March 8^th. 2020

9:30 am -----------------------------------------------------Fellowhelpers to The Truth – 3^rd John

10:00 am ------------------------------------------------------Faith in the Face of Fear – Psalm 46

Wednesday: 7:00 pm --------------------------------------------- Blessed Forgiveness – Psalm 32

Election– by Charles Spurgeon

"He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestined us into the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.” -- Ephesians. 1:4-5

Whatever may be said about the doctrine of election, it is written in the Word of God as with an iron pen, and there is no getting rid of it--there it stands! Long before time had begun, God loved His chosen ones, and predestined them unto eternal life.

I can never understand why a man should cavil at another's being chosen--when he himself does not himself wish to be saved! Some men cannot endure to hear the doctrine of election. I suppose they like to choose their own wives--but they are not willing that Christ should select His bride, the Church! Those who cavil at the doctrine of election should answer this question: "Why is it that God has left devils without hope--and yet has sent His Son to redeem mankind? Is not divine sovereignty manifested here?" Answer me, you that deny God's sovereignty, and hate His election--how is it that angels are condemned to everlasting fire--while to you, the fallen children of Adam, the gospel of Christ is freely preached? The only answer that can possibly be given is this: God wills to do it.

If the Lord should choose to show mercy to only one man in the world--He has the perfect right to do so. If He chooses to show mercy to a few, or if He chooses to show mercy to all--He has the right to do so. How is it that some of us who were once drunkards, swearers, and the like--are now sitting here to praise God this day? Was there anything good in us which moved the heart of God to save us? God forbid that we should indulge the blasphemous thought! I never met with any Christian who ever thought that he deserved to be chosen unto salvation; the very fact of the choice, proves that it must have been all of grace. Electing love has selected some of the worst--to be made the best! I shall never understand, even in Heaven--why the Lord Jesus should ever have loved me!

There is no more humbling doctrine in Scripture than that of election--none more promoting of gratitude, and, consequently, none more sanctifying. To me, election is one of the sweetest and most blessed truths in the whole of Revelation--it is one of the highest notes of heavenly music! The man who is not willing to submit to the electing love and sovereign grace of God, has great reason to question whether he is a Christian at all--for the spirit that kicks against election is the spirit of the devil, and the spirit of the un-humbled, un-renewed heart.

"We are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth, II Thess.2:13

THEY ARE NOT SINNERS – by Henry Mahan

Do you sometimes wonder why your relatives, who love you and enjoy your company, have no interest in your gospel, your church or your testimony? They are not sinners! They need no mediator with God!

Do you wonder why your co-workers enjoy talking about religion, denominations, churches and even freedom, but they have no interest or desire to talk about Christ and salvation? They are not sinners! They need no Savior!

Do you wonder why old people are all religious and talk about going to heaven, meeting their loved ones and living without pain or death! Yet, they never mention Christ and His sacrifice for sin by which we have the hope of life? They are not sinners! They are all good people - Now!

Do you wonder why most religious people (even preachers) never raise the question, "How can man be just with God?" "How can a holy God forgive and receive an unholy sinner and still be holy and just?" They are not sinners! They do not need a righteousness, they have one of their own.

Do you wonder why most preachers do not preach salvation by grace alone, Christ alone, through His blood and righteousness alone? They are not sinners! Only sinners need apply for such great mercy and grace!