“BEING CONFIDENT”

The Apostle Paul had no confidence in the flesh, neither in his own or in those to whom he preached and wrote. But that did not mean he was without confidence but simply that faith had given rise to a real confidence and that confidence was directed toward One that was worthy of it. He writes to the Philippians in chapter one and verse six saying..."Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." His confidence concerning these believers at Philippi was in "HE" which began the work in them. The God of all grace and power had not only accomplished the work of salvation for them but also begun a work within them. Not only was the same power necessary but also at hand for their full salvation. What God begins, He always finishes and He always produces in the end what He purposed in the beginning. The only good work in a sinner is the work which God does by his grace. It is made sure by the work done for them by the Lord Jesus Christ. It was in light of this knowledge of what Christ had done for them that he was confident concerning the work begun in them. Every believer can say with Paul that which David said, "The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands." (Psalm 138:8) Has the Lord begun a work in me? Yes, by revealing to me the work which He has done for me. A work done solely by Him who works all things after the counsel of His own will. A work of full and free salvation dependent totally upon who Christ is and what He has done. The work of paying the debt of my sin before His justice with His precious blood. The work of establishing perfect righteousness on my behalf. The work that no sinner can do for himself! I have confidence in my God even when I am fleeing as David did from Saul to the cave, "Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast. I will cry unto God most High; unto god that performeth all things for me." (Psalm 57:1,2) I may cry...but cry in confidence, confidence in Christ Jesus!

Gary Shepard

"I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord." (Psalm 122:1)

I can and do worship the Lord anywhere; I can pray and rejoice in God's mercy in Christ anywhere; I can read the Word and meditate upon His grace anywhere; but there is a time and a place (referred to as the house of God) where the people of God gather in His name each week to worship, pray, preach His Word, and encourage one another. He promised to be in their midst. They meet to seek His face, His blessings, and to hear the Word He has given His servant for them at that time. They also come with their children to be identified individually and as families with the Lord and His kingdom. They come to praise Him in joy and seek His comfort in their sorrows. For all these reasons, I am glad when that day dawns and that time approaches and I can meet my true family in my Father's house. I must be honest, as one called of God to speak for Him; I cannot believe for one moment that those who forsake this sacred assembly and find every excuse not to be there (whatever the reason) have a true love and regard for our blessed Redeemer.

Henry Mahan

The Word of God is too sacred a thing and preaching too solemn a work to be toyed and played with, as is the usage of some who make a sermon but a matter of wit and fine oratory. Their sermons are like a child's doll, form which if you take its dress, the rest is worth nothing. Unpin this story, take off that gaudy phrase, and nothing is left of "the message." Satan moves not for a thousand such squibs and cracks.

William Gurnall

The most of us are still hunting after things that will melt beneath the sun or rot beneath the moon. We are gathering up shadows to ourselves, things which have no abiding substance, seeking self, seeking anything rather than the blessed God. Lord, forgive us this sin wherein we have fallen into it and make us truly such as truly seek the Lord!

C.H. Spurgeon

Just as the sinner's despair of any hope from himself is the prerequisite of a sound conversion, so the loss of all confidence in himself is the first essential in the believer's growth in grace.

A. W. Pink

The gospel, my dear sir, is a salvation appointed for those who are ready to perish, and is not designed to put them in a way to save themselves by their own works. It speaks to us as condemned already, and calls upon us to believe in a crucified Savior, that we may receive redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of our sins. And the Spirit of God, by the Gospel, first convinces us of unbelief, sin and misery; and then, by revealing the things of Jesus to our minds, enables us, as helpless sinners, to come to Christ, to receive Him, to behold Him, or, in other words, to believe in Him.

John Newton

TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY

To God be the glory, great things He has done;

He saved all His people through Jesus His Son,

Who laid down His life as a ransom for sin,

And opened the sheep gate to bring them all in.

Chorus:

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, Let the earth hear His voice!

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, Let His people rejoice!

O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son, And give Him the glory, great things He has done.

O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,

To justified sinners the promise of God;

The vilest offender who truly believes,

That moment from Jesus assurance receives.

Great things He has taught us, great things He has done,

And great His salvation in Jesus the Son;

Now righteous and holy in Jesus we stand,

All glory to Christ at the Father’s right hand.