THE MAN in glory sits on His throne,

The Son of God who died for His own.

See in His hands, His feet, His side

Wounds of our God to ever abide.

Truly this MAN is God's only Son,

Our Substitute, sitting on His throne.

Having a body prepared by the Lord

For sacrifice, His seed to restore.

Worthy this Lamb who sits now above,

Redeeming His to God by His blood,

Of ev'ry kindred, tribe, and tongue,

Making them kings and priests to their God.

Worthy Thou art, creating all things.

Blessings and praise, this new song we sing.

God, rich in mercy, for His sheep came.

Glory and honor give to His Name.

By Gary Spreacker

(Tune: #118 ‘When I Survey’) FREE WILL OR FREE GRACE?

According to the freewill message, the Lord intends good; but He must wait like a lackey on His own creature to know what his intentions are; God willeth good and would do it, but He cannot because He has an unwilling man who will not have God's good thing carried into effect. What do ye, sirs, but drag the Eternal from His throne and lift up into it that fallen creature, man; for man, according to that theory, nods and his nod is destiny. You must have a destiny somewhere; it must either be as God wills or as man wills. If it be as God wills, then Jehovah sits as sovereign upon His throne of glory, and all hosts obey Him, and the world is safe. If not God, then you put man there to say, "I will," or "I will not; if I will it, I will enter heaven; if I will it, I will despise the grace of God; if I will it, I will conquer the Holy Spirit, for I am stronger than God and stronger than omnipotence; if I will it, I will make the blood of Christ of no effect, for I am mightier than the blood, mightier than the blood of the Son of God Himself; though God make His purpose, yet will I laugh at His purpose; it shall be my purpose that shall make His purpose stand or fall."

Why, sirs, if this be not atheism, it is idolatry; it is putting man where God should be. And I shrink with solemn awe and horror from that doctrine which makes the grandest of God's works--the salvation of man--to be dependent upon the will of His creature whether it shall be accomplished OR NOT. Glory I can and must in my text in its fullest sense: “IT IS NOT OF HIM THAT WILLETH, NOR OF HIM THAT RUNNETH, BUT OF GOD THAT SHEWETH MERCY” (Rom. 9:16).

- Charles Spurgeon

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"The Inward Warfare.... And grace and sin by turns prevail; I grieve, rejoice, decline, revive, And victory hangs in doubtful scale: But Jesus has His promise past, That grace shall overcome at last."

- John Newton

Certain Men and Women

I love the word “certain” in the scriptures. It always denotes the particular redemption of chosen sinners in Christ. Blessed are those whom the Lord chooses and causes to approach unto Him. Our Lord Jesus Christ said in John 17:9 "I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.” Who are these “THEM”? They are the chosen, elect of God Almighty. They are certain men and women. In Luke chapter 8 there was a certain man, a maniac, who had devils for a long time. Matthew’s account tells us that this man was exceeding fierce and would let no man pass by. But when the Son of God in divine providence crossed his path, he was delivered. He was a certain man. In John chapter 5 we are told of a certain man who lay at the pool of Bethesda, who had an infirmity for thirty eight years. Of all the sick folks that lay near that pool, Christ saw this certain man. This man had not walked in thirty eight years, but when Christ told him to take up his bed and walk, he took us his bed and walked. The eyes of mercy saw HIM! He was a certain man. In Mark 5:25 we are told about a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years. In Acts chapter 10, there was a certain man named Cornelius and in chapter 16 we hear of a certain woman named Lydia. All these certain men and women had one thing in common. They were the elect of God chosen before the foundation of the world. Are you a certain man or woman? You are, if God has revealed Christ to you according to the scriptures. Thank God for His wondrous, sovereign grace in Christ, who is God’s Salvation!

- Pastor David Eddmenson

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