Sermon Illustrations

Video Clip: Dead Man Walking: From Videos that Teach -- Fields and James page 52

Can anyone, no matter what they have done, become a child of God?

The Movie: Drama R

Sister Helen Prejan (Susan Sarandon) is a nun who receives a desperate letter from a death row inmate, Matthew Poncelet (Sean Penn), a convicted murderer trying to avoid the death penalty. As their relationship develops, Sister Prejean must come to terms with ministering to Poncelet as a fellow child of God despite the horrendous nature of his crimes, while at the same time ministering to the victim’s families.

This clip : Start 1:35:45 “That boy, Walter.” Stop 1:38:01

Sister Helen sits with convicted killer Matthew poncelet in his cell. When he confesses that he has indeed killed a man, sister Prejean teaches him that he can become a child of God by asking for forgiveness of his sins and owning up to his responsibility-which he does, realizing that confession doesn’t negate what he’s done. The best he can do is wish the families peace. Poncelet is grateful for Sister Prejean’s compassion and love.

When you are in a right love relationship with God and others then you come to a place in life when you are at peace in the presence of God.

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