“GLOBAL HAND-WASHING DAY ON OCTOBER 15”

We are told in the local paper (Northern News, October 13, 2010) that proper hand-washing to prevent the spreading of diseases has become of critical importance.

Basically the message of UNICEF (acronym for United Nations Children’s Fund) is to set up the hand-washing habit in children at an early age.

The BIBLE, the Word of the Living God, has also a message for us and our hands. The BIBLE tells us also to wash our hands. Why? Because our hands are full of blood.

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SERMON OUTLINE – OT (NIV)

“YOUR HANDS ARE FULL OF BLOOD;

Isaiah 1:15-17

Intr.:

1. wash and make yourselves clean.

2. Take your evil deeds out of my sight!

3. Stop doing wrong,

4. learn to do right!

5. Seek justice,

6. encourage the oppressed.

7. Defend the cause of the fatherless,

8. plead the case of the widow.”

End:

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In  James 4:8 we read: “Wash your hands, you sinners,…..” Wash your hands. Cleanse your hands – the outward instrument of action. Who can ascend into the hill of the Lord? Only the cleanhanded can ascend into the hill of the Lord. Only the cleanhanded can do that. Psalm 24:3 “Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place?  He who has clean hands and a pure heart,…”

Only the justified through Jesus can do that. What does it mean to be justified? 1. Sinful man is forgiven. 2. Sinful man is declared righteous. 3. Sinful man is freed through faith from the penalty of his sin.

Justification is a gracious divine act.