Monday, April 30, 2018

MAY EDITION (2018)     WONDERFUL WORDS OF LIFE...

                                              Dr. Keith J. Wise


MAY...THE MONTH OF LIFE...HONORING SACRIFICE...

     The month of May as I noted last year is the month of two important holidays; Mother's Day and Memorial Day.  There have been other celebrations added over the years in May, but these are the two most importance of note. If you think about it, these two holidays are days in which we as a people honor sacrifice.  On the one, Mother's Day, we note the sacrifices of our mothers.  How many of us could give testimony of "going the second mile" with us and for us as our mothers.  I reflect often on the special person that sacrificed to give me and my brother and two sisters a good life in Steubenville, Ohio.  The other special day we recognize is Memorial Day.  This day is set aside to recognize the true sacrifice of our military men and women who gave their all for our nation and its freedoms. Let us rejoice and remember these special days and people that enrich us for their sacrifices.


I. INTRODUCTION: We have over the last several months been dealing with the history of denominations or religious movements.  Specifically, we have been examining the Christian Churches/Churches of Christ and their early origins.  We have talked about Thomas and Alexander Campbell and more noted the debates that were documented in American Ecclesiastical history.  We have looked at the Walker and McCullah Debates and now we turn to a fateful and somewhat interesting debate in a new arena of social politics and economics.  

In the early decades of the 19th century, the American continent was becoming a laboratory of social and religious experimentation from Europe.  With the rise of the Industrial Revolution, new ideas of worker production were noted.  One concept known as the "Factory System," comprised new innovations of workers and capital and expansion of wealth had become a hot topic of interest.  Long before Karl Marx, there were utopian theories of how production could be carried out in new environments of human existence and broader populations.  Early on, pioneers of this focus in Europe like Charles Fourier (1772-1837) who disliked the factory system, and was noted as a "utopian socialist." Numbers of Fourier Societies existed in early 19th century America. One of the disciples of Fourier was Robert Owen.  He was a skeptic(Atheist or Agnostic) and socialist who owned and operated a number of successful textile mills in New Lanark, Scotland.

Owen came to the United States in 1824 to use the American Industrial environment as a laboratory for his utopian ideas.  He is noted for establishing a community in New Harmony, Indiana. He traveled and became a popular voice of his philosophy establishing at least sixteen Owenite communities throughout America. He tended to see himself as a purveyor of superior European elite attitudes to this newly birth nation.  Through a series of contacts he had planned to debate, as was the platform of education and entertainment of the day, with a Dr. Underhill on the subject of socialism and Christianity in 1828.  However, through a series of events too detailed to recount here, he and Alexander Campbell were eventually connected for a public debate.  Owen stopped by Bethany, Virginia(now West Virginia) to meet Alexander Campbell on his way back to England.  Ironically, the two men seemed to hit it off immediately.  Eventually, the two men arranged to meet in Cincinnati in April 13-21 1829 for an eight day debate which was much touted in the press. The debate was to be held at a large Methodist church which seated 1,200 members and could accommodate such a large crowd .  Owen stood and simply listed "twelve" supposed truths of atheism and socialism and restated them over and over throughout the debate.  Finally, he yielded the floor to Campbell who spent twelve hours explaining the rationale of Christianity.  This debate may well be on of the best illustrations of Christian evidences available for its day.  During the debate, the two men often ate dinner together between debate sessions.  They treated each other as gentlemen and again, brought Alexander Campbell into national prominence.  The evaluation by the press was interesting as Owen simply introduced his own social and anthropological views, while Campbell used evidence and history to substantiate his position concerning Christianity.  One writer, J.J. Haley overstate Campbell's effect as he (Campbell) "saved the Mississippi Valley" from communism.  Papers of the day regarded Alexander Campbell as "the defender of the faith..."  As time went on, many of the experimental socialist communities in America established by Owen went into disrepair and are now tourist attractions. 



II. DIGGING DEEPER...A LOOK AT KING HEZEKIAH-KING OF JUDAH

As we look at the history of Israel in the pages of the Old Testament, the kingdom of Saul, David and Solomon who each ruled for forty years divided after the death of Solomon.  Here we observe two distinct kingdoms and recognizable states.  First we see the Kingdom of Israel; the collection of ten of the northern tribes that rejected the family of David in Jerusalem. The second kingdom will be the Kingdom of Judah. This kingdom will comprise the two tribes of Benjamin and Judah and most importantly for the Jewish people, the city of Jerusalem with the temple.  Each of these kingdom will have its own dynasty and line of kings that will rule their respective areas. 

By the time we get to King Hezekiah, it has been 300 years since King David.   In the sixth year of Hezekiah's rule, the norther Kingdom of Israel is taken into captivity by the Assyrians.  In integrated a policy of the "transmigration of populations" (moving one conquered population into the territory of another conquered population). In Israel's case, they moved other people from the Middle East into the space of the Northern Kingdom of Israel.  Please note, not all the Jews were taken out of this geographic area, for we have record of a remnant that still was drawn to the temple worship of Jehovah in Jerusalem. By New Testament times, these other semitic peoples and the remnants of the Jewish diasporic experience will produce what is noted as the Samaritans.   

As we look at King Hezekiah's life it is recorded in the books of II Kings, II Chronicles, and Isaiah.  A number of Bible chronologies see Hezekiah ruling either from 715-687B.C. or 725-697B.C.  Just for context, and interesting fact is that Ahaz, King of Judah and father of Hezekiah, paid tribute to the Assyrians at different times as did Hezekiah.  You can see a carved picture of Hezekiah paying tribute to the King of Assyria at the British Museum in London.

Hezekiah is considered one of the best and Godly kings of the southern Kingdom of Judah.  He is associated in his rule as a good king like David (II Kings 18:3).  He removed the pillars and poles that were symbols of fertility idolatry.  He went as far as breaking into pieces, the bronze snake that Moses had made in the desert for the Children of Israel to find respite from the bite of the invading serpents (Numbers 21:4-9).  By the time of Hezekiah and the rampant idolatry, the Jews of the southern kingdom were "worshipping" this bronze object as a talisman (II Kings 18:4).  To breaking this mystical connection with Moses, King Hezekiah now called it just Nehustan, meaning "just a piece of bronze." 

Some other remarkable actions taken by Hezekiah in this national revival of the spiritual life of the Kingdom of Judah we see: 

1. He reopened and cleansed the temple.

2. He celebrated a national Passover Feast.

3. He countered and through submission to Jehovah, sent away the Assyrian invasion under Sennacherib's Assyrian forces. 

4. His life was extended 15 years.

5. He, however entertained visitors from Babylon that will cause Isaiah to chasten him for such bravado. 

Hezekiah was so successful in his spiritual relationship with God that it says, "...in everything he (Hezekiah) undertook in the service of God's temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly.  And so he prospered." (II Chronicles 31:21)  Also consider II Chronicles 32:25 and II Kings 20:1-11). 



III. DID YOU KNOW?... THE FAMILY IS WONDERFUL AND NEEDED

The idea of a family was in the mind of God from the beginning.  He wanted mankind to realize how important this category of human relationships were to build and feed our souls and lives.  So if it is so important, what is it all about?

1. Family is about Relationships- In the beginning God concluded, "It is not good for the man to be alone"(Gen. 2:18) The man and women were commanded to "leave your mother and father, cleave unto you wife or husband, and they will become one flesh."  You see it is about relationships.  The measure of a family is not in the cost of the home in which they live or the neighborhood in which they reside or the things with which they decorate their house.  The measure of a family is in the strength and warmth of their relationships.  We learn this lesson from Isaac and Rebekah and Esau and Jacob. 

2. Making those Relationships Work is Often Difficult- Only in fairy tales do we read, "...and they lived happily ever after."  In reality, when we marry we spend a lifetime working out our relationships with two naturally selfish people to begin to become one. Peter Drucker in one of his books on management, suggested four basic requirements for effective human relationships: Communication, Teamwork, Self Development and the Development of Others.  In reality, what Druker said about the workplace is also true in the family.  We can look at these principles in the family for maximum results.  Communication- We must communicate with each other. This means listening as well as talking. Sometimes we believe we have said one thing and others have heard another. This also means catching the non-verbal communication as well as the verbal communication.  Without communication relationships will flounder. One item imperative in families is forgiveness.  By the way, communication is developmental and difficult.  Teamwork- In reality the family is a team that must work together.  This means focusing on what others need as well as on what we need, and being willing to do our part.  Without teamwork, a family cannot survive.  Ask any coach, they will tell you building a team is difficult as well.  Self-Development- We must develop ourselves so we will have something significant to contribute to the relationships in the family.  This can mean such aspects as being a life long learner.  This means establishing spiritual disciplines so we may grow spiritually.  This is a challenging but rewarding experience.  Development of Others- A team must commit themselves to the developing of each another. A mature family member will not be insecure about the successes of others in the family but will rejoice as accolades are given to others.  Their success is our success. 

3. Relationships Sometimes Fail- Pausing in the Biblical examples of Jacob and Esau or Joseph and his brothers selfish ambition ends in tragedy.  Sometimes marriages made in heaven become hell on earth. Sometimes the blessings of parenthood turn into our worst nightmare.  Sometimes relationship fail. We as a fallen race rush into the God ordained relationship of marriage and family and forget the sacrifices and depth of commitment that it requires to love unselflessly.  

4. Broken Relationships Can Be Redeemed- When God is involved, broken relationship can be healed, revived and recommissioned.  The Old Testament stories of Jacob and Esau and Joseph and his bothers are heartwarming reminders of how reconciliation and hope abounds in God's economy.  These stories point to the great reconciliation of God through Jesus Christ for us.  Each of us has been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.  The shadows and types of Old Testament heroes and heroines awakens us to the ultimate love story of God becoming like us in Christ so that we could become like Him.  I have seen broken marriages reunited and blessed.  I have seen the prodigal son or daughter return to the weeping and rejoicing parent or parents.  Our relationships here are temporary but are a laboratory for eternity.

Byline: By looking up every day and seeking to know the Lord Jesus Christ you will rebuilt yourself and all your relationships in forgiveness, love and support.



IV. NUGGETS OF NOURISHMENT: A Sermon for Graduation and Graduates

Title: Guidelines from Scripture for Being A Successful Graduate

Text: II Timothy 1:6-7

 Introduction: Spring is here and the month of May is often filled with events of graduations and weddings. As Christians there are many instructions of great advise for the young man and women as they leave an institution of learning to enter the classroom of the real world classroom.  However, if we listen to the eternal word of God we can come out in the end, much better than when we entered.  Besides, in our text, such passages as Phil. 3:13-14 (forgetting the past) and Hebrews 12:1-3(throwing off weights of sin) are additional samples of instruction that will save your life and improve your heart.  I suggest some simple guidelines for graduates from high school or college that life has taught me. 

I. Face Your Fears: (2 Tim. 1:7)  The Bible is full of a simple direction entitled "fear not."  I like our text on this because it is given to the young Evangelist Timothy who was with Paul and served at the Church in Ephesus. Paul addressed his personal inadequacies and those of Timothy.  Timothy apparently lacked self-confidence.  Now this isn't the confidence that aspires to haughty self reliance, but this is a confidence in God above yourself. Paul reminds Timothy that God did not give us a spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Max Lucado says, "Fear doesn't want you to make the journey to the mountain.  If it can rattle you enough, fear will persuade you to take your eyes off the peaks and settle for a dull existence in the flatlands."

I once did a sermon series while holding a local congregation called: Quitters, Campers and Climbers.  This simply distilled the three categories of people in the world, and for the Christian walk that has to be lived out in training.

II. Forget You Failures- (Phil. 3:12-14)  If fear doesn't hold you back, your past may with its failures and frustrations through guilt.  Timothy sought out and Paul accommodated himself as a mentor for sound advice to this young Evangelist.  Many times we fail because we do not listen either to God or sound advice from Christian sources.  Remember, someone has been here before; you can learn from the experience of others.  But, get sound advice from the experienced!  In our Philippians text Paul had enrolled in the "Christ Likeness University."  He (Paul) had pursued a course of molding himself after the Master.  Two strategies were employed by Paul and later Timothy to deal with failure.

     1. He refused to allow failures to become destructive in his life.  His past did not control his present or future.  His eyes were fixed on Christ so he could "move forward." Failure is not fatal!!  He who does not "learn" from failure will not pursue spiritual excellence. 

     2. He refused to allow failures to beset his journey to his goal.  None of us are perfect and the only ones who never do anything wrong are the ones who never do anything.  It is not a matter of "if" we will fail, but "when."  How do we process failure.  When we fail we must learn from it and then put it behind us.  WE must never allow failure to make us quit trying. Get God's perspective!!

III. Follow Your Faith- (Hebrews 12:1-3)  Read this text a few times and think about it.  If facing our fears and forgetting our failures are defensive approaches, then this is a positive pro-active solution.  

The book of Hebrews was written to Hebrew Christians who were in despair and were thinking of going back to the strict rules of first century Judaism. They had been facing persecution.  The author kept pointing to the superiority of Jesus Christ as a positive reference point for their faith and reminding them of His Messiahship.  

This form of focus is much like a runner who needs a "reference point" to keep him going forward.  NASA illustrates this need for a reference point in its history by the possible ill-fated mission of Apollo 13.  The astronauts needed to make a critical course correction while in space.  If they failed, they might never return to earth.  Yet the astronauts needed to conduct a thirty-nine-second  burn of the main engines. How would they steer?  Astronaut Jim Lovell determined that if they could keep a fixed point in space in view through their tiny window, they could steer the craft manually. That focal point in space could be their destination.  Lovell decided to make EARTH his focal point, and for thirty-nine agonizing seconds, Lovell focused on keeping the Earth in view. This is captured in the 1995 hit movie Apollo 13.

Scripture reminds us that to finish your mission successfully "...Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith." (Heb. 12:2)

Conclusion: To recap.. Face Your Fears, Forget Your Failures, and Follow Your Faith by Focusing on Jesus Christ.  Your life will be a challenge but also a rewarding adventure.



QUOTES THAT RESONATE

"Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt."  Shakespeare

"More persons, on the whole, are humbugged by believing in nothing, than by believing too much." P. T. Barnum

"When a man is no longer anxious to do better, then well, he is done for." Haydon