Overcoming Evil in a World with Hamas

(Preaching Outline)

1) On October 7^th, Hamas attacked Israel – last Sunday night I had a dream about it, and when I woke up I immediately knew the interpretation.

a) We need to overcome evil with Good!

b) We do this through the law and the gospel.

c) I want to read a scripture before we discuss Israel and Hamas more

2) Matthew 2:16–18 (NKJV) — 16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying: 18 “A voice was heard in Ramah, Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, Refusing to be comforted, Because they are no more.”

a) Evil seeks to destroy what is good and causes great suffering.

b) The news and social media is filled with people talking about what happened with Hamas and Israel.

c) There are 2 major issues:

i) How do we execute justice to preserve a world of liberty?

ii) How do we deal with an ideology which is a time bomb ready to go off?

d) 1^st – the suffering of people – it is clear that there was kidnapping, rape and murder.

e) Hamas and Islam

i) Islam throughout the world

ii) An ideology that keeps people from human flourishing and leads to great suffering

iii) We know what is happening around the world, but especially in Nigeria

iv) Paganism throughout history – the gospel and the missionary movement.

(1) How can a church that does not really believe Christianity is the answer to the problem reach the world?

f) Israel, while not perfect, is a nation where multiple faiths including Jews, Muslims and Christians coexist pretty well.

i) The rule of law and human flourishing

ii) People are criminals when they commit a crime, not because of their worldview.

3) A deeper issue, is how do you deal with the emotional trauma of such evil? Scripture teaches us:

a) Romans 12:17–21 (NKJV) — 17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

4) In the face of evil we cannot give in to fear or we have lost!

a) 2 Corinthians 5:14–21 (NKJV) — 14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. 16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.