As our country struggles with how to fix some long term, serious problems, Pastor Paul's words this week help us get to the root of where some of the fixing needs to take place.
Ephesians 2:8—10 "For it is by God's grace that you have been saved through faith. It is not the result of your own efforts, but God's gift, so that no one can boast about it. God has made us what we are, and in our union with Christ Jesus he has created us for a life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for us to do."
Visions, dreams, expectations, and hopes have been expressed by the leaders of nations, of the business world, of industry, of religion, and leaders of organizations to motivate their people, employees, followers and members. Those people who have been captured by these visions, dreams, expectations, and hopes have often ridden on the coattails of those leaders who put them forth, as if one person could indeed bring about the end result of the visions and images they have uttered.
Our nation has experienced the inauguration of a new president who has put forth a doctrine of hope for America during a time of economic depression, historic unemployment, an age of terrorism, anguish over the war in Iraq, turmoil in the Middle East, and a lack of confidence in government. American democracy is on trial. Not only Americans wait to see how the new leaders of this administration will guide the country, but the world has its eye on how we will proceed.
Our democracy is a government of, by and for the people. The success of the nation is determined by the participation of every citizen in remaking the nation by doing his or her part. It is the same principle that makes business, industry, organizations and religion successful. Whenever people sit back and allow things to proceed without their participation, contribution and sacrifice they are disappointed, and become critical of the failure of the vision, dream, expectation, and hope that they have trusted others to bring about and then blame the failure on others.
Paul wrote to the Corinthian Church about using the spiritual gifts God has given to the church (people) to fulfill its purpose. Read chapter 12 of 1st Corinthians. It takes all the parts of a body working together to function as it is intended by the creator for the church to be the church. It is simple. Everyone must do their part. That is not the whole story however. Everyone must do their part together. It is good for us to vision, dream and hope. At the same time visions, dreams and hopes depend not only on us to become realities.
God dares to boldly declare that it is not by our works but by his grace that we are saved. Ephesians 2:8—10. The audacity of Most High God to gift his people with the love that will bring success to their endeavors speaks loudly in the midst of our times. Without God’s gifts we cannot do our work, contribute to the hopes, dreams and visions of our leaders who are likewise the servants of the Almighty. The trust that we place in the grace of God opens the way to success in every aspect of human life. Without God’s grace our efforts are doomed to disappointment and failure.
This is not a time to wait and see what our new leaders will give us or how they will help us. The change that we seek begins with the change we make in ourselves, using our gifts to contribute to the hope set before us. It relies on the participation of every citizen in the enterprise of remaking America. It demands the sacrifice of each person for the sake of each other and the world. Our hope for our future and the realization of our visions and dreams are dependent upon our participation, contribution, and sacrifice. And that is possible only with God’s amazing grace moving us to be what the Creator intended for us to do, give, and yield for the sake the world. It is not about what our nation will do for us it is what we will do by God’s grace for the sake of our neighbors, the nation and the world.
This is the time for the people of God to step up and become the church in the world. It is the time to bear witness with the gifts God has given to each of us using them together to bring the ministry of reconciliation and forgiveness to make our communities, our nation and our world a better place. The church exits for the sake of the world. The people of God are called to be the servants of world following the example of Christ.
There is one way to make the visions, dreams and hopes of our leaders become reality—pray. Pray for the leaders of the city, state, nation, and the nations. Pray for the leaders of business and industry. Pray for the pastors and bishops of the church and the leaders of all religions. Pray for yourself and every other citizen and believer to use the gifts God has given the people to realize his plan for the world. Pray every day for his blessings to be poured out for the sake of the world. That is the audacity of Grace.
Lord, God lead our nation and the world by your amazing grace to become what you have made us to be. Bless our mayor, governor, legislators and president with vision, perseverance and strength to lead us. Bestow your grace of the leaders of the nations to seek a world of peace and justice for all. Empower our pastors and bishops with wisdom and understanding of your Word in Jesus Christ to lead us into the way of truth. Give each citizen the motivation to use your gifts for the good of the world. Enable me to be willing to participate, contribute and sacrifice to establish your kingdom of peace among us. In Jesus name, Amen.
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me;
Ephesians 2:8—10 "For it is by God's grace that you have been saved through faith. It is not the result of your own efforts, but God's gift, so that no one can boast about it. God has made us what we are, and in our union with Christ Jesus he has created us for a life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for us to do."
Visions, dreams, expectations, and hopes have been expressed by the leaders of nations, of the business world, of industry, of religion, and leaders of organizations to motivate their people, employees, followers and members. Those people who have been captured by these visions, dreams, expectations, and hopes have often ridden on the coattails of those leaders who put them forth, as if one person could indeed bring about the end result of the visions and images they have uttered.
Our nation has experienced the inauguration of a new president who has put forth a doctrine of hope for America during a time of economic depression, historic unemployment, an age of terrorism, anguish over the war in Iraq, turmoil in the Middle East, and a lack of confidence in government. American democracy is on trial. Not only Americans wait to see how the new leaders of this administration will guide the country, but the world has its eye on how we will proceed.
Our democracy is a government of, by and for the people. The success of the nation is determined by the participation of every citizen in remaking the nation by doing his or her part. It is the same principle that makes business, industry, organizations and religion successful. Whenever people sit back and allow things to proceed without their participation, contribution and sacrifice they are disappointed, and become critical of the failure of the vision, dream, expectation, and hope that they have trusted others to bring about and then blame the failure on others.
Paul wrote to the Corinthian Church about using the spiritual gifts God has given to the church (people) to fulfill its purpose. Read chapter 12 of 1st Corinthians. It takes all the parts of a body working together to function as it is intended by the creator for the church to be the church. It is simple. Everyone must do their part. That is not the whole story however. Everyone must do their part together. It is good for us to vision, dream and hope. At the same time visions, dreams and hopes depend not only on us to become realities.
God dares to boldly declare that it is not by our works but by his grace that we are saved. Ephesians 2:8—10. The audacity of Most High God to gift his people with the love that will bring success to their endeavors speaks loudly in the midst of our times. Without God’s gifts we cannot do our work, contribute to the hopes, dreams and visions of our leaders who are likewise the servants of the Almighty. The trust that we place in the grace of God opens the way to success in every aspect of human life. Without God’s grace our efforts are doomed to disappointment and failure.
This is not a time to wait and see what our new leaders will give us or how they will help us. The change that we seek begins with the change we make in ourselves, using our gifts to contribute to the hope set before us. It relies on the participation of every citizen in the enterprise of remaking America. It demands the sacrifice of each person for the sake of each other and the world. Our hope for our future and the realization of our visions and dreams are dependent upon our participation, contribution, and sacrifice. And that is possible only with God’s amazing grace moving us to be what the Creator intended for us to do, give, and yield for the sake the world. It is not about what our nation will do for us it is what we will do by God’s grace for the sake of our neighbors, the nation and the world.
This is the time for the people of God to step up and become the church in the world. It is the time to bear witness with the gifts God has given to each of us using them together to bring the ministry of reconciliation and forgiveness to make our communities, our nation and our world a better place. The church exits for the sake of the world. The people of God are called to be the servants of world following the example of Christ.
There is one way to make the visions, dreams and hopes of our leaders become reality—pray. Pray for the leaders of the city, state, nation, and the nations. Pray for the leaders of business and industry. Pray for the pastors and bishops of the church and the leaders of all religions. Pray for yourself and every other citizen and believer to use the gifts God has given the people to realize his plan for the world. Pray every day for his blessings to be poured out for the sake of the world. That is the audacity of Grace.
Lord, God lead our nation and the world by your amazing grace to become what you have made us to be. Bless our mayor, governor, legislators and president with vision, perseverance and strength to lead us. Bestow your grace of the leaders of the nations to seek a world of peace and justice for all. Empower our pastors and bishops with wisdom and understanding of your Word in Jesus Christ to lead us into the way of truth. Give each citizen the motivation to use your gifts for the good of the world. Enable me to be willing to participate, contribute and sacrifice to establish your kingdom of peace among us. In Jesus name, Amen.
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me;
I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see.
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved;
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appeared the hour I first believed!
Through many dangers, toils, and snares I have already come;
Through many dangers, toils, and snares I have already come;
’Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me; his Word my hope secures;
The Lord has promised good to me; his Word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be As long as life endures.
(Evangelical Lutheran Worship Hymn #779)
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