Week of July 10, 2011
Sin is more than just an action to be avoided, it is a power that is released in our lives that continues to enslave and choke the life out of us. In this passage from Number, God's people are addicted to the pleasures of Egypt even though they hate the slavery that comes with it. In Romans 7 Paul speaks of his own life as being a slave to sin. We all are. Until we fess up we will always remain in slavery.
Scripture Verse Number 11:4-6, 10-20
Sermon Slides worship 07.10.11 Breaking Free Sermon Notes Sermon Notes 07.10.11 Breaking Free 1 Sermon Video shown during the service [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqGq-z9msAw&feature=player_embedded]Sermon Audio Steve's PodCastEmail Subscription:
Reading Paul’s thoughts in Romans 7 reminds me of the play “The Diary of Anne Frank” and of Anne’s confession to her father Otto as he was trying to comfort and calm his 13-year-old daughter one night in the Annex following Anne’s awakening of the other six in hiding with her as she repeatedly screamed and frightened them at the conclusion of a nightmare.
ANNE: “I’m trying. Really I am. Every night I think back over all of the things I did that day that were wrong . . . like putting the wet mop in Mr. Dussel’s bed . . . and this thing now with Mother. I say to myself, that was wrong. I make up my mind, I’m never going to do that again. Never! Of course, I may do something worse . . . but, at least, I’ll never do that again! . . .
“I have a nicer side, Father . . . a sweeter, nicer side. But I’m scared to show it. I’m afraid that people are going to laugh at me if I’m serious. So the “mean Anne” comes to the outside and the “good Anne” stays on the inside, and I keep on trying to switch them around and have the “good Anne” outside and the “bad Anne” inside and be what I’d like to be . . . and might be . . . if only . . . only . . .”
Love that reply, Cyndy. It has been a really long time since I have read that book. It fits so well here. Thanks for the mental image it produced for me.