Bethlehem today is a thriving town, inhabited mostly by Christian Arabs (in name if not in fact). But, in the time of Christ, it was a tiny, insignificant town, known only for the fact that it had once been King David’s hometown. How was it that Jesus Christ, Son of God and King of the Universe would choose to be born here in a lowly cow stall?
All of us face problems in this lifetime. Most of them are issues we can control. But sometimes we face ones that are beyond our control. Two thousand years ago a fisherman called Peter had such a problem too. One night Peter and his friends tried every tool and trick of the trade – but didn’t catch a single fish. The next morning he met Jesus who seemed to control even mother nature. Peter followed his instructions and caught a great load of fish in the broad daylight.
The phrase “Please, sir, I want some more?” in Oliver Twist, the classic by Charles Dickens perhaps is a timeless saying that sums up the sufferings children of all times must endure in a sinful world. We learn from world history that the medieval ages and the biblical times were not the best periods for children. Especially in Jesus’ time, children were an insignificant and unimportant group. They were to be seen but not heard. They were more of a burden than a blessing. They were properties and less human. That makes Jesus’ sayings about children of utmost importance and deserves our undivided attention as we celebrate Universal Children’s Day. In the New Testament, we find at least four sayings of Jesus about children themselves or sayings linked to children. I want to draw your attention to some of these sayings today.
Four clergymen, taking a short break from their busy schedules, were on a park bench, chatting when one of them proposed they should discuss the problems that are disturbing them and all agreed. One of them confessed that he consumes alcohol in secret. The other one said that he gambles and cannot quit. Then the third clergyman said that he is attracted to a married woman in his parish. Finally, the fourth clergyman voiced his problem before walking away while others watched him in horror. “You see, I’m an incurable gossip.”
Karl Williams (not his real name) was in the final stages of terminal cancer when he asked me, “Pastor, what is faith?” None of my glib answers seemed to be adequate at that point. Fortunately, Karl experienced real faith before he went home to be with Jesus. But, I have since pondered his question many times and I have sought to answer it. This sermon is yet another feeble attempt to do so. [Published with permission from Dr. Arnold Lastinger.]
There are many false teachings sweeping the church today. Although not exactly a false teaching people often seem to misquote certain verses in the Bible to defend or justify unethical or illegal behavior. The number of references misinterpreted this way is countless but the five verses given below are my top picks known as being the most misquoted verses (I have provided the correct interpretation and the context for each verse mentioned below). Feel free to share this blog post for the edification of the body. Feel free to check my post titled “20 Bibles verses to help You through Tough Times” also.
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