Sermon Theme
I think everyone here has seen the image…
It was a devastating context in the aftermath of the Paris terrorist attack in which 130 people murdered
Seemingly out of nowhere a piano and pianist appeared just down from the Bataclan theater where most of the victims were slaughtered..
The pianist was Davide Martello who in Germany saw the attack on TV and travelled some 400km overnight to Paris to then play the song…. ‘Imagine’ by John Lennon
It is a remarkable song that suggests what is needed if there is to be peace on earth..
Included in the things to imagine the world being without… things that get in the way of peace..
“Imagine there’s no heaven… no religion too…. Nothing to fight and die for…”
What do we make of this?
As Christians we know this can’t be right but do we understand why?
Can there be peace on earth ever?
Sermon outline
- NO PEACE!
- THE ROCK OF OFFENCE FOR THE DISBELIEVING
- THE PRECIOUS CORNER STONE FOR WE WHO TRUST IN HIM
Readings reproduced on this page:
The Holy Bible: New International Version. 1996, 1984. Grand Rapids: Zondervan
Sermon Outline
Readings
Matthew 10:34–39 (NIV84)
34“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.
35For I have come to turn “ ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—
36a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’
37“Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;
38and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
39Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
Text
Luke 2:21–35 (NIV84)
21On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived.
22When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord
23(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”),
24and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”
25Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
27Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,
28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
29“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace.
30For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
32a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”
33The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him.
34Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,
35so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
