Mt. Zion Christian Church
3631 Combs Ferry Road
Winchester, KY
859.745.2446
exists to... Worship God. Love Others. Share Jesus.
Sin has many tools, but a lie is a handle which fits them all. Oliver Wendell Holmes
Let me guess... I would dare to say that most of us have the commandments categorized...not memorized. What I mean by that is most of us probably see some commandments as more important than others such as "Don’t Murder" which we think should really be the first commandment and then we move on to "Don’t Steal" and then "No Adultery" and so on. But lying is one of those insignificant sins. Many times we really don’t think this one is such a biggee.
We are living in a time when truth does not seem to carry as much weight as it should. This year has been the worst I have ever witnessed for a lack of truth which claimed it was itself the undeniable truth. I have heard of people everywhere accusing others (Even their Christian Family Members) of saying things they did not say and what is worse those who bring such accusations do so as if they themselves heard the accused say it personally when it is actually 3rd or 4th hand information.
Have you ever played the game "Gossip"? One person whispers to another a story and the one who listens then turns to another person and retells the story. This continues until everyone playing the game has heard the story and repeated it. The last person to be told then retells the story out loud for all to hear. What usually comes forth is a story vastly different from the original.
Our scripture for this coming Sunday’s sermon contains the 9th Commandment. Exodus 20:16 reads; You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
Another scripture to ponder is...
Ephesians 4:17-25 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.
20 You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. 21 Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
I find it very interesting that when the writer speaks of "Having lost all sensitivity" then he uses the terms "Sensuality" and "Continual lust for more" I get the picture of some sexual sin but then he goes on to say "THEREFORE." (Anytime you see "Therefore" in scripture we must ask ourselves "What is therefore...There For?") Paul indicates he has said all of that to get to his main point of speaking truthfully to our neighbors by putting off falsehoods.
Lies have been the foundation for severed relationships from the time of Adam & Eve in the Garden of Eden. That fallen being "satan" lied and God’s creation believed him. Even to this day he still uses the same tactics because they are so good for him.
The main reason for all of this corruption flowing out of the mouth is due to the deceivers time being short. Our adversary the devil will soon be through with his schemes and he is trying very diligently to deceive God’s Holy Family. If the devil can get a foothold within the body of Christ (The Church) he will have great opportunity to deceive even more.
This past Sunday we looked at the 8th commandment dealing with not stealing and we discovered one of the worst ways we steal is with the tongue and it may be labeled as "Theft of reputation." Remember this scripture; write it down...in stone.
Proverbs 10:19 When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.
Holding our tongue is a difficult operation but one which we would all do well to commit to. I believe the best way to keep the 9th commandment would be if we all started praying for those who persecute us, those who are our enemies, those who mistreat us, those filled with slanderous ways. What an awesome thing it would be to see each person throw away the sword of revenge and no longer cut ourselves with it. We have such a short life span ourselves that it would be a terrible waste to use it for destruction. Why not join the true family of God, look like it, walk like it and talk like it. Come this Sunday and participate in true worship of God. Start today thinking of ways to do a better job of keeping the 9th Commandment.
My family and I plan to take some much needed vacation this month and have asked Brother Wayne Smith to preach on June 17th, Fathers Day. We plan to complete our sermon series "God’s Ten Words" when we return for the Sunday of June 24th. Please pray for us as we travel and be assured we will continue to be praying for you.
I want to take this space to tell you how much the Speakes’ love every one of God’s people...ESPECIALLY every soul at Mt. Zion. Mt. Zion is a very unusual place of worship in that it really does feel like a family. Only a family will fuss and fight...and still love one another the way we do. I have been a member of only three churches in my life but I can truly say I have never known a place where I laughed as much nor hurt as deeply and came out of it all knowing I had grown through it all. I thank God for everyone and I know God is using each of us to rub against each other so that we will be smother and more polished for our Saviors work. Please forgive me if I have offended you in any way. I am who I am...but I am trying to be Who He Wants Me To Be.
For the Cause of Christ,
Pastor Kenny