Isaiah 54:10

Our sincere sympathy to Shelby Fortner and family in the recent death of her beloved husband and our dear friend, brother Don; we thank God for his faithful ministry of the gospel to so many of the Lord’s people. What a blessing the Lord has given to His church in faithful gospel preachers (Eph. 4:11-12). We shall truly miss him!

True Faith

True faith throbs in a man’s pulse, it looks out of his eyes, it lights up his countenance, it softens his touch, it mellows his voice, it bows his head, it bends his knee, it opens his hand, it soft-pedals his tongue, it breaks his heart, it orders his steps, and it gives him a hearing ear. He lives for Christ; and, if necessary, he would die for Him.

Pastor Henry T. Mahan (Bulletin 1986)

DO WE REALLY BELIEVE GOD?

If we truly believe God, we will serve Him with confidence and peace, simply trusting His total sovereignty, power, wisdom, and grace. The fear of man shall not be a threat to us. The favor of man shall not be a motive to us. The circumstances of the hour shall not pressure us, and the desire for results shall not alter our message nor cause us to employ the popular methods of others. If we believe God, we will simply perform our responsibilities faithfully and wait upon the Lord to work His purpose according to His will.

Pastor Don Fortner (1950-2020)

Precious Saving Faith

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2).

The Lord Jesus Christ is, “The author and finisher of our faith.” The faith of God’s elect begins with Christ giving us faith in Him through the preaching of the gospel (Rom. 10:17; Titus 1:1). This faith, that is the gift of God (Eph. 2:8-9), is a definite and sure faith; always looks to the Author and Finisher of faith, Christ Himself, He is the only object of saving faith (Isa. 45:22).

This faith of God’s elect, is also called, “Precious faith” (2 Peter 1:1); because it is given to us as a purchased gift of the precious blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18-20). This special and saving faith is given sovereignly and exclusively to the church of Christ alone. His sheep hear His voice, His call, they fall in love with Him and willingly follow Him fully to the end of their journey in this life (Psalm 110:3; John 10:27-30; Heb. 11:13).

Let us never diminish the importance of this precious, sovereign and saving gift of God’s grace, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 4:16; 1 John 5:11-12). Without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6). A man without faith is a man without out Christ and without salvation. Lord, give me faith in the Lord Jesus Christ!

IS THERE NOT A CAUSE?

“And David said, what have I now done? Is there not a cause?” (1 Samuel 17:29).

“Is there not a cause?” This was David’s response to his older brother Eliab’s false accusation against him of pride, irresponsibility of keeping their father’s sheep and naughtiness of heart (1 Sam. 17:28). David came to the battlefield that day being sent by his father, Jesse. He was sent with provision for the three brothers that had followed Saul to the battle against the Philistines (1 Sam. 17:17-18). David heard the ungodly rants and rages of the Philistine giant and the challenge that Goliath had issued to the armies of Israel (1 Sam. 17:8-10) and was concerned for the glory of God. “Is there not a cause?

Yes, there is a cause! God’s glory! When we hear the rants and rages of the religious ungodly against the gospel of Christ it stirs our hearts with zeal for His glory. How can we sit by idly and not pay any attention to what is being said today in most churches about the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is utter blasphemy against the God whom we love and the gospel we believe to hear some say, “Salvation rests upon the sinner and God has done all He can do, the rest is up to you!”

Is there not a cause in our day to take a strong stand for the cause of God and the gospel truth of redemption actually accomplished by Christ, not merely an attempt made (Heb. 9: 11-12; 26)?

Is there not a cause in our day to “earnestly contend for the faith once delivered unto the saints” and not to compromise to satisfy the feelings of some(Jude 1:24)?

Is there not a cause in our day to boldly proclaim the unvarnished truth that salvation is of the Lord, not by the will of man (John 1: 11-12; Rom. 9:15-16; 2 Tim. 1:9)?

Is there not a cause in our day to proclaim the good news that the Lord Jesus Christ “came to seek and to save the lost” that He came to save sinners and shall not fail (Isa. 42:1-4; 1 Tim. 1:12-15; Luke 19:10; John 10:27-30)?