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Saturday, December 29, 2007

CHRISTMAS IS ETERNAL FREEDOM FROM SLAVERY

Luke 2:11 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. (KJV)

Christmas is the day that marks your deliverance from eternal slavery. After reading many translations of Luke 2:10-11, I wasn’t satisfied. So I wrote my own (smile) based on the literal Greek meaning of the words, and in a today language that I could understand.

If you would, allow me to share with you Luke 2:10-11 from the "The Elder Dre Living Letters" edition: The angel said, in Butler speech: Don’t be scured (southern alteration of the word scared). I was told to bring you news that is the bomb (Something or someone that is really cool).

Today in the city of David, the Deliverer, the Preserver, the Messiah is born to release you from your shackles of slavery. And guess who He is. It’s our Master, Owner, Creator, and the One who has supreme authority, who is the anointed One. His name is Jesus. I know I’m not a theologian, but I just had to see it in a today language.

Jesus is the one that is empowered enough, and the one who loves us so much, He’s willing to deliver us from the bondage of slavery. See, the word redeem means to buy back out of slavery. You’ve seen the affects of slavery in Africa. People were kidnapped from their homes, chained, beaten, put on ships to cross the ocean. Many died, and many were murdered as they were thrown overboard to the sharks to lighten the weight of the ship. It did not only happen to the Africans, but there has been slavery in every race of mankind. But I’m here to tell you that all of the suffering that those people went through does not compare to eternal suffering in Hell. At least their suffering on earth would end when they died. But suffering does not end in Hell. There is no refuge, no comfort, no place of rest and peace. This is the slavery state for which God had to send a deliverer to release us. It is slavery that is eternal.

But Jesus came that Christmas morning to set you free. If you receive Him then you can walk through the open door of salvation. Jesus, the only one who was qualified to do it, kicked open the slave door of sin, and said to you, "Come on, walk out with me." And I’m glad He did. We ought to thank God on Christmas morning, for it marks the day that we were freed from eternal slavery.

Scripture reference: Romans 6:23; Ephesians 4:9-10; Matthew 28:18

A belated Merry Christmas from my family to yours!
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About Me

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I'm just a nobody, trying to tell everybody about Somebody who can save anybody. I give all honor to the Father for the privilege of being His instrument, through whom He lives and works for His glory alone. I served in the U.S. Navy for 21 years, retiring in September 2003. In my final three years, I was co-pastor at Greater New Refuge COGIC in Fallon, Nevada, under Pastor Gregory L. Brown. I supported my pastor and church by helping with a new sanctuary's construction and caring for all ministry needs while staying true to my mandate to preach the Word of God without compromise. In November 2002, I was licensed to preach and ordained in June 2003. While stationed in Virginia Beach, I served at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church for 17 years under Bishop-Elect W.D. Scott, Sr., and now I serve at Calvary Revival Church in Norfolk, VA, under Bishop B. Courtney McBath. I also earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Religion from Saint Leo University, deepening my foundation and commitment to this path of faith.

MY THEOLOGICAL TRAINING:

It brings to my face a unadulterated smile each and every occasion I am asked, “Elder Dre, What Theological Training do you have?”

My heart beams with joy at the opportunity to humbly give full glory to God as I reflect on on how the prophets, patriarchs and apostles of old would have respond: Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joshua, Gideon, King David, Elijah, Elisha, Jeremiah, John the Baptist, Matthew, Mark, Peter, James, John and the other disciples, not forgetting the Saviour Himself.

How would they have answered the question: “What theological training do you have?”

The words of the prophet Amos also came to mind: “Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit:” Amos 7:14

I surely am not impliedly decrying theological preparation, education or training: I consider it essential, but not as much as some think. For the fact is, the Almighty raises up believers according to His own standards.

Educational qualifications, wealth, fame, talent, social standing, outward appearance etc. are useful; but they are secondary in His sight. Qualities like faith, obedience, holiness, humility, honesty, absolute loyalty to one’s spouse, the ability to raise one’s family to fear God and keep His commandments etc.; these are the things the Most High values.

“Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”

Only on the Day of Judgment will it be known how truly educated, weighty and effective I have been. That is why I have to smile when the question arise.

The vanity of the question is only matched by the foolishness of my answer.

As the wise man wrote: “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher; all is vanity.” Ecclesiastes 1: 2 or as the apostle Paul commented in 2 Corinthians 11:16-30 when rattling off a long list of impressive qualifications “... I speak as a fool.”

Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. All who proclaim that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. 1 John 4:14-15 (NLT)

I am a preacher, but most of all, I proclaim that Jesus is the Savior with various applications of that truth in my everyday life. My dear friend, if you are a Christian, you are a preacher also. Whether you have been ordained or not, hired by a church or not, or ever been recognized as a preacher or not is beside the point. All who have God living in them are called to proclaim the Savior to the world. It is a Holy calling, and a demanding one. It will pull you out of your comfort zone, challenge your commitment, and help to develop you into the person God has created you to be.

John spoke as an eyewitness to Jesus' saving power. We speak as heart-witnesses; ones who have not seen Jesus with our eyes, but have experienced Him through personal transformation. I speak, and you speak, as a representative of Christ on earth. The message that we bring is simple, yet profound; that God the Father sent God the Son into the world to save those who are lost to bring them into relationship with Him. As you tell the story, and I tell the story, some will listen and receive the grace that God has sent us into the world to proclaim.

PRAYER THOUGHT: Father, what a privilege to be a spokesperson for You.

Thank you for stopping by. Stay encouraged and please do come back.