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Here's our text for Sunday, January 20, 2008:
"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell. "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. "Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny."
Humans naturally divide sins, crimes, wrongs into separate classes. The evil, the really bad, the not so bad, and the naughty. God does not. While we may put a murderer away for life, or even execute them, and slap a shoplifter on the wrist, God sees all sin only as sin...anything that separates us from Him.
This week we learn that while God's supernatural understanding of sin's value may conflict with our natural philosophy, could it be that we are wrong and God is right even in the natural world? Hmmmmm.
If a person got angry with another and instead of letting that anger boil inside for hours, days, or even years till it finally boiled over into an act of hurt or even murder they would pray, and pray more, till they could meet with the person who aggrieved them to talk out the issue?
In Matthew 18:15-17 we read the core words of Christ on this subject. Don't leave a perceived wrong un-discussed. Talk about it! The longer you hold your hurt inside the more anger will build until you just might, well.....sometimes the quietest person commits the most awful crime.
Jesus' plan: Pray, talk over the situation with another Christian friend, pray again, go and speak with the one who you feel hurt you; with your Christian friend along if necessary. Find resolution, if not a new friendship, through the process.
Plan to learn more on this subject this Sunday at 9am and 10:45am at Hope Church, or borrow the DVD if you can't make it to the service. Yes, Mike Mack will even mail it to you!
After all, if we let them, our Words, or even lack of them, Can Kill.
God's Peace,
Pastor Ken
NOTE: Unless otherwise stated, all Bible verses quoted in this website are from the New International Version (NIV). Any words from those verses that are in "red" are words spoken by Jesus.
Pastor Ken sends a Weekly Newsletter that includes his devotional message for the week and an update of the current happenings at Hope Church. If you would like to receive his newsletter, just click below and he'll add your email address to his list of subscribers.