Category: Sin

Podcast Number 29

The Apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 7:1 admonishes Christians to purify themselves from filthiness,
and perfect holiness. This lesson describes and explains how this can be accomplished.

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(Gospel Meeting: Mark Mayberry) First in a series of nine lessons based on 1 John 2:15-17. The world is properly defined in the text cited as the “Realm of Sin.”

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UNIONTOWN, Pa. — A youth baseball coach accused of offering an 8-year-old money to bean an autistic teammate so he couldn’t play was convicted Thursday of corruption of minors and criminal solicitation to commit simple assault. Mark R. Downs Jr., 29, was acquitted of criminal solicitation to commit aggravated assault, and the judge declared a mistrial on a reckless endangerment charge. Authorities said Downs offered to pay one of his players $25 to hit a 9-year-old autistic teammate with a ball while warning up before a June 2005 playoff game. Keith Reese Jr. testified about Dons’ offer, saying he purposely threw a ball that hit Harry Bowers in the groin then threw another ball that hit him in the ear on Downs’ instructions.

– The Associated Press

Analysis:

The theft of our air conditioning units a while back got me to wondering how individuals could become so immoral and ungodly that they would, in effect, steal from the Lord. There is so much evil in the world… murders, rape, robbery, racism, violent crime, etc…, that we tend to become numb and rather accepting of its reality. Then something like the theft of our equipment, or this mistreatment of a small child serves to shock us, and raise our indignation toward evil.

It is not so much the severity of the crime. Our units have been replaced, and the insurance covered almost the entire cost. The autistic little boy was not severely injured, and is physically fine. But, the sheer audacity! There are certain things that are universally recognized as worthy of our protection (a small child is one such object), and to see Downs so cavalierly contract out a “hit” (literally) on the child is shocking to us.

In the trial parents testified that Downs frequently complained that the child “brought the team down”, and once asked a parent to call and tell the child’s mother that a game had been cancelled so that the child would not be there to play the 3 inning minimum required in the league’s bylaws. When the mother came to get her son following the two “beanings”, he flippantly told her, “Looks like the balls are after him today!”

Mark Downs has shown himself to be a twisted and perverse individual. There is no justification for his actions, (which are unfortunately not that rare in our society today). He should be locked up, and the key thrown away. He certainly should be precluded from ever coaching or volunteering in any way that would allow him to become involved with small children.

And yet, there is so much worse going on every day. As Christians, we need to be mindful of such evil, and react with indignation to both attacks against the innocent, and against our God. We should use every means to cry out against the indignities and inequities of our society, as did our Lord during his ministry on the earth (cf. Matthew 21:12-13).

Podcast Number 12

It may be that Christians miss out on worldly pleasures as we practice our faith, but it is the one who is lost that is truly impoverished.

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Former ‘N Sync singer Lance Bass has announced he is gay and is in a very stable relationship with “Amazing Race” reality TV star Reichen Lehmkuhl.

The 27-year-old was afraid of coming out during his time with the boy band because he feared his sexuality would damage the group’s commercial prospects.

He tells People magazine, “I knew that I was in this popular band and I had four other guys’ careers in my hand, and I knew that if I ever acted on it or even said (that I was gay), it would overpower everything.

“I didn’t know. Could that be the end of ‘N Sync? So I had that weight on me of like, ‘Wow, if I ever let anyone know, it’s bad.’ So I just never did.”

He adds, “The thing is, I’m not ashamed — that’s the one thing I want to say. I don’t think it’s wrong, I’m not devastated going through this. I’m more liberated and happy than I’ve been my whole life. I’m just happy.

“The main reason I wanted to speak my mind was that (the rumors) really were starting to affect my daily life. Now it feels like it’s on my terms. I’m at peace with my family, my friends, myself and God so there’s really nothing else that I worry about.”

Bass is currently developing a TV sitcom with Fatone in which his character will be gay.

Joey Fatone was the first ‘N Sync member to find out Bass’ sexuality.

Fatone says, “He took years to really think about how he was going to tell everyone. I back him up 100 percent.”

SFGate.com

Analysis:

There is nothing out of the ordinary with the announcement that another entertainer is gay. In fact, in the present climate, it is rather doubtful that the announcement would have had a detrimental effect on the boy band’s popularity, despite Bass’ concerns.

What is worthy of note is Bass’ statement about being at peace with his family, friends, himself and God.

He is at peace with his family and friends because they are among those who “…knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them” (cf. Romans 1:32).

He is at peace with himself because he “because, although [he] knew God, [he] did not glorify Him as God, nor [was he] thankful, but became futile in [his] thoughts, and [his] foolish [heart was] darkened… 24 Therefore God also gave [him] up to uncleanness, in the lusts of [his heart], to dishonor [his body]…” (Roman 1:21,24).

But, he is not at peace with God. He has no right to speak for God. God says, “If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them” (Leviticus 20:13). Homosexuality is an abomination. No man or woman who persists in that sin is at peace with the God of heaven.

Podcast Number 6

The apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 7:11 describes godly sorrow, which leads one to repentance and salvation. Unfortunately sometimes the actions of Christians caught in sin do not match the description given by Paul in this passage.

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In the fourth chapter of Luke’s gospel we have recorded the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. None other than the devil himself (vs. 2) took the opportunity of Jesus’ fast in the wilderness to put stumbling blocks before the Son of God.

The second temptation placed before the Lord, to reject the work of redemption for the glory of the world’s kingdoms, brought this response from Jesus, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve” (vs. 8).

Continue reading ““Get Behind Me, Satan!”” →

Sermon Title: Who pays When I Sin?

Heath Rogers preached this sermon, examing the consequences, to self, family, friends, the church, and even the Lord Himself as a result of sin. Excellent Lesson!

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