Title: Escape From Miry Clay
Memorize: For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23
Bible Reading: Romans 6:18-23
18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Message:
A miry clay situation refers to a situation that is so terrible that a fellow cannot get out of by himself or herself; such a fellow needs external help.
These miry clay situations can be sometimes brought about by sin that is present in a fellow’s life.
For instance, when a paralyzed man was brought to Jesus in Mark 2:1-12, the first thing the Lord said to him was, “Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.”
The word of God is clear; the wages of sin is death. Therefore, if a sinner finds himself or herself in a miry clay situation, the fellow must repent and forsake his or her sins before he or she can come out of the miry clay.
Some years ago, I was invited to Tunisia to speak at a conference. While speaking, I said, “Brethren, I have come to submit to you that God answers all prayers.”
Thereafter, some theologians called me aside and told me that what I said was not true.
Beloved, don’t let anybody deceive you; God answers prayers. In Jeremiah 33:3, He said, “Call on me and I will answer you”; He didn’t say, “l may answer you.”
However, God can only answer the prayers He hears. If He doesn’t hear, there can’t be an answer, and Isaiah 59:1-2 says clearly that it is sin that can prevent God from hearing us.
Key Point:
If you are still obeying God half-heartedly, change your ways so that He can answer your prayers.
HYMN 12: ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS
1 Onward, Christian
soldiers, marching as to War,
With the cross of Jesus going on before!
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
Forward into battle, see his banner go!
Refrain:
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of JesUs going on before!
2 At the name of Jesus Satan’s host doth flee;
On, then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!
Hell’s foundations quiver at the shout of praise;
Brothers, lift your voices, loud your anthems raise!
3 Like a mighty army moves the church of God:
Brothers, we are treading
where the saints have trod;
We are not divided; all one body we,
One in hope and doctrine, one in charity.
4 Crowns and thrones may perish,
Kingdoms rise and wane;
But the church Jesus constant will remain:
Gates of hell can never ‘gainst that church prevail
We have Christ’s own promise and that cannot fail
5 Onward, then, ye people, join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices in the triumph song;
Glory, praise and honour,.unto Christ the King;
This through countless ages, men and angels sing.
Bible In One Year: Leviticus 19:1-20:21; Mark 8:11-38
Authors: Pastor E. A. Adeboye and Pastor Folu Adeboye