Faithful Gospel Preachers

After listening to messages preached by faithful men, I have noticed that in the early years of their ministry, there is a lot more vinegar mingled with grace. But in the latter years of their ministry, there is far more love and grace and much less vinegar. Isaiah spent the early part of his letter writing “woe to you, woe to you” and the latter half saying, “woe is me.” Let me be far more eager to judge myself and far less eager to condemn others. Grace and forgiveness make God’s people want to live more honorably but law and condemnation never does. God will keep and teach His people. I am only to proclaim His word and receive them as brethren, praying for them as I wait on Christ to work in their heart. Pastor Clay Curtis

Come to Christ, Not an Altar

The “invitation” or “altar call” at the end of a service has become such an accepted tradition in today’s religion that those who do not sing an “invitation hymn” and invite people to the front of the church to “get saved” are branded with all sorts of names and charges.

It never seems to trouble religious people that this “altar call” is nowhere to be found in God’s Word; that the great majority of those who “come forward” usually “go back” into indifference and worldliness; that coming to Christ is not a physical move at all but a heart commitment to the Redeemer; that the Scripture presents BAPTISM as our public confession of Christ, not “shaking the preacher’s hand;” that the gospel is a COMMAND to repent, believe, and follow the Lord in baptism, not a mere invitation. The King of kings does not invite His subjects to obey and believe Him; He commands them!

I preach to you the Word of the living God! In the preaching of His Word the holiness, justice, and righteousness of God are declared. The truth of our fall, sinfulness, and inability is clearly set forth, as is the grace and mercy of God in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Are you a sinner? Confess that fact before God, not before me! Do you believe the Lord Jesus Christ is the only Redeemer and righteousness and sin-offering for one such as you? Then settle that issue before the throne of grace, not at the front of the church! Has God spoken peace to your heart in Christ? Do you now rest in Him alone as your Lord and Saviour, your High Priest, and Mediator? Is the old man crucified with Christ, buried, and you are risen in Him a new creature? Then ask the pastor to assist you in believer’s baptism that you may declare publicly what God has done for you personally!

Pastor Henry T. Mahan (bulletin 1988)

IN CHRIST

Who can express fully the blessings of these words: “In Christ?” To be “in Christ” means to be chosen “in Him before the foundation of the world.” To be “in Christ” means that there is now “no condemnation,” accepted “in the Beloved,” and “complete in Him.” It means that “as He is, so are we in this world.” (Romans 8:1, Ephesians 1:6, Colossians 2:10 and 1 John 4:17.) It means everything to be “in Christ.” Pastor David Pledger

HEAR HIM

"And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him" (Matt. 17:5; Luke 9:35).

On this occasion the Lord Jesus was glorified before the apostles. There also appeared with Him Moses and Elijah when He was transfigured. Both Moses and Elijah were occupied and discussing the Lord's death, “his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.” When Peter saw this glorious sight he thought that it might be good to build three tabernacles honoring them, Moses the great lawgiver and Elijah the mighty prophet of God. About this time God was pleased to overshadow them with a cloud and to speak out of heaven unto the disciple. The instructions of God were plain and simple, "Hear Him." Peter, don't build, don't sacrifice, don't worship Moses and Elijah; "Hear Him."

The command of the gospel has not changed. The command of God is as appropriate today as it was then, "Hear Him." God has given the whole testimony of scripture as an accurate record to bear witness to the glorious person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ, "And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself" (Luke 24:27).