March 31^st 2024

9:30 am -------------------------------------------Marriage: Christ & His Church – Ephesians 5:21-33

10:00 am ------------------------------------------ Things That Cannot Be Shaken – Hebrews 12:27

* NO WEDNESDAY SERVICE THIS WEEK

A Pure Mind - “To Stir up your pure minds . . .” – II Peter 3:1

The dictionary defines ‘pure’ as: ‘free from mixture, clear’. What a good description of the mind which God hath given to His people (let this mind be in you).

By the grace and regenerating power of God every child of God has been given a new mind that is free from mixture and clear. There is no mixing of law and grace in a believer’s mind. There is no mixing of God’s work and man’s works. There is no mixing of God’s will and man’s will. The unbelieving religious world is all mixed up when it comes to what they think about God and salvation. Not God’s people. Their minds are made up (by God Himself). Their minds are clear. Their minds are made up (and nothing and no one can change them). For they have all been taught of God. They ALL know that salvation is pure grace . . . not of works lest any man should boast. They ALL know that God worketh ALL THINGS after the counsel of HIS WILL. They ALL know that God alone has free will and man’s will is only sinful. They ALL know that salvation is of the Lord; that He thought it, bought it, and brought it; that He purposed it, purchased it, and applies it. They all know that their salvation is completely in and of the Lord Jesus Christ; that He is their righteousness before a Holy God, that He is their sin-sacrifice, that He is their High Priest, Mediator, Covenant Head, Redeemer, Law-Keeper, Lord and King. The faith, the heart, the mind of every believer is purely of Christ. His mind is made up, settled and clear, Christ is all!

Dealing Gently For Christ's Sake

"And the king (David) commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, 'Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom.' And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom."

Absalom was a wicked, rebellious, violent and hateful son . . . unworthy of mercy, unworthy of love . . . but David loved him anyway. And David gave a strict command to his captains, saying: "Deal gently for my sake with the young man." Don't be too hard on him. Don't treat him roughly. Don't cut him off or kill him, but be merciful to him . . . "for my sake."

O' what a command this is to all the Son of David's captains, or preachers. "The servant of the Lord must not strive (fight, argue); but be gentle unto all men" (II Tim.2:24). And this applies to all God's people, all believers , who are His servants; "All the people heard the charge." David said, "Deal gently with the young man . . .even Absalom." Though he is the worst, the chief offender, the most undeserving rebel . . . go easy on him.

What thoughts arise in our hearts when we see a rebel? . . . especially a young man, or young lady? I'll be honest and tell you that I often get angry and lifted up with indignation against him or her. God be merciful to me. I've forgotten who I am and where I came from. I've forgotten that the Lord dealt so gently with me . . . FOR CHRIST'S SAKE. And I have forgotten how the people of God dealt gently with me when I was in the hog pen. I well remember when this prodigal was brought home, how the people received me as one of them . . . a sinner, and were merciful to me.

We need to remember that every son of Adam and daughter of Adam is someone's son or daughter, loved by their parents and treat them as we would have others treat our own children . . . even the Absaloms. And most of all, we need to think of sinners as maybe being one of the Lord's elect children. That is not to say that all people are God's children, nor does God Love everyone. To the contrary there are people whom God hates and will destroy someday, though He takes no pleasure in their destruction. But the command to us is: Love your enemies . . . do good unto all men . . .let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind (deal gently) one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, EVEN AS GOD FOR CHRIST'S SAKE HATH FORGIVEN YOU."

The end of the story is tragic, sad and fearful. Absalom was killed. Joab took 'three darts (anger, wrath & malice?), and thrust them through the heart of Absalom.' Though Absalom deserved it, Joab (and ten other young men) seemed to enjoy killing the king's son. Our God does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked, so He surely is angry with those who do. Since no matter was hidden from the king (v.13), David heard of it, and later gave strict orders to Solomon concerning Joab: "let not his hoar (gray) head go down to the grave in peace" (2Kings2:6); and so Solomon had Joab slain and buried in the wilderness.