Last Saturday evening, I went to the grocery store to get a few things. On the way back home, I saw an old dog slowly walking across a busy street. I thought, “Oh no he is going to get run over.” Several cars swerved to miss him, but he just kept up his slow pace across the road, not looking to the right or left.
As I got closer, I almost stopped so I could see him. No, I do not think he was injured; yes, he was skinny and looked like he had no home.
He just slowly walked away in despair.
Seeing that dog reminds me of something in the Bible and life.
I am seeing so many people without hope and in despair today. Many wander the streets while others may live in fine homes but have no hope for the now nor the future either.
Many turn to drugs, alcohol, porn or whatever to fill that empty void in their lives.
The problem is sin has separated us from a Holy God.
Ephesians 2:12 remember that you were at that time sepa-rated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, The only way we can be reconciled to a Holy God is by repenting, asking forgiveness for our sins, and calling upon Jesus Christ to save us.
Matthew 18:11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
Acts 3:19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, Luke 5:32 I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.
1 John 1:9-10 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
There is hope and a good future in Jesus Christ.
John 3:16-20 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.
John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
See you in Church next Sunday.