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Published: 10 July 2020

Bon Jovi sang it.  The modern poets are often keen observers of things as they are.  “The more things change, the more they stay the same.”  As an example of that maxim, consider these words written by Pastor Stuart Briscoe in 1982, “When differences of opinion arise concerning deeply held traditions, reactions are usually quite extreme.  Feelings of anger and resentment, frustration, and bitterness spill over.  Usually, the people involved in the acrimonious dispute become more entrenched in their position and increasingly isolated from those with whom they disagree.”  1982!!!!  Wow, his statement sounds so present.  Whether the issue is our response to Covid-19, racism, the economy, or any number of current hot-buttons, what Briscoe wrote is still true.  You won’t be surprised that the problem goes back even further than 1982.  Our text for Sunday reminds us that the church in Rome was having disputes as well.  In their day the big issues were “meat sourcing” and “holy days.”  Those may not sound like a big deal to you but they were to them.  We have our own big deals today and yet the principles for dealing with them are the same.  The disposition of love that comes as a result of a renewed mind will lead us through the maze of emotions to a place of respect and consideration.  Let’s be a people growing in our discernment about how to deal with disputable matters…with a disposition of love. 

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Published: 03 July 2020

I gave you one of these last week.  Do you remember?  You could choose to be discouraged with the description of a disposition of love OR, you could be encouraged by imagining God making you into that kind of person.  Well, here’s another pre-sermon decision, and you have two days to mull it over.  The question is from John Piper, “Shall we be American with a pinch of religious flavoring? Or: Shall we be Christ’s people with a pinch of American flavoring?”  This is a very important question and the implications are enormous.  It’s a tough question for a number of reasons. 

1) It’s the Fourth of July weekend!  We are celebrating our independence in the aftermath of a revolution.  To be American is to have a bit of a rebel spirit.  People tell us we can’t do something and we do it!  It’s the American spirit. 

2) We are experiencing Covid-fatigue.  The results of all this government intervention is starting to wear us thin.  Changes that seem arbitrary, inconsistencies of application and the tension over “positions” on the subjects are wearisome. 

3) Evangelicals have been courted by certain politicians and the message from them is clear; “Christianity and patriotism are one!” 

Ugh.  No wonder we’re tired, frustrated, angry and divided.  Do you see why Piper’s question is so important?  If we ask the wrong question, the answer doesn’t really matter.  However, the implications of the answer to the right question can be life-changing.  We’re going to take a look at Romans 13 this week.  To whom will you give ultimate allegiance?