February 24^th . 2019

9:30 am ---------------------------------Fellowship, Feelings & Mercies In Christ – Philippians 2:1-4

10:00 am ---------------------------------A Father’s Faith for His People and His Son – Luke 1:64-80

The Vision of Isaiah and Mine

-- “The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and

Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.” – Isaiah 1:1

What Isaiah saw in the nation and world which he lived, is what I see all around me today. What Isaiah saw for the future of his nation, I see for my nation and every other. What Isaiah saw and what I see is . . .

- A nation rich and increased with goods; with an abundance of material things, yet vain and empty of any truly good things . . the things of God. (Isa.2:7)

- A nation and world with a carnal security; trusting in the strength of their nation and rulers, trusting in their riches to keep them from want and need; trusting in their false religion to ensure them peace with God. (Isa.30:1-7; 31:1)

- A nation full of pride, heady and highminded, with lofty thoughts of man and themselves (ch.2:11-12); a nation and world full of sinful pride, declaring their sin as Sodom, they hide it not (ch.3:9); even the young walk in pride . . .haughty. . . wanton . . . walking and tripping nicely as they go (Isa.3:16).

- A nation with no scarcity of bread or pleasures, but in a famine of the Word of God (ch.55:2).

- A nation filled with a sense of its own wisdom and worth, when most are fools and worthless (ch.47:10-13).

- A world, nation, and society that is utterly corrupt, filthy, vile, debauched, wicked; with absolutely no fear of God, but rather contempt for God, and hatred for everything that is holy, righteous, good, and godly (ch.5:13-25; 29:13).

- A world, a nation in captivity to Satan, sin, and fleshly lusts. A people believing and loving lies but hating truth (ch.59:4).

- A world about to be destroyed by the Lord God (ch.13:9; 66:15-18).

BUT, BLESS GOD this I also see. I see a people gathered together by the sovereign hand and mercy of the Lord; a remnant of God’s true people; elect and precious, faithfully, lovingly, worshipping God in spirit, rejoicing in Christ Jesus, with no confidence in the flesh; a few chosen people who are waiting for their Lord to return, waiting for their redemption, waiting for the Lord to come and take them to be with Him forever; to a place wherein dwelleth righteousness and nothing shall defile it.

Do you not see it brethren? Do you not see that God hasn’t changed, the Truth hasn’t changed, man hasn’t changed, the Word of God to all people has not changed? That Word is this . . . Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand! . . . Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved!

Standing Fast and Standing Out– by Maurice Montgomery

My dear brothers and sisters, the churches of the United States, led by “covetous” preachers full of “zeal without knowledge,” (II Peter 2:1-3; Romans 10:1-3; Matthew 23:13-15), have been courting and catering to the world for well over fifty years. They use famous personalities, dramas and performances, pizza parties and sports, and numerous gimmicks and tricks to attract and entice natural, unregenerate men and women into the churches. And, their innovations and efforts have been very successful. Presently the United States is filled with churches and those churches, for the most part, are filled with the world! Contrary to the words of our Lord Jesus Christ concerning His people, they are both in the world and of the world (John 17:17). They have a “form of godliness” (II Timothy 3:5), but are yet strangers to the regenerating and sanctifying power of the Spirit and grace of God (Ephesians 2:8-10; II Corinthians 5:17; Titus 3:11-14). They “have a name to live, but are dead” (Revelation 3:1). Brothers and sisters, we must not be moved away from the simplicity of the gospel by these fleshly, worldly innovations and attractions. There is absolutely nothing, not one thing, about spiritual truth and true worship which is attractive to the natural man! (I Corinthians 2:14; Romans 8:5-9; Galatians 5:17). We must believe our God, “plant and water,” and wait upon Him to “give the increase” (I Corinthians 3:5-8; 1:18-31).