“ Great Sermon! ” Thank you so much, Pastor Baggett, for this wonderful sermon. It is both touching and clarifying, with deep and fervent meaning for anyone seeking after God.
I would respectfully differ with one point that you made early in this sermon. You stated that the essence of sin is the elivation of the created to the level of the Creator. I believe the essence of sin is the free-will selection or choice of the created over the Creator. The sinner seeks continued pleasure rather than the strict and righteous life of those who seek God and attempt to emulate the life of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
What many people sadly fail to realize is that this life we are all currently living is in reality nothing more than a test. And, at the end of every life, each of us will be "graded." We will either pass or fail. And few understand that nobody should ever want to fail this particular test.
May God continue to bless you and all who hear your words,
Len Lisenbee
“ Great Sermon! ” This was an awesome sermon, but I believe you did include one fundemental error. Lazerus could not have been in heaven with God after his death because Cchrist had not yet died and been resurrected, the "first-born" (according to Paul). Lazerus had to be in sheol (spp?), and he would remain there until the resurrection of Israel at their judgement. Besides, God needed a perfect propitiation sacrifice (His Christ) before He could forgive any sinful man and still retain His own perfect holiness.
Why did Jesus weep at the grave of Lazerus? I'm not exactly sure, but I believe it could have been out of frustration. He had done so much, had taught so many, had healed so many, and they (the Jews) still did not believe He was the Son of God. And He already knew they still would not belive in Him after He asked God to resurrect Lazerus and it was done. That has to be very frustrating to a Man sent by God to reach the Jews and bring them back to their Creator.
Just my thoughts, for what they are worth.
Len Lisenbee
lisenbee@frontiernet.net.
