Mar 17-23, 2024

Icebreaker: Have you ever experienced someone stepping in to protect you?

Definition

Christ-centered solidarity is following Jesus to identify with someone who is suffering, and embracing their condition as your own (Pastor Marco Ambriz). How would your lifestyle change if you tried to live this out? If you’ve already done it, how has it changed?

Matthew 25:42-45

42 for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’

Jesus condemned those who look past the suffering of the world as they seek a detached religiosity. The NT is consistent in saying that love of God and love of people, especially people who are in need, must go together (Mt 22:34–40; Jms 2:14–17; 1Jn 2:9–11; 4:7–12, 19–21) (Coleman 1583). What has helped you in the past to grow in empathy, especially for people who are hurting?

It is not enough simply to avoid doing bad things—people will be judged also for the good things they neglect to do (Coleman 1583). What good do you feel God has called you to do, personally?

Why do you think Jesus shares such a solidarity with the hungry, thirsty, stranger, naked, sick, and those in prison?

Acts 9:1-5

1 Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5 He asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.

Who is Jesus in solidarity with in this story? How does it speak to or encourage you?

Sermon

Our God is a God who stands in solidarity with the world.
The Church is called to stand in solidarity with the world (Pastor Marco Ambriz).

Considering “the world’s” usual response to God’s love and will, why would God stand in solidarity with the world?

Which groups of people do you find the church typically in solidarity with? Who does the church typically avoid? Should Christians maintain or change that stance?

“We must not be content to form a little cluster of devout people in a religious exercise for the improvement of our souls” (J. Taylor). Do you agree or disagree with John V. Taylor? Why?

"Pity is one of the most deceptive of human emotions. It is a halfway stopping point on the way to discipleship” (J. Taylor). Why is pity not true and full discipleship?

“If you have come to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is tied up with mine, then let us work together” Aboriginal Proverb). Why is it crucial to be “tied up” with another person?

“Solidarity requires being connected to the experiences and soliciting the views of the oppressed and incorporating these views into our observations, judgements and subsequent actions” (A. Taylor).

Why We Avoid Solidarity

Which of the following do you identify with?

1. Distraction

2. Discomfort

3. Doctrine: Dualism or Docetism

4. Discouragement

Practical Questions

• Vision – Can I truly see the suffering of a group/person in our world?

• Proximity – How removed am I from the suffering? Why?

• Voice – Am I able to speak up for this group/person? Why not?

• Action – Where might God be calling me to be his hands and feet?

Works Cited

Coleman, Lyman. Life Connections Study Bible. Holman Bibles, 2019.

Taylor, Adam. Mobilizing Hope: Faith-Inspired Activism for a Post-Civil Rights Generation. IVP Books. Downers Grove, 2010.

Taylor, John W. Weep Not For Me: Meditations on the Cross and the Resurrection. World Council of Churches, 1986.