Sermon Central
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My Youngest Grandson Had A Birthday Party Not Too ...
Contributed by Ross Cochrane on May 25, 2010 (message contributor)
My youngest grandson had a birthday party not too long back. It was a pirate party so all his mates came dressed in pirate gear - eye-patches, head scarves, etc. At the door we presented every pirate with a plastic blow-up sword, which looked good but caused no damage at all. They wielded their plastic blow-up swords with a distinct lack of dexterity. The nimble adroitness needed for sword fighting seemed severely limited by the floppy handles and fat blades filled with air, but at least they were safe. High adventure with ABSOLUTELY NO DANGER. Every parent wants this for their children. Every child went on to more dangerous pursuits.
That’s the kind of spiritual warfare we as Christians have preferred to wage at times - to go at it with our blow-up swords filled with hot air, waving them around with no skill and causing no harm to the enemy, rather than wielding the sword of God’s Word (Ephesians 6:17) with the skill of one who has studied it to show himself approved, a swordsman who needs not to be ashamed (see 2 Timothy 2:15).
Jesus shocks me with His purpose in Matthew 10:34 (NLT) when He says "Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came NOT TO BRING PEACE, BUT A SWORD."
If you’re a pacifist, you have to cut this verse out of your Bible because it doesn’t portray Jesus as MEEK AND MILD. He doesn’t fit the mould of pacifism - one concerned with the peace that the world brings, anymore than He does that of a warmonger - a person who advocates war.
Yes, Jesus’ offers peace with God that comes from knowing Him personally - peace on the inside that works it’s way outside to those around you. But the fact is that while sin remains on the earth, there will also be SPIRITUAL WARFARE - He wields a A SWORD and there is CONFLICT. Jesus claims VICTORY over sin and death and the evil one. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 6:7 (NLT) "We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us. We use the WEAPONS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS in the right hand for ATTACK and the left hand for DEFENSE."
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In His Book Dare To Believe, Dan Baumann Shared ...
Contributed by Charles R. Swindoll on Nov 1, 2004
In his book Dare To Believe, Dan Baumann shared some thoughts about crucifixion that should deepen our gratitude for what the Savior did for us. He wrote, "The twentieth century has forgotten how cruel and hideous crucifixion really was. We have perhaps unwisely and sometimes unconsciously ...read more
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In Charlotte Brontë's Classic Book Jane Eyre, ...
Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jun 6, 2004
In Charlotte Brontë’s classic book Jane Eyre, Jane is an orphan being raised by a wealthy, but cruel, aunt named Mrs. Reed. Her aunt decides to send her to Lowood School which is run by Mr. Brocklehurst — a man who is even more cruel and hypocritical than her aunt. After her arrival, Mr. ...read more
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As The Spring Arrived This Year, I Watched As ...
Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jun 6, 2004
As the Spring arrived this year, I watched as the new growth literally exploded from the ground. I began to think about the trees, which had looked so dead, but which were now budding and bringing forth blossoms, leaves and eventually fruit. I thought about the flowers which would bloom and ...read more
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Just Remember That More Christians Go On The ...
Contributed by Donnie Martin on Sep 21, 2003
Just remember that more Christians go on the rocks, defeated, over the nasty little thing we call “hurt feelings” than over the so-called great crises which test the very fiber of the ...read more
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She Says, He Says PRO
Contributed by John Shearhart on Jan 3, 2007
When she says: “It’s your decision.” She really means, “The correct decision should be obvious by now.” “Do what you want.” She really means, “You’ll pay for this later.” “I’ll be ready in a minute. She really means, “Kick off your shoes and find a good game on TV.” “You have to learn to ...read more
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