Sand Mountain Sermonette 98
Romans 5, verse 12; Ephesians Two, verses 1 through 3; Ephesians Two, verses 4 through 6
Sand Mountain Sermonette 98
The Tall and Short of It!
Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned…
Romans 5, verse 12.
When I was about thirty-eight years old, I was diagnosed with a form of arthritis that can remain latent within one’s system unless activated upon in some manner. Upon seeing a very wonderful rheumatologist in Gainesville, Florida, it was only a matter of minutes after hearing my story and performing a couple simple tests in his office, that he told us he would be right back because he knew exactly what I had. When he reentered the exam room, he laid out a big spreadsheet on a table so my wife and I could follow him as he explained the one form of arthritis, I had from the more than six hundred forms of arthritis he told me exists. He also said my type of arthritis was genetically transmitted and I could be sure that someone in my family had the exact same arthritis as I did.
Within a few days, I called my dad and mom in Albertville and told them of my good doctor and the good prognosis he had given me along with the proper medication I needed. And then I asked my father if he knew of anyone in the Mabrey family who may have had what I have. He proceeded to tell me of his grandfather Ephraim to whom he referred to as Eef. Dad said he had had a severe form of arthritis but then added humorously, that Eef wasn’t even five feet tall. Now that was a funny one for me because my dad was over six feet tall, my brother is six-foot, four inches, and I’m six-foot, one inch tall!
The tall and short of it is, the Bible tells us that you and I were born with an inherent sin nature passed down to us via our original parents, Adam and Eve-one that became active the moment we were born. All kids have it and those same kids who grow up to be adults have it as well no matter their physical stature, color of skin, personality, occupation, or interests-reread the opening verse.
If you are reading this sermonette, you are physically alive, and no one would dispute that. However, the Bible says that apart from a personal relationship with God through the blood of His Son Jesus Christ shed on the cross for each of us, that person is physically alive, but spiritually dead. Paul tells us we were dead in our trespasses and sins living our lives according to the ways of the world which is always aligned with the workings of Satan and our flesh, producing an anti-Christ perspective in Ephesians Two, verses 1 through 3. But dear friend, hear the good news! Paul also tells us in Ephesians Two, verses 4 through 6, But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ-by grace you have been saved-and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him, in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus.
Thank you, God for healing my soul! Jesus died and rose for you! Pastor Louie