Chief Cornerstone
People can sometimes say the strangest things following a sermon. After I preach I always say, “God bless you, stay strong and God bless America.” Sounds pretty encouraging, right?
On this particular day, I received a surprising reaction from my comments. When I finished playing “shake and shove” at the front door of this church, a woman came up to me and asked, “Why did you say God bless America? What about all the other countries in the world?” A bit startled, I replied, “You know, I decided that I would say God bless America at the end of each sermon as long as we were at war, and, in case you have forgotten, America is at war. Besides, I also happen to be a desperate patriot.”
The woman looked at me funny, huffed and puffed and said, “Well, well!” She then turned and walked away. I don’t know about anyone else, but I am proud of America. I have traveled to numerous countries and believe me when I say America is the most exceptional country in the world. Personally, I don’t care what anyone else thinks. I plan on continuing to say at the end of my sermons, “God bless you, stay strong and God bless America.”
In the politically correct world we live in today, I am sure as a Christian you have offended someone at least once simply because you follow Christ. The very name of Jesus either brings joy and peace or misery and turmoil. We are reminded in 1 Peter 2:7-8 (NKJV):
“Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, ‘The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone,’ and ‘A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense.’ They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.”
Never be ashamed to proclaim that you are a Christian. The light we possess from Jesus living within us will cause those who are living in darkness to be offended, convicted, and, prayerfully, they will surrender their lives to the Chief Cornerstone.
