Psalm 45:6-8

PRIDE

Men will put themselves in monasteries, go to the mission fields, tithe, keep holy days, count beads, afflict their bodies, go on pilgrimages, strive to keep laws, and do almost anything for pardon and sal­vation rather than receive eternal life as the free gift of God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Why? PRIDE! The pride of the human heart will try any­thing, no matter how difficult and demeaning, rather than bow before God as a sinner and be saved by His grace. Isn't it strange that a naked beggar would rather clothe himself with filthy rags than to accept the beautiful, spotless robe of Christ by grace? Isn't it strange that a condemned criminal would ra­ther seek to prove his innocence than to accept a full and free pardon from the hand of the King? It is not strange when one knows the awful pride of the human heart! To be saved and justified freely by the doing and dying of Another (Jesus Christ) is a situation the proud human heart cannot understand nor agree to until the strength of that pride is broken by the almighty power of God.

Pastor Henry T. Mahan (bulletin 1994)

Worshipping in Spirit and Truth

Much of what is called worship today has to do with touching stories, stirring appeals, or a thrilling oratory of a religious character. Beautiful anthems by a well-trained choir, rendered in such a way as to move tears or to great joy—now this may stir the outward man, but it will not and cannot affect the inner man. “To worship in spirit and truth stands opposed to worshipping God with the senses.” We can’t worship God by looking at stained glass windows, by listening to the music of a costly organ, by smelling of sweet incense or “telling of beads.” We cannot worship God with our eyes and ears, or nose and hands for they are all flesh. “God is a spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and truth.” (John 4:24) “Must worship in spirit and truth” excludes everything that is of the natural man.

True worship is the adoration of a saved person occupied with God himself. The fact of the matter is that the greatest enemy and hindrance of true worship is religion. People think that if they go to church and are reverent in their conduct, join in the singing of the Hymns, and give as the collection plate is passed, they have really worshipped. What is worship? Praise? Yes, but more it’s adoration coming forth from a heart that has been touched by God Himself. It’s a response to His Love. It’s expressing, it’s gratitude for His unspeakable gift, it’s the making melody in our heart singing “Worthy is the Lamb.” What is it? It’s loving Him who alone is worthy. It’s a sinner saved by free grace, washed in the Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ shouting in his heart, Blessed by the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for His so great salvation. May the Spirit of the Living God bring our hearts to true worship.

. Pastor Scott Richardson (1927 - 2010)

The distressing, deep-seated evil of the old man in us and the relentless warring of the flesh against the spirit are instruments by which God the Holy Ghost graciously weans us from trusting in ourselves, makes Christ more precious, and causes us to look away from self to Christ alone as all our Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption. Pastor Don Fortner

WE GLORY ONLY IN JESUS CHRIST

"I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those

things which pertain to God" (Rom. 15:17).

Paul was very careful throughout his ministry not to glory, boast or brag in the flesh (Phil. 3:7-9). He taught others not to do this and certainly he would not glory in himself; not in his religious heritage, nor in his attainments or gifts, nor in his labors and success in the ministry but only "through Jesus Christ" (Gal. 6:14). All the apostles and those who truly believe the gospel of God’s grace only glory "in those things that pertain to God." As a result of Adam’s sin, rebellion and fall into condemnation, we have absolutely no reason to glory in the flesh. The things that pertain to our sinful nature give us no motivation to glory or honor the old man and his deeds (Gal. 5:19-21). We are told in scripture to, "Put off the old man with his deeds" (Col. 3:9). We truly can only glory in those things that pertain to God. What are those things?

1). We glory in Christ incarnate as the only hope for sinners. "God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory" (1 Tim. 3:16).

2). We glory in Christ crucified as the only remedy to put away our sin. "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit" (1 Pet. 3:18).

3). We glory in Christ Jesus Who is all our sufficient righteousness and acceptance before a thrice holy God. "Wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace" (Eph. 1:6-7).

4). We glory in Christ Jesus exalted and seated at God’s right hand as all our justification before God. "Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification"(Rom. 4:25).

5). We glory in Christ Jesus coming again as all our hope throughout

eternity. When He comes we shall not only see Him as He is, but we shall also be made like Him forever (Psa. 17:15; 1 John 3:1-2).

Every believer can say with David, "My soul shall make her boast in