The Citizen, 2016-05-19, Page 12PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2016.
From the Minister's Study
What is the role of the monarch?: Dow
By Pastor Ernest Dow, Living
Water Christian Fellowship
(EMC), Blyth
The Victoria Day holiday is upon
us once again. To Canadians, this
means a variety of things.
To those who are gardening
enthusiasts, it represents the date
they can get planting their
vegetables without too much danger
of frost undoing their efforts. To the
party crowd, the slang tag "May 2-
4" suggests the purchase of a case of
24 beers for a weekend's dissipation.
Historically, though, the holiday
originated back in 1845 when
parliament officially recognized a
day in honour of Queen Victoria's
birthday. Since 1952, it has been for
Canadians the official day to mark
our current reigning monarch's
birthday.
In the British democratic system,
the royal monarch — queen or king —
has long been more of an honourary
figurehead or symbol of state rather
than an effectual factor of
government. She adorns our coins
and stamps, troops swear allegiance
to her upon admission to the
Canadian Forces, and our legal
system still makes reference to "the
Crown". How does the Bible
describe the role of a monarch, and
what can we learn from that about
how we should exercise leadership
in our own lives?
Scripture portrays God as the
ultimate Sovereign; He is the One
who sets up kings and deposes them
(Dan. 2:21). The Jewish people
started out as a `theocracy', without
a human king, instead with God as
ruler; when the people insisted on
having a king like other nations, God
reassured the prophet Samuel it was
God they were rejecting, not Samuel
as current judge (1Sam. 8:7). Clearly
the arrangement of having a human
king would be `second best'; yet
God accommodated their request.
He directed Samuel to anoint Saul,
then later David, to govern (1Sam.
9:16f; 16:12).
Yet it was made clear from the
beginning that this powerful human
ruler would remain ultimately
accountable to God, subject to His
revealed laws. God removed the first
Brussels
Mennonite
Fellowship
250 Princess St., Brussels
519-887-6388
www.bmfchurch.com
Pastor Ken Gazley
Worship Service 10:00 am
Sunday School 11:15 am
Guests Welcome
Jesus Is Lord!
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May 22: Lk. 18:1-8
"Perturbingly
Persistent
Praying"
Evangelical Missionary Church
Tues. 7:30 pm Wingham Small Group
- G&M Lisle's, 136 Patrick St. W.
10:30 a.m. - Worship & Sunday School [ 1
at 308 Blyth Rd. (former Church of God) I I
Pastor: Ernest Dow - 519-523-4848
getlivingwater.or)
Jewish king, Saul, from his position
when he disobeyed God's command
(1Sam. 13:14).
What are a monarch's top three
responsibilities? First, revere God;
second follow carefully God's law.
"When he takes the throne of his
kingdom, he is to write for himself
on a scroll a copy of this law...It is to
be with him, and he is to read it all
the days of his life so that he may
learn to revere the LORD his God
and follow carefully all the words of
this law and these decrees." (Deut.
17:18f)
A third responsibility is to
administer justice. "0 house of
David, this is what the LORD says:
`Administer justice every morning;
rescue from the hand of his
oppressor the one who has been
robbed..."' (Jer. 21:12) Clearly, the
Biblical view of a monarch is not to
exist for one's own selfish pleasure,
but to uphold the law and see that
those who are oppressed receive fair
treatment; to be a voice for the
voiceless. (cf.Ps.72:12f0
What are three common
temptations for rulers? With great
power come great privilege and
responsibility — and the temptation
to let it go to your head! Daniel
pointed out to Nebuchadnezzar's son
that his father learned this the hard
way: pride led to temporary insanity
until he acknowledged God was
sovereign. "But when his heart
became arrogant and hardened with
pride, he was deposed from his royal
throne and stripped of his glory."
(Dan. 5:20) Side note: surveying the
candidates for the American
presidency, one can't help but
wonder if certain ones already suffer
from pride, even though they haven't
yet been elected!
A second temptation is to become
corrupt, greedy for bribes, milking
the system. "By justice a king gives
a country stability, but one who is
greedy for bribes tears it down."
(Prov. 29:4) Recently the "Panama
Papers" caused woe for some in
office who had suspicious dealings
in offshore accounts. Canadian
senators may be tempted to abuse
expense accounts.
And a third temptation for those in
power is to utilize the vast resources
at their disposal for their own
personal pleasure, partying
whenever possible. "It is not for
kings...to drink wine, not for rulers
to crave beer, lest they drink and
forget what the law decrees, and
deprive all the oppressed of their
rights." Drinking wine and craving
beer make a person forgetful of their
responsibilities, more likely to treat
others poorly or abusively... Oh —
what were we saying was a popular
take on "May 2-4"?!
While the Bible applies these
instructions to rulers in high office,
they also suggest diligence for us
private citizens in whatever
leadership capacity we find
ourselves: parents, employers,
employees, on volunteer or church
committees, coaching sports teams,
influencing a niece or nephew...
ANGLICAN PARISH OF NEW BEGINNINGS
lliAk
BLYTH BRUSSELS
Zri9n.i5itaymiSt. John's
11:15 am
pi
Church Office Church Office
519-357-4883 519-887-6862
Everyone Welcome!
COME WORSHIP WITH US!
MELVILLE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
BRUSSELS
Rev. Elwin Garland
SUNDAY, MAY 22
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We invite you to join our church family in:
Worship & Sunday School - 10 am
Coffee & Snacks - 11 am
Fridays 11:30 am - 1:00 pm - Soup & More 2
- a free community meal held in Melville's basement, and
made possible by the Brussels churches working together.
6.
Nursery care available
519-887-9017
(0.
Blyth United Church
Est. 1875
Worship Service & Sunday School at 9:30 a.m.
Sunday, May 22nd
Happy Long Weekend:
It's Warm and Dry in Here
All Welcome
MINISTER: Rev. Gary Clark, BA, M. Div.
OFFICE: 519-523-4224
How do I show that I revere God?
Am I obviously following His laws,
being completely ethical in my
workplace and civic activities? Am I
doing my part to see justice done,
others treated fairly, helping those
who lack resources get back on their
feet?
The New Testament affirms that
Jesus was recognized by some as a
king during His life. "`You are a
king, then!' said Pilate. Jesus
answered, 'You are right in saying I
am a king."' (John 18:37) "`Here is
your king,' Pilate said to the Jews."
(John 19:14) This was documented
in the official sign nailed to the cross
above Jesus' head. (Jn. 19:190 The
thief crucified beside Jesus asked in
his dying moments, "Jesus,
remember me when you come into
your kingdom." (Luke 23:42)
The Apostle Paul declares Jesus is
the ultimate King to whom all will
one day be accountable, and who
will eventually overcome every evil.
"For he must reign until he has put
all his enemies under his feet."
(1 Cor. 15:25) Am I conducting
myself today in such a way that,
when that day comes, He will be
pleased with the way I have
exercised management over that
which was entrusted to my
oversight?
Our country has been blessed to
have a queen who for many decades
has largely stood for what's right and
good, and consonant with Biblical
values. Recently, on April 21, Queen
Elizabeth II celebrated her 90th
birthday! Nominally, that's what we
celebrate on Victoria Day; the Brits
Continued on page 15
BRUSSELS
United Church
WORSHIP SERVICE
AND SUNDAY SCHOOL 11:00 am
All Welcome
Minister: Rev. Gary Clark, BA, M.Div.
Bulletin notices: 519-523-4224
blythunited@tcc.on.ca
Church bookings: 519-887-6377
Other concerns: 226-963-1175
-You're 9nvited a join
SUNDAYS
Morning Service
Evening Service
�s 9n Worship
10:00 am
7:30 pm
BLYTH CHRISTIAN
REFORMED CHURCH
Minister: Pastor Gary van Leeuwen
Hwy. 4, Blyth www.blythcrc.ca 519-523-4743
Seaael¢ elotsi2fsrct'i&e
You're Invited
to come worsht p
with us
Sunday, May 22
Brussels Business & Cultural Centre
at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Sunday School for children
4 to 12 years of age at 9:30 a.m.
Childcare provided for infants and
preschoolers during the sermon.
Coffee & cookies after the morning service.
For additional details please contact Pastor Andrew Versteeg 519.887.8621
Steve Klumpenhower 519.292.0965 Rick Packer 519.527.0173
THE CATHOLIC PARISHES OF NORTH HURON AND NORTH PERTH
CORDIALLY INVITE YOU TO ATTEND HOLY MASS.
OUR SUNDAY LITURGIES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
Brussels:
St. Ambrose
Saturday
6:00 p.m.
17 Flora Street
Wingham:
Sacred Heart
Sunday
9:00 a.m.
220 Carling Terrace
Listowel:
St. Joseph's
Sunday
11:00 a.m.
1025 Wallace Avenue N.