Is It Time For Another Flood?
Preaching
Shaking Wolves Out Of Cherry Trees
And 149 Other Sermon Ideas
Purpose Statement: We need to consider the critical question: "What is the human condition?"
Just how bad is our world? Are we too greedy, violent, apathetic, insensitive, wasteful, hateful, selfish, etc.? What direction are we going? Is the world improving or getting worse? What can we do about it?
a. Thesis: The world is a beautiful and wonderful place full of potential for great joy and love. God created a paradise and "saw that it was good." Some souls are optimistic and see the world as improving despite all of the trouble and suffering. They see "some good in each individual." That, if it could only be cultivated, each person would be a good, kind citizen.
b. Antithesis: There seems plenty of reasons to be pessimistic: several wars going on constantly around the globe, too much crime and violence, domestic abuse and family failures, people starving by the millions. Reading the daily newspaper can be a depressing experience. The flood myth exemplifies the pessimist philosophy. God became so unhappy with our behavior that it seemed best to destroy the world and start over (Genesis 6:5-8). The Lord of the Flies was a twentieth century parable asking the question, "Just how far removed from the animals or savage behavior are we?"
c. Synthesis: Perhaps the first step towards a solution is to begin with self-improvement. Luke 6:37-42 is a powerful passage concerning the logs and specks in our eyes and where to start the healing process. 1) Do we have a herd mentality or do we think for ourselves? 2) Are we insecure or do we have a healthy attitude? 3) Do we hate too much or are we compassionate? 4) Are we greedy and selfish or are we generous and thoughtful? We are all a composite of good and bad and have sufficient room for improvement.
Just how bad is our world? Are we too greedy, violent, apathetic, insensitive, wasteful, hateful, selfish, etc.? What direction are we going? Is the world improving or getting worse? What can we do about it?
a. Thesis: The world is a beautiful and wonderful place full of potential for great joy and love. God created a paradise and "saw that it was good." Some souls are optimistic and see the world as improving despite all of the trouble and suffering. They see "some good in each individual." That, if it could only be cultivated, each person would be a good, kind citizen.
b. Antithesis: There seems plenty of reasons to be pessimistic: several wars going on constantly around the globe, too much crime and violence, domestic abuse and family failures, people starving by the millions. Reading the daily newspaper can be a depressing experience. The flood myth exemplifies the pessimist philosophy. God became so unhappy with our behavior that it seemed best to destroy the world and start over (Genesis 6:5-8). The Lord of the Flies was a twentieth century parable asking the question, "Just how far removed from the animals or savage behavior are we?"
c. Synthesis: Perhaps the first step towards a solution is to begin with self-improvement. Luke 6:37-42 is a powerful passage concerning the logs and specks in our eyes and where to start the healing process. 1) Do we have a herd mentality or do we think for ourselves? 2) Are we insecure or do we have a healthy attitude? 3) Do we hate too much or are we compassionate? 4) Are we greedy and selfish or are we generous and thoughtful? We are all a composite of good and bad and have sufficient room for improvement.
