I will greatly praise the LORD with my mouth; yea, I will praise him among the multitude. For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those that condemn his soul.

Psalm 109:30-31

3 Reasons our Lord had to Become a Man

“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory” (1 Tim. 3:16).

It was necessary for our Lord to become a man; for unless He was a man:

1.) He could not be a High Priest to offer sacrifice for sin and make intercession, for the High Priest was taken from among men (Heb. 5:1, Heb. 10:10-17).

2.) He would have no sacrifice to offer, for He must die and shed His blood (Heb. 9:11-12; 9:26).

3.) He could not be a faithful Mediator with a perfect righteousness to plead (Rom. 5:19; 1 Tim. 2:5).

Pastor Henry T. Mahan (bulletin 1988)

God’s people are motivated by grace

We do not motivate God’s people by guilt, fear of punishment, or promise of reward. God’s people are motivated by love, gratitude, and grace. Anything given or done for the service of God that is performed out of a sense of duty, because of fear, or in hope of reward is an abomination to God. It would be better left undone. God will have a willing people to serve him, a people who give and do what they can for the honor of his name because they want to. Pastor Don Fortner

To Die Is Gain

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21).

Believers are not at risk of losing anything in death. What they lose is this cursed flesh that has been nothing to them but a plague from the day they were born. What they lose is an old nature that has warred against their spiritual minds from the day they were born of God. What they lose is all the soap bubble dreams of a cursed world that promises everything and gives nothing but heartache and disappointment. In death they lose corruption and put on incorruption. In death they lose mortality and gain immortality.

For the believer death is gain because death is swallowed up in victory. Death to the believer is gain because he will leave this sinful world and immediately be ushered into the presence of his beloved Savior. Pastor Darvin Pruitt

THE MARVEL OF SOVEREIGN LOVE

“She went after her lovers, and forgat me, saith the LORD. Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her. And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope” (Hosea 2:13-15).

This is a marvelous love story of Hosea (Saviour) and his rebellious wife, Gomer (failure). God told Hosea to go marry this woman, a harlot (Hosea 1:3) and provide for her (Hosea 2:8). Hosea, God's faithful prophet did as he was instructed. Gomer began to walk after the sinful ways of her heritage, leaving Hosea for others (Hosea 2:5). Soon her wicked ways overcame her, she was reduced to poverty and shame and was sold as a common slave on the auction block (Hosea. 3:1-3). When Gomer began to seek after her lovers and forget the goodness of Hosea, God instructed His prophet to love her, allure her, bring her, and speak comfortably to her (Hosea 2:13-15). One naturally would have thought to divorce her, condemn and find another wife. Hosea, faithful to his covenant with her, found her, bought her and received her back into his home. All of this is a glorious picture of God's saving, redeeming and sovereign grace to guilty sinners. Notice these few thoughts!

1). The marvel of grace, "Therefore, behold, I will allure her." God's thoughts and ways of mercy are infinitely above ours (Rom.5:6-9; Eph.2:1-4). We justly should have been immediately and eternally condemned when we sinned against God (Rom.3:23; 6:23). But infinite and sovereign mercy intervened through Christ (Rom. 3:24; 9:12-16). The only reason for grace is found in the goodness of God (Ex. 33:19; John 1:17-18).

2). The power of Grace, "I will allure her." God has purposed through the preaching of the true gospel to call out His sheep (1 Cor. 1:21). Through the gospel message God the Holy Spirit does "allure" or draw us lovingly, powerfully and irresistibly to Himself (Psalm 65:4; Psalm 110:3; John 6:44).

3). The work of grace, "bring her into the wilderness." Think of it, alone with God; separated, chosen and made to differ by electing love (2 Thes. 2:13); called out of the bondage and darkness of sin into His marvelous light (2 Cor. 4:6; Col. 1:12-13). Made a new creature in Christ Jesus by Almighty grace, (2 Cor. 5:17).