Sermon Central
-
Leave Room For God To Work
Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Feb 20, 2011 (message contributor)
LEAVE ROOM FOR GOD TO WORK
There was an amazing story recently that took place during the riots in Egypt. As a backdrop remember that on New Year’s Day of this year there was a suicide bombing of a Christian church in the Egyptian city of Alexandria, which killed 23 Christians and wounded 97 others. And another incident took place days later when three men in a car sprayed automatic gunfire into a crowd of churchgoers in the southern Egyptian town of Nag Hammadi, killing at least seven people as they left a midnight service. But in spite of that, something dramatic took place during the Egyptian riots against the government.
Government soldiers and police where everywhere, and many had been killed or beaten. But the time for prayer for Muslims came, and as these Muslims knelt for prayer, with their face to the ground, they were vulnerable and susceptible to attack by government soldiers. Dramatically, Christians began to surround the praying Muslims. They held hands and faced outward in a large circle to protect these men, even though they may have been their enemies and may have inflicted a great deal of harm on them or their fellow Christians. The reporter covering the story posted a picture of the Christians holding hands in a circle on Twitter and stated, "Bear in mind that this picture was taken a month after the Alexandria bombing where many Christians died in vain."
Perhaps there were those among the men praying who cheered the bombing of the church. Perhaps there were even collaborators. But the Christians there did not take justice into their own hands, they left justice to God. They were following the scripture which says, "Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:19-21
They did not take revenge, but left room for God to work, and by so doing may have done more to stop the cycle of violence than all the legislation and intervention of global powers. They did what Jesus had shown them by example. They were followers of the Lamb.
Related Sermon Illustrations
-
John Wesley Provides The Most Convicting Analysis ... PRO
Contributed by Kenneth Squires on Jul 20, 2004
John Wesley provides the most convicting analysis on what it means to be a true servant: “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you can.” Rick ...read more
-
The First Day Of School Our Professor Introduced ... PRO
Contributed by Davon Huss on Oct 21, 2004
The first day of school our professor introduced himself and challenged us to get to know someone we didn’t already know. I stood up to look around when a gentle hand touched my shoulder. I turned around to find a winkled, little old lady beaming up at me with a smile that lit up her entire ...read more
-
And Starting Today, You Are Beginning To Turn ... PRO
Contributed by Peter Schmidt on Nov 13, 2003
And starting today, you are beginning to turn into adults. While your parents still are going to make a lot of choices for you, you are just beginning that Phase where you begin to make some life-changing decisions. You will learn that mom and dad won’t always be there to tell you what to do. I’m ...read more
-
Over The Long Run, Love's Power To Forgive Is ... PRO
Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Dec 1, 2004
"Over the long run, love’s power to forgive is stronger than hate’s power to ...read more
-
I Was Fascinated When I Read The Following ... PRO
Contributed by Tim Richards on Dec 1, 2004
I was fascinated when I read the following research a number of years in Dennis Waitley’s, Empires of the Mind. Waitley reported that although there are approximately 450,000 words in the English language, about 80% of our conversations use only about 400 ...read more
Related Sermons
-
Forgive Or Not To Forgive
Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Feb 28, 2012
Forgiveness is the way the Lord releases us from guilt and sets us free to continue loving God and others.
-
Getting Over Your Hang-Ups Series
Contributed by Chris Kelly on Oct 31, 2006
Learn with Esther how to understand and follow the invisible God through the incredible trials and challenges of life.
-
Family Forgiveness Series
Contributed by Jim Drake on Aug 18, 2009
Because everyone has sinned, everyone needs forgiveness. That is especially true within families. How does forgiveness play out in our families?
-
The Power Of Reconciliation Series
Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Oct 25, 2011
Unforgiveness and biterness will destroy your relationship with God and others.We must reconcile with God so that we can live the life that God intends for us.
-
Unforgiveness Is The Cancer Of The Soul
Contributed by Richard Futrell on Oct 7, 2010
Unforgiveness is the cancer of the soul. It’s a spiritual prison, enslaving the one who refuses to let go, to leave behind, to forgive.
