From the Pastor at Trinity!

Most of you know or have heard that for the last six Sundays I have been preaching a series of sermons on the "Seven Deadly Sins," which include: pride, jealousy, anger, gluttony, greed , lust and slothfulness. I confess to you that these have been both the hardest to prepare for and to preach. More than once I have asked myself, "God, do You really want me to do this?" And when I did, the answer was always the same, "YES." My suspicion is that at least a few of you have questioned the need with me to preach on this subject seven Sundays in a row. If so, then maybe the following story will help you, as it has me, to understand the need to preach on sin as often as I have recently and in the past.

A distinguished minister from Australia preached one Sunday very strongly on the subject of sin. After the service, one of the church officers came to counsel with him in the study. "Preacher," he said, "we don't want you to talk as openly as you do about man's guilt and corruption, because if our boys and girls hear you discussing that subject they will more easily become sinners. Call it a mistake if you will, but do not speak so plainly about sin." The minister took down a small bottle and showing it to the visitor said, "You see that label? It says strychnine -- and underneath in bold, red letters the word 'Poison!' Do you know, man, what you are asking me to do? You are suggesting that I change the label. Suppose I do, and paste over it the words, 'Essence of Peppermint'; don't you see what might happen? Someone would use it, not knowing the danger involved, and would certainly die. So it is, too, with the matter of sin. The milder you make your label, the more dangerous you make your poison!"

Need I say anymore? No, I really don't. However, I do feel it necessary to remind us all that even though the wages of sin is death, the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord! Yes, there is hope for the sinner. So those of us who are uncomfortable, take comfort in the fact that no matter how many times we may fall short of the glory of God, if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (I John 1:9).

With Love from Jesus,

Pastor David