Jesus Brings Life in the Midst of Death

It was May 31, 2015. I was preaching on the Rich Man and Lazarus found in Luke 16. Our congregation was fairly normal for that Sunday; we had about 18 people in attendance. We had two irregular attenders that day; Merlene (an elderly lady who lived in the neighborhood -- attended several times in the year) and her friend Tony (an elderly gentleman who lived in La Jolla and joined Merlene when he was in the area). I was preaching quite earnestly and was just about to begin singing "Poor Man Lazarus" when I noticed that Tony was asleep. Now I don't normally get upset when people sleep during my sermons; it isn't unusual. But this was unusual.

I noticed that Tony was actually almost laying down in the Pew and Merlene was visibly upset. My assistant George Saunders ran to the pew just behind Tony and began to raise Tony's head. George was obviously praying. Dorothy Brock who was seated a row behind Tony was on her feet and calling 911. It finally occurred to me that it would be a good time to stop preaching. I wasn't sure what I should do, but I rushed up to Tony's pew and stood right in front of him. I began to pray. I didn't know how to pray, so I just prayed in tongues. I touched his forehead and it was ice cold and so were his hands. I placed my hand on his chest and he wasn't breathing. In addition he had voided himself.

The entire congregation was extremely quiet. Once in a while I could hear someone praying. I also heard people crying. Then I heard myself saying something that I still am not sure that I said. The words just came out on their own. I spoke loudly, "Spirit of Tony, return to his body right now." Tony let out a gasp similar to someone who had been under water and just came up for a breath. Then he began to sink down again. I repeated, "Spirit of Tony, return to his body right now." Another gasp! Tony's eyes opened and he sat up and appeared alright except that he was confused.

By this time the Paramedics had arrived and took over. Dorothy followed the ambulance to the hospital. After some time, the doctors said that there was nothing wrong with Tony. They figured that he had fallen asleep in church and everybody over reacted. Dorothy told them that it was more than that. They then transferred him to a hospital closer to his home in La Jolla. The doctors there could not find anything wrong either.

I have seen Tony a few times since then. He has little memory of the event and seems to be alright. He doesn't come anymore because he no longer drives; one of life's problems as we age.

Robbie Dawkins had a similar event that was widely publicized. I saw that video and it was very similar to what happened at Bay View Baptist Church of Chula Vista on May 31, 2015. The biggest differences were that his event happened in the midst of a video -- and he had a Doctor present. We had neither. Was Tony really dead? Those of us who were there believe that he certainly was. If not, he certainly was close to death. God raised him up. We prayed. God listened. God answered in power. A miracle occurred.

Glory to God.

Where is the Church?

I was just watching the news a little while ago. One of the items was a report on a speech that Donald Trump made yesterday at Liberty University. The reporter stated that this was an effort by Mr. Trump to court the Evangelical vote. The very label of Evangelical Vote dismays me. What this really means is that those who are identified as Evangelicals must be Republican. In like manner, churches that are more "Liberal" -- mainline denominations -- must be Democrats. Of course the African American Churches are somewhat identified with the Democratic Party. The Latino churches are up for grabs. This whole concept of the church being divided up according to political views really troubles me. Where is the Lord in all of this? Where is the leading of the Holy Spirit?

My confession: If I had to identify my religious beliefs (I don't like to do this, because I just see myself as a follower of Jesus), I am an American Baptist, aligned with Transformation Ministries, a Charismatic member of Holy Spirit Renewal Ministries who is also intrigued with the Spirituality of the Roman Catholic Church. Politically, I am usually relatively conservative -- but quite liberal on some issues. Since I began to vote in 1960, I have voted in every presidential election and my votes are almost evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats. Finally, neither the Republican Party nor the Democratic Party  really fit in with my religious beliefs. Yes, I will choose a candidate from one of the political parties  before the election -- it will probably be a Republican -- but I am unhappy with both parties.

As a "Conservative Christian" -- the title doesn't really equate with Conservative Politically -- I am unhappy with the assumption that I am a Conservative Republican. From my point of view, starting with movement of the Moral Majority under Jerry Falwell, the Evangelical Church Community has been viewed, even within the church, as Republican. I am appalled that the Church would be equated with an arm in any political party. The Church represents Jesus Christ. The church speaks for Jesus Christ in all issues -- and may speak out for Republicans -- or Democrats, or against Republicans -- or Democrats. The church is not to be a part of any political  party.

Well, what about Christians themselves? Certainly any of us could, and should, be voters. We may belong to a party and we may even be very active in the party. Even running for office is a real option for the Christian, as for anyone else in our country. As Christians, we should always be led by our convictions as Christians. But the church should not be an arm of any political party.

But what about issues? Here is where the church must speak out. We must take a stand against immorality and injustice. We must also stand for the poor and oppressed. It is here that we find ourselves supporting the Republican side on some issues, but we will find ourselves supporting the Democratic side on others. At other times we are opposed to all of the political proposals.

The Church should have a real voice -- but it stands outside -- speaking into the process. I have stayed away from what I feel are the issues. I will probably discuss some of these in the future -- Abortion, Same Sex Marriage, Immigration, Racial Equality, Poverty as well as others. We must speak out, but we must also be careful, as the church, to not allow ourselves to be identified with a political party which we support on a certain  issue, but might be opposed to that party on another issue.