What Would Jesus Say to America?
Filed Under: General
This weekend I’ll be concluding the current series of sermons on Seeing Gray by asking, and attempting to answer, this question, “What would Jesus say to America?” If Jesus stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, throngs of Christians all around him, television cameras fixed upon him, what would he say to us as a nation? As individual believers? What would he say to the candidates running for office? I’ll be offering my answers this weekend in worship. I’m reading the Gospel of Luke as a starting point in preparing the message, and basing my answers upon what Jesus said as recorded in the gospels and what the prophets before him said. I’d like to invite you to share your responses to these questions: What would Jesus commend America for? What would he challenge or chastise us about? What would he call us to do differently (as a nation and as individuals)? What would he say to the candidates? What would he ask of us his followers? (Two words to remember as you prepare to answer: Brevity and kindness.)
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gavoweb | Jan 29, 2008 | Reply
sounds kinda spicy. january was a busy month, wish i could have kept up with more of the sermon series. maybe a posting of a sermon on youtube?
i hope you will consider continuing as part of the blogosphere after this all wraps up pastor.
shalom, -gavin
jami | Jan 30, 2008 | Reply
I think Jesus would have a lot to say about our consumerism and the seemingly insatiable quest to accumulate more ’stuff’. Our houses are being built bigger than ever and we can’t even fit all of our stuff into them so we have to get storage units.
What the world must think of us…
kari | Jan 30, 2008 | Reply
I don’t imagine Jesus would stay at the top of the Lincoln Memorial steps for long, but, rather Jesus would come down among the throng and challenge all of those gathered to go and look for those who are not there; those living on the streets, who need shelter and food and clothing and especially those who didn’t feel worthy to be among the crowd listening to the Savior. I believe Jesus would challenge us to be doers and not just hearers.
Michael Hagerman | Feb 1, 2008 | Reply
Jesus wasn’t a political figure anymore than He was a sports figure. I think Jesus could care less about much of what we do politically. That our government gives trillions to the poor, has countless social programs aimed at helping the poor and funds food pantries and shelters that feed any and all who are hungry matters about as much to God as whether the Patriots win the Superbowl.
Suggesting that Jesus gave instructions to our Government or would make a political speech is like suggesting he would stage a press conference where He favored a zone over man-to-man defense. Much of the trouble Jesus encountered was from those who thought Him a political figure when that was never His aim. Jesus cares about how we all conduct ourselves individually, not as a government or really much as a nation…just like he cares that the players and coaches conduct themselves honorably, not which team wins or loses. Do you really think God would find it pleasing that a government forces its people to pay more taxes so it can give the poor a bigger welfare check?
Anyway, more to the question I think just as Jesus shocked the culture He lived in, I think He would again shock ours. Jesus hung out with the lower class citizenry in that time…I think he would reverse that. I see Him coming to southern Johnson County or Hollywood and saying, “You have heard it said — It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God…let’s change that.”
Canopus | Feb 1, 2008 | Reply
Gavin I am sure you know this but just in case not–you can get the sermons on Itunes or watch them streaming on the COR website under “Worship/Sermons.”
kansasbob | Feb 2, 2008 | Reply
The real question is what would Jesus say to the American church. I suspect that He would censure our cold indifference for the poor, the widows, those imprisoned and the sick.
Tom | Feb 2, 2008 | Reply
What would Jesus say to America? That is a very, very interesting subject. I also think this weekend’s sermon was interesting. I think first you have to realize two things. First is that Jesus acknowledged a zero defect atmosphere on poverty and other such problems not practical. Jesus said in Matthew 26:11 “the poor will always be with us”. We shouldn’t expect all poverty to be fixed. We have the duty to take care of, not necessarily fix. Second is nothing is all good or all bad.
To start out as a veteran of two wars now and a serving Army reserve officer I just have to say something about the comment in the sermon about the defense budgets. I fully understand why people say those things. I as a soldier who has had to leave home and risk my life twice now I too wish we all could sit around the campfire and sing songs, roast marshmellows and love each other. I wish we could beat our swords into plowshares. However reality isn’t like that. Man has never been able to do that. Why, because Man’s nature is so violent.
Now half of the defense budget goes to personnel. If we want a volunteer Army it costs. A draft would lower personnel costs. You don’t pay draftees bonuses. You also don’t need other benefits to keep people there for 20 years. There is a cost to being a world leader.
Nowadays we live in a global economy. All of us in Johnson County are living pretty good with our big houses, nice cars and money in the bank in this global economy. The blood of that economy is middle eastern oil. To ensure stable, cheap markets someone has to ensure secure markets. The US is the only one who can do that.
I think Jesus would say the same things he said in Luke. I say that because Man is still basically sinful. Man today is still as lost as he was then. Our technology hasn’t changed the basic man. The basic man is still ensnared by sin.
Specifically Jesus might say good things about America. This country has spent more money on others than any nation in the history of the world. This nation and Britain have lead the world in executing the great commission, though there is so much more to do on that, even within our own country.
On the con side Jesus for sure would talk a lot about how America kills millions of babies a year, builds an economy based off of materialism, and how made fornication into a major industry. We are like sheep moving from one issue or cause to the next just because someone else says to do it. We in America are so full of ourselves we ignore the word of God and make up our own bible and call it historical revision, inclusion and multiculturalism. It seems that what is right in our culture now is wrong and vice versa. To make it worse is that the church suffers from the same issues as the overall culture.
A famous Christian author, John McArthur recently gave a speech which he said that the protective cover of God has been withdrawn from this country because of our own sinful attitudes and behaviors. If you think about it the news stories over the past few years might start making sense in that context.
Time is short.
lonestar | Feb 3, 2008 | Reply
Adam’s comment regarding how much is spent on defense vs diplomacy was interesting, not to mention how many countries dislike the United States. Where would this world be if there wasn’t a force fighting terrorism? What is amazing is whenever something tragic happens in the world, who is the first to offer aid to the victims? What country do the victims usually turn to seeking aid? If we’re so evil and disliked so much as Adam indicates, why do other countries turn to the United States for assistance? I wonder how we would be characterized if we truly did turn our backs on other nations?
wldavis | Feb 3, 2008 | Reply
Tom, I appreciate your comments on the budget that the U.S. devotes to defense. When the monetary comparison was made in the sermon, it bothered me also; but I did not know quite how to respond. The points that you make are excellent.
Thank you for your service to our country, and for the freedom that I have due to men and women like you.
What would Jesus say? I have no idea, but he would not be happy with our degrading society.
Dannar | Feb 4, 2008 | Reply
To begin with I would like to thank all soldiers of all ages for their years of service to this country. My mother was an Army Reserve officer for 12 years. Both my grandfathers, now having passed away, served in WWII. Though I know I Chronicles 13, which we just went over this weekend, tells us not to be boastful, I have to admit that I am proud to tell people this. Also, though I wish our leaders had given more thought to the consequences before entering into this war without the support of other nations, the fact is that we now have an extremely unstable system in a part of the world that has not seen true stability for a number of years. There is no easy way out. I supported going into the war, because I was naïve in my understanding of the Middle East, and the removal of a cruel dictator seemed to be a black and white issue if there ever was one. When the looting and then violence erupted, I couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t understand it. The black and white issue became gray and, for me, has been ever since. And I won’t attempt to make it black and white.
I was a fledgling Christian when the war began, but as my faith deepened I looked to Christ’s words for an answer. He told people to respect soldiers. He himself showed no animosity toward the Roman centurion; he healed the servant of the centurion. Just now it occurred to me that Christ might have had such respect for him, because he cared even about his servant – a rare quality in Romans. Regardless, Christ never attacked soldiers,” enemy” soldiers, and never condoned violence toward them, or even protests. At this time, this confused me. I knew much more about Roman history than I knew about Jewish history, and I knew that the Roman emperors were boundless in thier cruelty and sadism. Not only that, even the Judeans and the Disciples themselves seemed to be confused by his seeming complacency with the tyranny.
The possible answer, for me, was not found in the New Testament, or anywhere in the Bible. However, a non-Christian Jewish historian and Roman Historians explain a little. In short, in AD 66, after the Roman Emperor having put his own image in the temple of God, demanding prayers and sacrifices to himself, and after blasphemy upon blasphemy against God and heavy burden upon Jews (if you want to know more, I used Wikipedia, under First Jewish-Roman War to check my facts) , the Judeans began an armed revolt ending in over a million deaths, enslavement , destruction of the temple and permanent separation from the Land of Milk and Honey that God had promised them. No wonder Christ wept for Jerusalem. He knew where the path they were taking would lead to.
I am not trying to make any point about the circumstances in the world is in today, except that we all need to be very careful, very sure about our actions. What the people of that generation long ago had hoped would lead to freedom, and, very possibly, the Kingdom of God where the lion and lamb would lie down together with a child, presumably the Messiah, to lead them, instead ended in massacre, humiliation and permanent separation from “the dwelling place of God.” Christ had warned them and been called a fool, gained too large following and had been called an enemy of God and Jerusalem.
If I had had this understanding before the war, I would have opposed it. I think Christ never gave guidelines for when a war was just, because he wanted us to consider every option before jumping to the conclusion that killing is the only answer. Today, unfortunately, we have no choice and, with all the chaos in Iraq and the distrust in America around the world, the situation is very gray. We need leaders who don’t focus on dividing the country, who will swallow their pride and begin to work together. Just as much, we need the world on our side again. Again, we will have to swallow our pride, but the respect gained would be much better than the respect sacrificed. Most of all, we Christians, need faith in Christ – not in our world leaders-for they will fail, not in our church leaders - for they will fail, not in our college professors, wives, best friends. And least of all in ourselves! Because we all will fail over and over again! God was not made in our image, be we are to make ourselves in His. If Christ was foolish to say, “Blessed are the Peacemakers,” then what I am about to say is foolish. But I believe Christ was God in flesh. Therefore, I don’t know the path, but I know the destination. America and the entire world need peace. We don’t need war strategies, but peace strategies. We don’t need to ask how long will these wars last? But how soon until we find peace? We need to stop asking how many people in the world are our enemies and ask how many will be our friends. Not who should we forgive? But who will forgive us? And most of all not, “Will God forgive them?” But instead, “Will God forgive us?”
“I am no prophet, nor was meant to be…(TS Eliot):-))” I am no better than, and probably worse than at least half the members at COR. No one is worthy to say, “I am righteous,” but that doesn’t make one unworthy to seek righteousness. :-))
I have not put this forth to debunk anyone else’s opinion. I simply wished to state mine.
The problem is that when you are “seeing gray,” more explanation is need than if you were making a statement in black or white. Enough said! I’m only adding more words Ur… I’ll just make fewer comments with more words maybe…anyway…:-)
I know that Adam asked us to keep these statements brief, and I meant to…!
May Christ unite us all in His name.
Dannar | Feb 4, 2008 | Reply
I’m sorry about the longgg… blog. I typed it in Word, and it didn’t look that long, but looking at it now … it’s huge:-) I promise I won’t blog again for at least 2 weeks! Sorry.:-)
CerTain | Feb 7, 2008 | Reply
Maybe instead of being concerned about the politicans he would be more focused in how much the teachings from the church are based on keeping us entertained and more fun. Moving our religious meetings to allow us to watch football games…, How much of the money really after overhead goes in the direction of his teachings…,maybe suggest us to elect our church leaders. After all those runing for office claim to believe in God and attend some form of church. Instead of pointing our blame out we need to make sure we are without fault. Use the advice that adam gave kindness in our actions and respect for someone else. instead needing to always be
Canopus | Feb 7, 2008 | Reply
Dannar those are excellent comments. You changed my mind on some things and that’s not easy. Obviously you have thought a lot about this issue. Now that you mention it, Christ had every opportunity to denounce the Centurion for being a Centurion and tell him to quit the Roman army. Hmm that’s a lot to think about.
I would like to say something about the idea that God has “withdrawn the protective cover from the USA” as another poster mentioned. Although I was brought up in a strict fundamentalist sect, it was one that did not teach that God actively intervened on the behalf of one nation over another, nor saw a country like the USA as more righteous or worthy of protection than, say, Guatemala (a poor Catholic country.) I believe this idea of a “protective cover” comes from a strain in the evangelical movement called dominionism (I am told it comes specifically from one Bill Gothard) and as my upbringing attests, dominionism or Gothardism is not the only way to be a fundamentalist or strict or pro-life or born-again. This view is getting more and more popular but I wish more in the mainstream would discuss it out in the open. So many people seem to believe this. Does God really hold one nation up to protect it because of its founding principles and is one nation really more “righteous” than another just because it is powerful, wealthy, and has great ideals about freedom? Or can it be that a poor nation is just as Christian and has just as many righteous people? If Guatemala loses a war or becomes more poor because some multinational company comes in and exploits their natural resources, does that mean God has “withdrawn His protective cover” from Guatemala? I think America has many righteous people and so does, say, Guatemala. I am reminded of the story of Sodom and God told Abraham (or was it Lot?) he would not destroy Sodom if he could find one righteous man. I think that story teaches that God looks at individuals not at nations as if they were entities.
I am pro-life but I do not think God has “withdrawn His protective cover” of the USA because many people get abortions, any more than God would withdraw it because many people shop till they drop and have road rage.
cokey | Feb 8, 2008 | Reply
I would like to comment on the idea of Gods’ protective cover of the US. In scripture God raises one nation and destroys others. The means He uses varies. The story of Sodom confuses me because Paul says there is none righteous, no not one. God has mercy on who He chooses, and nobody deserves it. I agree that God focuses on individuals. This life is a vapor and Americas’ reign is as well. My protective cover is Christs’ blood.
jcallanan | Feb 8, 2008 | Reply
Adam
This was an excellent sermon and I really feel people were blessed by it. Thankyou for allowing the Holy Spirit working through you in giving this message.
Fred | Feb 11, 2008 | Reply
I think Jesus would direct his comments to his disciples who happen to be in America, and he would say a prayer over us that is quite similar to the prayer we see in John 17.
Also, I think the sermon was a good one, but it suffered from some internal inconsistencies, a hazard encountered by almost anyone who would undertake a sermon or speech on this kind of issue. (I certainly don’t blame Adam for trying.) Particularly inconsistent was the comparison of the defense budget numbers with the humanitarian or foreign aid numbers. I remember studying those numbers thoroughly in college after hearing similarly inappropriate or naive comparisons. To use Adam’s words, the numbers he used are not “black and white”; there’s a lot of “gray” in them. The comparison was a poor one.
Tom | Feb 11, 2008 | Reply
The John McArthur speech I referred to is called “A nation abandoned by God”. It can be found here:
http://reformationnation.wordpress.com/2007/11/20/john-macarthur-a-nation-abandoned-by-god/
It is also on the focus on the family web site. I urge you all to listen or read it for yourself.