THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
Why do we celebrate Christmas? In chapters 1 and 2 of Genesis, we have the pleasant view of the holiness and happiness of our first parents, Adam and Eve. We see the grace and favor of God and the peace and beauty of the whole creation, all good, very good; but in chapter 3 the scene changes. We have here an account of the sin and misery of our first parents, the wrath and curse of God against them, the peace of the creation disturbed, and its beauty stained and soiled, all bad, very bad. Our Creator gave but one command to preserve our innocence. "Do not eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. If you do you will surely die." Innocent Eve was deceived and tempted to doubt God by Satan through the serpent. She and Adam yielded to that temptation, that is they willfully sinned against God. Their innocence was lost and their sin nature born. Judgment was pronounced: Banishment from the Garden of Eden now and eventual death. This was a sentence against them and their offspring, all humanity, or "the Fall" of man. This is the condition we're born into, slaves to sin and bound to death--lovers of the world and its values and not lovers of God. A child does not have to be taught disobedience. It's in the DNA. Genesis 3:15 tells us that though the world now is Satan's domain there will be one to come, a Savior. Through Him God will restore hatred (enmity) of evil (the world) and love for Him in His people. God initially provided the system of animal sacrifice to show the cost of sin, which is death and how His people would be saved, through the death of another. It is said that at the annual Passover in Jerusalem blood flowed like a river from the sacrifices made for so much sin, but they were only temporary substitutes allowed until the real sacrifice came. In the Gospels of the New Testament, we're told of that coming. Jesus came in obedience to God's plan to pay a sin debt He did not owe. As God the Son, He broke no commands and gave His life as a ransom for all who would repent and follow Him, promising His Holy Spirit to enable them. God accepted His payment by raising Him from the dead and restoring Him to Heaven, and you also will be raised from the dead and restored to heaven if you follow Him. At Christmas we celebrate the fulfilling of God's promise in the birth of Jesus, the gift of Eternal life (Matthew 1-2). It requires our willingness to turn from sinning and live as He teaches in faith (Mark 1:15). Repent and trust in Jesus sincerely, and He will give you His spirit to live this new life and seal your future in heaven. Come! Colby Reeves - Evangel Member Evangel Church PCA evangelchurchpca.org
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THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
Are we truly thankful? Washington's Thanksgiving Day Proclamation (delivered in New York, 3 October 1789) “By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation. Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor-- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness. Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be.” This is the first part of George Washington's Thanksgiving Day proclamation in 1789, requested by Congress, acknowledging God as the giver of all things good and everyone's duty to acknowledge, obey and be grateful for our freedom and his blessing. Do we understand this today? Though God's goodness is easily seen, our sins make us incompatible with a Holy God. "The wages of sin is death" (Roman's 6:23). Our sin debt makes entry to heaven impossible (as stated in Matthew 19:26) and God's goodness all the more amazing. Genesis 3 says Adam and Eve rebelled and brought sin and death to us. Yet God, out of goodness, alludes to a Savior who was revealed fully in the New Testament as Jesus, the Son of God. He came in obedience to the Father's plan and took on himself the penalty of sin that we deserve, and He died on the cross and now credits His perfect righteousness to those who will believe and follow him. That's right! When we repent and trust in Christ, He credits His death as payment for our sin and gives us His righteousness for entry into heaven. The result is, we no longer obey out of fear but out of love and gratitude. As Thanksgiving approaches and we remember the thanks due to God, may we realize the full extent of His blessing through Jesus and the obedience due to Him which reveals true thankfulness (see Romans 12:1-2 and John 14:15). Delay no longer if you don't know Jesus. Come sincerely willing to trust and follow Him and He will receive you with an everlasting love. Colby Reeves - Evangel Member Evangel we offer various Bible studies by our Pastors and Elders to learn further how to live for Jesus. All are welcome at Evangel Church! Evangel Church PCA 205-664-0889 evangelchurchpca.org The Christian Life
Responding to a World Full of Self-Centeredness In an era dominated by self-interest, the Christian response is illuminated through the teachings of Jesus Christ. A pivotal moment is recounted in the Gospel of Luke, where Jesus, upon being asked, "Who is my neighbor?" presents the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37). This narrative not only transcends time but also profoundly outlines our duty to aid our neighbors—defined as anyone in need. This parable's enduring legacy is evident in its influence on modern "Good Samaritan" laws, designed to protect those endeavoring to assist others. However, its core message urges us to contemplate the depth of assistance required. By selecting a Samaritan as the protagonist, Jesus challenges prevailing prejudices, exemplifying that kindness should extend even to those we may consider adversaries, in alignment with His teachings in Luke 6:27. The Samaritan's actions—tending to the wounds of a despised stranger and ensuring his continued care—exemplify the principle of "going the extra mile," a concept Jesus Himself introduced in Matthew 5:41. This principle advocates for a complete commitment to fulfilling others' needs, beyond superficial aid. It distinguishes between temporary relief and sustainable support, highlighting the importance of empowerment over mere provision. Christians are called to embody this ethos in various ways, including fostering and adoption, community engagement in inner cities, and missionary work that encompasses both spiritual guidance and practical skills training. These actions reflect Jesus's command to love our neighbors fully and selflessly. Paul echoes this sentiment in Philippians 2:4, urging believers to prioritize the interests of others. He illustrates this through the example of Jesus, who, embodying humility and obedience, sacrificed Himself for humanity's salvation. This ultimate act of love sets the standard for our interactions, reminding us that to truly love our neighbor is to emulate Christ's unconditional love and sacrifice. Marty Hayes, Evangel Member Evangel Church PCA offers various Bible studies led by our Pastors and Elders on being a good neighbor. All are welcome to join and deepen their understanding of this vital aspect of Christian life. Visit Evangel Evangel Church PCA 423 Thompson Rd., Alabaster, AL 35007 Tel: 205-664-0889 Learn More |
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