Freedom and Responsibility (Rev. Kim DuBreuil)
Today, we’re talking about Freedom and Responsibility as it pertains to justice.
A Reading from Romans 6:17-23:
17 But thanks be to God that you who were slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the form of teaching to which you were entrusted 18 and that you, having been set free from sin, have become enslaved to righteousness. 19 I am speaking in human terms because of your limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and lawlessness, leading to even more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, leading to sanctification.
20 When you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 So what fruit did you then gain from the things of which you now are ashamed? The end of those things is death. 22 But now that you have been freed from sin and enslaved to God, the fruit you have leads to sanctification, and the end is eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Message: Freedom and Responsibility
Over a week ago, four astronauts traveled further from Earth than any humans in history. What was once impossible became possible when people committed to something bigger than themselves.
Each person on the Artemis II project had the skills to calculate every detail and anticipate numerous scenarios. Going to the Moon was a reminder that adding value to others, knowing our why, and having a vision are more important than individual skills, degrees, or titles. In fact, the problems we solve together are the result of how we value our collective wisdom.
When we know our why, we become an unstoppable force for good.
Sometimes we misunderstand the meaning of justice, the importance of freedom, and our responsibility to make ethical choices.
This message is not from a political point of view, but a Biblical one. So, let’s dive deeper.
Tonight at 5 PM in our sanctuary, thirteen students who have spent months preparing will be confirmed as members of the United Methodist Church. One of the best parts of Confirmation is the Q&A with the pastors, when the students try to stump us with challenging theological questions.
One student asked, “Which one is more important: to love God with all your heart or love your neighbor as yourself?”
The answer is found in Matthew 22, where Jesus described loving God and loving our neighbor as the “Greatest Commandments.” He said they are equal, like two sides of the same coin. After all, you can’t truly love God (whom you cannot see) if you don’t love your neighbor (whom you can see). Christ’s wisdom is just.
What is the true meaning of Justice?
Justice is the moral virtue that involves fulfilling our duty to God and our neighbor. Of course, there are many types of justice.
Legal justice ensures fair, impartial law enforcement to protect individuals’ rights.
In theology, God’s original justice calls us to honor others with love, respect, and dignity for humans and creation. This reflects God’s holiness—restoring balance, acting impartially, and upholding truth, as shown in Genesis 1-2.
In the United Methodist Church, social justice promotes equality, fairness, and human dignity. We challenge unjust power by embracing our Wesleyan tradition of personal and social holiness.
Social justice urges authorities to recognize and protect the right to human dignity, providing support aligned with the common good and public order.
Respecting human dignity and protecting rights are fundamental. Society should foster an environment for everyone to exercise rights and meet basic needs. Social justice arises from virtues and a commitment to acting rightly for others.
The United Methodist Church Social Principles urge us to practice our faith actively by pursuing justice, as Micah 6:8 instructs us to “act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly,” thereby demonstrating a commitment to our faith.
“Why do terrible things happen?” asked another confirmand.
Many terrible events occur, enough to fill a sermon series. God gave humans free will to navigate their lives, fostering growth in goodness and truth. Still, not everyone chooses wisely, resulting in tragic outcomes.
God gave us freedom to say ‘yes or no,’ carrying responsibility for our choices. It involves understanding good and deciding right from wrong. Freedom is the ability to do right, and responsibility is doing what we should.
Freedom guides us toward perfection by aligning choices with God’s will. Often, we see freedom as doing whatever we want, but it’s really about choosing whether to act and carrying out decisions responsibly.
As the pastor of our Justice Ministry, I serve as a Board Member of Polk Ecumenical Action Council for Empowerment (PEACE). Our church supports PEACE, a community organization that develops justice ministries and trains members to identify and address root causes of community issues.
Each year, our church members gather to discuss top concerns. Last year, elder care was the focus, especially for those preferring to stay home rather than move into assisted living, a common issue among our congregation and online worshippers.
This year, we will seek resources for elders, but mental health worries among children, youth, and students also concern us, affecting families, church ministries, and schools.
Nehemiah 5:1-13 shows social justice in the Old Testament. Nehemiah found vulnerable people exploited, displaced, and children sold into slavery. He rallied the community to stop these injustices, demonstrating the power of collective action for change.
Your pastors invite you to consider attending the Nehemiah Action tomorrow night, Monday, April 20th, at 6 PM in our Sanctuary, a community event where local churches are uniting around common concerns.
We will explore why justice is vital in our church, hear an update on Elder care in Polk County, learn about the importance of Mental Healthcare, and seek support from the Polk County Schools Superintendent.
In today’s Scripture, Paul calls us to action, urging us to dedicate our hands, voices, and resources to righteousness. This is a prompt for active justice ministry. We hear the words, thanks be to God, that we are called to be obedient from the heart.
Our pursuit of justice is not to earn God’s love, because we have already received it. Gratitude drives our actions. We pursue justice not to earn a gift but to embody the gifts we’ve already received. We are blessed, so let us bless others!
True freedom isn’t doing whatever we want; it’s the power to say “No” to injustice and “Yes” to God.
When Artemis II launched, I was confident the four astronauts would return safely. Despite past failures, the NASA team prepared, collaborated, reviewed issues, and made the right decisions. How do I know?
All four astronauts returned safely a week ago Friday. The mission was a success. Four people, along with countless other voices, showed the world God’s mighty universe. For the first time, we saw the dark side of the moon (that’s not a Pink Floyd reference).
The successful Artemis II return shows the power of human effort, careful planning, and trust. Overcoming deep-space and lunar challenges, the four astronauts not only completed the mission but also proved our ability to push boundaries and to understand God’s universe.
The mission’s triumph, including seeing the dark side of the moon and a total solar eclipse, mirrors our current earthly challenges. Just as the crew relied on their training and ground control’s expertise, they navigated the unknown together.
We are called to trust a higher spiritual truth rather than our limited understanding, and to celebrate our leaps for humanity. The Artemis II mission reminds us that with purpose and faith, we can accomplish the impossible and venture further than we’ve ever gone.
Our mission becomes even more meaningful when you return tomorrow night. Your presence makes a difference—you matter, people matter, and the dignity of everyone matters. It’s this shared journey that helps us appreciate the vastness and glory of God.
What was once impossible became possible because of people’s dedication to a cause greater than themselves.
Jesus Christ rose from the dead and was resurrected. We act on His behalf and receive eternal life.
If you know you will attend tomorrow night’s Nehemiah Action, please stand so we can commission you as members of our Justice Ministry Action Team for the work ahead.
P.S. I want to thank everyone for their incredible turnout and volunteer efforts at the Nehemiah Action, where about 850 people filled our Sanctuary. Our initial goal was 150, but we ended up with 181 attendees! Additionally, the Polk County Superintendent agreed to our request for mental health support for children, youth, and students. This is a significant achievement for our Justice Ministry team.
Let us pray:
Gracious and Just God, we thank you for the hands and hearts gathered here today. You have called each of us to a special work: to be a voice for the voiceless and to seek our community’s transformation.
Grant us the vision to see a world where the vulnerable are protected, the hungry are fed, and all people coexist with mutual respect. Empower us with the courage to unite, even in the face of overwhelming indifference.
Faithful God, we dedicate this Justice Ministry Action Team to serve your purpose in our community. Fill their hearts with the qualities of Jesus—servant-hearted, compassionate, and courageous.
Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, so we may listen attentively to our neighbors’ needs and respond with compassion and empathy. Guide us to go beyond superficial conversations and pursue genuine actions that reflect righteousness.
Establish us in truth, preserve us in harmony, and use our freedom to do what is right by acting responsibly.
Give us eyes to see the brokenness around us and the wisdom to act strategically and effectively.
May our presence be intentional, bridging divides. We ask that You empower us to stand for the needy, speak for the voiceless, and labor for Your reign of peace and justice.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.