Sermon Central
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Stuck
Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 21, 2009 (message contributor)
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1. Pontius Pilate: Stuck In People-Pleasing
Contributed on Feb 21, 2009
Pilate was a classic people-pleaser, who found that his behavior produced popularity that masked contempt, pessimism, and powerlessness.
The story has it that during creation, as God was sitting up in heaven turning out all these creatures, some of the angels asked if they could help. It looked like fun, making plants and animals, birds and beasts. And so God, who had just finished fashioning something, said, "All right. Come ahead. ...read more
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2. The Pharisees: Stuck In Correctness
Contributed on Jun 30, 2009
It is easier to be smug than satisfied, to be correct than compassionate, to be religious than real. What we need to do is to cry, "Lord forgive my sin."
The surest formula for unhappiness is have to be right, all of the time. If you are expected to be one hundred percent correct, never making a mistake, no blunders allowed, then you are asking for a serious heart attack, for high blood pressure, and for plain old unhappiness. It’s an awesome burden ...read more
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3. Judas Iscariot: Stuck In Frustration
Contributed on Jul 8, 2009
Frustration means that we forget about others in our need to do what we want, and it means we are tempted to abandon God’s way. The model is Jesus, whose obedience gave Him the ultimate accomplishment.
God must have a sense of humor, don’t you think? God must do some things just because they are fun to do! Several years ago, I thought I saw God’s funny bone at work overtime. Margaret and J were members of Luther Rice Memorial Baptist Church in Silver Spring, and I was serving as the chairman ...read more
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4. Simon Peter: Stuck In Self-Deception
Contributed on Nov 22, 2009
We live with a self-image that we know is not true, but we like to project it anyway. We will come unstuck from self-deception when there is someone who loves us unconditionally ... the crucified and risen Christ.
Outside the gate of the great house, it is growing cold. The winter winds are not quite over, and the first breezes of a promised spring have a zip to them. It would be nice to be in there, on the other side of the gate, where a fire is blazing and the workers are keeping warm. It would be good ...read more
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5. Annas And Caiaphas: Stuck In Responsibility
Contributed on Jan 20, 2010
We feel stuck in responsibilities, trying to maintain something just because we’ve inherited it, and are tempted to think of leadership as image. In a relationship to Christ, responsibility is transformed into freedom.
He was tired to the bone, but rose to go trim the wicks and boost the light again. How many times had he been to these lamps tonight? How many times had he wanted just to give it up and go to bed? How many times had he hoped that some magic answer would swoop in his open window and land on his ...read more