March 27^th 2022

9:30 am --------------------------------------- The Conclusion of the Whole Matter – Ecclesiastes 12

10:00 am ---------------------------------------- Christ: The Saviour & Destroyer – 1 Samuel 25 & 30

Let us go to Calvary to learn how we may be forgiven;

and then let us linger there to learn how we may forgive. – Spurgeon

Effects of Belief in Election – by Henry Mahan

When we truly realize that the Lord of heaven and earth CHOSE US in Christ to salvation, REDEEMED US by His blood, and CALLED US by His gospel, it will have a seven-fold effect on us.

1. It will cause us to REJOICE! “O blessed is the man whom Thou choosest and causeth to approach unto Thee.” Praise Him from whom all blessings flow.
2. It will promote HUMILITY! “Who maketh thee to differ?” Grace and pride are incompatible, impossible to exist together. We rejoice in Christ and have no confidence in this flesh.
3. It will COMFORT us in hard trials! “The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away.” Even these work together for our good and His glory. When we trust Him, we don’t have to understand.
4. It will SUPPRESS self and sin! “We are not our own”; we are bought with so great a price. Therefore, we desire to glorify our Lord in our souls and in our bodies.
5. It gives us ASSURANCE! If God foreknew us, predestinated us to be like Christ, justified us, called us by His Spirit, if Christ redeemed us, interceded for us and is for us, who can be against us?
6. It makes DYING easier! The eternal covenant of grace in Christ was David’s pillow of rest and peace when he lay dying (2 Sam. 23:1-5). He sought no other source of comfort and hope than the sovereign love of God in Christ.
7. It will assure us that our PREACHING IS NEVER IN VAIN! “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth; it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it” (Isa. 55:11). This cannot be applied to all preaching, ONLY TO THE PREACHING OF HIS WORD!

Pity and Pray For the Preacher– By Robert Trail, Scotland, 1642-1716

. . .“ Pity us (the preacher). We are not angels, but men of like passions with yourselves. Be more full of love than criticism. We have enough troubles dealing with ourselves, along with trying to help you in your troubles. We have all the difficulties which you have, and some you are not acquainted with (temptations and trials only ministers have).

Help us in our work. If you can do anything, help us. What can you do? O’ a great deal. Just be a believer and we will rejoice. Seeing you in Heaven will be our joy and rejoicing ( 1 Thess.1:19).

Pray for us. How often and how earnestly doth Paul beg the prayers of the churches! And if he did so, much more do we need your prayers . . . for our necessities and weaknesses are greater than Paul’s.”

Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the Word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith (2 Thess.3:1-2).

F In vain do we claim to be saved if the world still rules our heart. Divine grace not only delivers from the wrath to come, but even now effectually “teaches” its recipients to deny “all ungodliness and worldly lust, that we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world” (Titus 2:12). Our Lord says, “Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” That is, to turn away from all that stands in competition (for our affections) with the Lord Jesus, he cannot become a Christian. -- Scott Richardson

Fear of God:

“ He who does not fear God has need to fear everything else.” – Anon.