{"id":1874,"date":"2012-02-26T10:18:07","date_gmt":"2012-02-26T10:18:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/?p=1874"},"modified":"2012-02-26T10:18:07","modified_gmt":"2012-02-26T10:18:07","slug":"bulletin-articles-issue-110-february-2012-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/?p=1874","title":{"rendered":"Bulletin Articles Issue #110 February 2012"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cFaith in Christ is not to work but to cease from our labour and to rest<\/strong> in Him for all things. Faith in Christ is not to do anything, but to believe and own that all is done<\/strong> in Him, by Him, and is imputed to us so fully that we are rewarded as if we did it ourselves!\u201d\u00a0 -Pastor Henry Mahan.<\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/p>\n

S<\/strong>ERMON <\/strong>– S<\/strong>PIRITUAL <\/strong>F<\/strong>EARS (extract Henry Law)<\/strong><\/p>\n

If there is a picture, in which all enchanting beauty shines,<\/p>\n

it is that which represents the state of the children of God<\/p>\n

by faith in Christ Jesus. Gal. 3:26. Every joy should glow<\/p>\n

in their cup. They are called to a song swelling with<\/p>\n

melody, which cannot be more sweet. They are invited to<\/p>\n

a garden, in which each fragrant flower ever blooms. They<\/p>\n

are enjoined to sit down beneath the shadow of a tree, on<\/p>\n

whose extended branches most luscious fruit forever<\/p>\n

hangs. A volume is presented to their hands, written inside<\/p>\n

and outside in glowing terms of bliss\u2014in which every<\/p>\n

page is calm and bright, and where perusal never wearies.<\/p>\n

Thus blessed is the heritage of faith.<\/p>\n

To show the truth of this statement is an easy and<\/p>\n

delightful task. It requires no stretch of mind\u2014no strain of<\/p>\n

argument\u2014no effort of intellect\u2014no expansion of reason’s<\/p>\n

wings\u2014no deductions of logic\u2014no inventions of wit. To<\/p>\n

gain this light, we have only to sit still, and hear what God<\/p>\n

the Lord has said. Let the record be now pondered with<\/p>\n

earnest cry\u2014’Open our eyes, good Lord, that we may<\/p>\n

behold wondrous things out of Your law; open our ears<\/p>\n

that we may hear Your heavenly voice, walking in the<\/p>\n

garden of Your word; open our mouths wide, and then<\/p>\n

descend and fill.’<\/p>\n

The faithful word instantly gives the following witness\u2013<\/p>\n

God’s children<\/strong> share His EVERLASTING LOVE. Oh!<\/p>\n

that the love of God were shed abroad more abundantly in<\/p>\n

our hearts by the Holy Spirit, which is given unto us.\u2014<\/p>\n

Rom. 5:5. Its origin and duration should be pondered. It<\/p>\n

began before the birth of time. It will be fresh, when time<\/p>\n

shall be no more. “I have loved You with an everlasting<\/p>\n

love.”\u2014Jer. 31:3. “I am persuaded that neither death nor<\/p>\n

life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things<\/p>\n

present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any<\/p>\n

other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of<\/p>\n

God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”\u2014Rom 8:38-39.<\/p>\n

“God is love.” It is the very essence of His being. If it<\/p>\n

could expire where would God exist?<\/p>\n

God’s children<\/strong> are enriched with the gift of gifts\u2014the<\/p>\n

largest and the best, which heaven could grant. God gives<\/p>\n

His co-eternal and co-equal Son, Christ Jesus the Lord. If<\/p>\n

worlds upon worlds with all their treasures, beauties,<\/p>\n

glories, had been piled into one pyramid, it would have<\/p>\n

been as the small dust of the balance, when weighed<\/p>\n

against this portion. Each one can truly say, “I am my<\/p>\n

Beloved’s, and my Beloved is mine.”\u2014Song 6:3. Christ\u2014<\/p>\n

all that Christ is\u2014all that Christ has\u2014is granted as an<\/p>\n

inalienable possession.<\/p>\n

What tender RELATIONSHIPS result! He is the<\/p>\n

everlasting Father\u2014we are begotten by the word of His<\/p>\n

truth. “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she<\/p>\n

should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yes,<\/p>\n

they may forget, yet will I not forget You.”\u2014Isa. 49:15.<\/p>\n

But Jesus is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.\u2014<\/p>\n

Prov. 18:24. His life belongs to His people, that they may<\/p>\n

live forever. His death is theirs, that the second death may<\/p>\n

touch them not. His blood is theirs, to wash them whiter<\/p>\n

than the whitest snow. His wounds are theirs, their hidingplace<\/p>\n

from wrath. His stripes are theirs, their healing<\/p>\n

balm. His righteousness is theirs, their fit robe for the<\/p>\n

courts of heaven. His prayers are theirs, that every blessing<\/p>\n

may be obtained. His advocacy is theirs, to silence the<\/p>\n

accuser’s voice. His whole work is theirs, that they may be<\/p>\n

forever saved. His glory is theirs, that they may be like<\/p>\n

Him, as He is. Is not this all-surpassing happiness?<\/p>\n

God’s children<\/strong> rank the HOLY SPIRIT high among their<\/p>\n

treasures. The word is true, “I will not leave you<\/p>\n

comfortless.”\u2014”I will ask the Father, and He shall give<\/p>\n

you another Comforter, that He may abide with you<\/p>\n

forever.”\u2014 John 14:16. Hence the bold appeal\u2014”What!<\/p>\n

Don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy<\/p>\n

Spirit who is in you!”\u20141 Cor. 6:19. Is he not supremely<\/p>\n

happy, who at all times and in all places bears within his<\/p>\n

heart this heavenly inhabitant\u2014this in-dwelling God! His<\/p>\n

presence gives light, and peace, and joy. He opens the eye<\/p>\n

to see the glories of the Gospel-hope. He molds the will to<\/p>\n

receive the blessed Jesus in His every office of saving<\/p>\n

grace. He shows redemption’s consummated scheme, and<\/p>\n

gives the appropriating hand of faith. He whispers<\/p>\n

guidance in each doubt, perplexity, distress. He causes the<\/p>\n

Bible-page to shine in heavenly light. He applies the<\/p>\n

precious promises with enlivening power. He stamps the<\/p>\n

sacramental privileges with seals of assurance. He leads<\/p>\n

into all truth, and dissipates the mists of error. Are they not<\/p>\n

happy who are thus enriched?<\/p>\n

God’s children<\/strong> are exempt from sin’s penal woe. In<\/p>\n

common with all mothers’ sons, their iniquities are\u2014<\/p>\n

many\u2014grievous\u2014vile\u2014often done against the Spirit’s<\/p>\n

warning\u2014the voice of conscience, and clear knowledge of<\/p>\n

duty’s call. These rise as mountains upon mountains, and<\/p>\n

they accuse as with thunder’s roar. The children meet not<\/p>\n

offences with excuse. They humbly own their magnitude<\/p>\n

of guilt. But they present an all-absolving plea. “Christ has<\/p>\n

died,” when urged by faith, releases from all wrath. The<\/p>\n

blood, which streamed on Calvary, obliterates the<\/p>\n

crimson-dye, and makes each stain invisible even to the<\/p>\n

omniscient eye. “As far as the east is from the west,” the<\/p>\n

dying Savior bears the load away. The voice is heard in all<\/p>\n

its sweet assurance, “You will cast all their sins into the<\/p>\n

depths of the sea.”\u2014Micah 7:19. The heart may grasp the<\/p>\n

record, “There is therefore now no condemnation.”\u2014<\/p>\n

Rom. 8:1. And again, “in Whom we have redemption<\/p>\n

through His blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the<\/p>\n

riches of His grace.”\u2014Eph. 1:7. The God, who is their<\/p>\n

God, pardons iniquity, and transgression, and sin.\u2014Exod.<\/p>\n

34:7.<\/p>\n

They are ADOPTED into the family of God. This honor<\/p>\n

belongs to all Christ’s members. Such was the purpose<\/p>\n

before the world began. “Having predestinated us unto the<\/p>\n

adoption of children, by Jesus Christ unto Himself,<\/p>\n

according to the good pleasure of His will.”\u2014Eph. 1:5.<\/p>\n

The heaven-directed pen writes, “For you did not receive a<\/p>\n

spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you<\/p>\n

received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba,<\/p>\n

Father.’ Now if we are children, then we are heirs\u2014heirs<\/p>\n

of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his<\/p>\n

sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”\u2014<\/p>\n

Rom. 8:15, 17.<\/p>\n

How sweet the tenderness, which encourages, “Beloved,<\/p>\n

now are we the sons of God.”\u20141 John 3:2. This sonship<\/p>\n

involves the brotherhood of Jesus. The relationship is<\/p>\n

gladly avowed. Hear the assurance, “I ascend to My Father<\/p>\n

and your Father\u2014to My God and your God.”\u2014John<\/p>\n

20:17. We are predestinated to be conformed to His image,<\/p>\n

that “He might be the first-born among many brethren.”\u2014<\/p>\n

Rom. 8:29.<\/p>\n

Soar high on wings of PRAISE. Begin on earth the song of<\/p>\n

the redeemed. Intermingle now with the harpers harping<\/p>\n

with their harps. What motives urge you to this melody!<\/p>\n

What topics of thanksgiving throng around you! Verily,<\/p>\n

they cannot be exhausted. The bliss of adoration is ever<\/p>\n

new. The name of Jesus is an ever-budding theme. In it<\/p>\n

there is melody without end. Without pause praise His<\/p>\n

salvation. Bless God incessantly that you claim Him as<\/p>\n

your own\u2014that your feet stand on praising and on praying<\/p>\n

ground\u2014and that every moment wafts your bark nearer to<\/p>\n

the shore of ceaseless hallelujahs. In this blissful exercise<\/p>\n

fears wither. Resolve that these songs shall continually be<\/p>\n

in your mouth, and happiness will fill your heart.<\/p>\n

Hope in Christ alone <\/span><\/strong>\u2013John Newton<\/p>\n

If there is any grace in me, God put it there. \u201cTwas grace that set me apart in distinguishing love before the stars were made. \u201cTwas grace that set me apart from the mass of mankind; was grace that brought me safe this far, and grace will lead me home. Lay the foundation of your hope in Jesus Christ. Begin with Christ and end with Christ. As Christ Jesus becomes more to you, self will grow less and less. If your faith puffs you up, it is not the faith of Christ. God will help us when we are weak. He will bless us as long as we confess our dependence upon His blessing. He will fill us when we are empty. He will feed us when we are hungry. He will be our all when we are nothing. He will forgive us when we are guilty. But the moment we begin to boast in ourselves and feel sufficient, we will be left to learn, in no uncertain terms, that we are naked, poor, blind, and miserable. Terrible will be the day when proud rebels discover, too late, the dust and ashes of human merit!<\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/p>\n

Faith without works is dead-<\/strong>Clay curtis<\/p>\n

James 2: 20-26<\/strong><\/p>\n

The LORD promised that through Abraham\u2019s son, Isaac, he would give him children more in number than the stars of the sky. God promised that through Abraham’s only son Isaac, his King and Savior would be born. Then after giving Abraham these promises on which his eternal soul, and the soul of all those spiritual brethren hung, the LORD told Abraham to take that very son Isaac and offer him up as a sacrifice to God. Abraham did it — “Accounting that God was able to raise up, even from the dead” (Heb 11: 19.) Rahab, the immoral harlot, patiently trusted God facing death for receiving the spies because she trusted “God was able to raise up, even from the dead.” It is not \u201cfaith without morality is dead”, it is \u201cfaith without patient endurance which believes God is able raise up” is dead.<\/p>\n

True Faith<\/strong>
\n<\/strong>Todd Nibert<\/p>\n

True faith is in a Person. “Abraham believed God. ” Paul said, “I know Whom I have believed. ” I do not trust the finished work of Christ. I trust Him who finished the work. Faith is not believing that Christ died for me. I may believe that He died for me when it may be that He did not. Faith is believing that He in His life, death, resurrection, and Person is able to save me. Faith is a reliance upon Him! Faith is not believing a doctrine, proposition, or historical event, although all of that is involved in faith. Faith is believing a Person! Faith is not giving assent to the Truth, although it does give assent to the Truth! Living faith trusts the Living Lord. What we believe is determined by who we believe. If we believe Him, what we believe will be settled. It is impossible to believe Him and not believe sovereign grace! As Henry Mahan said, “We do not come to Christ through doctrine, we come to true doctrine through Christ.<\/p>\n

the great principle of all holiness and happiness- faith in God<\/strong>. Have faith in Him ‘as God<\/span>‘. His character justifies it, His word invites it, His promises encourage it, His Son imparts it, His Spirit creates it, His blessing crowns it. How frequently in the word does God condescend to invite the exercise of faith in Himself by a declaration, and on the ground of what He is! Thus to Abraham: “And when Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God<\/em>: walk before me, and be perfect.” And again to His Church: “I am the Lord God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt; open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.”<\/p>\n

In a word, my Christian reader, “have faith in God” at all times and in all things. This is the utmost that He asks at your hands. No unreasonable, or impossible requirement. Would Jesus have limited you to this single duty, making your whole happiness for both worlds dependent upon it, were it so? Never! Relinquishing your own wisdom, resting from your own toil, and ceasing from man, God would have you now cast yourself upon Him in simple faith, for all things. You have had faith in the creature, and it has disappointed you; faith in earthly good, and it has faded away; faith in your own heart, and it has deceived you. Now, have faith in God! Call upon Him in your trouble, try Him in your trial, trust Him in your need, and see if He will not honor the faith that honors Him. “HAVE FAITH IN GOD,” -words of Jesus, oh how sweet! spoken to allure your chafed and weary spirit to its Divine and blessed rest. Press the kind message to your grateful heart, responding, in a strain of blended praise and prayer, ”Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.”-(extract from Charles Winslow Faith in God)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cFaith in Christ is not to work but to cease from our labour and to rest in Him for all things. Faith in Christ is not to do anything, but to believe and own that all is done in Him, by Him, and is imputed to us so fully that we are rewarded as if […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1874","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bulletin-editions"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1874","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1874"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1874\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1875,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1874\/revisions\/1875"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1874"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1874"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1874"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}