"As they passed the rows of houses they saw through the open doors that men were sweeping and dusting and washing dishes, while the women sat around in groups, gossiping and laughing.
"What has happened?" the Scarecrow asked a sad-looking man with a bushy beard, who wore an apron and was wheeling a baby-carriage along the sidewalk.
"Why, we've had a revolution, your Majesty -- as you ought to know very well," replied the man; "and since you went away the women have been running things to suit themselves. I'm glad you have decided to come back and restore order, for doing housework and minding the children is wearing out the strength of every man in the Emerald City."
"Hm!" said the Scarecrow, thoughtfully. "If it is such hard work as you say, how did the women manage it so easily?"
"I really do not know," replied the man, with a deep sigh. "Perhaps the women are made of cast-iron.""
- L. Frank Baum, "The Land of Oz"
Sunday, May 30, 2010
"My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” - John 18:36
In a reference to this passage, our pastor made the following statements:
"Jesus did not come to bring political reformation. He was not interested in making things better in the political realm. He came to save people from eternal death."
"We're more interested in watching Hardball and Hannity than spreading His message. We're more ready to declare 'I'm a Republican' or 'I'm a Democrat' rather than proclaiming Christ."
[here he mentioned that he was quoting someone else] "If Jesus were to come today a lot of Christians would want to make him President of the United States. That would be a step down for the Son of God."
I found this very refreshing. As you can probably tell if you've been reading this blog for very long, I generally vote Republican. Our pastor is not an edgy 20-something guy. He's forty and he hunts, and we're in a very red part of a very red state.
Here's another one, from the end of the message: "Church was never meant to be a building where we all come and hide."
Good and challenging stuff.
Trackbacks:
Trackback URL: http://thinklings.org/bloo.trackback.php/5996.
Comments on "Quotables from Church this Morning":
2. Jared
- 05/30/2010 6:53 pm CDT
Bill, get ready for more yes, but's. Happens to me every time.
Bobbi: Don't you have to assume the above statements mean "don't vote" to come away needing to say that? None of them say "Don't vote."
I agree with the first 4 sentences of your comment, and while I would agree they have political ramifications, I think too many American evangelicals jump to the political and equate being salt/light and hungering for righteousness with political efforts. I wish more believed and lived as if we could do all those things no matter what kind of government we have or who's in it.
5. Shrode
- 05/31/2010 7:18 am CDT
Bill,
If I'd been there, I very well might have embarrassed the fire out of myself and stood up, applauded and said, "Preach it brother!"
Bobbi,
You probably ought to know that I'm tired of other people equating Fox News conservatism with Christianity. (Not you. I don't know you.) So I enter into this discussion with a little baggage. ;-) I'm not saying that you are doing that, but I think it's important to clarify. Some people would read what you said in comment 4, and agree with that statement because we have a democrat president and a democrat president and lots of liberal policies are being enacted.
God's people have been asleep and the enemy is gaining ground
If by that you mean that believers haven't been sharing the Gospel with our words and showing the Gospel by our actions, you might be right.
If by that you mean that by percentages there are less people that know Jesus in America than in earlier generations, you might be right.
If by that you mean that America has become more immoral or more liberal, then I disagree. The enemy gains ground through immorality AND morality. If anything, America's "Christian nation" status has been our biggest problem. Because people think they are American, moral, and go to church, they think that makes them right with Jesus. There are lots of lost people that vote exactly as Christians do. Remember it was the "righteous" that were the hardest to Jesus' message.
The old days (in America) were not better than these.
There were always lost people who needed Jesus, and there will always be. Let that be our fight.
I'm going to vote a certain way (probably the same as you) but I'm pretty sure that not one of my votes will ever win a soul to Jesus. But I think you know that. ;-)
The political situation in Paul's day and in Jesus' day was abysmal, yet it was the Gospel that was gaining ground.
I suspect if we sat down and talked about this we'd agree. :-)
6. Bill
- 05/31/2010 9:58 am CDT
For wider context, this was the main passage for the morning, from Matthew 16: 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.
Mark [our pastor] was explaining why Jesus told his disciples to tell no one that He was the Christ. It was because they were still looking for political salvation and were not ready for One who's kingdom was not of this world.
8. jenn
- 06/01/2010 1:52 pm CDT
The enemy gains ground through immorality AND morality.
I wish more people were saying this as explicitly as you say it! Kudos!
9. Shrode
- 06/02/2010 9:44 am CDT
jenn,
Thanks, but I must give credit where credit is due. It was because of this post by Jared that I was able to say (and understand) this so clearly.
That, and I've been studying and preaching through the parables in the Gospel of Luke. The Pharisees were the moral and righteous ones and they just didn't get the gospel. (Luke 7:36-50 for example) That's really shown me that morality can be a barrier to salvation.
11. Tim Pauley
- 06/12/2010 5:12 am CDT
Bill,
I work in a ministry of evangelism and discipleship of political leaders. Is there a link to the message? I'd like to listen to it if available.
12. Bill
- 06/12/2010 8:59 am CDT
Tim,
You can find it here: http://www.hnw.org/files/podcasts/RediscoveringtheChurch_PartI.mp3
The part that's pertinent starts approx 2/3 of the way through.
Leave a Comment:
True, God's kingdom is not of this world but we are supposed to be salt and light. We are supposed to let our light shine before men that they may see our good works and praise our Father in Heaven. We are supposed to hunger after righteousness. We are supposed to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God. In other words we are to love our enemies enough to tell them the truth. If we can make a difference with our votes and stand up for justice and righteousness in this way then we should do it!