America the Beautiful (Atop Pike's Peak)

America the Beautiful, or so you used to be.
Land of the Pilgrim’s pride; I’m glad they’ll never see
Babies piled in dumpsters, Abortion on demand;
Oh, sweet land of liberty, your house is on the sand.
Our children wander aimlessly, poisoned by cocaine,
Choosing to indulge their lusts, when God has said “Abstain”.
From sea to shining sea, our Nation turns away
From the teaching of God’s love and a need to always pray.
So many worldly preachers tell lies about our Rock,
Saying God is going broke - so they can fleece the flock.
We’ve kept god in our temples; how callous we have grown,
When earth is but His footstool, and Heaven is His throne.
We’ve voted in a government that’s rotting at the core,
Appointing Godless Judges who throw reason out the door,
Too “soft” to place a killer in a well-deserved tomb,
But brave enough to kill a baby before he leaves the womb.
You think that God’s not angry, that our land’s a moral slum?
How much longer will He wait before His judgment comes?
How are we to face our God, from Whom we cannot hide?
What then is left for us to do, but stem this evil tide?
If we who are His children, will humbly turn and pray;
Seek His holy face and mend our evil way:
Then God will hear from Heaven and forgive us of our sins.
He’ll heal our sickly land – and those who live within.
But, America the Beautiful, if you don’t, then you will see
A sad but Holy God will then withdraw His hand from thee.

Who would have ever thought that our blessed nation, the United States of America, would get to this place of moral and Spiritual bankruptcy?

Those of us who are older remember an America where prayer was offered in school every day, where there was a Bible on every teacher’s desk in public school, where a public school teacher would be fired if he or she used God’s name in vain, where most public meetings were opened with prayer, where those offering public prayers were not told that they had to leave Jesus’ name out of it, and where the Ten Commandments and Christian values were the very center of our law and behavior in society.

Just this week, I learned that the Sussex County council is in trouble because they open each session by reading or reciting the Lord’s Prayer. Things have changed in America!

A number of people have mis-quoted President Obama as saying in a speech that “America is no longer a Christian nation.” The fact is that this is NOT what he said. The quote was from a speech on June 28, 2006, and here is what he said, “Whatever we once were, we are no longer just a Christian nation; we are also a Jewish nation, a Muslim nation, a Buddhist nation, a Hindu nation, and a nation of nonbelievers.”

You may not like this, but I believe he is partly right! We have become, in many ways, “a nation of nonbelievers”. However, I also believe he is also very wrong, when he says “we are…a Muslim nation, a Buddhist nation, a Hindu nation…”

Revelation 15:3-4 tell us what will one day be the state of ALL NATIONS. “3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. 4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.” One day, ALL NATIONS will “worship” the Lord.

Biblical Christianity has affected America. I believe we would not be the kind of nation we are if it were not for our Christian heritage. In fact, I believe it is very possible that we would not even be an independent nation if it were not for our Christian heritage.

Consider the effect Biblical Christianity has had on America. First, we need to understand that…

I.  Biblical Christianity affected the Direction of America. The greatness of America DID NOT happen by accident. First, consider that…
a. Christopher Columbus had studied the books that had been added to the Catholic Bible, the Apocrypha, and believed the earth was six parts dry land and one part sea. Actually, the seas make up over half of the world’s surface. BUT, it was this study of the Bible that convinced him that it would be a short voyage westward to find the “Indies” or the land we call the Far East. He demonstrated his Christian faith when he named the island on which he first landed San Salvador, or Holy Savior. When he found people, thinking he had reached India, he called them “Indians”. Christopher Columbus is quoted as saying, “My hope in the One who created us all sustains me: He is an ever present help in trouble…” (Book of Prophecies). Consider, next,
b. The Pilgrims, who had come to the “New World” seeking religious freedom. They were heading for the Virginia colony but were blown off course and landed at Plymouth Rock. They then had the opportunity to create a written covenant to govern themselves. In 1620, these Pilgrims drafted our nations’ first self-governing document, the Mayflower Compact. The Mayflower Compact’s very first words affirm their faith in God. “In the name of God, Amen…Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and the Advancement of the Christian Faith…to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia…(we) covenant and combine ourselves together…” Moving on through our history, we learn about…
c. The Puritans, who followed the Pilgrims to New England, creating Bible-based commonwealths in order to practice a representative government that was modeled on their church covenants. More than one hundred such covenants and compacts basically laid the foundation for America’s constitution, which was drafted in 1787 and ratified in 1789. The next major impact was made by…
d. Religious Dissidents who sought a sanctuary. We remember mostly the Pilgrims and the Puritans but numerous people of various Christian faiths came to America to be free from persecution. These included the Huguenots, Presbyterians, Roman Catholics, Quakers, Baptists, German Dunkers, and many others. The two most famous, of course, are Roger Williams, who founded Rhode Island for religious nonconformists, and William Penn, the Quaker who founded Pennsylvania. The next major influence was…
e. The Education of the Founders and Settlers of America. Their education was uniquely Christian and Bible-based. All of America’s early universities, including Harvard, William and Mary, Yale, and Princeton, were Biblically Christian in their origins. It would have been rare to find any educated person in America in 1776 who was not well educated in the Scriptures. Students were educated in a one-room schoolhouse that was often the town’s church. Instead of reading about Dick and Jane or about Heather’s two mommies, they would learn to read using the magnificent truths based on the Word of God. The New England Primer, introduced in Boston in 1690 by Benjamin Harris, was the first textbook printed in America, according to David Barton. In this book for young school children, they were taught The Lord’s Prayer, The Apostle’s Creed, a Christian catechism, and many of the Christian hymns. An example of how this textbook taught the ABC’s is this. “A” In ADAMS’s fall, we sinned all. “B” Heaven to find, the BIBLE mind. “C” Christ crucified for sinners died. How’s that for separation of Church and State? This book was the primary textbook for American children for over a century. Are you getting the idea that Biblical Christianity affected the Direction of our Nation? Next, consider this…

II. The Declaration of Independence, called by some “The Nation’s Birth Certificate”, was affected by Biblical Christianity. In America, we affirm that our rights come from God, not from the government. Therefore, the government cannot take them away. What “Uncle Sam” gives, “Uncle Sam” can take away. The Declaration of Independence, however, makes it clear that our rights are “unalienable” because they come from God. The word “unalienable”’ means that we could not give them away even if we wanted to. Let me pause to remind you of what the Bible teaches. John 8:36 “36 If the Son (of God) therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” This is the source of the idea that our rights come from God, not the government. I think it is very evident from this very brief look back into our history that Biblical Christianity affected the Direction of our Nation. Next, consider that…

Biblical Christianity Affected the Documents of America. Let me give you the two most important examples. First, on July 4, 1776,

The Declaration of Independence was adopted unanimously by the Continental Congress. Most of you who have visited the rotunda of the U. S. Capitol Building have seen John Trumbull’s famous painting of the presentation of the draft of the Declaration of Independence to Congress on June 28^th, 1776. The painting shows many of the 56 signers of the Declaration. Did you know that at least 50 of these 56 professed to be Christians? Did you know that at least 24 of the 56 signers had degrees from Bible Seminaries? In 1848, a textbook was written that would be used for decades. The title was Signers of the Declaration of Independence and included a biography of each one of them. Let me give you a few examples of the kind of men, and their commitment to Biblical Christianity, that signed this Declaration.
i.      John Witherspoon was an ordained Presbyterian minister of the Gospel who published several books of Gospel sermons.

ii.      Charles Thomson was the Secretary of Congress. He and John Hancock were the only two to sign the first draft of the Declaration of Independence. Charles Thompson worked on translating the Bible for over twenty-five years.

iii.      Benjamin Rush, another signer, started America’s first Bible society, the Bible Society of Philadelphia. Dr. Rush “pointed out that with a Bible, every individual could discover how to have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ…” He also argued that if every individual owned a Bible – and would study and obey it – that all of our social problems, including crime, slavery, etc., would diminish.

iv.      Another signer was Charles Carroll whose testimony was this, “On the mercy of my Redeemer I rely for salvation, and on His merits; not on the works I have done…”

v.      Richard Stockton was captured by the British. As he was dying, he wrote his will, which was a testimony of his faith in God. He mentioned the “greatness of God” and “the completeness of the redemption purchased by Jesus Christ”.

vi.      Francis Hopkinson was a church music director, a choir leader, and the editor of one of the first hymnals printed in America. In fact, he wrote music for all 150 Psalms! A more familiar name is

vii.      John Hancock. Mr. Hancock served as a President of Congress during the Revolution and later served as Governor of Massachusetts. While he was Governor, on October 15, 1791, he issued a proclamation for prayer, asking “…that all may bow to the scepter of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the whole earth be filled with His glory.”
b. Do you remember the name Samuel Adams? He has been called the “Father of the American Revolution”. While he served as Governor of Massachusetts, he issued a proclamation and ended it with a request to pray “that the peaceful and glorious reign of our Divine Redeemer may be known and enjoyed throughout the whole family of mankind.” Whether you knew it or not, Biblical Christianity had an effect on the Declaration of Independence. Next, please understand that…

The Constitution was affected by Biblical Christianity, too. You probably remember that the Constitutional Convention was often slow-moving and discouraging. Weeks had gone by with seemingly little being accomplished. It was Benjamin Franklin’s speech on June 28, 1787, that became the great turning point. Ben Franklin was NOT one of the most religious men at the Convention. In fact, some historians feel that he was the least religious of the Founding Fathers. Listen, though, to how this “least religious” of these men speaks of his understanding of God and the working of God. He said, “…I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth – that God Governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the Sacred Writings, that “except the Lord build the House, they labor in vain that build it. (Ps. 127:1a). I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the Builders of Babel…’ I therefore beg leave to move – that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessing on our deliberations, be held in this Assemble every morning before we proceed to business…” BY THE WAY, Congress has opened every session in prayer since the first session in 1774 until now! Biblical Christianity affected the Documents that we hold so dear. Now, I want to finish with one other thought.

Biblical Christianity Will Affect the Destiny of America. I believe we still have a great nation but the future is up to us! I see only two choices for America and her people. First, and this one scares me,

A Lack of Biblical Christianity. This is the direction in which we are heading.  The Bible, in many ways, is totally ignored. We are asked, almost forced, to tolerate every religion in the world, but we are faced with opposition when we try to say or do anything that has to do with Christianity. A teenage boy was recently suspended from school for witnessing to his friends. Students have been told that they are not permitted to take a Bible to school. New York State just this week, or last, legalized marriages between two men or two women. That is unnatural, illogical, and unbiblical. Do you remember what the Bible says will happen if we turn away from the God of the Bible? Proverbs 14:34 “34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” Sin and turning from God will bring judgment. In the Book of Revelation, we are told of some of this judgment. Revelation 11:15-19 “15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever…18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth. 19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.” Later in the Book, in Revelation 19:11-21 “11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war…15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND Lord OF LordS…19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army…21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.” Listen, that’s what will happen to nations that turn away from Biblical Christianity. But, the other choice is…

A Love of Biblical Christianity. The Scripture tells us of this kind of nation, too. Psalm 33:12 “12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord: and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.” The simple question is this: do we want God’s blessings or God’s judgment? The truth is that each of us is responsible to God for ourselves. We need to do all we can to rescue our nation, but we must first be sure we are right with God! Once again, we look to the Book of Revelation, 7:9-12 “9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; 10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.”

Conclusion – We have a great Biblical Christian Heritage. Even though many are turning away from it, we need to embrace it, use the Bible as our guidebook, and follow the Lord Jesus Christ.

Related articles

• America is not God’s Covenant Nation – Part 1: How God Covenants With a Nation and a People (treeofmamre.wordpress.com)
• The Double Edged Sword of Denying Religious Rights. (k1nsey6.com)

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We should also remember to honor our Savior, Jesus Christ, Who died so that we could be Spiritually free. This freedom comes, however, only when we chose to accept it.

I think most of us don’t really understand addictions. We think it is something that involves someone else and that whatever we struggle with is “not so bad”.

A survey was conducted not too long ago that tried to discover what the worst addictions were in America. Have you seen the list? I want to give you the list of the Top Ten Addictions in the USA. Do you understand the definition of an addiction? An addiction can be defined as “an appetite on a binge”. In the dictionary, one of the illustrations is “addicted to reading”! Unfortunately, that’s NOT one of the Top Ten.
Here they are:

• 10 -  TV – The average person in America watches 35 hours of TV a week! That’s almost equivalent to a full time job! The average child under the age of 18 watches an average of 4 hours of TV per day. NO WONDER they don’t get their homework done!

Various Prescription and Street Drugs

• 9 – Gambling – We all know it can be addictive, and now we know that it is one of the TOP TEN addictions in America. AND, our state governments try to get our money by means of state-sponsored gambling!
  
• 8 – Prescription Drugs – And you wonder why we have almost an epidemic of robberies taking place and teenagers selling drugs out of their parents’ medicine cabinets. 
• 7 – Street Drugs – I believe statistics would show that a great deal of the crime in America involves “street drugs” or “illegal drugs”. 
• 6 – Alcohol – and we permit advertisements of this addictive substance on TV where children average watching 4 hours a day. The fact is that alcohol is a killer! It can kill you by the diseases it can cause and it can kill others when you drive under the influence or behave under the influence of alcohol.
• 5 – Pornography – This has become one of the most destructive addictions ever. It destroys marriages, it degrades women,and  it causes lust and perverse behavior. The problem with pornography, like most addictions, is that what you start with is not enough after a while. You begin to want more and more and it becomes worse and worse. 
• 4 – Tobacco – Even with all of the medical information about smoking and chewing,  this addiction is still #4.  
• 3 – Greasy Foods – Now we’re getting a little too close to home! We eat a lot of “greasy food” and most of it comes, it seems to me, from “Dollar Menus” or variations of this at “Fat Food” – oops, I mean “Fast Food” restaurants. 
• 2 – Caffeine – (When I heard this, I thought, “I’m thankful I drink mostly decaf!”) Whether it’s the Senior Coffee at McDonalds, the expensive coffee at “Big Bucks” or Starbucks, or the Iced Coffees in the summer, or Coke and Pepsi, caffeine is big #2.  
• 1 – Sugar – (How disappointing…and convicting!) Okay, so I drink Decaf, but with 8 sugars! Okay, so I eat oatmeal or Cheerios to battle with Cholesterol, but I use half a cup of sugar to make it taste good! Sugar!

Well, those are the Top Ten Addictions, so we are told, in America. That being the case, it is possible that 90% of our church needs to be in the RU program!

Our text is found in 1 Corinthians 16. The writer has been dealing with problems in this book and, as he gets to the end, he offers some challenges to the readers. “13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” This is a strong, almost militant, appeal to the readers. But, he says, it needs to be tempered with love. “14 Let all your things be done with charity.” That’s the balance we need in our lives, too!

In verse 15, he begins a stronger appeal. He says, “15 I beseech you, brethren,” or, “I beg you, brother Christians”. Now, skip the parenthesis section, and look at verse 16. He says, “15 I beseech you, brethren…16 That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.”

Well, this doesn’t make a lot of sense until we read the parenthetical section and see a reference to the ones to whom they are to submit. “15 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas,” As he is challenging these Christians to “stand fast in the faith”, and to do it “with charity”, he thinks of Stephanas and his family. He knew that all the original readers of this letter would know him, so he says, “(ye know the house of Stephanas”. Then, he mentions two things about him and his family. First, “15…that it is the firstfruits of Achaia,” This means that they were among the first one saved in that area. But his real interest is about their lifestyle. He says, “15…and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)”

Now isn’t that an interesting way to describe a man and his family? They were “addicted” to serving others AND they had become “addicted” willingly! They had “addicted themselves to the ministry…”

I believe this is what God wants in Christians today! Addictions are not bad, it the addictions are to the right things! I want us to consider the kind of addiction that Stephanas and his family had, as mentioned here in 1 Corinthians 16. He was addicted to the ministry. Let me share with you what that means. First,

1. He was a Saved Man. I believe there are people who become very religious thinking they are pleasing God and, even though they are sincere, some of them are not saved. The writer here identifies Stephanas and his family as “the firstfruits of Achaia”. This refers to the fact that his family members were some of the first one to be saved when Paul first ministered in Achaia. Before I move on, let me be sure you understand what I mean when I say that he was a saved man. We find the answer to this in Romans 10. The writer is expressing his heart’s desire for his people, the Jews, when he writes, “1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.” Understand, they were religious but they were not saved. “2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.” Here is what had happened. They had followed religion and believed in God, but they thought they had to “do something” or live a certain way in order to be accepted by God. “3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.” Let me explain something; MOST RELIGIONS teach that “good works” are part of “earning salvation”. Here we learn that our “righteousness” is NOT ENOUGH. Our good works ARE NOT enough. Here is why: “4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” When Jesus Christ died, He abolished the need to keep the Old Testament Law. Instead, salvation is offered to those who “believe”. Skip down, please, to verse 8, where this is explained. “8 But what saith it?” This is the explanation. “The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;” Now, he explains the message that he preached. “9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” You see, this is how we are saved. He goes on to further explain. “10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” What we believe in our hearts, that is, what we truly believe, we confess with our mouth. “11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” When I really believe that Jesus died on the cross for me and paid the penalty for my sins, I’m not ashamed; I want to share that good news! AND, this plan of salvation is the same for everyone! Paul was referring to the Jews, as we read in verse 1, but the way to be saved is the same for everyone. “12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.” So, how do I do this? How to I show that I believe in Jesus Christ as my Savior? Verse 13 makes it clear; “13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Now, before any of us can become “addicted to the ministry”, we must first be saved. Stephanas and his family were saved. In our Scripture text in 1 Corinthians 16, we learn something else about this man;
2. He was a Serving Man. 1 Corinthians 16:15 says, “15 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)” I love Christians like this! The word “ministry” is translated from the Greek word diakonia. It is from the same word that is translated deacon in other places. The word literally means “serving”. We could read this verse like this: You know Stephanas and his family; they have addicted themselves to serving other Christians. What a wonderful attitude! Even though they were probably the first ones saved in that church, and may have helped Paul start the church, and probably were “Charter Members” of that church, they didn’t think of themselves as any better than anyone else. In fact, they considered themselves “servants”. What do you think they would do when someone in the church was sick? They would “minister” to them; they would visit them or, today, they might call them. They might take them some food or offer to get groceries or medicine for them. What about when someone was going through a hard time emotionally or financially? They would do whatever they could to help them. In fact, that is probably why Stephanas is on the mind of the writer. Apparently, the church had learned of some of his needs and had taken an offering for him. Stephanas and a couple of other men took the time and effort to take it to Paul. Look at this in verse 17; “17 I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied.” Actually, not only had they taken what the others had given to Paul, they realized that it wasn’t enough, so they “pitched in” and supplied “that which was lacking”. This church has some people like that. I remember several years ago when a thief got into my office and stole money from me. When I told the story, I mentioned how much he had stolen from me. We never did find the thief, but someone anonymously gave me the exact amount that had been stolen from me! They “supplied what was lacking”! One of our single ladies called recently and told me that her lawn mower was broken. One of our men who lived close by went over and mowed her lawn. He “supplied what was lacking”. I BELIEVE each of us can be this kind of Christian IF WE WANT TO BE. Stephanas was a serving man, and he was willing to serve those in need. Here is what I challenge you to do. Every day, ask God to show you someone who has a need you can meet. The need may  be very small or it might be big, but each of us has something we can give to help others, IF WE LET GOD SHOW US THE OPPORTUNITIES.   We need to be serving Christians and we need to do it in the areas that are best suited to us. Stephanus was addicted to the ministry. Notice something else about this man and his family;
3. He was a Sincere Man. Here is what I mean. Stephanas had apparently been serving the Lord quite some time. He was a man whose work was known to everyone. All too often, I see Christians that jump into a ministry with a great deal of enthusiasm, but it only lasts for a few weeks or months. I love to see men and women who are sincere and get involved for the “long haul”. When I think of this, I can’t help but think of some of the people involved in our Bus Ministry. David Gillespie and Pat Smith have both been Bus Captains for many years. I think of Bro. Friedel and Bro. Massotti who drive the buses so faithfully each week. Those people are sincere about their ministries and are in them for the “long haul”. I think of some of our Sunday School teacher who are now teaching the children of some of those who were in their classes many years ago. They are faithful and sincere about their ministries. Now, I’m not saying that you can never quit a ministry or change ministries, but it is a wonderful blessing to have people who, like Stephanas and many in our church, are sincere about serving the Lord. I read an astounding statistic some time ago that said the average worker in a church ministry only serves about seven years. Where is the commitment? Where is the servant’s heart? Where is the sincerity? Stephanas was a great encouragement to Paul. Did you see that in verse 18? “18 For they (the men mentioned in verse 17, including Stephanas) have refreshed my spirit and yours…” This man wasn’t a fake; he wasn’t a ‘short termer”; he wasn’t jumping from one church to another; Stephanas was “addicted to the ministry”! Notice one other thought;
4. He was a Soul-conscious Man. By this, I mean he was concerned about the souls of other people; he was concerned that others understand their need of salvation and that they be saved. Let me tell you why I believe this is so. We first meet Stephanas in 1 Corinthians 1:16. The Apostle Paul mentions him and his family as people he’d baptized. “16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.” Paul continues, however, and says that his main message was salvation through Jesus Christ. “17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.” By the way, those who want to teach that being baptized is necessary in order to be saved would have had a problem with the ministries of Jesus Christ, Who baptized no one, and the greatest Missionary who ever lived, Paul, who baptized very few! Stephanas must have loved the preaching and the message of Paul, because he “addicted himself to the ministry”. And, here is the message Paul preached; “18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” Paul’s main message was about the cross of Jesus Christ and being saved. I find it difficult to believe that Stephanas never spoke to anyone else about Christ and about salvation. I imagine he was always looking for “Divine Appointments” that were “set up” by God. He was always looking for opportunities to tell others what Jesus Christ had done in his life. He was looking for opportunities to explain the meaning of being saved. Stephanas was “addicted to the ministry…”

Conclusion – Now, let me ask you to consider your own life and the things that are most important to you. Is it possible that you are “addicted” to something that is not really very important? How much time to you spend watching TV or on the Internet? How much of your life does this involve? How much time do you spend following your favorite sports team? What are you neglecting when you spend time this way?

I AM NOT saying that everyone needs to attend our Addiction Program, but I am saying that some need to trade their “addiction” to unimportant things and make your “addiction” to those things that are important.

If you are saved, take a look at your priorities. What is it that consumes your “spare” time? Is there any eternal value in it, or is it just a “time waster”? Benjamin Franklin is said to have asked this searching question. “Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that’s the stuff life is made of.”

If you are not saved, take a look at the future. You are facing the judgment of God for your sins. Even if you are very religious, that is not enough. You need to be saved and let the blood of Jesus Christ pay the penalty for your sins.

ADDICTION is a scary word, UNLESS you are “addicted to the ministry”.

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