Pastor
Walt Scott
8/2013
FORWARD:
Our
past is good for one thing; to remind us what to do or not to do in
the present and the future. This is so we will not repeat mistakes
that came before, and will remember the things that had good results.
This is called acceptable stewardship. Although this should not
stifle the flow of progress or hinder the discussion and application
of new ideas. Prayer and consultation with God should always come
first to seek answers to our questions.
I
do not wish or intend to dwell on the negative, because I feel that
it is counterproductive. I only want to remind us of what came
before. I feel that this will guide us into God-inspired stewardship.
Everything on this planet belongs to God, including us. He gave us
free will as a test of our stewardship.
1
Corinthians 4:2 (from the original King James)
“moreover,
it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”
(NIV)
“now
it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove
faithful”
Job
12:21-25
21 He
pours contempt on nobles
and disarms the mighty.
22 He reveals the deep things of darkness
and brings utter darkness into the light.
23 He makes nations great, and destroys them;
he enlarges nations, and disperses them.
24 He deprives the leaders of the earth of their reason;
he makes them wander in a trackless waste.
25 They grope in darkness with no light;
he makes them stagger like drunkards.
and disarms the mighty.
22 He reveals the deep things of darkness
and brings utter darkness into the light.
23 He makes nations great, and destroys them;
he enlarges nations, and disperses them.
24 He deprives the leaders of the earth of their reason;
he makes them wander in a trackless waste.
25 They grope in darkness with no light;
he makes them stagger like drunkards.
Genesis
1:1&2-- “And God Said”
1 In
the beginning God created the heaven sand the earth. 2 Now
the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the
surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was
hovering over the waters.
Genesis
1:26-28
26Then
God said, “Let us make mankind in our (image), in
our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the
sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the
wild animals,
and
over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
27 So
God created mankind in his own (image),
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
28 God
blessed them and said to them,“Be fruitful and increase in
number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the
fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living
creature that moves on the ground.”
Have
any of us ever really given any serious thought about the gift of
life that we enjoy on this God-created earth and especially the USA?
Or do we just take it all for granted, expecting it to always be
here? Do we ever think about the various people groups that inhabit
this earth? When God created the earth and spoke it into existence,
there were no named countries or differentia of peoples, one from
another.
After
the great flood associated with Noah and the ark came a time when God
told Noah and his sons Shem, Ham and Japheth to be fruitful and
increase in number; multiply in number and increase upon the earth.
He gave them dominion over the earth and I will refer to it as “The
Rainbow Covenant” with Noah (Genesis chapter 9). At this time all
nations spoke one language and a common speech. During this move
eastward against God's command to scatter and fill the earth, a group
under Nimrod's leadership stopped and decided to build a city. The
city was called Babel. They started to build a tower there. This they
did as a monument to their pride and reputation. God then came,
confused their language so they couldn't continue and then forced
them to scatter--forcing them to collect in regions where their own
language was spoken. This is how so many nations, peoples and
languages came about; through an act of disobedience and prideful
rebellion (Genesis chapter 11).
Over
the centuries man moved from place to place, by choice or forced,
until he arrived at a place where there was comfort, peace,
subsistence, and a future for family. Why is it that some areas
seemed to advance into a modern society and others seem to have
never left survival mode? They became stagnated and made very little,
if any progress? I don't think this was God's intention. Did we or
our ancestors not think about our fellow man as Jesus Christ
intended? Not enough.
When
the first Europeans crossed the Atlantic ocean and came to North
America to settle it and form colonies, it was as surely looked on
as their promised land as when the Jewish people crossed the River
Jordan into their Promised Land, Israel. These were both gifts from
Father God.
To
Abram: Genesis 13:14-17--
14 The Lord said
to Abram after Lot had parted from him, “Look around from where you
are, to the north and south, to the east and west. 15 All
the land that you see I will give to you and your
offspring forever. 16 I
will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if
anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be
counted.17 Go,
walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving
it to you.”
To
Moses:Exodus 6:8--
8 And
I will bring you to the land I
swore with uplifted hand to
give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I
will give it to you as a possession. I am the Lord.’”
To
Moses: Deuteronomy 1:8--
8 See,
I have given you this land. Go
in and take possession of the land the Lord swore
he would give to your fathers—to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—and to
their descendants after them.”
The
Jews were fleeing Egyptian slavery and persecution. Europeans were
fleeing religious intolerance, ignorance, persecution, legalism and
corruption. They were all searching for freedom. Freedom to worship
God as they believed. Is real freedom available through relationship
with Triune God? Yes, absolutely! That is the only way to experience
true freedom.
2
Corinthians 3:17-18--
17 Now
the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is,
there is freedom.18 And
we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s
glory, are being transformed into his image with
ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Galatians 5:13-15--
13 You,
my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use
your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one
another humbly in love. 14 For
the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your
neighbor as yourself.”15 If
you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by
each other
1 Peter 2:16--
16 Live
as free people, but
do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live
as God’s slaves.
Religious
leaders and existing governments were interrelated at that period of
European history, and had been for many years. The church greatly
influenced all areas of government, and the daily life of all people.
At that time there were very few Bibles and most were in the hands of
church leaders. Also, many people did not know how to read and had to
depend on the churches interpretation of the Bible. The church was
also largely responsible for many countries going to war. This past
experience seems to be the most logical explanation for why our
founding fathers desired to keep church and government separate in
this country. One should never have authority over the other. We are
commanded under New Covenant precepts to lead by example as Christ
Jesus did, and change will come as it did in His day. The New
Testament explains it all.
Of
course this land had native peoples already living here, just as
Israel did. God instructed Israel what to do with those native
peoples, as described in the Old Testament. The new settlers in
America did not receive direct instruction from God. I believe that
was because they were then living under New Covenant precepts,
written on their minds and in their hearts. They were expected to
behave as Christ Jesus would have.
2 Corinthians 3:4-6
4 Such
confidence we have through Christ before God. 5 Not
that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for
ourselves, but our competence comes from God. 6 He
has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the
letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit
gives life.
Hebrews 10:15-18--
16 “This
is the covenant I will make with them
after that time, says the Lord.
I will put my laws in their hearts,
and I will write them on their minds.”
after that time, says the Lord.
I will put my laws in their hearts,
and I will write them on their minds.”
“Their
sins and lawless acts
I will remember no more.”
I will remember no more.”
Did
they do this? Maybe, in some cases, sometimes, but the predominant
thought and action was to take what they needed and wanted, through
deceit or force, and deal with the consequences later. They were, or
so they thought, in survival mode.
Matthew 7:12--
12 So
in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for
this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
This
attitude only became more negative and destructive as described and
evidenced in historical records.
The
native Americans were curious at first when our ancestors landed.
They were primitive and our ancestors took advantage of this benign
curiosity. They were also divided about how to approach the
colonists. Some wanted to attack and destroy us. But most were just
curious. The colonists were, after all, invaders. What would we have
done if we were placed in that same situation today? Would we sit
idly by and let strangers invade and occupy our land? I don't think
so.
This
country has only one group of Native Americans although many
different tribes. We refer to them in slang as Indians, and the
various tribes are spread throughout this country. I suppose you
could say that they are immigrants also, because anthropologists
believe the first peoples in Northern America came across the land
bridge between what is now Russia and Alaska. Then down throughout
the North American Continent. Nevertheless, they were here before
anyone else.
One
of the primary problems with the early colonists/settlers was that,
in many ways, they attempted to duplicate here what they had just
left behind in Europe. They implemented rules, regulations,
restrictions, legalism and persecuted any and all who couldn't fit in
or accept their version of normal and acceptable. We do this now,
today, in the secular and Christian world. My best example of this,
with few exceptions, is someone coming to my town of Weaverville,
usually from some much larger city. Weaverville is small, beautiful,
and situated in the beautiful forests of Trinity County. They love
it, and decide to move here. They buy or build a home and then make
it, as best they can, look and function like the homes they left
behind in their noisy, crowded residential neighborhoods. They
(perhaps unintentionally) destroy or negate the primary reason they
came here in the first place. They can't accept that life and the
people are different here. They will often try to change codes,
regulations, and so forth, to conform to something familiar and
persecute or criticize long term methods and residents. To change is
to fear, and they want to feel safe and secure. Is that really
possible? This more often than not is true for their churches as
well. Most want a belief system that matches theirs. Absolute truth
from Triune God is not the priority. They usually have little or no
involvement in church. Often times it is the church who rejects their
service because they don't fit. I ask again; is this what Jesus did?
NO!
Jeremiah 7:1-11--
7 This
is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: 2 “Stand at
the gate of the Lord’s house and there proclaim this message:
“‘Hear
the word of the Lord,
all you people of Judah who come through these gates to worship the
Lord. 3 This
is what the Lord Almighty,
the God of Israel, says: Reform your ways and your actions, and
I will let you live in this place. 4 Do
not trust in deceptive words and say, “This is the temple
of the Lord,
the temple of the Lord,
the temple of the Lord!” 5 If
you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each
other justly, 6 if
you do not oppress the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow
and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not
follow other gods to your own harm, 7 then
I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave your
ancestors for ever and ever. 8 But
look, you are trusting in deceptive words that are
worthless.
9 “‘Will
you steal and murder, commit adultery and
perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you
have not known, 10 and
then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my
Name, and say, “We are safe”—safe to do all these detestable
things? 11 Has
this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to
you? But I have been watching! declares the Lord.
What
seems to have always been the case in this country, is that at one
time or another we, or our ancestors, have all been immigrants. Why?
Because our ancestors all came from someplace else. This country has
always been the land of opportunity. Everyone's “promised land”.
People of the world have always dreamed of coming to America. So
then, why do the existing residents always seem to persecute the
newest immigrants? As far back as our history goes, all new arrivals
have been maligned, looked down on and thought to be inferior. This
seems to last for at least one generation, sometimes longer. Is it
color, country, ethnicity or what? These people came voluntarily with
the approval of our elected government. The only peoples who came
here involuntarily were our black slave brothers and sisters. It's
over, done, forgiven but not forgotten. We move on in fellowship. But
have we learned how not to display this attitude and behavior?
Sometimes, in some ways, but not completely. This country was a gift
to us and all people seeking the peace and freedoms we enjoy, take
for granted, and often abuse.
We
fought for and won our independence from the very powers that had
dominated us in our European origins. During our early beginnings and
after our independence we seemed to have forgotten to include all of
those who contributed significantly, in economic as well as
militarily ways, to our ability to gain our independence and flourish
as a new world power. Many different people from a variety or
countries and I am referring also to the sinful scourge of slavery.
The capture, enslavement, sale and ownership of our black brothers
and sisters. It took a civil war, an amendment to the constitution,
approximately 500,000 American lives, brothers killing brothers, and
a President's death to correct this. And that was just the beginning.
This country has fought war after war ever since then, and we
continue today. Aren't we all God's creation, brothers and sisters,
loved equally and unconditionally, saved by grace through faith?
John 1:12-13--
12 Yet
to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his
name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children
born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s
will, but born of God.
Romans
10:11-12--
11 As
Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to
shame.” 12 For
there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is
Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him
It
seems to me that there is a correlation between the 600+ laws the
Jewish people tried to live with, and the multitude of laws we live
under in this country today. The Jews couldn't conform under the old
Mosaic law/covenant, and we aren't doing very well conforming to
ours, whether or not we are believers under the new covenant. As God
pointed out, the old covenant only seemed to make the people aware
that what they had done before, not living under the law, was no
longer acceptable under the Mosaic covenant. It didn't stop them from
breaking the law. Forbidden fruit always seems to be more tempting.
The current secular world seems to work much the same way most of the
time. We, as Christians, are supposed to obey man's laws, and under
the New Covenant have God's laws written on our minds and in our
hearts.
Hebrews
8:7-13
7 For
if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place
would have been sought for another. 8 But
God found fault with the people and said:
“The
days are coming, declares the Lord,
when I will make a new covenant
with the people of Israel
and with the people of Judah.9 It will not be like the covenant
I made with their ancestors
when I took them by the hand
to lead them out of Egypt,
because they did not remain faithful to my covenant,
and I turned away from them,
declares the Lord.10 This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel
after that time, declares the Lord.
I will put my laws in their minds
and write them on their hearts.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.11 No longer will they teach their neighbor,
or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’
because they will all know me,
from the least of them to the greatest.12 For I will forgive their wickedness
and will remember their sins no more.”
when I will make a new covenant
with the people of Israel
and with the people of Judah.9 It will not be like the covenant
I made with their ancestors
when I took them by the hand
to lead them out of Egypt,
because they did not remain faithful to my covenant,
and I turned away from them,
declares the Lord.10 This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel
after that time, declares the Lord.
I will put my laws in their minds
and write them on their hearts.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.11 No longer will they teach their neighbor,
or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’
because they will all know me,
from the least of them to the greatest.12 For I will forgive their wickedness
and will remember their sins no more.”
13 By
calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one
obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.
Romans 7:7-12
7 What
shall we say, then? Is the law sinful? Certainly
not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it
not been for the law. For I would not have known what coveting
really was if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” 8 But
sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced
in me every kind of coveting. For apart from the law, sin was
dead. 9 Once
I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin
sprang to life and I died. 10 I
found that the very commandment that was intended to bring
life actually brought death. 11 For
sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived
me, and through the commandment put me to death. 12 So
then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and
good.
Romans 13:1-2
13 Let
everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is
no authority except that which God has established. The
authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently,
whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God
has instituted,and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
Romans 13: 6-7
6 This
is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s
servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give
to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if
revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then
honor.
Titus 3:1-2
3 Remind
the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be
obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to
slander no one,to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be
gentle toward everyone.
Titus 3:9
9 But
avoid foolish
controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the
law, because
these are unprofitable and useless.
There
is no doubt or question in anyone's mind that the early
colonists/settlers had an extremely difficult time getting
established. This lasted for many years after they first arrived.
History records this. During this country's infancy there were many
trials by fire that it and the people had to endure. They made
mistakes then, just as we continue to make them today. Sometimes we
learn from them, and other times we don't. The one common thread in
all of this is; they had a choice, which required a decision to be
made. All choices/decisions require self-discipline, self-effort,
commitment, perseverance and faith. There are always consequences to
consider for any choice/decision. Positive and negative and
oftentimes requiring compromise. Faith requires trust, hope, belief
and obedience. This should always include Triune God if we expect and
outcome that is part of God's plan for us. Did our ancestors always
follow this rule? NO!
Proverbs 3:5-6--
5 Trust
in the Lord with
all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Philippians 4:6-7
6 Do
not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer
and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.7 And
the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will
guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Living
under New Covenant precepts we are all considered equal, brothers and
sisters alike, required to share and give aid wherever and whenever
needed. Can we lay the blame for our inaction on Satan and his
influence in this world? NO! Not as Christian believers. Jesus Christ
has overcome satan. Through compromise we can either lose little by
little, as satan has managed to have us do; or we can gain little by
little and eventually win it all.
Luke 10:18-19
18 He
replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from
heaven. 19 I
have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and
to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.
John 16:33
33 “I
have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In
this world you will have trouble. But
take heart! I have overcome the
world.”
So
now, the only questions remaining are; have we been carrying out
Jesus Christ's commissioning?
Matthew 28:18-20
18 Then
Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on
earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore
go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name
of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and
teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And
surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
And
do we realize our responsibility for this and do we know that we will
all eventually have to be accountable to God for this?
So
what do we do, where do we go, and how do we do it now? We have,
since our development into a world power and leader, always been a
democratic example of freedom, equality and hope for the world. Are
we still? I believe it has been fading for some time, and will
someday soon disappear altogether. We have to change. Be the Good
News. Stop being apathetic, lazy, fearful, quarrelsome, lukewarm,
doubting, prideful Christians, living lives of complacency.
Proverbs 1:32-33
32 For
the waywardness of the simple will kill them,
and the complacency of fools will destroy them;
33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety
and be at ease, without fear of harm.”
and the complacency of fools will destroy them;
33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety
and be at ease, without fear of harm.”
Step
out; take that first step and then let Triune God lead the way.
Listen and then act. Be the example that others need. Have you
considered what you are leaving as a legacy for future generations--
your children and grandchildren, and so on? Jesus could come back
tomorrow or a thousand years from now. We don't know. The United
States of America is our promised land, but also many other people's.
Let's not waste this gift. We were founded and established on the
solid rock of Christian precepts with “In God We Trust” as our
guiding principle and motto.
Job 12:21-25 (Job
speaking)
21 He
pours contempt on nobles
and disarms the mighty.
22 He reveals the deep things of darkness
and brings utter darkness into the light.
23 He makes nations great, and destroys them;
he enlarges nations, and disperses them.
24 He deprives the leaders of the earth of their reason;
he makes them wander in a trackless waste.
25 They grope in darkness with no light;
he makes them stagger like drunkards.
and disarms the mighty.
22 He reveals the deep things of darkness
and brings utter darkness into the light.
23 He makes nations great, and destroys them;
he enlarges nations, and disperses them.
24 He deprives the leaders of the earth of their reason;
he makes them wander in a trackless waste.
25 They grope in darkness with no light;
he makes them stagger like drunkards.
The
reality of this promised land is this; most of us love it, cherish
it, respect it and what it stands for. But, this world doesn't really
belong to any of us. It is God's and His creation. He is our creator
and owner of all we have. He is our benefactor. He established us
here and gave us dominion over the earth. He said, be fruitful and
multiply . Can we honestly say we have been good stewards of his
gift? I say no, not often enough. Have we followed New Covenant
precepts and are we establishing God's will and bringing heaven to
earth? Sometimes in some places, although we are not yet the dominant
force. The Good News is, we still can be, and the opportunities are
still before us. God's love is boundless and he is and has been
patient with us. We can still make God smile and manifest His will.
We can bring His kingdom to earth. His promise is eternal life in
heaven, our future home, if we are obedient, trust, believe, and
remain in faith. That is our hope and that is our promised land.
Faith
is a verb; it requires action. Faithful followers of Jesus Christ do
what his teachings in the Word (Bible) state, the way he says to do
them. Faith, hope, trust and obedience is the reality of belief in
God. All to be performed in and with the absolute love of Triune God.
Peace and love to all. Amen
Matthew 5:3-12
3 “Blessed
are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed
are you when people insult you,persecute you and falsely say all
kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice
and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the
same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
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