As of Sunday afternoon, we still haven’t seen the usual Labor Day Weekend rain event. But it ain’t over yet. It’s been trying to cloud up and there’s still tomorrow, so there’s still time to keep the tradition going. People at the lake certainly wouldn’t want to miss out on taking a wet tent home to dry out.

James Hammonds and Ted Deaton sang “The Scarlet Purple Robe,” as the special music selection this Sunday. It is really Tom Spillman’s song. I wouldn’t even be surprised to learn that he wrote it, though I don’t really think that is the case. At any rate, we appreciate him loaning the song to James and Ted. They sang it well, reminding us that Jesus had the right to wear the purple robe of royalty. However, because He chose to be the sacrifi ce for our sins, He carried his cross to Calvary in a purple robe that was scarlet with his blood.

Rev. Brown’s message, titled “Are You all in?”, was based on Acts 4:32 through 5:12. The early church in Jerusalem was united in its goals, beliefs, prayers, and love. Many sold their property and gave the money to the church so that the proceeds could be distributed to each as anyone had need.

Then Ananias and his wife Sapphira sold a possession of theirs, kept part of the money, and out of pride lied when they gave the rest to the apostles as if it was the entire amount for which they had sold it. When questioned about it separately they both fell dead.

As God’s children, we have that status of being His sons and daughters because Jesus bought it for us if we will repent of our sin and accept the salvation and the status as God’s adopted children. However, we also need to be going about the missions our Father sets for us—and accomplish them with truth, humbleness, and integrity. There is reward in heaven if we do, and there is the discipline that God metes out to make a better son or daughter of us if we head off in the wrong direction influenced by false pride covering empty action and sin.

Are we in or are we out? That is the question.