Augustine of Hippo.
Wrote his autobiographical “Confessions” late in the 4th century where he discussed how great a sinner he was, especially his sins dealing with lust. But the contrast to his great sinfulness was the great mercy extended to him by the God he would serve the rest of his life.
Beheadings.
John the Baptist was another follower of Christ who endured the persecution of Herod Antipas. John the Baptist pointed out that Herod was embroiled in a life of licentiousness, mainly stemming from an improper and lustful relationship with his brother’s ex-wife. For this, John’s head was placed on a platter as a gift to his stepdaughter.
Church politics.
As a pastor in a local church, it is often that strife and dissension arise in the congregation. As a result of this strife, it is usually the pastor who is served up as the sacrifice. 30% of pastors are fired each year.
Diocletian.
He was one of the last Roman emperors to persecute Christians before Constantine came into power, making Christianity a legal religion. He was the first Roman emperor to voluntarily abdicate the throne.
Edict of Milan.
In 313, the emperor Constantine passed the Edict of Milan, protecting the religious freedom of all in the Roman Empire.
Freedom.
The 1st amendment to the Constitution of the United States continues the theme of religious freedom. It states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”
Germany.
During World War II, 6 million Jews lost their lives because they were not granted such freedom.
Holland.
The place where the Puritans gathered before sailing for the United States because the country offered a form of religious freedom which they were not receiving in England while protesting the current system of Anglicanism.
Indigenous people.
As the first settlers began arriving in the New World of America, many indigenous people saw this as a threat to their way of life. Some killed the newcomers while others befriended them. Some of the newcomers killed the Native Americans while others befriended them.
Jesus.
He said in the gospel of John 13:34, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Ku Klux klan.
An organization which claims to have a Christian foundation. But when measuring them by the words of the One they supposedly follow, it’s hard to see a lynched black man as evidence of the love of Christ.
Love your enemies.
Probably one of the hardest commands of Christ which He Himself demonstrated on the cross as He said, “Forgive them, Father, for they do not know what they are doing.” Them=us. Romans 5:10, “When we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son.”
Me? An enemy.
Hard to believe, isn’t it? But nothing good exists in us. We are all sinners in need of rescue. If not, then why did Jesus have to come? If we can get to heaven because we are good people, what’s this cross thing all about? It’s the love and mercy of God on sinners like me, you, and Augustine.
Nero.
The emperor of Rome who tradition says lit Christians on fire to light his garden. He’s also said to be the one responsible for the deaths of Peter and Paul.
Osama-like apostle on the road to Damascus.
Paul was the apostle who was one of the lead persecutors of Christians of his day. He was traveling to Damascus to attempt to capture Christians there and throw them in jail. But on the way, he met the risen Christ and was never the same. God changed the heart of evil.
Pol Pot.
He was the leader of the Khmer Rouge, which killed 2 million people in a mass genocide in Cambodia. I can’t see this heart of evil sitting next to Paul in heaven.
Quick endings.
3 weeks ago, I was pastoring a small church with no sign of trouble. Today, I am an unemployed pastor.
Remember the Alamo.
The famous phrase which rallied the Texans to defeat the Mexican army, as they remembered the bravery of those soldiers who gave their lives for a cause they believed in-freedom. Even though, they were greatly outnumbered, these brave soldiers fought to the end, thereby inspiring a nation.
Saddam Hussein
On December 13, 2003 the brutal Iraqi leader who killed many people in his quest for power was found hiding in a spider hole at a farmhouse near Tikrit. Mexican General Santa Ana was also found hiding in a marsh the day after hearing the famous battle cry, “Remember the Alamo”, at the Battle of San Jacinto.
Texas.
I attended seminary in Fort Worth, TX. Alongside some of the best friends of my life, we were prepared to serve Jesus Christ, knowing that many of us would fall from leadership one day.
Umbrellas.
These provide us a means of protection from the constant assault of a steady rain.
Victory in Jesus.
A hymn that is sung in many Protestant churches, reminding them that even though this world might not offer our best life now, the ultimate victory in Jesus is coming and assured. Jesus acts as our umbrella in this world. Not taking away the rain but walking through the storm with us.
What was on his lips?!
Pastor Schweitzer was a Lutheran minister who was accused of being a German spy and sent off to a Soviet concentration camp after World War II. He encouraged the prisoners with his words and with his singing. One day, a new commander of the camp told him to stop his singing. When he didn’t, he was taken outside into the arctic night and ferociously beaten. The next day, the prisoners came out to find a giant block of ice in the middle of the courtyard. The old pastor was sprinkled with water all night and died frozen with his arms outstretched in the form of a cross.
Xenophobe.
One who fears foreigners. Isn’t this what we’ve learned on our walk through church history? Fearing man, fearing ideas that are foreign to us, fearing anything but the only One we are to fear-God?
You?
What do you fear? Those unlike you? One with a different message than you? Or do you fear God? The one with life and death and eternity in the palm of His hands.
Zsa Zsa Gabor
She’s a famous actress who just turned 93, this past February 6th. She’s about to die and see God face to face. Suddenly, I digress, and it doesn’t matter that I’m out of a job anymore. My freedom is found in the forgiveness of Christ.
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