Addiction (Stay Awake)

Sermon Reflections from Addiction | Stevan Cox and Alex Hardt  | June 25, 2023

Pastor Alex reminded us that addiction is a powerful tool that Satan uses to capture and ensnare our thoughts and lives.  His good friend, Steve Cox, shared this truth from his own life and how he saw the consequences of sin play out in what happened to him.  To begin, Pastor Alex shared the movie example from Stay Awake where the lives of those surrounding the addict mother were affected by her addiction.  Even though the addict thinks they are only hurting themselves the repercussions of their actions reverberate around them as others seek to ‘make things better’ and enable them to continue with their addictive behaviors.  Steve continued with his own story of redemption from addiction and evil life choices though the power of Christ in his life.  His transformation was complete, whole and filled with restoration and hope.  God is good and showed himself in Steve’s life in extraordinary ways. Praise God!

As I reflected upon the power of God’s great love for Steve, I was drawn anew to the scripture passages each chose to rely upon.   Steve choose 1 Corinthians 15:32-44.   This passage speaks about the truth and reality of Christ’s resurrection.  Without the power of the resurrection all would be lost.  Without the healing power of Christ and what he did on the cross when He died and rose again, Steve, you and I would be desolate and lost without hope.  Without the reality of Christ in our lives, it would simply be as verse 32b states, “If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”   All our world would be temporal and of and for itself.  With Christ in our lives, we gain hope, purpose, salvation, an eternal home and a relationship with God Almighty.  Pastor Alex chose Matthew 5:12-12.  In this portion of scripture Jesus is giving the Sermon on the Mount and gives a listing of the attitudes that Christ desires us to have in our lives.  We will receive God’s blessings if we are sorry for our sins and mourn over what we have done. With a humble attitude we will be uplifted and filled with His purpose, righteousness, purity, peace and the power to sustain us during persecution.  Once one turns to Christ, a life filled with blessings awaits.  Repentance will begin the process towards all that Christ has for each of us. The power of God’s love and forgiveness is greater than any addiction and is strong enough to break the chains of sin that can bind us.

Steve reminded us that addiction does not have to be about drugs and alcohol alone but can be anything that takes the place of the love in Christ in our lives.  This is a sobering reminder to constantly examine our priorities and pray, pray, pray.  I loved his main point saying,  ‘Your walk talks and your talk talks, but your walk talks louder than you talk talks.’   Taking this apart, I see how you live your life- your daily actions speaks to others about who you are.  Your words of course speak to who you are.  The loudest witness to others is when our words and actions match and thereby speak in unity of Christ in all ways.  God uses us to show Himself to those around us as others see and hear us. God desires that our lives are committed and aligned to Him.  Micah 6:8 puts it this way, “He has told you, O man, what is good;    and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
    and to walk humbly with your God?

Take some time this week to examine your walk, your words and ask yourself, how they are matching up?  Do your words and actions align with God’s Word?  If not, take time to pray and seek God’s help.  Let Him direct you and point you in the way you should go!

Linda

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