Winning Ways -- Hillcrest Baptist Church

Healing the Violence of Our Hands and Heart
by Tom Goodman
October 17, 2012

A few years ago a Sarasota, Florida, father lost his temper and punched a referee during his 7-year-old son's flag football game.

It gets worse. The punch came after he felt the official ignored his complaints that the game was getting too rough.

Oh, I'm not done. You see, the man was also a mentor for the public school's anti-violence campaign.

You can't make this stuff up.

In any study of the Ten Commandments, it's probably the Seventh Commandment against murder that we think we're the least likely to break. But in Matthew 5 Jesus took that prohibition deeper into the heart. He said, "You've heard it said, 'Don't murder.' But I say, 'Don't get angry. In fact, don't even allow the tiniest seed of contempt for another to lodge in your heart."

It's the violence we commit in our hearts that needs addressing, not just the violence we commit with our hands.

The whole nation gasped in shock and disbelief at the theater shooting in Aurora, Colorado, a couple of months ago. Jesus seemed to think a similar horror and grief should rise up in us when we discover that contempt for others lies within us.

Of course, this realization should result in two things. For one, it should drive us toward the righteousness Jesus commands. But it should also open us desperately to the righteousness Jesus provides. None of us can say we've lived up to Jesus' definition of holiness. Thankfully his merciful sacrifice covers even this violence of heart and hands.

Let's get together this week and look at this convicting truth. I expect to be back from Indonesia Sunday, thoroughly jet lagged but thoroughly ready to worship with my Hillcrest Family. See you @ 10!

"Two Christian Visions for America." I recommend you attend this forum Sunday, October 21, at 1:30pm at the University Christian Church. Dr. Richard Land and Dr. Gary Dorrien will present different views on the role of government. Information here.

MissionsMunch. Join us for lunch on Sunday, October 28, following small-group ministry. Brian McKanna and his family will be with us. They serve with our International Mission Board in a strategic country. Tickets are required and can be purchased after service on Sunday or at the church office during the week.

--Tom

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Healing the Violence of Our Hands and Heart by Tom Goodman October 17, 2012 A few years ago a Sarasota, Florida, father lost his temper and punched a referee during his 7-year-old son's flag football game. It gets worse. The punch came after he felt the official ignored his complaints that the game was getting too rough. Oh, I'm not done. You see, the man was also a mentor for the public school's anti-violence campaign. You can't make this stuff up. In any study of the Ten Commandments, it's probably the Seventh Commandment against murder that we think we're the least likely to break. But in Matthew 5 Jesus took that prohibition deeper into the heart. He said, "You've heard it said, 'Don't murder.' But I say, 'Don't get angry. In fact, don't even allow the tiniest seed of contempt for another to lodge in your heart." It's the violence we commit in our hearts that needs addressing, not just the violence we commit with our hands. The whole nation gasped in shock and disbelief at the theater shooting in Aurora, Colorado, a couple of months ago. Jesus seemed to think a similar horror and grief should rise up in us when we discover that contempt for others lies within us. Of course, this realization should result in two things. For one, it should drive us toward the righteousness Jesus commands. But it should also open us desperately to the righteousness Jesus provides. None of us can say we've lived up to Jesus' definition of holiness. Thankfully his merciful sacrifice covers even this violence of heart and hands. Let's get together this week and look at this convicting truth. I expect to be back from Indonesia Sunday, thoroughly jet lagged but thoroughly ready to worship with my Hillcrest Family. See you @ 10! "Two Christian Visions for America." I recommend you attend this forum Sunday, October 21, at 1:30pm at the University Christian Church. Dr. Richard Land and Dr. Gary Dorrien will present different views on the role of government. Information here. MissionsMunch. Join us for lunch on Sunday, October 28, following small-group ministry. Brian McKanna and his family will be with us. They serve with our International Mission Board in a strategic country. Tickets are required and can be purchased after service on Sunday or at the church office during the week. --Tom Beacon Articles Available Online: The staff newsletters that appear each week in the Beacon are also available on our website. You can find them here. Check out my weblog here. Do you know friends who would appreciate Winning Ways? Just forward this e-mail to them! Have you subscribed to Winning Ways? You can subscribe by clicking here and following the instructions. Your e-mail address will not be sold or given away to anyone, and you can automatically change your subscription or drop it by following the easy steps provided with each e-mail. FRESH NEWS AT HILLCREST UPDATED WEEKLY: www.hillcrestaustin.org LISTEN TO RECENT SERMONS: Click here. MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTIONS TO OUR EMAIL NEWSLETTERS: Click here. If you do not have access to the web, please send a note to newsmaster@hbcaustin.org to tell us of any changes you would like to make.