Psalm 16:5-7

Worship

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Heb. 10:25).

By God’s all-wise appointment, our assemblies are the life, the food, and the nourishment of our souls. It is the main way whereby we publicly identify with Christ and His Gospel. We evidence our love for Christ by our loyalty and support of one another in opposition to all false worship.

Many things will rise up in competition to the diligent attendance of our assemblies. We must recognize and refuse to give in to anything that is opposed to what Christ commands. The total falling away of a graceless professor always begins with this neglect, this disassociation with God’s people (Hebrews 10:25).

John Owen (1650)

Priorities In Preaching

“Brethren, pray for us” is a frequent plea made by those who preach the gospel, as Paul wrote in II Thessalonians 3:1. But PAUL’S MAIN CONCERN (and ours should be) was not so much for himself nor for the safety and welfare of the ministers themselves, but for THE SUCCESS AND GLORY OF THE GOSPEL he preached.

When we urge you to pray for us and for our brethren and for our missionaries, of course we should pray for their general health, support, and safety; but our CHIEF CONCERN is (1) that the Word of God may be preached far and wide, (2) that effectual doors may be opened for the preaching of Christ, and (3) that our gospel may be glorified and triumph in other places as it has in you.

In thought and in prayer, may our priorities be in proper order! The minister is but a voice; the glory of Christ and His gospel is our aim! Ministers come and go, voices are raised up and silenced; but the gospel is glorified when men receive it, believe it, and walk in truth and holiness before our God.

“Brethren, pray for us” that our Lord may be glorified in our efforts.

Pastor Henry T. Mahan (bulletin 1991)

"Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God" (John 6:69).

From the standpoint of God’s eternal decree, it may be truly said that believing sinners will not turn away from Christ because they CANNOT; but from the standpoint of the believer’s experience, it may just as truly be said that believers cannot turn away from Christ because they WILL NOT. And this is not presumption. It is the simple, saving, childlike faith and trust of a believing sinner, a true believer. The desperate NEED of his soul can only be satisfied in Christ Jesus the Lord!

Pastor Maurice Montgomery

CHRIST LIFTED UP

“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all unto me” (John 12:32).

The Lord Jesus Christ has promised His church that when He is lifted up, that He will draw us unto Himself in saving mercy and everlasting salvation. This lifting up refers to several things:

1). Being lifted up to die for our sins according to the scripture (John 3:14; 1 Cor. 15:1-40). It is only through the Lord Jesus Christ putting away our sin and making peace for us through the blood of His cross that He draws us unto Himself (Col. 1:14-20; 1 Peter 3:18).

2). Being lifted up also refers to His glorious resurrection from the dead. “Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification” (Rom. 4:25). Christ was raised up because He made full atonement for our sins and completely justified us by His blood (Rom. 3:24; Rom. 5:6-10). Having put away our sin, the grave and the law of God have no claim on Him or us (Heb. 9:12; 9:26). The Lord has taken away all barriers and commands His people to come unto Him (Matt. 11:28; John 7:37). We are told to, “come boldly unto the throne of grace that we might find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16).

3). Being lifted up also refers to His glorious ascension to the right hand of the throne of God (Heb.1:3; Heb. 8:1; Heb. 12:2). Our great High Priest has entered into glory for us as our Forerunner and occupies the very throne of God (Heb. 6:20). As the Representative Man, our Mediator ever lives to intercede for us (Rom. 8:32-35; Heb. 7:25; 1 John 2:1). This gives us great encouragement to draw near unto the Lord Jesus Christ. God is reconciled in Christ (2 Cor. 5:18-21).