 |
|
An
Outreach Publication of the Church of Christ at
Creekwood |
|
Legend
has it that Frank Sinatra was buried in a blue suit
with a roll of ten dimes – At the age of 19, Frank Sinatra, Jr. was kidnapped on December 8, 1963. The kidnappers demanded payment of a large ransom from his father. They also demanded that Sinatra contact them only by pay phone. Thus Sinatra carried a roll of dimes with him throughout the ordeal. Carrying a roll of dimes became a lifelong habit for him. In order to secure his son’s freedom, Sinatra paid the kidnappers' $240,000 ransom demand. His son was released unharmed, two days after he had been kidnapped, on December 10. The kidnappers were later captured, prosecuted, convicted, and sentenced to long prison terms. * The Sinatra’s distressing experience pictures an even GREATER ordeal… Because of OUR wrong choices, you and I have become trapped in our SIN. James describes the progression of our demise with these words: “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death” (James 1:14-15). By seeking to satisfy our own selfish desires, we have placed ourselves in the captive hands of Satan. The only way we can be released from this terrible trap is through the payment of a ransom. But the ransom price is so astronomical, that none of us can pay the price from our own resources. The good news (the Gospel) is that "the Son of Man (Jesus Christ) did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28). He died on the cross for our sins to pay the ransom so that you and I can be set free from the bondage of sin (see 1 Peter 1:18-19). “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7). To receive the benefits of His redemptive sacrifice, we must accept HIS offer on HIS terms: believing in Him (Acts 16:30-31), turning from our sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confessing Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and being baptized (immersed) in His name for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16). To continue to enjoy the freedom from sin’s bondage that Christ has provided, we must continue to strive to follow Him faithfully (1 John 1:7), lest we become entangled again in sin’s trap (2 Peter 2:20-22). “Kidnapped” by our own desires, we don’t have to remain trapped in this torturous, deadly captivity. Because of the great love of the Heavenly Father, the ransom has been paid through the death of His Son, Jesus. And, if we accept His offer of grace, we can be set free! Will you accept His offer? David A. Sargent, Minister Church
of Christ at Creekwood "Many thanks to Gary Hampton, Director of East Tennessee School of Preaching and Missions, for sharing this story with us!" * Information gleaned from Answers.com and Wikipedia.com To Subscribe to "Living Water" send a blank e-mail to:
HTML version: subscribe-livingwater@lyris.dundee.net Follow this link to locate the church of Christ nearest you: www.churchzip.com Archived issues of "Living Water" can be accessed from our website at: www.creekwoodcc.org
|