Tune to "GUIDE ME, O THOU GREAT JEHOVAH" Words by JIM BYRD
1. Hallelujah praise Jehovah,
Author of redeeming grace; He ordained to save a people, Purposed Christ to take our place. Chosen in the blest Redeemer, He became our Substitute, He became our Substitute.
2. Hallelujah praise Jehovah, May His praises never cease; He redeemed His captive people, Brought in everlasting peace. Jesus died to seal our pardon, Died to save His chosen race; Died to save His chosen race.
3. Hallelujah praise Jehovah, By His grace we live again; Now by faith we trust the Savior, Who delivered us from sin. We are righteous in Christ Jesus, Sing the praises of the King; Sing the praises of the King.
Today’s Speaker: Brother Mark Pannell will conduct the 11:00 am service today. Pray for him as he delivers God’s word.
Television Broadcast: Our Reign of Grace Television program is being broadcast on WFXL Fox 31, Channel 4. The program will air every Sunday morning at 11 AM.
Radio Broadcast: Sunday morning at 9:30am on 98.7 FM –WISK.
“The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth. 2Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.3For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. 4I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 5Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers; 6Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:” 3 John 1-6
In these verses the Apostle commends Gaius as one who is consistent – who “faithfully” receives fellow believers, even those who were previously mere strangers to him. John further commends his faithful charity in financial support of the missionary efforts of the Gospel ministry. But while his charity and hospitality to like-minded believers was commendable, it was only so because of “the truth” in which he and they walked. Religious folks under the broad banner of so-called “Christianity” will apply these same evidences to their own various versions of truth, while ignorant of the truth of which John writes. And so they will commend men as if it is akin to John’s commendation of Gaius– commending those who financially support their ministries, who in so-called Christian charity and hospitality receive other professing so-called Christians. But if we are to make an accurate application from this passage as to whether such actions are indeed commendable, we must do so with a clear understanding of the truth in which true believers are said to walk.
This specific truth was expressed by the Apostle in the 2nd Epistle of John as “the doctrine of Christ” (2 Jn 9). It is the specific truth concerning Christ’s Person and cross work whereby sinners are saved – the truth of the Gospel of God’s sovereign grace wherein the righteousness of God in Christ is revealed (Rom. 1:16-17). So while charity and hospitality of a true believer is to be encouraged and commended, if such actions are not accompanied by belief of this specific truth and in support of a true Gospel ministry, then these traits (which other religionists no doubt will commend) are not the identifying marks of a true believer and not at all commendable. It is not commendable to promote a lie, a false gospel; however, where the truth, the doctrine of Christ and salvation by Christ alone, based upon His righteousness alone is that which is so supported, these actions are manifestations of Godly love shed abroad in the heart of the believer by God’s grace. The identifying mark of the believer then is not the outward performance of such religious duties, but rather it is the truth in which they walk.
--- Randy Wages
DEALING WITH TEMPTATIONS
"Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked" (Ephesians 6:16). Satan is sure to cast "the flaming missiles" (Amplified Bible) of temptation toward the children of the Lord, but we must not be dismayed. While the evil one is no match for us, he is no match for our Sovereign by Whose power and grace we overcome the enemy. The inspired Apostle tells us the way to "quench" (extinguish, suppress, stifle) "the fiery darts of the wicked [one]" is by "taking the shield of faith." This may be understood as looking to and trusting the Lord. We know that faith, in and of itself, is not our shield; it has no power to ward off the attacks of the Devil. It is not our faith in Christ, therefore, but the Christ of our faith Who defends us. "The Word of the LORD came to Abram...saying, Fear not, Abram, I am thy shield and great reward" (Genesis 15:1). "For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory" (Psalm 84:11). "Every word of God is pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him" (Proverbs 30:5). Jehovah our Savior is our Protector, and it is by looking to Him that we extinguish the fiery darts of temptation. We must rely upon the Lord Whose love, power and faithfulness surround the believer like a shield. "Taking the shield of faith" also means looking to and being ever mindful of the gospel, that body of truth often referred to in Scripture as "the faith." At all times we are to look to the good news of the substitutionary sacrifice of Christ to defend us from the wicked one. We know, by painful experience, that Satan still oppresses and disturbs the people of God, but he cannot defeat us for he has been conquered by the death and resurrection of our almighty Substitute. He who held us captive at his will has been taken into captivity by the triumphant Redeemer, the Man Christ Jesus. The nail-scarred hand of our Savior has a firm grasp upon the neck of our enemy. In times of temptation, we must focus upon the truth of "Jesus Christ and Him crucified." The way to victory over temptations is by bringing to mind the gospel, the good news of the successful work of the Savior. "Resist the devil and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). That which Satan despises, and the only way to successfully resist him and douse his flaming darts of temptation is by remembering the glorious gospel of the blood and righteousness of Christ. Saturate your mind and heart with the message of the justice-satisfying cross-death, burial and resurrection of Christ and the tempter will depart.
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