Still a Slave?

More folks came to the Downtown street Church. Great to see some new faces and old ones as well. It is a delight to see friends but when they are in the same old stuff it hurts. Last week sharing the story of the Declaration of Emancipation in the U.S. in 1865 was such an appropriate way to begin the Street Church. Why? Because the folks in the streets have heard the Good News of their freedom but still operate as slaves. The Negroes who received the announcement that they were free did not believe it, ignored it or had that freedom kept from them.

People in the streets and in the church have many great questions about faith, they receive the answer and go away and treat it as information but at the time of hearing it tickled their ears. When and how will the Good News become real for them? The street motto seems to be 'Repay Good with Evil', you don't believe that? Come and spend some time with folks who are addicted to this street lifestyle. The way of the streets may have been watch out for each others back but that was more of a selfish act than anything else. Life in the streets is look out for number one and the life the Church at times as well.

Matthew 5:21"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' 22But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment".

The Good News is God has taken care of our sin. First the folks in the southern U.S. needed to know they were slaves and then they could begin to understand the Declaration that was made for them. As Law (Ten Commandments) breakers we need to take care of that sin in our lives that separates us from God. No more taking things into our own hands and comming up with the punishment, the punishment has been taken care of as well. If you have seen the Passion of the Christ or read the Gospel narratives about the death of Jesus you know how severe his punishment was. The Father allowed this to happen to His One and Only Son, so how do you think He is going to be with us if we don't come to His Son and receive His Gift, his payment in full for our sin?

The folks in the street and the Church need to hear the Good News but first they need to know they are enslaved to sin first.