The Skinny On Sin

Gracie Allison and Linda Jarvis were celebrating birthdays and we greeted several visitors as we gathered to worship Sunday morning at Mill Creek Baptist Church. Special prayers were requested for many, including Tom and Mildred Sharp. Janet Chaney gave the devotional as she read "Jake the Rancher," a story about talking to God more than just when we are in trouble and need him immediately. Prayers can't be answered unless they are prayed. We need to kneel and pray but it is important that we know God. Scripture was from Matthew 6:32.

Congregational hymns of praise included "The Family of God" and "My Redeemer" with special music from Karen Gardner. Rick Lett and Wayne Johnson served as ushers and collected the offertory. Our pastor, Brother Mark Hall presented Gracie Allison with her Certificate of Baptism.

Brother Mark brought us God's message, "The Skinny on Sin," and read the words of Jesus from John 16:7-13. Brother Mark told us we need truth in our country. The truth of the spirit of the Holy Spirit. "There is so much confusion and deceit in the world because people don't know the truth. Some don't want to know the truth and some are afraid of the truth. Everyone in the world, no matter who they are, has something in common. No matter what or who you are, we all have the same biggest problem and that is sin. Sin is the reason for all of our sin problems. So few people know the truth and not everyone wants to hear it or all of it and some just have their version of it. There are three truths about sin we must remember, the truth about sin, the truth about righteousness and the truth about judgment." In John 16:8-9 Jesus says "And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment; of sin because they do not believe in Me."

Brother Mark told us we must lay down our pride and let Jesus teach us the truth about sin. "We have to have an absolute and that is the word of God, not the opinion of man. We were born with the nature of sin as it talks about in Ephesians 2:1-3." Brother Mark continued, "A Christian may lapse into sin and loathes it and is guilt ridden. A sinner leaps into sin and loves it. A man is not a sinner because he sins, he sins because he is a sinner. We are not just sinners because of what we have done but also because of what we are capable of doing. It would be easier to forgive others if we remember what we are capable of, too.

Are you more apt to be disappointed with people for doing wrong or pleased with people when they do right?" As Brother Mark talked about working cattle, he said, "Calves will kick and sinners will sin."

Romans 3:23 says "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Brother Mark reminded us that small sins are still sins. "We are all sinners because of what we did and what we didn't do when we were capable. God created us to love, serve and know God. The greatest sin is that of unbelief. Unbelief is refusing the almighty God and the proof is man's wickedness. Unbelief is the sin that condemns us. Unbelief is not an intellectual sin, it comes form the heart. (Hebrews 3:12-13) If sin is our biggest problem, then the reason for sin is unbelief. If a man really believes God exists and sees all he does will he still steal, do drugs, speak ill of his neighbor and stay home from church?" (Romans 7:14 through 8:10) Brother Mark continued by telling us that sin has us in its grasp.

"Christians sometimes become burdened with guilt because they hear about the perfect sin-free life. When you live as a Christian, you don't have to do it on your own. Sin is everyone's problem. Righteousness is everyone's answer. Jesus didn't just come to heal and teach. He came to save those who are lost and to provide righteousness for sinners. (Luke 19:10) The world believes that a man is a sinner if he does wrong and he is righteous if he does right. The world also believes that if our good works outweigh our bad works then we go to heaven when we die. That is because we try to establish our own standard for righteousness. (Galatians 2:21) If we could be saved by doing good works, Jesus wouldn't have had to die on the cross for our sins." (John 3:16)

Brother Mark told us there are three things that will happen to us when we believe in Jesus Christ. "First, He changes what we are. (II Corinthians 5:17-21). Second, He forgives what we have done. (Hebrews 9:24-28). Third, He gives us what we need the most. (Romans 4:5) When we believe in Jesus Christ, an account is opened for us in heaven in our name. Jesus deposits righteousness into our account and that is what we need the most. Whey do we have to have it? Because of judgment, because we all sin. We will be judged according to the righteousness of God. God made Jesus to be sin for us so we could be the righteousness of God for our account."

In closing, Brother Mark said, "We are all sinners and we all need righteousness so when we get to the judgment we can draw out of our account that Jesus put there for us. It just takes belief. (John 3:16). Do you have that account in heaven? When you confess before men your faith in Jesus Christ, He will profess you before the Father."

Our hymn of invitation was "Without Him" and Steve Mason gave the benediction. We invite you to worship with us at Mill Creek Baptist Church. Next Sunday we will have a guest speaker as Ron Mackey will talk about the Missouri Baptist Home. Sunday school begins at 10 a.m. and worship service at 11 a.m.