Sunday Worship - 04.10.2020

'Sin will Strangle!'

by Deacon Crimson

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First Reading: -

Second Reading: -

Gospel Reading: -

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Ezekiel 18: 4

For everyone belongs to me, the parent as well as the child--both alike belong to me. The one who sins is the one who will die.

Dear Brethren

Greetings to you in the Awesome name of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

The book Ezekiel was written when the people of Israel were under captivity in Babylon. They were under bondage for seventy years. During their bondage God raised prophets. Among them were Daniel, Haggai, Zachariah and Ezekiel.

The book of Ezekiel is packed with metaphors and symbols of strange powerful elements. The powerful visions of the Cherubim with wings and the wheels of chariot symbolizing the glory of God bringing hope and salvation. The vision of the valley of the dead bones portraying images of hope and promise, that God can bring back the impossible things back to life. God's delight is not in the death of the sinners; but, rather is giving him several chances to repent for deliverance.

Sin Strangles

Dear Brethren, Sin is very dangerous. Sin slowly infects our body, mind and soul. It pulls its victims into the miry clay. with no escape (Psalm 40:2). But the Good News is that, we have a hope of redemption through Jesus Christ.

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Sin and the Python

There was a piper who used to show a big snake curling around him. Then, as the snake pressed on his body, he would fake pain and cry for help. People used to give money for his spectacular performance. Later, he would gently press the snake’s neck and it would loosen its grip. Many people advised him to give up the practice; but, this act fetched him lot of money.

One fine evening the same show was enacted. People cheered as the snake tightened itself on the performer's body. As usual, everyone thought, he would come out from the grip of the snake. As usual, he pressed hard on the snakes head to release himself. The python did not loosen its grip. He cried for help. People thought, he was faking death. They heard his bones break, it was too late. They found the performer dead.

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The snake charmer lived dangerously with the snake! Sin is like a snake. It stings poison, crushes and devours. Colossians 2:13-15 mentions that Jesus took our sins and nailed it to the cross.

Colossians 2:13-15

¹³ When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, ¹⁴ having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. ¹⁵ And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Grieving the Holy Spirit: Warning

In Ephesians 4: 30, we read that we should not grieve the Spirit of God. We grieve the Holy Spirit, if we continue to live in sin. Bible says, there would be no remedy, for such stubbornness to live in sin.

Warning to Believers

Hebrews 6: 4- 6

For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God, and put him to open shame.

We like to listen to the messages of blessings and prosperity. Yes! God wants to bless us more and more.

Sin is Death

But, remember, the God cannot work in our lives; as long as, we are enslaved to sin. Come now to Jesus. Ask for help. He will help us to get rid of all sinful practices. He has crushed snake’s head at the cross.

Reflection: Of Hope and Life

Jesus Christ is our King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. He came down to the earth and lived a simple life. When he was visiting people, he did not choose any royal horse or a cruise ship. He was generally walking for a long distance to deliver them from sins and sickness, or sailing in some fishermen' boat. He was with the simple people, who were poor and needy, suffering and sinful. He forgave them and healed their sickness. In Matthew 21, we see him arriving into the city, on a donkey. Jesus was simple, humble and loving.

Today Jesus Christ still calls us to repentance. Come before Him and take a strong decision to follow His words. Do get back to the miry pit. Do not allow sin to strangle you. Jesus Christ gives you a strong foothold on the rock of salvation. Accept Jesus. Believe Jesus. Be Saved.

Prayer

Loving Heavenly Father, thank you Lord sending Jesus into world to be our Saviour and Lord, Help us, dear Lord, to stay firm in you and not to allow sinful ways strangling us. Show us your grace and mercy and release us from any strong holds of the serpent. Keep us under your wings. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight. O' Lord!

Amen!

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