“High Noon”
This past Friday evening Julie and I watch the classic western film “High Noon” starring Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly. It's the story of a man who stands alone doing what he believes is the right thing to do. He is determined to do it in spite of his own fears simply because it is the right thing to do. If you follow my writing you know I like heroes.
What I want to focus on in this film is the church. I have titled this blog “Principles of the Founding Fathers” and you have heard me time and time again make the statement or reference to our need to return to the faith of our Fathers. These Principles are directly connected to our faith. The faith of our Fathers produced the Principles upon which this nation was founded. I saw this in a new way watching this film, and so I think what I want to do is lay a bit of foundation in this post and do a few follow up in few subsequence posts. It has occurred to me if I am to suggest we need to return to the faith of our fathers, we might need to examine what that faith was, and are we viewing our world through that same faith?
This past Friday evening Julie and I watch the classic western film “High Noon” starring Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly. It's the story of a man who stands alone doing what he believes is the right thing to do. He is determined to do it in spite of his own fears simply because it is the right thing to do. If you follow my writing you know I like heroes.
What I want to focus on in this film is the church. I have titled this blog “Principles of the Founding Fathers” and you have heard me time and time again make the statement or reference to our need to return to the faith of our Fathers. These Principles are directly connected to our faith. The faith of our Fathers produced the Principles upon which this nation was founded. I saw this in a new way watching this film, and so I think what I want to do is lay a bit of foundation in this post and do a few follow up in few subsequence posts. It has occurred to me if I am to suggest we need to return to the faith of our fathers, we might need to examine what that faith was, and are we viewing our world through that same faith?
During
the film several times the scene would go to a church setting where a
congregation in town was worshiping. The main character Will Kain was
needing some courageous men to stand with him to defend the town and do
what was right.
He found it difficult finding men who would sacrifice for the cause. So we find him making his way to this worship service. When High Noon approaches and we require men of courage who have answers to the forces that we face, where should we be able to look other than the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ?
We find something interesting in this scene, when the situation is presented we do not find men of courage. What we find in this congregation is a multitude of sin manifesting among the people. Such things as fear, pride, selfishness, greed, and betrayal. At one point all eyes are upon the Pastor, what do you say Pastor? Does the word of God give us answers to which we can rest upon? Does the Word of God give us direction and hope? Should we stand and fight for our town? The answer is given, the Pastor quotes part of a verse that we should not kill, then states he cannot send his people out to kill or even maybe be killed. Then he says other than that, I don't know what to tell you.
When High Noon approaches someone's life, when they need answers to life's hard questions, does our church, your church have the courage to meet the challenge? Does our church, your church have the knowledge to give an answer from the Word of God? Or will the Pastor and elders be clueless and the congregation ridden with sin?
He found it difficult finding men who would sacrifice for the cause. So we find him making his way to this worship service. When High Noon approaches and we require men of courage who have answers to the forces that we face, where should we be able to look other than the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ?
We find something interesting in this scene, when the situation is presented we do not find men of courage. What we find in this congregation is a multitude of sin manifesting among the people. Such things as fear, pride, selfishness, greed, and betrayal. At one point all eyes are upon the Pastor, what do you say Pastor? Does the word of God give us answers to which we can rest upon? Does the Word of God give us direction and hope? Should we stand and fight for our town? The answer is given, the Pastor quotes part of a verse that we should not kill, then states he cannot send his people out to kill or even maybe be killed. Then he says other than that, I don't know what to tell you.
When High Noon approaches someone's life, when they need answers to life's hard questions, does our church, your church have the courage to meet the challenge? Does our church, your church have the knowledge to give an answer from the Word of God? Or will the Pastor and elders be clueless and the congregation ridden with sin?
What kind of answers
would have been given at High Noon by the faith of our fathers? What
principles would they have lived by? Would they have fought or let Will
Kain stand alone?
On June 5th, 1809 John Foster, a New England clergyman, preached to his congregation in Boston saying, “It hence becomes the duty of every community to provide means of protection, and to appear in the attitude of readiness, should they be driven to the painful alternative, “to fight for their brethren, their sons, and their daughters, their wives and their houses [Nehem. 4:14].” To shrink from combat, in such an exigence, were a dereliction of every principle, both of piety and patriotism. It would betray equal ingratitude to God, and perfidy to our country.” ~ John Foster
John Foster would later close his sermon stating; “Attend his call therefore; and, at his call “Be courageous, and play the men for your people, and for the cities of your God: and the Lord do what seemeth him good [2 Sam 10:12].” ~ John Foster
On June 5th, 1809 John Foster, a New England clergyman, preached to his congregation in Boston saying, “It hence becomes the duty of every community to provide means of protection, and to appear in the attitude of readiness, should they be driven to the painful alternative, “to fight for their brethren, their sons, and their daughters, their wives and their houses [Nehem. 4:14].” To shrink from combat, in such an exigence, were a dereliction of every principle, both of piety and patriotism. It would betray equal ingratitude to God, and perfidy to our country.” ~ John Foster
John Foster would later close his sermon stating; “Attend his call therefore; and, at his call “Be courageous, and play the men for your people, and for the cities of your God: and the Lord do what seemeth him good [2 Sam 10:12].” ~ John Foster
And
what is the fruit of this faith? What kind of men and women will it
produce? What kind of heart will it give a nation? Patrick Henry in his
famous “Give me Liberty or Give me death” speech stated; “The
millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a
country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our
enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles
alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations,
and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us [2 Chron.
32:8]. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone [Eccl. 9:11]; it is
to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no
election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to
retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and
slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the
plains of Boston! The war is inevitable--and let it come! I repeat it,
sir, let it come.” ~ Patrick Henry
If God grants me the grace, in the next few posts I should if possible, consider the faith of our fathers. Why did they think the way they did? Why did they say the things they did? Why did they form a nation as they did? Was it not the product of their faith?
May the Grace of God be toward each of you,
David
If God grants me the grace, in the next few posts I should if possible, consider the faith of our fathers. Why did they think the way they did? Why did they say the things they did? Why did they form a nation as they did? Was it not the product of their faith?
May the Grace of God be toward each of you,
David
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