A sermon I heard yesterday by a radio pastor got me thinking about sins Americans live in without much awareness, because of the decayed media culture around us.

When was the last time you heard your pastor give a series on "sin"?

YOUR sins.

I can't remember the last time I heard even a single sermon that dealt with sin, in church, or on the radio.

Many radio preachers probably think they can't "afford" to preach about sin, because their customers, excuse me--their *listeners*--would stop listening and supporting financially.

This morning God gave me some insights about how deeply sin has infected me and many American Christians.

How much we American believers take for granted, and even praise the sins of:
pride (talk shows),
greed (game shows),
covetousness (reality shows),
anger ("You're FIRED!"),
unforgiveness (confronational shows),
laziness (advertising),
profanity (cable, tv, and movies),
gluttony (food commercials),
promiscuity (almost every sitcom)
etc.

Witness the "reality" TV shows. A new show has people competing in a cutthroat manner, like PIRATES.

Do our souls (mind, emotions, identity) have any value?

If so, then it would be wise to protect them from damaging influences.

I believe that covetousness is one of the least understood sins.

Unfortunately, after this radio pastor (yesterday) got done lecturing about what are wants and what are needs, about how at one point he sold his TV and stereo to raise rent money--he went right into the recorded clip offering a "gift" for a donation of any amount.

What deception. How can you give a "gift" for a donation?

I think this is especially abominable for a Gospel ministry to do this: a Gospel ministry is supposed to be telling people about God's *free gift* of Christ--then they muddle that message by offering "gifts" --"for a donation of any amount to this ministry."

Well, a "donation of any amount" makes what is offered no longer a "gift," but a condition upon which something is *purchased"--for any amount.

(Giving ministry materials away freely, (paid for by supporters of the ministry) as Billy Graham's organization does, is a different matter).

~~~

So, Part One of Sin: "Covetousness."

A sin that is institutionalized by American advertising.

Covetousness is "wanting something possessed by other people." It is related to greed.

I don't think we see how deeply this disease of covetousness penetrates into out hearts and corrupts us.

When we succumb to it, it automatically rules out contentment.

I think a lot of us think some of these Bible characters are kind of ridiculous. They are presented with a choice and they choose wrongly and badly.

We assume we would do better: doubting Thomas, Peter denying Jesus three times, etc.

But then I think about the rich young man.

What if Jesus confronted us with the same choice as He did that wealthy guy?

Follow me. Give up your house, your car and ALL of your money to the poor, and come and follow Me.

"Well, Jesus, (we're speaking to God Almighty here), you don't understand (!!)
I need these things to live. I can't go giving everything I own to the poor. Then I would just be one of the poor. This is MY stuff!! MY inheritance. No, I'm not going to do that! That would be stupid. Then I would have nothing. How does that make any sense?! Maybe you aren't really Jesus. Jesus world never ask this of me."

Et cetera.

Jesus was trying to show this rich young man, (and us), standing before God Almighty, what he really trusted in.

Indeed.

Put God first, above Money.

Stop wanting what others have.

It is a choice.

God will help you--rely on Him.

Don't just pray for God to help you..

You have a free will.

DO it.

God: Creator

Trinity: Father, Son, Holy Spirit

Jesus is God.

Infallible Scripture: 66 books

***Salvation by faith in Christ Jesus***

Crucifixion, cross of Christ

Death, burial of Jesus

Resurrection

Indwelling Christ

O.T.:
Law-Sin
History-Types of Christ; Sacrifices
Poetry-Wisdom-Praise to God
Prophecies of Christ

Deliverance

4 Parts of Man:
Spiritual
Mental
Emotional
Physical

John 6:47 >>"HAS"

Eternal Security

Jesus in the O.T.

The Worldwide Rejection of Jesus: O.T. and New.

The Reality of Non-Material Things and Beings

Prayer

Heroes of Faith

Heavenly Destiny

Hell

Faith

The Four Loves

Wisdom

Praise

Separation

Matthew 5-7: A Strong Life Built on the Rock of Christ

Grace

Kindness

Forgiveness

Confession

Love, Joy, Peace

Obedience

Blessing

Fellowship

Second Coming

Continuing in sin, unforgiveness, lying to yourself, and walking away from God can bring intense mental and emotional misery and depression, soul pain and despair. (In the Bible, God calls them the "torturers.") This is especially true for believers who are indwelled by the Holy Spirit.) You don't need medication for your sick brain--your brain isn't sick--it's the will of your soul that is rebelling against God and making you miserable. Secular and God-less psychologists and psychiatrists have rejected God's truth about *sin* and it's effects on your soul. You need to forgive everyone, including yourself, and confess your sins to God! Ask Him for increased faith and power. Fear, anger, and depression are the alternative. Confession to God and asking to be filled with the Spirit of love, peace, joy of God is the *instant* cure. The Bible says that God will keep a person in PERFECT PEACE who trusts in Him. Does God lie? No, He does not. Try it! (1st John 1:9.)

Take a look at this photo--can you imagine that *new* things like this are *still* being found?Preserved evidence of ancient realities. Bible stories are NOT at all like fairy stories. legends, myths, or Hindu or Buddhist fables. Bible stories are inextricably rooted in real, verifiable history, most notably in Hebrew, Egyptian, Roman and Christian historical evidences. >>Intact tomb found in Egypt ... by accident - Science - MSNBC.com

Salvation is a FREE GIFT of God's Grace. (This is called GRACE.)

Gifts are never OWED to anyone.

Some people think that God is somehow responsible to save everyone and take everyone to Heaven.

But He isn't.

Salvation from our sins, willfully committed, is a *free gift* of God's grace.

He is however, responsible to punish sinful and evil people in Hell, being a God of JUSTICE.