July 18^th 2021

9:30 am ---------------------------------------------------------Who Then Can Be Saved? – Luke 18:18-30

10:00 am ---------------------------------------------All Things Accomplished by Christ – Luke 18:31-34

A Book in Hand and a Burden Upon His Back -- Pilgrim’s Progress, John Bunyan

As I walked through the wilderness of this world, I lighted upon a certain place, where was a den; and I laid me down in that place to sleep: and as I slept, I dreamed a dream. I dreamed, and behold, I saw a man clothed in rags, standing in a certain place, with his face from his own house, a book in his hand, and a great burden upon his back (Isa.64:6, Luke 14:33, Psa.38:4, Hab.2:2, Acts 16:31). I looked and saw him open the book, and read therein; and as he read, he wept and trembled; and not being able longer to contain, he brake out with a lamentable cry, saying, ‘What shall I do?’ (Acts 2:37)

. . . Then said the Evangelist, “If this be thy condition, why standest thou still?” The man answered, “Because I know not whither to go.” Then the Evangelist gave him a parchment roll, and there was written within, “Flee from the wrath to come.” (Matt.3:7).

. . . So I saw in my dream that the man began to run. Now he had not run far from his own door when his wife and children, perceiving it, began to cry after him to return; but the man put his fingers in his ears and ran on, crying “Life! Life!, eternal life!” (Luke 14:26). So he looked not behind him (Gen.19:17), but fled . . .

. . . He ran thus till he came at a place somewhat ascending; and upon that place stood a cross, and a little below, in the bottom, a sepulchre. So I saw in my dream, that just as the man came up with the cross, his burden loosed from off his shoulders, and fell from off his back, and began to tumble, and so continued to do till it came to the mouth of the sepulchre, where it fell in, and I saw it no more. . . Then was Christian glad and lightsome, and said with a merry heart, “He hath given me rest by His sorrow, and life by His death.”

Scriptures Alone, Grace Alone, Christ Alone – by Henry Mahan

It’s amazing how history repeats itself! We seem to go around in a circle. During the days of the Reformation, when superstition, tradition, and the human will reigned in religion, the reformers waged their battle for the glory of God and the true gospel on a foundation with three critical points. 2681. The scriptures alone. “Let God be true and every man a liar.” We bow to the Word apart from visions, revelations, or opinions of men. 2. Grace alone. Salvation only by free, sovereign, and full grace apart from law, works, or any other contribution of any sort. 3. Christ alone. “By himself purged our sins.” His person and work effectually, totally, and eternally redeemed his elect. This is where the battle rages today in America, where fundamentalism with its emotion, easy believism, freewill, and super programs seem to have captured the people. It’s back to this threefold foundation for every true preacher.

“Brethren, My Heart's Desire And Prayer To God For Israel Is, That They Might Be Saved.” (Rom 10:1)

Believers pray for their sin to be forgiven. We pray for our loved ones to hear the Gospel of free grace in Christ and to be drawn to Him. We pray for our brethren in Christ to be comforted, and we pray for God to call out His elect in this generation. But do we pray for our enemies?

Paul was praying for the salvation of his earthly kinsmen in Romans 9:3 & 10:1. Those Jews viewed him as a traitor. One who changed sides during a holy war. They likely referred to him only as Saul, and with a sour tone in their voices mocking him. They would torture and kill him if they could.

Our Master told us to do just that in Matthew 5:44. He said to “pray for them that despitefully use you.” Christ not only told us to pray for OUR enemies, but on our behalf, He prayed for HIS enemies – “Father, forgive them; they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34). Also, He died for His sheep while we were ungodly enemies against Him. (Rom 5:6-8)

May we be given the grace to pray for the ones that hate us, despise us and would kill us if possible. That they too may know their sin and know the One who was made sin for His people, The Lord Jesus Christ! – Kevin Thacker

Our Lord Came on Purpose – Gabe Stalnaker

Our Lord came on purpose, to save a particular people, and He accomplished what He came to do! If you are one of those