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Vol. I Issue 12 November 30, 1997
There have been a lot of wars fought around the world with many people believing that God was on their side. In World War II many Germans and Italians believed that God was on their side while the British and Americans believed that God was on their side. Now how is it possible for God to be on both sides of a conflict? Is it possible that God wasn't on either side, but really on His own side?
How arrogant and haughty man can be, thinking that the supreme creator of the universe would stoop down to his level and take sides in the worst war of all the history of the world. How arrogant men can be, thinking that God is on their side, rather than they being on God's side. This was the condition in Sodom and Gomorrah when God reigned fire and brimstone down on them.
Genesis 19:1-24
1 And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of
Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his
face toward the ground;
2 And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's
house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and
go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all
night.
3 And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered
into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and
they did eat.
4 But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom,
compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every
quarter:
5 And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came
in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them.
6 And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him,
7 And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly.
8 Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray
you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only
unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my
roof.
9 And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to
sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than
with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break
the door.
10 But the men put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them,
and shut to the door.
11 And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness,
both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door.
12 And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy
sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out
of this place:
13 For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great
before the face of the LORD; and the LORD hath sent us to destroy it.
14 And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his
daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy
this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.
15 And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise,
take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in
the iniquity of the city.
16 And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand
of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful
unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.
17 And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he
said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the
plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.
18 And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my LORD:
19 Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast
magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life; and I
cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die:
20 Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh,
let me escape thither, (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live.
21 And he said unto him, See, I have accepted thee concerning this thing
also, that I will not overthrow this city, for the which thou hast spoken.
22 Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do anything till thou be come
thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.
23 The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar.
24 Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from
the LORD out of heaven;
In verse 9 of the above citation, the men of Sodom complained that Lot has become their judge, and that they should do worse with him than what they were planning to do to the angels of the Lord. This same attitude is prevalent in the world today, with many being righteous in their own eyes, while denying the true righteousness and holiness of God. They see God as being on their side. They see the Creator as being petty enough to partake in the sins that they so enjoy. They see the angels of the Lord God stooping down to their level and embellishing in their sin. There are people who complain that the saints are ``judging'' them when they are told that what they are doing is wrong according to the Bible. Today, many are so wrapped up and embellish their sin that they think the Christians are judging them. But, in reality, they are their own condemnation. The lust and desires that they portray are their own destruction. Look at the aids epidemic within the ``gay'' community. Do they truly have a gay and happy spirit? Or are they spending their time worrying about catching aids and lobbying for more scientific money spent for the cure so they can continue their lifestyle? Or look at the people that through the ages have acquired various venereal diseases because they wanted to indulge in illicit sex without paying the consequences. All of these and other sins have lead to a condemnation of themselves and a condemnation from the Lord God Almighty.
Their pride and the pride of life have lead them down the path of sin and despair. In their pride and self satisfaction they indulge in a lifestyle that is wrong. This pride leads them to the belief that there is no judgment coming from the Lord. But, this belief, however sincere, is not the truth. For the errors of their ways will catch up with them. In that day they will be crying and blaming God for their misfortune.
1 John 2:15-17
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man
love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the
eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the
will of God abideth for ever.
James 5:19-20
19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;
20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his
way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
This wicked pride of life and the ones that are proud of their own wickedness will come to a wicked end. For they will realize on the day of judgment that the hour of repentance has passed. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth on that great day of the Lord. On that day there will be no second chance to repent and turn from their wickedness, for the day of repentance has passed. When the wicked see their eternal home of fire and brimstone, with no chance of ever escaping, there will be many that will be making all kinds of excuses why they didn't listen to the preacher when they had the chance. Pride is the downfall of man. Man's pride will lead him to his own destruction, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
The flames of hell will be very real on that great and notable day of the Lord. All those who have ever said that a loving God would never throw his creation into a lake of fire are going to find themselves in the hands of an very angry God. They will then realize that their arrogance and pride of thinking that God was on ``their side'' will come to a very opposite conclusion. The only side that anyone should consider is being on God's side. Only by coming to Jesus Christ in repentance and asking his forgiveness will ensure your eternity in heaven. Only by coming to the side of Christ can you be on God's side. Jesus is calling you today. He is searching your heart today. Is your pride preventing you from seeking the King of Kings today? Jesus is waiting with open arms to welcome you to his side. Now is the time and the hour to repent and ask Jesus to come into your life. Now is the day of salvation, for we do not know how much time we have left. We are not even assured of tomorrow. All of the prophecies concerning the last days are fulfilled, and are you ready for that great day of the Lord? The day and the time is at hand for you to turn your life over to the Lord Jesus Christ. Now is the time to make the Lord the ruler of your life by inviting the Lord into your life.
3014 E Street Philadelphia, PA 19134 Church Office Phone: (215) 634-3637 Published by: Rev. LeRoy D. Cressy (215) 389-5870
Services:
Sunday School . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10:30 AM
Sunday Morning Worship . . . . . . . . . . 12 NOON
Sunday Evening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:30 PM
Wednesday Evening . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:30 PM