The body of the famous Italian saint, Padre Pio, has been exhumed from its grave by the Roman Catholic authorities and put on public display inside a glass coffin at San Giovanni Rotondo, in Puglia, Italy.
At least 800,000 devotees have registered to visit the body - a response that has encouraged the Roman Catholic authorities to keep the body on display until September 2009.
This message:
1. Examines, in the light of Scripture, the Roman Catholic practice of the worship/veneration of saints;
2. Recounts another case in history when the Roman Catholic Church exhumed a body after it had lain over 40 years in its grave - that belonging to English Reformer, John Wycliffe;
3. Sketches the stark contrast between Padre Pio (dead, and lying in his coffin) - with our Risen and all-powerful Lord Jesus Christ. (Why do many people pray more to Pio than to Jesus?!)
N.B. Should you wish to check up on this ghoulish sight ...
(1) Padre Pio being exhumed: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=oaQKQORjhbg&feature=related
(2) Padre Pio's body on display: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=P42gGxiTsPk
Featuring a sermon puts it on the front page of the site and is the most effective way to bring this sermon to the attention of thousands including all mobile platforms + newsletter.
Text-Featuring a sermon is a less expensive way to bring this sermon to the attention of thousands on the right bar with optional newsletter inclusion. As low as $30/day.
“ All About Padre Pio ” The need for this sermon is great. Not only does Padre Pio have a following in Roman Catholic and Christian circles, he is often venerated by Hindus, Buddhists, and others who use his popularity to build a bridge to Christianity based on common ground. This sermon gives Christians a good background on Padre Pio (before listening, I knew the name but nothing else about him). Also, though, the ending of the sermon contrasts Padre Pio with others, helping to draw a sharp line of distinction. This is well worth the listen!
Patrick (5/29/2008)
“ Great Sermon! ” Rev Brown's sermon asks the listener the question -- which has the Lord put in your heart, devotion to a decaying corpse or to the Living Saviour?
I hope this and others in the series will be heard by many and the Lord would draw them from the blasphemies of Rome unto Himself.
Ian Brown succeeded Dr Ian Paisley as minister of Martyrs Memorial in August 2013. Prior to this he pastored the Free Presbyterian congregation in Northern Ireland’s Maiden City, Londonderry, from 1987 to 2013. He is the author of several books, notably: “Belfast Boat – Titanic,...
