Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD. - Jeremiah 9:23-24 We are thankful to have pastors Tom Harding and Marvin Stalnaker with us to bring the Lord’s message to us today. May the Lord bless them in preaching and us in hearing!
We have a little sister, and she hath no breasts: what shall we do for our sister in the day when she shall be spoken for?
Song of Solomon 8:8
The Lord Jesus has sheep that are yet to be called by His Spirit unto salvation (John 10:16) and therefore, the bride of Christ has a sister yet to be called out of spiritual darkness into the open maturity of regeneration. This “sister” represents those that will hear the Gospel and shall follow the Lord Jesus by faith (John 6:37). Knowing that God has a people that must be brought to Christ, the bride asks this question, “What shall we do for our sister in the day that she shall be spoken for?” The church of Christ has one thing that she can do for her unconverted sister…Preach the Gospel! That is the power of God unto salvation (Rom. 1:16). What other message affords any hope for sinners or is blessed by God’s Spirit?...None! The church of the Lord Jesus obeys the word of her Husband, Redeemer and Surety…“Go into all the world and preach the gospel (Mark 16:15).
Pastor Marvin Stalnaker
"How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" (Psalm 119:103).
David not only heard and read the Word of God, but he also feasted upon it in his heart and it was sweet and satisfying unto his soul. The Word of God is a bitter pill to the ungodly infidel, because he sees no beauty and glory in the revelation of Christ in it (Luke 24:27). However, to those who are called of God and enlightened by the Spirit, the Word of God is the heavenly manna (John 6:35) and the nourishment of the new man (2 Cor.5:17). Consider the following thoughts.
1). There is a sweetness in believing the gospel (1 Pet. 2:7). What a great privilege God has given to the sinner to trust the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed is the man that maketh the Lord His trust (Psalm 84:12). The believer finds everything he needs freely, fully and eternally provided in the Lord (Phil. 4:19; 1 Cor.1:30; Col. 2:9-10).
2). There is a sweetness in meditating upon Christ revealed in the Word, "O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day" (Psa. 119:97; Psa. 1:2). We love to think about the things that we love. To the believer, his Lord and Master is, "altogether lovely." The believer meditates upon the Word because we love Him and then we love Him more because we meditate upon His word. (1 Tim. 4:13-16).
3). There is a sweetness in confessing Christ (Mark 16:16). This is the believers delight, to publicly confess what Jesus Christ has done for us at Calvary, shedding His blood to put away our sin (1 Jn.1:7). Also, to confess what Christ has done within us by making us trophies of His grace (1 Cor. 15:10). The Biblical way to confess Christ as all your salvation is believer’s baptism (Acts 8:36-38).
4). There is a sweetness in proclaiming (preaching) the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 10:13-17). What a great privilege and responsibility God has laid upon His church (2 Tim. 4:1-4). There is a special delight to those called, gifted and sent of God to declare the message of sovereign grace (Eph. 3:7-11). God has chosen by the preaching of the gospel to magnify Himself. God has chosen by the preaching of the gospel to call out His elect to Christ in faith (1 Cor. 1:21). God has chosen by the preaching of the gospel, with the word of truth to feed His church (Acts 20:28; John 21:15).
Now think about this! Is the gospel of Jesus Christ sweet unto me? Do the doctrines of the gospel offend me? Is the gospel a savor of life unto life or is it a obnoxious odor of death unto death (2 Cor. 2:14-15). To those who are perishing Christ crucified is foolishness (1Cor.1:17). However, to those that are saved, Christ is the power and wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24).
Pastor Tom Harding