Thursday, March 29, 2018

The Shortest Word in the English Language


(We will return in about a month, Lord willing, to continue our studies in Luke's gospel.  We will post another set of meditations taken from the ministry of my father, Bertram J. Youde.  Each includes the sermon number from his file, the place(s) and years when he shared these thoughts.)

(#857, Imperial, 1960)
Read 2 Cor. 13:5-11; Luke 18:9-14.

2 Cor. 13:5 says to "examine ourselves".  "I" is not only the shortest word but the most important letter in the alphabet. 
w    It is the person you see when you look in the mirror. 
w    It is the person responsible for your very action. 
w    It is the person who gives you the most trouble.

ƒ      "I" is the center of sin.
w    Sin is transgression of the law (1 John 3:4).
w    Sin is that which defiles a man (Mark 7:20-23).
w    Sin separates us from God (Isa. 59:2).
w    Sin hinders prayer and power (Psalm 66:18).
w    Sin excludes from heaven (1 Cor. 6:9-11).

ƒ      "I" is the center of pride.
w    The Pharisees greatest sin was pride.
w    Pride goes before destruction (Prov. 16:18).
w    Pharaoh's pride destroyed him (Exodus 5:2).
w    Naaman's pride almost cost him his life (2 Kings 5:1-11).
w    God resists the proud (James 4:6).
w    Pride keeps many from Christ.

ƒ      "I" is the center of the Saviour.
w    In Christ there is no condemnation (Rom. 8:1).
w    In Christ we are new creatures (2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 2:20).
w    Christ is the hope of glory (Col. 1:27).
w    Christ is our security (Col. 3:1-3).

 "I" is the center of faith.  Have you trusted in the SavIour?

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