"evil" Tagged Sermons
The Expansion of Evil: Before the Flood
This passage is one we might be apt to skip over because we’re not sure what to say about these stories of people. But there’s a reminder here that over time humanity expands, grows, and spreads to different places. This message will bring focus to the curious text about the Nephilim and the continual expansion of evil over this time which troubles God’s heart (6:6). (Genesis 4:17-6:8) Sermon Outline “The LORD saw how great the wickedness of the human race…
The Power of Anger: Cain & Abel
This message will explore the human tendency toward jealousy and anger. Working in Jesus’ teaching on the Sermon on the Mount about anger and murder will help us from seeing Cain and Abel as an episode of terror removed from us. (Genesis 4:1-17; Matthew 5:21-26) Sermon Outline “Now Cain said to his brother Abel, ‘Let’s go out to the field.’ While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.” (Genesis 4:8) The Turn Toward the…
Singing the Songs of God’s Salvation
The third chapter of Habakkuk is one of the most beautiful and heart-felt declarations of worship before a mighty God in a confusing world. Some see this final prayer as a psalm amended to the end of the prophet’s words to bring us deeper into worship in light of the painful realities recorded before. (Habakkuk 3:1-19) SERMON OUTLINE “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” (Habakkuk 3:18) Sometimes it Causes Me to…
Faithfulness in a Confusing World
God’s second response to Habakkuk includes a vision that gives him perspective on what’s happening and five woes about the sort of person who will experience the judgment of God. It is a sobering reality, but also an encouragement to those of us trying to gain God’s perspective. The end of the chapter is appropriate humility and worship before God. (Habakkuk 2:2-20) SERMON OUTLINE “See, the enemy is puffed up; his desires are not upright – but the righteous person…
Talking with God When Pain Looms Large
Habakkuk lifts his voice to God in lament again but this time calls God’s attention to the unending pain that His people are suffering at the hand of their oppressors. How do we respond to God when it seems that our suffering is larger than we ever thought possible? What do we do? (Habakkuk 1:12-2:1) SERMON OUTLINE “I will stand at my watch…I will look to see what He will say to me.” (Habakkuk 2:1) Eyes on God (Habakkuk 1:12-13)…
Suffering and the Surprising Plans of God
God’s first response to Habakkuk is surprising at numerous levels. God will respond to Habakkuk’s call for punishment of wicked but it will come in a surprising way. The punishment of wickedness will come at the hands of an even-more wicked people. The oft-quoted phrase here, “I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told” (Habakkuk 1:5), is actually a message of surprising judgment on the nations. (Habakkuk 1:5-11) SERMON…
Crying Out when God Seems Absent
The first of Habakkuk’s two laments begins with the prophet’s agonizing question about how long God will let violence and wickedness continue unpunished. What do we do when wrong seems to carry forward in the face of a righteous God? What does it look like to cry out to God in these times? (Habakkuk 1:1-4) SERMON OUTLINE “How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen?” (Habakkuk 1:2) Habakkuk’s Burden (Habakkuk 1:1) The context of Habakkuk…
We Have a Shepherd for the Years Ahead! Jesus Christ, God’s Son
To date there is no working theory of human history that can predict the future. What we have, though, is much better. We have the written and incarnate promises of God. God hasn’t given us “when” but he has given us “soon!” Soon, evil will cease with the ending of this age. Soon the living will be gathered to God’s bosom and the rebellious to their second death. Soon the redeemed will look and live like their Redeemer. (Psalm 23;…