Citizen of a Different Kingdom

On Wednesday morning we will start the day with a new President elect.  Some will be elated, others will be discouraged; some will jump for joy, others will want to jump off roofs.  The issues of the campaign are volatile and have a great range of impact on the nation and the world… but you knew that.

My thoughts -

On the one hand I find myself wanting to be informed so I can make a responsible decision that is godly and in line with what I believe to be best for the nation.  On the other hand I am so annoyed with the process and muck that I am forced to wade through to find what is the closest to a replica of the truth that my vote is more coated in frustration than responsibility.

Don't misunderstand me.  I am an American citizen and I will cast my vote.  The issues of the day are important for now and for the world my great-grandchildren will live in. 

But, this morning as I watched the news, I was glad I'm primarily a citizen of a different Kingdom. 

I will live life in a way that demonstrates the life and call of One who doesn't need approval ratings.  I will cast a vote for a human, but I will only bend my knee to One who doesn't need any votes.  I will give someone the title of President, but will unconditionally honor the One whose title is eternal.  I will clap for a person, but will only worship the One to whom that person will never have more power than.  I will pray for the leader of this nation, but I am praying to the Leader of all nations.

Acts 1:6 has an interesting question.  The resurrected Jesus who is about to ascend into heaven, had spent 40 days with the disciples teaching them about what really mattered – the Kingdom of God. 

The disciple's final question for Jesus was recorded as being, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?"  Whatever the main point of Jesus' teaching on the Kingdom was it wasn't about property or politics, rebellion or Romans.  They missed the eternal point (again) because they wanted an answer to the temporal one.

I live in a democracy (people rule), but I am a member of a theocracy (God rule) in which there is no panic, no fear, no lies, no broken promises, no effective coup attempts, and no laws that are unenforced.  I live in a Kingdom that can't be messed up by policy or power struggles.

In a very real way what you and I do as a result of the Word and call of God on a daily basis, how you and I live the truth of the good news, the lifestyle we commit to and act out regardless of the cost or popularity of such a lifestyle, and the simple events of obedience to our God, is of more significance than what Politian's do to manipulate the world economy and GDP. 

The questions we ask and answers we seek have eternal ramifications for us and those we come in contact with.  Sunday a few hundred people will hear the Word in our church, but that truth is more important to us than a speech millions will hear about the next four years.

I guess this Friday, I don't want to minimize the importance of the election, I want to elevate the importance of the eternal Word of God.   

Cast a vote for someone to sit in a chair, live a life for Someone who sits on a Throne!  By the way, the latter will determine the action of the former.

Voting on Tuesday, Serving Every day,

Pastor Dave

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Be Ready...

I heard more bad news on the economy today… like that's news. May I remind you that Christ promised to return?

Thank-you.

I would remind you that Christ will return.

The signs of the times are given to us as warnings to always be ready. Over the next few months as we close in on and go through 2009 I humbly predict there will be a lot of talk about the "end-times." There will be a lot of interpretation of the signs and events around us. We will be tempted to watch everything so closely that panic is a step away and anger at the culture won't be far behind. Pulling our hair out (or someone else's) is not the intended result of Christ coming back for the church.

There will be quotes from the Bible that predict all the bad things that are happening and some that may be around the corner. The call will attempt to wake up the church and cause people to get right with God before it's too late.

But is that the intended mood of the church when Christ returns? Is that an attitude of glorious expectation?

I'd like to give a couple other scriptures that have caught my eye this morning.

Acts 2:16-21
⁽¹⁶⁾ No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
⁽¹⁷⁾ "'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. ⁽¹⁸⁾ Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. ⁽¹⁹⁾ I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke.
⁽²⁰⁾ The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. ⁽²¹⁾ And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'

1 Corinthians 1:7-9
⁽⁷⁾ Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. ⁽⁸⁾ He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁽⁹⁾ God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

Rather than being worried about what is happening in the world around me, I have to be honest, I'm getting excited about what is happening (and will happen) to me. Don't worry about counting hurricanes or looking for the anti-Christ. Look to the church and watch God get her ready for the return of Christ. Even more fun than that – be one of the people who God is getting ready for the return of Christ.

So, this Sunday is not about people going to church to look nice or be nice. This Sunday is not about liking songs or finding something we wish we did different. This Sunday is not about if the sermon spoke to you or if it bored you.

This Sunday is about people getting ready to meet Jesus! This Sunday is about all ages taking part in being the Church! This Sunday is about the Spirit of God dusting you off! This Sunday is about being strong and blameless! This Sunday is about being ready!

So is the next one. And the one after that. And the one after that.

Looking forward to the day, Pastor Dave