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  THE KEY THAT OPENS HEARTS
  by Erlo Stegen
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Summary: The sermon teaches that we can overcome evil with good by
treating our enemies with kindness and respect, which can lead to a
change in their heart and behavior, and bring a reward from the Lord.

Topics: "Overcoming Evil with Good", "The Power of Kindness"
Scripture References: Romans 12:20

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DESCRIPTION
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Erlo Stegen emphasizes the transformative power of responding to evil
with good, as illustrated in Romans 12:20-21 and Proverbs 25:21-22. He
shares a story of a Christian neighbor who, despite repeated harm from a
heathen neighbor's cow, chose to respond with kindness rather than
retaliation, ultimately leading to a change in the neighbor's behavior.
Stegen highlights that such unexpected goodness can convict the
conscience of those who do wrong, and that God rewards those who act
righteously. He also draws parallels with Elijah's respectful treatment
of King Ahab, despite Ahab's evil actions, showcasing the importance of
maintaining integrity and goodness in the face of adversity.

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CONTENT
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Rom 12:20, 21, "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."

Prov 25:21, 22, "If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if
he is thirsty, give him water to drink; 22 For so you will heap coals of
fire on his head, and the LORD will reward you."

Commentators differ in their interpretation of the words, "For so you
will heap coals of fire on his head". If your enemy harms you and you
deal well with him in return, he will find it surprising and unexpected.
That will be like burning coals of fire on his conscience and the Lord
will also reward you.

Example: There were two men who were neighbours; the one a Christian and
the other a heathen. The heathen's cow regularly grazed in his
neighbour's vegetable garden and destroyed much of his vegetables. Each
time the Christian would return the cow and start his vegetable garden
from scratch. Eventually he felt that he had had enough. He even thought
of poisoning the cow, but then he prayed and asked God for wisdom. So he
took back the cow and said to his neighbour, "Here is your cow that has
been grazing in my vegetable garden. If it should happen again, then
...", and he stopped. His neighbour indignantly answered, "then what?".
But he kept quiet and his neighbour pressed him and raised his voice,
"tell me, what will you do then, ugh?". At last he answered quietly,
"then I will bring it back to you again." This soft answer pricked the
heathen's conscience and the cow never roamed into the Christian's yard
again.

In the same way Elijah also treated his king with great respect,
although Ahab was so evil and only did him harm. After the prophets of
Baal were killed, Elijah prayed for rain. When God answered him, he sent
word to the king to prepare his chariot and go into the city lest the
rain should overtake him. And Elijah himself ran in front of the king's
chariot to his honour, as we read in 1Sam 8:10, 11.

Elijah did good to king Ahab and his wicked wife Jezebel, but they
hardened themselves in their wickedness and God eventually destroyed
them.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/erlo-stegen/the-key-that-opens-hearts/
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