All rise. No, not you.
We're talking about the courtroom on this week's episode
of Liberty at Home. No, really, You could sit down
now. Welcome, my friends.
I'm glad you've decided to join us for yet another edition of
Liberty at Home here on Easton Community Access Television.
My name is Pastor Adam Rivero from the Liberty Baptist Church
right here in Easton, and today, as always, we're broadcasting
from Easton, MA, where there's a rumor spring is on its way, but
I don't know I believe it yet. Today I want to consider some
thoughts from a situation I found myself in a few years ago
when I was in court. No, I wasn't under arrest, but I
was a member of the jury, so let me explain.
All rise, hear ye hear ye hear ye all persons having anything
to do before the Honorable Sharon Donatelle of the Superior
Court. Draw near, give your attention,
and you shall be heard. God save the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts. Slowly, I sat down in my chair
located to the side of the courtroom.
I've been sitting in the jury box for well over a week now,
listening to testimony and considering the arguments of the
attorneys as they presented their cases to the 13 other
jurors seated around me. How did I end up here?
Well, like I just mentioned, a few years ago, I was chosen out
of a pool of hundreds of potential jurors for a case in
Fall River Superior Court. Aren't I special?
I'll save you from the sensitive details of the case we had to
deliberate over, but suffice it to say, I never thought I'd be
chosen for a jury. Even further, I never imagined
that I'd have to drive to Fall River from Easton for three
weeks to fulfill my civic duty, all while still being a pastor
who preached 3 sermons a week among my any all my other
duties. Although many things stick out
in my mind about my civic service to the Commonwealth, the
opening of that court officer each day still rings in my ears
years later. In particular, I took note of
the phrase God save the Commonwealth.
When we hear this phrase or it's close kin God Bless America,
it's an acknowledgement that there is a higher power than us
that we must appeal to. But who is this higher power?
Is it some generic God that is mystical and more of a state of
mind than an actual being? Or is it one God who goes by
many different names and no matter what you call him or her,
we all call out to the same deity?
The Bible gives us a clear answer and spoiler alert it's
neither of the options I just gave you.
For there is one God and one mediator between God and men,
the man Christ Jesus says First Timothy chapter one verse 5.
Further Isaiah chapter 44 verse 6 maintains.
Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the
Lord of hosts. I am the 1st and I am the last,
and besides me there is no God. First Corinthians chapter 8
verse 6 tells us, But to us there is but one God the Father,
of whom are all things, and we in Him, and 1 Lord Jesus Christ,
by whom are all things, and we by him who can save the
Commonwealth, our nation, or a soul from sin.
Peter speaks of Christ in Acts chapter 4 verse 12 when he says
Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none
other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be
saved. Christ paid the penalty for sin
on the cross and only He has the ability to save us from our
sins. Now this may sound quite
exclusive and many may take exception to the fact that
someone like me would say that Jesus Christ is the only way to
salvation. Yet as exclusive as it may seem,
it's also equally inclusive. And this is because salvation is
available for all mankind and then available throughout all of
human history. The Bible's wellest, most well
known verse, John 316, tells us that Christ died for the sins of
all when it states, for God so loved the world that he gave his
only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him
should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Romans chapter 10, verse 13 further reminds us of the global
availability of salvation. For whosoever shall call upon
the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Why do we need God's salvation? Well, because there's a judgment
coming. No, I'm not talking about
Superior Court, but rather an eternal 1.
And it's been appointed unto men once to die, but after this the
judgment says Hebrews 9, verse 27.
Would you accept His free gift of salvation before you stand
before Him at the great White Throne Judgment?
Well, time always goes by so quickly here on Liberty at Home,
and today is no exception. But before we close, I want to
remind you, as always, that you have an open invitation to visit
Liberty Baptist Church anytime. We're located 800 Washington St.
Route 138 here in Easton. You can learn more about LBC.
Catch our services online by visiting my libertybaptist.org.
Well, until next week. This is Adam Rivera reminding
you that where the Spirit of the Lord is, there's Liberty.
See you next week here on Liberty at Home.