Pastor Wayne Cordeiro
August 25, 2013 - W1334

Forty Days of Prayer – thank you for those who decided to be a part of that pledge.  On August 4^th or 5^th, I decided that we would pray for 40 days that God would clarify His will for New Hope’s facilities.

Recently, a board member brought to my attention that these 40 days coincide with the Jewish calendar’s ending of a year, and the beginning of a new year. 

August 5 – September 3^rd is Elul, a time of repentance.  These 40 days (into Tishri) lead to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur:  Day of Atonement.

The 40 days that prepare the Jewish people for Yom Kippur, is spent in prayer.  It is a time of reflection upon their hearts, to make sure that it is clean through repentance.

The 40 Days season is called “Teshuvah”, which means a time of preparation, repentance, and a season of answered prayer.

“Teshuvah” is a season of answered prayer – isn’t that cool?!  This is exactly where we are right now.  We are in the middle of these 40 days, which coincides with the Jewish calendar.  This signifies a new beginning, and the provision of answers from God.

40 Days signifies other important Biblical events.  Moses went up to Mount Sinai and spent 40 days with God, before receiving the Ten Commandments; however, when he came down from the mountain, the people were worshipping a golden calf.  In his anger he broke the Ten Commandments.  He then went up to the mountain to spend another 40 days with God, and then came down with the new tablets.  This ushered in a new beginning. Yum Kippur stands for a new beginning, which marks the start of this new season.

The 40 days also infer a season of testing.

Jesus was tempted by the Devil, when he was led by the spirit in the wilderness for 40 days.  The Holy Spirit is leading us into this 40 day season, where we are also being tested.

After the 40th Day, there will be the Power of the Spirit.

After 40 days, Jesus’ returned from Jordan, filled with the “power” of the Holy Spirit.

We will survive these 40 days.  This is “teshuvah”, which stands for forty days of testing, of renewal, of answered prayer, and of atonement.  God is putting this church through this season. Therefore we cannot give up.  We must stay strong because there is a promise for us.

Let’s look at some of the current tests that are happening.

1. The lawsuit for $3 Million and negative media against New Hope.

There has been a recent lawsuit against us for 3 million dollars. 

In 2012, this church paid $459,000 for rent, and $100,000 to redo the auditorium’s chairs. We painted and paid for the electricity for the auditorium.  We bought furniture for all of their students, air conditioned their offices, and painted their gymnasium.  

Catherine Payne who was the principal of Farrington High School during the more than ten years that we used the school facilities, wrote a letter that I would like to share with you.  Here is part of the letter, 

“When I first arrived, I was struck by the terrible conditions of our facilities and I said at that time that we would work hard to create a place to learn that was worthy of the students who attended Farrington.  You helped us to realize that dream. The rehabilitation was done in concert with the Department of Education facilities staff at no cost to the DOE.  You paid the rental charges for the auditorium and the classrooms that were used for the children.”

She ends this letter by saying that the allegation and lawsuit are a complete misrepresentation of the schools and churches that used the school facilities. She added that our community is facing many challenges. Therefore, positive ways are needed to support one another.

2. Lawmakers are considering a special session for passing a law legalizing Same Sex Marriages in Hawaii.

Thirty churches, representing the minority of all churches, and our elected governmental officials are calling for a special session on the issue of Same Sex Marriage.  Currently, the general public is in support of this, and the courts have ruled in favor of people who have brought discrimination suits against others based on their sexual orientation.

If same sex marriage is passed as a law, then what we said that used to be wrong, can no longer be wrong, because it is now law. This law is dangerous, because it strips our freedom to practice our faith.  For example, three days ago the New Mexico Supreme Court ruled against a Christian photographer named Elaine Huguenin, for declining to photograph a lesbian wedding, based on her rights to practice her faith.  She was fined $6,600.   A lesbian couple sued Pastor Scott Hoffman’s Methodist organization for not allowing them to use a particular pavilion for their wedding.  The state revoked the organizations tax exemption status for the pavilion area, and Pastor Hoffman is liable to pay $20,000.

Remember that we are a pluralistic nation.  We have to protect people with non-heterosexual orientations, but not at the expense of people having Christian beliefs.  The First Amendment says, “Congress should make no law respecting the establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…”

Do you know why we left Great Britain?  It was because the State had established the church, but its citizens wanted the freedom to worship (to practice their faith) as they saw fit. It was a State church, and you had to go there.  Today, in this society, Man’s law is the highest law – not God’s.  The pendulum has started to over swing.  If we refuse to abide with the law, we will be penalized for our religious beliefs. 

Representative Chris Lee of Kailua says,

“I think support from our faith-based community is just the next big push that is going to make something like this happen.” Representative Lee, Democrat – Kailua, and Waimanalo, is calling for a special session on the same sex marriage issue.  He says, “There is a clear majority in support in the general public (for it). Right now, the Supreme Court has ruled, and it’s going to be a boon to our economy.”  Remember, if we ignore the elections, then we cannot grumble about something that we are against. Therefore, we need to make our voices heard.

Martin Luther King Jr. said, “A law is a man made code that squares with the moral law of the law of God.  An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law.”

Saint Augustine said, “An unjust law is not a law.”

The pendulum has already swung over. If it swings anymore, the rights of God’s people will be taken away. There is danger in this, because people use these laws as a foundation to build their homes and families upon.  You will be able to believe what you want to believe; however, you will not be able to practice what you want to practice if same sex marriage is put into law.  Our children, who represent our future, will become confused, and our communities, people, and culture will be destroyed.

Today, on KHON 2, news from the Associated Press was reported.

WASHINGTON (AP) – Tens of thousands of people marched to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and down the National Mall on Saturday, commemorating the 50^th anniversary of King’s famous speech and pledging that his dream includes equality for gays.

The news media is showing us only what they want us to see – do not be gullible to this tactic.  The media twisted King’s speech to fit their own thoughts. 

Remember what the Bible says, “By this we know that we love the children of God when we love God and obey His commandments. For this is the love of God that we keep His commandments.”  (1 Jn 5:2-3)  The concern is this:  If we are not able to keep God’s commandments because the law says we can’t, then people may lose their businesses.  Therefore, we must enact a law protecting people who’s conscience does not support same sex marriage, and who are sued because of their faith.

Remember, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting free exercise thereof.”

Why did the colonists separate from Great Britain, and establish America?  They did it to have the freedom to worship, and practice their faith.  This is why we have the first amendment.  The colonists were in jeopardy of losing their lives, their families, and their businesses if they were identified with their faith; therefore, they signed their names in support of the Declaration of Independence.

If there is an unjust law that runs contrary to the moral laws of God, then we, like Martin Luther King Jr., must stand against it. 

3. The third test that we are facing is: Facility challenges.

We are still looking for a new home for New Hope church services. We must pray that God will reveal His will for our new facilities.

So we must pray for …

1. The lawsuit to be dismissed.
2. Our elected leaders will be open to hearing from the faith community (and not rush into passing this law without adequate debate).
3. Clarity of God’s will for New Hope’s future meeting facilities.

Today we are going to take communion as a way of showing our response to the Lord - that His law is preeminent.  We will not change being a people of God.  “As for me and my house, ‘we’ will serve the Lord.”

Possible Questions:

• What do these 40 days represent
• During these 40 days, what must we pray for?
• What is the danger of legalizing same sex marriage?
• How can we serve the Lord, and show that His law is preeminent?