MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK
TEXT: Romans 13:3-4,7; Titus 3:1-2;
ILL. The owners of a company employing several hundred workers were concerned about the decline in the productivity of their employees. Was there dissension among the workers? Was their equipment breaking down more often than in the past? Or were there bottlenecks in the assembly line?
Desiring to shake things up & get production back to speed, they hired a new Production Manager with the responsibility of discovering & fixing the problem. And if any employees were found to be responsible, he had the authority to fire them on the spot as a lesson to all the rest.
Determined to be seen as a tough & “no-nonsense” Manager he decided to make an inspection tour of the facility his first day on the job. As he toured the plant, he noticed a guy leaning against a wall. The room was full of workers & he decided it was a perfect opportunity to let them all know that he meant business!
So he walked up to the guy leaning against the wall & asked, "How much do you make a week?" A little surprised, the guy replied, "I make $300 a week. Why?" The Manager pulled out his wallet, handed him $1200 in cash, & said in a loud voice, "Here's 4 weeks severance pay – you’re fired. Now get out!"
Feeling pretty good about himself, the Manager looked around the room & asked, "Does anyone want to tell me what job that goof-off did here?" From across the room came a voice, "He’s the delivery guy from Domino's Pizza."
(Adapted from Davon Huss on Sermon Central)
A. In comparison to the rest of the world, we live in a great country. But it has certainly become obvious that there are those who loudly & violently disagree.
I’m concerned about the future, for it seems that our nation is now establishing, through many of its leaders, courts & judges, a distinctively anti-Christian agenda. The values we cherish are under assault.
Yes, there are men & women in positions of importance in our land who have a deep & abiding faith. And I’m grateful & proud of the witness they present. But there are many obstacles.
Can anything be done? Could we who are Christians possibly turn the tide & change the direction in which our nation seems to be going? Yes, I believe so! One way people of faith CAN make a difference is IF they vote.
ILL. Have you ever heard of Pres. Charles Evans Hughes? No, you haven’t. But you would have if, in 1916, just one more voter in each California district had voted for him. They didn’t, & Woodrow Wilson, who had gone to bed thinking he had lost the presidency, was re-elected.
B. Folks, our votes count! And in less than 2 months, you & I will have the privilege & responsibility of expressing ourselves in the selection of those who will be some of our leaders in these critical times.
Listen to what Paul wrote to Titus: "Remind the people to be subject to rulers & authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable & considerate, & to show true humility toward all men." (Titus 3:1-2)
PROP. In this passage Paul mentions 3 practical ways Christians can make positive contributions to our nation, & thus be good representatives of our Lord.
I. BE RESPECTFUL OF GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY
A. First of all, he tells us to be respectful of governmental authority. Look again at Titus 3:1. He says, "Remind the people to be subject to rulers & authorities..."
Government is one of three spheres of authority that God has established: the home, the church, & government. He established those authorities so that there would be order in the world He created.
In Romans 13:3-4 Paul says, "Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right & he will commend you. … But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing."
We're to be respectful of government officials because of their position, even if their character is not perfect. We're to honor the position, even if we have a difficult time honoring the individual who holds it.
Romans 13:7 says, "Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor."
B. But I realize sometimes that is difficult to do. There are some laws that don't make much sense, & it's difficult to obey them, but the only time we have the right to disobey the law is when it orders us to disobey God's commands.
Remember, when Peter & John were told not to preach any more in the name of Jesus, they replied, "We must obey God, rather than men." (Acts 5:39)
ILL. Edward Hale said, "I'm only one man, but I am one. I can't do everything, but I can do something. What I can do, I ought to do, & what I ought to do by the grace of God, I will do."
II. BE DILIGENT IN YOUR WORK
Secondly, Paul continues on in Titus 3:1 & tells us "to be ready to do whatever is good." The Living Bible paraphrases it this way, "Be ready for any honest work." The King James Version says, "Be ready to do every good work."
ILL. Our forefathers were a hard working people. This nation was carved out of the wilderness by people's bare hands.
Take a look at the Santa Fe & Oregon trails, & see what the pioneers endured. They took their families in covered wagons & climbed over mountains, braving the elements, disease, & Indian attacks. Life was difficult, but they faced it bravely.
ILL. Here is a notice to employees posted in a Chicago store in 1858, "This store will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. the year round. On arrival each morning, the store must be swept; counters, shelves, & showcases dusted.
“Lamps must be trimmed, pens made, a pail of water & a bucket of coal brought in before breakfast. After 14 hours of work, leisure hours should be spent in reading."
Times have changed, haven’t they! In fact, some have suggested that a sign posted today would more likely say:
ILL. “To all employees: Due to increased competition & a desire to stay in business, we find it necessary to institute a new policy.
“We are asking that somewhere between starting & quitting time, & without infringing too much on the time usually devoted to lunch periods, coffee breaks, rest periods, ticket-selling, vacation-planning, & the re-hashing of yesterday’s TV programs, each employee should endeavor to find some time that can be set aside & known as the ‘WORK BREAK.’” (Adapted from Steve Shepherd on SC)
I'm convinced we cannot be a strong nation without a strong work ethic. We'll not survive standing around with our hands in each other's pockets.
One of the best things we can do for our country is to work & support our families. It's also a good testimony to outsiders when our faith makes a difference in the workplace.
Paul wrote, "Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business & to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders & so that you will not be dependent on anybody" (1 Thess. 4:11 12).
SUM. The strength of America is not to be found in a life without toil. Freedom is not only bought with a great price, it is maintained by diligence.
III. BE CONSIDERATE OF OTHERS
A. Thirdly, Paul says, "Slander no one... be peaceable & considerate, & show true humility toward all men" (Titus 3:2).
ILL. Alice Roosevelt, daughter of Teddy Roosevelt, was known for having a caustic tongue. Her slogan was said to be, "If you can't say anything good about somebody, come sit by me." Some people are like that: "Tell me all the gossip so I can pass it on."
B. Christians are also to "be peaceable & considerate." Don't look for quarrels or spend time arguing with others. Don't be spoiling for a fight.
ILL. There is a story about two women riding on a train together who began to argue over whether to leave the window open, or to close it. One of them called the conductor & complained, “If this window stays open I will catch a cold & die.”
The other woman quickly responded, “If you close the window, I’ll suffocate.” And the two women just sat there glaring at each other.
The conductor didn’t know what to do, so a man sitting nearby suggested, “First, close the window, & that will kill one of them. Then open the window & that will kill the other. Then we’ll be able to have some peace around here.” (Adapted from Steve Shepherd on SC)
Folks, that is not the way to make friends & influence people. Instead, we should be thoughtful & considerate of others. We should be shining examples of kindness & love. As Christians, we should be looking for opportunities to do good to others; to smile, & to speak a word of encouragement to those around us.
Don't be one who is always making enemies. Paul wrote, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." (Romans 12:18)
However, I realize that it's not always possible. But don't be the source of conflict. Make every effort to live in harmony with those around you. Don't stir up trouble.
C. Paul concludes Titus 3:2 by saying, "Show true humility toward all men." The Revised Standard Version translates this, "Show perfect courtesy towards all men." Don't bully people. Don't act superior. Treat people with courtesy.
And notice that important phrase, "toward all men." Be courteous not just towards those who can reciprocate or those on the same economic level or racial background as you. "Show perfect courtesy toward all men."
That means you treat the waitress with the same respect you give to the owner of the restaurant. That means you're as kind to the janitor as you are to the principal, to the repair man as you are to your next-door neighbor.
Remember, the Bible says, "Be courteous to all men,” & “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
God has blessed this nation with economic & material prosperity. He has allowed the United States to become the most powerful nation in the world, & throughout the years, enabled us to overcome staggering obstacles.
God has placed His hand upon us to bless us IF we honor Him. Let us never forget or stop thanking God for the blessings He has so graciously & generously bestowed upon us.
ILL. I am reminded of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
In it he said, “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up & live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.”
“I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves & the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood. . .”
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. . .”
Much of Dr. King’s dream has come to pass, but because of some who have corrupted that dream we now have riots in our streets.
But in spite of the riots, & in spite of the Covid Virus, with consistent commitment to prayer by God’s people & seeking God’s divine guidance, we can still make Dr. King’s dream a reality.
In times of crisis, God’s people have always gone boldly before the throne of God seeking His divine mercy & grace. Each time God has responded to our prayers with grace, mercy, & love. And once again we are facing significant decisions.
Will we as a nation stand strong together, determined to honor God in all we say & do? We can only be one nation under God IF He is our guiding light. May nothing keep us from walking in step with the One who is the author of history, the God who guides, judges, & blesses.
ILL. In Feb. 1986, Pres. Ronald Reagan said in a speech to the American people: “The time has come to turn to God & reassert our trust in Him for the healing of America. . . Our country is in need of & ready for a spiritual renewal. Today, we utter no prayer more fervently than the ancient prayer for peace on Earth.
‘The Lord bless you & keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you & be gracious unto you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you & give you peace . . .’ And God bless you all.”
As a nation, we need to be reminded of Pres. Reagan’s inspiring words. Let the church lead our nation in dedicated prayer as we approach the upcoming election. Your prayers & mine are important to our nation & our future as a country.
Our goal should always be to “Let our light so shine before men, that they may see our good works & glorify our Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
INVITATION:
