Thought for Today
Isaiah 14:26 This is the plan that is planned concerning the whole earth; and this is the hand that is stretched out over all the nations.
Isaiah 32:8 But those who are noble plan noble things, and by noble things they stand.
Ephesians 1:9 he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
Most clergy and teachers have an agenda or theme for what they teach and preach. Whether consciously or not, most of us center our preaching and/or writing around themes. I would suggest we have an agenda; however, the word agenda carries certain negative semantic overtones. Behind many sermons and lessons is the idea of working toward the fulfillment of the Kingdom of God.
Sometimes the theme or agenda is discernable in the way clergy refer to themselves as ministers, as pastors or as ‘reverend.’ Coming late to the pulpit, I find referring to myself as Reverend Henderson awkward and almost presumptuous. Although, I do use the title when signing ‘official’ documents. I think of myself and refer to myself in more pastoral terms. I hold my position in great honor; I try not to be too impressed with my own (self-proclaimed) importance.
During my own years as a Bible teacher and now as a minister, I have noticed how often I incorporate what I think of as familial references into what I say and write. As I read the Bible and prepare my sermons, I am struck by the themes I encounter in scripture of hope, joy and love. Last week our lectionary passage was from the First Epistle of John. This week it will be from the Gospel of John. In both instances the primary focus is on ἀγάπη (agape), the conscious, deliberate love Christians share.
I often refer to our congregation as our ‘family of faith,’ or our ‘community of faith.’ I refer to those who have gone before us as our ‘ancestors-in-the-faith.’ For me, irrespective of our denominations, all who confess Jesus as the Christ are united in the family of the Children of God. I first encountered the word Christendom in seminary. I use it often now to reference our worldwide family of faith. My understanding of our unity of faith also incorporates all who have gone before us, from Adam to Moses to Mary and Joseph, all of those who have paved the way for us today. They are all truly our ancestors-in-the-faith, without whom there would be no Christendom.
The idea of a family of the Children of God, of Christendom leads me to the other idea I find setting the theme for my own ministry. More than any other religion I have encountered in history, Christianity inculcates hope. “Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Our faith in Jesus assures our hope for the fulfillment of the Kingdom of God.
"’What the World Needs Now Is Love’ is a 1965 popular song with lyrics by Hal David and music composed by Burt Bacharach. First recorded and made popular by Jackie DeShannon, it was released on April 15, 1965.” (Wikipedia) I could not agree with the lyrics of that song any more than I do. The lyrics could probably be accurately applied to almost any time in human history; but, every time I read a newspaper or hear a media news report, those lyrics echo in my mind.
“Matthew 24:6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not alarmed; for this must take place, but the end is not yet.” We certainly do hear of wars, of armed conflict between nations and of civil unrest here and in many other nations. We hear dire predictions of the current wars potentially escalating into global conflict. ’What the World Needs Now Is Love’ Where will that much-needed love come from if not from Christians?
We pray each week during our worship service, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Christendom just needs to work a little harder to make that prayer come true, joyful in our “assurance of things hoped for,” our “conviction of things not seen.” We are the family of the Children of God.
Stay safe, have faith, love each other, trust God,
Pastor Ray