A Landmark Decision

A Landmark Decision 1 Peter 2:11-17 Once, in the early 1800s, a little boy named Sam was playing in the yard behind his house. During his pretend fighting game, he accidentally knocked over the outhouse. Sam was upset and scared that he would get into trouble, so he ran into the woods and didn't come out until after it got dark. When Sam came back home, his dad was waiting for him and asked, "Son, did you knock over the outhouse this afternoon?" Sam lied and said, "No, dad." "Well, let me tell you a story," said the father. "Once, not that long ago, when George Washington was a little boy, he received a shiny new ax from his father. Excited, he tried it out on a tree and cut it down. But as he looked at the tree, he realized it was his mother's favorite cherry tree. And just like you, he ran into the woods." "When he returned, his dad asked, 'George, did you cut down the cherry tree?' George answered with, 'Father, I cannot tell a lie. I did chop down the tree.' Then his father said, 'Well, since you were honest with me, you are spared from punishment. I hope you have learned your lesson, though.'" After the story, Sam's father asked again, "Did you knock down the outhouse?" "Father, I cannot tell a lie anymore," said the little boy. "I did knock down the outhouse." Then his Dad spanked Sam red, white, and blue. The boy whimpered and said, "Dad, I told you the truth! Why did you spank me?" His dad answered, "Because George Washington's father wasn't in the tree when he chopped it down!" Things seem to have a way of happening all of a sudden, don't they? One moment you're minding your own business, and the next, you're surrounded by crap! Whatever your circumstances may be, sooner or later, something or someone will start chopping you down and knocking you over when you least expect it. In those moments, when your adrenaline is up, you might be tempted to act out of hast, to do something you may regret later. Many times it doesn't even half to be your tree that's being cut down because just the fact that something is happening to someone else causes you to jump into action. This weekend, millions of Americans, from all different backgrounds, are celebrating their freedom with cookouts and fireworks. We celebrate because on July 4, 1776, Congress officially approved the Declaration of Independence. As we conclude our "Race Relations" sermon series, it's good to be reminded of just what the Declaration of Independence says, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." Bearing the image of God, the imago Dei, gives everyone "certain unalienable rights" because God is our Creator. One of God's names is Elohim, which means the "Strong and Mighty One," and it's God who is the whole unifying factor in all of creation. He gives life and liberty to all by allowing us to choose Him, or the world. The Declaration of Independence speaks of "the pursuit of happiness," but nowhere does the Bible tell us to pursue this. Yes, God wants you to be happy, live a joyous life, and have life abundant, but not at the expense of eternal death. That's why for those who have found true life in Christ, we, as His ambassadors, are "urged," as verse 11 says, "to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul." The wonderful thing about living in America is that we have options. In most other countries, options are limited. The government controls everything, and they take away one's ability to choose. The wonder of the American experience and experiment is the opportunity, at least on paper, for a person to freely pursue "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." But there are also limitations. There are restrictions because we can't enjoy freedom without boundaries. We can't just drive through a red light, blow through a stop sign, or even knock down an outhouse for that matter. There are limits because to enjoy freedom; there must be sufficient restrictions so that freedom is maximized. Elohim is Strong and Mighty, but God has allowed people to turn their backs on His love and grace in their own free will. They have redefined words such as love and freedom, and just look where it's led. People's pride in wanting their own freedom to do things their own way is the oldest sin in this Book (Bible). And as long as people keep denying sin and picking and choosing what they like or don't like from the Bible, they'll continue to rally together in protest that their way is right and everyone else is wrong. And as soon as you disagree with them, you'll find yourself labeled with your freedoms being taken away. Not if, but when this happens, "Live such good lives among your unbelieving neighbors, that though they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when He judges the world," as verse 12 says. Remember, you can't love God and hate people. Abraham Lincoln once said, "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." It's common knowledge that people find power in numbers. They surround themselves with like-minded people, and the character of those who accuse us is unmistakable. Christians are "temporary residents and foreigners," who are called to make a difference for God because our real home is in heaven. We're to abstain from sinful desires, and we're not to do what everyone else is doing. "Live such good lives" that everything you do glorifies God. Jesus taught this in the Sermon on the Mount when He said, "Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." There is so much happening in the world today that Ambassadors Of Christ need to be people of prayer. Christians should always be a people of prayer, praying for our govt, our leaders, our church, our youth, our schools, our families. But, Prayer is no substitute for duty! So, "For the Lord's sake," we are to "submit to all human authority - whether the king as head of state, or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right," as today's Scripture teaches. Christians recognize Jesus as the "Lord of Lords and King of Kings" (1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 17:14), but we still have earthly kings, or presidents, to submit to. We submit to human authority until it's contrary to God's Word. Our loyalty is both as American citizens and God's Kingdom citizens, who are dedicated and loyal to God's truth and rule for life. Sometimes we feel like strangers in a world that ignores God, so just remember, God's will be done. Freedom is never a license for evil. Verse 16 says, "Live as free people, so don't use your freedom as an excuse to do evil." Scripture says we are to live as God's slaves, meaning we are free to follow God's commands. But Jesus adds more meaning to living as God's slaves because He says in John 15:15, "No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you." God hasn't kept us in the dark or left us unable to defend ourselves. Our power comes through the Holy Spirit, and we're armed with the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, in which He has told us everything we need to know. Verse 15 says, "It's God's will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you." If we are going to be persecuted, let it be for obeying God and not for breaking moral or civil laws. The world should see us as verse 17 of today's Scripture defines followers of Christ; people who, "Respect everyone, love the family of believers, Fear God, and respect the king." Ben Franklin once said, "We deserve liberty only so long as we are willing to sacrifice for it." This Independence Day weekend, I want to extend my sincere thanks for all who have sacrificed for our freedom. But I also want to ask at what price are you willing to sacrifice for freedom in Christ? Are you a fan of Christ? One among the crowds watching Jesus carry His cross up to Calvary? Or are you willing to pick up your own cross and follow Him? Peace and freedom never come at bargain prices. The cross proves the ultimate price Christ paid for your sin, and its emptiness proves He paid the sin debt for those who confess Jesus is Lord. If you're going to boast in something, boast in the cross because without the cross, there is no Christianity. The cross makes our Race Relation one of redemption through Christ's shed blood instead of one without hope where we're still in our sins. Sin separates mankind from a Holy God and causes division by the abuse of freedom. A Biblical Perspective On Race is God reconciling the world to Himself through Christ while giving us the freedom to pursue the happiness of temporary life or life eternal. Our Race Relation is that we're all sinners who can't stand before a Holy God without the blood of Christ cleansing us from the sin that separates. In 1954, there was A Landmark Decision made in the U.S. Supreme Court. It was Brown v. the Topeka Board of Education, which ended segregation in public schools. Did it stop racism in schools? Absolutely not, but since that day, when a lawyer presents his case in a courtroom, he can reference the Brown V. Topeka, Kansas, Board of Education case to legitimize one's rights today. In 1865, the 13th Amendment abolished slavery. In 1868, the 14th Amendment gave black people equal protection under the law. In 1870, the 15th Amendment gave black people the right to vote. The Civil Rights Act was in 1964, and in 1968 the Fair Housing Act prevented further discrimination. These were all Landmark Decisions, but does it mean that all of the evils those decisions were designed to address disappeared? Nope, but what it does mean is that there is something in the past to use in an appeal when mess shows up today. If somebody wants to deny a child from attending a certain school, a lawyer can go back to the legal decision made in 1964 that ended segregation in public schools. Or if someone says you can't do this or that, you can go back to the Civil Rights Act that gives permission as an American citizen. 2000 years ago, another Landmark Decision was made. Jesus Christ hung on the cross between heaven and earth, paying the price for our sin. That was A Landmark Decision! When Satan or the sin of this world tries to convince you that your needs will never be met, you can appeal to A Landmark Decision - "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want" (Psalm 23:1). When Satan comes to lie, attempting to ruin your life, you can appeal to A Landmark Decision, that "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31). 2000 years ago, there was A Landmark Decision that establishes that you are more than a conqueror through Christ who loves you and gave His life for you. That Landmark Decision from 2000 years ago can be used today. Your Race Relation is either in the sin of Adam or in the righteousness of Christ. Times change, but "there is no partiality with God" (Rom. 2:11), and the cross stretches throughout all of time, redeeming all those who place faith in Christ. As the apostle Paul said in Romans 1:16, "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes." Remember what Proverbs 14:34 says, "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people." So don't be ashamed of the Gospel, but be bold ambassadors for Christ who fearlessly declare our Race Relation of God's Radical Reconciliation in Christ Jesus. It's A Landmark Decision, so make your decision now, and stand upon the solid land of God's Kingdom, even while on foreign soil. AMEN 2