Indigenous Issues

Billy Williams- National Indigenous Leader

16 Aug 2010

*If you want to understand things, go to the source
*If we want to understand God, we need to understand Jesus
*We need to be in his first sermon
*Luke 4:18-19: 
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."


*That scripture has been fulfilled
*Jesus is on his way to give us life, the words are to give us life, He is the true life
*In order to have true life, we have to have true justice
*Heaven is a place of justice, true freedom
*Micah 6:8: 
He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.

*What is the first thing that God seeks? To be filled with his justice or love?

Implications/ Reflectors on Australia's Justice:
a) Indigenous culture is complex
-made in the image of God
-have boundaries
Proverbs 22:28:
Do not move an ancient boundary stone 
set up by your forefathers.


-we are to recognize other people's boundaries
*Here is an issue of justice in terms of land- where you find your identity
*Paul said in Acts 17
-God set the boundaries

b) Murder of indigenous people. No one was found guilty

c) Indigenous people are controlled eg: forced labor

*The devil said to steal, kill and destroy, different from what God promised
*There is injustice taken place
*Jesus said the truth will set you free
*Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere (Martin King Jr)
*What would i look like for kingdom to come and his will to be done, here on us?
*What are the implications in your life?
*An indigenous singer played and sang to speak injustice
*How am I unfolding God's kingdom in this are?
*We need people to pray and participate in thy kingdom come and thy will be done
*To find out more about the injustice of indigenous people
*Isaiah 61:1-8:
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion--
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.


They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations
Aliens will shepherd your flocks;
foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.
And you will be called priests of the Lord,
you will be named ministers of our God.
You will feed on the wealth of nations,
and in their riches you will boast.


Instead of their shame
my people will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace
they will rejoice in their inheritance;
and so they will inherit a double portion in their land,
and everlasting joy will be theirs.


"For I, the Lord, love justice;
I hate robbery and iniquity.
In my faithfulness I will reward them
and make an everlasting covenant with them.


*No fingers pointed but to encourage everyone to come together to be trees of justice
*What this country would look like if God's kingdom comes.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**