I couldn't help noticing the news papers this week. She's back! Paris Hilton in jail doing time for probation violations. Just before checking in to jail at the MTV movie awards she says, "I am trying to be strong right now, I'm ready to face my sentence." Even though this is a really hard time, I have my family, my friends and my fans to support me, and that's really helpful."
Although in the next few minutes we will rejoin our study of Ezekiel and I have read a lot about bible prophecy I can't honestly tell you how this will play out because it isn't there. But it wouldn't hurt if in our quiet time each of us said a couple prayers for Paris. Imagine the good she could do for the kingdom if she chose to.
Her Mother Kathy Hilton is probably right when she says: she feels this will be a time when Paris will be able to think and reflect and to spend time alone To learn from the experience because in Paris' life she's never alone - there's always a constant chatter around her."
Like Paris we too have violated the law, some even at times have done the very things she is known for, others maybe more quietly living our lives in upright Christian families. Nevertheless like Paris we are all lawbreakers!
Note for our study to-night I am using the net bible! www.netbible.org
Paul says in Romans 3: 23 23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. We need to be aware of this and sins consequences!
Romans 6: 23
23 For the payoff of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Like the woman Found Guilty of adultery we have been caught red-handed! The Judge can bang his gavel and proclaim "Guilty as charged! But we have an advocate.
Remember the story in John 8 3-12
3 and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught committing adultery. They made her stand in front of them
4 and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of adultery.
5 In the law Moses commanded us to stone to death such women. What then do you say?"
6 (Now they were asking this in an attempt to trap him, so that they could bring charges against him. Jesus bent down and wrote on the ground with his finger. 1
7 When they persisted in asking him, he stood up straight and replied, "Whoever among you is guiltless may be the first to throw a stone at her."
8 Then he bent over again and wrote on the ground.
9 Now when they heard this, they began to drift away one at a time, starting with the older ones, until Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him.
10 Jesus stood up straight and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?"
11 She replied, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "I do not condemn you either. Go, and from now on do not sin any more."
Since that time Jesus died rose again and established his church. Through his sacrifice we are offered a way of escape. We like the woman have committed adultery if not physically, spiritually for sure when we followed our own selfish desires or worshipped in counterfeit churches that refused to teach accurately God's word. Will God hold those guiltless who have his word and refuse to follow it? Are they any more righteous than the pagans of old in their temples to Diana Zeus Apollo and so on. They don't have the shrine prostitutes or the drunken feasting today for the most part they just refuse to teach what isn't politically correct.
If you haven't had the chance, or ever taken advantage of it. Please open your heart to-night like the apostle Paul when Jesus spoke to him in acts 9.
Whether you see yourself as the most insignificant person or whether you are rich and famous like Paris Hilton Jesus is calling because he truly has a purpose for your life. Don't believe me Listen to the apostle Paul himself says: He was zealous for God just as all of you are today. See Acts 22: 4 and following.
4 I persecuted this Way (Note he means the church of Christ) even to the point of death, tying up both men and women and putting them in prison,
5 as both the high priest and the whole council of elders can testify about me. From them I also received letters to the brothers in Damascus, and I was on my way to make arrests there and bring the prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished.
6 As I was en route and near Damascus, about noon a very bright light from heaven suddenly flashed around me.
7 Then I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?'
8 I answered, 'Who are you, Lord?' He said to me, 'I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.'
9 Those who were with me saw the light, but did not understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me.
10 So I asked, 'What should I do, Lord?' The Lord said to me, 'Get up and go to Damascus; there you will be told about everything that you have been designated to do.'
11 Since I could not see because of the brilliance of that light, I came to Damascus led by the hand of those who were with me. 2
12 A man named Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who live there,
13 came to me and stood beside me and said to me, 'Brother Saul, regain your sight!' and at that very moment I looked up and saw him.
14 Then he said, 'The God of our ancestors has already chosen you to know his will, to see the Righteous One, and to hear a command from his mouth,
15 because you will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard.
16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized, and have your sins washed away, calling on his name.'
Peter also exhorts us to follow this method in Acts 2: 38 and we see the illustration of the baptism of the Ethiopian Eunuch in Acts 8.
Jesus himself commands these steps for salvation in Matthew 28: 19 If you serve Jesus you don't need a Damascus Road experience the Holy Spirit lives in you. As you study the word God's voice speaks to you. Have you slacked off in your love and service? Can you do better?
Do you need prayers from the saints?
In love with outstretched arms Jesus opens that door for you to-night Can you hear him calling?
Matthew 11 28-30
28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry."