Sermons

Dear friends,

It’s easy to be numb to the atmosphere of violence in today’s culture. For those who have been around a while the media violence of thirty-forty years ago does not compare with current trends. The old westerns like bonanza are mild compared with the depictions of gore in today’s media fascination with forensic science. To be sure these modern shows are perhaps more realistic but that is of little comfort for lives truly torn by violence. With media gore and video games presenting violence as common we can grow numb to the horror that innocent people are killed every day. Though the numbers vary from year to year the death by homicide and involuntary manslaughter average around 15000 people a year in the U.S.

These are our brothers, mothers, fathers, children grandparents and friends.  The killing of innocent human lives is something God hates.  It is usually called a crime but it is always called a sin.  Most people who shed innocent blood don’t start out with such intentions. It happens in rage or panic.

Perhaps if we can relearn how much God loves life we will become sensitive to why He hates the killing of the innocent for any reason. This Sunday I will teach on how we can avoid a culture of death and the possibility of shedding innocent blood.  I will also share that no matter what has happened in your life God can and will forgive.

I can’t wait to see you.

Blessings Joe

Please prayerfully read the following scriptures and consider the questions.  Try to find time to discuss these questions before Sunday.  Make at least one contact to invite someone to come with you this Sunday.  Plan to get back into a small group or class (if it’s been a while)  Pray for yourself and the for your teachers.

There are six things which the LORD hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that run rapidly to evil, A false witness who utters lies, And one who spreads strife among brothers.
Proverbs 6:16-19

Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, For you have stumbled because of your iniquity. Take words with you and return to the LORD. Say to Him, “Take away all iniquity And receive us graciously, That we may present the fruit of our lips.
Hosea 14:1-2

Small Group Questions

• WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ANGER, RAGE AND VIOLENCE?
  

  Mat 5:21  “You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’

  Mat 5:22  “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.

• WHY IS RESOLVING ANGER QUICKLY ESSENTIAL?
  

  Eph 4:26  BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger,

  Eph 4:27  and do not give the devil an opportunity

• DESCRIBE HOW YOU CAN BE HYJACKED BY NEGATIVE EMOTION.
• HOW CAN   NOT RESOLVING CONFLICTS LEAD TO VIOLENCE AND THE SHEDDING OF INNOCENT BLOOD?
  

  Mat 5:23  “Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,

  Mat 5:24  leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering

• HOW CAN THE LUST FOR REVENGE BLIND INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES AND NATIONS TO THE KILLING OF THE INNOCENT? GIVE EXAMPLES IF POSSIBLE.
  

  Rom 12:19  Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord.

• HOW DOES PANIC OR SELFISHNESS LEAD TO RATIONALIZING AND EXCUSING THE SHEDDING OF INNOCENT BLOOD?
  

  Isa_5:20  Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!

  Pro 14:12  There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

• HOW CAN FAITH IN GODS LOVE FOR LIFE CHANGE US?
  

  Joh 10:10  “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
  Joh 10:11  “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.