February 27^th - 2022

9:30 am Bible Study

10:00 am Message ---- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -- Brother Eric Floyd

Wednesday: 7:00 pm --------------------------------Christ: Gideon, The Mighty Deliverer – Judges 6 & 7

“O Ye Of Little Faith”

The Lord gently rebuked His disciples for having ‘little faith.’ They needed the rebuke and so do we. After all they heard and saw from the Lord , and yet they still did not believe Him and trust Him as they should. How often did they hear His powerful voice, full of wisdom and wonder, and how often did they see everything He said come to pass? And what about all the miracles they saw? Every day they saw the Lord perform miracle after miracle, yet they still had many of the same fears and worries. And what about us? How many years has the Lord provided for us and protected us? How often have we heard His Word, seen His glory, experienced His grace, yet have so little faith? By little faith is meant, so many doubts, fears and worries. Since faith cometh by hearing the Word of God, then little faith means we are not hearing what He says.

Why are we so quick to believe what we hear from man and not to believe our God? Why are we so fretful over what we see going on around us when He said not to look at the things that are seen, but the unseen? Why do we call upon, look to, and lean upon other poor creatures like us, rather than the all-wise and powerful Heavenly Father? O’ WE of little faith!!

Lord, we believe . . . please forgive and help us with our unbelief.

“Mortify Your Members Which Are Upon Earth" -- Colossians 3:5

The word "mortify" means to deaden, subdue, or be dead. As Paul wrote in Rom. 6:11, "Reckon yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ, our Lord." What means can be used to subdue our sinful tendencies?

1. LABOR TO SUPPRESS THE THOUGHTS OF SIN. The old nature with its appetites and desires cannot be annihilated, but it can be suppressed by not cultivating and enjoying the thoughts of sin.

2. CONSIDER WHAT A WRETCHED THING SIN IS. It is called "the filthiness of the flesh and spirit" (II Cor. 7:1). Sin is called "the works of the devil," and our sins crucified our Lord.

3. PASS THE TIME OF YOUR SOJOURNING HERE IN FEAR. "The fear of the Lord is a bridle to sin," said Mr. Spurgeon. Solomon wrote, "By mercy and truth iniquity is purged; and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil" (Prov. 16:6). It is said of the wicked, "There is no fear of God before their eyes" (Rom. 3:18).

4. AVOID THE COMPANY OF WORLDLY PEOPLE. He who would not catch the flu should stay away from people who have the flu. If you would suppress your evil nature, cultivate the fellowship of believers whose language, amusements, and conduct honor God.

5. BE OFTEN IN THE SERVICES OF WORSHIP AND PREACHING. "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord" (Col. 3:16).

6. BE MUCH IN PRAYER. "Hold up my goings, Lord, in Thy paths, that my footsteps slip not" (Psa. 17:5). Here is a prayer I found in some old clippings which fits well here. "Lord, keep me from dishonoring Thee. Keep me from these defiling sins of my day, that I may not be worse for the times, nor the times worse because of me. Keep back thy servant from presumptuous sins. Keep me; for as a little child is only safe in the parent's arms, so I am only safe in Thee." -- Henry Mahan

As we watch our nation in a religious and moral downgrade, which fills our hearts with sorrow, let us ever call to mind the words of Paul the apostle, “Who maketh thee to differ,” and be very, very thankful to God that we are not a part of the church’s apostasy and this nation’s reprobation; thankful that we have been snatched out of darkness and death and translated into the kingdom of light, the kingdom of God’s dear Son (Colossians 1:13). In our sorrow, let us be thankful, very thankful!