Sermon Nuggets Mon. May 12, 2008
Theme- Calling for a Decision
Verses: John 7:37-38 On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.
38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."(NIV)
Calling for a Decision
For most Americans on November 4, 2008 we will exercise our right to vote for the President of the United States. On that date all debates, literature and discussions will be brought to an end when it comes to make a decision.
Earlier this morning I was reading the editorials of the campaign and evaluation of each candidate. The debates between Senator Hillary Clinton and Senator Barack Obama have turned rough. Following a lengthy battle for votes both people serving on the same side team (Democrats) have done everything they could to call for votes to accept them as their candidate for their party to run against John McCain, the Republican challenger.
You will not hear me endorsing publically any candidate, party, or position that is part of civil government. Obviously Biblical and moral issues need and should be addressed regardless of political persuasion. But the things of the church and of Christ are to be above civil politics. No candidate is perfect. As soon as I publically back a certain candidate I will be embarrassed when things I do not support or agree with are revealed. I have often said beware of any candidate who will do what it takes to get elected. Promises and positions change too often and to tie your commitment to Christ to the state has proven dangerous over the history of Christianity in the world. The church should be the one place where greater concerns and issues are addressed and all people can unify under the allegiance of Jesus Christ.
The decision regarding Jesus Christ has far greater implications for your life than who the president will be for four to eight years. Eternal matters far greater deserve our attention and our allegiance. I believe you should get involved as a citizen in all matters that concern you, but put Christ above all earthly matters.
John 7 records Jesus speaking near the temple at the last day of the feast of the tabernacles. Jesus was not interested in the ways of the world, but only in obeying the will of His Father. Man's timing and the timing of the world is different from God's timing. We also have a different way of doing things than God does. We get so caught up in the excitement around us we forget the priority of our relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Jesus taught concerning Himself that He is from the Father. He is continually calling people to follow Him. Our passage helps us to look at the procedures of commitment and how we come to a decision of our choices. We will look this week at similarities of calling for a decision for making choices for whom to follow.
Pastor Dale
