January 10, 2016

Sunday Worship

Radio WXCC 96.5 fm (internet wxccfm.com) 8:30 A.M.

Radio 98.1 fm; SuddenLink TV (channel 9) 10:30 A.M.

Bible Study 10:30 A.M.

Morning Service 11:15 A.M.

Wednesday Worship 7:00 P.M.

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. Jer. 9:23-24

THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD

I longed to understand Paul’s letter to the Romans, but one expression stood in my way – “THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD.” I took it to mean that righteousness whereby God is righteous and deals righteously in punishing the unrighteous! Night and day I pondered until I grasped the truth that the righteousness of God is that righteousness whereby in Christ, by Christ and sheer mercy, God justifies us by faith. Thereupon, I felt myself to be reborn and to have gone through the door to paradise. The whole of Scripture took on new meaning. Whereas “THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD” had filled me with fear, it became inexpressibly sweet in love.

Martin Luther (1483-1546)

WHEREFORE REMEMBER

Pastor Henry Mahan was visiting Pastor Scott Richardson in Fairmont. One night they took their wives to a fancy restaurant in town. The restaurant was in a renovated two story house. They received the royal treatment by the wait staff and enjoyed a very nice meal.

As they were admiring how the old home had been remodeled, Brother Scott said, “Over 50 years ago, I lived in this house.” He continued, “Growing up, we were very, very poor. My daddy could not afford to take care of me all the time. I was 8-9 years old, so occasionally dad farmed me out. He would send me to live with someone else. I would work for them for a place to sleep and for food.” He said, “My daddy made a chest-of-drawers and gave it to the woman that owned this house to pay for keeping me. I lived in the attic. I ran errands for her to pay for my food.”

As Scott finished his story, Henry said, “Scott, when you were that little poor, coal-miners son living in that attic, did it ever enter your mind that one day you would drive up here in a new Lincoln Continental, be escorted to a table with this fine table setting, be served this fine food and have money in your pocket to pay for it?” Scott said, “It never entered my mind.” One of them said there are three things it is very good for a believer to remember.

Remember what we were. “At that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the common wealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.” (Eph. 2: 12)

Remember what we are now. “But now…ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh...” (Eph. 2: 13) Now, “we both have access…unto the Father.” (Eph. 2: 18; Heb. 10: 19-22) “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God.” (Eph. 2: 19; Php. 3: 20) Now, we are God’s building, “In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit” (Eph. 2: 20-22).

Remember who made the difference. “Ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST.” (Eph 2: 13; Heb 9: 12) “For HE is our peace, who hath made both one and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us, having abolished IN HIS FLESH the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make IN HIMSELF of twain one new man, so making peace. And that HE might reconcile both unto God IN ONE BODY BY THE CROSS, having slain the enmity thereby. And [HE] came and preached peace to you which were far off, and to them that were nigh. Through HIM we both have access BY ONE SPIRIT unto the Father” (Eph. 2: 14-16).

copied

CRUCIFIXION OR CRUCIFICTION?

C .H. Spurgeon one day passed by a known chapel in England where the Gospel of Christ was denied, mocked, and never preached. This sign out front announced the title of the message for that week- "Crucifiction."

Although "crucifixion" and "crucifiction" sound the same when pronounced, there is a vast difference between the two. This religious world of ours has not shifted much in its opinion of what really happened at Calvary. While some may deny the fact that Jesus of Nazareth was crucified at Calvary, nearly all in our day deny what He accomplished. The majority of the preaching that goes on today denies the effectual redemption and accomplished salvation through Jesus Christ's blood sacrifice and righteousness obedience (Phil. 2:7-9; Hebrews 2:17). When you preach that His blood was shed for all humanity without exception, but it never really secured and accomplished salvation for anyone, you are preaching "crucifiction."

Thank God that the Scriptures do not teach "crucifiction." The Scriptures plainly teach us the glorious and successful work Jesus Christ accomplished for His people on the cross (Matthew 1:21; Hebrews 9:12). His crucifixion means: sin is atoned (1 John 4:10), justice is satisfied (Galatians 3:13), the law of God is honored (Isaiah 42:21), righteousness is established (Rom. 5:19-21; Philippians 3:9), salvation is accomplished (John 17:4; 19:30), His people purchased (Acts 20:28). That is why the apostle Paul was determined to know, rejoice in and preach nothing for salvation, except Jesus Christ and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2). This is also why he refused to glory except in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ (Gal. 6:14).