Today’s Speaker: Brother Jim Casey will conduct the 11:00 am service today. Pray for him as he delivers God’s word.
Lord’s Table: We will serve THE LORD’S SUPPER after the 11am message. This ordinance is not for unbelievers. It is for those who, by the sovereign mercy and grace of God, are truly trusting and resting in the Lord Jesus Christ for all salvation, forgiveness, righteousness, eternal life, and glory. We invite all believers to participate.
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.
“And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.”Luke 19:3
The Prophet Isaiah wrote in 9:2 of a people “that walked in darkness who saw a great light.” He was prophesying of the Zacchaeuses of this world. Zacchaeus typifies those who make up Christ’s church. Before regeneration they seek to know Christ but cannot. God calls their seeking, “walking in darkness.” Walking in darkness is ignorance of God: who he is and what he has accomplished in Christ. Ignorance of God is idolatry. Given are two of many reasons why we, by nature cannot see Jesus for who he is. (1) Zaachaeus could not see “for the Press.” The multitudes in Matthew 23:13… “Shut up the Kingdom of heaven.” Sinners cannot see Jesus in the doctrines of the “Press.” Their doctrine reveals an unjust god, a failed savior and a powerless Spirit. The true church today is opposed by overwhelming numbers of false professors, preaching “another Jesus” in “another gospel” by “another spirit.” (2 Corinthians 11) Even God’s elect, before regeneration advance their doctrines. Before God called me down from my sycamore tree, I knew nothing of a “Just God and Savior.” (Isaiah 45:21) I was as lost as was Zaachaeus. You won’t see Christ in their gospel; he’s not there. (2) Zaachaeus was “little of stature.” Their doctrines offer nothing in the way of salvation for Zaachaeus. He had nothing in his person with which to recommend himself to God and his best work was contaminated with sin and therefore could form no part of his salvation. He was at the mercy of a sovereign God. Yet his self-righteous religious pride motivated him to works salvation. In ignorance, he was “going about.” (Romans 10:1-4)
BUT God promises that the Zaachaeuses of this world shall see. They will all be made to see Jesus, the “Light of the World,” which in John 1:9.... “That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” And He would do this while we were yet seeking after another god. Isaiah 65:1… “I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not.” Even God’s sheep, eternally loved and justified are by nature, Colossians 1:21… “alienated and enemies in our minds by wicked works.”Zaacheus had heard of Christ’s fame and sought him out of curiosity and not out of a sense of need. He failed to see his “lack of stature” before a holy God. This was certainly true in my case. I was fat, dumb and happy in the worship of my idol, thinking I measured up until Jesus showed me I was little in stature. “He did this in the preaching of the true gospel of how God can be just and justify the ungodly based on the imputed righteousness of Christ alone. On that day Christ abode at my house. (Luke 19:5) On that day God declares sinners what they have always been in Christ; justified, sanctified “sons of (spiritual) Abraham.” (Luke 19:9) On that day sinners see Jesus for who he is; the only Begotten Son, a suffering Servant and a successful Savior, Luke 19:10…“who is come to seek and save that which was lost.” May God enable us to see this Jesus for who he is.
--- Winston Pannell
“THOU ART WORTHY…”
We are, in ourselves, “worthy of death” as the scriptures say. Death is our natural portion as the earned and deserved “wages” of our sin. This is not so of the Lord Jesus Christ! He alone is worthy of all glory and honor and praise. Christ is worthy to receive the praise of all His creatures and shall have it, even of those who will acknowledge it as they perish. “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. But He shall have special glory, honor and praise and it shall come from unworthy sinners who are the objects of His great grace and mercy. Those justified sinners saved by His sacrifice and blood shall both now and forever sing that new song that John spoke of:: “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” (Rev 5:9,10) The worthiness of which the redeemed particular sing is a worthiness above the essential worthiness of Christ which He has as the Creator God. It is His glory as the Savior, the Mediator and Redeemer of those given Him by the Father. He is “worthy” because He alone can “open the book.” The book of God’s purpose and decrees, especially in His covenant of grace, are carried out and fulfilled through the Person and the doing of Christ Jesus! He alone, by “his own blood… obtained eternal redemption for us.” All believers are “justified freely through that redemption which is in Christ Jesus.” That redemption is particular and successful for the song goes, “thou has redeemed (not tried to, or made redemption possible) us (not every son of Adam) to God! It is a sovereign work of God who has mercy and is gracious to whom He will for these are redeemed “OUT OF every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.” Christ is to be praised because, by His redemptive work, all He died for are “made kings and priests” unto “our God.” They shall “reign” with Christ and even now are “seated with Him in the heavenlies.” His worthiness makes them worthy! It is in His redemptive character as the Lamb of God that has taken away their sin that they praise Him, “Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.” Is this YOUR song?
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