Sermon Illustrations
Father and Sons Jailed for Fake Cure
The Department of Justice has filed charges against a father and his three sons for their role in illegally selling industrial bleach. The bleach itself is not an illegal substance, but according to officials, the family business consisted of fraudulently marketing the toxic chemicals as a miracle cure.
According to the criminal complaint, Mark Grenon of Bradenton, Fla, along with his adult sons, repeatedly told their customers that their “Mineral Miracle Solution” could cure not only COVID-19, but also various other aliments including malaria and cancer. According to a press release from the US Attorney’s office for the Southern District of Florida, "[The] FDA has received reports of people requiring hospitalizations, developing life-threatening conditions, and dying after drinking MMS."
The DOJ alleges that the Grenons sold thousands of bottles of the fraudulent solution, netting over $1 million in the process. They are also accused of attempting to operate as a religious nonprofit entity, the “Genesis II Church of Health and Healing,” for the purpose of avoiding government scrutiny and regulations.
The Grenons are charged with conspiracy to commit fraud, and also criminal contempt, because the government previously filed a civil suit to stop the sale of their product, which they ignored. Not only did they continue selling the toxic fake cure, but they sent a letter to the judge of the civil case informing him that they had no plans to comply with the court order. They also included threats of violence if the state were to try to enforce compliance.
The FDA has warned consumers not to purchase or consume MMS, explaining that it’s the same as drinking bleach and can cause serious side effects, including severe vomiting, diarrhea, and life-threatening low blood pressure.
Possible Preaching Angle:
All kinds of people make promises of wealth, prosperity, or healing. However, you can tell who's legit in part by the outcomes of their "ministry"--are people really healed or set free? Or is it a trick? God is about wholeness and integrity, not just headlines and spectacle.