I was a consultant for the Indochinese Revival and we had a number of meetings in California before the revival. A lot of
Cambodians live in Southern California and we had a meeting in Anaheim. I shared the motel room with a Cambodian pastor, Rev. Pa Nous Pan from Dallas. During the meetings he had a constant stream of phone calls from relatives and I didn’t
want to go visiting aunts and uncles with him. In 
our free time, I managed to avoid his schedule.
Imagine my surprise when he dressed in a fancy suit and mentioned that a new political party was being started for Cambodia was being started in Southern California. The tickets were $150 each and his relatives had purchased a
ticket for me
I was pretty sick. Here I thought I was so clever and I planned myself out of an evening that might produce the next prime minister. How was I to know that Pa has many relatives and I never met the rich ones?
I watched TV and read until 11pm, but Pa was still conducting foreign diplomacy so I took off my clothes and went to bed. I don’t know what you other men wear to bed, but when I’m ready for bed, you cannot mistake my intention. Suddenly the door opens and there was Pa. Or rather Pa and four richly dressed Khmers. Pa said, ‘Friends, this is Dr. Tompkins, consultant for the Cambodian Caucus.’ I have rarely wanted to get out bed more, but I could only raise up a little unders the blankets and shake hands.
Pa’s remedy was to ask everyone to sit down. I decided that my only hope was to yank covers and sheets off the bed as I rose and wear the only thing like a gown. It was a great idea, but I see now that it was too much of a shock. Tailoring is really what turns cloth into clothes.
So on this national holiday, what can we celebrate? How do we know where the party is? Just as in days of old, people were confused. John the Baptist came to say repent, and the people said – about what? And then Jesus came to announce the great feast of the new kingdom – history’s moment to celebrate life – and the only the poor people responded.
When Jesus speaks in the passage of this generation, he is referring to religious people who have relied on their own strength. They are offended that John the Baptist comes along wearing the traditional clothes of Elijah calling them to a radical change of life. They think the message is too harsh. They can’t believe that God would demand that much of a commitment.
We are all heart sick about the images that have been on the screen. And each of those faces represents 125 others for which we did not have photos. 26 Iraqis were killed today in bombings. If you are concerned and want to make a change, start first with the radical simplicity that John the Baptist encouraged. Give your tithe. Give your tithe. As I travel around the world, the people who have made the biggest difference include the Christians who gave for schools, hospitals, and nursing homes. In our own church right now, we are educating 125 kids this summer. Many of them are not Christians. Some are from Islamic and Buddhist families. So even the gifts that you are making are having a lifetime impact on the potential of these young people. And our example of the love of Christ builds a bridge to other religions that lowers the level of misunderstanding in the community.
We have finished the data base of the youth that have been in our school, the school started in this church by your gifts. 4,000 children have been in our school since 1996, 10,000 since it opened with Prek in 1974. If you want to be proud on the 4th of July, the new decision to try tithing will join you to the great works of God which truly will last. These young soldiers that you see have given of life and they were hoping that good will result. You can only join them if you participate in some self sacrificing way. John’s outlandish appearance was drama to remind us of that. Let us get beyond conventional religion. What is your response?
John the Baptist came preaching repentance and then Jesus followed preaching a party. The people thought the first message was too bad and the second message too good. They were shocked by the happiness and wine consumed.
Our true patriotism is reserved for the new kingdom. Many of you notice that I am careful not to overemphasize nation. It is because Jesus has called us to a bigger party.
Jesus gives us such a beautiful picture of a group of tired people. We are walking along the paths of life and carrying burdens. Maybe your burden is a job that doesn’t pay enough and maybe yours is parents that don’t understand and possibly you are stumbling under AIDS or depression. And suddenly there is this grand entrance to a grassy area and lake. And the king comes towards us and says [Mat 11:28] "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
And you are stunned and fearful that you have been mistaken for one of the guests. And then you realize that with your burdens and stains of travel, the king really means that you should enter. He repeats [Mat 11:29] Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Now you are crying because it is more than you ever dreamed could still happen in life. The king is always surprising us with the impossible. Jesus sees an Iraq with schools and hospitals and nursing homes and ways for people to meet the Savior. For many of the people of that day, the whole idea was preposterous and impractical. And what about you and me? Can you believe? Will it happen? Will you be a part of the celebration? And Jesus offers the final encouragement -- [Mat 11:30] For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
