I have noticed interesting phenomena in recent days after the presidential election. There is a sense of exciting on the part of some people, an excitement which borders on hysteria. I don’t know if anyone has used this term or not, so I will throw it out there: “Obama-mania”. I understand that there is a sense of excitement for a new administration, which is all well and good. There is also an excitement in that our new President will serve as the first black President of the United States. What a wonderful thing to celebrate. However, it is dangerous to point to our new President as someone who will be able to address all of the issues that face us as human beings and it is equally dangerous to expect that he and the government will be able to solve all of what ails humanity and America. This expectation is not realistic nor fair to President elect Obama as he serves as leader of America.

It is equally troubling to see many attach a god-like status to our new President. He is not God and should not receive the honor and glory that God deserves. Yes, we are to respect our President, yes we should pray for him and his family, for his welfare and for wisdom to lead this great land. However we should not place our trust in him. Our only Help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Christ alone deserves all glory, honor, and praise for what He has done for sinners on the cross and in the empty tomb. God will give His glory to no one else. We need to keep that in mind, for it is our duty to pray for our leaders, including President elect Obama, but it is also our God given duty to “love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength.” The first commandment states: “Have no other gods besides Me.” Luther writes that we should fear, love, and trust in God above all things. That includes our nation and its leaders.

I just came across this article on Fox News:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,450445,00.html

The story really shouldn’t surprise Christians, as Jesus stated that either you are for or against Him. We are in a war, as Christians, against demonic forces. Satan is alive and well and seeks to destroy the Church. Christ as defeated sin, death, and yes, Satan in His death and resurrection. Jesus today gives us the means to fight Satan. The Apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 5:

    Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, [16] making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. [17] Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. [18] And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, [19] addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart, [20] giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

And also in chapter 6:

    Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. [11] Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. [12] For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. [13] Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. [14] Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, [15] and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. [16] In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; [17] and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, [18] praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, [19] and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, [20] for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

In your daily walk with Christ, you represent Jesus. Walk with Him; follow Him, using the means He has given to be an ambassador for Christ.

Almighty and Gracious God, as we begin this new day, we seek Your forgiveness and blessing. As Creator and Governor of all, we pray that You would protect our county from all harm and attack. Restrain the plans of those who would do us evil. Change the hearts of our enemies, so that the people of this nation will live in unity and peace. Bless all those in service of our country. Endow our leaders with wisdom and knowledge, that by Your power they will make God pleasing decisions for the welfare of our citizens. Through Jesus Christ Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.

                                                            Amen

I passed by a billboard recently that advertized a new church in town. This church emphasized “casual worship”. I don’t really know what that means. I think that it means that one can dress however he wants when he goes to worship at that church.

            I have always been taught that since God has given the best in His Son, Jesus, we, in turn, respond to God’s love by offering to Him the best of our lives, which includes dressing appropriately for worship. You dress your best (whatever that may be) in thanks for God’s gift to you in Christ.

            At Redeemer, we don’t emphasize casual worship. If we were to explain how we worship, it would include such as Christ centered and reverent. I think that this really captures what worship is meant to be, in that we receive God’s gifts to us in Christ, and we thank Him with our lives, all the while conducting ourselves reverently in the presence of God.

One of the higher callings that a person can work in is that of a teacher.  What a wonderful opportunity and privilege it is to be able to instill the love of learning in the lives of young people!  To have an opportunity to mold the lives of others is a profound honor given by God.  For the Christian teacher, it is humbling to know that God has placed you in this time and place, with these students, so that you may be the face and voice of Christ to them, to show them your faith and love for God, and how to serve one’s neighbor.

It is a taunting task today to be an educator.  The disintegration of the family and culture has given to our teachers responsibilities that they now must fulfill because there is a void in their students’ lives.  Today a teacher may be called on to be a father figure or a mother figure (because there isn’t one in the home), a social worker, a disciplinarian, and a student’s conscience because within the home the student finds an absence of the fundamental of life. 

In your prayers please pray for our teachers, both in the public and private schools.  They have a daunting task.  For our schools to be what we want them to be, parents will need to be parents, so that teachers can fulfill their Godly calling.

            Walking with Jesus is the theme for our congregation this coming year.  Our Christian faith is a journey, a daily walk with Jesus.  Just as we have physically learned to walk by crawling and taking baby steps, so too in our spiritual walk there are foundational steps which need to be in place as we begin our journey.

            First, God Himself as made this journey possible, in that He has sent His only Son, Jesus, to be our Savior from sin, Satan, and death.  We belong to Jesus because He has purchased us, not with silver or gold, but with His innocent suffering, death, and resurrection.  In Baptism we have been called God’s children, given faith in Christ by the power of the Spirit, and now we are called to walk in faith daily, trusting in Christ, following his direction.

            That we may be strengthened in our daily walk, God has given us His Word and the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, so that in using Word and Sacrament God would not only strength our faith but also equip us for daily living.  The Word and Sacrament are offered with regularity at Redeemer, and I encourage you to make use of these Means of Grace for the strengthening of your faith.

            We are also called to exercise our faith.  To do that, the Church has practiced ways in which to do just that.  Through prayer, meditation, and the living out our faith in our various callings in life (vocation), God provides us opportunities to walk with Jesus, and invite others to follow Christ.  To that end, this year on Thursday evenings at seven we will be talking about what it means to walk with Jesus.  I invite you to walk with Jesus in your Christian life and join us September 4 at 7 as we learn how to pray.  Check the newsletter, or my blog at thedailywalk.livejournal.com for updates and further information. 

Two of my children, Emily and Drew, are off to college in the next week.  Emily will attend Concordia Mequon and Drew will attend Concordia Chicago.  All four of my kids are great kids, and I want to wish Drew and Emily the best as they begin the new college year.  We will miss them and will look forward to reuniting with them at the holidays.

John Stott is a retired Anglican clergyman who is now living in a retirement village south of London.  Stott is considered by many to be a giant in the Christian Church.  I have read many of his books and agree with much of what he has written.  I had the honor of meeting him and listening to him at a lecture some years ago.  What a humble man of God!

Christianity Today published an article some time ago on Stott.  He is known as a man of the Word and a man of prayer.  He begins his day at 5 am with this prayer.  It is one that I use, and I share it with you for use in your prayer life.

Good morning, heavenly Father; good morning, Lord Jesus; good morning, Holy Spirit. Heavenly Father, I worship you as the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. Lord Jesus, I worship you, Savior and Lord of the world. Holy Spirit, I worship you, Sanctifier of the people of God. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Heavenly Father, I pray that I may live this day in your presence and please you more and more. Lord Jesus, I pray that this day I may take up my cross and follow you. Holy Spirit, I pray that this day you will fill me with yourself and cause your fruit to ripen in my life: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, three persons in one God, have mercy upon me. Amen.

The growth of the Unitarian Church is the subject of an article in the Faith and Values section of the Columbus Dispatch.  Quoting the article: “The sanctuary is without a cross, and you're likely to hear few, if any, references to God or Jesus.

Members needn't subscribe to a particular creed or religion. On any given Sunday, a Christian might find himself next to an atheist, both singing an old African-American hymn. Both call themselves "UU's," or Unitarian Universalists.”

The article implies, incorrectly, that the Unitarians are part of the Christian Church.  Rest assured, they are not a part of the Christian Church because they deny the basic Christian teachings of salvation by grace alone through faith in Jesus.  Unitarians have no creed or statement of faith, believing that every individual is free to believe whatever they want to believe.  That is why IF a Christian finds himself in a Unitarian service, he might find himself next to an atheist, because for a Unitarian, it doesn’t matter what you believe, so long as you believe in something and are sincere about your “faith”.

Sadly, Unitarians oppose Christian truth as revealed in the Bible and in Christ.  They would reject Jesus’ as the Way, Truth, and Life.  While the article is a good article, don’t be deceived.  Unitarians are growing because they permit anyone to believe in anything.  They have always denied Christ and the Trinity; they never have been Christian and are not now.

Sadly, many Christian churches are following the path of Unitarianism, rejecting creeds, crosses, and the clear teachings of the Bible concerning Christ as the only Savior and Lord of the world.  Don’t be deceived, be faithful to Christ and His Church, don’t accept a phony imitation.