Sermon Central
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At Cross Purposes
Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 29, 2003 (message contributor)
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1. Life Is Not Fair
Contributed on May 29, 2003
Life seems unfair to the disappointed, the cheated, the cynical. It was unfair to compel Simon to carry the cross -- injustice piled on. But God uses injustice to stir His people to action, to help us get beyond mere survival, to give us to one another.
Life is not fair. It just isn’t. The playwright MacLeish has his character “J.B.” scream out something we are all afraid to say, but it might be true: “If God is God, He is not good; if God is good, He is not God.” What an awesome thing to think, let alone speak! “If God is God, He is not ...read more
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2. My Soul Looks Back
Contributed on May 30, 2003
When we look back at our lives and the disasters they contain, we do have to ask whether we brought some of these things on ourselves, whether scapegoating is occurring. But God is at work in all things, even disasters, for the Kingdom.
I’m convinced that the best education in the world is the one you gain listening to other people tell their life stories. So much can be learned just from hearing what others have been through. This past week I attended a workshop for ministers. It was supposed to be about creating and handling ...read more
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3. Exploding Manhole Covers
Contributed on May 31, 2003
A series of exploding manhole covers in Washington is compared with the series of unexpected and disruptive events in Paul’s life. Surviving becomes a matter of one’s vision of where we have come from and where we are going.
It all started in Georgetown. On M Street, in broad daylight, a manhole cover suddenly exploded into the air, flying six feet straight up and landing with a heavy clatter. There were no injuries, but there were fiery flames, an acrid smell, cars dodging one another, pedestrians pumping ...read more
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4. Let's You And Him Fight
Contributed on Jun 2, 2003
Attempting to sow conflict works on the basis of insecurity and the need to compete. But God in Christ is about reconciliation, forgiveness, acceptance.
No doubt we love our children and think they’re wonderful. But if you ever need proof of the perversity of human nature, just watch the children. If you ever doubt the Biblical idea that all sin and come short of the glory of God, just stop at the playground and watch a while. Children fight. ...read more