Take Ye
Away The Stone
Lazarus had been dead four days. Jesus worked this great miracle
to prove that he truly is the Son of God. I would like to borrow the
expression, "Take ye away the stone" and apply it in a different,
but appropriate, way.
In New Testament times when a cave or carved out tomb was
prepared for the dead, a large round wheel shaped stone was carved to cover
the entrance. The wheel-like stone was often four or five feet in diameter.
Obviously it would weigh several hundred pounds and require the combined
strength of several men to move it. Hence, the great round stone sealed the
opening of the tomb and separated the living from the dead.
Stones
Separating Men From God
The Scriptures describe those who are not Christians as
"the living dead." The word "death" means separation.
And, so all who are not Christians are said to be spiritually dead since they
are separated from God by their sins (Isa. 59:1-2).
This separation from God could end if certain "stones"
were rolled away.
(1) In some cases the stone of ignorance needs to be rolled
away. It is tragic that so many far and near, know so little about the Bible
and Jesus. How sad for millions to live and die without ever understanding
how Jesus died to extend to one and all the opportunity of salvation (John
3:16).
(2) With others the great barrier to salvation is the stone of
prejudice! Often mis-informed or un-informed people become offended or
antagonistic toward the Church or religion in general. It is sad to realize
that countless multitudes will spend eternity in a devil's hell because some
stone of prejudice became a mental barrier that kept them from ever realizing
the love that God has for them (Acts 2:38).
(3) From time to time we find self-righteousness is the stone
that needs to be taken away. The Bible teaches that salvation is by grace
through faith. "It is the gift of God." However, the gift is not
unconditional. Sinners must believe in Jesus, repent of their sins, confess
that Jesus is the Messiah and be baptized for the remission of sins. Indeed
it is sad when so many reject God's simple way and suppose they can work or buy
or serve or suffer their way into heaven (Rom. 6-3-8).
To lose one's soul is to lose all. To save one's soul is the
ultimate victory. For the sake of your own eternal welfare, we implore you to
roll aside anything and everything that stands between you and a proper
relationship with the Almighty.
Stones
Affecting The Indifferent
Jesus taught another lesson. He was about to call the dead back
to life (which no man could do). But, mortals could roll aside the stone -
and this they were commanded to do. Hence, we see the principle that God will
do for man that which is beyond his power; but, man must do his part by
responding to the grace of God. Man must do for himself all that he
is,capable of doing.
The principle can be applied today to church members who have
grown cold and drifted back into the world. It is obvious that real or
imagined barriers separate them from God. Anything standing between man and
God should be removed at once. Some such "stones" that need to be
rolled away are:
(1) Anything that hinders a lack of spiritual growth and
development.
a. "Desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow
thereby" (1 Pet. 2:2).
b. "Study to show theyself approved unto God" (2 Tim.
2:15).
c. "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness"
(Matt. 5:6). The Bible says faith comes from hearing the word of God (Rom.
10:17). We suggest that one's faith can only be maintained and sustained by
continued study.
(2) Anything that hinders total commitment and genders
indifference.
a. "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of
God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto
God, which is your reasonable service" (Rom. 12:1).
b. "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast,
unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord" (1 Cor. 15:58).
(3) Anything that hinders church attendance and worship.
a. "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves
together" (Heb. 10:25).
b. "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the
world . . . the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth
the will of God abideth forever" (1 John 2:15-17).
Roll the stone away. Worship this Sunday with the church of
Christ.
|
PROPHETIC……..
EVERY STONE STANDING BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR SUCCESS IS ROLLED
AWAY IN THE NAME OF JESUS.
THE STONE OF BARRENNESS
THE STONE OF FAILURE
THE STONE OF HARDSHIP
THE STONE OF LACK IN THE MIDST OF PLENTY
THE STONE OF PAIN AND SHAME
THE STONE OF REJECTION AND LACK OF FAVOUR
THE STONE OF NEAR SUCCESSN SYNDRONE
THE STONE OF DISSAPPOINTMENT AT THE VERGE OF BREAKTHROUGH
THE STONE OF MARITAL CRISES
THE STONE OF SICKNESS AND DISEASES
***IN THE NAME OF
JESUS THEY ARE TAKEN AWAY.
