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PREACHING

A decision by the 3rd U.S. Circuit court of Appeals has dealt a setback to a Jewish congregation trying to open a synagogue in a Philadelphia suburb, and at the same time, sent an interesting message to believers.

The court ruled that towns trying to control noise and traffic may legally prevent religious groups from opening churches and temples in residential neighborhoods. The court overturned a judge’s ruling that struck down a local zoning law in Abington Township, which allowed; golf courses, kennels, and riding clubs, but not churches in residential areas.

In its opinion the three-judge panel said large churches or temples could create traffic and parking problems. It also said that while churches were once seen as an integral part of most neighborhoods, “We do not believe land use planners can assume anymore that religious uses are inherently compatible with family and residential uses.” The court added, “The facts of this case illustrate why religious uses, may be in some cases, incompatible with a place of ‘Quiet seclusion.’”

The Jewish group sought to place a temple and religious school for 120 students into a former monastery now home to small order of Catholic nuns. Neighbors opposed the move, saying an active synagogue would bring noise and traffic to what is now a residential cul-de-sac shared with multi-million dollar homes.

The lawyer for the township Marci Hamilton is confident the township would prevail, saying, “ This takes place at a time when religious (buildings) are turning into ’24-seven’ operations.”

The 3rd Circuit sent the case back to the U.S. District Court for further action and left the door open for the congregation to prove its case on a variety of legal grounds. Under the current zoning plan, churches, hospital, and schools in Abington are restricted to nonresidential areas.

—http://washingtonpost.com, October 17, 2002, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Even if the government restricts the building of church buildings in neighborhoods, they cannot stop the church from functioning in them when we remember that the people, not the building is the church. The Lord never commanded us to “go ye therefore and build buildings,” but he did command us to go and preach the gospel.

Romans 10:13-15a ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ How, then can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent?”

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PREACHING

Two Preachers were responsible for grounding a flight leaving Buffalo, New York, after they frightened passengers by saying the September 11, 2001 attacks were a good reason to pray. As the plane taxied down the runway, one preacher told fellow passengers" Your last breath on earth will be the first one in heaven as long as you are born again and have Jesus in your heart."

FBI spokesman Paul Moskal says some passengers told a flight attendant, who alerted the plane's captain. The captain decided to turn the plane around. The two ministers from Canada were questioned by the FBI and later released. They were put on another flight to Baltimore where they planned to attend a convention.

Moskal says, “They were sincere in their beliefs and were not malicious. In this particular context, it may not have been the best way to promote their religion."

—Reuters, Praying Preachers Ground Flight, May 27, 2004, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

1 Cor. 1:18 (NIV) “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
 

PREACHING/ INFLUENCE

Actor Stephen Baldwin is criticizing Bono's crusade against poverty in Africa. Baldwin says he U2 should use his notoriety to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ instead. Baldwin, who currently stars in the program, The Usual Suspects is a born-again Christian. He is convinced the only way the world can be healed is accepting and following the teachings of Jesus. Baldwin writes, "You would do far more good if you just preached the gospel of Jesus rather than trying to get rid of Third World debt relief."

—Irish Examiner, Baldwin criticises(sic) Bono's charity work, July 4, 2006. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

2 Corinthians 4:5 (ASV) "For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake."

There is a new Guinness world record for the longest speech and not surprisingly, it is a sermon. Pastor Zach Zehnder of Mount Dora, Florida preached for two days five hours and eighteen minutes. Taking only rare bathroom breaks and with at least 10 people present at all times, the pastor preached from Genesis through Revelation. He surpassed the record after two days but he didn’t quit. He needed another 5 hours to finish the message. --Jim L Wilson and Rodger Russell

While sermons don’t have to be long to be effective, they do have to be bible-based to change lives. 

World, December 13, 2014 p. 27

2 Timothy 4:2 (CEV) to preach God's message. Do it willingly, even if it isn't the popular thing to do. You must correct people and point out their sins. But also cheer them up, and when you instruct them, always be patient.

PREACHING

The development and delivery of sermons is an ancient art and calling. In a Buddhist temple in Japan, half of that art is being taken over by a robot. The Android Kannon is programmed to deliver sermons from the Heart Sutras at Kyoto’s Kodaii temple. The humanoid stands nearly 6 ½ feet tall and has flesh-like silicon covering its face, hands, and shoulders.

One reason for the robot preacher is the priests desire to get more people to hear the message. “We want many people to come and see the robot and to think about the essence of Buddhism,” said Tensho Goto, a priest.  

–The Week, March 15, 2019 p. 12

I can think of lots of uses for a robot to take over the actual delivery of sermons but none of the reasons is an adequate replacement for a caring pastor ministering to the needs of his congregation. –Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell.

Acts 20:28 (CSB) “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood.”