From Pastor Josh Laxton
“America should sing for (celebrate and honor) Alexander Hamilton because his life, works and legacy helped found and forge a great nation.”
“Jesus’ living legacy changed and transformed the face of the world.”
“We have to deal with — and cannot deny — the overall positive impact the living legacy of Jesus has had on the Roman Empire, Middle Ages, Medieval Times, Modernity, and all the way up to our present day.”
“Jesus' life, works and living legacy single handedly gave birth to a New Creation.”
The song “Alexander Hamilton” from the hit Broadway show, Hamilton, set the stage and introduced Hamilton to us. This musical introduction, sung by the cast, shared that Hamilton was many things, including a bastard, an orphan, the son of a whore, impoverished, and living in squalor on an island in the Caribbean. It also shared that Hamilton worked harder, was smarter, and was a self-starter, kept his guard up, got an education, fended for himself and read every book he could get his hands on.
Ultimately, Hamilton yearned for and planned for his future in America. The song shared that as Hamilton stood on the bow of the ship that would take him to America, his goal was to get to New York. Once he reached the new world, the lyrics stated, “He would be a new man.”
Hamilton “rewrote the game” and “the world would never be the same.”
The four Gospels share the life and living legacy of Jesus Christ. As Christians, we know that Jesus Christ forever changed the world. He came to earth as the sinless son of God and was also fully human. Jesus was arrested, beaten, and crucified on the cross. He rose from the dead to save a world living in sin, darkness and death, and to provide eternal life for those who believe in Him.
Everyone who believes in and follows Jesus as their Lord and Savior are new people. As believers, we have the power of the Holy Spirit, which enables us to live our lives for God as we “rewrite the game” and make the world a place that will never be the same.
While we might not ever be a famous historical person like Alexander Hamilton, we, as believers in Jesus Christ, have the capacity to do great things for God, for the world, and for others. We can change the world. We can be the salt and light in a dark world. We can stand up to injustice and tyranny. We can champion the underdog. We can take care of the sick, the widow, and the orphan. Our lives make a difference. Each day is a day that we live for Jesus and we accomplish His mission for us and for the world. We rest in the wonderful truth that God loves us and we are God’s special people. “For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.
As Christians we must engage culture well. In order to engage culture we must figure out these things.
How we process and think about culture.
Six ways to think about culture: create it, celebrate it, consume it, critique it, condemn it, cite it.
Why Hamilton?
Our aim is to look at the first song and the logic of Lin-Manuel Miranda, creator of Hamilton. Then use the same cultural logic on what we know of Jesus. Then determine what conclusions we should arrive at, if we are intellectually honest.
Song: “Alexander Hamilton”
–How people saw Hamilton. He was from the Caribbean, immigrant, poor, etc., was abandoned by his father and his mother died.
–How Hamilton became what he did through hard work.
–Hamilton innately wanted to be part of something big — something that was bigger than himself.
–The community believed in Hamilton and raised money for him to go to the mainland, the North American colonies, to school. The community saw promise in Hamilton and believed the world would know his name.
–Hamilton needed an opportunity to be free to become a new man and the audience was invited to wait and see what Alexander Hamilton did.
–The author, Lin-Manuel, says that when America hears Hamilton’s story, knows of his works and sees his lasting legacy, they will sing for him.
–Different characters in the play saw and engaged with Hamilton differently. (Fought with him, died for him, trusted him, loved him and shot him.)
America should sing for (celebrate and honor) Alexander Hamilton because his life, works and legacy helped found and forge a great nation.
Jesus in the Four Gospels
–His biography was told in the four gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
–Jesus was born of a virgin.
–Jesus' earthly family were poor peasants who lived in Nazareth.
–Not much detail is known about Jesus' childhood other than when Jesus disappeared and Mary and Joseph went looking for Him, Jesus said, “Did you not know I had to be in my Father’s house?”
–Jesus was a teacher and rabbi, and people were mesmerized by His teaching.
–Jesus had an extensive healing and community-oriented message.
–The result of Jesus’ teaching, preaching, healing, and community-oriented message was that He became well-known throughout the region.
–Jesus’ fame and prominence was threatening to those who were powerful and those who had control over the people.
–Jesus was arrested, beaten, and crucified — but Jesus didn’t stay in the tomb, and He rose from the dead.
–Jesus' resurrection proved He was who He claimed to be, signified His power over sin, death, and hell, and provided hope for a world living in sin, darkness and death.
–Jesus leaves a living legacy and because Jesus’ legacy is living, He is living and active, working through His followers to bring about what He taught.
–In Jesus’ name we live for Him, we trust Him, we love Him, we die for Him and we fight for the world.
Conclusion:
His name is Jesus!
List the ways that Alexander Hamilton rose above his hard, early life to become a major player in American history. List the ways that Jesus left a living legacy on the world. Reflect on how you have risen above circumstances in your life to become the person you are today.
What would you still like to accomplish in your life for God? What might be holding you back? How can God’s love for you and your faith in Jesus help you overcome obstacles that could be in your way, so that you leave a legacy as a follower of Jesus Christ?
Write down something you can change this week that would require action on your part to move your life forward and positively impact those around you as you walk with God.
God, we are thankful that you sent Your only Son, Jesus Christ, to be our King, Lord and Savior. Through Jesus, we are given the opportunity to experience newness of life. Even though circumstances are difficult, you give us power, through the Holy Spirit, to live lives of dedication and significance for You. Help us to see our potential to serve others and make a difference for You in the world in which we live. Let us be courageous and take steps to be on mission for God, leaving a legacy as we reach out to our neighbors and nations with the Good News of the Gospel.
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» June 10-11
HAMILTON THROUGH THE EYES OF THE GOSPEL| Forgiveness and Faith |Guest Preacher Ed Stetzer
» June 17-18
HAMILTON THROUGH THE EYES OF THE GOSPEL| You'll Be Back! |Senior Pastor Josh Laxton
» June 10-11
HAMILTON THROUGH THE EYES OF THE GOSPEL| Forgiveness and Faith |Guest Preacher Ed Stetzer
» June 17-18
HAMILTON THROUGH THE EYES OF THE GOSPEL| You'll Be Back! |Senior Pastor Josh Laxton
Wednesdays, June 7 through August 9 at 4:00 p.m.
Calling all middle schoolers! Come join us each Wednesday,4-6 p.m. for an afternoon of fun, fellowship, and spiritual growth. We'll provide instruction in physical sports and board games to our students who choose the sports track or art and drama instruction to middle schoolers who sign up for arts. Instruction and mentoring are provided by young adults and high school students within the Northland community working alongside our staff and head coaches. The goal of this program is to encourage young artists and athletes to improve their skills in a variety of sports, games, and arts while growing in their faith.
Tuesdays, starting May 30, 2023, from 6:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.
Looking for your next step beyond high school? Ready to meet new people and take your relationship with God to the next level? Starting on May 30, join Northland’s new college and career group, and practice “adulting” together as part of this fantastic new community!
Thursdays, June 15 through July 27 at 6:30 p.m.
Beginning Thursday, June 15, discover how your money choices are deeply connected to your faith. You’ll gain practical tools for budgeting, tackling debt, investing, and more. Plus, discover important insights for passing on healthy financial habits to your kids and finding true contentment in a world that always leaves you wanting more.
