Proverbs 27:5-7

“Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:25-27).

Look, therefore, always for Christ in the Scripture. He is the treasure hid in the field, both of the Old and New Testament. Have Christ, then, always in view, when you are reading the Word of God, and this, like the star in the east, will guide you to the Messiah, will serve as a key to everything that is obscure, and unlock to you the wisdom and riches of all the mysteries of the kingdom of God.

George Whitefield (1714-1770)

Christian Unity

Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “I beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”(Eph. 4:1-2).

There are no two churches, preachers, nor Christians who agree on every point of doctrine, every point of church government, discipline and practice, every point of the law and Christian liberty, nor every program, missionary, and effort to be supported. Someday we will all be like Christ, having the perfect understanding, thoughts, and discernment of our Lord; but, UNTIL THEN, each church, pastor, and believer can only walk and act as the Word of God and the Holy Spirit give them light and leadership.

When we sit about in private conversation and criticize one another, write sharp articles and letters, or take shots at one another from the pulpit, we serve the purpose of the enemy of God, reveal our self-righteousness, and seriously damage the unity of believers.

If we love Christ’s church, if we love the servants of God, if we seek only the glory of God and long to see His kingdom prosper in every city where He has established a witness for the gospel of grace, let us refuse to be drawn into this terrible practice of “biting and devouring one another.” Paul warned these critics and examiners of others that “they would be consumed one of another” (Gal. 5:14-15).

Criticism and fault-finding are not of the Spirit of Christ and reveal a poor understanding of our own natures and the grace of God in Christ! “BY THIS shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if you LOVE ONE ANOTHER” (Jn. 13:35).

Pastor Henry T. Mahan (bulletin 1983)

GIVING THANKS TO THE FATHER

“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature” (Col. 1:12-15).

In these verses of scripture, the Apostle to the Gentiles reminds every believer in the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, about their spiritual biography. Paul gives to us a summary regarding the experience of grace that is common to all who believe (Titus 1:4). Here are five things to remember about the salvation that God works in His elect (Phil. 1:6).

1). God made us fit or qualified to be saints, “The Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.” All those saved by the grace of God through the righteousness and blood of Christ are unfit by nature to be a partaker of the inheritance of grace (Rom.3:23; 5:12). The only thing that we deserve to be a partaker of is God’s holy judgement against our sin (Rom.6:23; Ezk.18:4). God in His sovereign mercy (Titus 3:5), is the One who has made us fit for His presence through Christ Jesus alone (1Cor.1:30; 4:7; Eph.1:6).

2). God delivered us from the power of sin, “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness.” Darkness of sin and spiritual ignorance is our state by nature and birth (Eph. 2:12; 4:18). Because of our spiritual condition we are unable to deliver ourselves from this horrible condition (John 6:44). Thank God that He is able to save to the uttermost (Heb7:25).

3). God translated us into Christ Jesus, “Translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.” Every believer has been called out of darkness into His marvelous light through the preaching of the gospel of Christ (1Cor.1:21) and the effectual work of the Holy Spirit within us (2Pet. 1:9; Eph.2:1; John 6:63).

4). God redeemed us through His precious blood, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sin.” God has only designed one way of redemption from sin (John 14:6), which is through the effectual and eternal blood atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ (Heb.9:12; 1Pet.1:18). We have not only forgiveness of sin (Eph.1:7), but also righteousness established and freely imputed (Rom.4:1-6).