RWJ/Pottersville UMC 11/25/12 Sermon - “Did you remember to give thanks?”

Sunday 11/25/12 RWJ/Pottersville UMC

Sermon: “Did you remember to give thanks?”                                                                                                

Scripture Lesson: Revelation 1:4b-8

                                             

Gospel Lesson: John 18:33-37      

          Good morning brothers and sisters! I greet you in the name our risen Lord and savior Jesus Christ! I hope and pray that you have all had a blessed week and I am happy to be worshiping with you here this morning!

          How was everyone’s week? Did you have a good Thanksgiving? Melissa and I were blessed to have our first Thanksgiving at the church parsonage in Johnsburg this past Thursday. It was a really blessed day. Melissa of course did most of the cooking, but I did what husbands are useful for. I picked up and moved heavy objects, grabbed things she couldn’t reach, helped here and there with what she needed help with, and otherwise did my best to stay away out of her way. Once the rest of the women of the family arrived, the men seemed to cluster in the living room of parsonage watching television, on high alert, if one of the women should ask us to do something. We waited with our car keys like Kentucky Derby horses at the racing gate, on high alert if we should be asked to go to the store to get some creamer of something else that was needed for the dinner.

          Growing up I remember my mother toiling on Thanksgiving to cook a good turkey, and to make things just so. I remember how good the food was, and how appreciative I was. This thanksgiving was different though, because I got to honor my parents. I also got to honor our guest Rev. David Schlansker, and Melissa got to honor her parents and grandmother, by us hosting Thanksgiving. At the table before we ate, I asked my step-dad as the patriarch of the family, to pray for us. He said, “but this is your place Paul, and you are the head of this household” I then said, “but you are the head of this family, so can you pray?” He did this, and then we all went around the table and took turns giving thanks for what we were grateful for.

          This was well received, and we had a lot of fun. I suppose in times like this though, it dawned upon me yet again that I am now the pastor of two churches up here. I thought for a moment, “I don’t deserve any of this.” “I don’t deserve to have the right to pastor the two churches I do, and minister to the fine folks I minister to. I certainly also don’t deserve to be able to stay in the beautiful church parsonage that my wife and I are staying in. I then thought who am I as a young person to think I can be a pastor.” These thoughts were not ones that made me feel insecure, rather in the moment were more just thoughts that made me feel undeserving.” I remember thinking and praying to God though, and realizing that none of us deserve what we have. None of deserve salvation in Jesus Christ, but here we are. In that moment, I realized that God had called me, and that Amazing Grace “save a wretch like a me. That I once was lost, and now am found. Was blind, but now I see.”

          I don’t know about you, but at my Thanksgiving table there was a lot of food. The joy and the gratefulness I felt was overwhelming. I ask you this morning though, “Did you remember to give thanks?” For many of us we could most likely just come to expect a feast on Thanksgiving, but if we had no feast? Were we thankful for that which God gave us and continues to give us? Was I the only one who had a moment on Thanksgiving, where I said, “I don’t deserve any of this?” Or did you have such a moment to?

          In the scripture reading from the book of Revelation this morning, it said “Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come.” The book of Revelation bears witness to the truth of Christ, His faithfulness, and the reality that we have much to give thanks for. The scripture from Revelation goes on to speak of Jesus as, “To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” We have much to be thankful for. “Did you remember to give thanks” during you Thanksgiving? Revelation then speaks of Jesus’ return, by saying “Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, and even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail.” According to the book of Revelation, Jesus will proclaim on this day, “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” While we have gifts and talents, all good things come from the Lord. I ask you then “Did you remember to give thanks” during Thanksgiving this past Thursday?

          In the Gospel of John reading this morning, Pontius Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the King of the Jews?” As Pilate continued to question Jesus, he said “My kingdom is not from this world.” Jesus then said, “Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” Jesus was about to die for our sins, our iniquities, our failings, and would do so with love and joy. “Did you remember to give thanks” this past Thanksgiving?

          I would like to close this morning with a story. Here is how the story goes, On Nov. 18, 1995, Itzhak Perlman, the violinist, came on stage to give a concert at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center in New York City. If you have ever been to a Perlman concert, you know that getting on stage is no small achievement for him. He was stricken with polio as a child, and so he has braces on both legs and walks with the aid of two crutches. To see him walk across the stage one step at a time, painfully and slowly, is an unforgettable sight. He walks painfully, yet majestically, until he reaches his chair. Then he sits down, slowly, puts his crutches on the floor, undoes the clasps on his legs, tucks one foot back and extends the other foot forward. Then he bends down and picks up the violin, puts it under his chin, nods to the conductor and proceeds to play. By now, the audience is used to this ritual. They sit quietly while he makes his way across the stage to his chair. They remain reverently silent while he undoes the clasps on his legs. They wait until he is ready to play. But this time, something went wrong. Just as he finished the first few bars, one of the strings on his violin broke. You could hear it snap - it went off like gunfire across the room. There was no mistaking what that sound meant. There was no mistaking what he had to do. People who were there that night thought to themselves: "We figured that he would have to get up, put on the clasps again, pick up the crutches and limp his way off stage - to either find another violin or else find another string for this one." But he didn't. Instead, he waited a moment, closed his eyes then signaled the conductor to begin again. The orchestra began, and he played from where he had left off. And he played with such passion and such power and such purity as they had never before. Of course, anyone knows that it is impossible to play a symphonic work with just three strings. I know that, and you know that, but that night Itzhak Perlman refused to know that. You could see him modulating, changing, and recomposing the piece in his head. At one point, it sounded like he was de-tuning the strings to get new sounds from them that they had never made before. When he finished, there was an awesome silence in the room. And then people rose and cheered. There was an extraordinary outburst of applause from every corner of the auditorium. We were all on our feet, screaming and cheering, doing everything we could to show how much we appreciated what he had done. He smiled, wiped the sweat from this brow, raised his bow to quiet us, and then he said, not boastfully, but in a quiet, pensive, reverent tone, "You know, sometimes it is the artist's task to find out how much music you can still make with what you have left." What a powerful line that is. Here is a man who has prepared all his life to make music on a violin of four strings, who, all of a sudden, in the middle of a concert, finds himself with only three strings. So he makes music with three strings, and the music he made that night with just three strings was more beautiful, more sacred, more memorable, than any that he had ever made before, when he had four strings.

          For many of us in recent years, we have more of sense of insecurity with our economy, some of us have lost jobs, and some of us have lost more. Are we truly thankful to God for what we do have though? “Did we remember to give thanks” on thanksgiving this past Thursday? Did we realize that whatever our circumstances that God loves us and wants us to still make music with what we have left? For Jesus gave his very life, so that those who know Him, will never know death. He bled to make us beautiful, and by his whip stripes we are healed. So I ask you again, “Did you remember to give thanks?” on Thanksgiving this year. Praise God and Amen.       

RWJ/Pottersville UMC 11/18/12 Sermon - “Do we build His kingdom or our kingdom?”

Sunday 11/18/12 RWJ/Pottersville UMC

Sermon: “Do we build His kingdom or our kingdom?”                                                                                                

Scripture Lesson: Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25                 

Gospel Lesson: Mark 13:1-8   

          Good morning brothers and sisters! I greet you in the name our risen Lord and savior Jesus Christ! I hope and pray that you have all had a blessed week and I am happy to be worshiping with you here this morning!

          This morning I want to talk about building. More specifically, I want to talk about building houses, futures, and kingdoms. I have heard many people say in my young life, that “every man’s home is his castle.” We are people that build for the future, grow nest eggs, and plan. Yet for me, recent events have shown me more clearly than ever, that our kingdoms are fragile. That the things we build here on earth are not forever. That one day our homes will no longer be standing, whether decades or centuries from now. That one day every structure that is in this town might be rebuilt, and the old structures will be no longer. In fact, many old buildings that you might remember from your lifetime are longer here. One day all of this may no longer be here. God’s kingdom though, is internal. Our worlds, our personal kingdoms, are so fragile.

          I was over joyed to hear that the Cleveland family in Baker’s Mills whose house burned down recently, had just over $6,000 dollars raised for them last weekend. I was proud when our church raised money for UMCOR for the relief effort for hurricane Sandy. Many of you still want to do even more for the Cleveland family, and others. We realize, I think that our treasure is not on earth, but rather that our treasure is in building the kingdom of God.

          As many of you know one of Johnsburg’s long time matriarchs, Jean Reed passed away two days ago. Many of you know Jean, and many of you have at least heard of her. When I completing this sermon last night, I reflected upon Jean, and the short time I had known her. I always enjoyed my visits with Jean, and found Jean’s faith in God to be as strong as anyone I have ever seen. I have also been told that before she fell ill that she was devoted to the church, to God, and to the community. Sometimes I think, that time can go by quickly. Days can turn into months, and months can turn into years. We are all fragile, and we are all mortal. Our lives are quick, and fast. My grandmother always says that “life is like a roll of toilet paper. As you get older, it gets smaller and goes faster.” I think of the times and days I have spent in my life worrying or stressed about different things. I realize more and more in light of recent events, that sometimes I am guilty of building my kingdom, and neglecting God’s kingdom. That people everywhere don’t know Jesus, and the lifesaving message of His gospel. That I have missed opportunities to change lives for Jesus Christ.

          In the scripture reading this morning from Hebrews it says speaking of Jesus Christ, “For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.” The scripture goes on to say, once again speaking of Jesus, “we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us.” The scripture further goes on to talk about how we must encourage one another, how we must gather together, and that we must love each other. Life is short brothers and sisters, and there is a big world out there with hurting people. When we build our kingdoms, we neglect God’s kingdom, and God’s plan. You see God’s kingdom then isn’t just belief in Him it’s how we build it here on earth. This kingdom is found in his people. We are the bricks and the mortar. Private faith then, I think, isn’t enough.

          I know so many people who are alone, whether they are with people, or are not with people. Did you hear what I just said there? I know some people are alone whom are with others? They are so because, they are consumed by their own personal kingdoms. We so often build our own kingdoms, and create our own security. Yet in a second, we could lose our home, our jobs, and etc. In whom do we trust? Do we build large palaces for ourselves, and think that God cannot find us in them? Do we think we are better without God? So many of us are content to build our own kingdoms, and not build God’s kingdom. So many desire more money, a bigger house, a bigger retirement, a better this, and a better that. We are often building our kingdoms on sand, and all too often we build our kingdoms like a house of cards. The kingdom looks good, but it is far more fragile than we want to admit it is. Really, I think, we all just want to trust God more.

          In the gospel reading this morning, Jesus said speaking of Jewish temple of the high priests, “No one stone will be left here upon another: all will be thrown down.” Jesus then explained that apostles need to beware of false prophets who declare they are Him, but are frauds. Historically, we think that Jesus died in year 33AD, as He was 33-years old. The temple Jesus spoke of was destroyed was destroyed in 70AD in a war between Jerusalem and the Roman Empire. The temple was destroyed then, as Jesus said it was. In a literal sense, then, what Jesus said was true. This man made kingdom or palace was no more.

          When we bring people into relationship with Jesus Christ, when we serve the poor, and when we love all people, we grow not just the church, but the community that is the community of Jesus Christ. When we all go onto to glory one day, our houses will not go with us, our money will not go, but Lord willing all us will be there with each other. In the end then, all we will have is God and each other. Our kingdoms, our strongholds, will be like a 4^th of July firework. Bright and big, and then gone forever. God’s kingdom, Jesus Christ’s kingdom, is the only kingdom that is eternal. Where do you build?

          Imagine a world, where we knew that our church, that our brothers and sisters were those who truly cared for us. That we didn’t need to fear as much about retirement, or healthcare, the future, and etc., because we really had a community of caring. Imagine how much less stressful life would be. Imagine if we worked more together as Christians, versus always stressing out about our own kingdoms.

I like to close with a story called “Sunday’s Stranger.” Here is the story: The parking lot filled rapidly on Sunday morning as members of the large church congregation filed into church. As usually happens in a church that size, each member had developed a certain comfort zone - a block of space within those four church walls that became theirs after the second or third sitting. It was as much a part of their church experience as the recliner was to the television at home. Some of the older members had been sitting in the same row on the same side for several decades. A team of oxen could not have moved them to the opposite side of the church. One morning a stranger stood at the edge of the parking lot near a dumpster. As families parked cars and piled out, they noticed him rummaging through the trash. "Oh no! I don't believe it," whispered a lady to her husband. "That's all we need - a bunch of homeless people milling around here." One worried little girl tugged on her dad's sleeve. "But Daddy..." Daddy was busy sizing up the bearded stranger, whose baggy, outdated trousers and faded flannel shirt had dusted too many park benches. "Don't stare at him, honey," he whispered, and hurried her inside. Soft music filled the high-ceilinged sanctuary as churchgoers settled into their usual spots. The choir sang an opening chorus, "In His presence there is comfort...in His presence there is peace...". Sunlight suddenly flooded the center aisle. The double doors swung open and the homeless man, sloppy and stooped, headed toward the front. "Oh no, it's him!" somebody muttered. "What does he think he's doing, anyway?" snapped an incredulous usher. The stranger set his bag full of dumpster treasures on the very first pew, which had been upholstered in an expensive soft teal fabric just three months ago. The music stopped. And before anyone had a chance to react, he ambled up the stairs and stood behind the fine, hand-crafted oak podium, where he faced a wide-eyed congregation. The disheveled stranger spoke haltingly at first, in a low, clear voice. Unbuttoning and removing his top layer of clothing, he described Jesus, and the love He has for all people. "Jesus possesses a sensitivity and love that far surpasses what any of us deserves." Stepping out of the baggy old trousers, the stranger went on to describe a forgiveness that is available to each and every one of us...without strings attached. Unconditionally He loves us. Unconditionally He gave his very life for us. Unconditionally and forever, we can have the peace and assurance that no matter who we are, where we've come from, or how badly we may have mistreated others or ourselves, there is hope. In Jesus, there is always hope. "You see, my friends, it is never too late to change," the man continued. "He is the Author of change, and the Provider of forgiveness. He came to bring new meaning to 'life'." Men and women squirmed as reality hit them like an electrical current. The stranger tugged at his knotted gray beard, and removed it. "I'm here to tell you that we are loved with a love far beyond human understanding, a love that enables us to accept and love others in return." Then tenderly he added, "Let's pray together." That wise pastor - under the guise of a homeless "nobody" - did not preach a sermon that day, but every person left with plenty to think about. 

          Brothers and sisters, do we build our kingdoms, or do we build His kingdom? As we go into this Thanksgiving week, let us remember what the Lord has done for us. Let us remember the many blessings that we have, and that to God and God alone is the glory. For He has saved us all, His kingdom is forever, and would should seek to build it. Amen.

RWJ/Pottersville UMC 11/11/12 Sermon - “They kneel before the King” (Qualities of a Good Leaders Series, Part 5 of 5)

Sunday 11/11/12 RWJ/Pottersville UMC

Sermon: “They kneel before the King”                                                                                                (Qualities of a Good Leader Series: Part 5 of 5)

Scripture Lesson: Psalm 127

Gospel Lesson: Mark 12:38-44

          Good morning brothers and sisters! I greet you in the name our risen Lord and savior Jesus Christ! I hope and pray that you have all had a blessed week and I am happy to be worshiping with you here this morning!

          This morning I am finishing my sermon series on the qualities of good leadership. As this presidential election season has just ended, I think that good leadership is something that many of us are continuing to think about right now.

In the first week of this series, I talked about leaders who are “humble before there people.” Jesus was humble, calls us to be humble, and there are several scripture references to being humble. In the second week of this series, I preached that good leaders are “amongst the people.” Perhaps it is our recent hurricane that brought this to the forefront for us, but we have seen good leaders in the past two weeks amongst and serving their people. Two weeks ago, I talked about how biblical leaders must “sacrifice for the greater good.” By giving of ourselves for others, we are living sacrificially. Last week I talked about the importance of leaders “Who love their country.” I asked the question of how can someone be a good leader of their people without loving their country?

This morning, I want to talk about my final characteristic of good leadership, which is a leader that “kneels before the king.” By this, I mean leaders that kneel before almighty God, as their ultimate leader. As the presidential election was wrapping up this week, I heard a couple of interesting questions on the radio. The first one I heard was, does a government need God to be successful? The second question was what does a government without God look like? These were those types of questions for me, “that stopped me in my tracks,” and made me think. So with this said then, what does a government look like that is following God? What does a government look like that is not following God?

For me, I think of the Book of Judges in the Old Testament when I think about these questions. In Judges 17:6 it says, “In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” What this verse of scripture means is that “Rather than follow the law of God, their King, they became a law unto themselves.” As the election was concluding this week, I wondered in mind, “Are we as a country following God, or are we doing what is right in our own eyes?” I mean it is easy to say we follow God, but are we? Are our leaders really following God? Or are we doing what is right in our own eyes? Consider this for a minute, do you know that no United States President has ever been elected without proclaiming to be a Christian, or without proclaiming to have faith in God? In fact, no serious presidential candidate in this country could ever dream of getting their political party’s nomination, if they did not believe in and proclaim faith God. Yet many of us might say, “well I don’t think that candidate, or that president really believed, or was really a Christian.” Imagine if our leaders no longer trusted in the Lord, but rather “did what was right in their own eyes?” What happens to a society that no longer looks to God, and no longer seeks the Lord in their overall decision making?

1 Corinthians 1:25-26 says, “For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.  Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.” Sometimes, I wonder as a country “Just who do we think we are?” Sometimes I think we are not a prodigal child, but a prodigal nation. How bad must it get before we see our need to trust and follow God? Do we really think we can do better than God? Jeremiah 17:5 says: "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD.”

When viewing countries like North Korea, Iran, and the former Soviet Union, is it evident what happens when we fully put our trust in ourselves, and not God? I think that when we lose sight of God, our willingness to do good and be just is diminished greatly. We then become a society of un-sacrificing pleasure seekers, who do whatever benefits them. We ship jobs overseas, and doing anything at all to make money. We care about no one, but ourselves. Yet despite some of this un-Godliness in our country, we see countless men and women on the ground down where Hurricane Sandy is. They are working hard to rebuild the broken dreams of our brothers and sisters. To accomplish this, people like our UMCOR workers are not looking to themselves, they are looking to God.

Let’s look at the scripture reading from this morning. The first verse of Psalm 127 says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain.” Who do we put our trust in? Do we kneel before the King? The first president of our republic President George Washington said, "It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible." President Abraham Lincoln said, "I can see how it might be possible for a man to look down upon the earth and be an atheist, But I cannot conceive how he could look up into the heavens and say there is no God." President Dwight Eisenhower said, "Without God there could be no American form of government nor an American way of life. Recognition of the Supreme Being is the first the most basic expression of Americanism."

So every president has proclaimed, in their spoken words at least, their faith in God. In the gospel reading this morning though, Jesus said to beware of the scribes who have fake faith, and pretend to have faith to gain favor, wealth, and prestige. Jesus said, that men like this, “devour widow’s houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive greater condemnation.” Jesus then goes to speak of the humble act of the poor widow woman who gave her last two copper coins. She did this not for recognition, not for favor, but because she kneeled before the king.

President Woodrow Wilson said, “There are a good many problems before the American people today, and before me as president, but I expect to the find the solution to those problems just in the proportion that I am faithful in the study of the Word of God.” In 1980 Presidential Ronald Reagan, “The time has come to turn to God and reassert our trust in Him for the healing of America…our country is need of and ready for ready for a spiritual renewal.” Jesus wants leaders in this country, and all countries that kneel before Him.

I would like close today with a story. This story is called “Satan’s garage sale.” Here is how it goes “Once upon a time, Satan was having a garage sale. There, standing in little groups were all of his bright, shiny trinkets. Here were tools that make it easy to tear others down to use them as stepping stones. And over there were some lenses for magnifying one’s own importance, which, if you looked through them the other way, you could also use to belittle others, or even one’s self. Against the wall was the usual assortment of gardening implements guaranteed to help your pride grow by leaps and bounds: the rake of scorn, the shovel of jealousy for digging a pit for your neighbor, the tools of gossip and backbiting, of selfishness and apathy. All of these were pleasing to the eye and came complete with fabulous promises and guarantees of prosperity. Prices, of course, were steep; but not to worry! Free credit was extended to one and all. “Take it home, use it, and you won’t have to pay until later!” old Satan cried, as he hawked his wares.

The visitor, as he browsed, noticed two well worn, non-descript tools standing in one corner. Not being nearly as tempting as the other items, he found it curious that these two tools had price tags higher than any other. When he asked why, Satan just laughed and said, “Well, that’s because I use them so much. If they weren’t so plain looking, people might see them for what they were.” Satan pointed to the two tools, saying, “You see, that one’s Doubt and that one’s Discouragement — and those will work when nothing else will.”

Of all of the qualities of leadership, we should seek leaders that kneel before the king of kings, and lord of lords. That king and that Lord is Jesus Christ. This week let us throw one of our shoes under our beds every night before we go to sleep at night, so that we must force ourselves to start each day on our knees. For God wants leaders, “who kneel before the king.” Praise God and Amen.

RWJ/Pottersville UMC 11/04/12 Sermon - “They love their country” (Qualities of a Good Leaders Series, Part 4 of 5)

Sunday 11/04/12 RWJ/Pottersville UMC

Sermon: “They love their country”                                                                                                (Qualities of a Good Leader Series: Part 4 of 5)

Scripture Lesson: Hebrews 9:11-14

Gospel Lesson: Mark 12:28-34

          Good morning brothers and sisters! I greet you in the name our risen Lord and savior Jesus Christ! I hope and pray that you have all had a blessed week and I am happy to be worshipping with you here this morning!

          This morning I am continuing on with my series on the qualities of good leadership. In the midst of a presidential election season, thinking about qualities of good leadership is something that many of us naturally do. Good leadership is something very much needed right now in this country, not only in our government, in our businesses, but in all places, including our churches. While the qualities of good biblical leadership are many, I have chosen to preach on just five of these qualities.

In my first week of this series I talked about leaders who are “humble before there people.” The bible calls for the followers of God to be humble and loving to all people. In the second week of this series, I highlighted the leadership quality of “being amongst the people.” This quality of leadership shows people that a leader cares about the people that they serve. That by being amongst them, they show that they really love them and that they do what they say they will do. Last week, I talked about how we need to live sacrificially for others. That good leaders “sacrifice for the greater good.” In this way, Jesus said in Mathew 16:24-26: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?”

Today, I want to talk about good leaders “Who love their country.” How can one be a good leader of their people without loving there country? I mean how can you represent your town, your county, your state, or your country, if you do not love them? How can you lead a church or serve a church effectively if you do not love Jesus?

I recently watched a man speaking about the United States, and what he said was very interesting to me. What he said was that, “America is not a country, but rather it is an idea.” In fact, the famous quote written on the Statue of Liberty says, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” To me this country of ours, while not perfect, and while having the stains of slavery and oppression in our history, is an idea. This idea is that this country will be under God, that it will be a land of freedom, and that it will be one where all people are created equal. While our country still has many struggles and problems, the very biblical idea of being free, of pursuing happiness, and of being under God, is very much in line with scripture. In the bible we are called to transform the world into the coming kingdom of Jesus Christ. Everything our country was founded upon then has undeniable threads and correlations to the bible. In the scripture reading this morning from the book of Hebrews, it talked about how Jesus did away with the Old Law of Moses, and the old ways of doing things. In fact, this scripture from Hebrews said, “how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our consciences from dead works to worship the living God.” You see these “dead works of worship,” such as having to sacrifice animals to God, or any such things like this, are not needed anymore Jesus said. Jesus said, “I make all things new.” In many ways then, I compare this scripture to this idea that America was and is a new experiment in living and in government, abandoning of the old ways of life, for a new way life.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” You see our faith then, to me, is directly correlated with the idea of what the very fabric of what the idea our country represents. Further, I think that the desire for freedom, happiness, and faith in God, should be a reality for all countries. If a country is truly a nation that espouses faith in God, I think that such a country often is different than other more secular or un-Godly countries. In fact, I don’t think that it is a mistake that many nations still look to the United States as a model of freedom, democracy, and faith. Philippians 3:20 says, “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” When we envision a world of good Godly leaders, it is important for these leaders to love there people and their countries. I wonder sometimes what our world would look if we had good Godly leaders in leadership roles in at least many of our countries. How much better would this world be? Because when seeking good leaders, a leader must love there people and love their country.

In looking at the Gospel of Mark reading this morning, Jesus discussed the greatest commandment of “loving the Lord your God with all your mind, and with all your strength,” and the second greatest commandment of “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” To me, Jesus is not just calling us to love each other in this country, but he is calling us to love people in all countries. All people are creations of almighty God, and when we fully love God and his people then we as Jesus said to the scribe in this scripture, “are not far from the kingdom of God.”  I think that we need to seek leaders that love their countries and love there people. Imagine a world where countries all worked together, and all loved there people. I think that is the world that Jesus envisions for us.

 In his speech to the American University in Washington, D.C. on June 10, 1963, President John F. Kennedy said, “So, let us not be blind to our differences. But let us also direct attention to our common interests and to the means by which those differences can be resolved. And if we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity. For, in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children’s future. And we are all mortal.”

Jesus wants good leaders who love there people and their country. Of all the scriptures that I viewed this week on Godly leadership and loving one’s country, a scripture from 1 Timothy really spoke to me. This scripture 1 Timothy 2:1-6 says, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.  For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.” Abraham Lincoln said, “I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him.” President Kennedy also said, “My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”

You know in seeing the awful realities of Hurricane Sandy this week, many of us heard stories of people who sacrificed. They sacrificed because they loved there people, and they loved this country. I remember seeing Governor Christ Christi of New Jersey on television this week. As he was literally toiling to help the people he loves so much in the great state of New Jersey, a reporter asked him, “Governor, do you think this hurricane will affect the election? Also are you going to not help with presidential campaigning because of this?” The Governor quickly replied to my shock and amazement, “I don’t give a damn about the election right now, my people are suffering, and I have a job to do.” I’m convinced that Governor Chris Christi loves his people, and loves his country.

I heard the head of the Roman Catholic Arch-Diocese in New York City, Cardinal Archbishop Timothy Dolan on the radio visiting various homeless shelters and talking to people. The Cardinal Archbishop really lifted the spirits of not only Roman Catholics, but all people who needed faith and encouragement. When asked why he was so adamant about visiting these people, he just said “scripture says when one part of the body suffers, the whole body suffers.”

I would normally end with a story, but I am not doing that this morning, in light of the hurricane. Instead, I will say this, now is a time for us to love our country. Our relief workers in UMCOR are on the ground as we speak giving and helping those people who are struggling, as a result of the hurricane. Now as a pastor, I rarely preach about giving money, as I feel it is between us and God. I will say this though brothers and sisters, part of our body is suffering. We have brothers and sisters without power, fuel, heat, and adequate food. I love my state, and I love my country. I am giving to this cause, and I ask that you do the same.

I ask this because biblically, good leaders love their country. I love this country, despite all of our flaws, and my heart breaks to see our people suffering as a result of this hurricane. So this week let’s prove to this country and this world, that we in the Christian Church are who we say we are. Let’s help out those struggling, because good leaders love their country. Amen.