Praying for Our Leaders

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. – 1 Timothy 2: 1-2

Today marks the inauguration of the 46th president of the United States, president-elect Joe Biden. Alongside of him, is the first woman to serve as vice president, Kamala Harris. For more reasons than one, this is a historic day in our nation’s history and, as with all elections, will have rippling and far reaching consequences into the future. What those effects will be remains to be seen – but there are certain realities for the Christian in the present to which we are obligated as we look with hope into the future as followers of King Jesus.

As Christians consider our responsibilities on this day, let us submit ourselves to God's Word – not emotions, political leanings, or uncertainties of the future. Let us remember and operate under the banner of our heavenly citizenship and the sovereign rule of King Jesus. And as we do, let us pray for, respect, love, and honor those given charge over us. May we do this not only in thought or novel concepts of virtue, but in our speech and actions. Though party lines and laws may change, our responsibility to submit to God’s Word does not.

The Bible is clear in that there are four primary functions of governance within humanity, given by God, to all: the conscience, the family, the church, and civil government. These four societal common graces aid in the development of a nation's ability to thrive and receive God's blessings in more ways than one. “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people,” writes the wisest man to ever live or lead a nation (Proverbs 14:34). I will specifically be praying for our nation's leaders moving forward in these four ways, as given to us (in summary) from the Bible: 

1)    Pray for the protection of the conscience. The moral law of God is written on the human heart (Romans 2:12-16). This reality "pricks us" when people steal, murder, or mistreat others. This is why, in large, most civilizations recognize basic evils that destroy a nation and prevent good will among its people. However, just as the conscience of an individual may be, and often is, hardened and desensitized to evil over time – so can a nation’s conscience become increasingly unaware and insensitive to corruption and moral decay. Let us pray that our nation’s leaders and our collective consciences would be submissive to God’s Law and definitions of good and evil. Let us pray that God’s people would never be intimidated or coerced into violating their conscience before God by directly (or indirectly) resisting His will. May we unite, love, serve, and see the best in others as we seek to point all people to Christ and live as His ambassadors (2 Cor. 5:20).

2)    Pray for the protection of the family. God created man and woman in His image and Christians affirm the intrinsic worth of all human beings equally, from conception to death (Genesis 1–2). Because God created all people, He alone defines the meaning and purposes of human relationships that best aid to human flourishing within any civilization. God designed marriage to uniquely thrive between one man and one woman, and often blesses such covenantal union with children. This family unit is the building block of human existence and therefore must be protected and valued by any nation desirous of God’s blessings and grace. The devil seeks to destroy this foundation as one who sows opposition to God’s created order as the one who seeks to steal, kill, and destroy life as we know it (John 10:10). Let us pray that our nation’s leaders would protect God’s standards for the family and lead our country to value this sacred institution.

3)   Pray for the protection of the church. The church of God’s people is a unique group that, though living in the world (nation’s, kingdoms, etc.) throughout time - is not of the world. The church should understand that our hope does not rest in man, government, or political might – but in Christ and Christ alone. We must understand that this world is passing away and to be about God’s work and worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23). In an era in which there is increasing antagonism towards the church, we must pray that our nation’s leaders would uphold religious liberty and do no harm to God’s church. Further, Christians should understand the importance of our unique calling to honor, respect, and submit to the governing authorities – so long as we are not called on to violate God’s Word and betray King Jesus.

4) Pray for the civil authorities and government. We are living in a time where there is widescale lack of trust and respect for those in our charge – whether politicians or peacekeepers and public servants. But Christians must make no mistake in this area: no King, Monarch, or government of any kind has been or ever will rise to power outside of God’s sovereign allowance. Though, on a human level, history has shown that there are times where evil leaders rise to power – it is never permitted outside of God’s plan to primarily bring glory to His name through means such as the purification of His church and to judge a people engulfed in wickedness (Psalm 75:7, Romans 1:18-32). God also raises leaders for purposes far beyond our understanding. This truth is unfading and unaltered by politics or party lines. This is our duty in every year and our delight to intercede each day. May we follow our God given duty to honor, respect, and therefore pray for our leaders with godly sincerity and a desire for the good of our temporary home (1 Peter 2:13-17).

My Hope for America: Some Thoughts to Consider this July 4th

MY HOPE FOR AMERICA

Never in my thirty three years on earth have I felt such angst on July 4th, America’s day of celebration for independence. As you likely do, I have fond memories of celebrating the freedoms enjoyed in America from a very early age. As a child, I didn’t understand them or appreciate them to the extent I find myself more and more as I get older. Regardless of how one looks at American history, these freedoms were paid in blood by our forefathers. 

Yet, we are living in tense times. My heart feels weighed down by what seems to be best defined as the moral decay of our society. It is not new nor is it unexpected, but like a terminal disease that is identified and attempted to be prevented, the suffering is not made any less painful because of its knowledge. Sin, like cancer, spreads if not treated and sins of all kinds have been widely ignored or misdiagnosed. Moral sins of the past that were once taboo are now normal. What once was near universally condemned is now celebrated and defended with political exertion and loss of social capital. It is astounding to watch a nation divide itself and crumble from within largely because of intentionally divisive doctrines that infiltrated academia in the 1960’s and have spurred us into a secular age in which we question everything and truth is subjectively defined from person to person and day by day. The church, perhaps, was not equipped or prepared for the tsunami of cultural change that has led us to where we are today. A nation that was widely founded on principles rooted in a Judeo/Christian ethic now finds itself in what some suggest to be a post-Christian society, searching for what it believes about life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Jesus stated that "a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand” (Matthew 12:25), and America seems to be more divided that it has ever been in my lifetime.  It’s shocking to watch so many American citizens have such disdain for the very ground they walk.

I love America, but she is not my god and makes for a poor savior. My hope is not in America or America’s future, but I have hope for America. I love the land in which I live, but it is not my forever home. Paul reminds us that, for the Christian, “our citizenship is in heaven” (Phil.3:20). However, I’m not ashamed to be an American. I’m proud of it (key the music). I may be ashamed of certain actions or inactions of the nation at large in the past and at present, but I will not abandon the land I live in as if there is another nation free of moral guilt. I would protect this land similar to the way I would protect my own home if called upon. I’m grateful to live in the time and space I do and realize that people around the world both now and in generations before would risk life and limb to experience the freedoms and comforts we experience here - as is clearly seen by the waves of immigrants from every corner of the earth who want to seize upon ’the American dream’ and better their families. 

America is not, nor have we ever been, perfect. That’s because we are made up of imperfect people. No nation on earth has ever been perfect because when we think of civilization we think of people - and where there is people there is sure to be evil. This does not mean that America is not or cannot be commonly ‘good.’ This does not mean God’s grace has not been clearly evidenced in America which has long led the world in religious freedom, free speech, innovation, humanitarians efforts, and economics. It does not mean that there have not been times in which a nation has been more righteous than others. It does mean we should always strive to be better, hold to our convictions of what makes us Americans, and correct ourselves when we do not live them out. 

As a Christian, I mourn over the past sins of our nation and also feel great sorrow over the ever-increasing sins and division I see from Washington D.C. to Main Street today. It is borderline heart-wrenching to keep up with the 24/7 news cycle upon which most Americans confess they do not trust or at the least intake with a great deal of skepticism. I long for unity and righteousness to reign supreme in America; but realize that no nation will ever be perfect or without times of trial. My hope is in God and in the coming Kingdom where King Jesus reigns in perfect justice forever - a land free of tyranny, deception, crime, and so on. 

To borrow a common expression, each American must “be the change you want to see in the world.” This change we desire for good often goes unnoticed and it takes millions of people caring for their neighbor and choosing to be, well, just friendly and courteous, to make a nation united and thrive. George Eliot wrote, “the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been, is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs.”

America will not be ultimately changed for the better by a single tweet, a book, a speech laws being passed, a political, a movement, and especially this article - but by individual Americans who value the land we call home and realize it’s up to each of us to make it better, day by day, small action by small action. We must strive for righteous living which leads to righteous relations and lay a fertile ground for our children and grandchildren. We must practice righteous speech, behavior, humility, love, service, and moral virtue if we are to thrive as a righteous nation. I fear we have abandoned a desire to be righteous, and instead want to do things our way and be our own definer of truth and people say is good, rather than God - and we likely will pay a great cost. I fear that as a nation we are not pursuing righteousness, but sin. 

My prayer this July 4th is that the gospel of Christ would go forward in power and create new hearts that desire righteousness and see God intervene. This goodness of America starts with God’s people, the church. The church must be those who exemplify a true love for their neighbors, help the needy, and defend the truths of God and righteousness. This is not a call for a “culture war” or for the “moral majority” to seize political power by whatever means necessary. This is my simple plea for those who desire God’s ways to flourish to not be silenced or intimidated by those who oppose the truth. It’s necessary to silence the truth for lies to be accepted; and I fear that many Christians are capitulating on the front lines of what should easily be identifiable issues of right and wrong for fear of offending others. It’s shocking to watch people who claim to submit to Christ as King and His Word as their authority be so concerned about offending others without giving thought to what offends God. The gospel is, indeed, the only message or movement that can change a person - and for that reason - a society. However, the gospel is preached not merely from pulpits and preachers like myself, but by Christians who live godly lives and hold fast to the truth. 

"Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” Proverbs 14:34 

To close, I’m reminded of a Frenchman who sought to understand the essence of America and what (at the time) had led to America’s rise in the world as a beacon the experiment of our republic and democracy. The inquirer stated,

"I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers—and it was not there. .  . in her fertile fields and boundless forests—and it was not there. . . . .in her rich mines and her vast world commerce—and it was not there. . . . in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution—and it was not there.  Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power.  America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great.” - Alexis de Tocqueville

May we, with God’s grace and by His ways, lead the way in our temporary home by seizing upon our opportunity to love others and be righteous. And as we do, may God’s church be the signpost of a coming Kingdom that will be perfectly righteous, not because of who resides in it, but because of who rules as Sovereign King, the Lord Jesus Christ. 

America! America!
God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood,
From sea to shining sea!

Adam Denny; Senior Pastor

Devoted to What?

Devoted to What?

·      “And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”    Acts 2:42

I once saw a preacher use a jar, some big rocks, some small rocks, and sand for an illustration to reinforce the idea that we all make priorities about certain things in life. The preacher allowed the jar to represent time and the span of life each of us is given on earth. Each person has a certain time period to live their life and a restrained amount of space to insert what matters most to them. The concept of the object lesson was that whatever takes up most of our time and mental energy should comprise our greatest priorities. The “big rocks”, he said, should represent things like work, family, and most importantly, the Lord and should be the first items placed into our jar of life – signifying their priority. The smaller rocks could represent things like entertainment, hobbies, exercise, etc. The point of the illustration is that so often we are tempted to prioritize those things which we know are not of most importance and end up not having the time or emotional energy to be faithful to the bigger things (rocks) of life. If we cram too many “small rocks” into our lifespan we leave no room for what matters most – the Lord, His church, His Word, prayer, family, and so on. 

What do you prioritize? What are you devoted to? If someone close to you (a family member or close friend) were asked what you value most in this life and use your energy towards, how would they answer? These questions are important and how we practically answer them sets the trajectory of our lives and also impact those around us.

Last Sunday we examined Acts 2:42-47 and saw how the early church was devoted to certain activities. As the Lord had filled the early leaders with unparalleled spiritual power and zeal, many were added to the church and the early Christian community began to thrive. It’s important to note that the church then, and now, is only as strong as the people who make it. In other words, a church will be only be as spiritually strong as the members are devoted to God and His ways for living.

The early Christians were devoted to hearing the Word of God taught, engaging in intentional community relationships, prayer, and being generous to those who had a need. These priorities should still mark the lives of Christians today and identify the difference between a devoted Christian and a half-hearted one who attempts to cram so many “little rocks” into their lifespan that they seldom have time or energy for the Lord and a community of believers.

May you as an individual, and we as a church, be a faith family that is made up of many who are fully devoted to the Lord and engaging in the community of faith that God calls us to. As we do this day by day, decision by decision, action by action – I believe we will experience the Lord’s blessings into the future as we are marked by devotion to the Lord and His glory in and through us. My heart’s desire is to personally be a devoted follower of Jesus who belongs to a church that is devoted to the ways of God as prescribed by His Word. May it be so and may it start with me!