October 20^th 2024

10:00 am-----------------------------Faith’s Finale – Philippians 3:1/4:8

Wednesday: 7:00 pm

The Gospel in a Few Words– by John Newton

To sum up in a few words. The Gospel is a wise and gracious dispensation, equally suited to the necessities of man and to the perfections of God. It proclaims relief to the miserable, and excludes none but those who exclude themselves. It convinces a sinner that he is unworthy of the smallest mercy, at the same time that it gives him a confidence to expect the greatest. It cuts off all pretense of glorying in the flesh, but it enables a guilty sinner to glory in God. To them that have no might, it increases strength; it gives eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame; subdues the enmity of the heart, shews the nature of sin, the spirituality and sanction of the law with the fullest evidence; and, by exhibiting Jesus Christ as made of God, wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption to all who believe, it makes obedience practicable, easy, and delightful. The constraining love of Christ engages the heart and every faculty in His service. His example illustrates and recommends His precepts, His presence inspires courage and activity under every pressure, and the prospect of the glory to be revealed is a continual source of joy and peace, which passeth the understanding of the natural man. Thus the Gospel filleth the hungry with good things, but it sendeth the rich and self-sufficient empty away, and leaves the impenitent and unbelieving in a state of aggravated guilt and condemnation.

All the Wise and Willing Gave and Worked – Exodus 35

“Take from among you an offering unto the LORD: whosever is of a willing heart . . . and every wise hearted among you shall come . . . and they came, every one whose heart stirred them up . . . every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work . . . them hath (the LORD) filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work” -- Exodus 35:5, 10, 21, 29, 35

The Tabernacle (and Temple) was the place the LORD God designated for the His people to meet to worship, feast, and fellowship together. It was an earthly building which required the people to pitch in and help furnish and build. The LORD told everyone to help and those whom the LORD made wise hearted and willing gave toward the work and took part in the work on the building. They were willing and glad to have a part, though the LORD got all the glory.

The church house is our temporary dwelling place, designated for worship, feasting and fellowship with each other. How blessed we are to have such a nice place to meet. This is the church house, where the family of God gathers together to enjoy Him and each other, just like our homes. Most of us live in a nice home, which requires money for upkeep, and physical work to keep it in order. If wise hearted, you maintain and improve your home to keep it from disrepair and for the happy and comfortable gathering of your family and God’s people. So it is with God’s house. If wise hearted, we know that whatever we do is to be with all our might, as unto the Lord. It is God’s house we work on and so should be well maintained in appreciation to Him and for a testimony before the world. If willing hearted, we willingly and cheerfully give our money and time to improve and maintain the nice house our Lord has given us.