Pastor's Post

Dear People

It is Memorial Day weekend.  Memorial Day, of course, is the day we remember our fallen heroes.  Those men and women who are no longer with us who fought for our freedom, many of them died on the battlefield.  I, like I’m sure you, are so absolutely grateful for their service and sacrifice.  Where would our country be without these brave soldiers?  They have protected our freedom, and the freedom of people around the world.  We say thank you to them.  And we thank their families who have endured much time away from them, and in many cases have suffered the loss of these husbands, wives, sons, daughters, brothers, and sisters.  And although this holiday is in memory of soldiers who are no longer here, we are also thoroughly grateful for the men and women who are presently putting their lives in danger across the globe for our freedom.

This weekend as we remember those who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom, may we also remember our Lord Who sacrificed His life for our freedom.  Romans 3:21-25a states:

“But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.  This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.  God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. . .”

We have a righteousness from God which is apart from the Law.  That is apart from doing good works, apart from obeying the Bible. Obeying the Bible is important, but it’s not where we get our righteousness.  So where do we get our righteousness?!!  Through faith, by believing in Jesus Christ.  By putting our trust, our faith, our reliance, upon Jesus Christ.  Who He is, God, the Lord.  And what He did for us.  What did He do?  He died on the cross.  Romans 3:25 tells us that in so doing Jesus was a sacrifice of atonement.  And Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, His death on the cross, was a satisfaction of God’s wrath for us.  So we have this satisfaction of God’s wrath toward us through faith in His blood which saves us, wipes away our sins, and the penalty of them giving us God’s righteousness.  And because of this faith in Jesus Christ, and in Him alone, we are as Romans 3:24 tells us, justified freely.  That is we are declared righteous.  We are legally in the eyes of God, truly righteous.  We are righteous as God views righteousness.  We are perfect in His eyes!

How is that possible?!!  Verse 24 tells us by God’s grace, His unmerited favor!   We didn’t deserve it.  We didn’t do anything to earn it.  God justifies us, gives us justification freely by His grace.  It is by faith alone, in Christ alone, by God’s grace alone!  And because of that, Romans 8:1 tells us, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”  We are justified freely by God’s grace, by the redemption that came by Christ Jesus’ sacrifice.  Redemption is the price paid to gain freedom for a slave.  We were purchased to be set free.  The Bible tells us we are freed by the Son of God, Jesus Christ, by His sacrifice.  Freed from the slavery of sin, and its penalty, eternal punishment. 

As a nation, we are a people who are free.  And we are so thankful, so ever grateful for those who gave their lives for this freedom.  May it continue to endure.  But the question is, although free nationally, how many in our country are free spiritually?  How many have received Jesus’ sacrifice of death for their sins, being freed from them, and their eternal penalty?

Tomorrow, we get back to our series, The Gospel Of John – That You May Believe, with a message about Jesus’ cleansing of the temple found in John 2:12-25, entitled, “The Authority Of Jesus.”  The Apostle John continues on with his theme of proving Jesus is God by demonstrating his authority in three different ways in this passage.  I’m looking forward to preaching this.

Also, speaking of Memorial Day weekend, Moses Hill Cemetery will have their service tomorrow afternoon at 3:00.  It’s always a meaningful, well done ceremony.  

And then finally, Vacation Bible School, “Emerald Crossing – An Irish Adventure Through Psalm 23,” for PreK-6th Grade, starts this Tuesday, May 26, and runs through Friday, May 29, from 9:15-11:30 in the mornings.  Early registration is not required but is always helpful.  You can register through Holcomb’s Facebook, our website, holcombchurch.com, or by scanning the QR code on the flyer in the foyer. 

We’re heading into a great week!  Looking forward to it, and seeing you all tomorrow!

Remembering Our Soldiers And Our Savior

Randy

P.S. – Last week I wrote about my wife Fran’s ocular melanoma, eye cancer.  We went to the eye surgeon at the University of Iowa this past Tuesday, and thankfully, praise the Lord, Fran’s scans were clear!  The cancer has not metastasized to other places in her body.  By mid-June, Fran will have a radiation treatment that should eradicate the cancer.  Praise the Lord for His faithfulness to us during this time!  Thank you so much for your prayers!