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A Boat Overturned on Hood's
Canal A young father with a friend went crabbing in a small skiff on Hood's
Canal. When one of them was hauling in the crab pot the boat tipped over
throwing both of them into the frigid water. For half an hour they were
partially submerged cleaving to the overturned boat. At this point the
young father, who was beginning to feel the effects of hypothermia,
decided the best chance he had for seeing his children and wife again
was to swim for shore. His friend earnestly pleaded with him to stay
with the boat. He pointed out that the distance was too great, and the
water too bitterly cold. However the man pushed off from the boat and
started to swim to the shore. After he swam a short distance he
disappeared out of sight. A short while later a Coast Guard helicopter
rescued the man clinging to the boat. A search was organized for the
missing man but his body has never been found. The young man's family was devastated when they
learned of the news of his drowning. If he had only listened to the pleading
of his friend he would have been saved. An overturned boat in frigid water
just didn't seem to him like a thing he could place his trust in.
I would like to take a moment and plead with you about trusting in
something that seems weak and contemptible but is truly the only way of
safety for the human soul. |
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Nearly two thousand years ago outside Jerusalem a man was nailed
to a cross of wood between two thieves. He was executed like a common criminal
in the most despicable manner practiced in those days. As he hung on the cross
men reviled him saying, He saved others himself he cannot save! After he died,
as a final act of ignominy and reproach, a soldier stuck a spear deep into his
side. To all immediate appearances, this person went down in weakness and
defeat. I would like to persuade you to trust him with all you heart, for what was
apparent defeat was in truth the most astounding victory the world will ever
know. Because the Lord Jesus died on the cross, God can justly put away the
sins of every person who will believe. His death might at first seem
contemptible but in truth trusting in him is the only way of safety.
His death was a great victory over sin, death, and hell for us. It was a
victory over sin because there is no other means to obtain the forgiveness of
sins. 'In whom we have redemption through his blood even the forgiveness of
sins.' It was a victory over death because God can now freely offer the gift
of eternal life to all who believe. 'The wages of sin is death but the gift of
God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.' And it was a victory over
hell because sinners who deserve to go there, by the grace of God, can make
heaven their eternal home. 'In my Father's house are many mansions, I go to
prepare a place for you.'
All your soul's safety depends on what you do with the entreaty, 'Believe on
the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.' Believe and you will share in
the victory that Christ won on the cross. Refuse to believe in the Lord Jesus
and go on in your own strength and you will find that you will never make the
shores of heaven but surely perish. Which will it be for you?
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