May 6^th. 2018

9:30 am Bible Study

10:00 am Message --------------------------------------------------Messages by John Chapman

Beware of Giving Comfort Before its Time

It is one of the most unwise things under heaven to comfort people who have not yet closed with Christ in heart faith. When people manifest an interest in the gospel and give an ear to our message, we must not allow our love for them and our zeal for their conversion to lead us to offer them rest when they need strong words to shut them up to Christ. Any friendship with the pastor and church people which gives an unbeliever cheer, fellowship, and ease short of a union with Christ is dangerous. A sinner’s main business is to come to Christ himself, to love Christ, to rest in Christ. Then comes church fellowship, rest, and the joys of the body. There is no half-way house before believing in him! – Henry Mahan

A New Creature

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

-- 2 Corinthians 5:17

The Lord Jesus Christ does not show blind men how to see. He gives them new eyes and they see Him! The Lord Jesus Christ does not tell deaf men how to hear. He gives them new ears and they hear Him! The Lord Jesus Christ does not beg lame men to walk. He gives them new legs and they leap as an hart, and follow Him! All who are in Christ receive a new mind of repentance toward Him, a new will that bows to Him, a new heart that believes and loves Him. Yes, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature! -- Gabe Stalnaker

Follow Peace and Holiness – From Henry Mahan’s Commentaries

“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”– Hebrews 12:14

‘Follow peace with all men.’ To follow peace and harmony with others is not only to desire it, but to exert the utmost in a man's power to attain it with everyone.

1. In the church. ‘How blessed it is when brethren dwell together in unity.’ Read Eph. 4:1-3; Col. 3:12-16.

2. In the home, between husband and wife, parents and children (Col. 3:18-21).

3. In our natural relationships with friends, neighbors, and co-workers, yea, even with our enemies as much as is possible (Rom. 12:17-20). Our God is the God of peace, our Saviour is the Prince of Peace, the fruit of the Spirit is peace, and we are called to peace and to believe the gospel of peace. Shall we be characterized as quarrelsome, trouble-makers, and contentious? God forbid!

‘Follow holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.’ There has to be a two-fold meaning here:

1. The holiness or righteousness of Christ, which is to be followed after by believing on him and receiving in him perfect sanctification and acceptance before God. ‘Ye are complete in him.’ (1 Cor. 1:30; Rom. 10:4; 2 Cor. 5:21.)

2. The holiness or Godliness of an obedient walk. ‘If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.’ If he is not a new person with a new attitude, a new character, and a new conduct, he is not in Christ and shall not enter heaven. We are justified by faith, and our faith is justified by our works (James 2:17-21; Gal. 5:22-26).

“Content of Character is far more important than content of purse.”