Exodus 14: 19-31
Responsive Reading: Psalm 114
Second Lesson: Romans 14: 1-12
​Gospel Lesson: Matthew 18: 21-35

Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
​
Napoleon Bonaparte was one of the most influential people in the 19th Century.  Napoleon in his years as emperor of France led the French into a global power like no other ruler in the country’s history.  Napoleon’s military genius is still studied throughout the world nearly two centuries after his death.

Less known that Napoleon though is his sister Elisa[1].  Elisa’s life was quite active having served as a member of the French Royal Family at the height of their empire.  Elisa though is known for something else than this though.  On her death bed, someone in the room commented to Elisa that “Nothing is as certain as death[2].”  Elisa while dying wanted to make one last point as she mouthed out the word “Except taxes.”  So Elisa Bonaparte’s greatest legacy is the phrase “Nothing is as sure in life as death and taxes.”

While Elisa’s words seem tough to argue, I know someone that would disagree with Elisa Bonaparte’s assessment of life’s certainties.  The Apostle Paul wrote the whole Book of Romans which we have been hearing about all summer would dispute the point about death and taxes being life’s greatest certainties. 

The Apostle Paul’s point about life’s certainty comes to us in our lesson for Today: “For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.  For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be the Lord both of the dead and the living. – Romans 14:8-9

Paul’s words contain some of the most powerful promises in the entire Christian faith.  “We belong to the Lord[3].”

Picture the following scenario[4].  Imagine a girl named Hannah.  Hannah is a girl not much older than seven years old.  Hannah on a particularly busy Saturday at the Mall goes to the stores with her mother.  Mother tells Hannah to “stay nearby.”  Hannah being a curious seven-year-old wanders accidentally away from Mother.  Hannah and Mother notice they’re separated at about the same time.  Hannah goes one way, and Mother goes the other way.  Mother figures that she’ll quickly find Hannah in a matter of minutes.  Hannah keeps wandering further and further away trying to find Mother.  After an hour, Mother gets really worried about what exactly had happened to Hannah. Mother’s heart is beating what seems like a million beats a minute; tears begin to well in Mother’s eyes.   What Mother soon sees out of the corner of her eyes off in the distance is Hannah looking lost, Hannah’s shoulders are shrugged fearing she’s never going to see Mother again.  At this moment, Mother calls out Hannah’s name.  Hannah turns her eyes are soaked with tears, and she runs into Mother’s arms.  For Hannah, there was no greater comfort in the world than knowing her Mother was near her side.  Hannah knew that even as she had wandered away, she didn’t worry about whether she would get in trouble, she took comfort instead that she remained her Mother’s most prized possession within the whole wide world. 

Here’s what Paul is saying throughout our lesson for Today.  We are Our Lord’s most-prized possessions; he will not stop searching for us until he finds us.  When we gather with the Lord, the reunion will go even way beyond Hannah and Mother within the Mall. 

Paul’s Lesson gets to the greatest hopes of the Christian faith.  “We belong to the Lord.”  This promise seeks to guide us when confronting life’s struggles[5].   The promise is that Christ truly has gone ahead to prepare a place for us.  Christ promises to keep us in his continual care.

A while back, I was talking to one of our high school seniors; he was struggling with where to attend college.  He was giving me all the options of the schools that he was considering.  He finally asked me “Will I not be as successful in life if I don’t branch out from Silver Bay?”

 As I hear the question, my only response is “Why try to find a place where you might belong when you’ve found a place that you know you do belong?”   You will never be held back by clinging to the people and places and ultimately the hope that you hold most dear.  

For the great earthly truth was earlier spoken by Elisa Bonaparte than death and taxes are certainties, yet there is no greater spiritual truth than when suffering and death, come your way, you want to cling to that which is most certain[6].  “You belong to the Lord.”  With this promise, Our Lord promises to take you even with him as he journeys through the grave alongside you, with new life waiting on the other side. 
Let me close with one last story illustrating What exactly does it mean to “Live and die to the Lord?”  September 1862, Lieutenant Colonel Wilder Dwight was sitting on a horse preparing to go into battle during America’s Civil War[7].  Dwight decides to pen a letter to his mother.

The morning of September 17th, Dwight begins his letter like any other letter home, exchanging pleasantries, and assuring Mom he’s doing well[8].

Dwight had to stop though in the middle of writing his letter as he was called into battle.  The battle on this day was intense and a bullet struck Dwight’s wrist going through into his hip[9].  The bullet ends up shattering Wilder Dwight’s hip.  Dwight collapses onto the ground, unable to move under his own power.  Dwight’s fellow soldiers offer to move him; Dwight refuses because of the nature of his wound.  So the battle moves on away from Wilder Dwight.  Dwight was a dying man lying alone in a field.  So needing something to do, he starts rewriting his letter from earlier that morning.

Here’s what Dwight wrote: “Dearest mother, I am wounded so as to be helpless.  Good bye if so it must be.
I think I die in victory.  God defend our country.  I trust in God & love you all to the last.  Dearest love to father & all my dear brothers.  Our troops have left the part of the field where I lay — Mother, yours Wilder[10].”

Lt .Colonel Dwight gets moved to a nearby farmhouse where he survives for two days.  In those days, he writes the very last words of his letter. “All is well with those that have faith[11].”

Here’s the remarkable thing about Wilder Dwight, he was well right before entering into battle, gets struck, and lying on his death bed- he remains “well” two days later.  Either “living” or “dying,” Lt. Colonel Dwight knew that he ultimately belonged to the Lord[12].

Many Bible scholars believe the Book of Romans to be the last letter written by the Apostle Paul.  The book of Romans is a summary of everything that Paul believed about the Christian faith.  What did Paul believe through shipwreck, persecution, arrest, and imprisonment as he stared death in the face.  Paul believed like Lieutenant Colonel Wilder Dwight that “Whether he lived or died that he belonged to the Lord.”  The whole point of the Book of Romans can be summed up in this phrase.  Christ upon the Cross declared “You belong to me” and death’s not going stop that.  “You will be mine forever.” We could study the Bible for years and years, and not hear it any clearer than the Book of Romans.  Sometimes the last letter like in the case of Lieutenant Colonel Wilder Dwight can say all we really need to say. 

Amen
 
 


[1] Klaus, Ken. “Famous Last Words.” Lutheran Hour. 23.June.2013. Web. Aug.18.2017. 
[2] Klaus, Ken. “Famous Last Words
[3] Structure of Sermon inspired by Brandt, Mark. “Belonging to One Another.” Lutheran Hour. 29.July.2007. Web. Aug.18.2017. 
[4] Figured the following analogy would work. 
[5] Meyer, Timm. “We Belong to the Lord.” Sermon Central. 27.Sept.2007. Web. Aug.18.2017. 
[6] Metaxas, Eric. “The Little Way of Ruthie Leming.” Breakpoint. 7.May.2013. Web. Aug.18.2017 taken from Pastor Leon Stier’s “No Place Like Home”  Email Mediatations. May.9.2013
[7] Stier, Pastor Leon. “Last Letter Home.” Email Meditations. 22.Oct.2016. Web. Aug.18.2017.   
[8] Stier, Pastor Leon. “Last Letter Home.”
[9] Stier, Pastor Leon. “Last Letter Home.”
[10] Stier, Pastor Leon. “Last Letter Home.”
[11] Stier, Pastor Leon. “Last Letter Home.”
[12] Stier, Pastor Leon. “Last Letter Home.”

First Lesson: Exodus 12: 1-14
Responsive Reading: Psalm 149
Second Lesson: Romans 13: 8-14
​Gospel Lesson: Matthew 18: 15-20

Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
 
Saint Martin’s Lutheran Church had recently called a new pastor in Pastor Wilson.  Pastor Wilson’s first Sunday the sanctuary at Saint Martin’s is full[1].  Everyone was eagerly awaiting Pastor Wilson’s first sermon.  They had been hoping throughout the call process that God would bring them a gifted and dynamic preacher.  Pastor Wilson’s first Sunday contained a sermon based on our lesson for today from Romans 13[2]:
 
“Love does no harm to the neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”  Pastor Wilson echoed Jesus’ words to “love one another just like I have loved you[1].”
 
The congregation hung on every one of Pastor Wilson’s words.  A few overly boisterous congregants started clapping at the end of the sermon.  Parishioners were thanking members of the Call Committee after the service for bringing them such a wonderful preacher[4].
Before the next Sunday’s service, word of Pastor Wilson’s wonderful sermon had spread.  Additional Chairs were now set up in the back because so many people had shown up to worship.  As Pastor Wilson began to speak what seemed like the same sermon was given “Love does no harm to the neighbor.”
 
The congregants at Saint Martin’s Lutheran were confused.  They had heard the same sermon the previous week.  They figured though that Pastor Wilson was merely making subtle points based on the same scripture as the previous week.  They just needed to listen more carefully the next week.
 
The next Sunday the congregation at Saint Martin’s was full once again.  Pastor Wilson again gave the same sermon word for word.  “Love does no harm to the neighbor.”  This time it was obvious that Pastor Wilson was just giving the same sermon again and again[5]. 
 
The Church Council was upset at this point[6].  They called an emergency meeting with Pastor Wilson after the service.  They asked Pastor Wilson “What’s the deal?”  Pastor Wilson was stumped “What do you mean, Love does no harm to the neighbor,  such a message is at the center of a Christian’s day to day existence.  While Pastor Wilson made sense, the Council still asked: “Why do you keep preaching this week after week?” To which Pastor Wilson replied, “Once you actually learn to love rather than harm our neighbor then I’ll preach something different.”
 
You see a lot had been going in the lives of Saint Martin’s congregants.  They had neighbors who threw house parties that went on way too late and got way too loud.  They encountered neighbors who slighted them through their words and actions.  They even had neighbors who dared cheer for the Green Bay Packers!  As Pastor Wilson kept hearing these things, again and again, he decided to keep preaching the same sermon again and again. 
 
The story of Pastor Wilson and Saint Martin’s brings us to our lesson for Today from Romans 13[7].  In Today’s lesson, the Apostle Paul seeks to give insight into the direction of the Christian’s life. 
 
Martin Luther spoke about God working through both hands when interacting with this world.  God’s right hand is the hand by which he creates faith and salvation[8].  God’s left hand is used to protect the world around you from harm.  The Church is a right-hand institution.  Whereas the Government, Lions Club, School, or Family would be left-hand institutions. 
 
For Luther, it was very important that Christians not confuse under which hand they lived their life.  We say no to things like letting kids play in the middle of Highway 61 or drinking and driving not because God can’t possibly save people who engage in such activities (right-hand), but rather because of the harm such activities cause to our neighbor and ourselves (left-hand)[9]. 
Such practices echo Pastor Wilson’s sermon from earlier “Love does no harm to the neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” 
 
I came across a Lutheran preacher named Kevin Ruffcorn who explained this well when he says[10]: “For Paul (in our lesson), the fact that Christians are eternal beings makes a big difference in how we live our lives.  We have broken free of the expectations, short-sighted goals, and self-centered interests of this world.  Paul invites his readers to view possessions from a perspective beyond their physical lives.  Jobs become vocations and ministries.  Daily life is transformed from acquisition to a life of service.  Grudges aren’t worth nursing and relationships become valuable.” 
 
The whole point of the Book of Romans is the Cross of Christ flips the world upside down.  God’s unconditional forgiveness changes how we understand life, death, victory, and defeat.  The Cross because of this certainly brings a different perspective on how to interact with our neighbors.
 
While in College, Thomas Steward accidentally stabbed his eye with a knife[11].  His bad eye was permanently blind because of the accident.  The Surgeon fearing damage to the good eye, recommends the bad eye be removed.  Thomas Steward has his operation, but there was a mistake.  The surgeon had accidentally removed the wrong eye.  Thomas Steward would now be blind every day for the rest of his life. 
 
Thomas Steward did not let this deter him from pursuing his education.  Thomas Steward enrolled as a student at McGill University in Montreal.  Such a career would seem to be a long-shot as law school requires all sorts of reading.  Thomas Steward though had a brother named William who was also a law student at McGill.  William Steward would help Thomas to class, he would read to Thomas all the assigned reading and write down Thomas’ words so he may submit his tests and papers.  William Steward was a good student; he came in second in his graduating class at McGill Law School.  His blind brother Thomas Steward came in first in the class[12].

“There are two kinds of love: we love wise and kind and beautiful people because we need them, but we love (or try to love) stupid and disagreeable people because they need us.  The second kind is the more divine because that is how God loves us: not because we are lovable, but because he is love; not because He needs to receive, but because He delights to give[13].”- C.S. Lewis.

I want to close with a story this morning.  This story illustrates the meaning of Pastor Wilson’s repeated sermon that I referenced earlier.  It’s a story that gets at the meaning of our lesson over how the Christian life centers on loving our neighbor to prevent harm.  Even if they might seem to be “stupid” or “disagreeable.”
 
Miss Thompson was a new teacher in town[14].  Miss Thompson had a student in her fifth-grade class that every teacher dreads.  Ted Stallard was anti-social, easily distracted, he dressed sloppy, didn’t care about his appearance at all and looked like he just didn’t care.  Ted was the worst student in class and had no friends.
 
Night after night, when correcting papers, Ted’s papers were red mark after red mark for all his wrong answers.
 
Miss Thompson would have found something interesting if she had studied, Ted Stallard’s records[15]. 
 
1st Grade: Ted shows promise with his work and attitude, home life is troubled.
2nd Grade: Ted could improve. Mom is seriously ill.
3rd Grade: Ted is a good kid but always serious never smiling.  Ted struggles with learning. The mother died last year.
4th Grade: Ted is very slow and way-behind, he is well-behaved but disengaged.  Ted’s dad doesn’t seem to care at all.  

So Christmas arrives during Ted’s 5th Grade year[16].  The Children place their gifts upon Miss Thompson’s desk.  Ted brought Miss Thompson his gift.  Ted’s gift was merely contained in a brown paper bag wrapped by duct tape.  All the children gather around to watch Miss Thompson open her gifts.  Out of Ted’s package falls a bottle of the cheap perfume.  The children began to laugh at Ted’s gift.  Miss Thompson normally would have placed the gift aside, but some power came over her, so he sprayed her hand.  The children grew silent.
 
At the end of school that day, Ted comes up to Miss Thompson’s desk.  Ted says “Miss Thompson, you smell just like my mother… I’m glad you like the present.” 
 
These words convicted Miss Thompson that it was her not Ted that needed to change.  Once Ted left the room, Miss Thompson got on her knees and prayed that God changes how she loved her neighbor daily. 
 
The next day, Miss Thompson was a different teacher.  She saw the slow children as just as valuable in God’s eyes as the gifted ones.  Through Miss Thompson’ efforts, Ted began to show great improvement.  By the end of the school year, Ted had even passed a few students in her class.
 
Years soon passed without hearing much from Ted.  One day seven years later, Miss Thompson received a note.
 
Dear Miss Thompson:
Wanted you to know.  I will be graduating second in my class.”
Ted
 
Four years later[17].
 
Dear Miss Thompson.
I just found out that I will be graduating top of my class at the University.  I wanted you to know because of your impact on my life.
Ted

 
Four years later.
Dear Miss Thompson:
As of Today, I am Theodore Stallard M.D.  I wanted you to be the first to know.  I am getting married also next month; she’s a great girl, you’d really like her.  The 27th next month to be exact.  I want you to sit where my mother would have sat if she were alive.  You are my family as Dad died last year[18].”
Ted
 
The next month, Miss Thompson would be escorted down the aisle at Dr.Stallard’s wedding[19]. 
 
Today in many Churches is known as “Rally Sunday.”  The first day of fall where Churches envision their ministry to the communities that they serve in the “new” school year ahead.  To reach out requires the courage to believe that God doesn’t see people as the world sees them.  It takes courage for a new preacher to keep giving the same sermon again and again till the message gets through.  It takes courage for a new teacher to wear a cheap perfume like it’s a fragrance that came down from heaven.  It takes courage to reach out to the community that can be different from us in so many ways.   As Christian people, we celebrate “the new” because we believe that a God powerful enough to bring us back from the grave, believes the Ted Stallards around us are worthy of love, forgiveness, and “new life” also!  Amen
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



[1] McLarty, Dr.Phillip. W. “Love One Another.” Sermon Writer. 2005. Web. Aug.16.2017. 
[2] There is some creative re-imagining taken with Dr.McLarty’s analogy. 
[3] John 13:34. 
[4] McLarty, Dr.Phillip. W. “Love One Another.”
[5] McLarty, Dr.Phillip. W. “Love One Another.”
[6] McLarty, Dr.Phillip. W. “Love One Another.”
[7] Romans 13:8-14. 
[8] Madson, Meg. “Aitken’s Not Achin’ Over the Harm.” Cross Alone Blog. 21.Jan. Web. Aug.16.2017. 
[9] Madson, Meg. “Aitken’s Not Achin’ Over the Harm.”
[10] Ruffcorn, Kevin. “A Different Perspective.” Sermon Central. 13.Sept.2011. Web. Aug.16.2017. 
[11] The following analogy comes from John MacArthur’s New Testament Commentaries
[12] Llewellyn, Tony. “Sermon Illustrations: Love.” Hot Sermons. Web. Aug.16.2017. 
[13] Stier, Leon. “Two Kinds of Love.” Email Mediations.8.July.2017. Web. Aug.16.2017. 
[14] Johnston, Joe. Courage - You Can Stand Strong in the Face of Fear.SP Publications. 1990. Print. Pg.111-113 taken from Sermon Illustrations website. 
[15] Johnston, Joe. Courage - You Can Stand Strong in the Face of Fear. Pg.111-113
[16] Johnston, Joe. Courage - You Can Stand Strong in the Face of Fear. Pg.111-113
[17] Johnston, Joe. Courage - You Can Stand Strong in the Face of Fear. Pg.111-113
[18] Johnston, Joe. Courage - You Can Stand Strong in the Face of Fear. Pg.111-113
[19] Johnston, Joe. Courage - You Can Stand Strong in the Face of Fear. Pg.111-113

First Lesson: Exodus 3: 1-15
Responsive Reading: Psalm 26: 1-8
Second Lesson: Romans 12: 9-21
​Gospel Lesson: Matthew 16: 21-28

“I think it wiser, not to keep open the sores of war, but to follow the examples of those nations who endeavored to obliterate the marks of civil strife and to commit to oblivion the feelings it engendered[1].”- General Robert E. Lee
​
Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,

Once upon a time, a hurting woman was walking along the beach when she saw a bottle hidden in the sand[2].  She picked the bottle up and pulled its cork.  Whoosh! A big puff of smoke appears and out of the bottle comes a genie.  The genie is grateful for her release from the bottle, and as a token of her appreciation she grants the woman “three wishes.”  There was one catch though for the “three wishes,” her spouse would receive double of whatever she requested.

“Why?” the woman wanted to know.  She then started giving the Genie a list of litanies about her husband: he was a cheater, a drinker, unkind, uncaring, and his behavior was unchristian in every way.
To which the Genie not intending to argue with the woman says “That’s just the way the wishes work.”

The woman says “Fine; I want a million dollars.”  The Genie snaps her fingers and a million dollars are lying at the woman’s feet.  Right at that moment, the husband with his new girlfriend had two million dollars placed at his feet.

The woman for a second wish asks for the world’s most expensive diamond necklace[3].  The genie snaps her fingers again and the woman is holding a beautiful treasure in her hand.  As for the cheating husband, he was now set for life with not only two Million dollars; he now possessed enough wealth in diamonds so he would never have to worry about money ever again.

The woman as she stares at her necklace and money just can’t shake her anger and her husband receiving double[4].  She asks once again “Genie, is it true that anything I wish for my husband gets double.”  To which the genie replies “yes.”  The woman has a light bulb go off in her head as she says “Genie for my final wish, I want you to scare me half to death.”

Now was this woman justified in anger towards her husband? “Absolutely.”  Did her anger blind her to the best way forward? “Absolutely.”

Robert E. Lee was a Confederate general during the Civil War.  Robert E.Lee’s historical legacy in many ways is quite complex[5].  Three Weeks ago, Robert E Lee’s memory brought about some of the worst we know in this country.  Robert E Lee’s statue was to be taken down from a park in Charlottesville, VA.  To protest the statute’s removal, White Supremacists and Neo-Nazi sympathizers from all over the country gathered.  The presence of these groups promoted backlash which eventually turned violent.  Sadly, one woman died in the ordeal. 

And in the response, people would try to outdo themselves in condemning the White Supremacists and Neo-Nazis. 

The events in Charlottesville raise a question for us as Christian people “How do we respond to the cheating spouse or the people with whose core convictions we disagree with in every fiber of our being.”
Today’s Lesson comes to us from Romans 12 (Part 2)[6].  In Today’s lesson, the Apostle Paul is writing to a Christian minority living in the presence of Jewish and Roman majorities.  Paul realized something about being in the minority.  You are at risk of being hurt through another’s careless words and actions.  The natural response to all this is to fight back with all the fury that we can muster.  When we’re kids and our siblings hit us, we hit back[7].  When we’re adults, we’re very creative at justified our reaction at the presence of injustices in our own lives.  (We wish to see our cheating spouse scared to death, or White Supremacists beaten with Baseball bats). 

Here’s the problem though, our sense of justice is often skewed.  We assume that our anger can make the world perfect.  The problem is like in Charlottesville; we only end up making the world broken.  It is only our Lord’s sense of justice that God make the world once again. 

What is the Apostle Paul’s advice for us Today as Christian people: “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good[8].”

We will all have occasions where we are justified in wanting vengeance.  What we must remember is scores are not best settled by humans longing for revenge, scores will eventually be settled on the day that our Lord makes our creation right[9].  We are ultimately not righteous; we will not make the world righteous.

So then how should we respond to those who appear to be enemies of our truth?  Let me tell a story
The year was 1862[10].  A Union soldier named Lt. Charles Coley was killed during the Battle of Cedar Mountain.  Lt. Coley’s remains were supposed to be sent to his hometown of Gray, Maine.  When his family opened his casket, they received a surprise.  It was not Lt. Coley inside, but a Confederate soldier.  Lt. Coley’s family was at first stumped.  “What exactly do you do with this body?”  “They didn’t know his name, nor have any idea where to ship him.”  So they decided to bury him in Gray’s cemetery along the Union Soldiers of Gray who had been killed.  They figured the Confederate soldier's family would appreciate it.
The headstone reads “Stranger.  A soldier of the late war[11].”  For the first 90 years after his death, the grave was kept up no different than any other tomb within the cemetery.  In 1956, they decided to place a Confederate battle flag next to his tomb on Memorial Day.

Here’s what you should know about Gray, Maine.  Its population during the Civil War was around 1700[12].  Gray, Maine lost over 200 of its young man during the War.  They had legitimate grievances against the Confederacy.  The people of Gray could have very easily disposed of the body in an unidentified field, but instead, they decided to treat the Confederate stranger’s body as one of their own[13]. 

We live in a nation with nasty rhetoric from all sides on a daily basis.  We disown people who disagree with us.  I came across a news story in the aftermath of Charlottesville where a Fargo father publically disowned his son for participating in the rally[14]. The basis for a human relationship cannot be spiritual purity either for others or ourselves. Otherwise, the world will continually break piece by piece.  I hear stories like the response of the people of Gray, Maine and I wonder whether there is a better way for us as Christian people to respond to those who persecute us.

Moving forward as Christian people, we need more than mere outrage to reach those around us ultimately.  The Apostle Paul who wrote our passage spent much of his ministry being persecuted.  Sometimes we need to advocate restraint with our response even as we might want to raise our fists with every fiber of our beating. 

I wish to close this morning with one final story.  Which perhaps can serve as a wish as to how Christians respond in the face of supposed injustice.

Patrick Greene was suing Henderson County, Texas[15].  Greene was appalled that the local county Courthouse had a manger scene outside during the Holiday season.  Patrick Greene like the lady with three wishes had a litany of reasons as to why he had been wronged by Christians throughout his life.
Shortly after his court case was heard, Patrick Greene was diagnosed with a detached retina[16].  The surgery would cost $20,000 or else Greene would go blind.  Greene could barely afford groceries let alone pony up this type of money. 

One member of Sand Springs Baptist Church heard of Patrick Greene’s troubles, notified her Pastor, and the Pastor reached out to help[17].

Greene didn’t actually want money for the surgery; he had more immediate needs in his groceries[18].  He informed the Rev. Eric Graham of this.  Greene believed there was too great a chance the surgery wouldn’t work anyway.  What did the Christians of Henderson County, do they start raising money on Patrick Greene’s behalf.

Greene received a first check of $400 with more support coming in after this.  Like George Bailey in It’s a Wonderful Life only George Bailey was being played by the Christians’ worst enemy[19].  

How does Patrick Greene respond to this generosity?  He decides to start writing a book called The Real Christians of Henderson County.  Greene’s book was about how he had an Atheist couldn’t believe the Christians he met when he was in need.  What happened to the manager scene?  Patrick Greene dropped his lawsuit and offered to buy a star to place on top of Henderson County’s manager[20]. 

The Apostle Paul who wrote our lesson, he knew persecution.  The Apostle Paul had previously like Patrick Greene been an enemy of the church, who was now one of its vocal supporters.  The cost of this was not cheap.  Paul had been slapped in the cheek and called every name in the book.  Paul’s wishes were not revenge for his enemies.  Paul’s wish was that as Christian people, that we “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality[21].”  Paul’s final wish that no matter how broken the world around him got, Christ Jesus would be continually proclaimed.  Amen
 
 


[1] Lowry, Rich. “Robert E. Lee would have wanted his statue moved.” New York Post. 14. Aug.2017. Web. Aug.15.2017. 
[2] Nedwek, Tom quoted by Alex Thein. “Revenge”.  Sermon Illustrations. Web. Aug.14.2017 taken from Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on unverified date. 
[3] Nedwek, Tom quoted by Alex Thein. “Revenge”. 
[4] Nedwek, Tom quoted by Alex Thein. “Revenge”. 
[5] Lowry, Rich. “Robert E. Lee would have wanted his statue moved.”
[6] Romans 12:19-21. 
[7] Marty, Peter. “Trusting God to Settle Scores.” Day 1. 28. Aug.2011. Web. Aug.14.2017. 
[8] Romans 12:19-21. 
[9] Marty, Peter. “Trusting God to Settle Scores.”
[10] Rouselle, Christina. “What the Confederate Stranger and A Small Town in Maine Can Teach Us About Human Decency.” Townhall. 21.June.2016. Web. Aug.15.2017 taken from Pastor Leon Stier’s Email Mediations.
[11] Rouselle, Christina. “What the Confederate Stranger and A Small Town in Maine Can Teach Us About Human Decency.”
[12] “Gray, Maine.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation.15. Aug.2017. Web. Aug.15.2017. 
[13] Rouselle, Christina. “What the Confederate Stranger and A Small Town in Maine Can Teach Us About Human Decency.”
[14] Walsh, Paul. “Fargo father publicly disowns son for joining white nationalists in Charlottesville.” Minneapolis Star Tribune. 15.Aug.2017. Web. Aug.15.2017. 
[15] Flowers, Rich. “Atheist ‘Flabbergasted’ at Christian Assistance.” Athens Review. Athens, Texax. 20.Mar.2012. Web. Aug.14.2017.  Taken from Pastor Leon Stier’s Email Mediations.
[16] Flowers, Rich. “Atheist ‘Flabbergasted’ at Christian Assistance.”
[17] Flowers, Rich. “Atheist ‘Flabbergasted’ at Christian Assistance.”
[18] Flowers, Rich. “Atheist ‘Flabbergasted’ at Christian Assistance.”
[19] Flowers, Rich. “Atheist ‘Flabbergasted’ at Christian Assistance.”
[20] Flowers, Rich. “Atheist ‘Flabbergasted’ at Christian Assistance.”
[21] Romans 12:12-13