A Ransom For All

Sermons have always been one of the greatest blessing I've enjoyed.  To hear preaching of the word is my hearts delight, and when I traveled for years in my work, I kept preaching tapes with me.  For hours along the Interstates and Turnpikes, the car was filled with those great proclamations of God's word.  Today we have access to the internet with sermons at our fingertips, including the sermons from Dogwood.
 
Is the preaching of God's word a blessing to your heart?  On Monday morning, and throughout the week do you reflect back on the sermon you set under the previous Sunday morning?  Our last message, the one we just received from Proverbs on Christian giving was very powerful.  The point about the Father's gift, and the personal gift of the Son, Jesus Christ Himself given for us, is very motivating to the Christian's giving. 
 
We have read of much money being given in ransom demands.  Frank Sinatra paid $250,000 to get his son back, another family paid $600,000, but the highest ever paid is said to have been $60,000,000 for two brothers.  That is a lot of money, but that is wrong! 
 
St. Paul, by divine inspiration, wrote in I Tim. 2:4-6:  “God will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth, “For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus. Who gave HIMSELF a ransom for all…”
 
Did you get that? Christ gave Himself a ransom for all. All mankind had been taken captive by Satan and sin, but Christ paid the price of our ransom. That price was Himself — His own life, which He gave on Calvary’s cross to pay for our redemption.  That is not always something our culture readily comprehends, for today most think in terms of $$$, when considering worth or value.  But the greatest value is life itself, and He gave His life that we may have life eternal.  When that is understood, the Christian is eager to give of his $$$, as well as his time and service to his Lord, which is life itself.
 
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."  Romans 12:1
 
Our prayer is that you will have a great Monday, and keep in mind throughout this day that you are loved!!!