Now, let’s get down to earth… Do the following words describe some of your relationships: Distance. Separation. Alienated. Exclusion. Outcast. Impassable barriers. Hatred. Animosity. Disdain. Splintered. Desire for revenge. Bitterness. Resentment. Enemies. Do any of these words strike a chord in your heart as you think of some of your relationships. If so, you are not dealing with anything new. There have been problems in relationships ever since the first one between God and man, in marriage, and in the family. God declared the truth. Adam disobeyed, was disappointed in himself, Eve, and God, so he blamed God for everything. Eve was disappointed and filled with insecurity, shame, and guilt. She blamed the serpent. The truth is God has given us a solution for our human plight. God preached the Gospel in the Garden, Paul preached it in Ephesus, and I will preach it today at Bethlehem. One of the challenges at the church of Ephesus and for the church today is to maintained gospel-centered unity. Today, we are going to look at “The Conflict of the Ages.” |