March 24^th 2024

9:30 am ---------------------The Redemption of a Handmaid – Exodus 21:7-11

10:00 am --------------------------A Book for Those Who Fear The Lord – Malachi 3:16

Wednesday: 7:00 pm ---------------------------------------- Redeeming the Time – Ephesians 5:15-21

The greatness of man's sin . . . does but magnify the riches of God's free grace. Sins are debts, and God can as easily blot out a debt of many thousands as he can a lesser one. Therefore, let not the greatest sinner despair, but BELIEVE; and he shall find that where sin hath abounded, grace shall much more abound. -Thomas Brooks

How Are Afflictions Good For Me? – By John Chapman

“It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.” -- Psalm 119:71

1. 1. They conform me to the image of Christ. Need I say more.
2. 2. They turn me to God’s word for instructions. They make me teachable. I learn the promises of God by experience.
3. 3. They teach me my dependance on Christ. John 15 “Without me ye can do nothing.”
4. They teach me my frailty. Ps. 39:4 “Teach me how frail I am.”
5. 5. They make me compassionate towards others. “A brother born for adversity.” Proverbs 17:17
6. They wean me from this world and set my heart on things above. Colossians 3:2
7. 7. They make me experience the sufficiency of God’s grace. “My grace is sufficient…” 2 Corinthians 12:9.
8. 8. They teach me submission. “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Luke 11:2
9. 9. They prove and strengthen faith. Every stormy wind that blows makes my faith to be more deeply rooted in Christ.
10. 10. They are the thorns sent by the Rose of Sharon to hedge me in on the path of righteousness.
11. 11. They are divinely ordered by my heavenly Father. Job_23:14 For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him.
12. 12. They prepare me for glory. As Christ went to prepare a place for me, He also prepares me for that place.

I have only scratched the surface of how afflictions sent of God are good for me.

Do You Trust Doctrine or Jesus Christ? – By David Eddmenson

Total Depravity.Knowing that you are a sinner, wretched, depraved and spiritually dead will profit you nothing if you do not come to Christ for perfect righteousness.

Unconditional Election.Believing that God in sovereign mercy, elected a chosen people before the foundation of the world, will profit you nothing if you do not see that God elected (chose) certain sinners in His beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Those that come to HIM as their only hope of redemption are the Elect of God.

Limited Atonement.To believe that Christ died for certain, particular sinners will not profit you a thing if you do not trust in Him alone. God’s atonement is limited to those who believe and trust in His Son. If atonement is universal, then all men and women will trust and believe on Christ.

Irresistible Grace. To understand that God’s grace is effectual and accomplished only by His sovereign grace will profit you nothing if you do not come to Christ the Redeemer with nothing in your hand to bring.

Perseverance (Preservation) of the Saints.You can believe the precious doctrine of eternal security. However, if you do not cling to, lean on, and trust in God’s beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, enduring to the end, you will die in your sin, believing only in a doctrine.

Salvation is in a person and that person is Jesus Christ. The believer knows these five things to be true doctrine, but they know that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in CHRIST ALONE.

“The Lord is Good to All . . . His tender mercies are over all His works.” – Psalm 145:9