“Do We Need King’s Spirit Today?”                                 January 17, 2010
Micah 6:  6–8; Matthew 25:  31–40                               Elder Rudy Cohen

MLK Day Sermon 2010

INTRODUCTION:

Good morning BPC, I am Elder Rudy Cohen, which does not mean much – so in order to gain some credibility, I am Robbie Cohen’s husband – all the husbands will clearly understand. I am also not an experienced Preacher, therefore this is very daunting task for me. My wife and daughter will attest to the fact that one’s ability to run their mouth and have an opinion on everything does not qualify them to deliver a sermon. Nevertheless, I thank Rev. Beth for letting me know that I ‘volunteered’ for this privilege today. Additionally, I can identify with the early Christians, standing before the crowds in the Roman Coliseum and facing the hungry lions –standing before you in the heart of Redskin territory, as the ‘lone star’ Cowboy fan.

MAIN BODY:

Do we need King’s Spirit Today?
Like, Rev. Beth, I grew up in Atlanta during the era of the civil rights movements. I went to school with the kids of the movements’ key figures–Dr. King, Ambassador Young, and lived a few blocks from Rev. Abernathy. I still remember the symbols and struggles of that day, those representing the status quo and the actions attempting to force change. I can visualize the signs over the water fountains that said “white’s only” or “colored;” the marches, seeing the Klan in their white hoods, and the charred remains of a burned Cross.  I can never forget Walter Cronkite interrupting the television program to announce – “Dr. King has been shot”; or the eeriness of King’s funeral procession, as the casket passed – as if God reached out and silenced all sound.

Fortunately the generations well behind me, did not witness the struggles of that time. Yet they all know who Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was and what he did. We have a national holiday for Dr. King and he will be honored with a monument in our nation’s capitol. So is it still important that we talk about him today, in church – at Burke Presbyterian Church?

Rev. Beth has faith in me do to this, so let my faith be tested. Please pray with me. Our Father in heaven, be with us today to make us wiser and give us strength. Everyday is a struggle, as we attempt to do your will on this earth – to show compassion and love for our neighbor. Open our hearts, minds, and soul to receive your spirit in order that we may be more like your Son, when we leave this place. May the words from my mouth be from you and not of my thoughts, in the name of your Son. Amen.

Do we need King’s Spirit Today?
Four Score and one year ago, Martin Luther King Jr., was born in Atlanta Georgia and assassinated at the young age of 39. His original name was “Michael King Jr.” but his father changed both their names after visiting the birthplace of Martin Luther on a trip to Europe. I wonder if there was divine intervention in changing his name – Martin Luther changed the face of the Church as leader of the Protestant movement; and Dr Martin Luther King Jr. changed the face of our country, maybe the world, as a leader of the civil rights movement.

Do we need King’s Spirit Today?
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. lived his life as a Christian, not just in words, but in action. He believed in the teachings of the Bible and used them to guide his day-to-day activities. It was as if the initials WWJD (What Would Jesus Do) were tattooed on his forehead; or he believed that some day, he would have to stand before the Lord and to be held accountable for his actions or non-actions. The Bible teaches us that in order to live as believers we must take care of the orphaned and less fortunate. Jesus said, “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” He concludes with, “Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” King’s life focused on improving the lives of the ‘least of these’ in our society – the poor, the hungry, the disenfranchised, the discriminated and those without a voice. Like a modern day Amos, a Prophet of the Old Testament, he challenged our moral consciences and demanded we stand up to injustice. King said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

Do we need King’s Spirit Today?
The Bible teaches us to have courage through our faith, if God is with you, who can be against you. Dr King showed courage through his faith, he was willing to give up his life because he believed that the Lord was always with him and he was doing His will. He often said, “A man who won’t die for something is not fit to live.” In his last speech before his assassination in Memphis (leading protests demanding dignity and a decent wage for sanitation workers), he addressed the increasing threats to his life, “And I don’t mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will.”

King lived his life, based on his love for all mankind and his enormous faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. He strongly believed in universal peace, justice, a sense of worth and dignity for all –“Jews and Gentiles, Catholic and Protestants, black and white”, rich and poor. For him we are all God’s children, created by God and in God’s image.

So what does his life mean for us today; how can I be like him? He was courageous in his faith; how can I be? Maybe one day, if I carry myself at work as a Christian, a co-worker will ask me what do you believe. I hope that on that day, I will have the courage to say what I believe; to be honest and say I don’t have all the answers but I keep trying, to take that opportunity to spread the good news of the gospel.

Do we need King’s Spirit Today?
King demonstrated his love for all humanity – how can I do the same? Maybe one day, I will interact with someone that is homeless or less fortunate than I am. Will I act out of love and concern, willing to share my time, talents and/or abundance that the Lord has blessed me with, like the Good Samaritan; or will I be more like the Priest and Levite, looking the other way as I pass them by? In Haiti, today the world is responding to the recent earthquake devastation. But for 60 years, Haiti has been the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Will we still ‘love our neighbor’ a year from now, or will we look the other way?  I bet Dr. King would not look the other way or walk away until the mission was done. My research, although admittedly not very extensive, showed that Dr. King did not choose to lead the civil rights movement in America; but that when he heard the call, he said, “Send me Lord”.

Do we need the spirit of Dr King today?
Some will say, “This is not the 1950’s or 60’s, this is 2010. Look at all the progress we’ve made. Today, the President of the most powerful nation on earth is an African American.” I must agree to a limited degree, to that thought process. But where are we today? Today, we have millions without employment or basic health care; a rising number of homeless and starving around the world and in our own community, in one of the wealthiest counties in America, Fairfax County, VA. There are increasing numbers of wars and conflicts; and still today, the continuation of human trafficking and slavery around the world.

CONCLUSION:

Do we need the spirit of Dr King today, courage in our faith and love for our neighbor? My answer to the question is ‘yes we do!’ Yet remembering Dr. King in our religious communities across the land today should be more than just honoring a great man. Our remembrance must remind us that if our actions demonstrate ‘courage in our faith’ and ‘love for our neighbors as we do ourselves,’ each of us can and will make a difference and our world will be a better place for all of us.

Before ending, I have a “thought for the day” I want you to remember. When you question whether you have the courage or enough love to act, to make a difference in this chaotic world, remember, “God does not call the prepared; God prepares the called.” Amen.