In arguing for the removal of the "Mojave cross" from public land, ACLU attorney Peter Eliasberg argued before the Supreme Court that "It (the cross) signifies that Jesus is the son of God and died to redeem mankind for our sins."  On the other hand, Justice Scalia seemed to defend the cross by arguing that it is just a secular symbol of death erected as a memorial for all fallen soldiers. (Story from the LA Times http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-court-cross8-2009oct08,0,2065193.story)

 

As far as what the cross is, the ACLU lawyer is right and Justice Scalia is wrong.  This leads me to two thoughts.

 

First, the problem with many is not that they don't "get it."  The opponents of Christ have always understood what He was saying.  They just haven't liked what He was saying.  They consider the cross and what it means foolishness and embrace instead the wisdom of men.

 

Second, the problem with others is that they seek to preserve the traditions of Christianity rather than promote true Christianity.  The traditions include symbols, holidays, etc.  True Christianity is about Jesus dying on the cross as the sole means of salvation for lost and sinful mankind.  The traditions could gain you enemies.  The truth could get you killed.

 

May we get it, believe it and promote it.  May the truth of the cross be our only boast.

 

But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. (Galatians 6:14)

The Healthcare Reform debate intrigues me.  Not the politics and economics of it, but the attitude concerning it.  People are embracing the philosophy that they have a "right" to healthcare and that they have a "right" to be healthy.  And if they are not, someone owes it to them to fix it.

 

So democrats and republicans banter about on Capitol Hill as if they are really going to guarantee the people's "right" to health and healthcare.  And in posturing and finger pointing, they all seem willfully ignorant of one important fact: we are all going to die.

 

Whether we die sick or we die healthy, whether we die after a prolonged illness or die of a sudden heart attack, whether we see it coming or are blindsided, we are going to die.  Not the government, not the health insurance industry, not the medical profession is going to stop it.  We are going to die.  Then what?

 

And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment… (Hebrews 9:27)

 

Then the only universal healthcare guarantee is death.  And we have a "right" to death because of our sins. (Romans 3:23)  And we have a "right" to be condemned in judgment before a holy God for all eternity because of our sins.

 

But.

 

…so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation. (Hebrews 9:28)

 

Because Christ paid the penalty for our sins, bearing our judgment on His cross, everyone who believes in Him has a new healthcare guarantee: everlasting life.

 

Oh that Americans would be more concerned about their eternal souls than their present bodies.

I heard an urban forester comment once that trees are best planted in January and February because "roots grow in winter."  As I thought about this I realized that it is not only true of trees, but people as well.  It is in the winters of our lives when little external evidence of life exists that roots are put down deep into God to keep us grounded.

 

It was the winter of 1997 when I first preached through the life of Joseph.  The cold blast of winter was blowing through my family and I was seeking solace in God's Word.  The story of Joseph's experiences from preferred son to hated brother to Potiphar's prisoner to Pharaoh's prime minister gave me comfort and sustained my hope.  In the ensuing seasons of life I have often returned in my mind to the story of this man and his extraordinary God.

 

Through it all, "the LORD was with Joseph." (Genesis 39:2)  Numbed by the harsh winds of the winter experience, it is sometimes hard to sense the nearness of the Lord.  But looking back you realize He was there.  And not just there, but He was actually orchestrating the events of your life for His high and holy purposes; purposes that bring us immeasurable pleasure as we rejoice in His glory and rest in His loving care.

 

As a church we exist in a historical context.  That historical context goes beyond 1924 and the American Baptist Association.  It goes beyond 1904 and the General Association.  It goes beyond 1845 and the Southern Baptist Convention.  It goes beyond the Reformation.  It goes beyond the Dark Ages.  It goes all the way back to the first century.  It goes back to Jesus and disciples and a promise: "…on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

 

We do not exist because of or for an association or convention.  We exist because of and for Jesus Christ.  Associating with like minded churches provides numerous benefits.  But the historical context of our existence always takes us back to Jesus.

 

As a church we exist in a Biblical context.  In this context we learn that Jesus is our head and that His Word is our final word.  He determines our doctrines and those doctrines inform our practice.  So that when the world looks at us they ought to see Jesus.

 

And as a church we exist in a cultural context.  Culture differs from continent to continent, country to country, region to region.  Which is why if you cross cultures you will find different attire, different song styles, different methodologies, but in Jesus' churches you will always find the same Gospel.

 

Stay in one place long enough and the culture shifts where you are, as it has in American culture.  We no longer live in a twentieth century American culture.  The twenty-first century has brought with it a new culture of morality and religion.  To be prophetically relevant to this culture, our preaching and ministries must be Biblically informed and culturally aware.  We cannot stick our heads in the sand and pretend we are still in the 1950's.  We must encounter our culture where it is as it is with the unchanging and ever relevant Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

In the end we will answer to Jesus for how we existed in our historical, Biblical and cultural context.  Did we love Jesus and glorify God through Him?  Did we love one another and demonstrate Christianity in our mutual care?  Did we love those who lived in our culture and graciously confront them with the Gospel of Jesus Christ that they might be saved?

 

Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. (Colossians 4:5)

From President Obama's speech to the "Human Rights Campaign" on Saturday, October 10, 2009:

 

"My expectation is that when you look back on these years, you will see a time in which we put a stop to discrimination against gays and lesbians -- whether in the office or on the battlefield," President Obama said. "You will see a time in which we as a nation finally recognize relationships between two men or two women as just as real and admirable as relationships between a man and a woman. You will see a nation that's valuing and cherishing these families as we build a more perfect union -- a union in which gay Americans are an important part. I am committed to these goals. And my administration will continue fighting to achieve them."

 

"Despite the real gains that we've made, there's still laws to change and there's still hearts to open," he said. "There are still fellow citizens, perhaps neighbors, even loved ones -- good and decent people -- who hold fast to outworn arguments and old attitudes, who fail to see your families like their families, who would deny you the rights most Americans take for granted. And that's painful and it's heartbreaking. And yet you continue, leading by the force of the arguments you make, and by the power of the example that you set in your own lives -- as parents and friends, as PTA members and church members, as advocates and leaders in your communities. And you're making a difference."

 

Mere rhetoric?  I think not.  On the White House website, the President's position on civil rights includes the following:

 

"He supports full civil unions and federal rights for LGBT couples and opposes a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.  He supports repealing Don't Ask Don't Tell in a sensible way that strengthens our armed forces and our national security, and also believes that we must ensure adoption rights for all couples and individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation." (http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/civil_rights/)

 

So what about us Christ followers who believe the Bible? (e.g. 1 Timothy 1:8-11)  Are we good and decent people holding fast to outworn arguments and old attitudes and thus bringing pain and heartbreak to the President?  According to his own words, yes.  And it is our hearts he desires to open.

 

We were warned.  Preachers in decades past told us that we were frogs in a pot.  Put a frog in boiling water and he will jump out, they would tell us.  But place him in cool water and slowly bring up the heat and he will never know he is getting cooked.

 

I think the frog is almost done.  Tonight (Tuesday, October 13) the Game Show Network revives "The Newlywed Game" with special celebrity guests including George Takei (Sulu of "Star Trek" fame) and his male spouse, Brad Altman.

 

What do we Christians do?  Run screaming into the night?  No, we have not been given a spirit of fear. (2 Timothy 1:7)  Launch a political attack?  No, we wrestle not against flesh and blood. (Ephesians 6:12)  Then what?

 

Pray.  Preach.  Evangelize.  Live holy lives.  It is time for a spiritual revival.  It is time for the church to look and act like the church.  It is time for professing Christ followers to look and act like Christ.  It is time we believe and practice 1 Timothy 2:1-6.  It is time that we answer the call of the ancient hymn:

 

Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God's truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.

"If we are now holding late night talk show hosts to the same moral accountability as we hold politicians and clergyman, I'm out. I'm gone."  (Craig Ferguson, host of the "Late Late Show" on the controversy surrounding humorist David Letterman)

 

I fear that Mr. Ferguson's comment reveals a common but faulty perception of the standard of moral accountability, namely that there are varying standards.  Such a perception becomes an easy excuse for one's own moral peccadilloes (or sins as the Bible calls them).

 

The fact is there is one standard of righteousness to which we all are held, whether we are late night talk show hosts, presidents or preachers.  Or anyone else for that matter.  The standard is the righteousness of God written in the law and lived out in Jesus.  It is a standard of perfection.  It is a standard to which none of us have attained.  It is a standard that leaves us guilty and lacking the glory of God. (Romans 3)

 

Craig Ferguson's need is the same as David Letterman's need is the same as my need.  We are all declared guilty before God by the law and we all fail to live up to the righteousness of Christ.  We all need forgiveness for that guilt.  We all need to be made right before God.  And none of us are able to accomplish it ourselves.  Thus, we need a Savior.

 

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15, the Apostle Paul)

 

Ferguson's response to his shortcomings is deflection of guilt through humor.  What I pray is that he would accept that Jesus came to save him from his sins.  I pray that all men everywhere would accept that Jesus is the Savior from sins.  I pray that you will accept Jesus as your personal Savior from your sins.

 

Sin is no laughing matter.  Hell is not a humorous place.  Heaven, however, rings with the laughter of souls redeemed.

Wasn't it just a few months ago that popular late night television host David Letterman was in hot water for off color jokes about Sarah Palin's daughter? And now in the midst of an extortion scandal it is revealed that the humorist has had affairs with women on his staff and has had to apologize publicly to his wife. I pray his repentance is genuine. I also pray he might realize his need to turn to Jesus Christ for forgiveness of his sins.

I quit watching late night television some time ago. For one thing I cannot stay up past ten; but also because it is a vast moral wasteland. American now laughs at what used to bring tears.

The Letterman episode reminds me of the childhood lesson that it's funny until it happens to you. As a kid, another kid's embarrassment was humorous. When someone else didn't know the answer at the blackboard it was hilarious. But when the teacher called on you, the smile quickly turned upside down.

The fact is the hurt of another is no laughing matter. For Letterman to have poked fun at the Palin family dealing with a pregnant teenage daughter was unconscionable. The same is true for those who would now poke fun at Letterman. There is nothing funny about sin and its consequences.

As Christians, our hearts should be filled with a Godly sorrow over the sinfulness of our society. While the world laughs at sin, we should be praying for sinners. While the world makes crude jokes at the expense of the hurting, we should weep for their souls.

There is no room for a "Late Night" mentality in the life of the believer. For us sin is nothing to scoff at. Sin is why Jesus died. Our sin is why Jesus died. The sin of the world is why Jesus died. This is the good news that when believed will bring eternal laughter to the soul.