Prior to the election our
pastor made a public service announcement (PSA) and encouraged everyone,
regardless of their affiliation, to go to the polls and vote. Even though he
prefaced his comments with, “I know I’m probably preaching to the choir…” an older
couple appeared to take offence, got up and left the building. At first blush I
couldn’t see the problem; however, I then reflected on a recent situation
during a city council meeting where a councilman seated at the dais used his
position to offer a PSA and invite citizens to a local pub for a fundraising
event. There are times when, whether as a citizen or a worshipper, we hear a
message that has no value to us. Even the Gospel, as powerful as it is, needs
to be presented with the right combination of elements. The writer of Hebrews
said, “For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but
the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not
combine it with faith” (Heb 4:2 NIV).
1 comment:
Gail;
-----What hallows the Sunday morning congregation of worshipers is that they are the church. They have been raised to new life by the Lord and filled with His Spirit. What makes them lukewarm is that they do not regard this hallowedness with all the reality it deserves. Inciting them to do so is the affairs of the church for the elders to rule over well. Reminding the people to go vote is only the beginning of fulfilling that duty.
-----”11And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” (Eph 4:11-13) It’s wonderful that our churches have pastors for such encouragement. But where are its teachers? Where is the simple common sense which says, “Just voting is no longer good enough.” If there are right and wrong things to think and ways to think, if there are right and wrong things to do, then there is a responsibility to teach and incite right thinking. “Go vote” is a dangerous statement. “Go vote right” has some possibilities for being a good statement. And when it is coupled with much teaching about what is right, then “Go vote right” is a good statement.
-----”Oh! Who’s to say what’s right!?!” Well, reality’s answer is “Certainly not anyone who has to ask that question, so sit down, shut up, and listen. Either that or rightly figure it out.”
Love you all,
Steve Corey
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