After 9-11 Psalm 9-16-01

Sermon Psalm 91 9-16-01

America was founded by those who sought to worship the god of love

We learned some things this week
1. Some people hate America
Because of our freedom, love, and strength. In some cases because our faith is different than theirs

2. Faith in Christ is more impt than athletic events

3. Americans will pull together
Wal-Mart, pledge of allegiance Wednesday night [people stopped shopping to say the pledge]
We already feel a greater bonding to one another
We already feel and understand the need to put Christ first

4. We learned that it was time to grow up
Pollyanna world is gone
Our children are resilient, we will lead them
Our children will rise from this because we will rise from our lethargy as parents and we will teach character, perseverance, sacrifice and resolve
A 12 year old shared the following with me
I have taken advantage of many things in my life and we have all taken advantage of this country. Today was the worst thing that ever happened in my life that I could actually understand. It makes me mad because so many people died. I almost wanted to run away and pray for all the people. When I went to the prayer service for them [earlier tonight] I cried so hard and it felt like my heart was being ripped out. This is exactly how I felt the first time I really understood what Jesus did for us. I cried my eyes out. I wish that this had never happened, but since it did I wish that we could find out who did this and find out why. When I first found out about it at school I didn’t understand until Mr. Spaulding explained it. When everyone heard about it they started crying. In school it put a big bruise on my heart. When I got on the bus everyone was crying and praying.
I hope who ever did this knows how much it has hurt my family, my friends, my country and me, but we will not give up. United we stand, divided we fall. America is one nation. God will help us. You must believe.


Transition
Part of Growing up is taking responsibility for human evil
1. This is not the 2nd coming; columbine wasnt Pearl Harbor was not
The issue of the second coming is irrelevant. No one should come to Christ because of fear. The day and time of the second coming is irrelevant to Christians because if you are ready, it doesn’t matter when it happens.
2. Falwell/Robertson America did something wrong, God is judging us
They say we forgot God.
Did you forget God? I did not. This is not an act of God it is an act of evil men
Did we do something wrong??? No….well, I can think of one thing
We chose to be great
We chose to be a place where freedom rings, where all people are welcome, where love casts out fear. This greatness is hated by others and opened the door even to those who would harm us. But we can never leave our dream of greatness and settle for mediocrity.

God's relationship with America is this….time to recommit
I always wished that people would show more respect for their faith and for the Lord. I am sorry that it may have took this to bring it to pass.
With that in mind at the Service this Saturday
I will focus on accepting Christ, renewing your commitment to him and following him in baptism. If you are interested in this, please be present this Saturday night.

Transition
Friends, as you know, there is going to be a response
I hope that it is not massive/But I am sure it will be comprehensive
Missiles, smart, bombs, troops on the ground, bank accounts frozen, borders closed, no fly zones, naval blockades, oil cut off
I have a question…how can a Christian mix
Turn the other cheek with the response that is surely coming

1. In a civilized world we do not let murderers go free
Jesus threw out the moneychangers
We do not let charles Manson out of prision because we are forgiving
We are no less Christian if we stand for what is right
But, we would certainly be less Christian if we allowed them to take over

2. Remember that this is not about personal vengeance,
That would make us just like them
We must not allow recriminations against people who may look like the enemy
As a community of faith, wcc will not tolerate it

3. This is not and cannot be about national vengeance
But about keeping the world a place where freedom rings, where God is glorified
We did not fight Japan, Germany or Vietnam because we wanted to hurt Japanese, Germans or Vietnamese. We did not do it to get even. We did it because we perceived that there was an evil in the world that we had to push out

4. If we don’t stop this, there will be more
Unchecked evil has a way of growing. Would you stand for someone walking down the isle of the church with a gun? Would you allow them to do what ever they wanted in the name of turn the other cheek?
I don’t want to have to be afraid when I go to Pizza hut
Our children/grandchildren yet unborn deserve the right to live w/o fear

Afghans have said…it will be a holy war. Friends, It already is
Not just an attack on America, but upon civilization itself, on the Christian faith
These extremists would end our society as we know it. End our freedoms and close our churches. We cannot give the world over to those who hate.

Possible medal of freedom for the Passengers on fl 93 in Pennsylvania
1st in line of many to stand against this evil

In the coming days, at a day and time of our choosing, men and women from this nation will join with those from around the world in launching a comprehensive effort to insure that the values of our culture will be passed on to coming generations, and will be available for all mankind. We must, and we will unite. We can no longer be consumed by the petty differences of the past. We are fighting for our right to exist in this world as a free and Christian people. To give the world over to those who hate would not be glorifying to God, so in the days ahead may God bless our resolve, that we may declare with one voice that we will not let our values go quietly into the night.

Commitment- I am asking the woods chapel church to be there
Give blood, ration gas if needed, sign up to go if needed, teach Sunday school, help members and friends in the reserves, comfort those who mourn. I am placing you on alert. This community needs us to be the church as never before.

Conclusion
Some of this hurts, it sounds nasty, hard. It is nasty.
This is not a time for panic or anger, but for reason and calm
Remember, If we have god we have everything
We will continue to lift up the God who cares
We will continue to lift up the name of Jesus
Pray that those who hate will learn to love, that they will find Christ
Pray that God will comfort those who mourn
Pray that he will guide our president
Pray that we can live as responsible stewards of this world
Let us bond together in the love of Christ
Let us find guidance; let us find shelter in the shadow of his wings