SOVEREIGNTY AND RESPONSIBILITY

“And truly the Son of Man goeth as it was determined,
but woe unto the man by whom He is betrayed.” (Matthew 22:16)

It was determined by the sovereign will of God that Christ would die on the cross. It was determined by the sovereign will of God that Judas would betray Him. Christ said in John 6:70-71, “Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil. He spake of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray Him, being one of the twelve.” It was determined by the sovereign God that Judas would betray Christ. And Judas did exactly what he wanted to do and was held responsible for doing it!
God’s sovereign will does not remove us from personal responsibility: nor does the freedom of our actions diminish God’s sovereignty. God is absolutely sovereign and we are absolutely responsible!
Pastor Todd Nibert

Judge Not Life by Outward Circumstances

“It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I MIGHT LEARN Thy ways” (Psalm 119:71).

God’s ways and God’s word are best learned by experience and in time of trouble. When our Lord is pleased to lay His hand heavily upon us, we do not soon forget the lessons learned. When the Lord singles out a believer or a church for special affliction and adversity, it is not for punishment nor lack of love for them; it is for eternal blessings and because He does love them. “Whom the Lord loveth” He chastens, corrects, and teaches (Heb. 12:6-11)!

When Job sat before his friends, who was afflicted? THE ONE GOD LOVED! When PAUL stood before King Agrippa, who wore the chains? THE ONE GOD LOVED! Humanly speaking, which path of life would you prefer to live on earth, that of Esau or that of Jacob? Esau had the life of prosperity and ease; Jacob was full of trouble and conflict – BUT GOD LOVED JACOB!

Thank God He has not left us alone! Thank God He has loved us in Christ and is pleased to teach us His ways by dealing with us in such a way that we are weaned from the world and find our life, comfort, and hope only in Him. A person who measures his blessings and relationship with God by his prosperity, health, happiness, and worldly comforts makes a fatal mistake. “If ye be without chastisement, whereof all believers are partakers, then are ye bastards and not sons” (Heb. 12:8). Paul said, “Most gladly therefore will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Cor. 12:9-10).

He who sends the trial for His glory and my good will supply the grace sufficient. Those who know the Redeemer also know that when we are weak, we are strong; when we are poor, we are rich; when we are empty, we are full; and when we die, we live!

Pastor Henry T. Mahan (bulletin 1989)

CHRIST OUR SUBSTITUTE

“Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified” (Matt. 27:26).

God has ordered by His marvelous providence a vivid picture of every believer's Substitute. Barabbas was rightly charged, convicted and sentenced to be executed. He was found guilty of murder, robbery and sedition against Rome. When the executioner came to release him, he was told that a man named Jesus of Nazareth had taken his scourging and crucifixion and that he could go free.

Barabbas is a type and picture of the sinners for whom Christ Jesus died (1Tim.1:15). We stand guilty before the law of God (Rom. 3:19-20). We were justly convicted of great offences against God (Psalm 51:4). We were waiting the just execution by God's holy law and justice and should have been cast away forever. (Rom.6:23).

However, by the order of Almighty God, the Lord Jesus Christ was sent to rescue, redeem and release sinners (Matt.9:13; Luke 4:18; Gal. 3:13; 1 Tim. 1:15). Believers no more merit release and rescue than Barabbas did (Eph.2:1-4). But God in His sovereign grace sent the gracious Substitute, the Lord Jesus Christ to take our place and set us free (1Peter 3: 18). Christ Jesus paid our debt to God's law and justice and cleared us of all guilt (Rom. 8:28-35; Gal. 3:10-13). Christ Jesus took our scourging and with His strips we are healed (Isa. 53:5). Christ Jesus took our death and gave us His life (1John 5:12). He took our sin and gave us His righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21). He was condemned though innocent (1 Peter 2:22), that we might be justified though guilty (Rom.8:1). There is infinite merit in all that Christ performed for His covenant people (Heb. 2:17; Rom. 5:6-11).