PREACHING CHRIST CRUCIFIED

God sends His servants out to preach the gospel. That gospel is the gospel of Christ and Him crucified. Many claim to do this but have we really preached the gospel of Christ crucified if we hold back one of the chief things concerning Christ’s death? Has the gospel been preached if the scope and success of His death has not been declared and defined? Two times in John 10 the Lord Jesus Christ clearly sets forth His voluntary death and distinguishes the scope of that death. In verse 11 He says, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” Then in verse 15 He says, “As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.” Some call this preaching a “limited atonement.” If it is, Christ is the One that limited it and He limited it to His sheep! Others call it a “particular redemption” and so it is by the very words of the Savior Himself. It is this particular death for this particular people that saves the sheep and this is the reason for His very Name: “Thou shalt call His name Jesus for He shall save His people from their sins.” (Matt. 1:21) His coming into this world was to do the will of God who sent Him. “And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.” (Joh 6:39) Call His sufferings and death a “definite atonement” if you want to or not but that is what it was! If we say that we don’t think it is necessary to make this known to those we preach to or witness to, then we exalt our wisdom above Christ’s. The death of Christ is a substitutionary death in which He lays down His life “FOR” (in the place of) His sheep! Not all are His sheep as He said to many of the Jews: “But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.” (Joh 10:26) Men may say, “that won’t be good news to people.” It will be to the sheep! They will hear His voice and follow Him as their particular Redeemer and praise Him for it! “Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed US to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.” (Rev. 5:9) Christ’s true under-shepherd’s will follow His example!

Gary Shepard

The scriptures declare, and those that have been brought to experience the benefits of the death of Christ know and believe that his death was not of necessity but a free and voluntary gift. How plainly does he declare. and how expressively describe this himself: ‘I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. I lay down my life that I may take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.’ Joh 10:11,18 His sacrifice is everywhere called ‘a sacrifice of himself a voluntary gift.’ ‘He offered up himself.’ Heb 7:27 ‘By the sacrifice of himself.’ Heb 9:26 ‘Who gave himself a ransom.’ 1Ti 2:6

J.C. Philpot

“Bring Forth the Best Robe…”

Nothing but the love of God could have provided the best robe. Our Lord did not come and suffer in the sinner’s stead to obtain the love of God. He came and died because of the love of God. “herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He first loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1John 4:10)

How many times have we received something, and what really made us love it and appreciate it was that it was given out of love. How many times after service have I seen some little child out in the field pluck a wild flower and bring it to his mother. I’ve never seen a mother refuse to receive it and value it, because she sees the love in that little face. Oh, if we could ever get hold of this truth, “the love of God,” how it would break these hearts of stone. “For God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten Son.”

The best robe, God’s love provided it – The righteousness of Christ.

David Pledger

"Let me die the death of the righteous, and may my end be like theirs!" Numbers 23:10

Many desire to repent when old age comes—when . . . their wits are cracked, their souls distracted, their senses stupefied, their hearts astonished, their minds darkened, and their bodies diseased and distempered. Oh, then they think that they will be able to leap into heaven, with a "Lord have mercy upon me" in their mouths. Even though they have lived like devils —yet they hope they shall die like saints!

Thomas Brooks

"We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall." Proverbs 16:33

"Luck!" There is no such thing in our world, none in nature, none in human affairs. Luck means that an event has no cause at all. It is a bad word--a heathen term. Drop it from your vocabulary! Trust nothing to luck, and expect nothing from it. Avoid all practical dependence upon it or its kindred words . . . fate, chance, fortune. Never forget your dependence upon God. He can exalt you to prosperity--or sink you into the lowest depth of adversity. He can make everything to which you set your hand to prosper--or to fail. Devoutly acknowledge this. Abhor the atheism that shuts God out of His own world!

J. A. James

THY GOD REIGNS

1. O what a glad, delightful sound,

Within the Word of God ‘tis found;

The Lord our God reigns over all,

The Sovereign over great and small.

2. Ye children of the Father’s love,

Rejoice! He governs from above!

All things that happen, He ordains,

The Lord of glory ever reigns.

3. Yes day by day, and year by year,

Jehovah reigns, so do not fear;

Be calm, O anxious, troubled soul,

Thy God still reigns, may this console.

4. O yes He reigns forevermore,

With grateful hearts, His Name adore;

And though His will we faintly see,

Trust Him who reigns eternally.

Tune to "FROM EVERY STORMY WIND" LM