Liberation I: With Liberty and Justice for All
by the Rev. AJ Ochart
Exodus 3:1-12; Luke 21:1-4 ; Psalm 146; Romans 5:1-11
The Sermon Series for the month of July will be on Liberation. Inspired by and recognizing the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, we will look at themes of liberation throughout our scriptures. We will wrestle with the high ideals of our founding, and the ways that those ideals have (or have not) been lived out in our history.
This week we will consider the theme of liberation found throughout our scriptures and God’s preferential option for the poor. Our God is the one who hears the cries of the oppressed in Egypt. Jesus pays more attention to the widow who gives her last two coins than the rich and powerful around her. The Psalmist sings the praises of a God of freedom. Paul proclaims a freedom more profound than we can understand.
250 years ago, a group of colonists declared their independence from England, stating that all men are created equal. Since then, the high standard of liberty has been juxtaposed with what that liberty actually looks like, and who is included.
Questions to Consider
– What does liberty mean to you?
– How does God respond to those who are poor, marginalized, and oppressed?
– How do we respond to those who are poor, marginalized, and oppressed?
Extra Readings
The Declaration of Independence
“Fourth Of July Speech” (What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?) Fredrick Douglas
“The New Colossus” (Inscription on the Statue of Liberty) Emma Lazarus
