This is the third message in a series entitled “A Heart Like His”. You can find the audio sermons and notes for part 1 here and part 2 here. What follows are notes and comments from a sermon by Dr. John Greene-Senior Pastor of Harmony Hill Baptist Church in Lufkin, TX.
So, would you “Blackball a Sinner”?
Dr. Greene delivered a powerful sermon today that really touched my heart and made me think about how I view the people I come in contact with everyday. He asked the question “Has our Halo slipped?”
The truth is there’s a growing anger in the Christian community of faith; Christians shout more today and are perceived to be more committed to madness than to mercy. But despite how we look at those around us, God doesn’t play favorites; God never shows partiality. (Luke 15:10 and Romans 2:11)
The local body cannot fully become the Church of Jesus Christ until we care for every soul like Jesus does.
We must ask ourselves, is our Theology straight? Firstly, do we understand the plight of sinful men and women? The truth is every human being needs a do-over; everyone needs a second chance.
Bear in mind that everyone you have ever seen is someone who Christ died for, is someone who God loves and is someone who is but a prayer away from coming to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Every prostitute, every porn actress, every woman who has had an abortion, every stripper, etc… is someone’s daughter . Every rapist, every murderer, every man in government who votes against us, every child molester, every dictator, etc… is someone’s son.
Secondly, do we understand the choices of men and the mercy of God? We all have made very foolish decisions that have hurt us, hurt others and offended God, there is not one who can truthfully say otherwise. We all need help, hope, guidance, direction and most of all mercy and forgiveness.
Thirdly, the principle of loss and the wrath of God. Not all loss is because of sin or because God is pouring out his wrath. We simply live in a fallen world where things go wrong, even with those who follow Christ.
Finally, is your porch light burning? Are you a welcoming beacon of light and hope for your lost and backslidden friends? Are you that one phone call? Franklin Graham once remarked that the only reason he went from being a rebel rouser to a preacher is because his dad always kept the lights on.
