Sermon Video: The Gospel according to Mark - Mark 1:1

Introductory information regarding the Gospel of Mark, including examining the genre began by Mark of writing a "Gospel about Jesus". Gospel is the Modern English pronunciation of the Old English: god (good) spel (news). Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew: Joshua, meaning "Yahweh is salvation". Messiah is the Greek word for 'anointed', the equivalent of the Hebrew word Messiah. In addition, Mark proclaims that Jesus is the Son of God, a far greater claim than being 'anointed' by God. This is the beginning of Mark's proclamation of Good News.

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Sermon Video: "Do we not all have one Father" Malachi 2:10

The prophet Malachi reminds us that everyone who is in a relationship (covenant) with God has the same father.  One Father = One Family.  In addition, he then reminds us that all of humanity has one Creator.  One Creator = One Human Race.  The prophet's subsequent question, "Why do we profane the covenant of our ancestors by being unfaithful to one another?" reminds us that there is no place in the Church of Christ for racism or discrimination of any kind.  All those who are in Christ share the same Father, and all of humanity as a whole shares the image of God.  Therefore, the Church must be proactive in supporting and defenders our brothers and sisters in Christ who face racism or discrimination, who suffer injustice.  Additionally, the Church has no room for Nationalism or other false ways of dividing the world into groups of 'us' and 'them'.  Silence is not an option, inaction is not acceptable.  It is long past time for the entire worldwide Church to speak together against racism (for example) in ways that transcend politics, affect our own hearts and minds, and impact our family, friends, and neighbors.

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The value of perspective: The American Church is a minority

Don't underestimate the value of a proper perspective.  Our ability to see the Truth and facts clearly, which exist independent of our comprehension or acceptance of them, often is heavily influenced by the combination of our own point of view, and our awareness/acceptance that other views exist.  With that in mind, the chart above offers us 18 categories where statistics regarding the global Christian population can be applied.  Before offering some general thoughts, let me look at whether or not I am in the majority or minority for each.

1. Language: Minority.  I speak English, only 10/100 Christians speak English
2. Continent: Minority. I live in NA, only 11/100 Christians live in NA.
3. Tradition: Minority.  I'm a Protestant, only 22/100 Christian are Protestants
4. Gender Inequality: Majority.  55/100 Christians live in nations with low inequality.
5. Age: Majority.  64/100 Christians are between 15-64
6. Urbanization: Minority.  Only 35/100 Christians live in rural communities
7. Internet: Majority.  53/100 have access to the internet, but its almost an even split.
8. Water: Majority.  86/100 have access to clean water.
9. Malaria: Majority.  95/100 do not have Maleria.
10. HIV: Majority. 99/100 do not have HIV.
11. Life Expectancy: Majority.  55/100 have expectancy of 75+ (It is currently 78 in USA)
12. Infant: Majority.  98/100 children born to Christians survive infancy.
13. Physicians: Majority 66/100 have access to doctors.
14. Development: Minority.  Only 19/100 Christians live in highly developed countries/regions.
15. Corruption: Minority.  Only 21/100 live in countries with low levels of corruption.
16. Income: Minority.  Only 19/100 live on >$100 per day.
17. Literacy: Majority.  89/100 are literate.
18. Education: Majority.  65/100 have secondary education.

Looking at the list, that places me in the minority 7 times, with the majority 11 times, but the ones where I am in the minority (and so are you if you're reading this as a Protestant in the USA) are very significant: Language, Continent, Tradition, Urbanization, Development, Corruption, and Income.  The conclusion is inescapable: When compared to the bulk of Christians living in the world today, I have tremendous privileges and advantages.  {And yes, this doesn't take into account the additional benefits of being a white male as well, placing me ahead of others here in America that must contend with racism or sexism.}

1. The Church in America is a small piece of God's Kingdom around the globe.
Given the cultural hegemony enjoyed by America, as well as the out-sized role played by the United States on the world stage since WWII, it is natural for American Christians to assume that we are the rudder that steers the Christian vessel; that what happens here will determine the future of the Church.  The explosive growth of Christianity in the Southern and Eastern hemispheres in recent generations has made that assumption less and less true with each passing year.  This was, of course, the dream of the Modern Missions movement, establishing the Church in new nations around the globe.  Our responses?  Humility and hallelujahs.  Whether or not the Church in America grows or declines in coming decades, the global Church is moving forward, the kingdom of God is expanding rapidly, and souls are being saved.

2. Most of the worlds Christians do not speak our language, enjoy our rights/freedoms, or have nearly as many resources and opportunities in life.
As Christians, we ought to be familiar with God's grace.  It is part of the foundation of our theology that we don't deserve the loving kindness of God shown to us in Jesus Christ.  We need to also remember that many of the other blessings we enjoy in life are 'accidents of birth', not products of our hard work, and thus once again acts of God's grace.  Thank God for your blessings, support organizations that work to help alleviate poverty and injustice, and pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ for whom the simple act of living life is not so simple.

3. Our hopes, fears, concerns as rural American Protestant Christians may be out of touch with the hopes, fears, and concerns of most of the world's Christians.
Have you ever been involved in a social media squabble among Christians about an issue that would seem trivial to Christians living under an oppressive regime or trying to raise a family on less than $10 per day?  Have you ever been to a church committee meeting where people were upset about a decision made, not because we have no choices, but too many?  Perhaps some of what consumes our time and energy is not as important as we think it is.  We have Bibles in abundance, access to numerous excellent seminaries, the freedom to worship where, when, and how we choose.  The controversies that consume us, the fears that keep us up at night, are not the same as those facing the majority of our brothers and sisters around the globe.

Sermon Video: The people who made Paul's ministry possible - 1 Corinthians 16:10-24

As he wraps up his letter to the church in Corinth, the Apostle Paul reminds them of his partners and colleges in the work of the Lord, from Timothy to Apollos, to a trio of men who assisted him, to the husband and wife team of Priscilla and Aquila. The point? The work of the Lord is a team effort. We need everyone in the local church to contribute, and we need partnerships with other churches and para-church groups. We're in this effort together, and everyone who works along with us to accomplish the Lord's work is our teammate.

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Sermon Video: If the Lord permits: Making Plans - 1 Corinthians 16:1-9

2020 has been, thus far, to say the least, a time of changed plans. First the pandemic cancelled things, rearranged things, and left us wondering when it was safe to reopen. Then, on May 25th, George Floyd was murdered in Minneapolis and our focus as a nation shifted abruptly from Covid-19. As the people of God, we must plan for the future and we must be ready when it surprises us. The Apostle Paul planned a collection from the Gentile Churches of Asia Minor and Greece to save Judean Christians from starvation. In doing so, he (1) used what worked in one churches in other churches, (2) encouraged each church (and each family within) to consider their resources and act accordingly, (3) prepared for success, (4) was a specific with his plans as possible, (5) retained flexibility, (6) and most importantly, remembered that the Lord holds the future. As we look ahead, as long as we are dedicated and hard working in our service to the Lord, whatever comes next, we will be ok.

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Sermon Video: Stand firm if you're doing the Lord's work - 1 Corinthians 15:58

As the culmination of his message about the triumph of Jesus over sin and death, and the future resurrection that awaits all those who believe in him, the Apostle Paul exhorts us to stand firm and serve.  If we are IN Christ, we're standing in the right place and must continue to do so, for were else would any of us go, and why?  While there, we need to serve.  The Church fulfills its mission when volunteers take it upon themselves to move forward the cause of the Gospel.  As important as our clergy are in leading the Church, the laity are the ones who impact the community the most.  In addition, Paul promises us that our labor for the Lord will never be in vain.  Whether or not we see results, those who serve from the heart will be rewarded in heaven and receive the transformation of their character here and now.

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