Rev. David Holwick T Family Concerns #2
First Baptist Church Fourth of July Sunday
Ledgewood, New Jersey (short sermon due to special events)
July 6, 2008
Philippians 3:18-21
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I. Bragging rights.
A. New Jersey has something others do not.
In Tuesday's Star-Ledger newspaper, columnist Paul Mulshine
noted that Rutgers, the state university of New Jersey,
has a plaque to those who died in World War II.
That's no big deal - almost all state universities in the
United States have these.
What makes Jersey stand out is that Rutgers also has a
plaque for students who died in the American Revolution.
The heartland of America can't compete with that!
But Massachusetts can.
Celeste's hometown of Pepperell has a monument for locals
who fought and died at Bunker Hill.
That was in 1775, a full year before the Declaration of
Independence.
But before she starts to brag on that, I remind her that
New Jersey beats them in taxes, so it is only a draw.
B. It was more than a War of Independence.
1) The colonists were motivated by great ideas.
a) Freedom, individual rights and self-governance were
widely discussed.
b) They believed in it so much they spent eight years
fighting a superpower to make it a reality.
2) Our Revolution changed the way the world thinks of gov't.
a) True power rests with the people, not the elite.
1> This is the principle behind the recent (and
controversial) Supreme Court decision on the
Second Amendment.
2> Since the government has guns, citizens should, too.
b) Government should serve the people.
1> Negative examples like the rigged vote in Zimbabwe
are universally condemned these days.
C. Great ideas are the best motivators.
1) Even our families are called to do something great.
2) Raising kids and preparing for retirement are not enough.
3) God calls on us to raise our sights and do great things.
II. God's Kingdom should be the greatest motivator of all.
A. Fourth of July vs. Easter.
1) Fourth of July is freedom from political tyranny.
2) Easter is freedom from the power of sin and death.
a) It covers a lot more ground.
B. Every Christian has dual-citizenship.
1) The Fourth is a big day for new citizens in the U.S.
a) Most places have a mass ceremony on that day.
2) Philippians 3:20 says believers have dual citizenship.
a) We also have passports for God's Kingdom.
b) You can't get one by birth, only by double-birth.
3) Contrast of worldly vs. heavenly citizenship.
a) Worldly people worship their appetites. Phil 3:19
b) Heavenly people want to honor their Savior and
live for God.
III. You need a plan.
A. Ruts are easy to fall into.
1) They are comfortable and low-stress.
2) Jesus doesn't call us to be comfortable.
B. Be intentional about your goals.
1) Have a vision for your family and the impact you want to
have.
Lily Tomlin once said, "I always wanted to be somebody...
I just should have been more specific." #30647
2) Consider what your tombstone and obituary will say about you.
C. Areas for challenge.
1) Know your God.
a) Not "know about him" but having a personal relationship
with him through Christ.
2) Spread the Word.
a) Be involved in outreach, starting with one neighbor.
b) Be more involved in your church commitment.
1> Move beyond attendance to participation.
2> Volunteer for VBS, or a mission trip.
3) Serve your neighbor.
a) Josiah now sponsors an African child through Compassion
International.
b) Celeste's sister Sara has always been quite spiritual.
She recently told me she was frustrated, and want to do
more than just attend a church.
Then she told me about a new ministry her church
sponsors.
For reduced rent, she becomes a caregiver in an
apartment building.
She will visit each family, help out when needed, and
be a special spiritual mentor.
Just 10 hours a week, but she expects it to energize
her faith.
IV. Failure is an option.
A. Great goals don't always pan out.
President Teddy Roosevelt once said:
"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious
triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank
with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much,
because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither
victory nor defeat."
#19564
B. Make an effort anyway.
Yesterday I watched a PBS documentary on the ocean liner
S.S. United States.
In 1952, it set the world record for crossing the Atlantic.
Celebrities like John Wayne and Jackie Gleason were
passengers.
Today it is a fading hulk in Philadelphia.
Perhaps it will be refurbished, probably it will be junked.
Most of the people interviewed on the documentary said it was
so beautiful it should be saved.
But nobody is doing anything about it. And so it rusts away...
Talk is cheap.
Decide what you will do, then do it!
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SOURCES FOR ILLUSTRATIONS USED IN THIS SERMON:
#19564 "Roosevelt On Daring Mighty Things," by Teddy Roosevelt, Internet:
Messages From the Masters; editor Jim Rohn, July 24, 2001.
#30647 "Making My Life Count," by Rev. Mark Brouwer, Bridgewood Church
(Christian Reformed) of Savage, Minnesota;
http://www.bridgewood.org
These and 30,000 others are part of the Kerux database that can be
downloaded, absolutely free, at http://www.holwick.com/database.html
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