Hymns For Sunday Sept. 1

Opening, Blessed Assurance, Hymnal #108
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IUMTJoH-PQ

Benediction, Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, Hymnal #347
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDbllO1LrvM

Two Kingdoms

Reading the gospels it is easy to notice that two kingdoms dominated the world Jesus lived in.  One was the Roman Empire, which controlled much of the world at the time of Christ including Israel.  the second is the Kingdom of God.  Each kingdom had a role to play in human affairs, and both still do today.

The Gospel writers describe several events in Jesus’ ministry that brought him face to face with politics. For instance, shortly after Jesus’ baptismat about the age of 30, the Devil offered him the position of world ruler.  Later in his ministry, a crowd wanted to make him their king. Still later, people tried to turn him into a political activist. How did Jesus react? Let us consider these events. The Gospels state that the Devil offered Jesus rulership over “all the kingdoms of the world.” Think of how much good Jesus could have done for suffering mankind if he had wielded the power of a world ruler.  What politically oriented individual sincerely concerned with mankind’s advancement could resist such an offer? But Jesus refused it.—Matthew4:8-11.

Many of Jesus’ contemporaries were desperate for a ruler who could solve their economic and political problems. Impressed by Jesus’ abilities, the people wanted Jesus to join the political process. What was his reaction? Gospel writer John states: “Jesus, knowing they were about to come and seize him to make him king, withdrew again into themountain all alone.” (John 6:10-15) Clearly, Jesus refused to become involved in politics.

Note what happened days before Jesus was put to death. Disciples of the Pharisees, who favored independence from the Roman Empire, joined by Herodians, members of a political party favoring Rome, approached Jesus. They wanted to force him to take a political position. They asked if the Jews should pay taxes to Rome.  Mark recorded Jesus’ response:

Why do you put me to the test? Bring me a denarius to look at.’ They brought one. And he said to them: ‘Whose image and inscription is this?’  They said to him: ‘Caesar’s.’ Jesus then said: Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, but give to God what belongs to God.’ ” (Mark 12:13-17)

Jesus refused to act the part of a political messiah and carefully established both the boundary of Caesar and that of God.  The same holds for today.  The church has a clear boundary as do the governments.  

Problems such as poverty, corruption, and injustice did not leave Christ unmoved. In fact, the Bible shows that he was deeply touched by the pitiful state of the people around him. (Mark 6:33, 34) 

Still, Jesus did not start a campaign to rid the world of injustices, although some tried hard to get him embroiled in the controversial issues of the day. Clearly, as these examples show, Jesus refused to get involved in political affairs. But what about Christians today? What should they do?

Christians today should not participate in politics. Why not? Because they follow Jesus’ example. He said about himself: “I am not of the world.” Regarding his followers, he stated: “You are not of this world.” (John 15:19; 17:14) Consider some reasons why Christians should not become involved in politics.

1. Human ability is limited

The Bible states that humans have neither the ability nor the right to govern themselves. “It does not belong to man who is walking,” wrote the prophet Jeremiah, “even to direct his step.”—Jeremiah 10:23. 

Just as humans were not created to fly successfully on their own strength, so they were not created to rule successfully by themselves.  Speaking about the limits of government, historian David Fromkin noted: “Governments are composed of human beings; therefore they are fallible and their prospects are uncertain. They exercise a certain power, but only a limited one.” (The Question of Government) No wonder the Bible warns us not to put our trust in man.  Psalm 146:3.

2. The influence of  Satan

When Satan offered Jesus world rulership, Jesus did not deny that the Devil had the power to offer him all the kingdoms of theworld. In fact, on a later occasion, Jesus called Satan “the ruler of the world.” Some years later the apostle Paul described Satan as “the god of this system of things.” (John 14:30; 2 Corinthians 4:4) Paul wrote to fellow Christians: “We have a wrestling . . . against the world rulers of this darkness, against the wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12) Behind the scenes, wicked spirit forces are the real rulers of this world.   How should that fact influence our view of politics?

Think of this comparison: Just as small boats are swept along by powerful sea currents, human political systems are pulled along by powerful, wicked spirit forces. And just as the sailors in those boats can do little to change those powerful currents, politicians can do little to change the influence of those powerful spirit forces. Those forces are bent on corrupting humans beyond reform and on causing “woe for the earth.” (Revelation 12:12) 

Therefore, real change can be brought about only by a person who is more powerful than Satan and his demons. That person is Jesus Christ himself.—Psalm 83:18; Jeremiah 10:7, 10, Revelation chapters 19 and 20.

3. Christians should give allegiance only to God’s Kingdom. 

Jesus and his disciples knew that at a set time, God himself would establish a government in heaven to rule over the entire earth. The Bible calls this government God’s Kingdom and reveals that Jesus Christ has been appointed as its King.(Revelation 11:15) 

Since that Kingdom affects all humans, Jesus made “the good news of the kingdom of God” the main subject of his teachings. (Luke 4:43) He also taught his disciples to pray: “Let your kingdom come.”

Why? Because under that Kingdom, God’s will is sure to be done in heaven and on earth. (Matthew 6:9, 10.)

What, then, will happen to man-made governments? The Bible answers that the governments “of the entire inhabited earth” will be destroyed. (Revelation 16:14; 19:19-21) If an individual truly believes that God’s Kingdom is about to remove all man-made political systems, he logically would refrain from supporting those political systems. After all, if he tried to prop up doomed, man-made governments, they would, in effect, be taking a stand against God.

Important Announcements

Dear brothers and sisters:

Our ministry here in Dallas is about to come to full bloom.  With this comes bearing fruit and after that it is time to graft from this fruit bearing tree to a new soil.  After the New Year I shall be going to Japan to found a mission of the Puritan Church there.  While our time here was short we accomplished much.  We have a church that shall be led by a very competent pastor of your choosing.  We have ministered to battered women and their children.  We have reached out to the homeless and to the lonely.  We shall continue to do so.  I shall do so in Japan and you shall continue here.

Itsuko is progressing in hear deacon studies.  She read the gospel this morning and is almost ready to assist at the Table of the Lord, and to preach her first sermon.  Itsuko has the heart of a true humble servant of the Lord.

The Missions Office in Washington DC is drafting the mission charter for Japan.  The preliminary working name is The Protestant Christian Church of Japan (日本プロテスタントクリスチャン教会).  I shall be consecrated Presbyter November 9 and shall be fully responsible for the mission in Japan as it begins to grow.  Itsuko shall be more than able to assist in our ministry to both the Japanese and expat communities in Nagoya.

We shall not be without helpers in the vineyard.  Rev. Takeshi Amazawa of Tokyo Baptist Church shall be advising on church planting in Japan.  In all there shall be challenges and unexpected problems but how they are handled shall be the difference.  So long as Itsuko and I stay faithful to the Lord, help one another, and be of comfort to those in need then all shall work out to the greater glory of God.

As our Puritan forefathers braved ocean, New World, and famine they clung to the phrase Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam - All for the greater glory of God.