SALVATION THROUGH THE LAW

There can be no doubt that the scriptures declare that salvation is by grace. That means that salvation is by grace without any works of the law done by the sinner. As boldly and as clearly as I possibly can, I tell you that salvation is by grace and not by your works of the law.

But this is also true: sinners are saved by the works of the law. God does not set His holy law aside when He saves His people. The law must be satisfied. Sinners are saved by Christ’s obedience to the law. God’s elect are saved through Christ’s works of the law. In this way God is both just and justifier; both just and gracious. Salvation by grace through Christ’s work is the only salvation that is both just and gracious.

Pastor

“But God” Eph. 2:4

And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. Acts 16:27

Reading this passage today, this thought went through my mind…”What if the Lord had left this Philippian jailor to himself? He would have fallen on his sword and died that day without Christ…he would have gone to hell and been there forever.”

But is my situation any different than his? What if the Lord would have left me to myself? My end would have, but for the grace of God, been like his. “We all had our conversation in times past in the lust of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath even as others. But God who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved.)” Eph. 2:3-5

Pastor Marvin Stalnaker

He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3v30

John the Baptist, the man who was sent to prepare the way of the Lord; the man who our Lord Jesus Christ said was the greatest prophet born of a woman, said: “The Lord Jesus Christ must increase, but I must decrease.” To that, all of God’s people will cry: Amen! The higher that the Lord Jesus Christ is raised up, and the more exalted God’s people see Him to be... The happier they are! When Christ is exalted, their joy is exalted, their hope is exalted, and their faith is exalted as it LOOKS UP to Him, HIGH in the heavens. The higher they see His throne to be, the more glorious the gospel of their redemption is to them, and the more in awe they are of how far He came down to save them. After seeing Christ in all of His exalted glory, God’s people cannot and will not ever see Him any other way. They will cry to every soul who will listen: “He must increase, but I must decrease!”

Pastor Gabe Stalnaker

Addicted To The Ministry

“I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints) (1 Cor. 16:15).

The word addicted means; to surrender ones self habitually, or to become dependent upon, or to be very enthusiastic about. We usually use this word in a negative way, but here in reference to the believer it is very positive, "they have addicted themselves to the ministry."

Believers have surrendered to Christ, submitted to Him, His rule and reign (Psalm 110:3; Acts 2:36; Phil. 2:9-10).

Believers are totally dependent upon Christ for all of their salvation (1Cor. 1:30; Phil. 4:19).

Believers are very enthusiastic about the good news of God's mercy to sinners in Christ (Luke 18:14; 1 Tim. 1:15). Their confession of faith is, "He has done all things well" (Mark 7:37), in creation (Gen.1: 31), in providence (Rom. 11:36) and in salvation (John 17:2- 4; 19:30).

Pastor Tom Harding

HIS GLORY - Ephesians 1 v1-14

The Glory of the Triune God is paramount in all things. This Glory is magnified in the electing of a people by the Father in Christ. It is magnified in the saving of that people through the blood of Christ. And it is magnified in the revelation of our Savior, in our new hearts, through the Holy Spirit.

When the child of God is finally brought home, we will forever sing praise to His Glory in perfection and for eternity.