I'm Guilty!

Open Mouth, Insert Foot.  The awkward feeling you get when you say, or do something that makes someone else uncomfortable, or offended.  

I ran across this viral video this week, and I do hope you take the time to watch it.  It is a reminder that, to use another person's video response, "God don't make no junk."

http://news.yahoo.com/mothers-inspiring-video-blind-baby-son-173140041--abc-news-parenting.html

One of the most horrendous things I have ever done was make up a rhyme as a child and sing it to a very dear friend of mine.  That doesn't seem so bad, making up a rhyme, but the contents of the rhyme was just awful!  I didn't even realize it at the time, but looking back, I am sure it killed the girl's spirit.  I truly loved her, and was always so happy to see her in serendipitous places in later years.  I was more happy to see her than she was me, most likely.

The 2-line rhyme used her name, and her last name rhymed with tail as in,"stinkin' ole cow's tail."  Wow, once I realized this, I immediately tried to find her.  I even sent a Christmas card to the last known address only to have it "returned to sender, address unknown."

During my daily obituary reading, I found her.  My dear Jonie had died around Christmas time from complications due to diabetes.  Oh boy, she never knew how sorry I was for the offense, and I almost sent her family an apology, but thought it might make things worse instead of better for them.

However, my heart is tender.  Even during my childhood years, I sensed moments that needed compassion.  Rachael was a girl with very dry hands that pealed.  I'm thinking allergies because my younger sister had the same thing years later.  NO ONE would hold her hand, and I always did.  You know little girls, they seem to enjoy holding hands.

Elma was a girl in my class who came from a very poor family.  She never had any extra money for juice, so I asked my mom if I could I take an extra nickel so she could have juice.  I was so happy that she was just one of the gang drinking juice at recess.

I'm not sharing these things stroke my own ego, but asking you to reflect to determine where you could have done things differently.  From those poor choices in how we deal with certain situations, we can grow and be better prepared to handle future situations, just like people who come in contact with Lacey and Christian.

Physical disabilities are just so hard to hide.  My dear friend, Lisa, suffers from a congenital defect: she lacks arms and legs.  Yet, she is a powerhouse and affectionately known as Taz to those who know and love her.  She writes with her feet which are connected by ankles to her hip bones.  She is TRULY the most amazing person I have ever known.  She drives, has a master's degree, and is retired from a major university after working in the department of disabilities helping others who struggle.

We are fearfully, and wonderfully made.  We all struggle, and some more so than others, but God has a plan.  Please be courteous, patient, and mannerly when you see someone out of the ordinary.  We ALL have feelings!

More than religion: opposition and influence

Are we prepared to place our life on the line for Christ?  Are we prepared to bear fruit, and make decisions to glorify God at the risk of persecution?  Matthew 11-16

 A Master's Moment

Being faithful to God means not playing it safe, and facing our fear of opposition.  God promises a blessing for being persecuted for his sake.  Matthew 5:11-12

Christians are not to be a subculture: We are to be out in the world, but no of the world.  Our mission is to be a beacon of light for those in darkness.

The following testimony wasn't a part of the sermon on Sunday, but it fits perfectly in this message. Bro. Tony used Bubba Watson, Master's Golf Tournament as an illustration.

Professor : You are a Christian, aren’t you, son ?

Student : Yes, sir.

Professor: So, you believe in GOD ?

Student : Absolutely, sir.

Professor : Is GOD good ?

Student : Sure.

Professor: Is GOD all powerful ?

Student : Yes.

Professor: My brother died of cancer even though he prayed to GOD to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But GOD didn’t. How is this GOD good then? Hmm?

(Student was silent.)

Professor: You can’t answer, can you ? Let’s start again, young fella. Is GOD good?

Student : Yes.

Professor: Is satan good ?

Student : No.

Professor: Where does satan come from ?

Student : From … GOD …

Professor: That’s right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world?

Student : Yes.

Professor: Evil is everywhere, isn’t it ? And GOD did make everything. Correct?

Student : Yes.

Professor: So who created evil ?

(Student did not answer.)

Professor: Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the world, don’t they?

Student : Yes, sir.

Professor: So, who created them ?

(Student had no answer.)

Professor: Science says you have 5 Senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Tell me, son, have you ever seen GOD?

Student : No, sir.

Professor: Tell us if you have ever heard your GOD?

Student : No , sir.

Professor: Have you ever felt your GOD, tasted your GOD, smelt your GOD? Have you ever had any sensory perception of GOD for that matter?

Student : No, sir. I’m afraid I haven’t.

Professor: Yet you still believe in Him?

Student : Yes.

Professor : According to Empirical, Testable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says your GOD doesn’t exist. What do you say to that, son?

Student : Nothing. I only have my faith.

Professor: Yes, faith. And that is the problem Science has.

Student : Professor, is there such a thing as heat?

Professor: Yes.

Student : And is there such a thing as cold?

Professor: Yes.

Student : No, sir. There isn’t.

(The lecture theater became very quiet with this turn of events.)

Student : Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat. But we don’t have anything called cold. We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can’t go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold. Cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.

(There was pin-drop silence in the lecture theater.)

Student : What about darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as darkness?

Professor: Yes. What is night if there isn’t darkness?

Student : You’re wrong again, sir. Darkness is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light. But if you have no light constantly, you have nothing and its called darkness, isn’t it? In reality, darkness isn’t. If it is, well you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn’t you?

Professor: So what is the point you are making, young man ?

Student : Sir, my point is your philosophical premise is flawed.

Professor: Flawed ? Can you explain how?

Student : Sir, you are working on the premise of duality. You argue there is life and then there is death, a good GOD and a bad GOD. You are viewing the concept of GOD as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, Science can’t even explain a thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing.

Death is not the opposite of life: just the absence of it. Now tell me, Professor, do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?

Professor: If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, yes, of course, I do.

Student : Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?

(The Professor shook his head with a smile, beginning to realize where the argument was going.)

Student : Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor. Are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you not a scientist but a preacher?

(The class was in uproar.)

Student : Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the Professor’s brain?

(The class broke out into laughter. )

Student : Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor’s brain, felt it, touched or smelt it? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established Rules of Empirical, Stable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says that you have no brain, sir. With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir?

(The room was silent. The Professor stared at the student, his face unfathomable.)

Professor: I guess you’ll have to take them on faith, son.

Student : That is it sir … Exactly ! The link between man & GOD is FAITH. That is all that keeps things alive and moving.

P.S.

I believe you have enjoyed the conversation. And if so, you’ll probably want your friends / colleagues to enjoy the same, won’t you?

Forward this to increase their knowledge … or FAITH.

By the way, that student was EINSTEIN.


Beatitude Christians

Continuing the Sermon on the Mount after sharing the Beatitudes, and what it means to be a Beatitude Christian, Christ was explaining the mission of being a Beatitude Christian.  Christians shouldn't be closet Christians, but, in boldness, go out an minister to the world.

Unfortunately, the world may not want to be ministered to, and Christians stand the chance of being persecuted, and may only have one moment of influence.  But, that influence may lay the foundation for others along the way, and/or serve as a seed which may grow into a Faith in Christ.

Boldness doesn't mean being offensive, or self-righteous.  And, facing persecution leads to great eternal reward, and being counted among the faithful.

Salt and Light

We must maintain redemptive contact to bear influence for Christ.

Salt not only was used as a flavoring tool, but as a preservative during the life and times of Christ.  While Christians should be the salt of the earth to add God's flavor among it's people, Christians should set the right example and influence others to make real everlasting change.  This redemptive contact should evoke spiritual hunger in others.  They want what you have for eternal preservation.

Light is designed to illuminate darkness.  And, as Einstein cited above, darkness is nothing: it's the absence of light.  God's light should so shine through us, that non-believers will want to dispel the darkness in their own lives.

 Dispelling Darkness

We must be different through Christ to make a difference for Christ.  And, Christ warns us that salt is only good when it has the ability to flavor and preserve.  Once salt looses its flavor, it is discarded.

All too many times, non-believers insist that Christians are hypocrites.  Christians have the same problems non-believers do: divorce, adultery, immorality, addiction, etc.   Just when a non-believer needs the Church, the Church proves they are no better than non-believers.  This is NOT the way a Beatitude Church, or Christian should be perceived.

Christians are not better, just forgiven, but we must try to live up to the standard Jesus set, and as He instructed through those Beatitudes.  Darkness can't dispel light, and Christians can't live in darkness, and by hiding the light we are as ineffective as salt, and should be cast aside.

Christians must guard their lives, without compromise, to walk with Jesus, without fear, to reach people Heart to Heart, and Life to Life.  It's our mission!

Recap of message, Rev. Tony Chester, Far Hills Community Church, Centerville, Ohio.  www.farhills.org  4/15/2012. eca

First Importance

Is Multitasking a good thing?  According to a Stanford study, it is society's way of reconciling distraction?  So, keep your eyes on what is of First Importance. 

Something of "First Importance" demands full attention. Paul, the apostle, in his letter to Corinth, explains the death of Jesus and His resurrection as being of First Importance.   1 Corinthians 15:1-21


Doctrine

The basis for Christianity is that of a Living Resurrected Christ.  Jesus died for humanity as atonement for sins.  God accepted the perfectly lived life of His son as pure righteousness because Jesus lived fully up to the Law of God.  Christ died, was buried, and was raised from the dead on the third day.  Spiritual death was defeated for those who believe, and receive the GRACE that Jesus bought for us on the Cross.  Had Jesus not been raised from the dead, it would not have fulfilled God's acceptance of righteous payment for our sin.

Humanity is under the curse of original sin brought about by the disobedience of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden.  We are sinners by birth, and have inherited a sinful nature.  This created a chasm between God and man.  Religion is a way man tries to bridge that gap.  Technically, it attempts to make us feel better about our sinful nature. 

Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.  But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. Isaiah 59:1-2  (biblegateway.com)

Fact 1 - God is Just - God can NOT ignore His own law.
Fact 2 - God is Love -
Fact 3 - God's Love and Justice met at the Cross - God is the only one who deals realistically with our sin.  We disobey the Gospels to attempt to reconcile our sin.  We don't see sin the way God does.

Ish: 53:4-6
1 Peter 3:18
2 Cor 5:18-21
1 Cor 15:4


Historical

There were many eyewitnesses to the resurrected Christ.  Paul, formerly known as Saul, discusses the number of people that Christ revealed his glorified body to after his resurrection


and that he appeared to Cephas, (Peter) and then to the Twelve (disciples). After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living (at the time of his letter), though some have fallen asleep (already died).  Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles,  and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. 1 Cor 15:5-8 (biblegateway.com)

Paul used the words "fallen asleep" because he realized the significance of Christ's death and resurrection.  Believers are not dead any longer, just sleeping in Christ.

Paul's inclusion of "abnormally born" was his way of recognizing the gossip going on that he, Paul, was not a true apostle because he wasn't of the first 12 disciples.  Paul, formerly Saul, was responsible for the persecution of the Church, and the stoning of Stephen.  It was on the road to Damascus that God's magnificence blinded him and his conversion changed his life.

James was the 1/2 brother of Jesus, and having to grown up with a brother claiming to be the Messiah was a bit disheartening for him.  He thought he was mentally ill in some ways, but after Jesus appeared to his brother, he realized that Jesus was, in fact, the risen Messiah.

Peter was a coward, hot-headed, and impetuous.  But, Peter became the Rock upon which the church was built, and one of the greatest apostles for Christ.  He preached the magnificent Sermon at Pentecost, and was crucified upside down because he felt he was in no way good enough to be like Jesus, who was crucified upright.

Repentence, Faith, and Service - An encounter with the Resurrected Christ

Paul recognized his sin, honestly repented, and declared himself hopeless without Christ.  These passages in 1 Corinthians preached against a fake faith, but for a true reliance on the risen Christ.  And, our service should be a lifestyle not a one day affair.


Easter Sunday service recap, Rev. Tony Chester, Far Hills Community Church, Dayton/Centerville, Ohio. 4/8/12  www.farhills.org

Persecution and Righteouness

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Matt. 5:10 (Biblegateway.com)


Ending the Sermon on the Mount series, this last Beatitude has the same promise as first one, "for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

 During the time of Christ, Israel was following the Laws of God.  These laws were given to Moses after the Jewish people were liberated from Pharoah's 400 year enslavement.  The Levites, or priestly tribe, were responsible for assisting the people follow the law in order to obtain atonement for unrighteousness. 

God's chosen people also knew that a Messiah would come and usher in a Kingdom of Peace.  So, when Jesus came on the scene proclaiming to be the Messiah, many people had doubts that He was the Messiah.

 Jesus' Sermon on the Mount shook the very foundation of their beliefs.  Yet, the people could relate to much of what he said especially the concept of persecution.  Jewish people were being persecuted by the Romans during this time.  So, the Jews were responsible for following, not only Jewish religious law, but Roman law as well.

 Jesus redefines righteousness

What is righteousness?  Are we good enough?

Merriam-Webster defines righteous as acting in accord with divine or moral law : free from guilt or sin: morally right or justifiable, and/or arising from an outraged sense of justice or morality.    

Jesus equates righteousness with himself.  He is saying that righteousness comes from him.  So, when we hunger and thirst after righteousness, we are hungering and thirsting for Jesus.    Therefore, the Beatitudes are a picture of Jesus, and we are to reflect that picture of Jesus/righteousness because it was giving to us to take the place of the laws and acts associated with the Law of God.

Read these Bible verses, and gain a new understanding of Righteousness by remember JESUS = Righteousness

Romans 10:14              
Romans 8:10
Galatians 2:21
Philippians 1:11
1 Corinthians 1:30-31
Philippians 3:9-10
Romans 5:21
1 Peter 3:18
2 Corinthians 5:21


Jesus redefines persecution 

The Jews, during the time, feared for their lives because of Roman persecution.  Right now, in our country, Christian persecution has begun.

(Here are some stories, I, personally, will share)

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/california-city-fines-couple-for-holding-bible-study-in-their-home/ http://www.theblaze.com/stories/man-arrested-outside-calif-dmv-for-reading-his-bible-out-loud/

We must expect to walk the same road as Christ.  John 15:20 states, "Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also."

God is Sovereign: He causes things to happen, and He allows things to happen.  We may not understand.  We may ask, "Why God is this happening to me?" But, God has a plan for each of us, and that plan may include persecution for "His sake."


2 Corinthians 4:7-12 states: "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.  For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. (Biblegateway.com)

We are the jars of clay, and the treasure is our salvation.  We are fragile, yet Jesus is strong, and our desire should be to apologize for our past sin, crucify our old life, walk with Him, and reflect Christ in our day to day living.  


James 1:12 states, "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."  (Biblegateway.com)

Trust the process

Jesus saved us and continues to hold us in His Saving Grace.  Everything that is going on in our lives, good are bad, if it points to Jesus is ALL good. 

I can think of a verse here that reiterates it perfectly,  Paul writes in his letter to the Philippians
"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."  Philippians 1:21 (Biblegateway.com)

King David: A man after God's own heart.

Warning: Reading this may cause heart problems. Christian viewpoint on King David, forgiveness, love, and choosing God's own heart.

By Carolyn Roberson - Saturday 19 Nov 2011

Growing up, I decided if I ever had twin boys, I would name them Mark, and David. Mark after the character Mark McCain, Lucas McCain’s son on the Rifleman, and, David from King David of the Bible. I didn’t have twin boys, and my three sons hold the names, Kris, Heath, and Wes.

If you read the Bible, you realize there are soap opera type events that would make wonderful Hollywood action movies, or chic flicks. One Night with the King is one such movie! And, one of the most memorable, and beloved movies of all time is The Ten Commandments, starring Charlton Heston, and Yul Brenner.

King David always has been my favorite Biblical character. Not character in the fictitious sense, but character because of his humanity, and need for God’s grace which was unavailable through Jesus Christ during his lifetime.

King David is said to be a man after God’s own heart. I’ve always wondered just exactly what that meant. Was his heart so in tuned to God’s that it was similar, or was he after, or seeking, the heart of God in an attempt to understand it, grasp it, and make it his own? Maybe a bit of both, I would say.
I’m not a theologian, nor am I a writer. I just know David was a man, a human, completely vulnerable, and fallible. He made mistakes, but he loved God. He made poor decisions, but he loved God. He sought God’s grace, guidance, and forgiveness.

Just like King David, we make mistakes, and poor decisions. We do things that are not pleasing to God, but just like David, we can seek God and ask for forgiveness. He will hear our prayers, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness if we only ask.

But, our actions have consequences, as did David’s. David didn’t get to rebuild the temple: it fell upon his son, Solomon. We, too, have to live in the wake of our actions be it good or bad. Our path is made of previous steps.

Too often we ask, why is this happening to me? Or why would God allow something like this to happen to me? Perhaps, it isn’t something God has done, but the consequences of our previous actions. To this day, fifteen years later, I’m still living with the consequences of a particular decision. The wake I ride is rough, and my life would be so much easier if I could go back and circumvent that particular day. Yet, my path was made by my decision to step off the path God intended.

Jesus Christ, God’s son, and Savior of mankind, comes from the lineage of Kind David. This is a perfect example of how good things can come from a life gone sour. You can turn your life around.
Not only can we ask God to forgive us, we must be willing to forgive ourselves. The inability to forgive ourselves creates self-loathing, and diminished self-esteem, which greatly affects our relationships with both God and each other.

Mental health issues are on the rise. Bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other chemical or genetic disorders are not the issue here. But, many mental health issues are a result of internal conflict, which can be fixed with counseling. Mothers cause deep seeded problems, fathers abandon their families, or brothers and sisters cannot get along for various reasons. All of these things have a root cause and many can be fixed with forgiveness through love.

Like King David, our path may not be the one intended, but good things can come along on the way. Our past may haunt us forever, but it is never too late to create a new and better path. God can offer forgiveness through His son, Jesus Christ, and offer love like you have never known, if you seek his heart and make it your own.

The Hunger Cycle

Beatitude Four: Hunger and Thirst

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6 (NIV)

This is the fourth beatitude from the Sermon on the Mount.  Jesus was preaching to a multitude which was fed with the blessings from the 5 loaves and 2 fish, a miracle in itself.

This morning in service, Bro. Chester shared statistics on World Hunger.  Prefacing his recount with the statement that "Hunger is the greatest motivation in the world."

A few statistics borrowed from the UN website:

Hunger is the number 1 health risk in the world today, that is more than aids victims, malaria sufferers, and tuberculosis carriers combined.

There are approximate 900 million to 1 billion people hungry in the world. That is the equivalent to the population of Canada, the US, and the European Union states combined.

1 in 7 people are hungry at any given time

1 in 4 are children

15 million children, alone, die each year from hunger 


Most everyone in the US has sufficient food and water sources, so most of citizens don't know what it is like to be truly hungry, or thirsty.  So, we really can't relate to this level of physical suffering.

In Jesus day, meat was only eaten, on average, once a week.  And, water supplies were rare.  That is why someone owning a well, or the mention of a well, in the Bible was such a big deal, or "hot commodity" as Bro. Chester shared.


Hunger and Thirst are Signs of Life  - the dead know no hunger.

For many customs, burying the dead with food and beverage stores are quite common; however, if the tomb is opened, one will see that those items are still there, totally unused by the dead.

So, to be hungry, and/or thirsty is to truly be alive.  We have to meet those physical requirements to remain alive.  Spiritually, those requirements are necessary to spiritual living, and growth.  We should be hungry, and thirsty after spiritual things.

All too many people are hungering and thirsting, but are seeking that fulfillment through worldly means, or temporary filling instead of eternal filling.  It is the religion of instant gratification.  (sex, drugs, alcohol, and other extreme obsessions) None of these things bring inner satisfaction or peace with God.


Our number one need is to Know God - we need to crave righteousness

We are legally disqualified to be justified as sinners.   But, through Jesus sacrifice, and the fulfillment of the atonement plan God enacted, God can create a new heart, and we can be justified into righteousness.  Jesus took our sin for us.

When we hunger and thirst, we are satisfied for the moment, but that hunger and thirst returns.  So, should our spiritual hunger return.  We should never be satisfied with our current level of personal, moral and spiritual status.  It should always be wanting more, and growing in God's Grace.

We, also, should desire to see our society growing in a positive way.  Leading by example, doing what is right and good should be our lifestyle.  And, we should be burdened with the lack of Godlessness in our society.  We should be world Christians and missionaries in our own community and ambassadors for Christ.


Hunger and Thirst grow from a need from poverty, mourning, and meekness - the first 3 Beatitudes.

We should ask ourselves:

1 - How much do we want to perform God's will?  We must deny our own will, but to what extent?

2 - Are we asking half-heartedly for repentance, and living a life of righteousness?

3 - Are you asking yourself what happened to your passion and desire for God?

If we constantly desire to please Him, we will constantly be filled.

Bible verses to study regarding this topic

Galatians 6:9

2 Peter 1:5-8

Romans 5: 1-5

Matthew 6:33

Beatitude Two: Mourning

Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.  Matthew 5:4

This is the second beatitude from the Sermon on the Mount.  Jesus delivered this sermon which was proceeded by the miracle of the five loaves and two fish, which Jesus blessed and fed the multitude having 12 full baskets of food left, one for the disciples. 


Pastor Chester, or Brother Tony, started off the sermon sharing the daunting task of informing a family that their son had been killed in a construction accident at work, and the heaviness and despair he felt in having to do so.  His emotions were high, and he was weeping even retelling the story.  I could only think of our Sweet Raymond and his accident which claimed his young life.  But, PRAISE GOD!, each of these two young men are now in heaven and in a perfect relationship with God the Father, His Son, our Savior, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit; not to mention family, friends, biblical saints, and others.

Mourning comes from the Greek word ###, (I couldn't remember it), and it means an ultimate devastating loss.  Here, I was distracted by the movie, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and the father saying that all language can be traced by to its Greek roots, which is why I actually missed the word itself.  Satan does everything he can to knock you off track, huh!?

Bro. Tony equated that loss with the loss Jacob felt when the brothers brought Joseph's coat covered in sheep's blood, when in actuality Joseph had been sold into slavery by his brothers.  Jacob's heart was broken, and was experiencing utter, devastating loss, and grief for his beloved, and favorite son.

Echoes of the Loss of Eden - Humanity's journey from Bliss to Grace.

God had created man and woman to walk in perfect harmony, and communication with Him, and because humanity chose to turn from that perfection and exercise free will, humanity lost its intended relationship with our Creator, Father God.   This is the ultimate loss, and the main reason to mourn.  Sin has broken the relationship between God and Man.

Man has the need to ignore loss, despair, or any other negative emotion.  We tend to run from it, hid from it, and package it in pretty paper just to keep from experiencing it.  But, if we do not allow ourselves to mourn, we can not experience the blessing of comfort.  Comfort from God results in Supreme Joy, and human happiness.

One thing worse than sin - denial of sin

When we deny that we are sinful by nature, and we do not sin, or maybe even sin just a bit, but not as bad as some other people, we make forgiveness impossible.

We truly must mourn our sin, and confess and repent that sin to our loving and forgiving God, through Jesus Christ.  Once we do that, we can be we forgiven and cleansed from our unrighteousness.

Just as the Prodigal Son's blew the blessings of inheritance his father had intended for him, so we squander and blow the blessings of inheritance our Heavenly Father bestows upon us.  God's love and forgiveness is SO much greater than we can possible imagine.

Revelation to Genesis - No occasion of loss and mourning is the final word!

We can be restored to the beginning.  Just as our tears will be wiped away in eternity, those tears can be wiped way on earth.  Glory! IS the final word.  If we mourn the right loss, every loss will be comforted. 

Jesus was distressed during the Sermon on the Mount because some came just for food, and fellowship, but not the meat of the message, and fellowship with God himself.  Are we like that?  Do we live our lives for the fellowship of the Saints, yet ignore the need for living water, the meat of the Gospel?

Isaiah 61: 1-2 (reference verse here)

The Year of the LORD’s Favor

 ¹ The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn.    Taken from Biblegateway.com

In closing

Fortunately, God has sent Jesus, His Son, as away of reconciliation with God.  Our repentance of sin and accepting that Jesus is the only way back restores that link, and reconciles us to God the Father, our Creator.

We must truly recognize our sin, seek repentance, and accept the blessing of comfort for mourning the extent to which we have offended our Creator.  Yes, comfort is a blessing bestowed upon us for true mourning of sin, and repentance.  Until that time, our loss and any subsequent loss can not be comforted.

Don't miss out on your blessing.

Sermon recap from The Beatitudes Series, Rev. Tony Chester, Far Hills Community Church, Feb 19, 2012
www.farhills.org