April 20, 2024

Dear Road Church Friends,

One of the best-selling novels of all time was written in 1896 by the pastor of a Congregational Church in Kansas. In His Steps was based on a series of story sermons he preached on the theme of “What Would Jesus Do?” Each week’s sermon eventually became a chapter in a novel about a  pastor who challenged his parishioners to take a pledge to organize their lives around the idea of walking in Jesus’ steps, asking themselves, “What would Jesus do?” Those who accepted the challenge soon learned that living according to Jesus’ teachings about self-sacrifice and love of neighbors in need was hard because it was at odds with the comfortable, socially insulated lives they were accustomed to living. Their faith was put to the test as they began to realize the footprints of Jesus were leading them to a lot more places than church. Walking in Jesus’ steps led them out of their homes and into the ragtag lives of the poor, the sick, the unemployed, the imprisoned and the demon possessed. Their lives were transformed as they sought to apply the principles of Jesus’ teachings to the rampant social problems in their town. But they knew their town would be a more just, equitable and compassionate place.

When these stories were published as a novel in 1897 it became a best seller. Over the next 30 years tens of millions of copies were sold. Unfortunately, the author’s publisher failed to register the copyright properly, so the author never earned a single penny in royalties. Today millions of dollars in merchandise is being sold bearing the initials—WWJD. As far as we know, Rev. Charles Sheldon was content to know that millions of people were being inspired to follow Jesus, and after all, he didn’t write it to get rich.

More tomorrow about the challenge of walking “In His Steps.”

SERMON TITLE: What Would Jesus Do? 

SCRIPTURE: Luke 6:27-31

But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. Do to others as you would like them to do to you.

On April 15, 1865 Abraham Lincoln died from an assassins’

bullet robbing us of one of our greatest Presidents. 

   LINCOLN, COME BACK  

by Thomas Curtis Clark

Lincoln, come back, once more our prophet be.

Lead forth the nations in a pact of peace;

Teach us that selfishness and greed must cease

That men may dwell in love and harmony.

Your kindly heart—that it might plan our weal!

Your mighty hand—how powerful to heal!

Lincoln, come back, once more our prophet be.

Blessings to you all,

Pastor Norm

This service on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/QYhMeyhHbvQ?si=X5wFjP2301_uctqE