20% an be a hero!
            d. It's a witness for Jesus.
        4. And for those issues all around us, we speak out!
            a. There are many issues in our country that are a matter of justice.
            b. during this election time, we will be constantly hearing speeches
            c. listen to them with an ear to discern God's will.
    D. One of the issues that has come up at presbytery is leaning practices.
        1. What is considered fair when it comes to interest?
            a. banks have been charging very low amounts
            b. I got my car at 1.9%
        2. Do you know that check cashing places are charging 30% or more?
            a. and who are the primary customers?
            b. you guesses it, the poor!

Our practices have not changed much from Amos' day. People intent on getting rich often use and abuse the poor. But, if God had enough superheroes who would fight for justice, that couldn't happen, could it?