Reflections From the Courtroom | Liberty at Home

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.

Isaiah 44:6

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

1 Corinthians 8:6

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

Acts 4:12

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

Romans 10:13

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.

Hebrews 9:27

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.