I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; and, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction. Proverbs 24:30-31

GRACE AND MERCY

What is the difference between the grace of God and the mercy of God? Someone has defined it this way.

Grace, is God giving to us what we do not deserve; righteousness, peace and pardon through Christ and Him crucified (Rom. 3:24; 6:23; 2 Tim 1:9).

Mercy, is God not giving to us what we do deserve; wrath, death and eternal punishment (Lam. 3:22; Psalm 51:1-4; Titus 3:5).

Thank God for His eternal, sovereign grace and mercy; revealed and experienced in the heart of the sinner in Christ Jesus the Lord (Matt. 11:25; John 17:2; 2Cor. 4:6)!

When Doctrine Becomes Experience

John 12:41 says, “When Isaiah saw His glory, he spake of Him.” This is when doctrine becomes experience, ceremony and rituals give way to hearts communion, and the form of prayer is replaced by praise, thanksgiving and intercession. When we are enabled to see the glory of His grace, His election, His incarnation, His holiness, His justice, His intercession, and His glorious return, we will not only SPEAK of Him, but we will THINK of Him, REJOICE in Him, and LIVE for His glory!

This sight of Christ’s person and work, in all His redemptive glory, is not one that natural eyes can see; but it is beheld as the Spirit of God, using the Word of God, awakens us to our need and His sufficiency.

When we learn of what happened in the garden and the consequences of that dreadful fall, we will see the glory of HIS GRACE to the sons of men.

1). When we learn of our total inability and the impossibility of our ever coming to Christ apart from divine assistance, we will see the glory of HIS ELECTION. Election is not just a doctrine; it is a necessity (2 Thes. 2:13).

2). When we learn something of the corruption of the flesh and the sinfulness of our nature, we will see the glory of HIS INCARNATION. “The Word was made flesh.” What a wonder! What a mystery! (John 1:14-17).

3). When we learn of the holiness and strictness of His divine law, we will see the glory of HIS OBEDIENCE. “He knew no sin.” “By His obedience many were made righteous” (2 Cor. 5:21).

4). When we learn of the true wrath of God against sin and the unchanging justice of our Holy God, we will see the glory of HIS DEATH (Lam. 1:12).

5). When we learn of the sinfulness of our best deeds and the evil in our best works, we will see the glory of HIS INTERCESSION!

Pastor Henry T. Mahan (Bulletin 1983)

THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

“When he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they believe not on me; of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged” (John 16:8-11).

When God's preachers go forth with the Word of truth they go with great confidence that the Holy Spirit will bless and honor the gospel of Jesus Christ to the conversion and comfort of the elect (Isa. 55:11). Here are several things taught in the word about the Holy Spirit's ministry.

1). He will reprove (convict, convince) the world of sin!

There is no way the preacher can convict the sinner. While he may be able to expose the truth to your head, he is unable to reach your heart. The Holy Spirit through the Word not only spells out our problem (sin), but also reveals and proves it to our heart and causes us to humbly own it before the Holy God. The fact of sin (Rom. 3:23), the filth of sin (Isa. 64:6), the fountain of sin (Matt. 5:19), the fruit of sin (Rom. 6:23). Then He centers in on the target of the problem "unbelief;" this is the great reigning and ruining sin that will condemn our soul (John 3:36). If God has taught and convinced you of what you are; rejoice, only sinners will come before God as mercy beggars (Luke 18:13-14).

2). He will reprove the world of Righteousness!

The Holy Spirit will also reveal unto the sinner the absolute righteousness and purity of Jesus Christ. He truly is "Jesus Christ the Righteous." Our Lord had no sin, did no sin and knew no sin (Heb. 7:26). Then He also reveals and teaches us our need of righteousness and shows us that this is freely imputed and fully provided in Jesus Christ. "Blessed is the man to whom God imputeth righteousness without works" (Rom. 4:6). He is the Lord our Righteousness, Who ever lives to intercede for us (Heb. 7:25).

3). He will reprove the world of judgment!

The Holy Spirit will reveal unto the sinner what happened at Calvary. The prince of the world (Satan), all principalities and powers have been judged, spoiled, conquered and disarmed by Jesus Christ crucified (Col. 2:15). Christ Jesus also by His glorious sacrifice made an end of our sin. In Christ there is no condemnation to those that are in Him. Because our sins have been eternally judged in our Substitute (2 Cor. 5:21), the believer has been fully acquitted and made righteous before God (Rom.8:1).