tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7243029439620480122024-03-13T12:01:33.236-07:00Christian blog: Online Bible comentary, free sermon outlines, free daily e-devotionals!Online Bible commentary and Bible study material are available through <a href="http://www.abiblecommentary.com">www.abiblecommentary.com</a> as well as <a href="http://www.bumchecks.com">bumchecks.com</a>; www.bumchecks.com lists 20 things to look for when considering a "Bible commentary."Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1631125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-724302943962048012.post-91109345198146138112023-02-11T15:04:00.001-08:002023-02-11T15:04:13.946-08:00Syria and southern Turkey earthquakeFrom the Rubble
<br>
<br>Last Monday, before dawn, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake caused widespread
<br>destruction across northern Syria and southern Turkey. Thousands of lives
<br>have been lost and thousands of buildings have collapsed.
<br>
<br>Amid the destruction, there have been some marvelous rescues.
<br>
<br>On Monday evening in Jinderis, Syria, a young girl was found alive, buried
<br>in the wreckage of a building made of concrete. Video footage from the
<br>White Helmets, a regional emergency service, shows a rescuer digging through
<br>crushed concrete amid twisted rebar, uncovering the head of the little girl.
<br>The little girl, whose name is Nour, looks up dazedly. The rescuer informs
<br>her that her father is there. "Dad is here, don't be scared. ... Talk to
<br>your dad, talk." The rescuer wipes dust from her eyes as she looks for her
<br>father.
<br>
<br>After additional, careful digging, Nour was rescued from the rubble and
<br>reunited with her father. *
<br>
<br>Another dramatic rescue effort was accomplished in the midst of an
<br>earthquake. The lives at stake were yours and mine. The Rescuer was the
<br>sinless Son of God. In order to rescue us from our condemning sins, Jesus
<br>had to give His life for our sins by dying on a cross.
<br>
<br>After suffering intense agony on the cross, Jesus cried out and "yielded up
<br>His spirit" (Matthew 27:50). "Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn
<br>in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split"
<br>(Matthew 27:51). Perhaps the earth quaked because God's wrath was being
<br>"poured out" on Jesus as He bore our sins on the cross (1 Peter 2:24). The
<br>veil of the temple being torn from top to bottom indicates that Jesus was
<br>opening up the way for man to be reconciled to God. The fact that it was
<br>torn from the top points to the fact that it was God who made the
<br>reconciliation possible (see 2 Corinthians 5:17-21).
<br>
<br>Nour's timely rescue pictures our rescue by Christ: "You see, at just the
<br>right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly"
<br>(Romans 5:6 NIV).
<br>
<br>And we are also encouraged to look to the Father. He is the one who has
<br>made salvation and eternal life possible at tremendous cost: the precious
<br>blood of His Son (1 Peter 1:18-19). He awaits with open arms those who will
<br>accept His rescue through their trusting obedience.
<br>
<br>God will save, welcome to His family, and give eternal life to those who
<br>place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins
<br>in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10),
<br>and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts
<br>2:38). He will continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in
<br>the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).
<br>
<br>In our sins, we are found in the rubble, dying. Yet through the sacrifice
<br>that Jesus made for us, God is calling to us: "I am the Father. I love you
<br>and want to save you. Take My hand. Accept My offer of salvation. I will
<br>care for you for an eternity."
<br>
<br>-- David A. Sargent
<br>
<br>* Information gleaned from "A newborn was found alive in the rubble after
<br>the earthquake in Syria" by the Associated Press, as shared in <a href="http://www.npr.org">www.npr.org</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-724302943962048012.post-81258653589351265122022-12-27T07:55:00.001-08:002022-12-27T07:55:48.326-08:00Is Christmas in the Bible?<div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:150%'><em><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#606060'>What about Christmas?</span></b></em><span style='font-size:11.5pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#606060'><br><br>It is not the giving of gifts that is challenged. It is not the happy associations we may have with our families and friends. Such things can be right at any time of the year. We are not questioning these things. Our point is simply this: The Bible does not inform us as to the birthday of Christ, nor does the Bible authorize us to make a religious observance of the birthday of Christ. Hence, to attempt such is to go beyond the limits of divine authority. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right;line-height:150%'><em><b><span style='font-size:11.5pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#606060'>- by Paul C. Keller</span></b></em><span style='font-size:11.5pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#606060'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:150%'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#606060'>_______________________________________________<br> <br></span><em><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#606060'>Where Did Christmas Originate & Who Authorized It?</span></b></em><span style='font-size:11.5pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#606060'><br><br>To answer these questions it is necessary to go outside the New Testament. The Encyclopedia Americana says, "The Christmas celebration was not observed in the first centuries of the church." The Catholic Encyclopedia says, "Christmas was not among the early festivals of the church."<br><br>Now notice this: If we cannot find the Christmas observance in the New Testament, and a secular encyclopedia says that it was not observed in the first centuries of the church, and a religious encyclopedia says that it was nonexistent in the early church, then we must conclude that it did not originate with the apostles.<br><br>By whose authority did this December observance originate? Colliers Encyclopedia tells us that Lyberius, the Bishop of Rome, whom the Catholics regard as one of the early Popes, ordered in 354 A.D. that "December 25th be observed as the birthday of Christ." December 25th had formerly been used by the Romans as a feast day for their Sun-God, Mithra. The Roman Saturnalia (riotous festival of Saturn) also came at this time. "The indications are that the church in this way grasped an opportunity to turn the people away from a purely pagan observance of the winter solstice to a day of adoration of Christ the Lord. Both Saint Cyprian and Saint John Chrysostom allude to this thought in their writings." (Colliers Encyclopedia) "December 25th was already a festive day for the sun god, Mithra, and appealed to the Christians as an appropriate day to commemorate the birth of Jesus, the light of the world." (Lincoln Library of Essential Information)<br><br>From these statements by reliable sources it is easy to see that the date of Christmas had its origin in a pre-Christian age among the pagans. It was adopted into a so- called "Christian" holiday by the Roman Catholic Church. Furthermore, the word "Christmas" is of Catholic origin. The word is derived from the medieval "Christes Masse," the mass of Christ, which is a corruption of the Lord's Supper. On December 25th, even until this day, the Catholics hold a special Mass for Christ. In time, "Christes Masse" came to be shortened to "Christmas."<br><br>Christmas, then, had its origin and authority in the Roman Catholic church. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right;line-height:150%'><em><b><span style='font-size:11.5pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#606060'>- by David Padfield</span></b></em><span style='font-size:11.5pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#606060'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:150%'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#606060'>_______________________________________________<br> <br></span><em><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#606060'>Some Facts about Christmas</span></b></em><span style='font-size:11.5pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#606060'><br><br>The word "Christmas" is formed by the combining of the words "Christ" and "mass", thus, "the Mass of Christ.” The holiday as we know it originated with Roman Catholic ritual, although the ultimate origin of many of the customs of the season is not Catholicism, but. paganism.<br><br>No one knows the birth date of Jesus. We do not know it because God did not choose to reveal it. Early writers not only acknowledged ignorance of the date of Christ's birth, but also repudiated the idea of a special observance of his birth. "As late as 245 A.D. Origen ... repudiated the idea of keeping the birthday of Christ . . . Clement of Alexandria (ca.200 A.D.) mentions several speculations on the date of Christ's birth, and condemns them as superstitious. Some chronologists, he says, alleged the birth to have occurred in the 28th year of Augustus, on 25 Pachon (an Egyptian month); ie., May 20. Others assign it. to 24 or 25 Pharrnuth (April 19 or 20)." (<u>Encyclopedia Brittanica</u>).<br><br>A consideration of the facts brings us to these important conclusions concerning the religious observance of Christmas, or any special ceremonies or observances surrounding the birthday of Christ:<br>1. We do not know the date of Christ's birth. God did not choose to reveal it.<br>2. The celebration of Jesus' birth did not begin until several hundred years after the beginning of the church.<br>3. The special religious observance of Christ's birth is the combination of Roman Catholic and pagan traditions and rituals.<br>4. The Bible says nothing about such an observance, and it IS therefore unscriptural.<br><br>All that we do, in word or deed, is to be done "in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ" (CoI.3:17). "Whatsoever is not of faith is sin" (Rom.14:23). "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God" (Rom.l0:17). Regardless of piety or sincerity involved, activities such as religious observance of Christmas or Easter are not authorized by God's word, and therefore are not pleasing to the Lord. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right;line-height:150%'><em><b><span style='font-size:11.5pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#606060'>- by Tom Moody </span></b></em><span style='font-size:11.5pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#606060'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-724302943962048012.post-72129909688268184492022-12-20T08:05:00.001-08:002022-12-20T08:05:40.139-08:00The Greek word for "bondage" in 1 Cor. 7:15<div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:150%'><em><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#606060'>Jesus’ Law on Marriage</span></b></em><span style='font-size:11.5pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#606060'><br><br>We conclude our study of divorce and remarriage with this final false doctrine:<br><br><u>6) BASED UPON 1 COR. 7:15, IF A BELIEVER IS DESERTED BY AN UNBELIEVING MATE, THE BELIEVER IS FREE TO REMARRY.</u> The verse reads, “But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God hath called us to peace.” It is argued that Paul is stating further revelation on the subject of divorce and remarriage, and here gives an additional exception to the one mentioned in Matt. 19:9<br><br>We agree that the apostles, through the Holy Spirit, revealed many things that Jesus had not previously made known (exactly as promised in John 16:12,13). But nothing revealed to the apostles by the Spirit could be at contradiction with what Jesus personally taught. Jesus taught there was only one exception for divorce and remarriage. If Paul’s statement means that there are really two exceptions, then we have a contradiction.<br><br>Actually, the Greek word for “bondage” in 1 Cor. 7:15, though found 133 times in the New Testament, is never used with reference to the marriage bond. A different word is used of the marriage bond (see 1 Cor. 7:27,19) The “bondage” referred to in 7:15 has to do with the obligations of a Christian to his/her mate. If that unbelieving mate chooses to leave, the Christian is unable to perform those obligations, but in such cases he/she is “not under bondage” to do the impossible.<br><br>The Lord’s teaching on divorce and remarriage is plain. Let us have the faith and determination to apply it fairly in every situation. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right;line-height:150%'><em><b><span style='font-size:11.5pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#606060'>- by Greg Gwin</span></b></em><span style='font-size:11.5pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#606060'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-724302943962048012.post-6067408503190754562022-12-13T10:32:00.001-08:002022-12-13T10:32:13.719-08:00Can divorced people go to heaven?<div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><em><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#606060'>Jesus’ Law on Marriage</span></b></em><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#606060'><br><br></span><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:150%'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#606060'>Here is yet another erroneous view on the subject of divorce and remarriage:<br><br><u>5) SOME CLAIM BOTH PARTIES IN THE DIVORCE ARE FREE TO REMARRY IF THE CAUSE FOR THE DIVORCE IS FORNICATION. THAT IS TO SAY, THE GUILTY PARTY MAY ALSO REMARRY.</u><br><br>Those who teach this view maintain that if the marriage is broken then neither party is bound, and so both may remarry. They fail to realize that a God approved marriage is more than a civil contract. Two people, in marriage, are bound to each other, and at the same time bound to the law of God. A marriage may be broken by divorce, but the two people involved, although no longer married, are still bound by the law of God. Whether either can marry again depends on whether or not God gives that right. (Review our earlier article on the difference between "married" and "bound", especially in Rom. 7:2,3 and 1 Cor. 7:10,11.)<br><br>A more technical attempt to defend this position involves an argument on Matt. 5:32 and 19:9. These folks want us to believe that the only remarriage that Jesus was forbidding was that of a person who was put away for some reason other than fornication. In other words, they would have the verses to read: "Whosoever shall put away his wife for fornication and shall marry another does not commit adultery; and whoso marrieth her which is put away for fornication does not commit adultery". The obvious flaw here is that such a twisted interpretation has the direct result of rewarding the fornicator for his/her sin. Actually, the verses teach that God does not allow any "put away" person to remarry.<br><br><em><b><span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></b></em></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:150%'><em><b><span style='font-size:11.5pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#606060'>- by Greg Gwin</span></b></em><span style='font-size:11.5pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#606060'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-724302943962048012.post-22830185702667980102022-12-09T08:46:00.001-08:002022-12-09T08:46:54.413-08:00Bible study on marriage divorce and remarriage<div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:150%'><em><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#606060'>Jesus’ Law on Marriage</span></b></em><span style='font-size:11.5pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#606060'><br><br>Our study of false doctrines concerning divorce and remarriage continues:<br><br>4) <u>DIVORCES AND REMARRIAGES WHICH OCCUR BEFORE ONE BECOMES A CHRISTIAN ARE OF NO CONSEQUENCE, BECAUSE NON-CHRISTIANS ARE NOT SUBJECT TO THE LAW OF CHRIST IN THIS MATTER.</u><br><br>Those who hold to this view argue that Christ is, indeed, King over His kingdom, but those outside the kingdom are not subject to the laws of the king. These folks maintain that the only sin of the non-Christian is the sin of unbelief.<br><br><u>THE TRUTH IS: </u><br><br>Actually, Christ has all authority “in heaven and earth” (Matthew 28:18), and all flesh is under his authority (John 17:2). This means that every man and woman must comply with His law in every regard, including His law on marriage. To prove this is so, consider 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. There Paul lists a whole group of sinners who "shall not inherit the kingdom of God". In the list are idolaters, drunkards, thieves ... <u>and adulterers</u>. Now note that Paul says "such were some of you: but ye are washed ... " Obviously, then, even when they were alien sinners, these people were held accountable for the sins they committed in violation of the law of God, including violation of His marriage law.<br><br>We should also notice that the very statement of Jesus' marriage law in Matthew 19:9 says "<u>whosoever</u> shall put away his wife..." - indicating that the restrictions stated there apply to all mankind.<br><br>This is yet another of the many false doctrines being taught in an effort to justify unscriptural divorce and remarriage.<br><br><em><b><span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif'>- by Greg Gwin</span></b></em><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-724302943962048012.post-43083294294477677172022-12-04T12:58:00.000-08:002022-12-04T12:59:05.828-08:00Sermon illustrations for John 3:16To Find a Wife
<br>
<br>Soren Kierkegaard, the great Danish theologian of another century, tells a
<br>story of a prince who wanted to find a maiden suitable to be his queen. One
<br>day while running an errand in the local village for his father, he passed
<br>through a poor section. As he glanced out the windows of the carriage, his
<br>eyes fell upon a beautiful peasant maiden. During the ensuing days he often
<br>passed by the young lady and soon fell in love.
<br>
<br>But he had a problem. How would he seek her hand?
<br>
<br>He could order her to marry him. But even a prince wants his bride to marry
<br>him freely and voluntarily and not through coercion.
<br>
<br>He could put on his most splendid uniform and drive up to her front door in
<br>a carriage drawn by six horses. But if he did this he would never be
<br>certain that the maiden loved him or was simply overwhelmed with all of the
<br>splendor.
<br>
<br>The prince came up with another solution. He would give up his kingly robe.
<br>He moved into the village, entering not with a crown but in the garb of a
<br>peasant. He lived among the people, shared their interests and concerns,
<br>and spoke their language.
<br>
<br>In time the maiden grew to love him for who he was and because he had first
<br>loved her. *
<br>
<br>Kierkegaard's story illustrates how God "wins" our love.
<br>
<br>It is truly incredible to consider that our great holy, powerful, and
<br>majestic God desires to have a relationship with us. Even though we make
<br>bad choices and even rebel against Him, He loves us and wants us to be
<br>reconciled to Him so that He can give us salvation and eternal life.
<br>
<br>How does an infinite God communicate with finite man in a way that His love
<br>and His will can be clearly understood?
<br>
<br>God sent His Son into the world so that we can know God (John 14:9) and
<br>understand how much He loves us (John 3:16). "The Word became flesh and
<br>made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One
<br>and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14).
<br>Jesus "pitched His tent" among us. He shared our interests and concerns,
<br>endured our temptations (Hebrew 4:15), and spoke our language. He showed us
<br>the glory and glorious love of God. He also showed us the way to God and
<br>eternal life.
<br>
<br>Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the
<br>Father except through Me" (John 14:6).
<br>
<br>When we truly understand who Jesus is and what He has done for us, we will
<br>love Him and desire to follow Him.
<br>
<br>God will save and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust
<br>in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts
<br>17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized
<br>(immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). He will
<br>continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His
<br>Word (1 John 1:7-9).
<br>
<br>"We love Him because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19). Take a good,
<br>thorough look at Jesus. You will see what God is like and how much He loves
<br>you. When you do, you will gladly submit your life to Him.
<br>
<br>-- David A. Sargent
<br>
<br>* From "A Prince Who Wanted To Find A Wife," an illustration of
<br>"incarnation" from Salt for Sermons, <a href="http://www.saltforsermons.org.uk">www.saltforsermons.org.uk</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-724302943962048012.post-18977412972591809822022-11-02T18:15:00.001-07:002022-11-02T18:15:35.567-07:00The truth about Halloween<div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt'>Halloween<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:8.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> It’s time for all the Halloween festivities to happen. One reliable source says, “<span style='color:#181818;letter-spacing:.4pt;background:white'>Today, Americans spend an estimated $6 billion annually on Halloween, making it the country’s second largest commercial holiday after </span><a href="https://www.history.com/topics/christmas"><span style='letter-spacing:.4pt'>Christmas</span></a><span style='color:black;letter-spacing:.4pt;background:white'>.”</span><span style='color:#181818;letter-spacing:.4pt;background:white'> </span>Kids in costumes come around saying “Trick or Treat.” Many of the costumes look like “ghosts” or other scary creatures. What is this all about? Where and when did it begin? Does it have any religious connections? What does the Bible say about it and what should be the Christian’s response to the events of this holiday? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:8.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b>History<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:8.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style='margin:0in;text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#181818;letter-spacing:.4pt'> Halloween’s origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced “sa win). The </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><a href="https://www.history.com/topics/celts"><span style='letter-spacing:.4pt'>Celts</span></a><span style='letter-spacing:.4pt'>, <span style='color:#181818'>who lived 2,000 years ago, mostly in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom and northern France. They celebrated their new year on November 1. Since the Celtics’ day began at sunset, this festival occurred on our October 31 and November 1. This day marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death. Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. They believed that the ghosts of those who died that year returned to earth </span></span><span style='color:black'>to visit their homes and to journey to the otherworld. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style='margin:0in;text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:8.0pt;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;vertical-align:baseline'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#181818;letter-spacing:.4pt;background:white'> Druids, an order of priests in ancient Gaul and Britain, believed that cats were sacred and had once been human beings, but were changed as a punishment for evil deeds. That is why cats, particularly frightened cats, are part of Halloween (<i>World Book Encyclopedia</i>).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;vertical-align:baseline'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;vertical-align:baseline'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:black'> People set bonfires on hilltops to frighten away evil spirits. They sometimes wore masks and other disguises to avoid being recognized by the ghosts. It was in those ways that beings such as witches, <a name="_Hlk22623795">hobgoblins, </a>fairies, and demons came to be associated with the day.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;vertical-align:baseline'><span style='font-size:8.0pt;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;vertical-align:baseline'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#181818;letter-spacing:.4pt;background:white'> “To free yourself from their supposed evil sway, you would have to set out food – give the demons a treat – and provide shelter for them during the night. If food and shelter were not provided, or if they were not satisfied, these spirits, would ‘trick’ you by casting an evil spell on you and cause havoc” (<i>The Truth about Halloween </i>by Bob McCurry).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;vertical-align:baseline'><span style='font-size:8.0pt;color:#181818;letter-spacing:.4pt;background:white'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;vertical-align:baseline'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#181818;letter-spacing:.4pt;background:white'> “Jack-O’-Lantern were named for a man called Jack, who could not enter heaven or hell. As a result, he was doomed to wander in darkness with his lantern until Judgment Day. Fearful of spooks…folks began hollowing out turnips and pumpkins and placing lighted candles inside to scare evil spirits from the house” (<i>World Book Encyclopedia </i>as quoted in McCurry’s tract).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;vertical-align:baseline'><span style='font-size:8.0pt;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;vertical-align:baseline'><b><span style='color:black'>Religious History<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;vertical-align:baseline'><span style='font-size:8.0pt;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;vertical-align:baseline'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:black'> From the time Emperor Constantine (early fourth century) came to power he tried to form the “church” into an organization like the Roman Empire. He also wanted the world to be united under one religion. As this form a Christianity spread, they had to deal with various festivals and pagan practices. Rather than forcing these pagans to give up their practices, the Roman Catholic Church tried to incorporate those practices into some “Christian” idea. This is what happened with the practices connected with the Samhain festival.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;vertical-align:baseline'><span style='font-size:8.0pt;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#181818;letter-spacing:.4pt;background:white'> In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honor all saints. Because “All Saints Day” was the same date as Samhain, soon, “All Saints Day” incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain festival. “</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:black;background:white'>All Hallows' Eve” (October 31) also honored saints and so the two days came together to pay homage to saints. </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#181818;letter-spacing:.4pt;background:white'>The evening before “All Saints Day” was known as “All Hallows Eve.”</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:black'> “All Hallows' Eve" means "hallowed evening." <span style='background:white'>This phrase was eventually shortened to "Halloween,"<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:black;background:white'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='color:black;background:white'>United States History<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:8.0pt;color:black;background:white'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;vertical-align:baseline'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:black;background:white'> The celebration of Halloween was largely forbidden among the early American colonists, but in the 1800s there developed festivals that gave honor for the harvest, and they began to incorporated elements of Halloween. When large numbers of immigrants, including the Irish, came to the </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/United-States">United States</a><span style='color:black;background:white'> beginning in the mid-19th century, they brought their Halloween customs with them, and in the 20th century Halloween became one of the principal U.S. holidays, particularly among children.</span><span style='background:white'><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;vertical-align:baseline'><span style='font-size:8.0pt;color:black;background:white'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;vertical-align:baseline'><b><span style='color:black;background:white'>Biblical and Christian View<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;vertical-align:baseline'><span style='font-size:8.0pt;color:black;background:white'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;vertical-align:baseline'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:black;background:white'> There were several religious festivals which Jews under the Law of Moses were to honor. But, when Christ gave us His law, He forbade honoring religious holidays other than the Lord’s Supper. The Jewish Christians in the area of Galatia had returned to following religious holidays and Paul condemned them. <b><i>“How is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again? You observe days and months and seasons and years. I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain” </i></b>Galatians 4:9-11. Paul also told the brethren in Colossae not to let anyone bind on them religious holidays (Colossians 2:16-17). Therefore, it would be wrong to participate in Halloween activities as a religious holiday. But, what if one does not honor it as a religious holiday, but only as a secular holiday?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;vertical-align:baseline'><span style='font-size:8.0pt;color:black;background:white'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;vertical-align:baseline'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:black;background:white'> Many denominations honor several “religious holidays” as a way to honor God. Others, enjoy those holidays, but do not dedicate them to God. Thus, they celebrate them as a secular event. Can a Christian do the same with the events of Halloween?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;vertical-align:baseline'><span style='font-size:8.0pt;color:black;background:white'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;vertical-align:baseline'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:black;background:white'> Each person has to decide this for himself. I believe that one can participate in Halloween activities as a secular event, particularly as a holiday primarily for children. (Although, it has become a major event for adults). But, I really have reservations that we ought to promote the ideas of “ghost,” “witches” “</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:black'>hobgoblins,” and other creatures which stand for evil. There is too much evil being promoted in the world today without adding to it through a holiday. My opinion is that if it is celebrated at all, the fun-side, not the evil-side should be promoted. But, as I said, you have to decide to what degree you will participate in this holiday.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;vertical-align:baseline'><span style='font-size:8.0pt;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right;vertical-align:baseline'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:black'>Wayne Burger<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-724302943962048012.post-5823147373759515642022-08-30T18:50:00.001-07:002022-08-30T18:50:52.379-07:00Nicole Kelly, a traveling nurse Responding to the Call
<br>
<br>Crew members of a JetBlue aircraft found a woman passenger unresponsive in a
<br>bathroom during a flight on August 1. A flight attendant requested help on
<br>the intercom from any medical personnel that were on board the plane. Twin
<br>sisters responded to the call.
<br>
<br>Nicole Kelly, a traveling nurse as well as a nurse at Lahey Hospital &
<br>Medical Center in Burlington, MA, and her sister Lindsay Byrne, a
<br>firefighter and paramedic with the Wayland, MA, Fire Department, almost
<br>instinctively sprung into action.
<br>
<br>Byrne noted that an attendant told the sisters "that the woman was
<br>unresponsive and she didn't know what to do; she couldn't feel a pulse, said
<br>she wasn't breathing."
<br>
<br>Kelly reported, "When we had her out [of the bathroom], we heard a faint
<br>beeping - that's when we noticed it was a blood sugar monitor. So we knew
<br>it was her blood sugar and that it was a diabetic emergency."
<br>
<br>The twins began to think about how to get some sugar for the woman whose
<br>blood sugar was dangerously low. "We got some sugar packets and put the
<br>sugar under her tongue until it helped her regain consciousness," Kelly
<br>explained.
<br>
<br>When the woman awoke, Kelly said "she was confused and too weak to sit up in
<br>the seat." So the sisters stayed with her, never leaving her side for the
<br>rest of the flight.
<br>
<br>As soon as the plane landed, there was a team of medical staff waiting to
<br>treat the ailing passenger. Kelly and Byrne explained the situation to a
<br>responding paramedic. The woman received the help that she needed.
<br>
<br>Kelly was thankful that she and her sister could help. "We were able to be
<br>in the right place at the right time. We're happy knowing we were able to
<br>do something with a positive outcome." *
<br>
<br>Whether we realize it or not, you and I are in a precarious situation. We
<br>are "dead in our sins" (Ephesians 2:1-4) and without outside intervention,
<br>we are doomed.
<br>
<br>But Jesus, the sinless Son of God, responded to God's call to save us (John
<br>3:16). At the right place, at the right time, Jesus provided the help that
<br>we desperately needed. The "right place" was on a cross outside Jerusalem.
<br>The "right time" was when Jesus died on the cross for our sins, paying the
<br>price for our redemption with His own blood (Ephesians 1:7).
<br>
<br>In order to receive the forgiveness of sins and the eternal life that Jesus
<br>made available through His atoning sacrifice, we must place our faith and
<br>trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from our sins in repentance (Acts
<br>17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized
<br>(immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).
<br>
<br>And if we'll "stay close to Him" by seeking to live according to His will,
<br>He will never leave our side (Romans 8:35-39). His blood will continue to
<br>cleanse us from sin as we continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John
<br>1:7-9). He will stay with us until we reach our heavenly home.
<br>
<br>When we desperately needed help, Jesus responded to God's call to save us.
<br>Now, He longs for YOU to accept His salvation through your trusting
<br>obedience.
<br>
<br>-- David A. Sargent
<br>
<br>* Information gleaned from "Twin sisters help save woman with medical
<br>emergency on flight from Boston to Fort Myers, Florida" by Ashley Papa,
<br><a href="http://www.foxnews.com">www.foxnews.com</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-724302943962048012.post-8012875709569317612022-05-15T17:36:00.001-07:002022-05-15T17:36:28.853-07:00Danielle Maurer<div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoPlainText>That Name<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>There is something in a name. Just ask Danielle Maurer. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Maurer was a contestant on the TV game show Jeopardy on the episode which aired May 6, 2022. Going into the final round, she had gained $11,400 with her ability to answer trivia questions. She was behind the leader, Mattea Roach, by $7,800. Roach had won 23 games in a row and had profited $560,983 in those games.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Now it was time for Final Jeopardy. The topic was announced: “USA.” Each contestant secretly made a wager and then the clue was given:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>“These 2 mayors gave their names to a facility built on the site of an old racetrack owned by Coca-Cola magnate Asa Candler.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>After 30 seconds of deliberation, each contestant entered an answer. The contestant with the lowest financial winnings, Betsy Hobbs, gave an incorrect answer losing $7,000 of her $7,400 earnings. Maurer gave the correct answer, “Who are Hartsfield and Jackson?” (These are the names included in the name of the international airport in Atlanta, Georgia.) Maurer had wagered $4,200 bringing her total to $15,600. Roach’s answer was incorrect. She had risked $3601, so her final score was $15,599, only one dollar less than Maurer. Maurer won the game by $1!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>There is something in a name. For Danielle Maurer, there was $15,600 in knowing just two names!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>There is a name that is even more valuable. It is the name of Jesus.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>The name of Jesus represents His authority – all the authority of heaven and earth (Matthew 28:18). His name encompasses His identity and everything He has done. After Jesus accomplished what the Father wanted Him to do which culminated in His death on the cross for the sins of the world, “God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>In the name of Jesus, there is found something much more valuable and eternal than all the money in the world. In the name of Jesus, there is salvation (Acts 4:12) and eternal life (1 John 5:13).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>God will save and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess His name before others (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) in His name for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). God will continue to cleanse from sin those who seek to honor the name of Jesus by walking in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Jesus, Jesus, Jesus<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>There’s just something about that Name.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Master, Savior, Jesus<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Like the fragrance after the rain.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Jesus, Jesus, Jesus<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Let all Heaven and earth proclaim<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Kings and kingdoms will all pass away,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>But there’s something about that Name.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>-- Bill & Gloria Gaither<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Won’t YOU call on His name through your trusting obedience?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>-- David A. Sargent<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>* Information gleaned from “Metro woman beats ‘Jeopardy!’ champ by $1 on question about Atlanta airport” by WSBTV.com News Staff. Thank you, Gary Davis, for bringing this article to the author’s attention.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-724302943962048012.post-59881815155852550362022-04-19T17:33:00.001-07:002022-04-19T17:33:59.199-07:00Henriette Juliane Caroline von Rüling, the wife of the Hanoverian state secretary Georg Ernst von Rüling and daughter of Georg Wilhelm von Willich, Vice President of the Higher Appeals CourtThe Open Grave
<br>
<br>Henriette Juliane Caroline von Rüling, the wife of the Hanoverian state
<br>secretary Georg Ernst von Rüling and daughter of Georg Wilhelm von Willich,
<br>Vice President of the Higher Appeals Court, died in 1782 at the age of 26.
<br>Her family had a tomb constructed in the Garden Cemetery in Hanover,
<br>Germany. It was built in the form of steps with massive stones. In
<br>addition to the inscriptions about the deceased, these words were engraved
<br>in the lower slab of the tomb: ""This tomb bought for eternity may never be
<br>opened."
<br>
<br>At some time after the tomb was completed, a birch seed fell into a crevice
<br>and sprouted. The seedling kept growing until it became a tree. The tree
<br>caused the massive stones of the tomb to be raised and split open. Despite
<br>the claim of the engraved inscription was never to be opened, due to the
<br>damage of the growing birch tree, the grave became known as "the Open Grave"
<br>or "Burst Grave." *
<br>
<br>This phenomenon illustrates what will happen when Jesus returns to this
<br>earth. Jesus foretold what would happen to graves when He returns: "Do not
<br>marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves
<br>will hear His voice and come forth; those who have done good, to the
<br>resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of
<br>condemnation" (John 5:28-29). Graves – even the massive tombs of stone and
<br>steel – will be opened and the dead shall be raised to meet the Lord in
<br>judgment (Hebrews 9:27).
<br>
<br>The guarantee of the general resurrection is the resurrection of Jesus from
<br>the dead. Because the stone was rolled away and Jesus' tomb was found
<br>empty, all graves will be opened when Jesus returns from heaven to judge the
<br>world. "But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the
<br>firstfruits [the first of more to come] of those who have fallen asleep
<br>[i.e. died]" (1 Corinthians 15:20).
<br>
<br>Skeptics and unbelievers have sought to "explain away" the resurrection of
<br>Jesus to no avail. The tomb was empty; Jesus was raised from the dead and
<br>seen by many credible witness (1 Corinthians 15:5-8).
<br>
<br>What does the resurrection of Jesus mean to you and me?
<br>
<br>It is the key to experiencing new life now. The death, burial, and
<br>resurrection of Jesus are the basis of the Good News, the Gospel. The
<br>Apostle Paul wrote: "For I delivered to you first of all that which I also
<br>received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and
<br>that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the
<br>Scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Because Jesus died for our sins and
<br>rose from the grave, He paid the price for our redemption from sin
<br>(Ephesians 1:7). When we accept His offer of salvation from sin by placing
<br>our faith and trust in Him (Acts 16:30-31), dying to the practice of sin in
<br>repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before others (Romans 10:9-10),
<br>and are baptized into Christ (Acts 2:38), we are raised from the watery
<br>grave of baptism to a new life (Romans 6:3-4). Our sins are washed away by
<br>His blood, His Spirit is given to us, and we are added to His family, the
<br>church (Acts 2:38, 41). We are made new creatures in Christ (2 Corinthians
<br>5:17).
<br>
<br>The resurrection of Jesus is also the key to eternal life. "For the wages
<br>of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our
<br>Lord" (Romans 6:23). Because of His own resurrection and the promises that
<br>Jesus made, when Jesus comes again the dead in Christ will rise to meet the
<br>Lord "and thus we shall always be with the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
<br>
<br>The empty tomb of Jesus is the ultimate "grave buster." Won't YOU accept
<br>His offer of new and eternal life through your trusting obedience?
<br>
<br>-- David A. Sargent
<br>
<br>* Information gleaned from "Open Grave, Hanover" in Wikipedia.com.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-724302943962048012.post-63345689532624253412022-03-16T18:30:00.000-07:002022-03-16T18:31:46.967-07:00What to say at a funeral<div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Assorted Funeral Components: David Owens (Liverpool, New York)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>As we think about _________, her life and all that she has meant to us, I want us to think about some things that are true about every person, including _________.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>1) Every person is made in the image of God.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>2) Every person has some special gifts or abilities from God.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>3) Every person is known and loved by somebody.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>4) Every person is greatly loved by God.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>5) Every person is imperfect, and therefore, every person is in need of God’s mercy and grace.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>I want to encourage us to think about the word “terminal.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>A. It’s not a word we like to hear when it comes to our health.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.6in;text-indent:-.3in'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>1. We don’t like to hear the doctor say, “Your condition is terminal” or “You have terminal cancer.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.6in;text-indent:-.3in'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>2. This is the use of one of the dictionary definitions of the word “terminal” which means: leading ultimately to death : FATAL, terminal cancer; approaching or close to death: being in the final stages of a fatal disease, a terminal patient.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.3in;text-indent:-.3in'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>B. But there is a different definition and use of the same word “terminal” and it has to do with a transfer station or point.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> 1. And so we speak of airplane terminals, or train terminals.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.6in;text-indent:-.3in'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>2. This dictionary definition means: a freight or passenger station that is central to a considerable area or serves as a junction at any point with other lines.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.6in;text-indent:-.3in'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>3. And so, an airplane terminal may be the place we begin our journey, or may be a transfer place in the middle of our journey, or may be the ending place of our journey.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.3in;text-indent:-.3in'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>C. When we apply the word “terminal” to our lives, we come to realize that life is a journey with many terminal points in the journey.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.6in;text-indent:-.3in'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>1. Life begins with conception and we grow in our mother’s womb, but then we come to a terminal point – a transition from one place to another – and although we like it in our mother’s womb, we have to transition to a different place, a different existence.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.6in;text-indent:-.3in'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>2. So out we come, kicking and screaming, but we soon learn that although our new life is different from life in the womb, it is a good life and we adjust.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.6in;text-indent:-.3in'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>3. As our lives continue, we reach many of these “terminal” points – entering kindergarten and then eventually graduating from high school.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.3in'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>4. But there are many others along the way:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:64.2pt;text-indent:-21.0pt'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>a. The single life very likely transitions to the married life, and then perhaps, back to the single life.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.3in;text-indent:.3in'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>b. The unemployed life transitions to the employed life, and then perhaps, to the retired life.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.3in;text-indent:-.3in'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>D. All of these transitions, these terminal points, have pros and cons, and good and bad things about them.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.6in;text-indent:-.3in'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>1. And the same is true of our final transition, our final terminal point, when we transition from earthly life to eternal life.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.6in;text-indent:-.3in'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>2. Although it might seem as scary, and we might resist it as much as we resisted our first transition from the womb to life outside the womb, we need not be afraid or resist it – it is a part of life and it can’t be avoided.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Allow me to share with you what two famous people wrote as their death approached.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.3in;text-indent:-.3in'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>A. Dwight L. Moody the famous evangelist wrote: Someday you will read in the papers that D.L. Moody of Northfield is dead. Don’t you believe a word of it. At that moment I shall be more alive than I am now. I shall have gone higher, that is all — out of this old clay tenement into a house that is immortal, a body that sin cannot touch, that sin cannot taint, a body fashioned into His glorious body. I was born in the flesh in 1837; I was born of the Spirit in 1856. That which is born of the flesh may die; that which is born of the Spirit will live forever.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.3in;text-indent:.3in'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>A few hours before entering the ‘Homeland,’ Dwight L. Moody caught a glimpse of the glory awaiting him. Awakening from sleep, he said “Earth recedes. Heaven opens before me. If this is death, it is sweet! There is no valley here. God is calling me, and I must go.” His son was standing by his bedside and said, “No, no, father, you are dreaming.” “No,” said Mr. Moody, “I am not dreaming. I have been within the gates. I have seen the children’s faces.” A short time elapsed…and he spoke again, “This is my triumph; this is my coronation day! It is glorious!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.3in;text-indent:-.3in'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>B. The famous British statesman, Winston Churchill, had planned his funeral, which took place in Saint Paul’s Cathedral. He included many of the great hymns of the church, and used the eloquent Anglican liturgy. At his direction, a bugler positioned high in the dome of Saint Paul’s, intoned, after the benediction, the sound of “Taps,” the universal signal that says the day is over. But then came the most dramatic turn: As Churchill instructed, as soon as “Taps” was finished, another bugler, placed on the other side of the great dome, played the notes of “Reville” – “It’s time to get up. It’s time to get up. It’s time to get up in the morning.” That was Churchill’s testimony that at the end of history, the last note will not be “Taps,” it will be “Reville.” The worst things are never the last thing</span>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.3in;text-indent:-.3in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.3in;text-indent:-.3in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Losing a loved one is a normal part of life, and yet it is such a hard thing to experience and go through. Please allow me to offer a few suggestions for the days and weeks and months ahead.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>A. First, Keep in mind that grief is a process that takes time.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.6in;text-indent:-.3in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>1. Although there are similarities to what people experience, grief is unique to each individual.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.6in;text-indent:-.3in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>2. Please allow each other the room and freedom to grieve in your own ways and don’t place any time tables on anyone’s grief.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.3in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>3. And I would encourage you to be patient with yourself and your own grief.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>B. Second, I want to encourage you to t</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>reasure your memories<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.6in;text-indent:-.3in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>1. I like something that the actor Christopher Walken said about grief and loss, he said: “Someday you will be faced with the reality of loss. And as life goes on, days rolling into nights, it will become clear that you never really stop missing someone special who’s gone, you just learn to live around the gaping hole of their absence. When you lose someone you can’t imagine living without, your heart breaks wide open, and the bad news is you never completely get over the loss. You will never forget them. However, in a backwards way, this is also the good news. They will live on in the warmth of your broken heart that doesn’t fully heal back up, and you will continue to grow and experience life, even with your wound. It’s like badly breaking an ankle that never heals perfectly, and that still hurts when you dance, but you dance anyway with a slight limp, and this limp just adds to the depth of your performance and the authenticity of your character. The people you lose remain a part of you. Remember them and always cherish the good moments spent with them.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>C. Third, I want to encourage you to be there for each other.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.6in;text-indent:-.3in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>1. Life really is about relationships – it is about loving others and bringing out the best in each other.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.6in;text-indent:-.3in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>2. Life is too short to allow things to stand between people – so I encourage you to ask for and offer forgiveness quickly and readily.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.6in;text-indent:-.3in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>3. During though times like the death of a loved one, keep in mind how important your presence is.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.3in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>4. We often feel like we have to say something and we often don’t know what to say.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.3in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>5. But keep in mind that what is needed most is you, and not necessarily your words.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.3in;text-indent:-.3in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>D. Finally, I want to encourage you to be sure you have discovered life’s real purpose and have begun to build your own legacy. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.6in;text-indent:-.3in'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>1. </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>The question we should ask ourselves is a simple one: How do I want people to remember me some day when I am gone? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.6in;text-indent:-.3in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>2. One day all of us are going to die, and how would we want people to remember us? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.3in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>3. We must ask ourselves what kind of lasting legacy we want to leave.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.3in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>4. And we must ask ourselves if we have discovered the real meaning of life.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.6in;text-indent:-.3in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>5. King Solomon, the wise man we quoted earlier, searched for life’s meaning and came to this conclusion: After all this, there is only one thing to say: Have reverence for God, and obey his commands, because this is all that we were created for. (Eccl. 12:13, Good News Translation)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.3in;text-indent:-.3in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>________ faith in Jesus our Savior was important to her and I hope it is important to each one of us.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.3in;text-indent:-.3in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>A. As we come to the close of this service, allow me to quickly share with you four wonderful spiritual promises and truths that Alvina discovered and trusted in and tried to practice.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.6in;text-indent:-.3in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>1. The first spiritual promise is that God loves you and wants you to go to heaven when you die.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:64.2pt;text-indent:-21.0pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>a. Jesus said: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (Jn. 3:16)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.6in;text-indent:-.3in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>2. The second spiritual promise is that sinners are saved by the grace of God offered through faith in Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:64.2pt;text-indent:-21.0pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>a. Paul wrote: But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift - not from works, so that no one can boast. (Eph. 2:4-5, 8-9)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.6in;text-indent:-.3in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>3. The third spiritual promise is that those who choose to follow Jesus not only have eternal life but abundant life.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:64.2pt;text-indent:-21.0pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>a. Believing in God and walking with God isn’t just about what happens after we die, it is about experiencing joy, and peace, and purpose right now.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:64.2pt;text-indent:-21.0pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>b. Jesus said, “I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.” (Jn. 10:10)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> 4. The final spiritual truth is that we must give our life to the Lord in order to find it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:64.2pt;text-indent:-21.0pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>a. Jesus said: “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will save it.” (Luke 9:23-24)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.3in;text-indent:-.3in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>B. I hope that all of us here today will come to believe in those promises, trust in them, and put them into practice.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.3in;text-indent:-.3in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.3in;text-indent:-.3in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Graveside Service:</span></b><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:4.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.3in;text-indent:-.3in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>A. Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 says: There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:21.75pt;text-indent:-21.75pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>B. We gather here to lay to rest the body of _____________, a precious wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, family member and friend.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.3in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>1. The place where we’ve gathered is more than a place of sadness - It is a place of love.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.6in;text-indent:-.3in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>2. Because of their love, many other people have chosen to inter their loved one’s bodies here.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> 3. And because of that, this is a special, sacred place.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> 4. But I would remind us that even so, this is not Alvina’s final resting place.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.3in;text-indent:-.3in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>C. What we do in this place, as difficult as it may be, brings an important recognition to each of us that life is brief and the grave is real.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.3in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>1. Listen to how the Bible describes our lives.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.6in;text-indent:-.3in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>2. James 4:13-14, “Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.6in;text-indent:-.3in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>3. Psalm 90:10, “The length of our days is seventy years— or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>D. And now, at this time, we commit to the earth only that which is of the earth. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.6in;text-indent:-.3in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>1. The Scriptures teach us that our bodies are made of the dust of the ground and to the dust of the ground we will return.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.6in;text-indent:-.3in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>2. God said to Adam, “By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.” (Gen. 3:19)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.6in;text-indent:-.3in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>3. But thankfully, we are more than dust, for when God breathed into man’s nostrils the breath of life, man became a living being.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.3in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>4. God breathed a spirit into these temporary bodies, and that is what lives on today. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.6in;text-indent:-.3in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>5. Although the body of _________ has died, her spirit is very much alive and is in God’s hands for eternity.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.6in;text-indent:-.3in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>6. These bodies of ours serve us only as the temporary dwelling place for our eternal spirits.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>E. And so, ________ has laid aside her temporary, earthly house. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.3in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>1. Her body was made of this earth and to the earth it shall return. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> a. Earth to earth, ashes to ashes and dust to dust.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.3in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>2. We, therefore, commit _________ body to the ground and her soul to the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.3in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>3. The Bible promises that one day death will be no more – and how we long for that day! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.6in;text-indent:-.3in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>4. Until then, may we live in anticipation of the time when we, too, shall lay aside the cares of this life, as Alvina has, and take up the joys of eternal life.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Prayer: Almighty God, Our Heavenly Father, we gather beside this grave today to lay to rest the body of our loved one, _________. We do so remembering another grave in another place—the tomb that received the body of our Lord Jesus. As Jesus came from the grave to live again, we know that all who die in Him never truly die. Thank you, Father, that __________ has finished her life course, and that she now has rest from her labors. As we commit her body to the ground, we do so in perfect trust, remembering Jesus’ victory over death and knowing, that because He lives, so too, shall we. Comfort our hearts through Your words today; strengthen us now with Your presence; and may Your grace and peace be ours both now and forever. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-724302943962048012.post-90228018716072538422022-03-06T13:31:00.000-08:002022-03-06T13:32:44.748-08:00Help for the HurtingHelp for the Hurting
<br>
<br>What can bring comfort to chemotherapy patients as they undergo their
<br>treatments?
<br>
<br>10-year-old Sophie Enderton of Niagara County, New York has implemented a
<br>plan for "chemo comfort." Her motivation is her grandfather, Terry, who was
<br>diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in October 2021. He explained his
<br>treatments to Sophie and what the patients have to endure.
<br>
<br>Sophie determined that she wanted to prepare "chemo comfort bags" for cancer
<br>patients. With the help of her family, Sophie put together 10 crocheted
<br>bags filled with items such as blankets, small pillows, games, word
<br>searches, cozy socks and mitts. In December 2021, Sophie and her family
<br>donated the bags to chemo patients at the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer
<br>Center in Buffalo, New York. This is the same hospital where her
<br>grandfather received treatments.
<br>
<br>"My husband and I are so proud that Sophie wanted to give back," Sophie's
<br>mother, Jillian Enderton, told Fox News Digital, in a phone interview. "She
<br>saw others struggling, and she wanted to be a change and help them."
<br>
<br>Sadly, Sophie's grandfather passed away in December 2021. But Sophie
<br>desires to continue to prepare the "chemo comfort bags" in his honor and for
<br>the benefit of those who are going through the treatments.
<br>
<br>"Sophie and her grandpa were super close, and I think this helps her to stay
<br>close to him now that he's passed away," Jillian said.
<br>
<br>Currently, Sophie has a goal of delivering 20 bags to pediatric and adult
<br>cancer patients by the end of March - in honor of her grandfather's
<br>birthday. *
<br>
<br>"She saw others struggling, and she wanted to help them." Isn't that
<br>wonderful?
<br>
<br>Compassion has been defined as "your hurt in my heart." Kindness is
<br>compassion in action. Sophie's kind compassion reflects the love that
<br>Christ has for those who struggle with sin - and that's all of us (Romans
<br>3:23).
<br>
<br>In the book of Hebrews, Christians find these words of comfort: "For we do
<br>not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but
<br>we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was
<br>without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so
<br>that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need"
<br>(Hebrews 4:15-16 NIV).
<br>
<br>Jesus Christ is that great High Priest. He understands what we go through,
<br>and He knows how to help. In fact, He provided the perfect remedy for our
<br>sin problem: He paid the price for our redemption by dying on the cross for
<br>us. "He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die
<br>to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed" (1
<br>Peter 2:24 NIV).
<br>
<br>God will save from sin and give eternal life to those who place their faith
<br>and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts
<br>17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized
<br>(immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). He will
<br>continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His
<br>Word (1 John 1:7-9).
<br>
<br>Won't YOU entrust your life to the One who knows how to help and can
<br>ultimately save you?
<br>
<br>-- David A. Sargent
<br>
<br>* Information gleaned from "10-year-old makes chemo comfort bags for
<br>patients after seeing grandfather fight cancer" by Cortney Moore,
<br><a href="http://www.foxnews.com">www.foxnews.com</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-724302943962048012.post-84595265674143454132022-02-19T13:24:00.000-08:002022-02-19T13:25:27.035-08:00Sequoia National Park in CaliforniaDistracted
<br>
<br>Mark Roberts once shared a phenomenon that he witnessed while on a trip with
<br>his family:
<br>
<br>Years ago, my family and I visited Sequoia National Park in California. The
<br>highlight of this trip was seeing the Giant Sequoia redwoods, after which
<br>the park is named. These trees are awe-inspiring, both for their beauty and
<br>their size. The largest redwood in the national park is the General Sherman
<br>tree, which towers above the forest at 275 feet in height. It is also 25
<br>feet in diameter, with an estimated age over 2500 years.
<br>
<br>As my family and I ambled among the giant redwoods, drinking in their
<br>exceptional elegance, I noticed a teenaged boy walking along with his
<br>family. His eyes were transfixed, not by the trees, but rather by his Game
<br>Boy device. (Today, it would be his smartphone.) He was engaged in some
<br>sort of video game that demanded his full attention.
<br>
<br>I was both fascinated and distressed by this boy's apparent unawareness of
<br>the extraordinary beauty all around him, so I continued to look his way
<br>every now and then throughout our tour of the big trees. Sure enough, as
<br>near as I could tell, he never once lifted his eyes to gaze upon some of the
<br>most beautiful and astounding of God's creations. *
<br>
<br>T.S. Eliot was correct when he stated that we are a people "distracted by
<br>distraction." Distractions can cause us to miss out on beautiful scenes and
<br>important matters. Distraction can also lead to tragedy - just ask those
<br>who have been involved in car accidents because they were looking at their
<br>phones.
<br>
<br>There are many things in the world that can distract us from those things
<br>that are beautiful and important. Just watch the news. Big things, little
<br>things. Global impacts, local events. Myriad are the things which can
<br>capture our attention.
<br>
<br>In a world full of distractions, God calls us to look to and follow His Son:
<br>"Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding
<br>us, let's rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily
<br>entangles us, and let's run with endurance the race that is set before us,
<br>looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, who for
<br>the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat
<br>down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:1-2 NASB).
<br>
<br>There are many things - even many important things - upon which we can focus
<br>our attention today. But there should be one main focus: Jesus. Why?
<br>Because only Jesus provides the abundant life now and eternal life to come
<br>(John 3:16; 10:10).
<br>
<br>God will save and give eternal life to those who focus on Jesus by placing
<br>their faith and trust in Him (Acts 16:30-31), turning from their sins in
<br>repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confessing Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and
<br>by being baptized (immersed) into Him for the forgiveness of sins (Acts
<br>2:38). Then, those that continue to focus on Jesus by following His Word
<br>are continually cleansed from sin by His blood (1 John 1:7-9).
<br>
<br>Turn your eyes upon Jesus
<br>Look full in his wonderful face
<br>And the things of earth will grow strangely dim In the light of his glory
<br>and grace
<br>-- Helen H. Lemmel
<br>
<br>Don't get distracted. Fix your eyes on Jesus and follow Him. You will be
<br>blessed eternally.
<br>
<br>-- David A. Sargent
<br>
<br>* From Mark D. Roberts, Life for Leaders, a Devotional Resource of the
<br>DePree Leadership Center at Fuller Theological Seminary as quoted in
<br><a href="http://www.thepastorsworkshop.com">www.thepastorsworkshop.com</a>, in sermon illustrations on "distractUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-724302943962048012.post-62469114865455813752022-01-17T15:05:00.000-08:002022-01-17T15:06:02.481-08:00Dusti TalaveraNow Safe Am I
<br>
<br>Four children, ages 4-11 and related to one another, were playing on a
<br>frozen pond last Sunday, January 9, in a suburb of Denver, Colorado, when
<br>suddenly three of them fell through the ice.
<br>
<br>Thankfully, a 23-year-old neighbor, Dusti Talavera, saw it happen from her
<br>window. She sprang into action. "Before I even realized it, I was out
<br>there in the middle of the pond pulling two kids out," she later said during
<br>a press conference. "And that's when I fell in."
<br>
<br>Talavera was able to pull a 4-year-old girl and an 11-year-old boy out of
<br>the icy pond, but having fallen into the pond herself, she struggled to get
<br>a 6-year-old girl out of the water. About that time, the little girl's
<br>16-year-old male cousin threw a rope to them and was able to pull Talavera
<br>and the little girl to safety.
<br>
<br>At one point the little 6-year-old girl was unconscious and had no pulse,
<br>but Arapahoe County sheriff's deputies and South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR)
<br>officials performed CPR on her and rushed her to the hospital. She is now
<br>in good health and reunited with her family.
<br>
<br>When discussing the details of the rescue with sheriff's deputies, Talavares
<br>told them she "wasn't concerned for her safety because they were babies and
<br>they needed help." *
<br>
<br>When we were drowning in sin, God saw our need and sent His Son to rescue
<br>us. In order to save us from sin, Jesus had to die on the cross to pay the
<br>price for our redemption (Ephesians 1:7).
<br>
<br>James Rowe described what the Savior did for him and for us in the words of
<br>a beloved song, Love Lifted Me:
<br>
<br>I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore, Very deeply stained
<br>within, sinking to rise no more, But the Master of the sea heard my
<br>despairing cry, From the waters lifted me, now safe am I.
<br>Love lifted me!
<br>Love lifted me!
<br>When nothing else could help,
<br>Love lifted me!
<br>
<br>Rowe wrote this song in the early 1900s, but his lyrics remind us that the
<br>Savior's offer of salvation is still available:
<br>
<br>Souls in danger, look above, Jesus completely saves; He will lift you by His
<br>love Out of the angry waves.
<br>
<br>God will lift from the angry waves of sin and give eternal life to those who
<br>place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins
<br>in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10),
<br>and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts
<br>2:38). He will continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in
<br>the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).
<br>
<br>Struggling soul, look to Jesus and accept His offer of salvation on His
<br>terms. Then joyously join in singing the refrain, "Love lifted me. now safe
<br>am I!"
<br>
<br>-- David A. Sargent
<br>
<br>* Information gleaned from "Colorado good samaritan saves kids from icy pond
<br>in dramatic rescue caught on video" by Bradford Betz of Fox News,
<br><a href="http://www.foxnews.com">www.foxnews.com</a>.
<br>
<br>David A. Sargent, MinisterUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-724302943962048012.post-38117296301077324472021-11-04T15:28:00.000-07:002021-11-04T15:32:28.230-07:00How to improve my marriageIn the early 1950s, Ray Robinson was working in Troy, Alabama with Goodyear.
<br>The son of the woman who owned the boarding house where he was staying once
<br>told Ray, "I have someone that I'd like for you to meet." He took him
<br>across town to Troy State University and introduced him to a young lady from
<br>Fort Deposit, Alabama who was studying to be a teacher. Her name: Louise
<br>Moorer. Ray and Louise went on a date. Six months later they were married.
<br>
<br>When Ray and Louise got married, Ray was on a two-week leave from the Air
<br>Force. He was stationed at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois. He drove down
<br>from Illinois to Fort Deposit, got Louise, drove over to Mississippi -
<br>because you could get married a lot more quickly there - and Ray married a
<br>woman of noble character that would be his loving companion and closest
<br>friend for 65 years.
<br>
<br>Those 65 years brought them great joys and deep sorrows, including the loss
<br>of a son, a daughter, and their one remaining son paralyzed from the waist
<br>down in a car accident. But through it all, their love for one another and
<br>their faith in God remained strong.
<br>
<br>One evening after their 60th wedding anniversary, their granddaughter, Mary
<br>Kent, asked Ray about the secret to a long and happy marriage. He looked at
<br>her in the eyes and smiled. He said, "Oh, that one's easy. Just two words.
<br>'Yes ma'am!'"
<br>
<br>Reflecting on that moment, Mary Kent recently wrote: "I wish, in that
<br>moment, he had been behind the camera to capture the sheepish smile that he
<br>could still put on my grandmother's face after all those years. It was the
<br>kind of smile that can only come out of the gratitude for being deeply and
<br>unquestionably adored."
<br>
<br>When Louise was diagnosed Alzheimer's disease late in her life, Ray stayed
<br>by her side, caring for her, until she died. He would tell you he was only
<br>reciprocating the loving care she had always provided for him.
<br>
<br>The Bible instructs: "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved
<br>the church and gave Himself for her" (Ephesians 5:25). How did Christ love
<br>the church?
<br>
<br>Selflessly: Jesus put the needs of others - our needs - above His own. Our
<br>greatest need is salvation from sin. Jesus took our sins upon Himself and
<br>died on the cross so that we can be reconciled to God through Him (1 Peter
<br>2:24; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21).
<br>
<br>Sacrifically: He "gave Himself for her," Paul says. He purchased the church
<br>with His own blood (Acts 20:28), for only His blood can cleanse us from sin
<br>(1 John 1:7).
<br>
<br>God will save from sin, add to the church, and give eternal life to those
<br>who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from sin in
<br>repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and
<br>are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).
<br>He will continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light
<br>of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).
<br>
<br>"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave
<br>Himself for her" (Ephesians 5:25). Do you want to know what that looks
<br>like? Consider the love of Ray Robinson for his dear wife, Louise. That
<br>love is worthy of emulation.
<br>
<br>Submit your life to Christ and love others like Christ loves you. I think
<br>that's what Ray would tell us, for that is the way that he lived and loved.
<br>
<br>-- David A. Sargent
<br>
<br>* In loving memory of Raymond Kent Robinson, Sr. (6/4/1929 - 10/13/2021) and
<br>Louise Moorer Robinson (2/25/1931 - 6/8/2017). Until we meet again.
<br>
<br>David A. Sargent, MinisterUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-724302943962048012.post-86058070663588699232021-09-24T15:11:00.000-07:002021-09-24T15:14:22.806-07:00Air Florida Flight 90 The Skutnick
<br>
<br>It was an icy, wintry day, January 13, 1982, when Air Florida Flight 90 took
<br>off from Washington National Airport (now Ronald Reagan Washington National
<br>Airport) headed to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
<br>Tragically, the plane crashed into the 14th Street Bridge over the Potomac
<br>River shortly after take-off. Of the 74 passengers and five crew members,
<br>only four passengers and one crew member survived.
<br>
<br>A helicopter was involved in the rescues. "Eagle 1, a United States Park
<br>Police Bell 206L-1 Long Ranger helicopter (registry number N22PP), based at
<br>the 'Eagles Nest' at Anacostia Park in Washington and manned by pilot Donald
<br>W. Usher and paramedic Melvin E. Windsor, arrived and began attempting to
<br>airlift the survivors to shore. At great risk to themselves, the crew
<br>worked close to the water's surface, at one time coming so close to the
<br>ice-clogged river that the helicopter's skids dipped beneath the surface"
<br>(Wikipedia).
<br>
<br>After successfully towing two survivors to shore with a lifeline, the
<br>helicopter and its crew returned to the wreckage in the icy waters of the
<br>Potomac. This time two lifelines were dropped down to the remaining
<br>survivors. Arland Williams, Jr., who later drowned, passed one lifeline to
<br>"Joe Stiley, who was holding on to a panic-stricken and blinded (from jet
<br>fuel) Priscilla Tirado, who had lost her husband and baby. Stiley's
<br>co-worker, Nikki Felch, took the second line. As the helicopter pulled the
<br>three through the water and blocks of ice toward shore, both Tirado and
<br>Felch lost their grips and fell back into the water" (Wikipedia).
<br>
<br>"Priscilla Tirado was too weak to grab the line when the helicopter returned
<br>to her. A watching bystander, Congressional Budget Office assistant, Lenny
<br>Skutnik, stripped off his coat and boots, and in short sleeves, dove into
<br>the icy water and swam out to successfully pull her to shore" (Wikipedia).
<br>The helicopter went back to get Felch and paramedic Windsor stepped out onto
<br>the helicopter skid and grabbed her by her clothing to lift her onto the
<br>skid with him, bringing her to shore.
<br>
<br>U.S. President Ronald Reagan invited Skutnik to attend the 1982 State of the
<br>Union address on January 26, 1982. He sat next to First Lady Nancy Reagan.
<br>In his address, Reagan praised Skutnik with these words:
<br>
<br>"Just two weeks ago, in the midst of a terrible tragedy on the Potomac, we
<br>saw again the spirit of American heroism at its finest: the heroism of
<br>dedicated rescue workers saving crash victims from icy waters. And, we saw
<br>the heroism of one of our young government employees, Lenny Skutnik, who,
<br>when he saw a woman lose her grip on the helicopter line, dived into the
<br>water and dragged her to safety."
<br>
<br>Skutnik received a standing ovation from the audience. He was deservedly
<br>hailed as a hero. *
<br>
<br>When we were "drowning" in sin, Jesus came to our rescue. He temporarily
<br>removed His heavenly robes of splendor and clothed Himself in human flesh.
<br>He descended into the "troubled waters" of this world and gave His life on
<br>the cross in order to rescue us from sin. Only He, the sinless Son of God,
<br>could pay the price for our sins in order to save us.
<br>
<br>"For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous,
<br>to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the
<br>Spirit" (1 Peter 3:18 NIV84).
<br>
<br>If we accept His lifeline, we can be saved through His atoning sacrifice.
<br>
<br>God will save and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust
<br>in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts
<br>17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized
<br>(immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). He will
<br>continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His
<br>Word (1 John 1:7-9).
<br>
<br>Won't YOU take of the Lifeline through your trusting obedience?
<br>
<br>-- David A. Sargent
<br>
<br>* Information gleaned from "Lenny Skutnick" and "Air Florida Flight 90"
<br>entries in <a href="http://www.wikipedia.com">www.wikipedia.com</a>.
<br>
<br>David A. Sargent, Minister
<br><a href="mailto:davidsargent1@comcast.net">davidsargent1@comcast.net</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-724302943962048012.post-17963718472672511912021-09-13T15:22:00.000-07:002021-09-13T15:25:14.912-07:00Jack Zorn Impact
<br>
<br>On August 28, 2021, wonderful tributes were made to a man who impacted
<br>thousands of people for good and for God. Jack Zorn was the man who was
<br>memorialized that day with glory to the God that he served.
<br>
<br>One of the people who spoke at Dr. Zorn's funeral was a distinguished
<br>African American man in uniform. The uniformed man may not have been known
<br>by many in attendance at the funeral, but this man knew and deeply
<br>appreciated Dr. Zorn. He shared that day and also on Facebook how Dr. Zorn
<br>had impacted his life. Here is his Facebook post:
<br>
<br>I've always wanted to be an aviator since age six. When I was about 13, I
<br>would ride my bicycle from Mobile Hwy to Dannelly Field Airport [in
<br>Montgomery, AL] just to hang on the gate all day long watching F-4 Phantoms
<br>takeoff and land. One day a wonderful man named Dr. Jack Zorn (Lads to
<br>Leaders founder) saw me hanging around the fence at Montgomery Aviation and
<br>asked if I wanted to come inside and get a close up of his Cessna 182
<br>(N1444S). Of course I accepted because I had never seen the inside of a
<br>cockpit up close. Later he received permission from my mother and we
<br>actually went flying on several occasions. I initially got in trouble
<br>because my mother didn't know her son was riding a bicycle on Highway 80
<br>chasing F-4's, but she knew my passion. I thank the Lord for allowing our
<br>paths to cross, and I pray that he knows that it was an ordained meeting
<br>that I will cherish for the rest of my life. I now pay it forward to the
<br>youth in hopes that I may impact a young life the same way he impacted mine.
<br>I will forever miss him! To God be the glory!
<br>
<br>Thomas Day, First Officer
<br>ATP, CFI, CFII, MEI, AGI, IGI
<br>Birmingham, AL
<br>
<br>Because of Dr. Zorn's encouragement, Thomas Day fulfilled his dream of
<br>becoming an airplane pilot.
<br>
<br>A good friend of mine, Steve Phillips, shared Day's Facebook post on his
<br>page. Dr. Zorn's daughter, Rhonda Fernandez, posted a comment thanking
<br>Steve for sharing the information and included these words of reflection:
<br>"[I'm] so proud of Daddy. [Here was] a little boy - many days a week for a
<br>very long period of time [with] his nose in the chain link fence, invisible
<br>to all except Daddy."
<br>
<br>That young teen, Thomas Day, is forever grateful that Dr. Zorn noticed him,
<br>befriended him, and encouraged him to fulfill his dreams.
<br>
<br>Dr. Zorn "noticed" many young people throughout his life and encouraged them
<br>to become Christians and leaders in the church. By his example, his
<br>influence, and the Lads to Leaders/Leaderettes Program that he began, my
<br>children, many children at Creekwood Church of Christ, and thousands of
<br>children throughout the world have been impacted and challenged to become
<br>Christian leaders.
<br>
<br>I think Dr. Zorn "noticed" people because every soul is important to God.
<br>Every person has sinned (Romans 3:23) and desperately needs a Savior. God
<br>loves every person so much that He gave His one and only Son to die on the
<br>cross for the sins of the world (John 3:16; 1 John 2:2). God will save and
<br>give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts
<br>16:30-31), turn from sin in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before
<br>men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the
<br>forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). He will continue to cleanse from sin those
<br>who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).
<br>
<br>Dear reader, God has "noticed" you and wants to save you for an eternity.
<br>Won't you accept His loving offer by trusting and obeying Jesus?
<br>
<br>-- David A. Sargent
<br>
<br>P.S. With love, appreciation, and admiration for Dr. Jack Zorn (1934-2021)
<br>for his love for God, Jesus, the Word of God, and for his passion to teach
<br>and train young people to become Christian leaders.
<br>
<br>David A. Sargent, Minister
<br><a href="mailto:davidsargent1@comcast.net">davidsargent1@comcast.net</a>
<br>
<br>Church of Christ at Creekwood
<br><a href="http://www.creekwoodcc.org">http://www.creekwoodcc.org</a>
<br>
<br>1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
<br>Mobile, Alabama 36695
<br>
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<br>at:
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<br>
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<br>
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<br>Living Water with a friend!
<br>
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<br>just send a blank e-mail to: <a href="mailto:unsubscribe-livingwater@lyris.dundee.net">unsubscribe-livingwater@lyris.dundee.net</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-724302943962048012.post-19225595071839282292021-08-23T13:11:00.000-07:002021-08-23T13:14:01.813-07:00Store employee pays veteran's grocery billThe Difference
<br>
<br>An elderly man, who is also a veteran, was at the grocery store register
<br>purchasing his groceries when he realized he didn't have enough money to
<br>cover all of the items. The veteran has used up a $25 grocery store gift
<br>card but still owed $3 more to obtain the rest of the things that he needed.
<br>
<br>His cashier, Briar Poirier, from Oxford, Massachusetts, said, "I've got
<br>this," and he pulled out his own wallet to get the money to pay the
<br>difference. "The gentleman had a couple basic necessities and looked like
<br>he was a little down on his luck and the man fought for our country, fought
<br>for our freedoms," Poirier told WBZ. "It's the least I could do for him."
<br>
<br>Renee Falcioni, from Killingly, Connecticut, witnessed Poirier's act of
<br>compassion. She said she saw the veteran's eyes "light up" at Poirer's
<br>deed. "He shook his hand and said thank you and had a big smile from ear to
<br>ear," Falcioni told WBZ.
<br>
<br>Falcioni also posted about Poirier's kindness on Facebook. Her post
<br>received thousands of likes and hundreds of comments and shares. Falcioni
<br>commented: "Thank you Briar for being such an amazing young man and a big
<br>thank you to your parents for raising such an amazing, kind-hearted,
<br>conscientious, and caring young man!!!"
<br>
<br>May I turn your attention to another act of compassion that has a few
<br>similarities to Poirier's act of kindness? There are some differences in
<br>the actions as well:
<br>
<br>1. The debt is far greater. In fact, it is too great for any of us to
<br>pay with our own resources.
<br>2. Each of us owes this unpayable debt.
<br>3. The matter of the debt has eternal implications.
<br>4. Only one Person could pay this debt. He willingly did so for each
<br>of us.
<br>5. He paid this debt for us, not because we were good or kind or
<br>merited the repayment in some way.
<br>
<br>The debt that each of us has and cannot repay is the debt of sin (Romans
<br>3:23). None of us has the resources to pay the debt ourselves, for sin is
<br>an offense to a Holy God (Isaiah 59:1-2). But God loves each of us so much
<br>that He gave His Son Jesus to pay the debt of our sin so that we can be
<br>reconciled to Him (John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21). Jesus paid the debt
<br>for us with His life; He died on the cross for our sins (1 Corinthians
<br>15:1-4). Jesus did this for us when we were weak and unable to pay the
<br>debt, sinners offending the Holy God, and even enemies in rebellion against
<br>Him (Romans 5:6-10). The wonderful news is that if we accept His offer of
<br>salvation, He will give us eternal life. If we reject His offer, we will
<br>receive eternal destruction (Matthew 7:13-14; Romans 6:23).
<br>
<br>God will save and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust
<br>in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts
<br>17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized
<br>(immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). He will
<br>continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His
<br>Word (1 John 1:7-9).
<br>
<br>Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection make all of the "difference" in our
<br>lives now and forever. Won't YOU accept His offer of salvation and eternal
<br>life?
<br>
<br>-- David A. Sargent
<br>
<br>* Information gleaned from "Store employee pays veteran's grocery bill: 'The
<br>least I could do'" by Ann W. Schmidt of Fox News, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com">www.foxnews.com</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-724302943962048012.post-75714638898209465662021-07-31T15:10:00.000-07:002021-07-31T15:12:18.810-07:00Author James Herriot Paid in Full
<br>
<br>Author James Herriot tells of an unforgettable wedding anniversary he and
<br>his wife celebrated early in their marriage. His boss had encouraged him to
<br>take his wife to a fancy restaurant, but Herriot balked. He was a young
<br>veterinarian and couldn't really afford it. "Oh, do it!" the boss insisted.
<br>Herriot reluctantly agreed and surprised his wife with the news.
<br>
<br>En route to the restaurant, Herriot and his wife stopped at a farm to
<br>examine a farmer's horse. Having finished the routine exam, he returned to
<br>his car and drove to the restaurant, unaware that his checkbook had fallen
<br>in the mud. After a wonderful meal, Herriot reached for his checkbook and
<br>discovered it was gone. Quite embarrassed, he tried to offer a way of
<br>making it up.
<br>
<br>"Not to worry," the waiter replied. "Your dinner has been taken care of!"
<br>
<br>As it was, Herriot's employer had paid for the dinner in advance. *
<br>
<br>God has done the same for us. Jesus' utterance on the cross, "It is
<br>finished" (John 19:30), is a Greek term meaning "paid in full." On the
<br>cross, Jesus paid for the debt of our sins and He paid the debt "in full."
<br>
<br>In Today's Walk in the Word (7/22/21), Joe Barnett stated this sublime truth
<br>succinctly:
<br>
<br>Jesus paid our sin debt.
<br>
<br>We owed it but couldn't pay it. He didn't owe it but paid it. The debt is no
<br>longer owed - It has been paid in full.
<br>
<br>We could get by on nothing less.
<br>
<br>We need nothing more.
<br>
<br>We rely on nothing else.
<br>
<br>"Hopelessly in debt" is now past tense. **
<br>
<br>All we have to do is accept God's offer of forgiveness and eternal life on
<br>His terms. God will cancel the debt of sin and give eternal life to those
<br>who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their
<br>sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans
<br>10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of
<br>sins (Acts 2:38). He will continue to cleanse from sin those who continue
<br>to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).
<br>
<br>Your debt has been paid if only you will accept God's offer on His terms.
<br>
<br>Won't YOU?
<br>
<br>-- David Sargent
<br>
<br>* As qtd. by Darryl Dash, <a href="http://www.dashhouse.com">www.dashhouse.com</a>. ** "Paid in Full." Today's
<br>Walk in the Word (7/22/2021) by Joe Barnett, Pathway Evangelism,
<br><a href="http://www.pathwayco.com">www.pathwayco.com</a>.
<br>
<br>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-724302943962048012.post-41661182747156729912021-07-20T11:20:00.000-07:002021-07-20T11:22:40.915-07:00Why don't some churches use instrumental music in worship?<div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:150%'><em><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#606060'>“Why don’t you use instrumental music?”</span></b></em><span style='font-size:11.5pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#606060'><br><br>Frequently we are asked about our practice of observing <em><u><span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif'>a cappella</span></u></em><em><span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif'> </span></em>music in our worship services. Folks are curious. They want to know why we don’t have instrumental music. Our practice is different - we’re not like the majority of other religious groups. What is the reason? People really want to know. So they ask, “Why don’t you use instrumental music?”<br><br>With no intention to be flippant, we might very well respond with a counter-question: “Why should we?” That’s fair, isn’t it? Those who think that instrumental music is right and proper ought to be able to tell us why they think so. When we ask this question, the typical responses are:<br> <br><em><b><span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif'>“We really like instrumental music.”</span></b></em> Be careful here - - remember that our goal is to please God, not men, not even ourselves (Gal.1:10).<br><br><em><b><span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif'>“Well, everyone else is doing It”</span></b></em> Anyone who thinks that this proves the real acceptability of a thing needs to be reminded that Jesus said the majority of people (even the majority of “religious” people) will be condemned in the day of judgment. Read Matthew 7:13-14, 21-23.<br><br><em><b><span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif'>“God gave certain people musical talent, and they ought to be able to use it</span></b></em><em><span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif'>” </span></em> If this logic works, then the fella who is a talented mechanic would be justified in rebuilding a car engine during the worship services, too. And the surgeon who wants to glorify God could do an appendectomy before the assembled congregation. Surely we can see the flawed thinking behind this argument.<br><br><em><b><span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif'>”They used instruments in the Old Testament”</span></b></em> True, but we are no longer under that law (Col. 2:14-16). We need to find our authority in the New Testament - and there is none.<br> <br>In the final analysis, everything we do religiously must be based on the authority of the Lord (Col. 3:17). If we cannot defend a practice by appealing to the Scriptures, then we ought not to do it. There is simply no New Testament authority for the use of instrumental music in our worship. That settles it!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right;line-height:150%'><em><b><span style='font-size:11.5pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#606060'>- by Greg Gwin</span></b></em><span style='font-size:11.5pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#606060'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-724302943962048012.post-25721406076269891292021-07-16T12:20:00.000-07:002021-07-16T12:22:32.417-07:00Awake, My Heart, J. Sidlow Baxter The Royal Visit
<br>
<br>In his devotional book, Awake, My Heart, J. Sidlow Baxter shared the
<br>following anecdote:
<br>
<br>In 1934, a British magazine told the story of young Prince Edward and a
<br>visit he made to a small hospital where thirty-six hopelessly injured and
<br>disfigured veterans of the First World War were tended. He stopped at each
<br>cot, shook hands with each veteran, and spoke words of encouragement. He
<br>was conducted to the exit but observed that he had only met twenty-nine men.
<br>At that point he questioned those present, "I understood you had thirty-six
<br>patients here. I have only seen twenty-nine."
<br>
<br>The head nurse explained that the other seven were so shockingly disfigured,
<br>that for the sake of his own feelings, he had not been taken to see them.
<br>The prince insisted that he must see them. He spoke to each of them and
<br>thanked them for the great sacrifice they had made and assured each that it
<br>would never be forgotten.
<br>
<br>Then he turned to the head nurse and said, "There are only six men. Where is
<br>the seventh?" He was informed that no one was allowed to see him. Blind,
<br>maimed, dismembered, the most hideously disfigured of them all, he was
<br>isolated in a room where he would never leave alive. The nurse said to the
<br>Prince, "Please don't ask to see him." But the Prince could not be
<br>dissuaded.
<br>
<br>The nurse reluctantly led him into a darkened room. The royal visitor stood
<br>there with white face and drawn lips, looking down at what had once been a
<br>fine man, but now was a horror. Then the tears broke out, and with lovely
<br>impulse, the prince bent down and reverently kissed the cheeks of that
<br>broken war hero. *
<br>
<br>Sidlow made this apt application: "There is one who has stooped far, far
<br>lower, to kiss a far, far worse ugliness - not the physical disfigurement of
<br>a broken hero whose brokenness called forth reverent gratitude, but the
<br>leprous, evil ugliness of corrupt sinners and hard rebels against infinite
<br>love!"
<br>
<br>The One who "stooped" so far to demonstrate such undeserved love was Jesus
<br>Christ, the Son of God. "For when we were still without strength, in due
<br>time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one
<br>die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God
<br>demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners,
<br>Christ died for us." - Romans 5:6-8
<br>
<br>God will save and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust
<br>in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts
<br>17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized
<br>(immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). He will
<br>continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His
<br>Word (1 John 1:7-9).
<br>
<br>Because of His love for us, Jesus "stooped" low through His incarnation and
<br>crucifixion, so that you and I can be raised up to enjoy eternal blessings
<br>"in the heavenly places" in Christ (Ephesians 2:1-10).
<br>
<br>-- David A. Sargent
<br>
<br>* As cited in <a href="http://www.ministry127.com">www.ministry127.com</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-724302943962048012.post-24025692881511838962021-07-07T13:56:00.000-07:002021-07-07T13:58:12.913-07:00If we are autonomous beings that elevate preferences over truth, we will be in a state of chaos<div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoPlainText>True Freedom<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Referring to our Western culture, Christian apologist Abdu Murray states, “If we are autonomous beings that elevate preferences over truth, we will be in a state of chaos.” *<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>For a case study of the veracity of Murray’s statement, read chapters 19-21 of the book of Judges in the Bible. Warning: you will likely be disturbed by what you read. “Why is that in the Bible?” some may ask. The moral degradation that is revealed in that time is directly connected to a philosophy that was adopted by the people: “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>If every person does what he or she wants – without regard to morality or how it may affect others – then the result is moral chaos and degradation. “If we are autonomous beings that elevate preferences over truth, we will be in a state of chaos.” Because of this truth, Murray concludes that “true freedom requires boundaries.” *<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Dr. Tony Evans has illustrated the concept of freedom within boundaries by using the analogy of a kite:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>There was a kite that thought to itself one day, “It sure would be nice if I wasn’t hooked up to this string. This string is holding me back. There’s this man down there holding onto this string. If I was just free from the string, I could fly so much higher. I could get so much farther. I wish that man down there would let the string go so I could be free to be me and fly to the sky.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>The man let the string go, and the kite thought to itself, “Whee! I’m free.” So the kite was just flying up there and flopping all over in its newfound freedom — no longer subordinate to someone holding the string. Until a fierce wind came by. It began to take control of the kite. It slammed the kite to the ground, tearing it to shreds, breaking the wooden pieces that held it together.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Now the kite was destroyed because it didn’t understand one thing. It was being held by the string so it could fly and soar. But the moment it detached itself from the person holding it, there was no freedom. The kite became subject to an enemy ready to slam the kite, at the right time and in the right place.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Likewise, we can choose to be free from God. But we will then be free for the Devil to come slam us unless we give God permission to hold onto that string. We’d be wise to declare, “God, I don’t want to be free of You!” *<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>The truth is: we are selfish, sinful creatures (Romans 3:23). When we “do what is right in our own eyes” ignoring the Word of God, we bring chaos and destruction.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>However, God still loves us and wants to save us. He gave His Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins (John 3:16; Romans 5:8-10), so that through Him we can be saved and live eternally with Him (Romans 6:23).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>God will save and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). He will continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>And, in His Word, God reveals the way we ought to live and experience true freedom: freedom to live as we ought within the boundaries set by our loving Creator. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>-- David A. Sargent<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>* Information gleaned from “True Freedom” by Marylin Joy Tyner of POW Apologetics, <a href="http://www.powapologetics.com">www.powapologetics.com</a>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-724302943962048012.post-46980461640812080622021-06-28T13:40:00.000-07:002021-06-28T13:42:15.791-07:00Why should I be baptized?<div class=WordSection1><p class=C-align><b><i>A Lesson on Baptism<o:p></o:p></i></b></p><p class=Heading1>sIX “rIGHTS” OF bAPTISM<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>INTRODUCTION:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l19 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>A.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Texts: multi-text<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l19 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>B.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><b>How old are you?<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l15 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>1.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Obviously, it depends on when you were born. I’m not talking about your <b>physical</b> birthday.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l15 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>2.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>How old are you <b><i>spiritually</i></b>? The answer depends on when you experienced the new birth, when you were born into the family of God through baptism. (Relate personal baptism at age 11 -- August of 1978).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l19 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>C.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>One unique characteristic concerning churches of Christ is the emphasis that is put on baptism.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l20 level1 lfo3'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>1.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Example: A particular preacher preached on baptism all of the time. He was asked by elders to preach on other subjects. He asked, “Well what do you want me to preach on?” The elders suggested that he begin in Genesis and preach the whole counsel of God. The next Sunday morning the preacher got up to preach and began his sermon with these words: "‘In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the <b><i>waters’</i></b> which brings me to the subject of baptism.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l20 level1 lfo3'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>2.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Baptism IS a Bible subject. “In the 269 chapters of the New Testament, ‘baptism,’ appears more than 100 times” (Meador 127).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l20 level1 lfo3'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>3.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Yet, many questions surround this practice:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:2.0in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l12 level1 lfo4'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>a.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Is it necessary for salvation?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:2.0in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l12 level1 lfo4'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>b.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Does baptism include sprinkling and/or immersion?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:2.0in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l12 level1 lfo4'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>c.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>What about infant baptism?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:2.0in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l12 level1 lfo4'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>d.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>What about re-baptism?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l19 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>D.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Concerning baptism as the Bible presents it, let us observe SIX RIGHTS OF BAPTISM...<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l23 level1 lfo5'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>I.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><b><u>THE RIGHT AUTHORITY: CHRIST</u>.<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo6'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>A.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>"And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen" (Mat 28:18-20 NKJV).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l8 level1 lfo7'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>1.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth” – Jesus is the “Commander-in-Chief,” whatever He says, goes! He is the Authority! He is the Head of the church (Ephesians 1:22-23).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l8 level1 lfo7'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>2.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>“God therefore and make disciples [students, learners], baptizing them.” First, there must be a study of the Word of God (reading, preaching/teaching, etc.). The proper response to the teaching of God’s word includes baptism.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l8 level1 lfo7'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>3.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>We call this “The Great Commission.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo6'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>B.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>The right authority is <b>Christ</b>, NOT…<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l18 level1 lfo8'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>1.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Feelings.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l18 level1 lfo8'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>2.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Preconceived ideas.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l18 level1 lfo8'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>3.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Traditions of men.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l18 level1 lfo8'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>4.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>The teaching of a particular teacher.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo6'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>C.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>“Our Lord began His personal ministry by being baptized (Matt. 13:13-17), and ended His earthly stay by giving the Great Commission in which He commanded baptism (Matt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15,16)” (Winkler “Bible” 112).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l23 level1 lfo5'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>II.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><b><u>THE RIGHT SUBJECT: PENITENT BELIEVER</u>.<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo9'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>A.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>The Philippians jailor (Acts 16:31-34).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l9 level1 lfo10'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>1.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Review context: Paul & Silas beaten & imprisoned – singing and praying at midnight – earthquake – jailor stopped before committing suicide (vs. 20-29).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l9 level1 lfo10'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>2.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Read and discuss vs. 30-34.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo9'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>B.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Jews on Pentecost (Acts 2).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l10 level1 lfo11'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>1.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Topic of apostles’ sermon: Jesus! (vs. 22-36).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l10 level1 lfo11'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>2.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Read and discuss 2:37-38. Note: they already believed in Christ!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l23 level1 lfo5'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>III.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><b><u>THE RIGHT ELEMENT: WATER</u>.<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l4 level1 lfo12'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>A.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>NOT (see Winkler “Bible” 112).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l5 level1 lfo13'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>1.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>It could not be the <b>baptism of suffering</b>, since this baptism was fulfilled in our Lord’s suffering and death and the subsequent persecution of His disciples (Matthew 20:20-23).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l5 level1 lfo13'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>2.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>It could not be the <b>baptism of fire</b>, since this is yet to come (Matthew 3:11-12; Rev. 20:15; 19:20).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l5 level1 lfo13'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>3.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>It could not be the <b>baptism of the Holy Spirit</b>, for only Christ could administer such: ""I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire" (Mat 3:11 NKJV).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l4 level1 lfo12'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>B.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Water baptism is the one baptism that is in effect today.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l22 level1 lfo14'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>1.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Philip & the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:26-39; see especially vs. 35-39).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l22 level1 lfo14'><a name=BeginVerse></a><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>2.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>The Apostle Peter: "For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. There is also an antitype [like figure] which now saves us; baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet 3:18-21 NKJV).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l22 level1 lfo14'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>3.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>The household of Cornelius (Acts 10:1ff, esp. vs. 44-48).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l4 level1 lfo12'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>C.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>This is NOT to say that we believe in water salvation!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l6 level1 lfo15'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>1.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>It is only through the blood of Christ that our sins may be washed away!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:2.0in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo16'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>a.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>""For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many <b>for the remission of sins</b>." (Mat 26:28 NKJV)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:2.0in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo16'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>b.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>"Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him" (Rom 5:9 NKJV).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:2.0in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo16'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>c.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>"how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" (Heb 9:14 NKJV).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:2.0in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo16'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>d.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>"Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate" (Heb 13:12 NKJV).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:2.0in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo16'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>e.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>“…Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" (1 Pet 1:18-19 NKJV)/<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:2.0in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo16'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>f.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>"If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:6-7 NKJV)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:2.0in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo16'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>g.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>"and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood," (Rev 1:5 NKJV)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l6 level1 lfo15'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>2.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>However, God has declared that the blood of Christ washes our sins away WHEN we are baptized in His name.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:2.0in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l11 level1 lfo17'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>a.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Compare Naaman (2 Kings 5:1-14) and Elisha’s instructions. The power was not in the waters of the Jordan River; the power was in God. The power of God was activated when Naaman obeyed the prophet’s instructions.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:2.0in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l11 level1 lfo17'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>b.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>In baptism, the power is not in the water; the power is in God. That power is activated when one’s faith in God leads one to obey the Lord’s instructions concerning what one must do to be forgiven of his sins.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l4 level1 lfo12'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>D.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>An objection is often raised: “From what you teach about baptism, you’re trying to be saved by works.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo18'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>1.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>“In fact, when my religious friends argue that baptism is a work I now say ‘Yes, baptism is definitely a work ... but not my work.’ Faith is my work. Coming to God is my work. But the real accomplishment is not my performance but His. And, interestingly enough, this is precisely how Paul put it” (Meador 136):<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoBodyTextIndent>“In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses” (Colossians 2:11-13).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in'>“Every mention of my part in baptism is passive. It is done to me, not by me. And God is clearly the major player, the surgeon performing spiritual surgery ... bringing life and forgiveness” (Meador 136).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo18'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>2.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>“My baptism was Jesus-driven and Christ-focused. Neither a sectarian ritual nor a High-Church sacrament, baptism was not designed to achieve personal merit before God. Only Jesus ‘earned’ anything before God. He alone achieved merit on the cross. This is why my baptism was Jesus-driven ... My personal faith in Jesus Christ brought me to my baptism. Christ achieved my salvation on the cross and I simply accepted what He offered me. As I obeyed Christ in my baptism, I learned the crucial lesson that everyone must learn about salvation -- salvation does not result from what I do, but from what Christ did on the cross for me. My baptism showed me that while I can’t ear salvation, I can receive God’s precious grace. In fact, my baptism took me back to the cross of Jesus. That’s where the story of my salvation really started!” (Meador 137).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l23 level1 lfo5'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>IV.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><b><u>THE RIGHT PURPOSE: REMISSION OF SINS/ SALVATION</u>.<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l7 level1 lfo19'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>A.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>"Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the <b>remission of sins</b>; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38 NKJV).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l7 level1 lfo19'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>B.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>“"Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" And he <b>commanded</b> them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days." (Acts 10:48 NKJV)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l7 level1 lfo19'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>C.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Ananias to Saul: "'And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and <b>wash away your sins</b>, calling on the name of the Lord'" (Acts 22:16 NKJV).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l7 level1 lfo19'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>D.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>"Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in <b>newness of life</b>. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection" (Rom 6:3-5 NKJV).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l7 level1 lfo19'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>E.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>"For by one Spirit we were all <b>baptized into one body</b>; whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free; and have all been made to drink into one Spirit." (1 Cor 12:13 NKJV)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l7 level1 lfo19'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>F.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>"For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were <b>baptized into Christ</b> have put on Christ" (Gal 3:26-27 NKJV).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l23 level1 lfo5'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>V.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><b><u>THE RIGHT ACTION: IMMERSION</u>.<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l24 level1 lfo20'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>A.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Immersion, as indicated by the meaning of the word “baptism.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l17 level1 lfo21'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>1.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>“Baptism” is a <b><i>transliterated</i></b> word, not a translated word. A translated word is a word out of another language (Greek) given an English spelling and pronunciation” (Winkler “Water” 112). The Greek word baptizo was transliterated to our word, “baptize.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l17 level1 lfo21'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>2.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>A translation (definition) of the word would be: “to dip, plunge, or immerse” (Winkler “Water” 112).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l24 level1 lfo20'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>B.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Immersion, as indicated by baptism being described as a burial.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l13 level1 lfo22'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>1.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>"Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Rom 6:4 NKJV).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:2.0in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l14 level1 lfo23'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>a.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>The Gospel: death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. "Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you; unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4 NKJV).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:2.0in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l14 level1 lfo23'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>b.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>It is the Gospel that saves: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek" (Rom 1:16 NKJV).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:2.0in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l14 level1 lfo23'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>c.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>The Gospel saves when one obeys the form of the doctrine (gospel): "But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness" (Rom 6:17-18 NKJV).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:2.0in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l14 level1 lfo23'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>d.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>“Baptism beautifully portrays the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord (Rom. 6:1-4)” (Winkler “Bible” 112).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l13 level1 lfo22'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>2.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Paul wrote to the Christians in Colosse saying, “[You have been] "buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead" (Col 2:12 NKJV).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l23 level1 lfo5'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>VI.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><b><u>THE RIGHT TIME: NOW</u>.<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l21 level1 lfo24'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>A.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Consider the Ethiopian Eunuch (See Acts 8:35-39).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l21 level1 lfo24'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>B.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Consider the Philippian Jailor (see Acts 16:31-34).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l21 level1 lfo24'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>C.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Consider Felix the Governor (see Acts 24:24-25).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l21 level1 lfo24'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>D.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Consider Agrippa (see Acts 26:26-29). “Almost Persuaded.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>CONCLUSION:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l16 level1 lfo25'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>A.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Consider the joy of a new birth. “And the eunuch went on his way rejoicing” (Acts 8:39). Have you experienced the new birth?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l16 level1 lfo25'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>B.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>A surprising discovery: “the most profound statements on baptism are really addressed to those of us who have already been baptized. I had earlier thought that most of the Bible teaching on ‘baptism’ surely was directed to those who had never been baptized. But apparently God wants us to continue to look back at this defining moment in our spiritual journey. He wants us to savor it, to appreciate it, to understand it, and to be strengthened by it ... It’s truly life’s defining moment” (Meador 127-128).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l16 level1 lfo25'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>C.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Baptism is a new beginning – a glorious beginning. Yet, it is a beginning, not an end. Have you been faithful to the Lord?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>SOURCES:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'>Meador, Prentice A., Jr. “The Mystery of Baptism -- A Personal Odyssey.” <u>Directions for the Road Ahead: Stability in Change Among Churches of Christ</u>.” Jim Sheerer and Charles L. Williams, editors. Chickasha, OK: Yeomen Press, 1998. 126-142.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'>Moorer, Rex. “Six Rights of Baptism.” Notes taken in the form of a skeleton outline by David A. Sargent during a Gospel Meeting at the Flatwoods church of Christ outside of Fort Deposit, AL, on 8/10/95. See <b>Baptism</b> file.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'>Winkler, Wendell. “Bible Baptism.” <u>Things That Accompany Salvation</u>. <i>Sound Doctrine for Everyday Living</i> Series. Montgomery, AL: Winkler Publications, 1972. 112-121.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>David A. Sargent, preaching minister<br>Mobile, Alabama<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-724302943962048012.post-24789943826287979152021-06-11T08:53:00.000-07:002021-06-11T08:55:02.367-07:00George Mueller built many orphanages at Ashley Down, EnglandYou Matter
<br>
<br>George Mueller (1805-1898) built many orphanages at Ashley Down, England.
<br>Without a personal salary, he relied only on God to supply the money and
<br>food needed to support the hundreds of homeless children for whom he cared
<br>in the name of Christ. A man of radiant faith, Mueller kept a motto on his
<br>desk for many years that brought comfort, strength, and uplifting confidence
<br>to his heart. It read, "It matters to Him about you." Mueller believed
<br>that those words captured the meaning of 1 Peter 5:7, and he rested his
<br>claim for divine help on that truth.
<br>
<br>"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." - 1 Peter 5:7 NIV
<br>
<br>Mueller testified at the end of his life that the Lord had never failed to
<br>supply all his needs. *
<br>
<br>Audrey Mieir has expressed the truth of 1 Peter 5:7 and Mueller's motto with
<br>these words:
<br>
<br>Be not troubled with thoughts of the morrow, Of duties you surely must do.
<br>On the Lord cast your burden of sorrow;
<br>It matters to Him about you!
<br>
<br>Be not weary when trials are given,
<br>But trust Him to carry you through.
<br>He will make all a pathway to heaven;
<br>It matters to Him about you!
<br>
<br>Then be patient until His appearing,
<br>'Tis dawn almost now on your view;
<br>For the mists of this dark age are clearing.
<br>In love He is planning for you! *
<br>
<br>Take this truth to heart: "It matters to Him about you."
<br>
<br>How can we know that?
<br>
<br>Because when we were weighted down with a burden that was too great for us
<br>to bear - the burden of our sins - God gave His one and only Son to die on
<br>the cross for our sins (John 3:16). "He Himself bore our sins in His body
<br>on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His
<br>wounds you have been healed" (1 Peter 2:24 NIV).
<br>
<br>God will lift the burden of sin and give eternal life to those who place
<br>their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in
<br>repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and
<br>are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).
<br>He will continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light
<br>of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).
<br>
<br>And, God will help His children with other burdens that may arise in this
<br>life. Why? Because He cares. "It matters to Him about you." You matter
<br>to God.
<br>
<br>"Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you" (Psalm 55:22 NKJV).
<br>
<br>-- David A. Sargent
<br>
<br>* Information gleaned from illustrations on 1 Peter 5:7 from <a href="http://www.bible.org">www.bible.org</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-724302943962048012.post-68940164717861981562021-04-11T12:52:00.000-07:002021-04-11T12:53:13.672-07:00Bill Buckner Los Angeles DodgersA Name to Remember
<br>
<br>Bill Buckner was one of the better players ever to play the game of
<br>professional baseball. In a 22-year career that began with the Los Angeles
<br>Dodgers, Buckner collected over 2,700 hits (including 498 doubles), had a
<br>career batting average of .289 (batting over .300 in seven seasons with
<br>three seasons of 100 RBIs), and won a National League batting title. Yet he
<br>will always be remembered for one terrible moment in the 1986 World Series.
<br>
<br>At that time Buckner was playing for the Boston Red Sox, a team then
<br>notorious for its failure to win the World Series. In the '86 series
<br>against the heavily-favored Mets, the Sox took a 3-2 game lead. The sixth
<br>game went into extra innings. With two outs and no one on base, New York
<br>battled back with three straight singles and tied the game with a wild pitch
<br>by Bob Stanley. Mookie Wilson came to the plate for the Mets with Ray
<br>Knight on second base. On a 3-2 pitch, Wilson hit an easy little grounder
<br>up the first base line towards Bill Buckner. Scoop up the ball, step on
<br>first, and the inning would be over. But Buckner didn't get his glove low
<br>enough. The ball rolled between his legs into right field, allowing Knight
<br>to score. So the Mets tied the series 3-3. The Mets went on the win the
<br>seventh game to become the '86 World Series champions.
<br>
<br>From that fateful moment on, the name "Bill Buckner" has been forever tied
<br>to his "slow roller between the legs" error that lost a crucial game for the
<br>Sox. Since that time, the phrase "pulling a Bill Buckner" has been used as
<br>a synonym for making a really bad, obvious mistake. It is sad that a person
<br>can become identified with one mistake even though there is much more to the
<br>story.
<br>
<br>Thank God that we don't have to be defined by our mistakes! The truth is
<br>that each and every one of us has "pulled a Bill Buckner" in that "all have
<br>sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Our sins cause us
<br>to be lost, losing much more than a World Series (Matthew 7:13-14).
<br>
<br>But God loves us so much that He gave His Son to die on the cross for our
<br>sins (John 3:16). Through Jesus, we can be forgiven of our sins and receive
<br>the gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23). "In Him we have redemption through
<br>His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace"
<br>(Ephesians 1:7).
<br>
<br>God will save from sin and give eternal life to those who place their faith
<br>and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts
<br>17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized
<br>(immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). He will
<br>continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His
<br>Word (1 John 1:7-9).
<br>
<br>For all who have "pulled a Bill Buckner" - and that includes ALL of us - the
<br>name to remember and to embrace is Jesus. For in Jesus, we can be
<br>identified by His forgiveness rather than by our failures (see 1 Timothy
<br>1:12-17).
<br>
<br>-- David A. Sargent
<br>
<br>* Stats about Bill Buckner were gleaned from Wikipedia.comUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0