Sunday Service - 10/16/2011 - Sam Wells

A service of worship in Duke University Chapel. The Reverend Dr. Samuel Wells delivers a sermon entitled "Ordinary Rendition"

Opening excerpt from the sermon :(27:49)

"I want to talk today about taxation. That's a bit like saying I want to talk today about going a week without bathroom plumbing. But if there's a bad smell in the house at least everyone thinks it's time to call the plumber. There's been a bad smell coming out of Washington these last few years but no one seems at all agreed on what to do about it. What's the fight really about? Sure there's been an economic crash. We all know the economy's teetering on the brink of a double-dip recession. But there's nothing much to fight about in that. We've all been affected by it, some of us savagely and devastatingly; but it's not inherently controversial. There's a problem about the debt, but again, there isn't anyone out there who actually thinks having a massive debt's such a great idea. Everyone wants to reduce it: the question is, how much else do you need to sacrifice in order to reduce it, and who gets to pay."

Closing excerpt from the sermon: (46:00)

"There's only one freedom that really counts, and it doesn't come from zero taxation or from lavish government spending. You can't get to it through enviously denouncing how scandalously little some people pay in tax or judgmentally exposing how some recipients of welfare have no impulse or will to help themselves. You can only get to it through recognizing that God's currency is grace, that left to ourselves we're hopelessly and catastrophically in debt, and that no one is willing or able to pay off that debt on our behalf. But Christ has forgiven our defaults. Christ has paid our dues. Christ has offered us membership in his kingdom. Christ has bestowed upon us the glorious liberty of the children of God. That's where our security rests. That's where our freedom lies. That's why in the end we can give Caesar as much or as little as we or he may like -- so long as we give everything to God."

Sermon begins at 27:49. Matthew 22:15 -22
Bulletin: http://bit.ly/qMEBtT

Category:

Education

Tags:

• duke
• university
• chapel
• stewardship
• giving
• taxes
• taxation
• government
• politics
• worship
• Jesus
• God
• Gospel
• United
• States
• Congress
• Caesar
• Washington
• spending
• responsibility
• welfare