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Institutional First Baptist Church Weekly Sermon Delivered By
Dr. E. G. Sherman, Jr
Dr. E. G. Sherman, Jr
Delivered On
May 25, 2014 at 10:45 AM
May 25, 2014 at 10:45 AM
Subject
A Time for Reflections
A Time for Reflections
Description
| Dr. E. G. Sherman, Jr. | Sunday May 25, 2014 |
| A Time for Reflections | |
| “...whatsoever things are true...honest...just... lovely...if there be in any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” Philippians 4:8 | |
| This weekend is the first of three nationally recognized summer holidays. Ideally, this one - Memorial Day - should elicit somber thoughts, praises, and appreciation for those lost in battle for the defense of America. Sadly, the original purpose this weekend is greatly overshadowed by the entertainment phases with marginal, if any, thoughts being directed to those in the Armed Forces who gave their last full measure of devotion for the United States of America. Since our nation is moving further away from the principles of freedom, equality, and justice, it is deemed appropriate to plead for a moral rearmament to, first, honor the deceased defenders of democracy, and, secondly to gleam and embrace scriptural teachings to help our nation recapture its founding principles of freedom and equality. Accordingly, the Memorial Day Sermon for 2014 has been entitled, “A Time for Reflections”. It will be anchored by the following three dimensions, namely: some observations on Memorial Day, Paul’s guidelines to the Philippians to evaluate life, and the contemporary focus on Memorial Day. Prior to addressing these three aspects of the sermon, brief attention will be focused on the scriptural anchor. As noted in the textual reading, the book is known as Philippians and was written by Paul to the Church he had established in Philippi. Paul wrote this letter while he was in prison in Rome. This letter is classified as a missionary epistle owing to its emphasis on funds that the church had earlier given to Paul for purpose of establishing other churches. In this letter, Paul reminded them that their funds were not used for his support because he was a successful tent maker. In closing his letter, called on the Philippian to make serious evaluations regarding ideas and actions before embracing them; hence, his advise was to “...think on these things.” Against this synopsis of Philippians, the focus will be turned to the earlier specified sub topics, the first of which is - Some highlights on Memorial Day. “Memorial Day is a US federal holiday wherein the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces are remembered. It is observed on the last Monday of May. It was formerly known as Decoration Day and commemorates all men and women, who have died in...” defense of America at home and abroad. Already a flag has been placed at every grave site in Arlington National Cemetery. Many employees will have Monday from work. The numerous activities will include: travel, cookouts, boating, swimming, and leisurely spending of the time in various endeavors. Oh! but Tuesday is forthcoming and it is back to the grind. This somber fact leads to the second phase of the sermon which is - Paul’s letter to the Philippians. In Chapter 4, he devoted specific attention to the problem of evaluating ideas, events, and experiences in life. Although many years separate contemporary times from days of the Philippians, those concise indicators are yet relevant for humanity of today. Paul, first, identified realities of life that included: truth, honesty, justice, compassion and called on those people to “...think on these things.” Paul was quite aware of the false prophets, critics of Christianity, and workers of iniquity who - collectively - were constantly seeking to mislead the converts. He was fully aware of falsehood, dishonesty, injustices, and immoral actions being perpetrated, but Paul did not recommend turning a deaf ear to the adversaries; instead, he called upon the converts to listen, evaluate, and then choose those things that are pure and good report. In sum, Paul was calling on the Philippians to be open but critical mind and, therefore, they were encouraged to “think on these things”. Beloved, that admonition leads to the last concern of the sermon which is - our contemporary focus on Memorial Day. Unfortunately, it must be stated that - while is upon us - all is not well on the home front. There is an impending, but rapidly, spreading of a cloud of political maneuvers to exploit the middle class and leave America with the haves and the have nots, there are legislative mandates to diminish minority voting participation, there are cooperative acquisition of small businesses thereby causing massive unemployment, there is the great political divide with a surging Tea Party, there continues to be gender pay discrimination, there is a cloaking of same sex marriage as a legal rather than religious matter, and there are too many of our people of color with a mere self interest rather than to be committed to the greatest good for the greatest number. Beloved, what should be our religious stance concerning survival in this increasingly racist nation in 2014, fifty years after the Civil Rights bill was enacted? Two recommendations are herein submitted. First, let us heeds Paul’s call to the Philippians - “to thinks on these things” and, secondly, embrace the message found in 2nd Chron. 7:14 “ If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Amen! Happy Memorial Day |
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