WHO BROUGHT YOU OUT?

The exodus of the children of Israel was a huge event in the Church’s history. Our Lord refers to it often! Multiple times we read such things as, “I brought you out of Egypt”, “I carried you forth from the land of Egypt”, “I commanded your fathers out of Egypt”.

Consistently, this is the Lord’s doing – HE brought them, He carried them, and He commanded them out. What a wonderful picture our Lord gave us in this event; to show His command of salvation (2 Cor. 4:6), His carrying of us in His bosom (Isa. 40:11), and His drawing His people to Himself (John 6:44).

When a person says “they decided to come”, or “they chose the right church”, or “they learned the doctrine(s) of grace” – their experience is contrary to the word and work of the Lord of Glory.

Pastor Kevin Thacker

Knowing, Brethren Your Election Of God

(I Thessalonians 1:4)

Your ELECTION is known by your CALLING! “You hath He quickened who were dead.” Have you been quickened, made alive to the things of God in Christ? Do you have an interest in the gospel of God’s grace and mercy to sinners?

“The Holy Spirit will convince the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgement.” Have you been convinced of your sin of unbelief? Have you been convinced that you have no righteousness and are in need of Christ’s righteousness? Have you been convinced that there is no judgement only to those who are in Christ?

If God has been pleased to do these things FOR you and IN you, then you are elected!

“Our gospel came to you not in word only but in power.” Is the gospel of Jesus Christ only facts and history to you, or has that gospel entered your heart and brought you to SEEK a saving interest in Christ?

“It is given unto you not only to believe on Him but to suffer for His sake.” Do you believe on Him? Do you really believe that Jesus Christ is your wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption and that He, of God, is made unto you all you need?

“We love Him because He first loved us.” Do you love Christ the Lord?

“No man can call Jesus Lord but by the Holy Spirit.” Is Christ your Lord? Have you truly bowed to Him in your heart of hearts?

“By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Do you really love the brethren?

There is no problem here. If we are God’s elect, there are evidences enough; so “give diligence to make your CALLING sure!”

Pastor Henry T. Mahan (bulletin 1991)

ADDICTED TO THE GOSPEL

“I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints)” (I Cor. 16:15).

The word addicted means to; surrender one’s self habitually, or to become dependent upon, or to be very enthusiastic about. We usually use this word in a negative way, but here in reference to the believer it is very positive, “they have addicted themselves to the ministry.”

Believers have surrendered to Christ, submitted to Him, His rule and reign (Ps. 110:3; Acts 2:36; Phil. 2:9-10). Believers are totally dependent upon Christ for all of their salvation (1 Cor. 1:30; Phil. 4:19). Believers are very enthusiastic about the good news of God’s mercy to sinners in Christ (Luke 18:14; 1 Tim. 1:15). Their confession of faith is “He has done all things well” (Mark 7:37), in creation (Gen. 1:31), in providence (Rom. 11:36), and in salvation (John 17:2-4; 19:30).

THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF FAITH

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2).