Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about. Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart. Psalm 32:10-11
Lord willing I will bring the gospel message for the church family in Kingsport, TN. this evening at 6:00. Gabe Stalnaker is the pastor. You can watch the entire service by live streaming on the internet at Sermon Audio.com. Just click on live streaming and find Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church.
Repentance toward God – Faith toward Christ
(Acts 20:21)
Repentance is the hand releasing my idols; faith is an empty hand that reaches out to Christ for His gift of grace.
Repentance is godly sorrow over sin; faith receives a full pardon from Christ.
Repentance cries, “God be merciful to me a sinner”; faith embraces the sinner’s Saviour.
Repentance is a genuine hatred for the pollution of sin; faith is seeking cleansing in Christ.
Repentance is the leper covering his mouth and crying, “Unclean, unclean”; faith is the leper coming to Christ and saying, “Lord, if you will you can make me clean.”
Pastor Henry T. Mahan (bulletin 1985)
THE DOOR
Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you,
I am the door of the sheep. (John 10:7).
I love how the Lord always teaches His people through things that they can understand. We all know what a door is. It is a way of access. It is a way of entrance. A door is used to let some in. A door is the means to keep some in and shut others out. How beautiful a “door” illustrates who and what Christ is to the believing sinner. Christ is not just “a door,” He is “the door.” There is no other door. He is the only door. “There is only one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:5) Christ is the door of the sheep. He is not the door for goats. He is not the door for the whole world. He is the only access that the sheep have to God. He said, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved…” We can only enter in “by Him.” (John 10:9) Sinners cannot enter of themselves; they are dead in trespasses and sin and are totally helpless. There is no spiritual life apart from “entering in” through Christ the Door. Christ doesn’t just show us the way; He is the Way that leads to life. Christ doesn’t just teach us the truth; He is the Truth. Christ not only gives us life; He is the Life. Did He not say, “No man cometh to the Father but by me?” (John 14:6)Christ is the door of the sheep, and all His sheep will enter in and be saved. Pastor David L. Eddmenson
“I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. (John 10:9).
Salvation Is Of The Lord
My heart shall rejoice in thy salvation (Psalm 13: 5).
This is the message of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, salvation is of the Lord, His doing, His faithfulness and His sacrifice; therefore His people do rejoice in Him at all times (Phil. 3:7-9; 2 Tim. 1:9).
1). He is the Author of it, before there was a sinner there was a Saviour; before Adam fell in sin; Christ stood as the everlasting Surety, Saviour and Sacrifice for all our sin (Heb. 7:22; 13:20; 1 John 1:7; Rev. 13:8).
2). He is the Accomplisher of our salvation, He bought us with His own blood (Acts 20:28; Heb. 1:3); freely justifies us by His grace (Rom. 3:24) and gives us a perfect justifying righteousness through His faithfulness (Rom. 4:6-8; Gal 2:16).
3). He is the Applier of salvation, He will have mercy on whom He will (Matt. 11:25; Rom. 9:13-16; Phil. 1:6).
4). He is the Administer of salvation, we are kept by His will and power, none can perish for whom Christ died (John 6:37-39; 10:27-30; 17:2; 1 Peter 1:5).
5). He is the Advocate of salvation; He ever lives to make intercession for us. Christ does not plead our merit before God but rather His just mercy based upon His merit. (Rom. 8:28-35; 1 Tim. 2:5; 1 John 2:1-2). That is the only way God can be just and justify the ungodly (Rom. 3:26; Isa. 45:22).
Thanks be unto God for such a Saviour and salvation as we have in Christ Jesus right now. “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Eph. 1:7). Salvation is not only all of His love, grace and mercy but also all in Christ, to His honor and glory (1 Cor. 1:30-31; Col. 2:9-10; Col. 3:11; Gal. 6:14).