Mary Helen Garbacki 9.6.1917-7.26.2009

A short post to honor my dear grandmother, Mary Helen Garbacki. She died at 9:27pm on Sunday July 26, 2009 in the company of her sons Robert and Peter Paul.

She helped raise me when I was a child and I have many fond memories of her. If not for this dear woman I would not have had much appreciation for my Savior and my God, Jesus.

She was placed in Hospice back in 2005 by Dr. Robert Blackburn- a quack in Spring Hill, FL. He did not even bother seeing her before placing her there. She made a fool out of him by living about four years more than he expected.

As I prayed concerning how I felt about her passing, I was reminded of David when his son from Bathsheba (Uriah's wife- the one David stole from him and had him killed over) died:

After Nathan had gone home, the LORD struck the child that Uriah's wife had borne to David, and he became ill. 16 David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and went into his house and spent the nights lying on the ground. 17 The elders of his household stood beside him to get him up from the ground, but he refused, and he would not eat any food with them.

18 On the seventh day the child died. David's servants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they thought, "While the child was still living, we spoke to David but he would not listen to us. How can we tell him the child is dead? He may do something desperate."

19 David noticed that his servants were whispering among themselves and he realized the child was dead. "Is the child dead?" he asked. "Yes," they replied, "he is dead."

20 Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they served him food, and he ate.

21 His servants asked him, "Why are you acting this way? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept, but now that the child is dead, you get up and eat!"

22 He answered, "While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, 'Who knows? The LORD may be gracious to me and let the child live.' 23 But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me." (2 Samuel 12.15-23 NIV)

I prayed for my dear grandmother as she was alive, and hoped for her then. However, now she has gone on and my time of grief is only about missing her. As David asked, I ask, "Can I bring her back again?" Obviously, no. Perhaps we will meet again in heaven. That is my hope.

Acts 8.4-8 "Proclaiming the Message"

“Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. 5Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. 6And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. 7For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8So there was much joy in that city.” (Acts 8.4-8 ESV)

When Philip went to Samaria after having to leave Jerusalem. He did what came naturally: he preached the Gospel. We can learn a great deal from him about the power of the Gospel.

The Message was Preached (v.4-5)
• “those who were scattered”- driven out of Jerusalem (Jewish Believers)
• “went about preaching the Word”- customary to live proclaiming the message
• Philip: not the Apostle, an evangelist/missionary and original deacon (Acts 6.5)
• The commission to preach the message was from Christ (Matthew 28.18-20)

The Message was Powerful (v.6-7)
• The message was validated by God's power
• It's power was foretold by Christ (Mark 16.15-18)
• The Holy Spirit worked in people's lives to save and heal

The Message was Productive (v.8)
• When Philip preached, people were saved (we can see in the context of this chapter)
• His work brought “much joy” to the city
• The powerful message is going to lead to salvation of some who do not believe
• “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” -Romans 1.16 (ESV)

We, just like Philip must bring the Gospel with us wherever we go. When we do we will see results over time. We step out and do the work; the result is the Lord's. Philip did not talk these people into anything, the Holy Spirit did the work.

Romans 6.20-23 "Declaration of Dependence"

“For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6.20-23 (ESV)

In 1776, our national began with the writing and signing of the Declaration of Independence. It was a brave and noble act. However, when it comes to salvation we must recognize our sinfulness and inability to win our own salvation. It requires a total trust- a dependence- in Christ for us to inherit salvation.

Slaves to Sin (v.20-21)
• God's law finds all people guilty
• Sin enslaves
• Law introduces us to knowledge of sin (GalatianComplete Song List | s 3.24: “So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.” [ESV])
• Free from righteousness: fruit is wrath/death

Set Free from Sin (v.22)
• Righteousness comes through Christ, not the law
• Through Christ was can be set free from sin: fruit is sanctification(process of becoming clean or holy)/salvation

Salvation in the Son (v.23)
• The previous three verses summed up in verse 23
• The point is clear: if we are independent in this regard we are bound for hell
• We must be totally dependent on Jesus for salvation

In 1776 the founding fathers declared independence from Great Britain. Today we must declare our total dependence on Jesus. There is no other way to be saved and set free from sin.