June 4^th, 2023

9:30 am -------------------------------------------Simon Peter’s Denial – John 18:15-27

10:00 am ------------------------------------------------- Not Unto Us, O Lord – Psalm 115

-- In respect to GOD, the death of Christ was justice and mercy. In respect to THIS WORLD, the death of Christ was murder and cruelty. In respect to HIMSELF, the death of Christ was obedience and humility. In respect to HIS ELECT, the death of Christ was wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. – John Flavel

--The Lord afflicts us at times; but it is always a thousand times less than we deserve, and much less than many of our fellow-creatures are suffering around us. Let us therefore pray for grace to be humble, thankful, and patient.” – Thomas Watson

--The world’s greatest need is preaching preachers. The Gospel is our emancipation proclamation: let’s take it to the slaves of sin. – Watson

The Place Of Public Worship

One difference between the true believer and the mere religionist is that the religionist fits the worship of God into his life’s busy schedule and the believer arranges the affairs of his life around the worship of God. Without question, the most important aspect of every believer’s life is public worship. And the neglect of public worship is the first step toward apostasy. Read Hebrews 10:25-29. . . “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another.”-- Don Fortner

Come Out From Among Them – From Henry Mahan’s commentaries

“Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (v.15) and what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? (v.16) And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of God; as God hath said, I will dwell with them, and walk with them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

(v.17) Wherefore come out from among them . . .” – 2 Corinthians 6:14-17

v. 15. What harmony can there possibly be between Christ and the devil? The word ‘Belial’ is only used this one time in the New Testament but very often in the Old Testament and signifies a very wicked person. Most agree that the reference here is to Satan. Christ, who dwells in us and we in him, has no fellowship nor agreement with Satan; therefore, how can we enjoy unnecessary communion with those who manifest themselves to be children of the devil? Christ Jesus is our life, our part and portion; the infidel's part and portion are sin, self and eternal damnation. Therefore, what do we share in common that would give us any common ground for communion?

v. 16. The argument for believers to quit the company of wicked persons, to separate from them and to avoid being joined unequally with them in unnecessary communion is further enforced by asking, ‘What agreement can there be between a temple of God and idols?’ We are certainly the temple of God; for God said, ‘I will dwell in them, and walk in them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people’ (1 Cor. 3:16; Eph. 2:21, 22). ‘We are the temple of the living God.’ Idols have no life but are dead things and are representatives of dead men. What agreement or place can life have with or for death? We can no more walk with the living God and find joy and comfort in communion with unbelievers than we can bring dead idols into the temple of the living God! The apostle is not just setting forth the rules and laws concerning unnecessary communion with unbelievers. He is wondering why the believer would seek such alliances and what possible agreement or communion could come of these partnerships! They have nothing in common.