ZEBULON BAPTIST CHURCH
Weekly Bulletin
Sunday, April 12, 2009

The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103: 8-12

GOD IS GLORIFIED WHEN....
"Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like minded one toward another according to Christ Jesus; that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify God" (Romans 15:5-6).

God is glorified when the perfections of His nature are recognized. God is glorified when the Gospel of His grace in Christ is believed, when His beloved Son is received, loved, worshipped, and exalted. God is glorified when His people obey His word, love one another, and "adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things."

When our children are obedient, behave in public and conduct themselves properly, we are pleased and feel that they have honored their parents; but when our children misbehave, we are displeased and feel that they have not honored us! So "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). Pastor Henry Mahan

THE NECESSITY OF PREACHING THE GOSPEL
Jesus Christ instrumentally opens the understanding of men by the preaching of the gospel; and while there is an elect soul to be converted, or a convert to be further illuminated, the means by which it is accomplished shall not fail. John Flavel (1628-1691)

Faith is God's gift, God's work, God's operation.
If we ever truly learn that faith in Christ is the gift, work and operation of God, a supernatural thing, it will have a profound effect. It will alter everything. We will stop trying to figure out how to make the gospel effectual, and just preach it. We will quit trying to determine where God is likely to work, and serve Him where we are. We will cease trying to determine who is likely to be saved, and preach the gospel to anyone whose ear we can get. We will quit trying to make the gospel politically correct, socially palatable and culturally relative, and just preach it.

I say to preachers of this generation who seem hell-bent on compromising the gospel in the name of seeing sinners converted, --compromise accomplishes nothing! Any converts gained by compromise are twofold more the children of hell than they were before! Faith is God's gift, God's work, God's operation. And it is an operation performed, a work accomplished and a gift bestowed through the preaching of the gospel (Romans 10:17).

May God give us the grace to preach the gospel fully, to proclaim to sinners everywhere the good news of salvation accomplished by the sovereign purpose of God in eternal election and predestination, the obedience of Christ as the Surety, Representative and Substitute of His elect in His obedience unto death, and by the irresistible grace and omnipotent mercy of God the Holy Spirit in effectual calling. May God give us wisdom to preach the gospel plainly, and the grace and power of His Spirit to preach it effectually to the hearts of chosen, redeemed sinners. Pastor Don Fortner

THINK ON THESE THINGS
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things (Phil. 4:8).

Finally brethren, last but not least, give yourselves to meditate on these things of the gospel of Jesus Christ. As Paul says in other scripture, "Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all." (1Tim. 4:15). Take note of these eight words that describe the gospel.

1). The gospel of Christ is unquestionably true. In the word of the gospel we have the truth declared about sin (Rom. 3:9-23); the truth declared about salvation (2Tim. 1:9; Acts 4:12); the truth declared about God (Isa. 45:21-22; Rom. 3:4). Our Lord said it is the truth that sets sinners free (Jn. 8:32).

2). The gospel of Christ is indisputably honest or honorable. When God justifies a sinner through the blood atonement of Jesus Christ (1John 4:10), God always justifies the ungodly in His described way that honors His holy law and satisfies His righteous justice (Isa 42:21; 1Peter 1:18-20).

3). The gospel of Christ is undeniably just or righteous. The question of all questions is, how can God be just and justify the ungodly? The only right answer is found in the gospel of grace (Rom. 3:24-26). It is only revealed in the gospel how God can show mercy not at the expense of His holy justice (Psalm 85:10).

4). The gospel of Christ is irrefutably pure or perfect. Nothing but the blood of Christ can cleanse us from all sin (1John 1:7). Jesus Christ alone, by Himself purged us from our all our sin (Heb. 1:3).

5). The gospel of Christ is incontestably lovely. To you who believe Jesus Christ is most precious (1Pet. 2:7); He is altogether lovely (Song Sol. 5:16). We love Him only because He first loved us (1John 4:19).

6). The gospel of Christ is obviously a good report, or good news. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation to every one that will believe it (Rom. 1:16). Christ died for the ungodly (Rom. 5:6). God justifies the ungodly (Rom. 4:5). Jesus Christ came to save sinners (Matt. 9:13).

7). The gospel of Christ is definitely a virtue or excellent. Christ completely provides for all His church everything that God demands (Gen. 22:14; Phil. 4:19 Col. 2:9-10).

8). The gospel of Christ is absolutely worthy of all our praise and glory to God alone (Rev. 5:9-14; Psalm 115:1 Gal. 6:14).

Now my friend, "think on these things." Pastor Tom Harding