MOCKING THE GOSPEL

We know that Lot was a believer. Scripture calls Lot a just man, one who had been justified in Christ. (II Peter 2:7) Yet in an effort to provide for his family, Lot made some grievous mistakes. Lot chose to live in a city that provided many financial benefits to his family, but there was no place to worship God or hear God’s Word in that city. By living and prospering in Sodom, Lot put his seal of approval on its wickedness. So, when Lot had a sudden interest in what God said, Lot’s sons in law thought he was joking around. “And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.” (Gen. 19:14)

If you desire to truly provide for your family, be sure to first and foremost provide them a place to attend the public preaching of the gospel and be sure they are there to hear it. Secondly provide them a good example of trusting the Lord, believing God’s Word, putting the worship of the Lord first in your life, and living a life of honesty, integrity, and hard work. Don’t mock the gospel of your salvation by living contrary to it. In short, live what you claim to believe. If you do that, the rest of your family’s needs will be provided.

Pastor

GOD THE PROBLEM SOLVER

One of the men was in a shelter the other day and saw a sign in the office that said; “I am God and I am here to solve your problems.” This is all that God is to the majority of people, how can this be? Because this is the way that those who occupy the pulpits present him. God is made to be all things to all people. Whatever your problem “god” can handle it; if it is a health, financial, marital or anything else...even a sick pet! Just ask god, he can solve your problem. This is atheism in practice, this is imagination run amuck, and the best the natural man can come up with in its view of God.

Is this the view the scriptures give of God? The God of the Bible is sovereign, immutable, eternally holy and righteous, and can do nothing for no one without doing it righteously. He doesn’t reveal himself as the solver of problems but as a “Just God and Savior.”

There are those who make heaven and hell the issue, the Word of God makes Christ and sin the issue. The majority make “god is love” to be paramount, but the Holy Scriptures make His righteousness and how sinners are made righteous to be paramount.

The scriptures make the gospel of God’s free grace in Christ as the only way God will save sinners as it is preached, as Scott Richardson has said many times “God will not speak to or be spoken to by any member of the human race apart from His Son Jesus Christ”.

What is man’s real problem? It is sin, rebellion, self- righteousness, how is this to be solved? It already has by the Lord Jesus being “made to be sin, by bearing that sin to the cross and there bearing the judgment and justice of God against sin, once and for all”. By God given grace and faith, God will justly justify the sinner who believes on His Son.

Pastor Don Bell

The one thing that makes the believer different from the rest of the world is the grace of God to him in Christ. The difference between faith and unbelief is the grace of God. The difference between a harlot and a godly woman is the grace of God. The only difference between a liar and one who speaks the truth is the grace of God. The only reason Noah was saved and the rest of the world perished: the grace of God. “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord” (Gen. 6:8).