Good, Beautiful and Kind
Speaker: Pastor Pierre Du Plessis
Scripture References: Matthew 1:21; Romans 7:14-24
SERMON RECAP
As we look at the violence, conflicts, injustices and the atrocities in our world today, many of us probably dream of a world that instead would be good, beautiful and kind. In our effort to determine a compelling reason why this does not exist, we tend to choose the pathway of simplicity and cite the causes of mental health conditions, childhood experiences, diseases and many other easy to name culprits. Or we offer basic solutions that are superficial and fail to deal with the iceberg below the surface. The truth of the matter is that many of the problems we see in the world are complex and in our tendency to over-simplify them, we miss systemic issues, and the essence of human behavior that leads to these conditions. Unless we stare reality in the face and go through the process of critically examining the complexities of life, we cannot hope to experience a world that is good, beautiful and kind, and will not understand why.
According to Scripture, the catalyst that puts us in this mess is sin. This is an unpopular word that is seldom talked about, but is the root cause of the brokenness eating at our world. Understand that there is a distinction between “sin” and “sins”. Sins are the actions and specific things we do that go against God’s will, commands or His character. When the word “sin” is mentioned, people tend to react in different ways. Some immediately feel that the spotlight is shined on them and they are crushed by thoughts of their own sins and wrongdoing. They fear exposure and a repeat of the sin, and/or feel guilty and unworthy. Others take the opposite approach and project an attitude of righteousness and tend to focus on the sins of others while taking little introspection of their own lives. In the Book of Romans, the Apostle Paul begins to explain the effects of sin. He speaks of how he loves God’s ways, but struggles as he wants to do what is right, but instead does what he hates. He concludes that there is a power in him that makes him a slave to the sin that is within him. Unfortunately, the world has wandered away from understanding the effects sin such that humanity no longer sees a need for a savior. As we journey through the rest of this series, may we dive into a process of complexity and critical thinking through Scripture and gain a better understanding of how sin impacts our lives and our world, and discover the solution that Jesus offers.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. What resonated with you as you listened to this sermon and reviewed it?
2. What is your immediate reaction when you hear the word “sin”? Read Matthew 1:21. What does this Scripture tell us about sin?
3. It was said that we can only arrive at simplicity after we have taken the long grueling journey through complexity. What does this mean to you?
4. Think of a problem in the world such as homelessness, racism, violence in the streets etc. What are ways some people simplify it by saying what they feel the cause of the problem is? What are solutions they offer without understanding all complexities of the issues?
5. Read Romans 7:14-24. In your own words, what is the Apostle Paul saying? Can you relate in any way to his situation?
6. Read Luke 6:41-42. How does this Scripture relate to this sermon?
7. Review Langston Hughes poem and state your interpretation of it :
I am so tired of waiting, aren’t you? For the world to become good, beautiful and kind Let us take a knife and cut the world in two And see what worms are eating at the rind.