Jeremiah 22_ 7- 9      Who Made This Happen?

Rev. David Holwick  ZB

First Baptist Church                  also Deuteronomy 28:15-25, Psalm 143

Ledgewood, New Jersey                                   

September 23, 2001

Sunday following WTC attack

Jeremiah 22:7-9


WHO MADE THIS HAPPEN?



  I. Overdosing on disaster.

      A. Youth group Bible study: do it on anything but terrorist attack.

          1) But important to study tragedy so they can be prevented.

              a) Why did it happen?

              b) What needs to change?

          2) Is there a deeper meaning?


      B. Unwise assessment by a leading American fundamentalist:

          1) Jerry Falwell comments to Pat Robertson on "700 Club":


           "The pagans and the abortionists and the feminists and the

               gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that

                  an alternative lifestyle,

            the ACLU, People for the American Way - all of them who have

               tried to secularize America.

            I point the finger in their face and say 'you helped this

               happen.'"  [full text at bottom]


          2) My dad was really ticked at this.  Widely condemned.

              a) Jim Baucom, of the liberal Cooperative Baptist

                    Fellowship, said he "was shocked and embarrassed

                       by such a spirit of condemnation..."

          3) What would these groups have to do with tragedy?

              a) Seems to be nasty scapegoating.


      C. Why do Christians make weird associations like this?

          1) Sometimes, the Bible does.

          2) Jerry Falwell makes connection that many OT prophets would.


II. Reasons for national disasters in the Bible.

      A. Standard scheme of book of Judges:

          1) Israel grows lax, serves idols.

          2) God allows trouble.  (invasion, oppression, etc.)

              a) 3:8 - subject to a foreign king.

              b) 3:14 - subject to another king.

              c) 4:2 - subject to yet another king.

              d) 6:1 - ravished by the Midianites.

              e) 10:7 - oppressed by the Ammonites.

          3) Jews cry out.

          4) God sends a deliverer, called a judge.  (often a general)

          5) Israel gets lax again, and cycle repeats.


      B. Categories of divine punishment in Deuteronomy 28:15-25

          1) Famine.                  28:17

          2) Barrenness.  (no kids)   28:18

          3) Disease.                 28:21

          4) Drought.                 28:23   cf. 1 Kings 17:1

          5) Military defeat.         28:25

          6) Mental illness.          28:28

          7) Exile.                   28:32-36

          8) Locusts.                 28:42


      C. Relevant points.

          1) Troubles are a judgment for national sin.

          2) Judgment can be natural as well as human.

              a) Natural disasters can have a spiritual cause.

          3) Judgment may not be closely associated to sin.

              a) An atrocity is linked to a famine.     2 Sam 21:1


      D. How did they know what caused a disaster?

          1) Often there was a direct word from God through a prophet.

              a) But false prophets also tried to explain disasters.

              b) Distinguishing true meaning could be hard.

          2) Some disasters are orphans.  (have no identifiable cause)

              a) Not all disasters have a spiritual cause.

                  1> Tower of Siloam.   Luke 13:1-5

                  2> World Trade Center victims were not worst sinners.

              b) All disasters have a spiritual meaning.

                  1> Even tower of Siloam should encourage us to repent.

          3) Secular mindset sees only direct meaning in disasters.

              a) The NYC towers fell because airplanes hit them.

                  1> Muslim fundamentalism in conflict with U.S. policy.

                  2> Immoral citizens may cause disease but not national

                        disaster.

              b) Natural disasters happen for no reason at all.

                  1> Towers of Siloam fall all the time.

                  2> Even repentance is a superstitious response.

                  3> They criticize religious explanations but cannot

                        give a satisfying answer to the "why?"s.


III. Meaning of current disaster to a Christian.

      A. Most basic meaning: Moslem terrorists made it happen.

          1) There may be further reasons, but they remain responsible.

              a) Falwell himself agrees with this.

          2) Islam has too often had a "jihad" mentality.

              a) Jihad - expand their faith by force.

                  1> Armies have been their most successful missionaries.

              b) Intolerance - their "one true religion" often relies on

                    government enforcement; pluralism is not appreciated.

                  1> Christian majorities in Nigeria are being forced

                        to follow Muslim law (Sharia).

                  2> Christians may be tolerated, but can be taxed.

                  3> Death to convert to Christianity, but not to Islam.

          3) Most Moslems are not radicals, but the radicals are growing.

              a) Our meeting with Palestinian Sal Mustafa...


      B. Deeper spiritual meaning requires a prophet.

          1) As far as I can tell, I am a preacher and not a prophet.

              a) Same goes with Jerry Falwell.

          2) America is not in Israel's position.

              a) Israel had a special spiritual relationship with God.

              b) America does not.  (though we speak like we do)

          3) But moral climate of even secular nations matters to God.

              a) Daniel 4:27 - evil and oppression can cause prosperity

                    to end in any nation.


      C. Did America's social decay play a part in tragedy?

          1) Yes, says Osama bin Laden.

              a) Muslim fundamentalists hate our sexual immorality,

                    feminism (heads uncovered), Christianity.

              b) Support of Israel galls them, motivated attack.

              c) Our success and wealth also inspire resentment, envy.

                  1> This is why they attacked Trade Towers.

          2) Thoughtful Christians can agree - in part.


IV. The morality of a nation matters.

      A. Jesus pointed to repentance of pagan Nineveh.      Matthew 12:41


      B. America is religious, but shallow.

          1) "God bless America" is posted everywhere.

              a) Travel agent, lawyer, pet food store, fire station...

              b) (Everywhere but the local schools because someone might

                    be offended.  They put it up, took it down, then put

                       it back up.)

              c) Even Ledgewood's "Smiles" go-go bar has it on marquee.

          2) His blessing is not a goodluck charm.

              a) God's blessing goes with our obedience.


      C. America should repent.

          1) Foreign critics make some valid points.

              a) Not just standard sins (sex, greed).

              b) Consider compassion for poor, etc.

              c) Our inconsistency is also a factor.

                  1> Many Muslims feel our international policies are

                        hypocritical.

                     We do not operate on basis of moral standards but

                        what profits us at the time.

                     Note we sent arms to Afghanistan and the Taliban

                        when Russians invaded, and to Iraq in their war

                           with Iran.)

                  2> Self-interest must not be our only concern.


          2) Repentance must begin with Christians.                #19788

              a) "It is time for judgment to begin with the family

                    of God"                                  1 Peter 4:17

              b) The sins of Christians and of the church are our first

                    order of business.

              c) Our materialism, pride, disunity, gossip, and lack of

                    love are as much a cause for judgment as anyone

                       else's behavior.

              d) To single out the transgressions of others while

                    ignoring our own is to turn biblical teaching on its

                       head.


          3) If we would be prophetic, we need to speak out for the right

                reasons: not to find scapegoats, condemn, or denounce.

              a) Speak out of love for our neighbors.

              b) Rather than demonizing others, we need to offer an

                    alternative for the many victims of secularism.

              c) Comments that sound self-righteous and damning make us

                    sound just like the hijackers.


  V. Not a judgment but an opportunity.

      A. America has always stood for something special.

          1) We have had a vision of being a light to the world.

          2) In the last two weeks, much of the world honored us with lights.

          3) We were attacked because of what we stand for.

              a) America was attacked not because of her sins, but because of

                    her strengths.

              b) Moslem Sal Mustafa - no one has freedom like we have.

              c) Our mistakes are heavily outweighed by what we do right.


      B. We have principles that have endured.

          1) Opportunity for all.

              a) You can profit from the "sweat of your brow."

                  1> Even the oppressed have opportunities.


                     Back in the mid-1970s Muhammad Ali and George

                        Foreman had a heavy-weight fight in Zaire.

                     It was named the "Rumble in the Jungle."

                     After he won the fight and returned to America

                        a reporter asked Ali what he thought of Africa.

                     He said, "Thank God my granddaddy got on that

                        boat."


                     Slavery was a horrible thing.

                     But the descendants of slaves can make a better

                        life for themselves here than they can in Africa.


                                      Imprimis, September 2001

                                      "Multiculturalism: Fact or Threat?"

                                      by Dinesh D'Souza


                  2> The World Trade Center had over 50 nationalities.

                        America gains from this.

              b) No rigid castes to keep you down.

          2) Freedom of religion.

              a) You can choose your faith, not be forced into it.

              b) The variety of religions helps us to sharpen our own.

          3) Freedom of expression.

              a) We can openly discuss what is wrong or right about our

                    country, and so we can fix it.

              b) Just remember that actions count for more than words.


      C. Our ultimate strength is our freedom and values, not our army.

          1) Mark Coppenger on Sudan attack - the locals noted our

               pinpoint accuracy, but also that fact we attacked at

                  night to lessen casualties.


                          Baptist Press, September 17, 2001

                         "FIRST-PERSON: God has wired us to reject the

                             slaughter of innocents" by Mark Coppenger


          2) America has great ideals.  We must live up to them.


VI. America will come out ahead.

      A. America is more united than ever.


         Jerry Falwell:


         "I apologize that, during a week when everyone appropriately

            dropped all labels and no one was seen as liberal or

              conservative, Democrat or Republican, religious or secular,

         I singled out for blame certain groups of Americans,"

            Falwell said.

         "The only label any of us needs in such a terrible time of

            crisis is that of 'American.'


      B. America is stronger than our enemies think.


      C. America is more moral than our enemies think.

          1) bin Laden has never been to this country.

          2) Media presents a warped view.

              a) My living in Germany during Vietnam War.

              b) America seemed dangerous.


      D. Are YOU making America more united, strong and moral?



=========================================================================

SOURCE FOR ILLUSTRATION USED IN THIS SERMON:


#19788  "Looking For Reasons: Disaster And A Prophetic Voice," BreakPoint

            Commentary by Charles Colson; September 19, 2001.

            [text below]


This and 18,000 others are part of a database that can be downloaded,

absolutely free, at http://www.holwick.com/database.html

=========================================================================


'You Helped This Happen'

Falwell's Controversial Comments Draw Fire


By Marc Ambinder, ABC News.com

WASHINGTON, Sept. 14, 2001

http:/abcnews.go.com/sections/politics/DailyNews/WTC_Falwell010914.html



The comments came as Falwell was appearing as a guest on Robertson's

daily 700 Club program. Both expressed their sorrow and outrage over the

attacks and advocated a strong response to the terror. Then Falwell

elaborated on who, in addition to the terrorists who perpetrated the

attacks, was responsible for them.


God, he told Robertson, had protected America "wonderfully these 225

years. And since 1812, this is the first time that we've been attacked

on our soil and by far the worst results.


"Throwing God out successfully with the help of the federal court

system, throwing God out of the public square, out of the schools," he

said. "The abortionists have got to bear some burden for this because

God will not be mocked. And when we destroy 40 million little innocent

babies, we make God mad.


"[T]he pagans and the abortionists and the feminists and the gays and

the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative

lifestyle, the ACLU, People for the American Way - all of them who have

tried to secularize America," Falwell continued, "I point the finger in

their face and say 'you helped this happen.'"


"Well, I totally concur," responded Robertson.


Birch called the remarks "beyond contempt."


"They were irresponsible at best, and a deliberate attempt to manipulate

the nation's anger at worst," she said.


A White House official told the Post, "The president does not share

those views."


Falwell released a statement today saying his comments were taken out of

context. "I hold no one other than the terrorists and the people and

nations who have enabled and harbored them responsible for Tuesday's

attacks on this nation," he said.


Angel Watts, a spokeswoman for Robertson's Christian Broadcast Network,

said Robertson "of course" did not blame gays or atheists for the

attacks.



___________________________________________


HOLWICK'S ILLUSTRATION COLLECTION        Number: 19788

SOURCE: Breakpoint Commentary

TITLE: Looking For Reasons: Disaster And A Prophetic Voice

AUTHOR: Charles Colson

DATE: 9-19-01


ILLUSTRATION:

Since the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington last week,

BreakPoint commentaries have focused on a Christian worldview response.

And we've ignored our schedule -- correctly so.  The attacks were of

such magnitude that no one could think of anything else.


I want to comment on the meaning of a prophetic response to this

national disaster.  Christians are called to speak prophetically to the

world, calling for repentance.


The reaction of some evangelicals, however, was, unfortunately, to place

the blame for the attacks on people in groups who have had a

secularizing effect on American society.  I don't associate myself with

those comments.  Nor do I believe most American Christians do.  These

remarks were ill-timed and inappropriate -- as those who made them, to

their credit, have acknowledged. They have apologized for them.


While I obviously believe that the forces of secularism have done

immeasurable harm, it is unfair to associate this tragedy with those

forces.  Nor can we lay the blame at the feet of Arabs or Muslims in

general as some are wont to do.


The hijackers who crashed airplanes into the World Trade Center and the

Pentagon were Muslim in name only.  Several of them were involved in

drunk driving and visiting strip bars, things no religious Muslim would

ever do.  In reality they were anarchists seeking to destroy,

destabilize, and make us slaves to fear.


But, you ask, aren't Christians supposed to be prophetic within the

culture and point out sin?  Of course, but there are biblical

guidelines.


First, remember the words of the apostle Peter: "It is time for judgment

to begin with the family of God" [I Peter 4:17].  The sins of Christians

and of the church are our first order of business.  Our materialism,

pride, disunity, gossip, and lack of love are as much a cause for

judgment as anyone else's behavior.  To single out the transgressions of

others while ignoring our own is to turn biblical teaching on its head.


Second, the biblical prophets who pronounced God's judgment upon the

people were careful to count themselves among those being judged.  And

when judgment came, they shared in the suffering of the people.

Jeremiah wept and wrote laments when Jerusalem fell, Ezekiel went into

exile, and Moses threw his lot in with the people when God told him of

his intention to wipe out Israel and begin again with him.  We always

speak as fellow sinners -- and should be the first to repent.


Third, if we would be prophetic, we need to speak out for the right

reasons: not to find scapegoats, condemn, or denounce; but out of love

for our neighbors.  Rather than demonizing others, we offer an

alternative to destructive worldviews that have left many victims --

including the victims of last Tuesday -- in their wake.


Comments that sound self-righteous and point the finger at others make

it hard for ordinary people to see how the Christian message differs

from the condemning message of the hijackers.  Christians should be

measured and balanced in all we say -- a word of caution for all of us.



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