God’s Politics

Posted by Chris on May 25, 2008 under Sermons

I cannot recall when so many preachers were involved in a political campaign. This week John McCain rejected the endorsement of two televangelists. A few weeks ago, Barack Obama denounced the words of his former preacher. Let’s not forget that Mike Huckabee, who may still be involved in this race in some way, was a once a preacher in Arkansas. Hilary Clinton hasn’t had any problems with preachers – not yet.

So with all of these others getting involved, I wanted to speak my piece and make my endorsements …

This first thing I would say though, is that if I were to endorse a particular candidate I don’t think it would do much good. You shouldn’t vote my way for that reason alone. Every citizen has to make an informed decision and there’s no point in all of us collectively checking out on our responsibility. I would rather endorse certain principles and let you decide …

As we reflect on what it means to be Christians in America, let’s reflect on God’s Politics. The prime political statement in Scripture is this: God is the Highest Authority. There are many ways that this is expressed. God is sovereign, God rules, God is Lord of Lords and King of Kings.

The word of the Old Testament is clear. Kings, monarchs, nations will come and go, but God’s rule is eternal.

• Nebuchadnezzar learned this. God humbled the leader of that world super-power (Babylon) and Nebuchadnezzar left a letter to share with anyone what he learned. This letter calls on all authorities to acknowledge God’s superior authority (Daniel 4:34).

The word of the New Testament is clear: Jesus Christ was crucified, buried, and raised by God’s power and authority. God has exalted him. He is Lord of Lords and King of Kings (Revelation 19 and Philippians 2).

So I endorse this primary principle: God rules. He is in charge and that does not change regardless of who is in the White House, the Congress or the Supreme Court.

Now accepting this principle we ask, so what should Christians do then if God rules? We ought to pray …

• The prophet Jeremiah urged the exiles in Babylon to pray for the welfare of their captors. These people were being called upon to pray for a nation that wasn’t their home, a nation that did not share their values. But Jeremiah informs them that God wants them to seek to do good and build up that nation. If God’s people could pray for Babylon, then we can pray for our nation. We must pray for our nation (Jeremiah 29).
• 2 Chronicles 7:14 – Prayer is a humility that bows to God’s authority.
• 1 Timothy 2:1-4 – Praying for the leaders of our nation is a work of evangelism.

So I endorse prayer. Let us treat prayer as not only a privilege and responsibility but also as a mission.

If God is the supreme authority then let’s remember what issues matter to our Lord. What does the Lord require of us?

• Micah 6:8 – What does the Lord require of you? His agenda is clear — to do justice love kindness and walk humbly with God.
• Matthew 23:23 – There are weightier matters such as justice, mercy, and faith
• Acts 24:25 – Paul preaches to a politician of his time about justice, self-control, and the coming judgment

We can practice justice, mercy, kindness, and humility regardless of what party is in the majority. These virtues should be non-partisan. They ought to be basic.

My son was given an assignment to describe what he would do if he was president. He said …

I would give the people in storms good homes. Also I would raise money to save the poor. Give the U.S. Military a monthly break. Fill bills that needed to be filled. And I would have a speech that all drugs are illegal. Then I would have a party about my new rule.

All I can say to that is “I’m his father and I approve this message.”

Maybe we complicate politics too much. Maybe we should pay attention to the politics of a 9-year-old. Maybe we should see that Scripture’s politics and God’s politics really aren’t that different from such simple politics. Maybe it would clarify things for us and we wouldn’t be so anxious. Instead we would focus on doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with God. Those are God’s Politics and I endorse them.

We don’t have to have a certain party in power or a certain person in the presidency to follow those politics. Maybe some of us need to run for office, but whether we hold office or not we know who the supreme political power truly is and we can be a part of his party.

I offer this endorsement as an encouragement from God’s Word. I endorse doing what God requires. No matter who wins the various offices up for election, let us endorse the following …
– God rules above all
– We need to pray
– Let’s do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God.

Speak Where the Bible Speaks

Posted by Chris on May 18, 2008 under Sermons

“Accept Him Who is Weak”

• David Lipscomb (1875):
  • “So long as a man really desires to do right, to serve the Lord, to obey his commands, we cannot withdraw from him.”

Declaration and Address

• Thomas Campbell (1809):
  • Where the Bible is unclear or silent, no disagreement should divide Christians.
  • When Campbell spoke of “being silent where the Bible is silent,” he allowed for strong opinions on what that silence meant.

1832 Union

• Raccoon John Smith:
  • Silent on the precise positions that Christians might take that are not part of the gospel.
  • Speak where Bible speaks = simply use the words of Scripture.

All Silence is Not Equal

• Silence permitted the Missionary Society
• Silence forbade instrumental music in worship

Three-Part Hermeneutic

• Focus is on what practices the Bible authorizes:
  1. Direct Command,
  2. Approved Example, and
  3. Necessary Inference

Other Considerations

• Does this practice reflect the nature of God?
• Is it in line with the biblical story of redemption?
• Does it build up the church?
• Does it promote Christian virtue?
• Is it a “weightier matter”?

Speaking Where the Bible Speaks

• Black Churches of Christ
• “I have had to rely upon God, he is the only one I had. The white man didn’t like me because of the color of my skin. The colored man didn’t like me because of my religion. Now, son, who else did I have?” — Marshall Keeble

The Goal

Posted by David on May 15, 2008 under Bulletin Articles

Jesus made this statement to the twelve just a few hours before he died. The “impossible” events that would occur the next few hours and the next few days would test the fabric of the disciples’ faith as had no other time or experience in Jesus’ ministry. There would be the confusing washing of the feet, the bewildering communion, Judas’ betrayal, fleeing disciples, Peter’s repeated denials, Jesus’ trials and crucifixion, reports of Jesus’ resurrection, and Jesus’ resurrection appearances to the disciples. In all this, a core truth held them together-the core truth of LOVE.

Nothing made sense until the disciples realized all that occurred expressed Jesus and God’s love. Being kind to a betrayer hurts! Fleeing hurts the deserted! Denial hurts! Death by crucifixion hurts! How can a resurrected person become an imposing, powerful political figure? What were the twelve to do with all that pain and confusion?

Until those men saw all those events as acts of love, nothing fell into place-not Jesus’ life and ministry, not their discipleship, not Jesus’ death, and not Jesus’ resurrection. After those men could see all the events as acts of Jesus and God’s love, everything fell into place. God’s love expressed through Jesus’ death made sense of pain and confusion.

May I suggest nothing basically has changed for the people (men or women) who accept discipleship by acknowledging Jesus as their teacher. Being people who choose to belong to God in a world filled with rebellious acts and personal indulgence is commonly confusing. Being people who follow Jesus in a world of death, betrayal, contempt for people, and disrespect for God is commonly painful. Declaring such a world “bewildering” is terribly close to understatement. So much happens that is mindless and confusing!

Until. Until when? Until we see God’s love. Then-and only then-do things fall into place. Notice the new commandment was not to love each other. The new commandment was to love each other as I have loved you. I do not love you because you deserve my love. I love you because I belong to Jesus. In Jesus God taught me how to love. God loved me far beyond any sense of devotion on my part, for beyond any loyalty on my part, far beyond any worthiness in me. It is God’s love for me that is the foundation of my love for you. Then-and only then-do things fall into place. Then-and only then-those who have not entered Christ will see that we are his disciples. Why? No one in this world loves like those who follow Jesus. The goal: to let Jesus teach me how to love. Why? So people can see an alternative way of life and death!

If I try to love you like God loved me, will you try to love me like God loves you? Have you read John 3:16 lately? “For God so loved the world …”

Crisis and Controversy

Posted by Chris on May 11, 2008 under Sermons

Growth 1906-1946

• 1906 – 159,658
• 1916 – 317,937
• 1926 – 435,714
• 1936 – 309,551
• 1946 – 682,172

Aftermath of 1906

• Debate
  – Controversy was the only way to reach consensus without creeds or conventions
• Dissension
  – Congregational division over various issues was common before 1930’s
• Disempowerment
  – Afraid to do anything for fear of doing something wrong

Trivia or Truth?

• Baptistery or Running River?
• A plate for the bread or not?
• Extend an invitation or wait for the question?
• Elders or no elders?
• Any song or just those addresses to the Lord?

The Sunday School Issue

• Opposition to Sunday Schools
  – Unauthorized [silence of Scripture]
  – Biblical pattern instructed parents to teach children
• 1925 – Directory of Non-Class churches assembled
• The Apostolic Way listed the faithful preachers and churches.

The Cup Question

• In the 1920’s multiple containers for the communion became common
• At issue was the pattern of the Lord’s Supper prescribed in Scripture
  – Multiple cups were unauthorized
  – The one cup was an element of the communion pattern
• The faithful were listed in the Old Paths Advocate.

Millennial Controversy

• R. H. Boll – 1915 Gospel Advocate articles
• Believed the prophetic sections of Scripture should be examined
• Was told to quit writing. He then started a new journal, Word and Work.

• H. Leo Boles, Pres. Nashville Bible School
• 1927 Boll-Boles debate in Gospel Advocate (May-November)
• After debate Boles invited Boll to speak at NBS Chapel service

• 1933 Neal-Wallace debate; Wallace suggested the issue threatened fellowship.
• Wallace not only condemned Boll, but also those he considered sympathetic with Boll.

• Criticism of Wallace’s crusade
• J. N. Armstrong:
  – Premillennialism was a personal conviction
  – Minority view should be treated graciously

Dynamics of Division

• Focus on observable practice.
• List of “the faithful”
• No fellowship with error
• Methodology more important that theology
• One side opposes divergence from the pattern, the other is indifferent.
  – Silence of Scripture

“Accept the Right, Reject the Left”

Our Commitment to Children and Their Families

Posted by Chris on under Sermons

Vacation Bible School is . . .
June 15-18, 6 P.M. each night

1. VBS is for Everybody!
   • Children
   • Teens
   • Adults
   • Neighbors
2. VBS is BIGGER!
   • You have a part to play in VBS
   • No one else can do your part
3. VBS is LONGER!
   • 6:00 – 6:30 – Assembly
   • 6:30 – 7:45 – Classes and Events
   • 7:45 – 8:00 – Closing
4. VBS is . . .
   • A time to serve
   • A time to grow
   • A time to enjoy
5. VBS is . . .
   . . . part of our commitment to children and their families!

The Joy of the Lord

Posted by David on May 8, 2008 under Bulletin Articles

Recently I heard an interview with a reporter who for years went worldwide reporting. His task: find the unhappiest people in the unhappiest places and tell their stories.

Then he decided for a year to find places with reputations as the world’s happiest places. His objective: to discover (a) if there were happy places, and (b) what made them happy places. His discovery: (a) The world’s happiest places were climatically located in the harshest places. (b) They were happy places because people depended on each other. The people cared about each other.

You and I live in a troubled society and a troubled world. Many people do not know God, reject God, have mistaken ideas about God, or do not believe Jesus is the Christ, the son of the living God. Many have never known love, never been loved, or never knew a loving environment. A lot of people have never been forgiven or do not know what forgiveness is. Many do not interact or behave as we do, or have our social concepts.

God has a message for these people. He says He cares, and He showed the depth of His concern in Jesus’ ministry, death, and resurrection. The issue is not “does God care?” but “do we as God’s people care?” When such people have contact with us as a congregation or as individuals, do they experience caring, do they feel concern? Do they want to be a part of us because we care?

Easy? No! Tiring? Yes! Why? There is so much demand, and so few resources. There is so much need, and so few to be concerned. There are so many forms of consequences to bad behavior and poor choices, and almost no “fixes.”

For years we could focus on doctrines, but no more. For years we made every question a matter of “simple right or wrong,” but no more. For years we pulled some favorite verses out of context and clubbed people with them, but no more. Why? People who need God the most care not about our view of doctrines, right or wrong, or verses (in context) until first they see we care about them, until first they see God’s joy in us.

When I was a boy there were housewarmings, unplanned pooling of Sunday lunches by several families, games in homes, and various forms of interaction that demonstrated caring. I have heard you speak of campouts, trips together, and lots of social interaction. The joy of being together was obvious, inclusive, and real.

This is not a call to return to the past. It is a call to make our caring obvious, inclusive, and real.

A Line in the Sand

Posted by Chris on May 4, 2008 under Sermons

Why Did We Divide?

• The Issues:
  1. Missionary Society
  2. Musical Instruments in Worship
  3. Professional Ministers

American Christian Missionary Society

• During the war, Southerners were unable to attend the national meetings in Ohio.
• October 1861 – The ACMS considered a resolution to support the Union.

ACMS Statement of 1863

“We unqualifiedly declare our allegiance to the U.S. government … We tender our sympathies to our brave and noble soldiers in the field.”

Southern Reaction

• Tolbert Fanning
  – Nashville, TN
  – Editor, Gospel Advocate
• ACMS authorized Disciples to join the Union army in the murder of the Southern people.

• David Lipscomb demanded the ACMS repent
• Restarted the Gospel Advocate:
  “… not a single paper known to us that Southern people could read without having their feelings wounded by political insinuations and slurs …” (1866).

The “Old Fogy”

“We are not at home in a fine editorial chair, with a cigar or pipe in our mouth, opening the letters and telling others how and where to work, but we are in the field.” — Ben Franklin (1867), editor of American Christian Review

Ye Shall Know Them By Their Periodicals

• Christian Standard, edited by Isaac Erret.
• Progressive paper for the post-war support of the Union.
• “Standard Men” vs. “Advocate Men”

Class and Culture

• Central Christian Church in Cincinnati, Ohio
• Built new French Gothic style building in 1872
• Seated 2000, stained glass, organ, choir pit
• Cost = $140,000
• “It is finished” – John 19:30

• “We know the doctrine advocated by [the writers in the Christian Standard] comes from the North. It is neither scriptural nor Southern, and it is not suited to Southern people.” – T. R. Burnett (1892)

Musical Instruments in Worship

• Not an issue in frontier churches
• Visible point of separation
• Economic and social arguments
• Use of Scripture arguments
• Legal battles over church property

Alexander Campbell in 1851

“But I presume, to all spiritually-minded Christians such aids would be as a cow bell in a concert.”

An Aid to Singing

• Midway, Kentucky, in 1859
• L. L. Pinkerton brought in a melodeon to help the singing that was so bad it “scared even the rats from worship.”

“Refined Ears”

“These refined gentlemen have refined ears and enjoy fine music manufactured for French theaters, interspersed with short prayers and very short sermons.” – Ben Franklin (1860)

The Arguments Form

Mediating Position

“We shall advise our brethren everywhere, for the sake of peace … To discard the use of instruments …” – Isaac Errett, 1870

A Line in the Sand

• Opposed those who advocated “innovations”
• Called for separation in Sand Creek [Illinois] “Address and Declaration” of 1889 by Daniel Sommer

• Thomas Campbell – “Declaration and Address” [for unity]
• Daniel Sommer – “Address and Declaration” [for division]
  “We cannot and will not regard them as brethren.”

Division Shaped our Identity into the 20th Century

The 1906 Admission

“There is a distinct people taking the word of God as their only sufficient rule of faith, calling their churches ?churches of Christ’ or ?churches of God,’ … “ – David Lipscomb

It’s Better to Have Permission Than to Ask Forgiveness

Posted by Chris on under Sermons

Recap the lessons so far …

1. Raising the Bar: Expecting the Best From One Another
2. Diet and Exercise for the Soul: Spiritual Formation
3. Every Shepherd Needs a Sheep Dog: Ministering to One Another
4. The Air We Breathe: Grace and Hope Through Jesus Christ
5. You Welcomed Me In: Practicing Christ-Like Hospitality [by Shane Hughes]
6. Cloud of Witnesses: Ministry to Youth and Families
7. Our Neighbor Across the Street: Integrating College Students Into the Life of the Church
8. We Can’t “Retire” From Church: Ministering Through Seniors, Not Just To Seniors
9. Across the Street and Around the World: It’s All Missional
10. It’s Easier to Ask Permission than Seek Forgiveness: (Practicing Permission-Giving Leadership)

We’ve heard the old saying that “It is easier to get forgiveness than ask permission.”
What does that sort of philosophy say about a group of people?

• It means that there is very little trust.
• It means that authority is not being shared; rather a spirit of anxious control dominates.

God has given us permission – for the sake of the mission

Read Matthew 25:14-30.

1. The master entrusts a large amount of resources to three servants.
2. They are asked to do something with these resources – to put the money to work.
3. Two double the investment. One does not, but not because he tried and failed. He failed by not trying …

Permission

1. Are we governed by a spirit of trust or a spirit of fear?
   • Notice what the first two servants say: “You entrusted me.” They have the attitude of trust.
   • Notice what the third servant believes:
     1. “I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed.”
        • How did he know this?
     2. “So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.”
   • We fear God. We fear failure. We fear what others will think. We fear that they may say NO.
   • Trust leads us to experience God’s happiness. Fear will lead us to laziness, inaction and we will become as harsh as we expect God to be – and that’s not God’s disposition. He said YES.
2. Saying Yes and Hearing Yes
   • “I don’t think that anyone is telling me no, but I don’t hear anyone telling me Yes.”
   • We have to learn to echo God’s Yes.
     1. For the sake of the mission, God has given us permission.
     2. Leaders need to say YES – empowering the congregation – accelerator and brake.
     3. Congregation also echoes YES by developing a spirit of trust in God and one another.
        1. A culture of CAN DO vs. CAN’T DO
        2. That’s how we will hear God’s voice
        3. God always says YES to those who come to him with a broken, contrite heart.

Spring … Again!

Posted by David on May 1, 2008 under Bulletin Articles

This incident occurred at the Jewish temple when Joseph and Mary took the infant Jesus for presentation. They were being good Jews. Such presentation was the correct thing to do with any Jewish child (see Leviticus 12:6-8). All firstborns were to belong to God (see Exodus 13:1, 2).

This entire incident strikes us as strange. First, there is Simeon. He is a very godly man with the Holy Spirit on him. He has been informed by God that he will not die until he has seen the “consolation of Israel.” His understanding of that godly purpose for Israel was simply weird. It involved a salvation for all peoples, a “light of revelation to the gentiles” (see Isaiah 49:6), and an infant less than two months old!

Second, he said the strangest things about the infant. The work of the child (as an adult) would result in “the fall and rise of many in Israel.” He would be a sword that pierced his parents. He would reveal the thoughts of many. For some he would be alienation from God-for some he would be the avenue to God. To some he would be enmity against God-to some he would be peace with God. To some he would be death-to some he would be life.

Spring is here! Is that wonderful, or is that horrible? Is Spring to you new life and hope for a warmer tomorrow, or is Spring allergies and the misery of pollination? Is it the rain that brings flowers, or the wind that brings leaky roofs? Is it the prosperity of a better lifestyle, or the destruction of a tornado? Is it the promise of fresh produce, or the devastation of a hailstorm?

Is it not fascinating that things that produce the blessing and hope of life to some also produce the certainty of misery or death to others? Is it not thought-provoking to realize that which has potential for good at the same time contains potential for harm?

Whether Jesus is a blessing or harm depends on the acceptance or rejection of the individual. Only you determine if Jesus is your means of rising or falling.

Seeds of Division

Posted by Chris on April 27, 2008 under Sermons

The 1906 Admission

• S.N.D. North – Director of the U.S. Religious Census of 1906 detected a division in the SC movement.
• David Lipscomb, editor of the Gospel Advocate, reluctantly agreed that Churches of Christ and Disciples of Christ should be listed separately.

Why Did We Divide?

• The Issues:
  – Missionary Society
  – Musical Instruments in Worship
  – Professional Ministers

Remember 1832?

No heaven was promised to those who hold one position or the other, and no hell was threatened to those who deny them.
– “Raccoon” John Smith

Why Did We Divide?

• Unspoken Issues
  – Regional/Political Differences
  – Urban Culture vs. Rural Culture
  – Economic Differences
• All of these are impacted and magnified by the U.S. Civil War

A Divided Nation

Secession and Churches

Presbyterian (PCUSA) American Baptist Convention Methodist Episcopal Church Episcopal Church in the USA

Presbyterian (PCCSA) Southern Baptist Convention Methodist Episcopal Church, South Episcopal Church in the CSA

The Issue of Slavery

• Campbell was moderate.
  – He opposed the institution of slavery.
  – However, it should not divide the church.
• Opposing views among Disciples.
• The war forced the issue.

Can We Divide?

“Indeed, a division of the body of Christ, except in the sense of causing a faction, is impossible. What divine authority makes one, it is difficult for man to make two.”
– Moses Lard (1866)

Options:
1. Estrangement
2. Apostasy
3. Heretical Faction (Apostasy)
4. Slavery is not an issue

Did We Divide?

Seeds of Division

• Civil War and Reconstruction create regional and cultural differences
  – Economics
  – Slavery
  – National Identity (Politics)
• Second generation of leaders emerge just prior to, during, and after the War
• America’s “Millennial Hope” has faded