Politics in America 2015

Kopp Disclosure

(John 3:19-21)

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    Watching the pathological liar on one side who can define what is is with the best of 'em and the pathologically arrogant Presbyterian on the other side leading their respective party's race to the nomination for the big house, it brings the journalists to mind who have been saying America's electorate has become stunningly stupid.

    Really, I think a frightening majority of Democrats and Republicans would vote for Satan if it were their party's nominee.

    I'm not joking.

    It also brings the politician to mind who said, "You can fool some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time.  Not bad odds!"

    I think politics in America 2015 - collectively and generally with decreasing exceptions - has gone to hell.

    That's why I felt called to salt on October 15.

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Boone County Republican Club

52^nd Annual Steak Fry

Community Building Complex

Belvidere, Illinois

October 15, 2015

Though lots of churches aren’t into it, we had some fun on Sunday in our family of faith on the corner of Lincoln and Main.

So I thought I’d try it here.

Anyone ever hear of William Booth?

That’s right.

He founded the Salvation Army in 1865.

He was also a British Methodist preacher, which is kinda irrelevant to us this evening, but it does give me an opening to say Donald Trump is a Presbyterian; though I’m not sure if that will help or hinder new member recruitment.

Anyway, getting back to Booth, he said this in the late 19^th century with astounding prognosticating discernment: “The chief dangers which confront the coming century will be religion without the Holy Ghost, Christianity without Christ, forgiveness without repentance, salvation without regeneration, politics without God, and heaven without hell.”

Whoa.

Politics without God.

Politics as sport.

Politics as a game.

Politics as celebrity.

Politics as buying influence.

Politics as self-affirmation and self-aggrandizement and selfishness.

Or politics as a vehicle to honor God according to His apocalyptic platform entrusted to us for a few thousand years and most recently and increasingly ignored by a “political” correctness excluding Him from courtroom and classroom and commerce and churches and…politics.

How is that working for us?

Over and over and over again, the Bible and Biblical people have quoted God, “Return to Me and I will restore you.  If not, not.”

Let us pray.

Tonight, O God, we join women and men of faith in our county and around the nation to say we are not smart enough to get any of this right apart from You.  We’ve tried that, especially in recent years, and it has failed; and when we fail, the globe suffers in its cry for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  So here, tonight, in Boone County, trusting

there are confessional and repentant women and men of faith like us throughout this blessed land, we rededicate ourselves to being Yours by the book.  We will love like You love us with mercy, forgiveness, and an irrepressible passion for reconciling all colors, classes, and cultures in the common pursuit of America’s highest ideals of freedom.  We will no longer play politics as sport, game, celebrity, or self-determination; but rather we will use politics as an instrument to honor You and, in honoring You, help all citizens to be Your best for the benefit of all; remembering, as the apostle wrote, “We each have different work to do.  So we belong to each other and each needs all the others.”  As we thank You for everyone who has made this evening of hope possible, the food and fellowship that we enjoy so much, and a renewed passion for national restoration only possible by being one nation under You, we thank and praise You for making this and more certain by grace through faith in Jesus; as we pray in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

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    My mom, people who hate me in a Matthew 10:22 kinda way, those who can't wait until I retire - which won't come until I'm assassinated or my Grandpa Jacob's cancer genes take me down - so they can get on the next pastor search committee and pick to peck the kinda Dylanesque errand boy that they'd really prefer, and those who hope I get what I deserve for not wearing a helmet wish I would just keep my mouth/spirit shut and be like most clergy concerned more with pensions, perks, and privileges than salting, shining, and leavenating for Jesus.

    I can't.

    Wasn't called or trained that way from the start.

    Home pastor Harold Mante (RIP): "Keep the faith!"

    Homiletics/liturgics professor Donald Macleod (RIP): "If you have the privilege to preach, say something for Christ's sake!  Not just three points and a poem!  Say something for Christ's sake!"

    Renowned Bryn Mawr preacher and President of Princeton's Trustees David Watermulder (RIP): "I will preach anywhere at any time to anyone given the opportunity."

    So I did.

    So I will.

    Sooooooo those folks thinking "My Last Sermon" in worship on October 18 will be my last sermon anytime soon will be disappointed along with people who hate me in a Matthew 10:22 kinda way, those who can't wait until...

    I'm just not politically correct.

    I got it from...

    And, uh, I'll be damned if I ever, uh, turn that way,

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Blessings and Love!

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