Baptism of the Lord: Wednesday, January 11, 2006

Old Testament Lesson

Genesis 4: 1-16

The Lord warned Cain today that sin was crouching at his door, and it desired to have him, but he must master it.  Cain did not; he gave into sin and killed his brother Able. The sin was crouching, waiting, for just the right moment to pounce.  I think there are 2 things to note; first that sin was crouching, waiting.  The temptation is strongest at certain moments.  We must always be on the look out for temptation.  We must not let out guard down, and we must not think that we are stronger than we really are. The moment we think we are immune to temptation is the moment when we are most at risk.  Look for the crouching sin in your life.

And in looking for it constantly, we move to the second thing, the Lord said Cain must master it.  When we realize that temptation is always around us and are always aware of what's happening, then we can master it.  Does that mean that we will not give into to temptation?  No we still may fall. Does that mean that we are immune to sin?  No, it's the pride that goeth before the fall. But when we are aware of temptation all around crouching, it is easier to see it coming and defeat it.  I believe we can fight against sin and temptation and defeat it. The Lord has given us through the Holy Spirit the power to fight against sin and live a holy life. Sin is always crouching, but we must master it

New Testament Lesson

Hebrews 2: 11-18

This passage shows us how we fight against sin; Jesus Christ. Since he was like us and defeated sin and death, we, through Him, have the power to fight these things.  The Word says that says that in His death he destroyed the power of sin and the devil and freed those captive.  We are free. If the Lord has saved you, then you are walking by His power and His strength.  It does not have to be as it has always been.  The Lord can and will set you free, if you will allow.  Through the cross and the grave, sin and devil were defeated.  We serve one that has won the victory and through faith will give us the victory.  You do not have to remain in your chains today; you can be set free.  But in your freedom, do not return to your chains.  If you have been set free through Christ, don't give into the crouching sin; instead live in the power that Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, has given you.

Gospel Lesson

John 1: 29-42

John the Baptist completes the conversation on sin upon when seeing Jesus calls him the Lamb of God that comes to take away the sin of the world.  Jesus Christ didn't endure what He did so that you and I can play games with sin.  This is serious businesses. If He won the victory of sin, and has given us that victory, we must claim it and we must seek to live in it.  Thus, sin is not a toy to be played with.  Jesus came to set us free.

How are we set free?  By doing what Andrew did in the text.  Follow Jesus. If you follow sin, sin will have you.  If you follow Jesus each day, you will receive His strength and power.  Who are you following today?  Andrew saw the Lamb of God and he followed. What do you and I do?  Do we follow the Lamb of God each day?  Or do we follow only when we need Him.  We will not know His power unless we are faithful to Him.  Only in being committed to Him can we fully know His strength and His grace.

And then once Andrew followed, he brought other folks with him.  When was the last time you told someone about your Jesus?  When was the last time you told a friend (or even and enemy) about what He has done for you. Part of following Him is doing that.  Are we in our lives helping others to meet Jesus?

He is the Lamb of God that came to take away the sin of the world, may He be glorified today in our words and in our lives.