Christianity Is Not A Majority Rules Activity
Preaching
Shaking Wolves Out Of Cherry Trees
And 149 Other Sermon Ideas
Purpose Statement: Christianity is sensitive to all persons and no minorities should be overlooked or forgotten.
Democracy is such a dominant and important concept in human affairs that it colors our impressions of Christianity. It is easy to assume that in all situations it will be "majority rules." That always seems fair and, if anything, Christianity plays fair. It is just that our faith goes beyond "what is allowed" or "what we may be legally responsible for." Jesus sent us the "second mile" and asked that we "turn the other cheek." He told parables such as the one where the eleventh hour workers were paid the same as the folks who worked all day (Matthew 20). If we are sued for one of our garments we should give the plaintiff another garment in good faith. Christianity seems to go beyond what is fair and safe. It calls for more. Luke 15 contains three parables that express this idea: the "prodigal son," the "lost coin," and the story concerning 99 sheep safe in the fold and the shepherd going out to find the one that is lost. Jesus said the well do not need a physician; the sick do.
a. Minority needs. Christianity stresses serving the poor and unfortunate. It never intends for the majority to be ignored, or that all people aren't important and worthy of our concern. What Christianity simply says is the majority is often satisfied at the expense of the minority, and since the majority's needs are taken care of we must concentrate on the persons who have more serious needs. The 99 sheep are safe; go take care of the lost one.
b. The minority is often right. In a democracy, the majority, right or wrong, will decide and rule. Christianity says that at times the majority may be wrong and the minority is right. In that case Christianity urges consideration of the minority's point of view however difficult that may be. Consequently, we have protest marches and civil rights demonstrations. At the very least the minority rights must be protected.
c. The minority has power. Finally, we need to appreciate the strength of the determined few! Analogous to the David and Goliath story, there is power in small numbers. Never underestimate what a few may do. A small boy with a few loaves and fishes can do wonders with Jesus' help.
Democracy is such a dominant and important concept in human affairs that it colors our impressions of Christianity. It is easy to assume that in all situations it will be "majority rules." That always seems fair and, if anything, Christianity plays fair. It is just that our faith goes beyond "what is allowed" or "what we may be legally responsible for." Jesus sent us the "second mile" and asked that we "turn the other cheek." He told parables such as the one where the eleventh hour workers were paid the same as the folks who worked all day (Matthew 20). If we are sued for one of our garments we should give the plaintiff another garment in good faith. Christianity seems to go beyond what is fair and safe. It calls for more. Luke 15 contains three parables that express this idea: the "prodigal son," the "lost coin," and the story concerning 99 sheep safe in the fold and the shepherd going out to find the one that is lost. Jesus said the well do not need a physician; the sick do.
a. Minority needs. Christianity stresses serving the poor and unfortunate. It never intends for the majority to be ignored, or that all people aren't important and worthy of our concern. What Christianity simply says is the majority is often satisfied at the expense of the minority, and since the majority's needs are taken care of we must concentrate on the persons who have more serious needs. The 99 sheep are safe; go take care of the lost one.
b. The minority is often right. In a democracy, the majority, right or wrong, will decide and rule. Christianity says that at times the majority may be wrong and the minority is right. In that case Christianity urges consideration of the minority's point of view however difficult that may be. Consequently, we have protest marches and civil rights demonstrations. At the very least the minority rights must be protected.
c. The minority has power. Finally, we need to appreciate the strength of the determined few! Analogous to the David and Goliath story, there is power in small numbers. Never underestimate what a few may do. A small boy with a few loaves and fishes can do wonders with Jesus' help.
