Sermon for Wednesday 12-30-2014 What's Really Needed In the World?

Mark 16:15-20 King James Version (KJV)
 
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

What's Really Needed In the World?

It's amazing how a seemingly unrelated post on Facebook can cause an epiphany!  

I was reading a post about Pat Benatar's husband's birthday and someone commented that if her husband hadn't gotten her to change to rock she would still be just a lounge singer.  JUST A LOUNGE SINGER?  Well, as some of you know, I'm a fan of torch singers so I went on a search for Pat Benatar singing one of her "lounge singer" songs to see how she sounded.  What I eventually found was this:

Here's My Heart by Pat Benatar, Film Version 

 

captainsquare

If you haven't seen the film Metropolis to understand what it's about, I recommend you do so.  I haven't yet seen the 1984 version from which this was taken.  I first saw the pieced together original version in River Oaks at a theater there.  I recently saw it again.  When I saw this clip, I realized what I had been wanting to say all along and how it fit into my idea of WORLDstock, a vision that God had given me.

What is WORLDstock?

I have given my part of a shared vision, the idea of WORLDstock, to Aliza Hava who has a better location... Jerusalem.  After all, what better place to take this message than the root of where these things stem from? I feared that I might die before I could get the vision moving and I just hadn't anticipated running into anyone who would have access to the area and be able to put on a peace concert there before I met her.  She was working on a similar peace project so she was perfect to share my part of the vision with.  Anyway, onto the story.

I always related to Freder because I came from part of both worlds and had trouble resolving the conflict within when I stepped out of my life of relative privilege and saw what it was to live and work amongst the workers.  There was a terrible dichotomy inside me.  If only I could find someone to stand by my side to support me into trying to bring a resolution between the two worlds like Freder did. I need the love and encouragement to make it happen. I have the connections. I just need those who have faith enough in my idea to make it happen.

 When I saw this particular clip of Metropolis with Pat Benatar's song Here's My Heart, it struck me.  I think it shows how true love can truly bring understanding and lasting peace between opposing groups.  The groups aren't opposing in reality but need each other to exist. It's just that both groups have forgotten that they need each other and need to be compassionate toward one another.

I have seen the tensions forming on both sides.  It's like a repeat of the movie Metropolis.  Both sides seem to be warring with each other and it is about to become a revolution that could destroy everything on earth.  Deep down, the rich know that it's not right to hoard everything and starve the workers who made their riches and machinery possible.  

Proverbs 11:26 King James Version (KJV)

²⁶ He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.

Isaiah 23:18 King James Version (KJV)

¹⁸ And her merchandise and her hire shall be holiness to the Lord: it shall not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise shall be for them that dwell before the Lord, to eat sufficiently, and for durable clothing.

Proverbs 28:27 King James Version (KJV)

²⁷ He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

Deep down, the poor know that it's not right to kill the rich and to destroy everything that they created which also supports them and their lifestyle.  Instead of a warring revolution with possible nuclear implications, what is needed is a meeting of the hearts.  Rather than revolution we need conflict resolution.  Though the following song is dated, its message is what the world really needs right now... not war, not revolutions, but true love.

James 3:13-18 King James Version (KJV)

¹³ Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
¹⁴ But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
¹⁵ This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
¹⁶ For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
¹⁷ But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
¹⁸ And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Proverbs 13:4 King James Version (KJV)

⁴ The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

Proverbs 6:34 King James Version (KJV)

³⁴ For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.

Jackie DeShannon - What the World Needs Now (with lyrics) 

 

magnalink600

Now, it's true that at this point, the technology exists to tell the corporate masters to go to hell.  What people of those groups don't realize is that it's not something that would happen overnight.  Some people can't afford completely self-sustainable quarters and don't have the health to go out in search of their own food.  Not everyone can afford to relocate.  There are people living on the streets with no food and no housing.  They have no source of income and there are no jobs out there that they are capable of performing.  The Venus Project has some great ideas but these ideas take money and time to implement.  If none of the people who support the ideas have the money to make it happen, the ideas are irrelevant.  Still, a more compassionate view between the working class and the management class could acheive similar results and there would be no need for the wars and destruction that are likely to take place in the very near future if something doesn't change.  Don't be fooled.  The working class now has very powerful weapons at its disposal.  They have been stockpiling guns, grenades, missile launchers, and have even obtained nuclear weapons and support.  Spending your life hiding in an underground bunker, no matter how elaborate, is no substitute for living among others in a peaceful, compassionate fashion.  Shouldn't we find a way to make peace rather than revolt?  This was Jesus' vision.  It was God's message to mankind.  It was why God sent Jesus to the Jews and to all mankind.  Let's make the following verse a reality everyday as He intended.

Luke 2:14King James Version (KJV)

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Sometimes, I don't think women realize what an inspiration a woman can be to a man. She can wake all his hidden talents even if they've lain dormant for decades. Ladies, don't fear your man's talents and abilities. Don't suppress them. Help nurture and guide them so that he can make the most of them and you... And maybe the rest of the world... Will reap the rewards.  The reverse is true as well.  Support your women in their talents and dreams.

John 16:33 New International Version (NIV)

33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

True love can overcome any barrier whether it be social class, race, sex, or great distance.  As long as we truly open our hearts to one another, we will be surprised at how much more compatible we are than we previously thought.  I owe this to someone whom I truly admire, and yes, love.

John 16:33 King James Version (KJV)

33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

I don't fear the world or what it can do to me. I know that He who is in me is greater than he who is in the world. I am quite comfortable being of good cheer in dangerous times because I've been through dangerous times and I know that He shall see me through until the end.

1 John 4:4 King James Version (KJV)

4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

We should not be afraid of others. We should especially not be afraid of those who would keep us from doing God's will through threats of harm. These things will come and these things will pass.

Matthew 24:8-14 King James Version (KJV)

8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

I know that tougher times are coming, but I've been there too and know that God will give me the words to say when it is time to say them. I shall endure unto the end. I shall be here until God calls me home.

Luke 12:11-12 King James Version (KJV)

11 And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:
12 For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.

So, be of good cheer. If you have accepted Jesus into your heart, fear not. If you have not then I invite you to do it at this time. Here is a simple prayer you can pray.

Dear Jesus,

Come into my heart and teach me the things I need to know. Teach me how to love God with all of my heart and all of my soul. Teach me how to love you and to love others as you did. Teach me your ways and teach me of heavenly things that I might walk in your path until the end.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Love, Hope, Peace, and Christ be with you,

Cal-el

What's Really Needed In the World?

It's amazing how a seemingly unrelated post on Facebook can cause an epiphany!  

I was reading a post about Pat Benatar's husband's birthday and someone commented that if her husband hadn't gotten her to change to rock she would still be just a lounge singer.  JUST A LOUNGE SINGER?  Well, as some of you know, I'm a fan of torch singers so I went on a search for Pat Benatar singing one of her "lounge singer" songs to see how she sounded.  What I eventually found was this:

Here's My Heart by Pat Benatar, Film Version

captainsquare

If you haven't seen the film Metropolis to understand what it's about, I recommend you do so.  I haven't yet seen the 1984 version from which this was taken.  I first saw the pieced together original version in River Oaks at a theater there.  I recently saw it again.  When I saw this clip, I realized what I had been wanting to say all along and how it fit into my idea of WORLDstock.

What is WORLDstock?

I have given my part of a shared vision, the idea of WORLDstock, to Aliza Hava who has a better location... Jerusalem.  I feared that I might die before I could get the vision moving and I just hadn't anticipated running into anyone who would have access to the area and be able to put on a peace concert there before I met her.  She was working on a similar peace project so she was perfect to share my part of the vision with.  Anyway, onto the story.

I always related to Freder because I came from part of both worlds and had trouble resolving the conflict within when I stepped out of my life of relative privilege and saw what it was to live and work amongst the workers.  There was a terrible dichotomy inside me.  If only I could find someone to stand by my side to support me into trying to bring a resolution between the two worlds. I need the love and encouragement to make it happen. I have the connections. I just need those who have faith enough in my idea to make it happen.

 When I saw this particular clip of Metropolis with Pat Benatar's song Here's My Heart, it struck me.  I think it shows how true love can truly bring understanding and lasting peace between opposing groups.  The groups aren't opposing in reality but need each other to exist. It's just that both groups have forgotten that they need each other and need to be compassionate toward one another.

I have seen the tensions forming on both sides.  It's like a repeat of the movie Metropolis.  Both sides seem to be warring with each other and it is about to become a revolution that could destroy everything on earth.  Deep down, the rich know that it's not right to hoard everything and starve the workers who made their riches and machinery possible.  Deep down, the poor know that it's not right to kill the rich and to destroy everything that they created which also supports them and their lifestyle.  Instead of a warring revolution with possible nuclear implications, what is needed is a meeting of the hearts.  Rather than revolution we need conflict resolution.  Though the following song is dated, its message is what the world really needs right now... not war, not revolutions, but true love.

Jackie DeShannon - What the World Needs Now (with lyrics)

magnalink600

Now, it's true that at this point, the technology exists to tell the corporate masters to go to hell.  What people of those groups don't realize is that it's not something that would happen overnight.  Some people can't afford completely self-sustainable quarters and don't have the health to go out in search of their own food.  Not everyone can afford to relocate.  There are people living on the streets with no food and no housing.  They have no source of income and there are no jobs out there that they are capable of performing.  The Venus Project has some great ideas but these ideas take money and time to implement.  If none of the people who support the ideas have the money to make it happen, the ideas are irrelevant.  Still, a more compassionate view between the working class and the management class could acheive similar results and there would be no need for the wars and destruction that are likely to take place in the very near future if something doesn't change.  Don't be fooled.  The working class now has very powerful weapons at its disposal.  They have been stockpiling guns, grenades, missile launchers, and have even obtained nuclear weapons and support.  Spending your life hiding in an underground bunker, no matter how elaborate, is no substitute for living among others in a peaceful, compassionate fashion.  Shouldn't we find a way to make peace rather than revolt?  This was Jesus' vision.  It was God's message to mankind.  It was why God sent Jesus to the Jews and to all mankind.  Let's make the following verse a reality everyday as He intended.

Luke 2:14King James Version (KJV)

¹⁴ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.


Love, Hope, Peace, and Christ be with you,

Cal-el

P.S.  Sometimes, I don't think women realize what an inspiration a woman can be to a man. She can wake all his hidden talents even if they've lain dormant for decades. Ladies, don't fear your man's talents and abilities. Don't suppress them. Help nurture and guide them so that he can make the most of them and you... And maybe the rest of the world... Will reap the rewards.  The reverse is true as well.  Support your women in their talents and dreams.

P.P.S.  True love can overcome any barrier whether it be social class, race, sex, or great distance.  As long as we truly open our hearts to one another, we will be surprised at how much more compatible we are than we previously thought.  I owe this to someone whom I truly admire, and yes, love.

Christians Saying, "I'm Sorry"

We, as Christians, can't always be shining examples of Jesus in every aspect of our lives. At times we are going to face problems with which we don't know how to deal or cope. At times we may have an illness that causes us to become overly bitter. We might even just have a bad day from time to time. At these times, we may make a choice or say something that we normally wouldn't.

If we lie about it and try to deny that we did or said such a thing, we're not only creating another wrong, but are making ourselves appear hypocritical. It is better to be honest about the situation, about our feelings, or whatever the circumstance and admit our mistake.

Jesus was about truth and God knows that we're going to make mistakes. We are already forgiven, but it doesn't hurt us to ask His forgiveness. We should also ask the forgiveness of those whom we offended or did wrong, even if they're not receptive.

Some people feel it is wrong to admit their mistakes if they are in a position of power because it "shows a weakness." What it really does is show strength. You will gain the respect and admiration of your subordinates if you are honest rather than whitewashing your wrongdoings.

Yes, sometimes there is a price to pay for the wrong we've committed, but it is better to deal with them honestly and quickly than to let them go on until they've built into something huge and overwhelming. When we keep trying to hide what we've done, "interest" on the wrong builds and compounds, sometimes more quickly and more disdainfully than we might think possible. The quicker we can get things out in the open, the quicker we can put things behind us.

Sorry may be the hardest word, but sometimes it's the most necessary word in the human vocabulary. Don't say it unless you mean it, though.

Copyright © 2009 Cal Jennings