The Christian and the Local Church

         Anyone who has shared the Lord with a friend or a relative knows that there are many today who think they are Christians, but who want to have nothing to do with His church. These people seldom, if ever, attend a worship service or a Bible class, and they have never been involved in any activity or work of the church. Even more tragically, they never feel any guilt toward their lack of involvement with the church.

         This AM I want to give some thought about our attitudes toward the church. What are some things the Bible says about the church and how vital it is that I be involved in a local congregation of the Lord’s people?

         Let’s begin with the basics. The first time that Jesus used the word “church” was in Matthew 16:18 where He promised, And on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

         The “rock” Jesus had reference to was the truth that Peter had just confessed that He is the Christ, the Son of the living God. To confess Jesus as the Son of God is to confess His deity — that He and His Father are one. This is the foundational faith upon which Jesus builds His church. This was also the faith that the majority of Jews totally rejected. When Jesus said I and My Father are one, the Jews took up stones to stone Him because they said that You, being a Man, make Yourself God (Jn. 10:31-33).

         Jesus invested His personal ministry into proving He was one with the Father and that to reject Him was to reject His Father Who sent Him. He declared that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him (Jn. 5:23. 

         The world’s population is divided into believers and non-believers in Jesus. When the gospel of Jesus’ Death, Burial and Resurrection is preached, some believe and some refuse to believe. Jesus declared: he who believes and is baptized will be are saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned (Mk. 16:16).

         Anyone who sincerely believes that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, will submit in the obedience of faith to Jesus as Lord. Whenever an individual obeys the gospel, Jesus adds another living stone to the temple of His church.

         In view of these Biblical facts when we speak of “the church”, we speak of “the saved of God”; those who have been washed of their sins by the precious blood of Jesus. Paul spoke of “the church of God which He purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28).

There is no question as to the importance of the church in the sight of our Lord, for His church is the only blood-bought property that He claims on earth! Only those who believe in Him as Almighty God and Everlasting Father (Isa. 9:6) are redeemed by His precious blood.

         When Jesus spoke of building His church, He had reference to the universal church throughout the world. Anytime that an individual believes and obeys the gospel he is added to the universal church of our Lord which is populated by God’s saved on earth, and the saved in heaven who are washed in the blood of the Lamb (Rev. 7:14).

         The glorified church in heaven personally witnesses the glory of our Lord Jesus so that she no longer lives by faith as the church on earth does. The church in heaven joins God’s angels in singing a “new song” to Jesus: You were slain and have redeemed us to God by Your blood… (Rev. 5:9)  The only act of worship we read of in heaven is praise to the Father (Rev. 4) and His Son (Rev. 5). The saved in heaven no longer observe the Lord’s Supper, give of their means, pray, or read the Word for they are in the presence of the Lord. The heavenly hosts praise Jesus through “the new song” and “in word” as they proclaim, “Worthy is the Lamb Who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing” (Rev. 5:12).

John concludes His glorious vision of the Son: And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: "Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!" Then the four living creatures said, "Amen!" And the 24 elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever. (Rev. 5:13-14)

         The Bible not only uses the word “church” in the universal sense of all the saved of earth and heaven, it also uses the word in a local sense. Paul addressed his letter “To the church of God which is at Corinth…” (1 Cor. 1:2), and John addressed his letters “to the seven churches in Asia” (Rev. 1:4). While the church is a universal body, she also exists in the local sense of each community where obedient believers have been saved by the blood of the Lamb and “set apart” by the Holy Spirit. In this sense we are the church of God in Danville, Arkansas.

         This AM I want us to give some brief thought as to what I owe my local church family as a faithful member of the body of Christ. Such a question is vital to my spiritual health and well-being because the attitude that I have toward the local church, as the blood bought property of our Lord, reflects the attitude that I have toward the Lord Jesus Himself. In Acts 8, Saul of Tarsus was making havoc of the church by persecuting Christians. In the next chapter Jesus miraculously appeared to him and asked him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” (Acts 9:4)  In persecuting the church of Christ, Saul was persecuting the Christ of the church! This is true because the church is the body of Christ and the way we treat His body (in attitude and action) is the way we treat the Lord Jesus Himself. Therefore, it is impossible to be faithful to Jesus while remaining lukewarm or negative toward His church. This AM let’s look at 3 things that I owe the local church if I am going to be a faithful Christian:

         1) I Owe the Local Church My Presence. The Lord expects every Christian to assemble faithfully and regularly with other believers if at all physically possible. We need the attitude of Psa. 122:1 that, I was glad (not “sad” but “glad”) when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the Lord”.

         The church in Danville is the spiritual family in which your spirit and my spirit are joined to the Spirit of the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17). Jesus promised “where 2 or 3 are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them” (Matt. 18:20). When we gather with the saints, we each bring the Spirit of Jesus into the assembly so that as we gather Jesus is in our midst. Surely that is sufficient motivation for any true lover of God to never willfully forsake the assembly (Heb. 10:25).

         Brother John Gibson once mentioned in a bulletin article that as they were driving home from worship one Sunday, his little 4 year old grand-daughter said, “Look at those people outside playing golf when they ought to be inside worshiping God. I guess they just want to mind the devil.” Out of the mouths of innocent babes, huh?

         Brother Gibson went on to mention a national survey among regular church attenders and what gave them gratification in church attendance. 77% said it was the experience of feeling closer to God; 60% said it was the experience of worshiping God and 54% said it was the companionship or fellowship with other believers. All are excellent reasons for faithfully attending worship services. Such reasons may reflect why the Lord has commanded us to take church attendance seriously. He knows we need time together to stir one another to love and good works. The bottom line is, there is no way I can please God if I fail to take the local church seriously.

         2) In The 2^nd Place I Owe The Local Church My Involvement. As His spiritual body, the Lord wants us to do the same work He Himself did while on this earth as a Man which was to seek and save the lost (Lk 19:10).

         The early church reached out to the lost and less fortunate through evangelism and benevolence. Just as Jesus reached out in love to the poor and suffering of His day, so the church (as His spiritual body) must do the same. And just as Jesus preached the gospel to save the lost, we are to do the same today.

         Jesus taught that in reaching out to others we are reaching up to Him. In His prophecy concerning the judgment day, Jesus said that those who ministered to the hungry, the thirsty, the homeless, the naked, the sick and those in prison actually ministered to Him: “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” (Matt. 25:40).

         How much easier our yoke and how much lighter our burden for Christ if we would only remember that as we minister to others we minister to Jesus Himself. Such an attitude makes our efforts a work of faith and love toward our Lord Jesus Himself.

         In The 3^rd Place I Owe the Local Church My Giving. The most precious gift I can give is my heart to the Father and Son Who gave all. When I give my heart, I am returning to the Lord what He has already given me. This is true of every financial gift I may give as “where (my) treasure is there will (my) heart be also (Matt. 6:21).

Our “receiving” and “giving” is like a mother who gives her little girl a piece of cake, and she offers to share some of it with her. Don’t you know the mother values the gift, not because she needs or wants the cake, but because she sees her precious daughter learning to overcome selfishness!

Every good and every perfect gift… comes down from the Father of lights

(Jms.1:17). Our Father longs for us to learn to give back to Him of what He has shared with us. This is far from the demand of a hard taskmaster, but the loving call of a Father and Savior who knows that every gift we bring to Him will draw us ever closer to His Spirit. Every sacrifice we make will but open our hearts even wider to the heavenly flow of His Spirit of love, joy & peace.

 

Submitted by: Ralph Weinhold

Was Paul the greatest apostle?

Wonder of Amazement

Paul was the greatest of the Apostles.  That is if you judge him by the number of books bearing his name in the New Testament canon.  He was a champion of grace.  Several times he pointed out that, it is not works that saves you (Romans 11:6; Ephesians 2:8-9), but grace.  However, he also wrote that Christians ought to be about the work of God (1 Corinthians 15:58). He “abounded” in God’s work.

 

You cannot read much from the writings of Paul before you realize that he was a sacrificial offering to God Almighty!  If you have not read 1 Corinthians 11:23-27 lately, please do!  Imprisoned, flogged, exposed to death, whipped with almost 200 lashes, beaten with rods, stoned, involved in three ship wrecks, spent a night and day in the open sea, constantly moving, subjected to all kinds of danger from rivers, from bandits, from his own countrymen, from Gentiles, and false brothers.  He “labored and toiled and often went without sleep.” He knew what it is like to be hungry and thirsty and to be cold and naked.   Even after all of this, he wrote in the Philippians 3, “Not that I have already obtained all this or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.  But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.  I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” He was not depending on his works for salvation.

 

Paul said, “We carry around in our body the death of Jesus…”  What a testimony! What was Paul’s secret? Why did he suffer such harm and sacrifice?  He wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.  And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”  From his Damascus road experience until his death Paul was filled with wonder and amazement when he considered Jesus of Nazareth.   He was motivated by his personal experience with the Christ who was raised from the dead, and the fact that others needed to know what he knew.  Others need to experience the same relationship with Christ that he was experiencing.

 

Paul gave up religion for a relationship with Jesus (Philippians 3:1-11). Am I missing something? I am challenged by this one man’s sacrificial life. Do I have religion or a relationship with Christ? What about those that I fellowship with today? What’s missing? Could it be the wonder of amazement?

 

Jim Woodell

 

 

 

 

Role Models

When it comes to sports - we do it.  In business - we do it.  In almost every field of endeavor we look for role models.  We try to find others who have been successful, and then we imitate them.  God's word tells us to do the same thing in spiritual matters.

The best role models are found right in the Scriptures.  Jesus is the ultimate example: "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps" (1 Peter 2:21).  Other great heroes of faith serve as good role models, too.  Paul urged us to be "followers of me, even as I also am of Christ" (1 Cor. 11:1).  Hebrews chapter eleven is full of examples of faithful men and women who serve as worthy patterns for us to imitate.

Beyond these ‘champions’ of the Bible, let us suggest that we can also look to our own brethren.  In any church there are faithful, zealous, devoted Christians who are working hard to live for the Lord.  They resist temptation, spread the word, encourage others and generally work tirelessly to do His will.  Look to them.  Imitate them.  Paul encouraged this approach: "Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample" (Philippians 3:17).

We know this method works in the material world.  We look for 'winners' and we imitate them.  Let's do the same thing when it comes to our most important endeavor - serving God!

- by Greg Gwin

 

Statistics on church growth

"Numbers" versus Real Growth

I have an uneasiness about any great emphasis on statistics in measuring the growth of churches.  I am skeptical because numbers can so often mask what is happening to people.  The ultimate goal of our Father for His children is both spiritual and personal.  He wills that we be "conformed to the image of His Son" (Rom. 8:29).  Success or failure in this enterprise cannot be measured by mere statistics.  A far more important question to raise as numbers change is how individual saints are faring in their effort to be more Christ-like.  Churches only truly grow as the individual members of those assemblies grow.  What is the glory of our numbers if people are not prepared to go to heaven?

- by Paul Earnhart

 

Norma McCorvey and Roe versus Wade

She was used by pro-abortion and pro-life groups, but in fairness nobody outdid Norma McCorvey at trying to use others for personal advantage. Her effort to abort her third child, in Texas in 1970, was the case used to go to the Supreme Court. By the time the appeals process wound up in legalizing abortion at the federal level, her baby was almost three years old and in the home of adoptive parents. She was the product of neglect and horrible abuse, was promiscuous, bisexual-though mostly lesbian, and was known to try to make her way by hook or crook for most of her life. She tried to leverage her infamy into financial advantage or at least a living wage.

 

It's wonderful to see that this tormented woman publicly changed her position regarding the right and sanctity of the unborn, but her home life and adult life symbolize the growing immorality stemming from a breakdown in the home. A father fairly well abandoned his role in the home. Alcohol and drugs complicated and clouded the decisions and thinking within the home. Sexual immorality created multiple problems. Sin was perpetuated from poor examples there (The Washington Post, Emily Langer, 2/18/17).

 

Pew Research found that 46% of "U.S. kids younger than 18 years of age are living in a home with two married heterosexual parents in their first marriage. This is a marked change from 1960, when 73% of children fit this description, and 1980, when 61% did" (Gretchen Livingston, 12/22/14). This is only part of the story. I know of several scripturally divorced and remarried couples, with blended families, who have raised righteous, believing children. But, the general breakdown of the home is at the heart of so many of society's woes.

 

The foregoing is far from revelatory. Sermons, articles, and Bible classes have trumpeted it for years. What I see in our broken society is endless opportunity. It will require patience, time, and lots of love, but homes like the one McCorvey grew up in and the one she attempted herself are craving what only Christ can supply-fulfillment, joy, peace, and direction. That is where you and I come in. Let us remember what we've been told by God: "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" (1 Pet. 2:9). Let's be shining!

 

--Neal Pollard

 

Do's and Don'ts for Christian Citizens

Transforming Truths Series                                                    David Owens

Sermon # 5: “We Can Be Good Citizens”                                       2.12.17

Text: Psalm 146:1-10

 

Introduction:

A.   One day during the presidential transition, the “lame duck” President met with his successor in the Oval Office.

1.    Near the end of the orientation, the outgoing President presented the incoming President three numbered envelopes, with specific instructions to open them, in order, when great difficulties arose.

2.    After the new President completed his “honeymoon” period with the media and the public, the nation experienced an economic downturn.

3.    The new President opened the first envelope and inside was a card that read: “Blame me.”

4.    So he did. He criticized the former administration and things settled down.

5.    After a while, social upheaval brought about a critical domestic crisis.

6.    The President opened the second envelope and inside was a card that read: “Blame my party.”

7.    He did so, in an overt display of partisan politics and again things settled down.

8.    About a year later, his foreign policy resulted in serious problems and the President opened the third envelope.

9.    Inside, the card read: “Prepare three envelopes.”

 

B.    Thankfully, the 2016 presidential election and inauguration are now over, and, in what very few could ever have imagined, Donald Trump has become the President of the United States.

1.    No matter what our differences politically or otherwise, surely we can all agree that this campaign has been demoralizing and even traumatizing for most of the country.

2.    But unfortunately, the great divide in our country and the hostile feelings and reactions that swirled around this election are not easing up.

3.    Since the inauguration and some of the new administrations first moves to put a cabinet in place and begin policy changes, there have been protests and violence.

4.    It feels a little bit like the world has gone crazy!

 

C.    For several weeks now, I have felt compelled to try to bring a message of wisdom and peace for our congregation in the midst of the chaos and unrest around us.

       1.  As you know, I don’t like to talk about politics, and actually this sermon is not about politics.

2.    This sermon is about how we, as Christians, should conduct ourselves in the midst of a fractured nation.

3.    So, initially, I thought of this sermon as a break in my Transforming Truths series, but then I realized that I didn’t have to break into the series I had planned, because today’s lesson is another important truth that needs to be added to the series.

4.    Today’s transforming truth is the fact that we can be good citizens, and that ultimately, God requires that we strive to be good citizens.

5.    What I hope to do in today’s sermon is to give us some perspective on God’s principles for citizenship and to help us apply them to our present situation and always.

 

D.   The first thing I want to emphasize is a truth that I point to anytime I discuss politics and elections, and it is the truth that God is in control.

            1.         When Jesus’ life was in the hands of Pilate, He made this important point to Pilate.

a.    The conversation went like this, “Pilate said, ‘Do you refuse to speak to me? Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?’  Jesus answered, ‘You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.’ ” (John 19:10-11)

            2.         Psalm 22:28 says, “For dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations.”

3.    And Daniel 2:20-21 says, “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his.  He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them.”

4.    What a blessing it is to know that no matter who is President that God is in control and He is working things out for His purposes.

 

E.    So, what then are we to make of the fact that Donald Trump is now the President of the United States of America?  What are God’s purposes for a Donald Trump Presidency?

       1.  My honest answer is: “I don’t know.”

2.    As the political pundits weigh in on the many sociological and ideological factors that contributed to Donald Trump’s stunning victory, we must keep in mind the spiritual side of things.

3.    As I said earlier, God is in control – He sets up kings and deposes them – therefore, Trump is President because God has allowed it.

4.    So if God has raised up Trump for certain divine purposes, then we might wonder what those purposes are.

5.    To be sure, some will say, “Yes, God has raised up Donald Trump, but it is to judge America, not bless America. He has given us what we deserve, and it is not good.”

a.    God certainly did that when Israel clamored for a king and God tried to warn them against it, but in the end, God gave them what they asked for, and Saul became the first king of Israel.

b.    Saul proved to be a less than ideal king.

6.    But there are certainly, many other purposes that God may have for a Trump Presidency, and we will have to wait to see what materializes.

       a.       I hope God’s purposes are for our prosperity and not for our punishment.

7.    I read something interesting from a minister named Jeremiah Johnson, about the sense that he has about what God may do through a Trump Presidency.

a.    Johnson wrote these words back in July before he knew very much about Trump, but this is what he sensed God was telling him: “Trump shall become My trumpet to the American people, for he possesses qualities that are even hard to find in My people these days. Trump does not fear man nor will he allow deception and lies to go unnoticed. I am going to use him to expose darkness and perversion in America like never before, but you must understand that he is like a bull in a china closet. Many will want to throw him away because he will disturb their sense of peace and tranquility, but you must listen through the bantering to discover the truth that I will speak through him…”  (article by M. Brown)

8.    Consider also the perspective of Dr. Lance Wallnau, a Christian speaker and leadership coach who often thinks outside the box. (article by M. Brown)

a.    Wallnau believes that God is using Trump as a “wrecking ball to the spirit of political correctness,” claiming, “His emergence is such a destabilizing threat to the vast deal making machinery embedded in both parties that he has the unique distinction of being rejected by both liberal Democrats and establishment Republicans at the same time.”

9.    I find those to be very interesting perspectives, but let me say it again: I don’t know what God is going to do or how God might use the Trump Presidency.

10.  What I do know is that God is in control and that God’s purposes cannot be hindered.

 

F.    Allow me to speak to those who may be very unhappy and worried because Donald Trump is our President.

1.    There have been seven different Presidents during my adult life, and about half of that time, the President has not been the one that I wanted.

2.    I thought the world was coming to an end when Bill Clinton was elected – I just couldn’t believe that the majority of Americans would elect someone with such poor moral character.

a.       I was truly scared about what would happen to our country with him at the top.

b.    Well, we survived Clinton and all the other Presidents we have had, because the country is bigger and stronger than one person at the top.

3.    But even though half of the Presidents weren’t the ones I wanted, I have never had the attitude of “Not my President.”

4.    I have never wanted any U.S. President to fail, because if our President fails, then our nation fails, and we citizens of the U.S. are hurt by it.

5.    I like this cartoon that shows a hole in the boat with people at one end of the boat saying, “Sure glad the hole isn’t at our end.”

a.       If the hole causes the boat to sink, then it doesn’t matter whose end the hole is in, right?

6.    The same is true with our country – we only have one President at a time, and he is president of us all. 

a.       If he leads the country well, then we all are blessed, but if he sinks, then we all sink.

 

I.          Do’s and Don’ts for Christian Citizens

A.        So what are some “Do’s” and “Don’ts” for us as Christians that will help us to be good citizens?

 

B.        First, as Christian citizens, we must obey the law.

1.    Something that helps me to have spiritual perspective about citizenship is to realize that Christianity has been around for a long time, and that Christians have lived in every country of the world, and have had to live out their Christianity under all types of kings and governments.

2.    God’s command for us, as Christians, is to strive to be law-abiding citizens of whatever country we live in and whatever governmental system we live under.

3.    To the Christians living in Rome, the Apostle Paul wrote: Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves…Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. (Rom. 13:1-2, 5)

4.    To the Christians scattered about the Roman Empire, the Apostle Peter wrote: Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king. (1 Peter. 2:13-17)

5.    The Roman Emperors who served during the time of the early church include Nero (54-68 AD), Vespasian (68-79 AD), Titus (79-81 AD), and Domitian (81-96 AD).

6.    Those were some brutal, unethical, self-centered, delusional dictators and yet both Paul and Peter say that they were in power by God’s establishment and that they must be submitted to.

7.    The only time God’s people are not to submit to the governing authorities is when those authorities command us to do something that violates God’s commands.

a.    When the King that Daniel served under ordered that no one was allowed to pray to God, Daniel disobeyed the King and kept on praying.

b.    When the King that Shadrach, Meshack, and Abendigo served under ordered them to worship an idol, they disobeyed their government and obeyed God.

c.    When the officials told the apostles to no longer preach about Jesus, they replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God.  For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:19-20)

8.    But unless obeying the government would cause us to disobey God’s commands, we must submit to the governing authorities and live according to the laws of our country.

9.    We are good citizens when we submit to those in authority and obey the law, and we are called upon by God to do so no matter who is the President – even Nero, or Domitian.

 

C.        Second, as Christian citizens, we can pray.

1.  The Bible says that the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (Jms. 5:16)

2.    When Paul wrote Timothy, he instructed him: “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority.” (1 Tim. 2:1-2).

3.    Concerning the nation of Israel, God said, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

4.    I believe that God will do the same for the United States of America if we will humble ourselves and pray and seek God’s face and turn from our wicked ways.

5.    Many of us have deep differences with our new president, and would have no matter which candidate had been elected, but we must pray that he will succeed in leading our country with wisdom and justice.

6.    And let’s pray for all our elected officials – let’s pray that they will humbly look to God for direction and that they will not pursue party or personal goals, but will do what is best for all the citizens of our country.

 

D.        Third, as Christian citizens, we should not argue, complain, judge or condemn.

1.    Paul wrote: Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life… (Phil. 2:14-16)

2.    Interaction in social media and in face to face conversation has gotten so negative and combative, but this should not be the way for Christians.

       a.       We must avoid complaining, arguing and being condemning about people and policies.

       b.       We must be very careful about how we represent ourselves and Christ as we communicate.

3.    If we need to enter into the arena of ideas and try to change people’s thinking, then we must follow God’s guidelines.

4.    Look at the instructions that Paul gave Timothy: “And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth…” (2 Tim. 2:24-25).

5.    We can certainly exercise our rights as citizens and contact our elected representatives with our ideas and wishes for our country, but we must do so with respect and dignified communication.

6.    Facebook and Twitter are likely not the best place to arguments and dialog on important matters.

 

E.         Fourth, as Christian citizens, we can love our neighbor.

1.    Regardless of the words or actions of our government, we can show God’s love to everyone.

2.    We can show kindness and build relationships with all kinds of people, whether they are different from us in color, country of origin, religion, orientation, education or economic status.

3.    We can love and serve refugees, unwed mothers, widows, orphans, the poor and the homeless.

4.    Rather than depending on the government to do those things, or being angry when they don’t, we must ask ourselves, “What am I doing to love my neighbor and be a good citizen?”

5.    Jesus teaches us to “love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mt. 22:39)

6.    And “do to others what you would have them do to you.” (Mt. 7:12)

 

F.         Fifth, as Christian citizens, we can give the kingdom of God our highest allegiance.

            1.         Jesus teaches us to “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.” (Mt. 6:33)

2.    Paul reminds us: “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ…” (Phil. 3:20)

3.    God’s Kingdom, the church, is made up of all kinds of people, brought together as one body.

4.    We belong to each other because we belong to Christ.

            5.         We are not, first, Republicans or Democrats, or conservatives or progressives.

6.  We are not even, first and foremost, citizens of the United States of America.

7.    Most importantly, we are the church of the resurrected and triumphant Lord Jesus Christ made up of people from all nations.

8.    The church has survived everything from the rage of Nero, to Communist oppression, to Middle Eastern terrorist cells, and will continue in spite of all of the attacks of Satan.

9.  We will pledge allegiance to the flag, but we will pledge a higher allegiance to the cross.

10.            Our rallying cry is not “Hail to the Chief” but “Jesus is Lord.”

11.            And regardless of what happens to America, we must seek first the Kingdom of God.

 

G.        Finally, as Christian citizens, we can put our trust in God.

1.    Our trust should not be in our country or our President and other elected representatives, rather, our trust must be in God.

2.    Psalm 20:7 says: Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

3.    Psalm 118:8 says: It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.

4.    Psalm 27:1 says: The LORD is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear?  The LORD is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?

5.    Psalm 146:1-10 says:

Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul.

I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

                 Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save.

When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come

       to nothing.

Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God,

the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them - the LORD, who

remains faithful forever.

He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry.

The LORD sets prisoners free, the LORD gives sight to the blind,

the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down, the LORD loves the righteous.

The LORD watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow,

but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.

                 The LORD reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations.  Praise the LORD .

6.    Our God is all-powerful, all-knowing, He is everywhere, He is perfect, He is good, He is merciful, He is faithful and He is just.

7.    In a world full of evil and trouble and chaos, Our God is our rock and our refuge.

8.    If our trust is in the Lord, then we have nothing to fear.

 

Conclusion:

A.   In a speech in 1820, Daniel Webster, the former constitutional lawyer, U.S Senator, and Secretary of State said: “Whatever makes men good Christians, makes them good citizens.”

 

B.        As good Christians and good citizens…

            1.         We must obey the law.

2.  We can pray.

            3.         We should not argue, complain, judge or condemn.

            4.         We can love our neighbor.

            5.         We can give the Kingdom of God our highest allegiance.

            6.         We can trust in God.

 

C.        When we do so, we are good citizens, and good Christians, and God is pleased.

 

 

 

 

Resources:

Donald Trump, President of the United States by the Sovereign Intervention of God, Article by Michael

     Brown, 11.9.16,  https://stream.org/donald-trump-president-united-states-sovereign-intervention-god/

President Trump: Now What for the Church? Article by Russell Moore,

     http://www.christianity.com/blogs/russell-moore/president-trump-now-what-for-the-church.html

 

In my Father's house are many mansions:

Thought for the Week

 

In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so , I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also--John 14:2-3.

 

It now seems as if the years of my life from the day I entered this world some 82 years ago have literally flown by so quickly. As I have grown older my body has become frail and weak with age often causing days and nights to be somewhat weary. It is now that my heart is pained and weariness sometimes sweeps down over my soul as I helplessly stand by and watch as that terrible disease, Dementia Alzheimer controls the life of my beloved wife of almost 58 years and is slowly taking her from me. I am confident that many who now read these words are also experiencing some great burden under which you too groan (2 Cor. 5:2-4). It is imperative that we never let the burdens of life cause our faith in God to falter. With all my heart, I am convinced that so long as we keep our eyes on the heavenly goal (Phil. 3:13-14; Col. 3:1-2), so long as we trust in the Lord with all our heart (Ps. 31:1, 62:8; Prov. 3:5; 1 Tim. 4:10), so long as we spread it before our Lord (1 Thess 5:17; Phil. 4:6-7; Heb. 4:16) he will grant to us the measure of strength, courage, patience and understanding to see us safely through each day. Do you believe this? I do and pray you do also (Rom. 8:28-39).

 

A home in heaven is a promise God has given to us and it is a promise that marks the dawning of a better day (Rev. 21:1-4). With our human eyes we have seen the glitter of gold and we have over time beheld some wondrous things on our travel through life. I have stood high up on the Great Smoky Mountains in the dead of winter and beheld a winter wonderland so beautiful. I have heard the majestic roar and seen the splendor of a great waterfall. I have heard the laughter of my children and seen the beauty of my beloved's smile. I have no doubt that many of you, if not all of you, can say "me too". But nothing we have ever seen or heard can begin to compare with the beauty. splender and glory of that eternal home that will one day be ours if we are faithful to our Lord. Truly, as we often sing, "Heaven will surely be worth it all".  Forgive me for the personal nature of this Thought. I only pray that it will be a source of encouragement for all who are  struggling under the weight of a great burden.

 

Charles Hicks