Hypocrisy

In the eyes of this world, some sins – such as theft and murder – are punishable by a prison sentence. However, these are not the sins that received the sternest words from Jesus. In this week’s sermon, we will discuss the seriousness of living a lifestyle that contradicts what we believe and confess.

Scripture: Mark 12:38-40
As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted in the marketplaces, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely.”

Renewing Reflections
It is our prayer Renewing Reflections will be a blessing in your life this coming week. This quote is taken from the sermon “The Call to Faithfulness“ delivered on Christian Crusaders September 19, 2004.
I believe that as Christians we are reading the world wrong when we think they want us to adjust the teachings of God’s Word to be more palatable to their way of life. The unbeliever comes to the Christian for help with his or her way of life. At that point, we are tempted to condone the way they are living – a lifestyle very much contrary to God’s revealed will. Now they are hearing from me, a Christian, what they are hearing from some of their friends who are not Christians. I truly believe some of them cry out, “I need someone to tell me the truth about my lifestyle!” It is at this point that Christians have a marvelous opportunity to share what God’s Word has to say about the way this person is living and what he believes.

the Crusader Newsletter
The new issue of the Crusader, Christian Crusaders' quarterly newsletter, will soon be printed. The theme for this issue is “goodness,” a fruit of the Spirit. Contact Christian Crusaders by phone, email, or via the sign-up form on the website, to receive your copy of this special publication.

On the Light Side
A big, burly man visited the pastor's home and asked to see the minister's wife, a woman well known for her charitable impulses.

“Madam,” he said in a broken voice, “I wish to draw your attention to the terrible plight of a poor family in this district. The father is dead, the mother is too ill to work, and the nine children are starving. They are about to be turned into the cold, empty streets unless someone pays their rent, which amounts to $400.”

“How terrible!” exclaimed the preacher's wife. “May I ask who you are?”

The sympathetic visitor applied his handkerchief to his eyes. “I’m the landlord,” he sobbed.

The program "Hypocrisy" will air Sunday, November 8, 2009. Visit www.christiancrusaders.org for radio stations and times, or to listen online.