I listened to two sermons today....the first by a young man in seminary....struggling with finances to finish his studies and be ordained....and speaking through streaming to maybe a hundred people....a message of both judgment and hope....as if from an old reprint out of the distant past...or out of a bottle that had floated on the ocean for a hundred and fifty years. The second sermon was by President Trump's number one evangelical supporter Robert Jeffress of First Baptist Church of Dallas....streamed on Fox to who knows how many people....with the president himself purportedly listening in. Pastor Jeffress began with these words...."Mr. President....we appreciate your strong articulation of the Christian faith. I've never heard a stronger affirmation than the one you gave Friday....Good Friday....in the Oval Office." I then watched on video that 'strong affirmation'....prepared for the President....and read by him.
Pastor Jeffress' sermon contained humor and anecdotes....and a digital altar call. Surely one would have to be thankful in that an empty tomb was presented to many who need to hear of it....as was that our sin was paid for....if we but believe in the One who paid that debt....and I am thankful for that....for there was a day when I heard such an incomplete message....but all the same....a message that was to be built upon later. I was also reminded of the building of the second temple recorded in the book of Ezra....and how the younger people of Judah celebrated....but the older people.....those who remembered the original temple....wept at the comparison.
I didn't by any means weep while listening to the very modern and very typical message from Robert Jeffress....but I did have to give myself time to take this day in....and remind myself on how there is a famine of the Word in the land....and accept that we no longer know what "strong articulation of the Christian Faith" might be. I thought of that sermon from a young man who will someday....Lord willing....have to compete for a position....probably with modern and more 'relevant' candidates....and I thought of our nation....returned in a way from captivity....as in Haggai's day....wanting to make America great again....when it is the church that needs rebuilt.
Pastor Jeffress' sermon contained humor and anecdotes....and a digital altar call. Surely one would have to be thankful in that an empty tomb was presented to many who need to hear of it....as was that our sin was paid for....if we but believe in the One who paid that debt....and I am thankful for that....for there was a day when I heard such an incomplete message....but all the same....a message that was to be built upon later. I was also reminded of the building of the second temple recorded in the book of Ezra....and how the younger people of Judah celebrated....but the older people.....those who remembered the original temple....wept at the comparison.
I didn't by any means weep while listening to the very modern and very typical message from Robert Jeffress....but I did have to give myself time to take this day in....and remind myself on how there is a famine of the Word in the land....and accept that we no longer know what "strong articulation of the Christian Faith" might be. I thought of that sermon from a young man who will someday....Lord willing....have to compete for a position....probably with modern and more 'relevant' candidates....and I thought of our nation....returned in a way from captivity....as in Haggai's day....wanting to make America great again....when it is the church that needs rebuilt.
