A father was talking with his rather rebellious son one day and said, "Every person who lives in the United States is a privileged person." The boy answered, "I disagree." And the Father replied, "That's the privilege."
I am reminded of a cartoon. Satan is addressing newly-inducted souls who are standing in the flames. He says: "You'll find there's no right or wrong here. Just what works for you." Doesn't that sound familiar? Isn't that the modern creed! I ask, "Is it working for us? Have we created a better world for our children?" I think not!
For freedom Christ has set us free. I can't think of a more appropriate word for the day as we stand on the threshold of yet another Fourth of July and the celebration of our nation's independence.
When the preacher started his sermon, the visitor shouted, "Amen!" and "Hallelujah!" Finally, one of the elders asked, "Mister, what's your problem?" The man looked up and said, "Problem? I don't have a problem. I've just got the Spirit, that's all." The elder looked at him and said, "Well, you certainly didn't get it here!"
Following December 7, 1941—the attack on Pearl Harbor—church attendance soared. Why? Because those who were not regular church attendees knew that they could go to church to receive comfort. Yet in the weeks following 9/11, no such surge in attendance occurred. Why?
Jesus' entry among us makes it possible for us to be accounted children of God, not by right, but by gift--not by nature, but by adoption. This is the other side of Christmas--rarely is mentioned in the flurry of activity culminating on December 25. The Son of God became human, and makes it possible for us to share in divine life.
Having nurtured his father through his father's last weeks, Stein said, "If you care about the people in your life who have cared about you, that by itself is an incredibly successful, great life. That by itself is more than winning prizes and money." That seems to me consonant with what that man of Galilee is about.
One of the critical stages of growing up is to accept the fact that your parents are not gods – never have been, never will be. They don't have all the answers, they can't leap tall buildings in a single bound, they're not always going to be there to bail you out. Bottom line: Give your parents the respect that's due them, but pay your ultimate allegiance to God.
NOTE: This appears to be a sermon about the Magi (Matthew 2:1-12). However, I include it here, because it fits the emphasis of the Galatians text that "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28).
How wide is your circle … your circle of inclusion … your circle of influence? That's what I'd like for us to think about this morning. How inclusive are you of people of other beliefs and values … of other races, nationalities and lifestyles? How inclusive ought you to be?