The Loss Of Innocence Part 2

Looking to Jesus and adamant Eve sinned by disobeying God. Then the ripple effect moved into all areas of life.

As time passed, people began using other people to gratify their desires without commitment today.

One unavoidable aftereffect of violating God's moral laws from the church in Chicago. This is running to win with Dr. Sir who is clear teaching sauce make it across the finish line after the concert. You've taken us back to Eden where it all began. Remind us of our series is all about Dave in a single word. I would say that this series of messages is about brokenness and we don't have to look very far to see brokenness all that we need to do is to look into our own hearts, but we also discover brokenness in society among their families. Surely this is a time for prayer. It's a time for tears as we look around and see what is happening in our world today. And no matter what we see here in the West, it is far worse in other countries how desperately we need the message of redemption. The message of hope and that's what this series of messages is all about. I've written a book entitled life-changing Bible verses you should know. Actually I have to say that I cowrote it with my wife Rebecca. It deals with all kinds of topics. It deals briefly with issues that range from the fear of the Lord took conscience to what it means to forgive, to the glory of God. God is one of the topics Grace is a great book to help other people be discipled, but you can also be discipled through this book, life-changing Bible verses you should know. I believe it will be a great resource in your life for a gift of any amount. It can be yours.

Here is what you do go to RTW offer.com or call us at 1-888-218-9337. Now let us listen to the hope given to us by God. What are the effects of shame. First of all it imprisons the soul Adam and Eve were not looking for God and believe me they were running from him. The Bible says they were hiding God. It imprisons the soul where people then begin to withdraw because they withdraw from healthy relationships, which is absolutely necessary for their wholeness. They withdraw and they and they retreat within themselves, and the shame begins to on self. It imprisons the soul. It diminishes the soul. Obviously, when we come before God we are unworthy that this brings about the destructive unworthiness. The belief that one is somehow fatally flawed and that there is no hope for oneself and that even God is not able to intervene because after all were so terrible and so it diminishes the soul can I say. Also, it focuses the soul because you begin to think about what caused the shame and it becomes an obsession, it becomes a preoccupation counseling. A woman who was abused as a child physically and sexually.

She said that she would go to school. She thought for sure that all of the other students could see within her soul and to see the abuse and the tremendous shame she said it was as if I had an S branded on my forehead. Shame shame shame shame you can imagine the that healing in the years of healing, actually for her to overcome that shame. You understand now when it focuses the soul that actually fuels addiction and as a result of that people tend to do over and over again the things that they know they shouldn't do why their temple has been desecrated, the boundaries have been violated. The pig has been brought into the sanctuary and so there's no use trying to do better because they are imprisoned. This shame and the shame keeps fueling the thing that produces more shame see that's why men who are obsessed with pornography. Don't feel free to tell their wives about it because they think that all that they will get is more shame and the shame that they deal with begets that which produces more shame. That's why women who had an abortion and maybe their husbands don't even know about it. They have kept the secret to themselves living with that single you know I'm forgiven by God. Yes, they are forgiven by God, but you cannot be hole until you have been have a relationship with other people of acceptance and and knowledge for others know you and accept you and affirm you as a human being. So even though there forgiven by God, somehow.

It's always there. It's always there was God's answer for shame.

Well, you know the Bible says, and now are looking in chapter 3, actually of Genesis notice verse 20. I believe that this is so wonderful. It says in verse 21 and the Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. And the Lord God says that he has become like one of us. And then there expelled from the garden, but the point is, they have garments of skin. Where did the skin come from. Obviously, animals that God must've killed, and this is in anticipation of the coming of Jesus Christ where we will be covered UC with the righteousness of Christ. But even better than that in the Old Testament you have all of that imagery of sin being taken away member the goats upon which sin was confessed one of the goats went into the forest and was never seen again. What is God trying to say is trying to say that when I deal with sin.

It's not just covering it. It's actually removing it. It is, it is taking away the shame. It is taking away the guilt. It is putting it in a place where you no longer have to look at it Rodney Clapp in an article that I quoted from from this pulpit some time ago, in a wonderful article entitled shame crucified, said that the most dreadful thing about dying on the cross was the shame. In fact, the cross was called a tree of shame and Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law having been made a curse for us. The Bible says so that we might become his righteousness, and then in the article he goes on to ask the question how did Jesus handle the shame he says does shame bind us yes it does. And Jesus was bound does shame destroy her reputation.

Yes, Jesus was despised and rejected the shame reduces to silence.

Yes, he is a lead as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opens his mouth to shame lead to abandonment. Yes, he was forsaken by God, and he was forsaken by his friends. Bible says in Hebrews chapter 2, who for the joy that was set before him. He endured the cross, despising it shame. In effect, saying I'll take the shame I won't bypass the shame because what I want to do. Jesus is in effect saying is to shame. Shame so that shame may no longer have to overpower my people. I will rob the shame of its power. I will take it away so that nobody has to be permanently paralyzed, imprisoned by shame because of Jesus Christ's victory over shame, we can be now a community in which we can accept one another, despite our shame because all of us of done things of which we are ashamed we can create an atmosphere in which which people can confess their need and can know that there is hope, not just to be forgiven by God, which is the first step also to be received and accepted by others in a wholesome relationship that takes away the shame. It is seldom that my messages do any good. Before I preach them.

But in this instance.

Evidently there is a difference many months ago when I told the people at permitting that I was going to speak on the topic of restoring the soul, a young woman in permitting began to think about her own secrets her own molestation that she experienced at the age of 11, in an alcoholic home with a mother was disconnected and not taking care the protection of her children. She wrote to me and she said I put that believer and she began to share with the believer. Her great need and what happened to her. She said I put that believer through torture the more he knew about my ugly secret. The more I hated him I feared that I would be viewed as an ugly secret that she says I called them up and told him that I hated him for what he knew but he replied that he would keep praying for me and not me in return. She says that night I called on God's name is I had never called on him before I prayed and I said tonight I'm calling you something that I have never called you before she speaking to the Lord. I'm going to call you my father. She said I prayed and said I know you as creator King and Lord.

But tonight I need to know that I'm not just your servant. I am your daughter. She said the very next morning I was able to see the hand of grace.

I felt the corridor that began to sew up my wounds. Satan no longer torments me about my past.

I yelled back.

I am still a child of God saved by grace your series of messages need prayer and fasting because of people like me. We are afraid that our tears will show I hope. Moody Church. You are never afraid to cry but she says we are afraid that our tears will show we are afraid of our stitches that the stitches will tear. We are afraid others will find out. I wish I had the courage to give you this letter in person, but just writing this to you is all the courage I can muster now. So the letter was given to me, but last Sunday evening.

She came to me and identified herself and that's when I asked permission to read this letter out of never read it. Apart from permission because people who have been living in shame. The last thing they need is more surprises and the trail, but this is what she said to me she said I had the choice to make, either. I would be an ugly secret or I would be the daughter of God. That's the choice that some of you things you want to be an ugly secret or you want to be the daughter of God.

A couple of years ago a student of mine gave me this story, which I read to you in that place between wakefulness and dreams.

I found myself in the room with walls covered with boxes of index file stretching from floor-to-ceiling one box was labeled people. I have liked. I opened it and to my surprise, each card had the name of the person I knew then I realized where I was. This was the catalog file of my whole life.

All details big and small were recorded both curiosity and fear stirred within me. As I began to ran the blade open the file.

Some brought back wonderful memories. Others triggered shame is so intense that I glanced over my shoulder to make sure that no one was watching.

Files included books I have read another television programs. I have watched. There was one lies.

I have told and comfort. I have given then there was things done in anger and another file times I have cursed there also were files titled people I have helped and prayers. I have prayed, I was overwhelmed with the sheer volume of the cards. There were hundreds of boxes in each contained hundreds of cards. I timidly open the people I have hurt file and was amazed at its depth. Yet each card had my name and my signature.

I was drawn to the file. People I have shared the gospel with and was embarrassed that the box was almost empty when I moved on to the file.

People I've not forgiven. I was surprised that the box was almost full. I did not have to look at each card because I knew intuitively that these files were accurate, no mistakes here. I glanced up and the file I dreaded, most lustful thoughts was in front of me. A shameful chill ran through my body.

I opened the file but only for a moment, not willing to test its bulk and its size. Out of the corner of my eye I saw another file various sexual sins. I pretended not to notice, and turned away. I was obsessed with destroying the cards but found that I could not know they were thin they were as strong as steel. In fact, I could not even dislodge them from the file cabinets they were in by now only one pot dominated my mind. No one must ever see these car. No one must ever enter into this room. Tears came to my eyes. I saw so violently that I began to shake. I fell on my knees and cried, humiliated and afraid. I must lock the room and hide the key as I wipe my tears away and was about to stand up. I noticed that someone had entered into the room I glanced up at his face and I saw him no, not not anyone but Jesus, I turned away burning with shame. Then he began to open the files and read the cards.

He went from box to box and when I glanced up I saw sorrow on his face that was just as deep as my own. Why did he have to look after a few moments he walked over and put his arm around me. He said nothing but just cried with me. Then he began to systematically go through the files one by one from beginning to end, assigning his name on each car, no, no, I sub you can't do that.

I was amazed at how quickly he went through all of the boxes and when he was finished he showed me some cards up close and I noticed that on each was his signature signed with his own blood covering my name. I turned away and cried.

By now he was standing beside me. He put his hand on my shoulder and said it is finished, he waited in silence for me to dry my tears and then he led me out of the room.

Suddenly a verse I memorized in Sunday school flashed into my mind.

There is therefore now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus. Together we walked down the hallway, but the door was left unlocked my life was not yet over and there were cards that still needed to be written. A minister friend of mine who committed adultery destroyed two marriages, his own and that of someone else. I rode with him in his car.

I know I told you the story before. As he put on the stereo as loudly as we could bear. Calvary covers it all.

My past with its sin and disdain we could read shame, my guilt and despair. Jesus took on him.

There and Calvary covers it all. The first step in healing is to be cleansed by Christ's blood. The decision that many of you here today on listening by radio or other means. The decision that you have to make today is this an ugly secret or a daughter or son of the living God. Let us pray our father, we thank you today that you are indeed the healer of souls you bind up the brokenhearted, your word says and you bind up their wounds today father we've open some loan today. Father some people have been awakened to a past and we ask today father in the name of Jesus that you will grant them the ability to first of all receive your cleansing and then father to speak to someone in their small groups of someone and their friends and tell them their story and be affirmed in that forgiveness. The chain might be removed. We pray for the deliverance of those father, struggling with pornography. Those who are in immoral relationships. Even now, is there listening we ask today.

Father that you will give them the desire and the strength to do what needs to be done to rebuild the desecrated temple all father.

We cry out to you today come and heal your people, forgive them and set us free. Before I close this message. How many of you say today Pastor Luther today. I accept Christ's cleansing for my past would you raise your hands placed throughout the auditorium.

Thank God. Many hands more than I can count today accept Christ's cleansing Calvary covers it all.

Father for those of raise their hands and those who should have. We ask today for your cleansing and your forgiveness and your healing Jesus name, amen my friend today. I think that you will understand when I say that this series of messages is incredibly important. It's applicable to every life who is listening and I want to thank you so much for helping us as we get the ministry of running to win thousands upon thousands of people. We exist so that the gospel of Jesus Christ is glorified and we delight in its power and no matter where you are today. No matter what your past is God is there to help you. I'm speaking to people today who are in prison.

I'm talking about those who are living a good life. But inside they are corrupt, God is the answer and Christ is the means by which we reach him. My wife and I have written a book entitled life changing Bible verses you should know is very important because it deals with about 36 different issues. Issues of doctrine and Christian living. That all of us face for a gift of any amount.

It can be yours.

Here's what you do go to RTW offer.com or you can call us at 1-888-218-9337 if running to win is a blessing to you shared with others. Tell them about this ministry and if you want to right now. Call 1-888-218-9337 it's time once again for you to ask Pastor Luther a question about the Bible or the Christian life. The moment of death is something we all face something that raises questions for everyone one running to one listener is trying to sort out the details and has this question. Those of us who die in Christ today. Do we go to Paradise or to heaven well you know the answer, I think, is that Paradise is heaven. I can't seem to find a great distinction in the Bible between Paradise and heaven. I think that when Jesus said to the thief on the cross.

Today you will be with me in paradise. I think that that Paradise is heaven.

So the good news is that whether we call it Paradise or heaven. It is an unbelievable place. I has not seen, neither has it entered into the heart of man, what God has prepared for those who love him. So no matter what we call it eternity is going to be great. It sure is.

Thank you. Dr. Moser if you'd like to hear your question answered. You can go to our website@rtwoffer.com and click on ask Pastor Luther or call us at 1-888-218-9337 that's 1-888-218-9337 you can write to us at running to win 1635 N. LaSalle Boulevard Chicago, IL 60614, driven by our desires. We can become experts at self-deception will do whatever it takes to satisfy sexual urges and then justify what we do. By believing blatant lies next time I'm running to win the list of lies begins.

Don't miss lies. We love lies that hurt.

Thanks for listening. This is Dave McAllister running to win is sponsored by the Moody Church