1.)        I want you to know that you are loved by God.  Right now, in this place, in this moment.   God’s love has been reaching out to you faithfully from each age.  Will you let say, “Yes,” to God’s love in this moment of history? 

2.)        As we look at Acts 18:18 – 28 we discover four people; Paul, Priscilla, Aquila and Apollos. 

            They were used of God to help believers in Christ in the early church.  They had different roles in doing God’s will.  Paul was a missionary and founder of many churches.  Pricilla and Aquila were supporters of Paul and mentors to Apollos.  Apollos was a gifted teacher and communicator.  They were all vital to the church.      

            After a few years from that beginning point in 1 Corinthians 1:10 – 12 we read this.  “I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.  My brothers, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you.  What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.”

            There were differences in the church that give a glimpse of the future church.  

3.)        The church started from a group of men and women who were following Jesus and on the day of Pentecost Acts 2:41 tells us that three thousand people were added.  Since that beginning more and more have been added so that today there are approx. 2 billion Christians.  The Christians are the largest group in the world!   

            As we think of all those Christians and the church I have an object that illustrates where we are today.   A piece of rope is made up of one substance but is comprised of many strands.  If you unravel this rope you will see the many smaller strands. 

            The church is like a rope in that it is one substance, a profession of faith in Christ, but with many strands of people, different groups, or divisions.  According to a several web sites there are as many as 20, 30, or 40 thousand different denominations in the church.  Those are a lot of strands. 

            The church, with all those strands began to grow in the last 500 years, as we shall see. 

4.)        Martin Luther and other leaders created new types of churches, or denominations with their leadership in the 1500’s and later.  There was the resistance to the Catholic Church and the popes and this protesting created some alternative churches.  It was important for churches to have local practices of faith that made sense to them in their region and not be a “one church for all” type of church.  Here is a quote.     

            “Denominationalism, as originally designed, is the opposite of sectarianism.  A sect claims the authority of Christ for itself alone.  It believes that it is the true body of Christ; all truth belongs to it and no other religion.  So, by definition a sect is exclusive. 

            The denomination by contrast was an inclusive term.  It implied that the Christian group called or denominated by a particular name was but one member of a larger group-the church-to which all denominations belong.

            The denominational theory of the church, then, insists that the true church cannot be identified with any single ecclesiastical structure.  No denomination claims to represent the whole church of Christ.  Each simply constitutes a different form – in worship and organization – of the larger life of the church.”  (Church History in Plain Language by Bruce Shelley, page 306)

            So this mindset of the church along with the cultural things changing set the stage for the church to grow in new ways.    

            The three streams of the Church; the Catholic Church, the Orthodox Church and the Western Church all continued to grow and react to the changing world in different ways.  At times the Orthodox Church continued in the ways it had always practiced.  The Catholic Church started new orders within the church and the Western Church grew by starting new denominations.   

            I want to move closer to home as it relates to church history and look at some themes of the Protestant Church in the United States which by its design was able to adapt to the “frontier” in its beginning. 

5.)        The first people coming from Europe to live here were primarily coming for the chance to express their faith in a new way in a new land.  One of the things that the churches had in Europe was the support of the state.  This had been changing for some but was a part of the church and cultural fabric. 

 In this country there was not an organized “state” so the church was on its own in that it did not have any official state identity or support.  Some of the founding documents of the country wanted to ensure that this relationship was defined so that the “state” would not have an identity with the church, which the state and church in Europe had.    

            “The Bill of Rights, with its provision of religious liberty for all, had in effect sanctioned the denominational concept of the church and had ruled out any direct influence of the churches upon the government.  The denominations were free, therefore, to define their own faith and practices.  But what about Christian responsibility for public life and morals?”  (Church History in Plain Language by Bruce Shelley, page 385)

            This freedom to launch the church/new denominations was used by God to reach people for Christ.  There was a period of revivalism in our country that was a way the church could address the morality of the people in this new state.  

6.)        The spirit of the Revivals was marked by converted people and growing churches in this country.  Revivals often had joy filled singing and energetic preaching of the Bible.  This was in contrast to the ordered, formal, services of some churches. 

Two of the songs that were written in this time period were, “Amazing Grace,” which was written in 1779, and “Holy, Holy, Holy,” which was written in 1826.      

            The preaching of God’s word and the instruction was able to happen to lots of people because scripture had been translated into English.  Sunday School had also been started in this time period.  It was a focus on children, initially to make sure they were being taught.    

I discovered an interesting fact as I was reading.  William Tennent was a Presbyterian Pastor who had trained a number of evangelists in his time in a little “Log College.”  I graduated from William Tennent Senior High School.  Log College is the name of the Middle High School.  This all happened near where I grew up.       

7.)        We also discover that the revival meetings were wonderful and people wanted to meet again. Camp meetings were begun on a regular basis with the traditions of the revival meetings.   The camp meetings sought to renew and recapture the old revival meetings with singing, preaching, and invitations to make a commitment to Christ. 

Then churches, denominations, bought property and went back to the same place for their camp meetings, instead of finding new places each year.  Then churches developed the property for the different needs and ages and even bought more property.  The outdoor ministries of many churches started from the revivals in the United States. 

8.)        In history shifts in culture occur from time to time.  On shift was the industrial revolution.  The industrial revolution shifted the world from an agricultural centered world, where we were dependent on nature, in a sense, on God, to one that focused on industry, or manufacturing.  Industry was based on the productivity of people, and not based on God for rain, sunshine, soil, warmth, etc.    

            What did this new order, this new rhythm mean to the church?  What did the church do to respond to this new way of living? 

            Did the people, workers, get too focused on material goods?  Did the people lose their connection and relation to God and the earth?  Did this de-value the family at the price of the individual?  The church appeared to lose its voice for a time in dealing with the changes.  It sought its best to focus on people while seeking to adapt to the changes.  In this time period we see the beginning of the Salvation Army, that sought to care for the poor and neglected in the city.  The Salvation Army has a worldwide influence that got its start in this time period.

9.)        As I come to the end of this series I share two thoughts.  First, we can create history for others by the living out of the Gospel.  Secondly, we can say, “Yes,” to God and begin a new history with our life today. 

            a.)        We can create history in the lives of people and touch families, communities, states, countries and the world.  We do so when we make God’s love in Christ real and alive.     

The Church is a human picture of the love of God in Christ.  When we are the church at our best we “re-present” Christ and His love.  

When we give away love, and $100, to someone, we create history.  When 17 youth to join in confirmation to experience Jesus Christ in the church we create history.  When a child is loved through our Nursery Care or Pre-School or VBS or Fine Arts Camp or another person in the hallway, we create history.  When we welcome a new person to worship, when we start a new class, when we reach out and call a person, when we agree to volunteer, we create history.  You can create history in the life of a person by sharing in deed and word the love God in Christ.      

            b.)        God has been seeking to communicate to you, today, about His love.  The church, in its best attempt to paint the picture of God’s love in Christ does so with imperfect people. 

            Sense the heart of God for you over the past almost 2,000 years and see the Creator of the universe and the Creator of your life loving you through Jesus Christ.  God wants to forgive you, to heal you, to give you hope, to give you meaning, to give you joy.  

            Have you ever said “yes” to Jesus Christ?  I want you to know that God has said “yes” to you.  He has been watching and waiting in all of history to let you realize that a new life, a new beginning can be yours.  You don’t have to go back to the old history, the old life, the old problems.  You can have, like John Wesley, a heart “strangely warmed?”  Today can be your day.  

            We give Him what we can of ourselves and say, “Yes,” I believe in Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church, the Body of Christ.

1.)        The church that was born on Pentecost continues to be alive today.  It looks different in every community, every country, every denomination.  The church appears to have more about it that is different than what is common. 

            Jesus spoke these words to Peter, in Caesarea Philippi, after Peter had confessed that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the Living God.  “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you.  You did not learn this from any human being.  Now I say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.”  (Mathew 16:17, 18, New Living Translation)

            The church is based on the profession of faith in Jesus Christ as the Messiah, the Son of God.  Nothing can prevail against it, not even the gates of hell!  The church is here today.    

2.)        Let’s look at a picture of the early church and how through history the church continues. 

Paul and Barnabas spoke the message of Jesus Christ in the synagogue in Iconium.  What we discover in the book of Acts is another beginning point of the church.    In this beginning point in Iconium I want to lift up three insights into the church.  

a.)  Good news about the Lord is not always welcomed.  It can divide people.  “The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles.  There was a plot afoot among the Gentiles and Jews, together with their leaders, to mistreat them and stone them.”   (Acts 14:4, 5)

            We live in a day when the faith is welcome and appreciated within this community but we can see that our culture is shifting in this regards.  We don’t like the feeling and foundation that seems to be changing. 

            b.)  Miraculous signs, wonders and experiences can often accompany God’s grace.  “So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders.”  (Acts 14:3) 

            There are experiences that people have that we would call as miracles.  There are experiences in the life of the church that we cannot explain apart from the grace and glory of God.  Grace leads us to God.  

            c.)  The Spirit led the church to be on the move.  “But they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding country, where they continued to preach the good news.”  (Acts 14:6, 7)

            There are times when obstacles come.  We need to keep moving and be led by the Spirit. 

3.)        So the church grew from its beginning as we discover in the book of Acts.  It was explosive, then under Constantine’s leadership was impressive and exclusive.  Then we shall discover in the time period approx. 1000 – 1500 it became intensive and continued to grow in unusual ways.  The church in Acts gives glimpse of the church throughout the centuries.  

4.)        As the big cathedrals, church buildings, were being built the church took the central focus of the village life.  The practice of learning, education and schools were linked to these cathedrals.  The joining of faith and scholasticism were seen as righteous and a good thing.   There were methods involved with students and teachers in learning the different subjects.  So, education was very important and grew out of the ministry of the church. 

            “The curriculum of the cathedral school was limited to grammar, rhetoric, logic, arithmetic, geometry, music and astronomy – the seven liberal arts, so called because in ancient Rome their study had been reserved for liberi, “freemen.”  (Church History in Plain Language by Bruce Shelley, page 198.)

            So the term “Liberal Arts” comes from liberi, which is what freemen studied in ancient Rome.  It all began in cathedrals schools. There were different men trained in these schools and some that have a world influence.  Thomas Aquinas was a scholar during this time. 

5.)        So, in the church at this time, men were scholars, (women were generally not educated in the formal schools but at home) and were educated with a Christian worldview, an understanding of faith, a belief that God had created the world.  So, the influence of education in the life of the church impacted the world and its culture.  These schools that were primarily started to educate clergy began to educate all who came. 

            (An interesting side note of history is that several hundred years later the schools that were started independent of the church were all were started with a Christian framework.   Schools like Oxford, Cambridge, etc. started out this way.  In our own country schools with names like Harvard, Princeton and Yale were started to educate clergy.) 

            As clergy and scholars gained education we see a clash with the Catholic Church and the popes in particular whose rise to power and popularity is at an all-time high.     

6.)        The political landscape was going through different changes and this meant that the role of the pope, the papacy, took on a greater status.  Popes could be good spiritual leaders but they had to deal with a lot of political aspects that at time distracted them.  At times the popes were corrupt and politically motivated.  This caused some people to decry their type of theology that allowed them more power.  At times it was corruption that was occurring.  There was some fundraising going on that in some instances that had more to do with financial greed, building projects than a theology of giving. 

During this time period the practice of indulgences, having your sins forgiven, or the pronouncement of that result, were sold for money.  You could sin all you wanted and for a certain amount of money donated to the church you be forgiven by the pope or priest or some representative.  This is one practice that we probably find it hard to believe was practiced.      

             Two men of note who were educated began to speak out at what was being practiced and taught.  John Wyclif denounced the worldliness of the popes and emphasized the freedom of the spiritual man.  John Hus viewed Christ, not the pope, as the head of the church.  

            Because they were educated in the church they understood the theology and could communicate in a way that made sense to the population.   People began thinking about these ideas, and so began a way of “thinking” of the faith, life and church.  

7.)        On man in particular was influential around the 1500’s.  His name was Martin Luther.  He was known for “protesting” his 95 theses against the Catholic Church.  He was protesting the corruption of the popes and the theology that the church was teaching.  He believed it was wrong.  He was very opposed to the practice of indulgences.  Martin Luther also did something that was revolutionary in that he translated the Bible into German so that all the people could read it for themselves.        

            Martin Luther was used by God in church history to start the reformation.  A time of refocusing and renewing a portion of the church.  There were other thinkers, teachers, and leaders like John Calvin, John Knox, Ulrich Zwingli who protested for a variety of reasons.    

8.)        Martin Luther wrote a number of songs and perhaps the most familiar one is “A Mighty Fortress is our God.”  I want to look at that hymn and read it as our closing statement of faith.  Martin Luther experienced tough times as he debated, protested and stood against the leadership of the church. 

            Martin Luther was very influential in the history of the church.  He brought songs, a Bible in the language of the people and the truth that faith was not focused in one man, the pope, are some of Martin Luther’s legacies. 

9.)        Politically, around the 1500′s, there were lot of different countries going through power struggles and some of the leaders had connections with the church and some did not.  In England a King named Henry VIII was alive.  Listen to this quote. 

                “Henry VIII (28 June 1491 – 28 January 1547) was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death.

            Henry VIII was a significant figure in the history of the English monarchy. Besides his six marriages, he is known for his role in the separation of the Church of England from the Roman Catholic Church.  Henry’s struggles with Rome ultimately led to the separation of the Church of England from papal authority and establishing himself as the Supreme Head of the Church of England.  He changed religious ceremonies and rituals and suppressed the monasteries, while remaining a fervent believer in core Catholic theological teachings, even after his excommunication from the Roman Catholic Church.”  (From Wikkipedia)

10.)      Here is the reason that the Church of England was established.  Henry VIII was married to Catherine.  Henry wanted his marriage annulled so he could marry Anne Boleyn.  To get an annulment, which is a granting of dissolution of marriage, you had to have a reason and the pope or priest would approve.  When the pope refused to do this Henry pronounced himself the head of the new Church of England.  He, in a sense, proclaimed that the Roman Catholic Church had no authority over him, as the King or over England.  He began the Church of England in that act and then he married Anne, who motivated him in the beginning.  Isn’t that a really spiritual reason for the church to come into existence?    

            Church history has moments that have very little to do with “theology” but more with “personality” as it relates to the church.  You wonder how the church can still exist!  

11.)      I mention Henry VIII and this beginning as the Church of England because a few hundred years later a man would be born that was a part of that church.  He was used of God to bring renewal and revival to the lives of people in powerful and influential ways.  That man was John Wesley.  We have a link to Henry VIII in the life of the church.   One we might not want to admit, but we are connected.    

12.)      As I wade through this time period of Church history it seems like it gets thicker and thicker with the human stuff of sin, selfishness, and greed.  How can the church still exist? 

            Jesus told Peter that on the rock, the profession of faith in Christ, the church would be built and nothing would be able to defeat it.  Selfishness, scandals, big egos, pride, disaster, or even the gates of hell shall not overcome the church.  There are times the people might wonder, “how will the church survive?”  But we continue to see it is not based on a location, a favorite political time, a great leader or scholar, but it is based on faith.     

            I invite us to proclaim our faith as we read the words of “A Mighty Fortress in our God” as our witness, written by a man of faith during this time.

1.)        Jesus spoke about the essence of the church in Matthew 18:20 when he said, “Where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” 

            This is a foundational understanding of the church.  The church exists when two or more come together in Christ’s name.  It might be for fellowship (relationship), or knowledge (growing in the faith), or witness (giving away our faith and love).  Christ is with us as the central aspect of our life as the church.

2.)          The good news of the Lord Jesus Christ was being shared to the Jews but messengers  began to share with the Greeks (according to Acts 11:19 – 21).  The Greeks responded and the church, as defined by two or more gathered in Jesus name, began to grow. 

Barnabas was sent to Antioch from Jerusalem and discovered the “Christians,” these Greek followers of Jesus Christ, forming the church.  In Acts 11:26 we discover that the name, Christian, was first used in Antioch to identify followers of Jesus Christ in the church.

Barnabas took Paul, who was called Saul at this time, to Antioch.  We read this verse about what happened next.   “So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people.”  (Acts 11:26)  We see the essence of the church in Antioch, one of relationship and growing in knowledge. 

Hold this understanding of the church from Jesus’ words and this story in Acts as we look at a period of church history, approx. 500 – 1000, and how the church was influenced by people, movements, geography and time and how the church influenced others.    

3.)        The church began in a spiritual explosion and moved into all parts of the Roman world.  The Church was a persecuted minority in its beginning.  Constantine was converted and he joined the Roman Empire to the Christian faith and church.  It was a vital time as doctrine and  practices were getting figured out.  But the Roman Empire did not last forever.    

            Around the year 475 the Roman Empire collapsed.  What took its place was the beginning of smaller, regional kingdoms.  It was a period of feudalism, a decentralized authority structure for the various regions.    

4.)        In this time period I lift three issues that were getting worked out in the church. 

            *The Church was letting go of the control of the state.  (The two groups were joined together by Constantine and others.  This was a transition of letting go.)

            *The Church was holding on more to the importance of the popes in some traditions.  (This was happening with the lessening of political power, but gaining of the spiritual influence.)

            *The church in the East and the West were divided along the lines of Orthodox beliefs and Catholic practices of the faith.  (There was no desire for unity, divisions kept growing.)

            I want to focus on three topics that were going on in this time period.  Practices, Building and the Crusades.  

5.)        Practices 

Let’s look at a song, a creed and a prayer that were written during this time period.

            *The song, “Be Thou My Vision,” was written in a poem form in the 800’s.  It is found in the United Methodist Hymnal on page 451.  Let us read the first and third verse together.        

            *Let us read “The Apostle’s Creed” that was affirmed around 700 AD.  This was based o the Old Roman Creed that was written around 200AD.  It is found as #881 in the United Methodist Hymnal.        

            *Here is a prayer written by King Alfred, who lived from 849 – 901.        

“Lord God Almighty, Shaper and Ruler of all creatures, we pray thee for thy great mercy, that thou guide us better than we have done, towards thee.  And guide us to thy will, to the need of our soul, better than we can ourselves.  And steadfast our mind towards thy will and to our soul’s need.  And strengthen us against the temptations of the devil, and put far from us all lust, and every unrighteousness, and shield us against our foes, seen and unseen.  And teach us to do thy will, that we may inwardly love thee before all things, with a pure mind.  For thou art our Maker and our Redeemer, our Help, our Comfort, our Trust, our Hope; praise and glory be to thee now, ever and ever, world without end.”  (A Time to Pray, 365 Classic Prayer, foreword by David Adam, page 96)

6.)        Building 

The church it its essence is spiritual but we discover in history that is focuses on the physical. I want to talk about the church and its buildings.  It was during this time period that buildings began to have a greater importance and significance.  In the early history of 200 – 500 AD the church and state were together.  So, buildings were a function of the state, to some degree.  There were some people, movements, that built monasteries in opposition to the state.  These monasteries were simple structures, that were also easy to attack and destroy which was happening during this time in history.

            The importance of the huge cathedrals, as symbols of faith, were being built, in some ways as a contrast to the simple monasteries.  The cathedrals were grand, expressive and majestic.  They were also hard to attack and take over. 

            Another feature of these big buildings were that in the villages the cathedral was the tallest building in the village.  It was a symbol of the Lord watching over you, a reminder that in all your life in the village, the Lord was watching you, was loving you and was with you.  You could not be prevented from seeing the building that symbolized God and being reminded of God’s presence in life. 

            It is worth mentioning that the Cathedral of Notre Dame was begun in 1163.  It is visited by 13 million people today and a practicing congregation still uses the building.  It is an impressive building.    

7.)        Crusades

One of the periods of church history that started around the year 1000 was the period of the Crusades.  Christians had traveled to the Holy Lands peacefully for years to see the sites where Jesus lived.  It has been a special thing to do, it still is. 

Christian leaders promoted the cause of going to the Holy Land to take over the Sacred sites because the Seljuk Turks, some new and fanatical converts to Islam, held control and were harming the pilgrims. 

“In 1095, after Eastern Emperor Alexius I sent out an urgent appeal for help, Pope Urban II proclaimed the First Crusade to regain the Holy Land.  Preaching at the Council of Clermont in southeastern France, the pope urged Christians to take up the cross and strive for a cause that promised not merely spiritual rewards but material gain as well: “For this land which you inhabit… is too narrow for your large population; nor does it abound in wealth; and it furnishes scarcely food enough for its cultivators.  Hence it is that you murder and devour one another…enter upon the road to the Holy Sepulchre; wrest that land from the wicked race, and subject it to yourselves.” 

As Urban ended his impassioned appeal a roar arose from the multitude; Deus Volt!  God wills it!  So, there on the spot Urban declared that Deus Volt! would be the crusader battle cry against the Muslim enemy.    (Church History in Plain Language, Bruce Shelley, page 187)

            The rest of the history book goes on to tell of the violence and murder that happened all in the name of Christianity. 

8.)        What can we learn from history as we affirm the significance of the church.  The church is when two or more come together in Jesus name, to growing in knowledge, faith and witness.    

            a.)        We need to realize that the Kingdom of God is not about Kingdoms on earth.  The Crusades failed to accomplish much and we are still paying a political price, and perhaps a spiritual price for seeking to build a physical kingdom rather than a spiritual kingdom. 

            Jesus said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  (Matthew 6:19 – 21) 

            b.)        As we think about our building what does it say about God, about our faith in God?  What does the space in this sanctuary communicate?  What does a newly constructed parking lot communicate to our community?  What do we need to change, update, get rid of, so that our facility expresses God’s glory? 

            In Luke 21:5, 6 it says, “Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God.  But Jesus said, As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; ever one of them will be thrown down.”     

             c.)       What does an ancient song, prayer or creed tell us about our faith?  Why is it important to learn from our past?  Why do we need the newest “Christians” to create new songs, new prayers and expressions of faith, like new creeds in 2010? 

            Psalm 149:1 says, “Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the saints.” 

1.)        The church is almost 2,000 years old.  We can read about how it began, on the day of Pentecost but how did it get to where it is today?  I invite you to take a journey through history and see where the church has come from as we live out the life of a church today.  I will look at a story from the book of Acts, which is the first history book we have of the church, then look at some time periods of approx. 500 years.  The main source of my message on church history is the book, “Church History in Plain Language” 2^nd edition, by Bruce Shelley.

2.)        Acts 8:26 – 40 is the account of an Ethiopian official and Philip.  The Ethiopian man was going home from his visit to worship in Jerusalem.  He was riding in his chariot reading from the book of Isaiah.  He was wondering what he was reading.  The scripture, which we understand as the Old Testament, was speaking about a life that was killed.  He did not understand who this was talking about.

Philip was led by the Spirit to be near this man and ran to the man as he heard him reading from Isaiah. Philip asked him if he knew who the scripture was talking about.  He didn’t know and Philip beginning with that scripture shared the good news of Jesus Christ with him.  Philip, we can assume, invited him to repent, believe and be baptized.  The Ethiopian man desired to be baptized, so they got down out of the chariot and Philip baptized him.  Philip mysteriously and miraculously leaves and the man continues to head home.

Geographically, the two of them are headed in different directions, one to the north and one to the south.  They were affected and transformed by the Spirit of Christ in that encounter.

We never hear from the Ethiopian man again, though some commentaries say that he had a ministry of evangelism in Ethiopia and began the church there.  Philip continued on preaching and sharing the good news of Jesus.

In this scripture we see the church at a beginning point as it focuses on learning about Jesus Christ, listening to Christ’s Spirit and expressing faith in Christ.  The church appears to be growing in all directions in all different methods.

3.)        “First-century Christianity was a spiritual explosion.  Ignited by the Event, the presence of Jesus Christ, the church hurtled in all directions, geographic as well as social.  The second and third centuries provided the channel for this power.

This period was an important age for the church; it allowed Christianity to come to terms with time.  It laid plans for the long haul and in the process shaped the character of the Christian faith for generations to come.”  (“Church History in Plain Language” 2^nd edition, by Bruce Shelley, page 27.)

4.)        Can you to picture an explosion?  There is a central place of power that all the energy is directed away from.  In some ways you can literally do that with a map and see the church growing away from Jerusalem, at Pentecost.

The central event, the explosion, was the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and His Spirit was poured out and brought life to all who believed.  From that moment the teaching or doctrine of faith was getting worked out.  In these infancy days there was a lot of persecution and different false ideas about what the church was about and what they believed.

As we read the letters that Paul wrote to the early church in the New Testament we see teaching about the beliefs and practices of that first century church.

I want to identify some issues in the first hundred years that were getting figured out in the early church.

5.)        One issue was what are the orthodox, foundational, beliefs about Jesus Christ?  Different people in different places had different ideas about Jesus Christ.  There were two different thoughts related to the significance of spirit and flesh as they were understood with Jesus.  Some emphasized the importance of Jesus being human while others emphasized Jesus being of the Spirit.

These became two different viewpoints and perspectives.  Around the second century the Old Roman Creed was created because there were no central beliefs.  This was needed to hold up the truth of the life of Jesus Christ, fully God and fully human.

This Old Roman creed became the foundation for the Apostle’s Creed that was affirmed about 500 years later, in 700 AD.

6.)        Another issue was what document represents the truth of God, the inspired message of God that held authority for people?  There were a variety of books, letters and documents that spoke about the life of Jesus and the church.   Which ones were inspired and accepted by the church leaders?  The 27 books that we now use were gaining acceptance by different leaders in the different centuries.  There were different people that excluded from their understanding some of the books that we have in our Bible, like the book of Hebrews and James.  But in time they were included.  It was in 397 at a Council in Carthage that the New Testament scripture was fixed as the 27 books that we have today.

7.)        A third issue was how is order maintained in the church?  We see the importance of Bishops and leaders rise in the growth of the church.  It was a movement of God that needed some direction from people listening to God.  The conviction that Jesus is alive and the Spirit is present is foundational for the church.  But what about order, teaching, and the sacraments?  The leaders and bishops had a role of importance in the life of the early church.  There were different perspectives on the bishops and leaders as to their authority and biblical mandates.

As we take a big view of history and these few issues getting worked out we see a major development in the church that happened because of the history of the world.

8.)        “The Emperor Constantine is one of the major figures of Christian history.  After his conversion Christianity moved swiftly from the seclusion of the catacombs to the prestige of palaces.  The movement started the fourth century as a persecuted minority; it ended the century as the established religion of the empire.  Thus, the Christian Church was joined to the power of the state and assumed a moral responsibility for the whole society.  To serve the state, it refined its doctrine and developed its structure.  Monks arose to protest this secularization of the faith, but when the barbarians shattered the government in the western half of the empire, even Benedictines enlisted as missionaries to the pagans.” (“Church History in Plain Language” 2^nd edition, by Bruce Shelley, page 89.)

So, the church changed because of the conversion of the emperor.  The state and church were combined by his leadership and faith.  This created opportunities, challenges and problems.

9.)        One of the opportunities it created was a unified forum to discuss issues in Christianity.  It was Constantine who was able to convene a council in Nicaea to address the issue of doctrine.  There were various false beliefs that were circulating about Jesus Christ so a meeting was called for.

“The first ecumenical council, in the history of the church was convened by the Emperor Constantine at Nicaea in Bithynia.  The main purpose of the counsel was to attempt to heal the schism in the church provoked by Arianism.  This it proceeded to do theologically and politically by the almost unanimous production of a theological confession (the Nicene Creed) by over three hundred bishops representing almost all the eastern provinces of the empire (where the heresy was chiefly centered) and by a token representation from the West.”  (Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, ed. Walter Elwell, page 774)

The Nicene Creed was created to tighten the doctrine of the church.  It was also given to all churches to affirm.  But because of the political and spiritual mixture of the time if a church rejected this creed they could potentially be excommunicated or have imperial banishment.  There was this mixture of faith and political pressure in the life of the church at this time.

10.)      The church during this time was also experiencing differences due more to their geographical location of East and West in the empire.  People in the East were focusing on the beliefs, orthodox views of the faith, and people in the West were focusing on the community and practices of the faith.  It appears that both groups are reacting to what is happening to their country.

“differences between the Orthodox church in the East and the Catholic Church in the West widened.  The doctrines and practices of the two halves of the Christian church slowly drifted apart.  They quibbled about one word in the creed; they insisted on different practices for Lent; they disagreed over the type of bread to use in celebrating the Eucharist.  Given their different cultures and histories, it only took two ambitious leaders to drive a permanent wedge between the churches.”    (“Church History in Plain Language” 2^nd edition, by Bruce Shelley, page 149.)

As I read this description about the early church it reminds us that the church is filled with people that had different ideas and experiences of the faith, shaped by different perspectives.  Even when it was several hundred years old it was not unified.

11.)      If we look to one leader, one group, one church, or one period of history we will see times when the church got it right and when the church got it wrong.

The amazing thing is that if the church was a human institution then when it got it wrong it would no longer be around.  It would be dead.  The Church is the Body of Christ and it cannot be put to death, no matter what happens.  The spiritual forces of evil and Satan have been trying for years to kill it, but just like the Jesus death, the God of the Resurrection is alive.

You are a part of the something that is amazing and incredible, the Church.

12.)      Give thanks for the church and the first few hundred years.  What are the beliefs that you have about Jesus Christ?  What do you believe about the scriptures and how often do you read them?  What is your understanding of Christian leadership?  Do you have high regard for pastors and bishops of the church?

Let us pray with a thankful heart and pray that God’s will is being done through this church in the community.  Let us pray for other churches in this community.

Philippians 2:5 – 11

1.) What conversations have you been having with yourself this morning? We all have conversations with ourselves. We are constantly talking to ourselves, though we might not share that conversation with others. We all talk to ourselves. For example this morning did you say, “Good morning Lord,” or did you say, “Good Lord, it’s morning!” Did you tell yourself, “It is going to be a great day!” or, “I sure need a better day.” What have you been telling yourself this morning as you prepared to come to worship? What has the conversation in your mind been about?
The inner conversation that we have often reflects is our “attitude.” We all have an attitude and the great news is that you can change your attitude, if desired. The attitude that you have right now can be different. You can go from discouraged to encouraged. You can go from focusing on your failures to focusing on your faithfulness. You can have a different attitude.
Let’s see what our scripture gives us as far as insights into transformation.

2.) “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 2:5)
Your attitude, the conversation that you have with yourself, should be the same that Jesus Christ had. We should “think” and have conversations with ourselves like Jesus had when he was here on earth. The thoughts that filled His mind should fill our mind. That is our goal, that is our target on the way to transformation and change.
The simplest way to fill our minds with Jesus’ mind is by reading or listening one of the Gospels. I suggest you start with Mark, the shortest Gospel. Discover what Jesus did and imagine the conversation and attitude that He had. If it has been awhile since you have read the Bible this is what you need to do beginning today.
As we continue to read in Philippians Paul summarizes two attitudes that Jesus had that can help us.

3.) Jesus had an attitude of service. Philippians 2:6 – 8 says, “Who (Jesus) being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!”
God, in Jesus, became a servant who humbled himself and was obedient in giving his life for others. Jesus died on a cross for all. Jesus did this because He cared, loved, and gave Himself as a sacrifice for us. He was God, while He did this! Wow!
We need an attitude of service. When you serve the needs of others, whether you want to or not, it makes you think and changes your attitude. You might be helping out at VBS, or serving in a food bank, or digging a trench, or cleaning a toilet, or running an errand for a neighbor. When you serve you become like Christ in your attitude.
Erica, my daughter, was telling me of a college friend of hers who plays piano for hospice patients. That touched me as I thought of a person dying of cancer and this young college guy serving them by playing some music. That young man has an attitude of service.
When we serve we are like Christ in our attitude and our conversation with ourselves becomes about the needs of others.
4.) Jesus had an attitude of being lifted up. Philippians 2:9 – 11 says, “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Jesus had been literally lifted up from the grave. He is with the Father in Heaven and receiving glory from all creation. This was something that God planned for Jesus to receive worship, praise and exaltation.
If Jesus has and attitude of being lifted up then we are called to have an attitude of being lifted up by giving exaltation, worship and praise. We are called to exalt and worship the exalted and lifted up one, the Risen Lord. The attitude of exaltation is one that focuses on the Almighty Savior, the one that all will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Worship begins in your mind and is expressed in all the other aspects of your life.
How many of you have been blessed, encouraged, uplifted, helped, and encouraged as a result of a worship service? How many of you have been better off in your attitude after worship than before? How many of you came to worship with a bad attitude and you “felt” better, you had a better frame of mind, your life was transformed a little, by worship? It is important to be aware of that experience.

5.) When we celebrate Communion we are reminded of Jesus Christ. He gave Himself for us on a cross where His body was broken and His blood was shed and was raised to life and is with us here now.
Our attitude changes in us when we consider that we are loved, forgiven, joined with others in the church and given the assurance that Christ is with us on our faith journey.
As we come to Christ in Communion let us listen to the words of the Prayer of Thanksgiving that I share in Communion.

Acts 14:21 – 28

1.)        How many of you need correction to your physical vision?  If so, you are either far sighted meaning that you need help in seeing things that are close to you, or, you are near sighted meaning that you need help seeing things that are far away from you.

I usually wear contacts on Sunday but I am wearing my glasses to show you that I need correction in my vision.

When I was in Junior High and had received an updated prescription and a new pair of glasses from the eye doctor I realized my vision was getting worse.  In my thinking I figured that eventually I would go blind.  I remember crying about it and prayed that it wouldn’t happen.  But my vision stabilized with the correction that I received.  But those moments as a young person seemed dramatic and troubling.

So, whatever your need in order to get correction for your vision you need contacts or glasses.  You need lens correction to allow your eye to focus on those things near and far.

2.)        Let’s take our understanding of our physical vision and connect that to our spiritual vision. Do we see the needs of people who are close, or do we see the needs of people who are far away?   As we see people are we near sighted or far sighted?

We are called to go and make disciples reaching and seeking the lost with the Good News of Jesus Christ.  Is the Lord bringing to our hearts those closest to us or those farther away?  We all have a comfort in our faith as it relates to the needs of people.   Is it easier to go away or to stay here in making disciples?

3.)        Let’s discover what our scripture can tell us.  Paul’s first missionary journey in the book of Acts begins in the 13^th chapter of Acts.  “In the church at Antioch…while they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.  So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.” (Acts 13:1, 2, 3)

Paul had been given the task of sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ away from the church at Antioch.  He was called to have a far sighted vision.  So, Paul and Barnabas went and we can read in the 13^th and 14^th chapters of the experiences that they had in distant lands.

Acts 14:21 finds Paul in the town of Derbe.  He preached there and then traveled on to other towns.  While they preached people came to believe in Jesus Christ and committed to become disciples.  Paul then strengthened the disciples and encouraged them to remain true to the faith.  This was a pattern that we see in Paul and his journeys.

Then Paul and Barnabas traveled back to Antioch and shared what had happened in ministry.  Then we read the last verse of this chapter.  “And they stayed there a long time with the disciples.” (Acts 14:28)  Paul stayed put and didn’t head out to distant lands.  He spent time with the disciples there in Antioch.  This is an example of near sighted vision.

4.)        What we discover in Acts is that Paul and the early church had a near sighted and a far sighted vision.  They could see the needs of the people in the local community and church as well as seeing the vision of people in different distant towns.

We also discover that Paul and Barnabas appointed elders in each church.  They wanted to make sure that local leaders were set so needs could be met.  Near sighted vision causes you to see the needs of people in that town and church.  Far sighted vision gives you a burden for those in distant and different lands.

This scripture from Acts tells us that churches need a balance of their vision.  We read about the different churches in the book of Acts and some that took up collections to help those in Jerusalem and some churches feeding the hungry in their own town.

5.)        We need to hear the stories of the church, and its people at work in meeting needs right in front of us and in distant places.  The stories help correct the vision that we have.  When we hear a story of meeting needs in Christ’s love it is like putting a pair of glasses on.

*So, we hear the story of McCurdy School and visualize what our Mission Team did.  Most of us have never been there and will never go.  Yet, we hear the story and let God use that experience to help our vision of people’s needs in distant lands.

*We hear the stories of the children, youth and adults involved in our camp ministry.  Some of our own children went to camp and these are some ways that they responded.  (Read some responses without mentioning the names of the children).  Ask some of those who volunteered as counselors or staff members and hear their stories.    

*We see the children and youth and how we can meet their needs to help them continue to grow in faith.  These are our children, living with us all year round.  We need to make sure that we have VBS, Sunday School, Bibles, Youth Group, for students to grow in their faith.

*We tell the stories of collecting canned goods that we give to local food banks.  We know that we are helping to feed people in our town.  This is a need we are meeting.

*We tell the story of support we provide for Ken Vance in his ministry in Africa.   We pray for him and we give money to him so that he can reach the needs of the children, youth and adults in Africa.  (As a side note Ken will be here in November to preach.  I wonder how many of us would be willing to travel to Africa in the next two years to see and participate in the mission work he is involved with?

*We tell the story of Epworth Forest and bring before the congregation the needs of a campaign and our $75,000 pledge to build some new lodges to prepare for the future.  This is vital to have our vision stretched beyond ourselves.

*We tell the story of the work being done on our parking lot and our need for $50,000 – $90,000 in gifts so that we won’t have to borrow.  This is vital to have parking so that people can enter the building for the ministry that will be provided.  We are doing it with the future in mind so that we will not have to spend money on parking for another 50 years or more.

6.)        Do you know the story of William Carey or of William and Catherine Booth?  They both had vision but with different results.

William Carey was a Christian man who started as a shoemaker.  He had a growing vision of the importance of reaching those who did not know Christ.  He wrote a book about missions and eventually went to India.  He is known as the father of modern day missions for his inspiring work in India.  Carey had a far sighted vision.

William Booth was a British Methodist Lay Minister.  He and his wife, Catherine Booth, wondered what they needed to do to fulfill their calling as Christians.  William was invited to preach to the poor and destitute of the city of London.  The people came to Christ and the Booth’s began meeting needs of the people through food and other help.   The Booth’s had a near sighted vision.  We know this organization today as The Salvation Army.

These vital people were used of God to do His work.  William Carey brought the vital vision of those in distant lands who needed to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Many missionaries, perhaps like Ken and Deb Vance, have been influenced by men like that.

William and Catherine Booth brought the vital vision of ministering to those who have need right in the town you live.  Shelter Ministries, perhaps has been influenced by men and women who stayed in town to meet needs, like the Salvation Army.

John Wesley and the early Methodist leaders were both far and near sighted.  Disciples were developed in local class meetings and churches were started by the early circuit riders who would take the Good News of Jesus Christ to those who would listen.

If we don’t have vision for the needs of those close or distant it could be disaster for our church and our spiritual life.

7.)        One day at a busy airport, the passengers on a commercial airliner are seated waiting for the pilot to show up so they can get under way.

The pilot and copilot finally appear in the rear of the plane and begin walking up to the cockpit through the center aisle. Both appear to be blind; the pilot is using a white cane, bumping into passenger’s right and left as he stumbles down the aisle. The copilot is using a guide dog. Both have their eyes covered with sunglasses.

At first, the passengers do not react thinking that it must be some sort of practical joke. After a few minutes though, the engines start revving, and the airplane begins moving down the runway.

The passengers look at each other with some uneasiness. They start whispering among themselves and look desperately to the stewardesses for reassurance.

Yet, the plane starts accelerating rapidly, and people begin panicking. Some passengers are praying, and as the plane gets closer and closer to the end of the runway, the voices are becoming more and more hysterical.

When the plane has less than twenty feet of runway left, there is a sudden change in the pitch of the shouts as everyone screams at once. At the very last moment, the plane lifts off and is airborne.

Up in the cockpit, the copilot breathes a sigh of relief and tells the pilot: “You know, one of these days the passengers aren’t going to scream, and we aren’t going to know when to take off!” (From Ahajokes.com)

8.)        I want to say thanks to all those who go away to serve the needs of others in Mission trips.  I invite all to consider opening your heart, to going away from this area to serve the needs of others.  We need you to have far sighted vision.

I want to say thanks to those who volunteer in this community, in this church, to help meet needs in the lives of people.  You make a difference.  I appreciate your near sighted vision.

I invite all to give two hours of your time to some need that helps children, youth or adults in ministry.  There are needs in our children’s ministry, our youth ministry or in some way in helping meet the needs of adults.  The Lord needs good vision in the life of the church.

Exodus 20:1 – 17

1.)        Freedom.  What a great feeling that must have been when the Israelites finally left Egypt.  They had been oppressed for over 400 years and now they had come through the Red Sea, miraculously saved by the Lord’s hand.  They no longer had to follow the laws, rules and demands of the Egyptian taskmasters.  The feeling was wonderful and they sang a joyful song.

(Exodus 15, from The Message)  “Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to God, giving voice together,   I’m singing my heart out to God—what a victory!   He pitched horse and rider into the sea.   God is my strength, God is my song,  and, yes! God is my salvation.   This is the kind of God I have and I’m telling the world!    This is the God of my father—   I’m spreading the news far and wide!”

The people were free!  It was a new day!

This new freedom and feeling needed some common structure so all could enjoy the freedom.  The people were living in the wilderness, like an extended camping trip, in a survival mode.  So, three months after their escape from Egypt God spoke to Moses.  The Ten Commandments and other laws were given out of love to the people so they could be free.

2.)        The Ten Commandments are the foundation of freedom for Israelites.  God spoke the words and the instruction comprised two aspects of life; relationship with God, and relationship with people.  Of the Ten Commandments there is one positive commandment relating to God and one positive commandment relating to others.  Can anyone guess what they are?  The remaining eight commandments are negative, things we are to avoid or are prohibited from doing.   These commandments and laws are given so that we can experience joy in our freedom.

3.)        Several years ago, an interesting study was done of playground behavior in young children. The children came from several different schools, but each school had essentially the same size play area and the same ratio of teachers to students. Yet, there was one major difference between the two types of schools being studied: one group of schools offered children a fenced playground; the other groups had a play area with no fence.

When the study was over, guess which students showed more cooperative play, had fewer playground fights, and exhibited lower levels of anxiety during recess? Here’s a hint: it was the same group that used more space on the playground and had better attitudes toward school work following recess.

“Easy!” you say. “The kids who played in the wide-open spaces. Right?”  Wrong!

The children who played behind the protective boundaries of a fence were far happier at play and better adjusted after recess. When it comes to playground behavior, children playing inside a fence feel a security that other children do not. And when it comes to grown-up kids living in the fast lane, having “Fences” around their behavior is just as important.

God gave us his great ten commandments to keep us inside the fences of his love and blessing. (Seeking Solid Ground, Trent & Hicks p. 22)

4.)        We all need laws.  We live free and joy filled lives when we have boundaries.  We might not like certain rules and laws but they can help us.

I remember going to Haiti and observing the driving habits.  I think I only saw one stop sign in a week.  The driving was crazy.  The rule of the road seemed to be that when you came to an intersection you honked your horn and drove faster.  There was no common law governing the driving habits of people.  It seemed chaotic to me.  No laws seemed like they would produce anxiety, at least they did for me as a passenger.

When you stop at a four way stop and someone goes before you don’t you get a little “irritated,” because they went out of turn.  You are frustrated that the law was not enforced and it seemed to benefit the other person.  We have to agree to limit our benefit for the common good and not just for another person.  We have to benefit at times and sacrifice at times.

A foundation of freedom, the laws we agree to, give us confidence to live.

5.)        As we celebrate July 4 I invite us to consider freedom and what our past can tell us about our future.  There were Native Americans living here and people came over to this land and began settling it.    In the early 1600’s the first organized communities, or settlements began.  This was a free country, a new country to those who had lived elsewhere.  As more and more people came the King of Great Britain sought to influence life and control the people in this land.  There were different taxes, rules and laws that were oppressing the people from Great Britain.

On July 4, 1776 the Declaration of Independence was affirmed.  It was a separation from the King of Great Britain.  It was a radical statement that could have meant death for those who signed it.

It was a time for the country to have freedom.  How could the people best live under this new freedom?  In 1789 our Constitution was ratified after having people work on this document for years.  It was a document that sought to balance the freedom for the people without having any one person getting too much power, like a King.

We also further enacted laws in order to maintain freedom.  Those two documents have guided our country’s life.

6.)        I believe we all need and desire to live in freedom.  Freedom works best when we have a foundation in place and we have laws like boundaries to show us how to live.  That is what God gave through Moses to the Israelites in the Ten Commandments and Laws.

Our country has a balance of laws that might seem like they constrict our freedom but with this constriction it allows the majority to enjoy freedom.  It is like the idea of having a speed limit.  If we all decided to drive 95 miles an hour that would cause problems.  It works best to have a common speed limit so we all know what we can do to operate our cars in safety.

7.)        I want to take a little detour and offer some personal reflections about my life, my faith in Jesus Christ and what it means to be a citizen of the United States of America.

a.)        I am thankful to live in this country.  I am a first generation American.  My father came to this country when he was 16 from Norway.  What generation are you?  We each have a story about our heritage.

b.)        I have never been drafted to serve in the Armed Services.  I never had to sign up for the selected service because of the laws when I was growing up.  I don’t believe that I could have ever killed someone if I had to go to the Army.  So that has shaped my view of the world and this country.

My father did serve in the US Air Force in Germany and worked for the Navy for his career.  My military connection via my father was never something my Dad and I talked a lot about.  He was never in any battle.

c.)        When I became a Christian my focus expanded to a Kingdom of God vision.  I was not limited to a vision of life on earth, or even an exclusive perspective of this country.  I look at this country and all countries of the world through the Kingdom of God vision.

d.)        The church, the body of Christ, exists in a cultural context in each country and community that is unique.  It is important to understand that culture and its context but the church must not be narrowed by that context.

e.)        I never understood the term “Christian nation.”  Does that mean that at one point 100% of the people in the nation are followers of Christ?  Does that mean that we are all seeking to become Christians?  Does that mean that 100% of our early leaders in 1776 where Christian?  Are there other ideas of what this means that I am missing?

f.)        I believe that it is vital to have Christians, led by the Holy Spirit, involved in all aspects of our life in this country.  We need Christian politicians, teachers, lawyers, plumbers, business owners, etc.

g.)        No law can ever stop you from praying.  Daniel, a man in the Old Testament, was told about a law that prayers could only be to King Darius.  Daniel decided to not obey that law and prayed to the Lord as he faced Jerusalem.  King Darius had him arrested and he put Daniel in the lion’s den.  God saved Daniel’s life from the lions, even though it appeared to Daniel that he would die.  Daniel prayed, even though the law of the land said he could not.

h.)        My allegiance is ultimately to Jesus Christ and His Kingdom.  That is what I ask each person who joins the church.  I understand that to mean that your faith is more important that your allegiance to your country.  My allegiance has a higher priority.

8.)        All citizens have a right and responsibility to live within the law of the country but Daniel’s story reminds us that when you face a law that is against God’s will you live out your faith and work for change.  We have been given freedom to speak and act on issues and concerns that we are facing as a country.  This is a great aspect of our country.

William Wilberforce was known as a politician and a Christian who spoke out against slavery in the British Empire in the late 1700’s.  It took 26 years for his conviction to make a difference in the passing of a law to abolish slavery.  His voice made a difference.  The movie, “Amazing Grace,” tells his story.

His life is an example of living out your faith to change society, the world.  There are others, like Martin Luther King, who lived out their faith as well.

9.)        John 8:36 says, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” I believe that when Jesus Christ comes into a life He sets us free.  We are free from our past sins, we are free to listen to His voice in this moment, and we are free to give Him our future with confidence.  True freedom comes from the Son of God and not from our government or are laws or even the Bible or Ten Commandments.  We will be free when the Son sets us free.

10.)      What are your reflections on this day?  How does your faith in Christ inform your voice and your actions as it relates to the issues of our community, country and world?  What are your perspectives of history and your responsibility as a citizen?

May we enjoy this day, thank God for our freedom, and use it for the Kingdom of God.