My First ‘Peace Sermon’

Sunday morning I preached twice as a guest speaker in our church, and spoke on the negative image so many churches and Christians are projecting, due largely to their over-involvement with the Republican party. I talked about hypocrisy and judgmentalism, neglecting “the least of these”, receiving and honoring lies and liars, and supporting unjust and dishonest wars. It was difficult and draining, but needs doing; and in my case it was at least 30 years overdue. The reception was mixed, but courteous. I told another church recently that I’m against politics in the pulpit except in extreme circumstances. We are in such circumstances. These are the main Scriptures I used; I hope to get the whole text of my remarks up in the next few days.

Matthew 25: 45,46
“I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.”
Then they will go away to eternal punishment …

Mark 3:4,5
“Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent.
He looked around at them in anger and deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts …

Luke 20:46,47
They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely.

Isaiah 58: 9,10
If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, Then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs … You will be like a well-watered garden … Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

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