Christ Is All

The same man who said, “I be nothing” (2 Cor. 12:11) also said, “Christ is all!” (Col. 3:11)Every true child of God enters into what the apostle said, and totally agrees! I am the chief sinner; He is the Chief Shepherd and Savior of sinners! I am vile and wicked; He is Holy and Just! I am absolute weakness; He is infinite strength! I must decrease; He must increase! I am worthless vanity; He is unsearchable riches! I deserve wrath; He deserves Honor! I deserve DEATH; He deserves GLORY! I AM NOTHING; and CHRIST IS ALL!

Pastor Gabe Stalnaker

Treasure in Earthen Vessels

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us” (2 Corinthians 4:7).

The gospel of Christ is called a “treasure” in that it contains RICH TRUTH; it has RICH BLESSINGS, such as redemption, complete forgiveness, sanctification, and justification; it consists of RICH PROMISES (precious promises) of His care, compassion, and future glory; it shows forth the RICHES OF GOD’S GRACE IN CHRIST.

This treasure is in “earthen vessels,” meaning the ministers to whom God entrusts this gospel and by whom you hear it. They are weak and frail creatures, subject to like passions and infirmities as other men (James 5:17). God makes the most unlikely to be His instrument of grace that He might have all the glory (I Cor. 1:26-29).

The package must not rival the gift inside. The box containing the perfect diamond must not draw attention away from the gem. Let us receive the treasure – Christ Jesus – in whatever vessel God sends Him to us, grateful for its presence and for its service to us, but laying it aside that our full attention, appreciation, and glorifying might be in Him!

Actually, the weaker the vessel, the stronger His power appears to be; and, the frailer the vessel, the easier it is to admire and cherish the treasure. Wise is the preacher who quickly learns his role as a cardboard box, not only expendable but expected to be used up and sacrificed for the greater glory of Christ. Wise is the receiver of the gift who knows and appreciates the duties of the box.

Pastor Henry T. Mahan (bulletin article 1984)

Enoch Walked With God.

Genesis 5:22, 24

For Enoch to walk with God, a change had to take place in Enoch, “except two agree, how can they walk together.” We also know that God never changes, “For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” Malachi 3:6

Therefore, the change must take place in Enoch. Enoch must be righteous, for he was born in sin and shapen in iniquity. He must believe God, for he was born with an evil heart of unbelief. He must love God, for he was born in love with himself. He must be reconciled to God, for he was born at enmity with God. He must be in full agreement with who God is, how God can be a just God and save him.

Enoch must walk in the light as He is in the light. God will not walk with anyone in darkness. “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1John 1:6-7).

A radical change must take place in Enoch. When that change took place, it was all of grace, all of God. It is no different today, the whole work of salvation, of walking with God, is all of God in, by and through Jesus Christ.

Pastor John Chapman

Be Ready

On a recent trip, Bridgett and I were staying in a campground. On Sunday morning a young man came walking through inviting all campers to come to a worship service at 10:00 a.m. I asked him to repeat what he said and he did. I told him thanks and went about my business packing up to come home.