The Mark Of Cain Is On Us All!
Preaching
Shaking Wolves Out Of Cherry Trees
And 149 Other Sermon Ideas
Purpose Statement: Since the mainline and major Christian denominations have all issued statements calling for the abolition of the death penalty, it is expected that the clergy would preach a sermon on the reasons why capital punishment is wrong.
There are so many scriptures that are applicable: Matthew 5:38-48 and Romans 12:9-21 are powerful. Genesis 4 tells us that God marked Cain, a murderer, to protect him from the death penalty. Care must be taken not to mistake the dramatic pronouncement of God's revenge of seven lives as our permission to kill which misses the point of the "mark of Cain." There are so many reasons against the death penalty:
a. It does not deter crime. (There are plenty of good statistical studies for this.)
b. We are the only western industrialized ("civilized"?) nation still putting persons to death.
c. The progressive states abolished it. States with poorer education systems are more apt to have it.
d. Most mainline churches call for its abolition.
e. It is biased in practice. Usually, the poor and people of color have greater odds of being executed.
f. Believe it or not, the procedure to execute costs more than life-long incarceration. (However, putting a price tag on a life is wrong.)
g. It doesn't bring closure to the victims' families.
h. It hurts victims' families by giving them opportunities for revenge and physical expression of hate.
i. While the Old Testament permits it, the New Testament prohibits it.
j. Far too often history has proven that innocent people have been executed.
k. It is arbitrarily administered (location and pure chance are often deciding factors).
l. Given his nature of love and forgiveness, Jesus would never execute someone.
The only reason for capital punishment is to vent hate and revenge -- which is anathema to the Christian faith.
B-5. Yes, God Does Take Attendance
Purpose Statement: Though we can worship anywhere, any time, it is very important that Christians "go to church."
Laypersons don't know that God requires ministers to take roll on Sunday mornings and turn in reports. It's time to tell them. Remind them that Jesus went to church regularly. Luke 2:41-49 (v. 42) in Good News Version uses the phrase "as usual" referring to Jesus' family's attendance, as does verse 16 in chapter 4 referring to Jesus' attendance. Jesus as a boy answered his parents by saying, "Didn't you know that I had to be in God's house?" Jesus attended church (synagogue) regularly despite his outspoken criticism of the religious institution and leaders.
There seems to be a rule in college that if the professor doesn't arrive within a certain time after the official starting time of the class (something on the order of ten minutes), the students may leave. They eagerly watch the clock and are overjoyed if they get the opportunity to miss class. Are we that way about church services? Will any excuse, no matter how insignificant, suffice to absent us from Sunday morning worship? It is very important that we attend church. Why?
a. The church needs us. With all of its faults, still the church historically has been the greatest influence for moral behavior and the welfare of our communities of all other institutions. We, you and I, are the church.
b. Others need us. One of our greatest oversights is failing to appreciate how important we, and our presence, are to other people at church. Just being there along with the love and support that we give to others is one of the most important things that happen all week. We are missed.
c. We need it. Another of our greatest oversights is not realizing just how much the corporate worship and fellowship of other Christians can nurture our spirits.
There are so many scriptures that are applicable: Matthew 5:38-48 and Romans 12:9-21 are powerful. Genesis 4 tells us that God marked Cain, a murderer, to protect him from the death penalty. Care must be taken not to mistake the dramatic pronouncement of God's revenge of seven lives as our permission to kill which misses the point of the "mark of Cain." There are so many reasons against the death penalty:
a. It does not deter crime. (There are plenty of good statistical studies for this.)
b. We are the only western industrialized ("civilized"?) nation still putting persons to death.
c. The progressive states abolished it. States with poorer education systems are more apt to have it.
d. Most mainline churches call for its abolition.
e. It is biased in practice. Usually, the poor and people of color have greater odds of being executed.
f. Believe it or not, the procedure to execute costs more than life-long incarceration. (However, putting a price tag on a life is wrong.)
g. It doesn't bring closure to the victims' families.
h. It hurts victims' families by giving them opportunities for revenge and physical expression of hate.
i. While the Old Testament permits it, the New Testament prohibits it.
j. Far too often history has proven that innocent people have been executed.
k. It is arbitrarily administered (location and pure chance are often deciding factors).
l. Given his nature of love and forgiveness, Jesus would never execute someone.
The only reason for capital punishment is to vent hate and revenge -- which is anathema to the Christian faith.
B-5. Yes, God Does Take Attendance
Purpose Statement: Though we can worship anywhere, any time, it is very important that Christians "go to church."
Laypersons don't know that God requires ministers to take roll on Sunday mornings and turn in reports. It's time to tell them. Remind them that Jesus went to church regularly. Luke 2:41-49 (v. 42) in Good News Version uses the phrase "as usual" referring to Jesus' family's attendance, as does verse 16 in chapter 4 referring to Jesus' attendance. Jesus as a boy answered his parents by saying, "Didn't you know that I had to be in God's house?" Jesus attended church (synagogue) regularly despite his outspoken criticism of the religious institution and leaders.
There seems to be a rule in college that if the professor doesn't arrive within a certain time after the official starting time of the class (something on the order of ten minutes), the students may leave. They eagerly watch the clock and are overjoyed if they get the opportunity to miss class. Are we that way about church services? Will any excuse, no matter how insignificant, suffice to absent us from Sunday morning worship? It is very important that we attend church. Why?
a. The church needs us. With all of its faults, still the church historically has been the greatest influence for moral behavior and the welfare of our communities of all other institutions. We, you and I, are the church.
b. Others need us. One of our greatest oversights is failing to appreciate how important we, and our presence, are to other people at church. Just being there along with the love and support that we give to others is one of the most important things that happen all week. We are missed.
c. We need it. Another of our greatest oversights is not realizing just how much the corporate worship and fellowship of other Christians can nurture our spirits.
