The Citizen, 2008-05-22, Page 12By Pastor Ernest DowLiving Water Christian Fellowship(EMC), BlythLove and respect can be life-
giving; but contempt can be
murderous, deadly.
In recent days, the death toll from
the cyclone in Myanmar continued to
mount, while projections put more
than 100,000 lives at risk, with
millions homeless.
Yet the military government was
reluctant to grant visas to
representatives from international aid
agencies. When foreign experts were
allowed in, they found themselves
confined to the capital city; police
actually forced them out of flooded
areas.
The government apparently is
suspicious of foreigners; they persist
in an attitude of “we can handle it
ourselves” – which shows blind
disrespect for the proficiency of
international emergency agencies to
respond. Pride, suspicion, and
contempt combine to keep help for
citizens away.
Such contempt for genuine outside
offers of help was increasing the
death toll and risk for further
outbreaks of disease. Murderous.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus
cautions us against contempt for
others in personal relations. Anger,
rudeness, and keeping enemies at a
distance can be deadly. But
reconciliation and grace toward
others make new beginnings
possible.
Many, at some time or other, have
been the target of words that could be
classed as abusive – remarks that cut
and stung beyond what was called
for.
Jesus says in Matthew 5:21f., “You
have heard that it was said to the
people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and
anyone who murders will be subject
to judgment.’ But I tell you that
anyone who is angry with his brother
will be subject to judgment. Again,
anyone who says to his brother,
‘Raca’, is answerable to the
Sanhedrin. But anyone who says,
‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the
fire of hell.”
Apparently people could be
charged before the Sanhedrin for
calling someone ‘Raca’ meaning
‘empty’ or ‘blockhead’. But Jesus
says even just being angry or
provoked with someone can make us
liable to judgment; if we call
someone “fool” or “idiot” (literally
moros from which we get ‘moron’ -
dull, stupid) - if we call someone
such derogatory names, we’ll be ‘in
danger of the fire of hell’. That’s
serious!
Failure to esteem or value someone
is at the root of destructive actions.
God’s concerned with (and weighs)
the heart and spirit, not just outward
actions.
Elsewhere the Bible warns against
being angry, which tends to make us
lash out and be abusive toward
others. Colossians 3:8, “But now you
also, put them all aside: anger, wrath,
malice, slander, and abusive speech
from your mouth.” Commentator
Myron Augsburger observes, “Anger
is a temporary madness and its
expression has no place in the
community of disciples.” When you
feel anger rising, deal with it quickly
and inwardly, rather than venting
destructively.
In Matthew 5:23f., Jesus goes on to
point out the priority of relationships,
and urgency of repairing them by
means of being reconciled.
“Therefore, if you are offering your
gift at the altar and there remember
that your brother has something
against you, leave your gift there in
front of the altar. First go and be
reconciled to your brother; then comeand offer your gift.”Notice the priority – making thingsright takes precedence over religious
offerings: if offering and remember,
leave it there, first go be reconciled,
then come and present your offering.
Apparently God’s not interested in
our offering if we’ve got unresolved
debts owing relationally. To the Lord,
how we treat others is a more reliable
indicator of our spiritual state than
mere religious observance is.
Remember, Jesus linked love for
God and love for others: the greatest
command is to love God with your
whole being, the second is ‘like it’, to
love your neighbour as yourself; “All
the Law and the Prophets hang on
these two commandments.”(Matthew 22:37ff.)Being reconciled is something thatshould especially characterize
Christians. God took pains to
reconcile people to Himself in Christ,
not counting their sins against them;
He has given us the ministry of
reconciliation, Paul says (2
Corinthians 5:18ff).
Once U.S. President Abraham
Lincoln was asked how he was going
to treat the rebellious Southerners
when they had finally been defeated
and returned to the Union of the
United States. The questioner
expected that Lincoln would take a
dire vengeance, but he answered: “I
will treat them as if they had never
been away.”Who is someone you need to ‘burythe hatchet’ with today? Whateveryou do, don’t bury it in their back!
Jesus took our penalty, the
punishment we deserved, on
Himself; by His wounds we are
healed. His forgiveness for us
releases us to be gracious, respectful,
and conciliatory to others in turn.
PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2008.From the Minister’s StudyPastor says ‘contempt can be murderous’
308 Blyth Rd. E. ~ Pastor Les Cook 519-523-4590
B l y t h C o m m u n i ty Church of God
C H U R C H O F G O D ,ANDERS
O
N
,
I
N
D
I
A
N
A
“The Church
is not a building,
it is people
touching people
Sunday School 9:45 a.m.
- Christian Education
for all ages
11:00 a.m. - Worship Service
Mid-week Bible Studies
See you
Sunday!
THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA
Welcomes you to come
and worship with us
Morning Prayer - May 25
Trinity, Blyth
9:30 a.m.
519-523-9595
St. John's, Brussels
11:15 a.m.
519-887-6862
Parish of New Beginnings
MELVILLE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
BRUSSELS
SUNDAY, MAY 25
Wheelchair accessible ~ Nursery care available
Rev. Cathrine Campbell - 519-887-9831
11:00 am - Sunday Morning Worship
- Sunday School
9:30 am - Sunday Belgrave Service
Corner of Dinsley & Mill Street
Blyth United Church
Office: 519-523-4224
Sunday, May 25
All Welcome
Worship Service and Sunday School - 11 a.m.
Choir and Sunday School leading the service
UPCOMING EVENT...
Saturday,May 24 - 6:00 pm
Beef BBQ
at Auburn Riverside
Tickets: $15.00
Proceeds go to building homes
in El Salvador!
PASTOR DAVID WOOD
119 John’s Ave.,Auburn
519-526-1131
- Sunday Services -
9:30 a.m.
Sunday School
& Small Groups
10:30 a.m.
Morning Worship Service
7:30 p.m.
Evening Service
Youre Invited
to come worship
with us
Sunday, May 25th
Brussels Public School
10:30 am and 6:30 pm
Sunday School for children
4 to 11 years of age (mornings only)
Childcare provided for infants and toddlers
Coffee & cookies after the morning service
For additional details please contact:
Steve Klumpenhower 519.887.8651 Rick Packer 519.527.0173
Please join us for worship
SUNDAYS
Morning Service 10:00am
Evening Service 7:30pm
BLYTH CHRISTIAN
REFORMED CHURCH
Pastor John Kuperus
Hwy. 4, Blyth
BRUSSELS - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE
UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA
Sandra Cable, Worship Leader
Church Office 519-887-6259 E-mail - bepc@wightman.ca
Sunday, May 25
Ethel United Church
Worship Service - 9:30 a.m.
Brussels United Church
Worship Service - 11:00 a.m.
Celebrating our Christian Faith together in worship
getlivingwater.org
Pastor: Ernest Dow ~ 519-523-4848
Living Water
Christian Fellowship
1st & 3rd Wednesdays - Women at the Well
Youth: Fridays - Junior 7:30 pm
Sunday, May 25
10:30 a.m. ~ Worship & Sunday School
at Blyth Public School,
corner of King & Mill
Guest Speaker-
Gary Lisle
“Teamwork”
POTLUCK
Christ-centred, Bible-believing,
Fellowship-friendly, Growth-geared
The Owen’s Light program is
raising awareness for International
Doula Month with a spring Mom-to-
Mom Sale.
The sale is usually held each
September but due to a high
demand, there will be a spring sale
this year.
“People were tracking me down in
the grocery store to ask when the
next sale would be,” said Selena
Hazlitt, co-ordinator of Owen’s
Light. “The sale is our major
fundraiser. Over 400 people
attended last year.”
People wanting to sell their
gently-used items at the Mom to
Mom Sale can download an
application form from
www:owenslight.org or call Amy at
519-524-6767 for information.
Once again, Goderich District
Collegiate Institute is graciously
opening their doors to the east gym
for the sale. Doors open at 9 a.m. on
Saturday, May 24. Show up early to
find the best buys on quality
children’s items; including toys,
baby accessories, sports equipment
and maternity clothes. In light of
recent recalls for several toys and
bottles, buyers are reminded to
thoroughly check all their purchases.
Owen’s Light is a program
dedicated to providing Huron
County women with access to birth
doule support. A birth doula is a
person trained and experienced in
childbirth who provides continuous
physical, emotional and
informational support to the mother
before, during and just after birth. A
handful of certified doulas provide
support to families in Huron County.
A doula’s professional goal is
simply to help women have a safe
and satisfying childbirth as the
woman and her body define it. They
are an integral part of giving birth in
many European countries and their
presence continues to grow in North
America.
Mom-to-Mom sale in
support of Owen’s Light