[Biblemat] The Messenger Vol 002 Iss 005

[T. Sean Sullivan]

The Messenger

Published Weekly by Main Street Church of Christ

306 West Main Street, Newbern, TN 38059   731-627-3514



bibleanswers at charter.net                                    www.mainstreetchurchofchrist.org

 

Bulletin Editor: T. Sean Sullivan

 

VOLUME TWO::ISSUE 005::February 04, 2007  

 

ARTICLE ONE: Our Independence Day

ARTICLE TWO: Some New Things

 

Our Independence Day

 

      Only once a year we celebrate our country's declared independence. In the preamble to our country's "Declaration of Independence" we are told why it was, that as a people, we looked for deliverance from the oppressing government of Great Britain. 

"Prudence, indeed, will dictate, that Governments long established, should not be changed for light and transient Causes; and accordingly all Experience hath shewn, that Mankind are more disposed to suffer, while Evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the Forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long Train of Abuses and Usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a Design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their Right, it is their Duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future Security."

Those words are two hundred and thirty years old and perhaps are not understandable without the use of our modern day English. The meaning is this: The founders of this nation understood that Government is important and not to be thrown away on a whim. They knew that mankind was typically willing to suffer under the constraints of "the system", just because he knew "the system" was necessary. They knew, however, that a greater right of freedom, security, and expression could not be long refused. It was only when the government over them continued to hinder their rights through a series of tyrannical abuses that they determined to be set free from the oppression. 

Now, this is not intended to be a history lesson, there is something more to consider in our spiritual lives with these words in mind. What do those things have to do with our spiritual focus today? Consider the parallels that we have in this life as we seek our own independence from oppression. We have been given the opportunity of freedom-through Jesus Christ. We, however, are not much different than we have ever been.  We will typically rather keep suffering than to seek freedom. However, when the recognition of betterment is known and the frustrations of the oppression hinders, we will seek the change that is necessary to be freed. 

            

The Oppression of Sin

 

The truth about sin: Do you remember the children's story about Hansel and Gretel? The house in the woods was covered in candy. Inside was certain death at the hands of a kid-eating witch. The witch knew how to make a dangerous thing look good. In much the same way the devil works his way with sin to "sugar coat" the death it holds (1 Peter 5:8 "seeking whom he may devour"). 

Sin is usually candy coated. The Prodigal son looked across to the far-off country with dazzled eyes thinking, I am sure, that life would be so much better there (Luke 15:11-18). The devil tempts with pride and lust (1 John 2:15-16). Both of which are based on our own desires-things we want and like-so that we are blinded to the certain death that lies beneath their surface. Sin can only offer slavery (John 8:34) and death (Romans 6:23). 

Sin is a hopeless situation. Sin alienates us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2) and the only way back to God is through His Son Jesus Christ (John 14:6). Man has not changed. We are still willing to be oppressed until the recognition of betterment is known and the frustrations of the oppression hinder our achieving that betterment. For the sake of our own understanding and reasonable thinking we need to expose sin for what it really is and ultimately does. 

 

The Suffering of Sin:

 

Sin is the root cause of all distresses. We know this since the words of righteousness are designed to result in a life of: joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). These beautiful things are proof of walking according to the word as delivered by the Spirit.  Anything else is from sin (whether sin of omission or commission). 

Examine the main problems in today's world: Broken homes, infidelity, and premarital sex, rebellion in the young and the older, all types of chemical abuses, humanism and atheism. All of these sins and sinful attitudes result in the modern predicaments of anxiety, depression, guilt, frustration, anger, selfishness, and disease.

All of our predicaments are symptoms of these sins. Let's look at Galatians 5:19-21-"The works of the flesh". Just taking the time to look into verse nineteen make note of just some of the problems that result from these sins: Adultery: Leads to broken marriages and homes, rebellious children, generational repetition, disregard for God. Fornication: Sexual sin, leads to: Unwed-mothers, teen pregnancies, STD's, depletion of self-worth, the destruction of the sanctity of marriage. Uncleanness: Immorality, leads to: immodest dress, language, and behavior, contributes heavily to the first two sins on this list. Lewdness: Leads to: inappropriate gender roles, the loss of God's design in the role of male and female, the home foundation disdained. 

Truly, life without God is set for disappointment because the world and its lusts will come to nothing (1 John 2:15-17). Life without God is aimless; without direction because man is incapable to finding his own way (Jeremiah 10:23). Life with God is without foundation because we have nothing sure or certain without God (Ephesians 2:12).  These hopeless frustrations are the end awaiting all those who refuse to fear God and choose rather to serve themselves in sin. It is when the oppression of this hopelessness continually burdens us that we will seek the relief that is available to us through change.

 

The Freedom from Sin 

 

We can have independence or freedom from our sins. Through Jesus Christ we can be freed/saved. John 3:16 says, "He that believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Also Mark 16:16 reads, "He who believes and is baptized shall be saved".  What did Jesus do to make this work? 

God demands sacrificial atonement for sin. Under the Old Covenant God designated the blood of animals as a measure of atonement (Hebrews 9:22; Hebrews 10:1-3). Under the New Covenant God saw fit to have one ultimate sacrifice-the perfect sacrifice (Hebrews 10:4-12). The declaration of our independence from sin was "written" with the blood of Christ. In order that we might live, free from the oppression of sin and with the security of a certain hope, Jesus Christ shed His blood and died (Matthew 28:1-6; 1 Peter 1:3-4). 

How do we apply Christ's hope-giving sacrifice to our sins? This the question the Jews asked of Peter and his answer was clear (Acts 2:37-38). This is also what the Eunuch wanted to accomplish and he did-through obedience of the truth (Acts 8:34-38). 

 

Conclusion: If you are not a Christian today then the opportunity is yours to realize that sin is oppression, hopelessness, and certain failure. The time for you to see the hope that is available through Jesus Christ our Savior, is now. Today is the day to make the changes in your life in order to have the burden of your sins taken away.

As a country, we certainly continue to holdfast to our Independence. Even more so, as Christians, we should be holding fast to our freedom from sin. If you are a Christian today then rejoice in the fact that you have found your freedom from sin through Christ.

Let others see you rejoicing so that they may desire the same. The hope of freedom is for all who are willing to obey, is today the day? Today you can make your life right with God. Today you can be freed from the bondage of sin. Today can be your Independence Day. ~tss

 

            

Some New Things

 

 

There is a lot to be said about some old things like, comfy shoes or an old ball-cap. Arguably, those old reliable house slippers or that ball-cap cannot be replaced with new. New would not be better. It is hard for me to keep my old comfortable clothes, and such, when my wife sees them. Just the other day my closet was pared down and many of my things were tossed. I suppose that I was satisfied to have the old but she was not. Many individuals act that way when it comes to religion. 

There are not many satisfied with "old" ways.  They feel the "old paths" need some remodeling. They want a new spiritual feeling so they try to implement changes for the sake of that "feeling". They are bored with the "plain" way of worship so they dim the lights for better religious feeling. They want to rearrange or put extra emphasis on certain parts of our services and try to make the simple elements of worship seem more spectacular. 

Sometimes they have gone as far as setting apart certain elements of worship from the common member allowing those parts of the service to seem mysterious. The problem with this desire for change is that it is misdirected.  We have a set pattern to follow. God's will must be done in these and all matters (Matthew 7:21). The misdirection is that those who are bored try to change the pattern instead of the person following the pattern.

 

A New Life
 

When we become apathetic or bored with services the problem does not lie in the pattern-it lies in the person. We can change the person with a new life. The new life at first comes through becoming a Christian. When we are baptized we, "rise and walk in the newness of life" (Romans. 6:4). We are given a new life in Christ. A new life freed from our past sins that enslaved us (John 8:34). A new life that is a life of joy and hope (Acts 8:36-39). If for some reason the novelty of our new life has worn off we only have ourselves to blame. As Christians we are to grow up in Christ being rooted and built up in Him through the study of the word (Colossians 2:6-7). We should be enjoying our new life realizing that our inner man is renewed day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16).  

 

Perhaps, the reason we have become apathetic is that sin in our life has bogged us down. When we sin we need to make it right and have our life renewed before God through repentance and prayer (Acts 8:22). If you are a Christian and this is your condition stop reading this article and pray for forgiveness right now. Make the decision to repent and put whatever sin you are facing out of your life.  We must seek and trust in God's forgiveness. We will be forgiven if we repent and bear fruits of that repentance. In our new life of hope we must use every day as a brand new day in which to serve God more. 

A New Faith
 

We can renew our faith. I am not calling for you to change the direction of your faith unless you faith is not founded on God's word alone (Romans 10:17). There is only one faith that saves (Ephesians 4:5). I am calling for a renewed fervor and renewed zeal. It is just too easy to allow our fiery zeal to burn down to just a glowing ember. We need to stir up the coals and add some fuel to the fire. 

 

How do we get the fuel? How do I go about renewing my faith? Start with prayer. Pray for the strength and wisdom that you will need to carry out God's will (James 1:5). Then go to the source of faith. The source of faith is the word of God (Romans 10:17).  If you feel your faith becoming weak ask yourself, "When is the last time I read my Bible?" Read those old familiar passages like the ones from Genesis 1:1 - Revelation 22:21. If you haven't been reading, start. The Bible is God's will for your life. Read every day, know more, trust more, do more.

 

Another way to boost your faith is to question the things that you do. Do not be afraid of finding out the truth. We certainly practice the truth because we can find all that we do in the scriptures. When you find yourself doing God's will correctly and acceptably you will be more faithful working with more assurance. Also, become involved in this congregation. There is work for each of us, just ask. There are lots of things that will renew your faith in God. 

 

A New Perspective.

 

            One of the greatest advantages a Christian has in this life is the perspective that the word of God gives. We are able to look at many things differently than the world because of the knowledge God has delivered to us. We, however, can sometimes lose sight.  We may start to let our "good soil" begin to grow some "thorns" (Luke 8:14). We may need to realign our priorities (Matthew 6:33) and renew our understanding and our perspective-the way that we look at all things.

 

A new perspective would result in our being able to look at others in the world as souls in need drowning in a sea of perdition (Romans 3:23).  We will see them as souls whom we can help (Romans 6:23). We will look at the trials of life as necessary for strength (1 Peter 1:6-7). We will see the narrow way as the only way (Matthew 7:13-14; John 14:6). We will consider death as a necessary end to life and the way to see the glories of heaven (1 Corinthians 15:42-45). Then we will also consider Heaven as our obtainable home (John 14:1-6).

 

Conclusion:

 

We all like new things. God's word is able to renew us everyday. Through His word we receive new life, new faith, and a new perspective. We do not need to change God's pattern. We only need to change the person following the pattern. ~tss 

 

 

If you are enjoying The Messenger and you know someone else who would like to receive it. Please forward it to them or send me their email address and I will add it to the list.   Sean

 
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