Solomon warns, “Meddle not with them that are given to change” (Proverbs 24:21). There are many who change their doctrine to suit their company. Others are carried about with every wind of doctrine. No matter the reason, those who are given to change are not to be trusted. Whether the change is an indication of instability, or of some evil intent, those who are given to change are not to be followed.
I am to preach Thursday night for ZEBULON BAPTIST CHURCH in Pikeville, KY. Bro. Tom Harding is pastor. On Friday night and Saturday morning I will preach for GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH in Dingess, WV. Bro. Gary Vance is pastor. • COLLEGE GROVE GRACE CHURCH, College Grove, TN, will host its annual sovereign grace Bible conference October 16-18. Bro. Chris Cunningham is the host pastor (Telephone 615-368-7853 — Email: gracetn@united.net).
In Christ My Hiding Place — Don Fortner (Tune: # 131 — Lift up, Lift up your Voices Now — LM)
1. This world’s a waste and barren land, A rugged path o’er scorching sand; But through this desert we must haste, Before the joys of heav’n we taste.
2. To scare this trembling soul of mine, God’s law and hell appear combined; — What frowns of justice cloud the sky, And raise the violent tempest high!
3. But there on Calv’ry’s summit stands The Man who, with extended hands, Invites me to His op’ning side, “Come, weary sinner safely hide.”
4. Weary and foul, with sin replete, My soul flies to this blest Retreat: — This Rock hides me from scorching beams, And from it flows salvation’s streams.
5. In Christ my Hiding-Place so good, I’ll fear no storms, I’ll dread no flood; But smiling at the threat’ning waves, I’ll bless Jehovah, God Who saves.
“They shall never perish!”
John 10:28
Our Lord Jesus Christ says, concerning his sheep, those who were chosen and redeemed by him, “I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish” (John 10:28). This sentence has in it three clauses. Each clause provides us with a gracious assurance of the believer’s eternal security and preservation in Christ.
A Divine Gift
Here is a divine gift: —“I give unto them eternal life.” Eternal life comes to men as a matter of grace. It is the gift of God. There was nothing in our hearts or in our conduct which caused God to bestow eternal life upon us. He loved us with an everlasting love. Therefore, in lovingkindness he bestowed upon us the gift of life. And there is nothing in the believer’s heart or conduct which can cause God to take away his gift of life. “The gifts and callings of God are without repentance.” When our Lord says, “I give unto them eternal life,” he uses the present tense. His meaning is, “I give and continue to give unto them eternal life.” We know that this gift of eternal life is entirely the work of God, in no way earned by or dependent upon the goodness of man; and, therefore, those to whom eternal life is given are eternally secure in Christ. The work of God cannot be destroyed (Ecclesiastes 3:14). Eternal life must be eternal.
A Divine Promise
Here is a divine promise: — “And they shall never perish!” Our Lord here makes a blanket promise. It takes into consideration all times, all circumstances, all events, all contingencies, and all possibilities. He says concerning all of his sheep, “I give unto them eternal life, and,” because they are my sheep and because I give them eternal life, “they shall never perish!” What if they are babes in Christ and their faith is weak? “They shall never perish!” What if they are young men and their passions are strong? “They shall never perish!” What if they are old men and their vision grows dim? “They shall never perish!” What if they are tempted? “They shall never perish!” What if all hell breaks loose upon them? “They shall never perish!” What if they sin? “They shall never perish!” What if they fall? “They shall never perish!” What if they sin again? “They shall never perish!”
This promise takes in all the flock, “They shall never perish!” Not one of Christ’s sheep shall ever perish, no not even one! This is not the distinctive privilege of a few. It is the common mercy of all God’s elect. If you are a believer, if you trust Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as your Lord and Savior, if you have received eternal life from him, you shall never perish! It is not possible for the child of God to sin away the grace of God bestowed upon him in the gift of eternal life.
A Divine Security
Here is a divine security: — “Neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” We are preserved in the heart of his eternal love; and we are preserved in the hand of his omnipotent grace. “All thy saints are in thy hands.” We are in the hands of Christ our God and Savior, always in his hands. What a blessed place to be! Because we are in his hand, we shall never perish!
I know that this blessed doctrine of the believer’s security in Christ draws a strong response from men. The self-righteous religionist will say, “We cannot have such a doctrine. It will lead men into sin.” The presumptuous professor of religion will say, “Let us sin that grace may abound. Since we are saved by grace, it does not matter how we live.” But the true believer will say, “Such marvelous grace compels me to give myself wholeheartedly to Christ in love, praise and service.” Every true experience of God’s saving grace in Christ produces gratitude in the heart, and gratitude produces dedication to Christ, who promises, “They shall never perish!”
“All things are of God.”
2 Corinthians 5:18
Just how far are we to take Paul’s statement here? Let me tell you. You can carry those words just as far, just as high, just as deep, just as wide as your imagination will carry you. And when you have reached the utmost end of your imagination, as someone once said, you will only have “begun to commence, to get started!”
Take this blessed, inspired declaration just as far back as eternity past, and just as far forward as eternity future. Take it up to the highest heaven. Take it down to the lowest hell. Take it around the world, through the world, and through all the ages of time. When all that is, has been, and shall be has been considered, write this title over the picture and this explanation for the story — “All things are of God.”
In the creation of the universe, “all things are of God.” It is written in Revelation 4:11, — "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." In the wise and orderly disposition of providence, “all things are of God.” In Romans 11:36 the Spirit of God declares, — "For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen." In the salvation of our souls, “all things are of God.” Here in 2 Corinthians 5, that is obviously what Paul is specifically talking about. Look at any one aspect of salvation, or look at the whole package of grace. However you look at it, “Salvation is of the Lord!” Election, predestination and redemption are of the Lord. Forgiveness, pardon and justification are of the Lord. Reconciliation, regeneration and sanctification are of the Lord. Repentance, faith and conversion are of the Lord. Preservation, resurrection and glorification are of the Lord.
Take this word from God with you through the day. May God himself grant you faith in his Son and give you the blessed rest that comes from the realization of his absolute, total dominion over all things. Rejoice in this and rest in it. “All things are of God!” Everything that is, has been, or shall hereafter be is of God. Let every child of God rejoice. All things are under the dominion of and come to pass according to the will of our heavenly Father!
GRACE BULLETIN
October 4, 2009
GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH of DANVILLE 2734 Old Stanford Road-Danville, Kentucky 40422-9438 Telephone (859) 236-8235 - E-Mail don@donfortner.com
Donald S. Fortner, Pastor
Schedule of Regular Services
Sunday 10:00 A.M. Bible Classes 10:30 A.M. Morning Worship Service 6:30 P.M. Evening Worship Service
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