08.24.25 Message

Tabatha’s returns to our Summer of Psalms sermon series, specifically referencing Psalm 146 and Psalm 85. She reads from Psalm 146, which praises God for being a trustworthy and just creator, in contrast to the fleeting power of human rulers. The Psalm highlights God’s actions, such as freeing prisoners, feeding the hungry, and upholding the rights of the vulnerable like orphans and widows. Following this, a short excerpt from Psalm 85 is read, which speaks of a future time when “steadfast love and faithfulness will meet” and “righteousness and peace will kiss each other.”

The sermon then pivots to the theme of injustice, arguing that it is prevalent throughout society and has always been present in history. Tabatha cites examples of contemporary injustice, including political decisions that cut funding for social services while funding expensive, non-essential projects, and laws that restrict healthcare and other rights for marginalized groups like women, transgender individuals, and immigrants. They also point to historical injustices, such as slavery and Jim Crow laws, and present statistics from the NAACP about the disproportionate incarceration rates of Black and Latino men. She emphasizes that looking to any political party or politician for salvation is misguided, as all have a history of promoting injustice and are often more concerned with maintaining their power. They assert that true salvation comes only from Jesus.

Tabatha defends the choice to discuss politics from the pulpit, stating that faith and political beliefs are intertwined and cannot be separated. The Bible itself is presented as an inherently political text, with the theme of justice at its core. God’s justice is defined not as punishment, but as the act of “making things right” for society as a whole, particularly for the oppressed and vulnerable. The sermon concludes by urging the congregation to actively work for this vision of justice, or “shalom,” which God desires for all of creation. It is presented as a radical, hopeful vision that empowers believers to use their voices and actions to bring about God’s will in the world. The final prayer is a confession of inaction and a request for God’s help in living a just and righteous life, remembering that all people belong and are loved by God.