November 29th, 2016

​                                                 “No More Curse”
​
The curse of the Billy Goat has finally been broken.  This sports related curse was put upon the Chicago Cubs in 1945 by Billy Goat Tavern owner William Sianis.  Because the odor of his pet goat, named Murphy, was bothering other fans.  Sianis was asked to leave Wrigley Field, the Cubs’ home ballpark, during game 4 of the 1945 World Series.  Outraged, Sianis allegedly declared, “Them Cubs, they ain’t gonna win no more.”

The Cubs lost the 1945 World Series to the Detroit Tigers, and did not win a World Series championship again until this year.  To celebrate the ending of the curse Theo Epstein, general manager of the Cubs, had Top Chef Champion, Stephanie Izard prepare an oven roasted 91/2 pound goat which he and his front office staff ate for lunch in the left field bleachers of Wrigley Field. Let’s hope the departed spirit of this recently devoured goat does not come back to haunt the Cubs for another 71 years.

This story reminds me of another curse that will one day be broken forever - the curse of sin.  According to Revelation 22:3 “No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.”   How was this curse finally broken?  Galatians 3:13 tells us that “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”
​
What an amazing truth!  We can be free from the guilt and the bondage of sin.  We can break free from the sin that so often defeats us.  If we put our faith in Jesus, He can help us live a victorious and holy life.  The trick is not to try harder or become more disciplined.  The secret is to surrender to the power of the Holy Spirit who gives us the strength to overcome any temptation.  The victory is already ours we just have to claim it.  And thankfully, we don’t have to eat any goat (although Epstein and his colleagues said it was pretty good!)
 
Have a great week!
Pastor Barry
 
If you would like to comment or if you have questions for Pastor Barry you may direct those to bglawson75@gmail.com.   We would love to hear from you.