Psalm 16:8-11

Saving Knowledge

“No man knoweth the Father, save the Son and he to whom the Son will reveal Him ” (Matthew 11:27).

Men may believe in God, but there is no way that they can know the living God except in Christ. They may know of His existence, but His essence and glory are only revealed in Christ. They may know of His works, but His will and wisdom are only seen in Christ. They may know of His power, but His purpose and decrees are only revealed in Christ. They may be acquainted with His miracles, but His mercy and grace are only received in Christ. They may behold His judgements, but His justice satisfied and honored is only revealed in Christ.

If we miss a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus, we may talk of God all our lives and never really know Him.

Pastor Henry T. Mahan (bulletin 1991)

GOOD THINGS TO PONDER

“Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.” (Haggai 1:7)

What should a believer think about throughout the day? Did you know The Word of the Lord gives us things to “consider”? That word means we are to “exercise the mind” by “fully observing” – to behold, to discover, to perceive.

We are to consider things much larger than we are. David did.

“When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?” (Psalm 8:3-4).

Our Lord told us to consider things smaller than we are, like the ravens and the lilies of the field.

“Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these… how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? ” (Luke 12:27-28).

We are told to consider Christ.

“Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;” (Heb. 3:1).

We are to consider those that preach the Gospel of Christ, by considering the subject (and end-state) of their message.

“Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the endof their conversation [Christ]” (Heb. 13:7).

With all these things in mind, we are to consider one another.

“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 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. 10:24-25).

Pastor Kevin Thacker

THE PROMISES OF GOD

“For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts” (2 Cor. 1:20-22).

Paul is reminding the believers at Corinth and us today that all that God has promised us in His word is as certain and sure as His own name and character (2 Tim. 2:19; Titus 1:1-3). These promises were all made according to His own will and purpose (Eph. 1:11). The scriptures teach, that which God has promised he is able to perform (Rom. 4:20-21). All these precious promises display the qualities of God who gave them (2 Peter 1:3-4). Notice several particulars that the apostle points out.

1). The range and scope of these promises, "All the promises of God." There is not a need any guilty sinner has that the promises of God does not meet (Phil. 4:19). This ought to give every sinner great encouragement to look to the Lord Jesus Christ to supply our every need (Eph. 1:3). We are ungodly, Christ died for the ungodly (Rom.5:6). We stand naked before God's holiness, Christ provides a perfect robe of righteousness for us (Jer. 23:5; Isa. 61:10). We are hard hearted, God promises in the covenant of grace to give us a new heart (Ezk. 11:19). Are you weary and heavy laden with sin? Christ says, "come unto me, I will give you rest" (Matt. 11:28). Are you thirsty for spiritual life? Christ says, "He is the fountain of the water of life" (John 4:14; 7:37). Are you hungry for salvation? Christ says, "I am the bread of life" (John 6:35).

2). These promises are certain and sure because they are in Christ Jesus. "For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen." Is there pardon for sin in Christ? Yes, "thou art a God ready to pardon (Neh. 9:17). Is there hope of salvation in Christ? Yes, "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Is there forgiveness of sin in Christ? Yes, "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins" (Eph. 1:7). Is there justification in Christ? Yes, "Being justified freely through His grace" (Rom. 3:24). Every promise of God in Christ is sure to all who believe (Rom. 4:16).