PASTOR'S CORNER

Eph 4:25-32 I would like us to look at a simple, but complex word this morning as we close out this chapter of Paul’s letter.  It’s a word that many people don’t like to give or ask for!  It’s the word “Forgiveness”  The word “forgiveness” is used 143 times in the New Testament  It’s legal term means “to release” a person from an obligation.  In finance it gives the idea of “cancelling a debt”  In the spiritual we read this in Matthew’s gospel where Jesus said these words…… “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matt 6:14-15   This passage is pretty clear!  There are some passages that are sometimes hard to understand.  But this isn’t one of them . What Jesus is saying is what Jesus means.  Notice the conditions of forgiveness in this passage?  You forgive, you get for...

Eph 4:25-32 As we approach this portion of Scripture I want us to recognize and come with humility and delicate hands as the scribes did when they transferred the Scriptures to Parchment skins.  Hands that knew, what we know, to be very important to the soul of God’s children.  Let me explain! “Many of the rules for copying the Scriptures dealt with the character and heart of the scribe himself. A scribe had to speak and sing aloud each word as he wrote it. They washed their hands before each writing session, not just to make them clean, but rather to prepare the heart and mind for performing the holy act of writing the Word of God. They also prayed before each session. Writing a Torah is a "mitzvah," a holy act. Before writing "Jehovah," the name of God, the scribe had to clean the pen and wash their entire bodies in a "mikveh," a pool of natural running water. In writing the Scriptures, scribes were careful to show great reverence and respe...

Eph 4:29 Paul addresses something that plagues every individual in the church and outside the church on a daily basis.  So as we continue, no one is exempt from the correction that Paul is teaching to us this morning CBC family.  Let me begin by saying “Words can hurt” No one wins in the battles over words, when it the intent or its end game is to hurt the listener.  “Words are important” as my English professor said in Bible College and this truth appears to becoming clearer to me every day, that my speech in the past has not been something I can say I’m proud about especially in dealing with my children on occasions.  We forget many times how naturally our old nature comes out to visit in the Christian life. Think about it for a moment!  Christians can be very negative, hostile, critical and cruel people to talk to or be around if they daily speak this way about others.  And I can guarantee you that the way they talk about others to y...