my brother's sermon

when you are married, you will learn to cherish peace with your wife.
it may not always be there, but when it is, how much more true is the
saying, "there's no place like home." truly, no one wants to go home
where there is nothing but conflict, arguing, fighting, etc. so, peace at
home is to be valued. we don't want to feel alienated in the place where
we are supposed to be accepted the most. in terms of evangelism, this
may be something we have often missed. when we are debating within
our minds whether or not to witness to others and settle with the latter,
it is usually because we want peace. no arguments, no mentions of sin,
no warning of hell, just silence and passive smiles. we fear rejection,
judgement, the condemnation of man. we don't want to be part of the
fringe. we want peace most of the time, because we are not always aware
of our residency. this is not our home. why should we ever settle for
peace here, when sin is so rampant in the world? we're supposed to be
different- to be hated by the world- because we represent Christ. and
He's already reserved a place for each of us in our home. we're supposed
to be fighting and continuing Christ' work. if there was such a thing as
a truly peaceful gospel, no one would want to have killed Jesus. no one
would be offended, no one would be told of their sin, no one would be
saved. but thankfully, the true gospel never conforms to the world and
remains as the most difficult truth to accept, so that some may come
to know God. and we are not without hope in sharing this truth, for we
have the Helper, the Holy Spirit, who is not bound by flesh and is in
each of us. you must know that you are never alone, even if no one is
beside you, you have someone much greater than yourself, or any human
companion, within your soul. empowered by the Holy Spirit, we, as
the body of believers, are able to do even greater works than Jesus!
that is His promise to us! doesn't that seem almost impossible to grasp?
but it is possible, because our Lord is always faithful to His promises.