Christ the Hope

Bringing Together

(NRSV)

4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. Let me ask you this question, “What binds us together in likeness rather than differences? Jesus right? (NRSV)

5 May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, 6 so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Gospel for Jews and Gentiles Alike

7 Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. You see, we are like each other, if by nothing else, by Christ Himself. Have we forgotten, that Christ Jesus was born for all people, not just a select few? I think we focus, at times, on the differences that we have rather than the likenesses. Differences in people are like a house that is divided. Yahoo answers says, “It means a family (represented by a house) cannot be stable and strong to itself when divided.” Abraham Lincoln gave his speech concerning the divided house. “A house divided against itself, cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure, permanently, half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved — I do not expect the house to fall — but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing or all the other. Either the opponents of slavery will arrest the further spread of it, and place it where the public mind shall rest in the belief that it is in the course of ultimate extinction; or its advocates will push it forward, till it shall become lawful in all the States, old as well as new — North as well as South.” Abraham Lincoln 1858

How are we different? Nearly in every aspect of character. Yet, as you all claim to be locals of Chrisney, you all have that in common. Just in Christ Jesus, we are, or can, be one in Christ. (NRSV)

8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, (NRSV)

9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,

“Therefore I will confess you among the Gentiles, and sing praises to your name”; You all know who these two peoples were, right? circumcised people were the Jews, and the Gentiles were those who were outside of the Jewish faith.

Tragedy often brings us together. We spend decades separating ourselves. In Lincoln’s time, the country divided itself North from South over human rights issues such as slavery. Lincoln was smart enough to know that a house divided against itself could not stand. You see the house or family that Lincoln was referring to was our country. Before the Revolutionary War, a group of people became divided and after the war, a new group sprang up. What Lincoln saw coming was a divided country. A divided group of people and history will tell you that that house cannot stand.

and sing praises to your name”;

(NRSV)

12 and again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse shall come, the one who rises to rule the Gentiles;

“The root of Jesse shall come,

the one who rises to rule the Gentiles;

in him the Gentiles shall hope.” In our country today, we are more divided than we have been for many years. Ask yourself how you personally find yourself. A great leader finds our likenesses and brings us together, in the likenesses rather than dividing us by our differences. Lincoln, in my mind, was a great leader, a prophet of sorts. He ran his Presidential bid on overcoming the differences that we have. Does this sound familiar? It should. Jesus said it in, (NRSV)

Serving Two Masters

24 “No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. Lincoln said that, "A house divided against itself cannot stand." I believe this government cannot endure, permanently half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved—I do not expect the house to fall—but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing, or all the other. Either the opponents of slavery, will arrest the further spread of it, and place it where the public mind shall rest in the belief that it is in course of ultimate extinction; or its advocates will push it forward, till it shall become alike lawful in all the states, old as well as new—North as well as South. Have we no tendency to the latter condition? Let any one who doubts, carefully contemplate that now almost complete legal combination— piece of machinery so to speak—compounded of the Nebraska doctrine, and the Dred Scott decision.

(NRSV)

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. The promise of hope comes in the Messiah, and that hope is founded in love.