“He was first made sin, and then a curse for his redeemed.”
— Robert Hawker
I am scheduled to preach for SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH in Cornishville, KY on Friday and Saturday. The assembly now meets at 4486 Bohon RD. Bro. Bill Eldridge is pastor. — Telephone: 859-366-4479
Bro. Rupert Rivenbark will preach Friday night, Saturday morning and Sunday morning for the KINGSPORT SOVEREIGN GRACE MINISTRY, 443 East Sullivan Street, Kingsport, TN. Contact Anthony Moody — Email: HYPERLINK "mailto:moody2006@charter.net" moody2006@charter.net — Telephone: 423-288-6045.
Christ was Born in Bethlehem — Don Fortner (Tune: #145 — Hail, Thou Once Despised Jesus — 87.87.D)
Lo! The Son of God, assuming human nature, stooped to earth; Heav’nly hosts proclaimed His coming; and a Virgin gave Him birth! See Jehovah in our nature, — Jesus Christ, God come to save! Angels sang it, angels sang it: — Christ was born in Bethlehem!
God, His promises fulfilling, sent His Son, the woman’s Seed; To redeem us Christ was willing, to perform the work decreed. God the Father, Son and Spirit, all in cov’nant love agreed. Blessed Surety! Blessed Surety! Christ was born in Bethlehem!
All the types and prophets pointed to the Lamb of God and said, That on Christ, the Lord’s Anointed, our offences must be laid That the Lamb, spotless and holy, must for sinners sin be made! That He might thus make atonement, Christ was born in Bethlehem!
Bearing all our guilt our Savior, made a curse, the curse removed! Satan’s vanquished, though he rages, crushed by Zion’s mighty King; Saints shall, thro’ eternal ages, this triumphant anthem sing: “Hallelujah! Hallelujah! — Christ was born in Bethlehem!”
Discovering Christ in the Gospel of Matthew
GO Publications in Eggleston, England has released Pastor Fortner’s latest commentary, Discovering Christ in the Gospel of Matthew (93 chapters, fully indexed, 700 pages, hardback).
In the foreword Peter Meney writes, “I am confident that all who consider the discoveries made of Jesus Christ in Matthew will be challenged to think of the Savior in a new and fresh way.”
As with all our pastor’s books, Discovering Christ in the Gospel of Matthew may be purchased at any local or online bookstore. The ISBN is 978-095486247-3. If you live in North America and wish to order any of the pastor’s books through our church offices, we offer them at our cost. Discovering Christ in the Gospel of Matthew is $3500. Please make your check payable to Grace Baptist Church of Danville and send your order to…
GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH of DANVILLE 2734 Old Stanford RD Danville, KY 40422
Christ Our Shepherd
“He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.” (Isaiah 40:11)
The Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the Shepherd of his sheep. In the Old Testament Scriptures it was prophesied that Messiah, the Christ, the Son of God, our Redeemer would come into the world as a Man and that one chief characteristic of his work of redemption and grace would be that of a shepherd buying, seeking and gathering his sheep (Isaiah 40:11; 49:10; Ezekiel 34:11-23; 37:24). When David meditated upon these things, his heart bubbled over with joy, confidence, faith and hope. He sang, — “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalms 23:1).
In the New Testament three distinct adjectives are used to set forth the characteristics of Christ as our Shepherd. In his great work of redemption our Savior is called “The Good Shepherd” (John 10:11). In his resurrection glory he is called “The Great Shepherd” (Hebrews 13:20). And, in reference to his glorious return, Peter declares him to be “The Chief Shepherd” (1 Peter 5:4).
Our Lord Jesus Christ is the good Shepherd with reference to his work of redemption, the great Shepherd with reference to his resurrection and the chief Shepherd with reference to his glorious return. These three adjectives are always distinct. They are never mingled together or interchanged. Each is used in its proper place and setting with reference to the Son of God and the accomplishments of his mediatorial work by which he gathers his lambs and saves his sheep.
“Christ also Suffered for Us”
“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.” (1 Peter 1:21)
Here is our calling. — “For even hereunto were ye called.” All true believers have been effectually and irresistibly called by the grace and power of God the Holy Spirit to Christ. We have been called to salvation, eternal life and faith in him.
Here is our rule of life. — “Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.” Rebels must be ruled by law. Mercenaries are ruled by rewards. Believers are ruled by Christ. We do not live by the rule of religious custom and tradition, the rule of our own consciences, or even the rule of Mosaic law. We follow Christ. We live by the rule of his Word, his example and his Spirit.
Here is our Shepherd. — The primary thing to be seen in this verse is the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ, our good Shepherd, is the suffering Shepherd. — “Because Christ also suffered for us.” Apart from the sufferings of Christ for us, apart from him having fully suffered the wrath of God to the full satisfaction of divine justice, there could be no salvation for anyone. Be sure you understand this. The necessity for Christ’s death was the holiness and justice of Almighty God (Romans 3:24-26).
Had Christ not died in our stead, we could never have been made alive. — “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit” (John 12:24). — Had Christ not suffered the curse of the law for us, we could never have been freed from that curse. — “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree” (Galatians 3:13). Had the Son of God not poured out his life’s blood unto death upon the cursed tree, he could never have obtained eternal redemption for us. It was with “his own blood (that) he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us” (Hebrews 9:12).
In a word, had not the good Shepherd suffered for us, he could never have saved us. — “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 Peter 3:18).
But, now, since he has suffered the wrath of God in our stead to the full satisfaction of infinite justice, all for whom he suffered and died must and shall be saved. Else his suffering and death are vain; and the blood of Christ is of non-effect!
GRACE BULLETIN
November 1, 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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