Whether it be throwing stones in Bible times or more subtle forms of condemnation in the present, we are inclined, as fallen human beings, to judge others without fully considering ourselves. In contrast is Jesus, the only one truly qualified and justified to throw a stone. Yet, He chooses mercy and grace.
"judgment" Tagged Sermons
Like many people, Ananias struggled with duplicity. Along with a secret desire to impress his friends at church he also had another shameful secret behind closed doors. These two unfulfilled desires made him vulnerable to Satan’s deceptive plan. At a time when the church was unified in witness to their city, Satan found this man to be an easy target. In the shocking events that follow Ananias’ duplicity we discover that Jesus, from His exalted seat at the Father’s right hand, is committed to expose hypocrisy in those who claim to follow Him and to provide an opportunity for us to confess because He is resolute in His promise to build a united community among every nation against which “the gates of hell shall not prevail.”
Do you ever get frustrated with God because He doesn’t work in ways you think He should? Do you ever wish God would do more to remove evil and darkness as well as violent and evil doers? If so, you are not alone. Apparently Jesus’ first followers felt this way as well. In this 2nd message from the parables of Jesus we discover what Jesus knew about God’s wise, though perplexing, plan as well as His extravagant patience in carrying it out.
God fulfilled His promise to Abraham to bless his descendants with the Promise Land in Canaan. After 40 years in the wilderness and the death of Moses, the book of Joshua records Joshua’s rise to leadership and then Israel’s conquest of city after city. In this message we celebrate God’s fulfillment of His promise, grapple with some difficult questions raised by the complete destruction of the Canaanite cities and marvel at God’s grace toward Rahab, a prostitute in Jericho.