[Propertalk] Sermon tidbits for June 10, Mark 3:20-35 - Part 1

[Joe Parrish]

"Religion has fallen on hard times. Once religion was worn as a badge of
honor, but today virtually no one wants to be thought of as religious. Too
many people equate religion with the worst possible behaviors associated
with the church-self-righteousness, judgmentalism, condemnation, prejudice,
intolerance among them. Sects, factions, denominations, splinters, and
divisions send a message to the world that Christians can't get our own
story straight. Petty bickering and conflict within congregations reinforce
the impression that being Christian offers nothing of greater value than any
other club or association.

"So what can be done? While the answer is simple, it won't be easy. The time
has come to set aside differences and focus instead on what we share in
common. Jesus says in today's Gospel lesson, "But no one can enter a strong
man's house and plunder his property without first binding the strong man;
then indeed the house can be plundered." Let's begin here. Let's acknowledge
that we believe different things and value different things and seek
different things, but at our heart and core we are all one family, children
of God, and brothers and sisters of the Christ. It won't change anything
overnight, but one thing is certain. If we're all on the same side, there
won't be any of "those people" left to dislike."

http://www.ministrymatters.com/all/article/entry/2838/unbinding-the-strong-m
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