October 2^nd 2022

9:30 am ---------------------------------------------- The Gospel of Joel

10:00 am --------------------------------------Christ: The Light of the World – John 8:12

Hearers and Doers of the Word – James 1:22-25 – from Henry Mahan’s commentary

“Be ye doers of the Word and not hearers only” (v.22) -- We are to be eager to hear the word of God. 1. We are to hear it thoughtfully and quietly, slow to become authorities and teachers. 2. We are to hear it humbly, as it is the word of our Lord (Rom. 9:20). 3. But we are not to be hearers only. The word of God is to be believed, loved and obeyed! We are to put into practice its commandments, ordinances and principles (John 25:14). Those who rest upon outward hearing of the word only will be greatly disappointed in that day (Matt. 7: 26, 27).

“. . . Like a man beholding himself in a glass” (v.23-24). The word of God not only reveals the holy God to men; it also discovers sinful man to himself. The man who hears only is like a man who looks into a mirror and sees dirt, blemishes, hair in disarray but, rather than seeking cleansing and renewal, he goes his way, forgetting his condition and need. He finds it convenient to forget what he saw – both his guilt and the grace of Christ.

“. . . The perfect law of liberty” (v.25). The man who ‘looks into’ the word (not beholds and goes his way, but gazes with care, concern and interest into this gospel – called the perfect law ofliberty – with full intent to receive, believe and obey it); shall be blessed in his life of faith and obedience. It is called ‘the perfect law of liberty’ because it has liberty as its subject.

1. Christ frees us from the curse, condemnation and bondage of the law. 2. He frees us from the power and dominion of sin. 3. He gives us freedom to approach the throne of grace. 4. He leads us into the liberty of his grace! ‘He continues therein.’ Looking to Christ, looking into his word for faith, growth and leadership, and looking to his spirit for grace, strength and instruction is a lifelong occupation and privilege (Heb. 12:1, 2).

Godly Fear – “. . . with reverence and godly fear” (Hebrews 12:28) – by John Warburton (1776-1857)

O that my poor soul may ever be favoured with godly fear in sweet exercise, that my soul may live and serve God with reverence and godly fear; for our God is a consuming fire and that I may ever be preserved from revenge; for the Lord saith, "Vengeance is Mine, and I will repay." O what a sweet companion is godly fear: "The fear of the Lord is to hate evil." "Pride, arrogance, and the evil way doth He hate.". . ."In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence, and His children shall have a place of refuge.". . . "The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life to depart from the snares of death.". . . "The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.". . . "By the fear of the Lord men depart from evil." "The fear of the Lord tendeth to life; and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.". . . "By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, honour, and life.". . . "Let not thine heart envy sinners; but be thou in the fear of the Lord all day long; for surely there is an end, and thine expectation shall not be cut off."

O my dear Lord, grant me much of this godly fear in exercise in my poor soul, that I may daily be afraid of offending Thee, and that my conscience may be kept very tender. O that I might honour Thee more, love Thee more, and live more to Thy glory! I blush before Thee, and hide my guilty head at my base ingratitude, cursed unbelief, wretched wanderings, hardness of heart, that I have been and still am the subject of, notwithstanding all the loving-kindness and tender mercies which Thou hast bestowed upon one so unworthy. O let Thy grace be sufficient for me, that I may war a good warfare against the world, the flesh, and the devil; that I may endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ; that the weapons of my warfare may not be carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds, casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalt-eth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

Sinful Shame – “Whose glory is in their shame” . . . “It is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret” (Phil.3:19, Eph.5:12).