Law Enforcement Officer Appreciation Day!

Law Enforcement Officer Appreciation Day!

     This week I won’t be continuing our study in the Gospel of Mark. One of our deacons, an officer in the Maine Warden service (who also has a Master of ministry degree) will be speaking at Boothbay Baptist Church. We have invited Law Enforcement officers, active and retired, from our community to be with us for a special service and lunch. At a time when some in other parts of our country have not always given officers the respect that they deserve, we want to say we are thankful for the “thin blue line” that maintains order and keeps us safe.

     I grew up in a Law Enforcement family, and I was always proud that my dad was a policeman. When the kids at school would talk about what our dads did, I was always proud to say that mine was a “cop.” I remember the stories that he told about things that happened on the job and I remember times, in the 60s and early 70s when our country was also going through some trying times. As a kid, I was worried if he was safe in those days, if he would come home at night. But He never seemed to be afraid, not of anything. I remember him tucking his snub-nose .38 into his waistband when he went out. I asked him why he took a gun when he wasn’t in uniform, and he said that police were always on duty, 24/7 they needed to be ready if someone was in trouble. We are thankful for those who have accepted the call to serve as law enforcers.  You have our respect, our gratitude, and our prayers!

The message today will be based in part on Romans 13:1-6...

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.  ² Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.  ³ For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval,  ⁴ for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer.  ⁵ Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience.  ⁶ For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing.

The audio of Justin Fowlie's message can be heard on the church website. the first 2:30 had sound problems, so I suggest you start listening around there...
https://boothbaybaptist.com/sermons/law-enforcement-officer-appreciation-day-romans-131-6/?player=audio