Memory Verse: “By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin: and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” Romans 6:1212Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. (Romans 6:12)
“If I can just loosen this nut,” thought Clinton as he struggled with a nut that was stuck on his car. He was working under the car which was supported by blocks on either side. As he positioned his wrench on the stubborn nut, he thought again, “One more time with all my strength....” He braced himself and with one mighty pull again tried to loosen the nut. But instead of loosening the nut he found himself trapped with the weight of the car pressing down on his chest. His mighty pull had made the car slip off the blocks supporting it, and now he was pinned underneath!
How many of you realize that, unless you know the Lord Jesus Christ as your own Saviour, you are trapped by Satan. Satan is not the pitchfork-carrying devil that we sometimes see pictured, but he is a strong power in this world. In 1 Peter 5:88Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (1 Peter 5:8) the Bible describes the devil “as a roaring lion... seeking whom he may devour.” He is also called the one which “deceiveth (betrays) the whole world.” Revelation 12:99And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. (Revelation 12:9). He does this by saying that sin is not important, so just forget about it.
But what does God say about sin? “As by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” Romans 5:1212Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (Romans 5:12). As a sinner without Christ, you are trapped in your sins and on the way to hell! But there is a way of escape if you will admit that you are helpless and need someone to help you.
Clinton knew right away that he was helpless—trapped under the car with the car’s weight slowly crushing his chest. He frantically called for help!
Clinton’s wife Deborah was in the house. Hearing his calls she ran to the garage to help him. He explained that the car could be lifted with the loader attachment on the front of their antique tractor. She ran to the barn after first phoning the neighboring farm for help. As hard as she tried, she could not start the old tractor. Neither could the two men from the neighboring farm who hurried over to help. Meanwhile, Clinton was finding it harder and harder to breathe.
Deborah happened to recall that their six-year-old son, Clinton, Jr., had helped his dad with a few jobs using the tractor. She ran into the house to get him. He quickly showed the men how to start the tractor and operate the loader. Now they were able to lift the front of the car, setting Clinton free!
Clinton was treated for only bruises and a sprained wrist. Paramedics who had arrived said that he would have died in just a few more minutes if the car had not been lifted off his chest. Clinton says today that he would have died if his son had not known exactly how to start that old tractor.
Clinton was rescued because the right person was there to help him. There were three other people who wanted to help him, but did not know how. Only young Clinton knew how to get the tractor started to help his dad. And it is the same way with those of you who want to be saved but do not know how. There may be people who will tell you ways that they think you can be saved. But if it is not God ‘s way it is not the right way and will not help you. The Lord Jesus Christ said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:66Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6). Yes, this is the only way that anyone can be saved. Every person must believe that the Lord Jesus suffered and died on the cross for their own sins. They must believe it is only the blood of the Lord Jesus that can wash their sins away and free them from Satan’s trap. Won’t you accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour now?
ML-09/05/1982