Woodland
Hills Church of Christ
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Sunday, March 26, 2006 Volume 50, Issue 11 FREEDOM FROM SIN Of all the freedoms one could have, freedom from sin is by far the most important. Jesus showed that true freedom does not exist for one who is in sin by saying, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin." (John 8:34) Christ then showed that he is the only liberator for the problem of sin by saying, "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." (John 8:36) Notice now four aspects of the freedom from sin that Christ offers. Christ offers freedom from the LOVE of sin. When one looks to the cross of Christ he no longer sees sin as an instrument of pleasure, but as an instrument of death. Paul made the connection between the cross and the sins of the world by writing, "Our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin." (Rom. 6:6) How could anyone love that which killed the Son of God? Christ offers freedom from the SERVICE of sin. In the final analysis, all men will choose to serve either Satan or Christ. Paul showed this choice by writing, "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?" (Rom. 6:16) Only through the freedom Christ offers can one stop serving sin. Christ offers freedom from the GUILT of sin. Those to whom Peter preached on Pentecost were carrying with them the guilt of having killed the Son of God. (Acts 2:36) However, their guilt was removed when they were baptized into the name of the very one they had slain. (Acts 2:38) Guilt will wear down all who do not seek the rest Jesus provides. (Matt. 11:28-30) Christ offers freedom from the CONSEQUENCES of sin. The consequence of sin is horrible; "For the wages of sin is death." (Rom. 6:23) However, the good news is that you can be set free from this awful penalty, "...but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Why suffer the consequences of sin when Christ offers you freedom unto life? See You In Bible Class Sunday,
TAFT TALK Spring Retreat Making Music Girls Devotional Much Love,
FAMILY NEWS OUR SICK/HOMEBOUND WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS MOVING VAN OUR RECORD Day Light Savings Time SENIOR ADULT RALLY SERVICE GROUPS ASSIGNMENTS Service Group #3, please turn in your assignment cards from last week. YOU CAN HELP A LIST OF THINGS CHRISTIANS CAN DO
"RICH IN CHRIST" There are many people in the world that have many material things. But the richest of all the people of the world are those who are rich in spiritual things. Paul, the apostle of Christ and servant of God, stands out as one of the richest men who ever lived. Of course, he was not rich in things of this life but rich in spiritual things. He said, "I have all and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God." (Philippians 4:18) Picture Paul in a Roman prison, chains about his legs, his face pale, his hair gray, his body weak, and yet he declared, "I have all and abound: I am full." Paul, from that Roman prison said, "Rejoice in the Lord, and again I say rejoice." (Philippians 4:4.) There were four characteristics that caused Paul to say, "I am full" or I am spiritually rich. These characteristics were: Paul was rich because Jesus had forgiven his sins: Paul had submitted to the will of Christ and had his sins blotted out. The blotting out of sin brought about peace with God. Any person who still has his sins is poor. Paul was rich because he had been forgiven of his sins through Jesus Christ. (Acts 22:16, Colossians 1:13-14) Paul was rich because he had a great work to do for Jesus: Someone has said that the great essentials of life are: something to love, something to hope for, and something to do. Paul involved himself in the greatest work of the entire world. Would to God that brethren could get the same joy out of deep involvement in the work of Christ as Paul did. Paul found that God's work pays the richest dividends of all. He was rich in Christ because he busied himself in good works. His attitude was expressed in the words of 1 Corinthians 15:58. "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." Paul was rich because he never forgot that he was in the presence of God: Paul was willing to cleave to the promise, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." (Hebrews 13:5.) He said, "For there stood by me this night the angel of the Lord, whose I am, whom I serve." (Acts 27:23.) Paul believed that the Lord was with him and that as he went from day to day the Lord not only knew what he was doing and what he was thinking but also was with him as friend with friend. The man indeed is rich who recognizes the presence of God. Paul was rich because heaven was prepared for him: His heart was set on that mansion in heaven. (John 14:1-6) He said, "For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing." (2 Timothy 4:6-8. Paul was rich in Christ because he fought a good fight, finished his race, kept the faith, and looked for that crown which was prepared for him. Not only was Paul rich through Christ but also it is a beautiful thought to understand that today we also can be rich through Christ and His church. Anyone that is willing can be saved. "And the Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!' And let him who hears say, 'Come!' And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely." (Revelation 22:17.) To become a Christian you must hear the gospel and believe (John 6:44-45), repent of sins (Acts 2:38), confess Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized into Christ (Romans 6:3-4). After baptism we must remain faithful. (Revelation 2:10) The Woodland Hills Church of Christ has as its goal the desire to be workmen together with God and His Son Jesus Christ in making many rich through the cleansing of the word. "You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you." (John 15:3.) Are you rich in Christ Jesus?
HAVE YOU SEEN THE TATE FAMILY? Do you know how many of the Tate family belong to our congregation? There is one man, Dictate, who wants to run everything while Uncle Rotate tries to change everything. Their sister, Agitate, stirs up plenty of trouble with help from her husband, Irritate. Whenever new projects are suggested, Hesitate and his wife Vegetate, want to wait until next year. Then there is Aunt Imitate who wants our church to be like all the rest of the churches. Devastate provides the voice of doom while Potentate wants to be a big shot. But not all of the members of the family are bad. Facilitate is quite helpful in church matters, and a delightful member in the family is Miss Felicitate. Cousins Cogitate and Meditate always think things over and lend a helpful, steading hand. And, of course, there is the black sheep of the family, Amputate, who completely cut himself off from the church.
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