{"id":2304,"date":"2012-10-13T10:13:32","date_gmt":"2012-10-13T10:13:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/?p=2304"},"modified":"2012-10-13T10:13:32","modified_gmt":"2012-10-13T10:13:32","slug":"bulletin-articles-issue-144-october-2012","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/?p=2304","title":{"rendered":"Bulletin Articles Issue #144 October 2012"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dealing With Sin – ‘Peter, do you love me?’<\/strong> John Chapman
\nHow different from us does Christ deal with sin! I would venture to say that Peter would never have been allowed to preach had we been in the Lord’s place. Or if he had, our confrontation with Peter would likely have made Peter unwilling to preach. \u2028\u2028There is no question that this confrontation with Peter was because of Peter’s denial. But it is interesting to note that the Lord never once mentioned Peter’s denial. He did not ask Peter to rehearse his crime. Neither did the Lord require Peter to resolve to do better. Peter’s resolve had not helped him before and it would not likely help him later. Nor do we find our Lord laying out a plan of action for Peter so that he will not fail in the future. Our Lord went straight to the heart of it with a simple question, “Peter, do you love me?” With that question asked three times, our Lord forgave Peter’s sin, cleared his conscience, fit him for service and revealed to us the strongest resistance to sin. I would be willing to bet that every time after that when Peter was tempted to deny the Lord for fear, he remembered the Master’s question, “Peter do you love me.” No whip of law or fear of punishment, just simple love.<\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

Peter’s Fall<\/strong>
\n“Peter replied: Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” Matthew 26:33
\nThere were various circumstances connected with Peter’s denial of Christ which rendered it peculiarly aggravated. In the first place, there was the warning that was previously given to him. And it was not once that he was warned, nor twice; he received no less than three plain and positive intimations of what was before him! And besides the repetition of the warnings \u2014 we are also to remember the recency of them. Had they been given some years, or months, or even weeks beforehand \u2014 they might, in the multitude of other thoughts, have been forgotten; but they were all given on the very night in which the offence was committed. Between the last warning, and the first denial \u2014 only a few hours could have intervened.
\nNow, when we bear in mind that Peter was warned of what was coming, and when we connect this fact with its repetition on the one hand, and its recency on the other \u2014 how greatly aggravated does his guilt appear! “To be fore-warned,” says the proverb, “is to be fore-armed.” And it might naturally be expected that, after having been thus forewarned \u2014 he would have been filled with a spirit of double diligence, of double watchfulness, and, above all, of double prayerfulness, in consequence. But no! thinking that there was no need of such warnings for him \u2014 he rushed on headlong to what would have been \u2014 but for the Savior’s abounding compassion, his irrecoverable ruin!
\nWe are also to think of his solemn vows and protestations. “Never,” did he say, in effect, “never shall it be! Although all others should turn traitors \u2014 I will continue true. Your fate shall be my fate, whatever it may be. If You are dragged to prison \u2014 I will be imprisoned with You; if You are doomed to death \u2014 I will die with You. Whatever others may do \u2014 I cannot answer for them \u2014 but I will never leave You; I will never, no never, forsake You!”
\nIn all this, Peter was doubtless sincere. His love to Christ was undoubted, and he shrunk with horror from the thought that he could ever deny Him. But, alas! what will not circumstances effect? Let an individual be placed in an altered position \u2014 and how often has it happened, that he is an altered man? “Is your servant a dog \u2014 that he should do this monstrous thing!” “But,” as an old divine quaintly says, “the dog did it!” No sooner was Hazael made king of Syria, than he committed all the abominations which the prophet had foretold!
\nAnd just so with Peter. However horrified he had been at the thought of denying his Lord and Master \u2014 yet the odious denial was done; done three times over; yes, done with the most solemn oaths, for “he began to curse and to swear, saying, I don’t know this Man of whom you speak!”
\nTo our little ones, the question is put in their catechism, “Who denied his Master?” And the answer they are taught to give is, “Peter.” But is there no other answer to be given? Alas, have there not been seasons with all of us, when conscience might act the part of Nathan, and say, “You are the man!” We are truly guilty, one and all, concerning this matter. And how solemn are the words, “Whoever shall deny me before men \u2014 him will I also deny before my Father who is in Heaven.” O, we need great decision and courage! O Lord, deliver me from a spirit of self-confidence on the one hand \u2014 and of shrinking cowardice on the other hand.-MacDuff.<\/p>\n

—
\nChrist Hath Suffered For Us<\/strong> 1 Peter 4: 1\u2028\u2028Brethren, consider this amazing grace for every redeemed child of God: Christ hath suffered for us! The Just One who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth, of whom Jehovah said, \u201cBehold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; (Isaiah 42: 1). Christ suffered cruel mocking; Christ suffered betrayal and denial from those nearest him; Christ suffered the agonizing torture of the cross; Christ suffered being made a curse; Christ suffered the wrath of God; Christ suffered unto death. Brethren, let these next two words set in\u2014for us.\u2028\u2028For us wretched, hell-deserving, God-haters; for us helpless sinners whom the Father chose by his sovereign grace; for us whom Christ entered into covenant to save by living the life we could not live and suffering the death we deserved and had to die; for us he was made lower than the angels for the suffering of death; for us he subjected himself to authorities and powers; for us he subjected himself to die unto sin. What a word!\u2014by whose stripes ye were healed (1 Peter 2: 24-25.)\u2028\u2028Amazing love!\u2028How can it be?\u2028That Thou my God shouldst die for me?\u2028\u2028Brethren, arm yourselves with the same mind. Whatever we may have to suffer for the name of Christ it is most reasonable considering the great distance Christ hath suffered for us. Clay Curtis<\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

God’s children share His EVERLASTING LOVE. <\/strong>Oh! that the love of God were shed abroad more abundantly in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, which is given unto us.–Rom. 5:5. Its origin and duration should be pondered. It began before the birth of time. It will be fresh, when time shall be no more. “I have loved You with an everlasting love.”–Jer. 31:3. “I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”–Rom 8:38-39. “God is love.” It is the very essence of His being. If it could expire where would God exist?
\nConsider, also, its FREENESS. God loves not for anything seen or foreseen–known or foreknown–given or designed–destined or pledged. There neither is, nor can be, a moving cause independent of Himself. He loves, because He will love. The actuating motive, so to speak, is His own heart. This statement leaves nothing to be added.
\nMark, also, its NEVER-VARYING brightness. It knows no mutability. “I change not–therefore you sons of Jacob are not consumed.”–Mal. 3:6. “With Him is no variableness neither shadow of turning.”–James 1:17. Man is fickle, as the restless wind. The prince’s smile may be a frown tomorrow. The summer-friend may freeze into a winter-foe. Our perceptions of God’s love may indeed differ. A passing cloud may hide the sun. But its reality is the same “yesterday, and today, and forever.”
\nIts INFINITUDE is an amazing thought. The heavens are high–but it is higher. The ocean has vast depths, but it is deeper. Far is east from west, but its length has no horizon. We have no measure with which to estimate–no scales to weigh–no line to fathom it. No tongue can tell–no thought conceive–its boundless, boundlessness. If happiness exists, it surely must be theirs, who are encircled by this love.- Henry Law<\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

Peter\u2019s Sin And Repentance <\/strong> Tom Harding
\nPeter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly. (Matt. 26:75).
\nThere has been much written and said of Peter\u2019s failure and sin when he denied that he knew the Lord Jesus Christ, but not much of Peter\u2019s conviction and repentance that was granted and given of the LORD. Peter sinned, but he did not lose his salvation. His faith was weak, but not dead. He sinned and failed miserably, but he was not forsaken (Heb. 13:5). God brought Peter through this trial and granted him strength, recovery and a constant heart of repentance before God (Acts 5:11; 11:18). Here are four things we learn from Peter\u2019s trial and repentance.
\n1). It was the working of God\u2019s sovereign providence. \u201cThen began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.\u201d God used a rooster to bring to Peter\u2019s mind what the Lord had said (Matt. 26:34). Often in the believer\u2019s life God uses small insignificant things to bring us to a remembrance of the gospel. Despise not the day of small things (Zech. 4:10; Rom. 11:36).
\n2). It was the working of the effectual word of God. \u201cPeter remembered the word of Jesus.\u201d It is the preaching of the Word that God uses to quicken us and to reveal Himself to us (1Cor. 1:21; 2Cor. 4:5-7; James 1:18; 1Peter 1:23). It is through the ministry of the Word, hearing and believing the word that we grow in grace and in the knowledge of Christ (1Peter 2:2; 1Thes. 2:13).
\n3). It was the working of the powerful grace of God. \u201cThe Lord turned, and looked upon Peter\u201d (Luke 22:61). The Lord looked upon Peter in pity, love and pardon and I am sure that Peter also looked upon the Lord. Their eyes were fastened upon one another and Peter\u2019s heart melted within him. It is the goodness of God that brings us to repentance (Rom. 2:4).
\n4). It was the working of Jesus Christ as our blessed Mediator. \u201cThe Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren\u201d (Luke 22:31). Peter\u2019s faith was sorely tried, but it was not utterly destroyed (1Peter 1:5). Christ stood as his ever-living Mediator (Heb.7:25)! Peter was made stronger through this trial and was sent to preach the gospel to others.
\nWe know the rest of the story of Peter\u2019s life. He stood at Pentecost and preached the gospel to thousands and the Lord added to His church daily such as should be saved (Acts. 2: 41-47).<\/p>\n

—
\nGrace, grace, grace!<\/strong> <\/strong>
\n<\/strong> Spurgeon, “The Fulness of Jesus the Treasury of Saints”\u2028\u2028With great reluctance we give up our\u2028flattering opinions of ourselves. We find\u2028it difficult to discard of the notion of our\u2028own inherent merit. It is hard to drag man\u2028away from the rock of self-justification.\u2028He is glued so fast to the great stone of\u2028self-conceit, which lies close by the gates\u2028of hell, that a stronger than Hercules is\u2028needed to tear him from it; and even\u2028such a deliverer must rip him from it,\u2028leaving the skin behind. \u2028\u2028From the gate of the City of Destruction\u2028up to the pearl gate of the New Jerusalem,\u2028it is all grace. The road to glory is paved\u2028with stones of grace. The chariot in which\u2028we ride to heaven is all of grace. The\u2028strength that draws it, and the axle that\u2028bears it up, is all of grace and grace alone. \u2028\u2028In the whole covenant of grace, from the\u2028first letter of the charter down to its last\u2028word, there is nothing at all of merit or\u2028man’s goodness, but it is grace, grace, grace! \u2028\u2028Oh, how this casts mire into the\u2028face of human self-sufficiency! \u2028\u2028O for a gospel that reveals the sinner\u2028as saved by grace from first to last,\u2028that God may have all the praise!<\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

The Great Darkness Of Light<\/strong> Tommy Robbins
\n\u201cBut if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!\u201d Matthew 6:23
\nThe eye that cannot see is in bondage to that which is within. Someone that has never had the gift of sight has no visual concept of anything outside himself. Therefore there is nothing but darkness. This condition is so natural and fixed that this is the way of life for him. There is no hope for anything different except for a miracle. And even then this must be wrought by a power other than his own. \u2028\u2028This is the case of all mankind Spiritually. How great is that darkness? Complete! No light at all! The Spiritual light that is in man by virtue of our fallen nature is great and total darkness. Newton described it this way – \u201cI once was lost, but now am found; Was blind, but now I see\u201d. This great darkness can only be attributed to blindness. The only way that this horrible condition can be reversed is by a miracle of God\u2019s grace – AMAZING GRACE! Those who live and remain in darkness cannot see the light of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. They cannot see the truth of God. They cannot see Christ crucified. They cannot see themselves in the light of God\u2019s Word. \u2028\u2028Spiritual blindness is far greater and worse than physical blindness. Those who are Spiritually blind would have it no other way. They love it! – \u201cThis is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.\u201d John 3:19. A sight of the Lord Jesus Christ is the last thing they want. But, thanks be unto God, if and when Christ reveals Himself to them, He is all they want! A sight of HIM makes all the difference between great darkness and great light. How great is THAT LIGHT? – \u201cFor God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.\u201d 2Co 4:6 – GREATER THAN THE DARKNESS!
\n—<\/p>\n

Paul’s highest attainment<\/strong> (Letters of J. C. Philpot)\u2028\u2028”I am nothing.” 2 Corinthians 12:11\u2028\u2028This was Paul’s highest attainment\u2028in the knowledge of self.\u2028\u2028To be a daily pauper living on alms is humbling \u2028to proud nature, which is always seeking to be \u2028something, and to do something.\u2028\u2028If this self-nothingness was wrought in us, we \u2028would be spared much pain, in wounded pride.\u2028\u2028People are building up religion all over the \u2028country, but there is not one of a thousand who \u2028has yet learned the first lesson\u2014to be nothing. \u2028Of all this noisy crowd, how few lie at Jesus’ feet, \u2028helpless and hopeless, and find help and hope \u2028in Him!\u2028\u2028If you can venture to be nothing, it will save you \u2028a world of anxiety and trouble! But proud, vain, \u2028conceited flesh wants to be something . . .\u2028to preach well,\u2028to make a name for one’s self,\u2028and be admired as a preacher.\u2028\u2028”Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners;\u2028of whom I am the worst.” 1 Timothy 1:15\u2028\u2028”I am less than the least of all God’s people.” Eph. 3:8\u2028\u2028”I am nothing.” 2 Corinthians 12:11<\/p>\n

—
\nHis children began to hiss!<\/strong> (Excerpts from the letters of William Tiptaft)\u2028\u2028Dear brother,\u2028Since I last wrote, I have preached in Abingdon Great \u2028Church, on Christmas evening. I preached the truth, I \u2028trust, to a very crowded congregation, supposed to be \u2028(sitting and standing, who were able to get in) about \u20285,000 people. I pleased the believers; but very much \u2028displeased the carnally-minded, who were never before\u2028so puzzled and confounded in all their lives! I spoke the \u2028truth faithfully, and so as all could hear; but I had no \u2028idea that the gospel would have given so much offence! \u2028It is the truth that offends and disturbs Satan’s \u2028kingdom! The neighboring clergymen, who are in \u2028darkness, say of me, “Away with such a fellow from \u2028the earth; it is not fit that he should live!”\u2028\u2028My mind is not moved by the persecution. I believe \u2028if God has a work for me to do, I shall do it, in spite \u2028of the devil and all his children! \u2028\u2028Nature is not changed, the gospel is not changed, \u2028and Christ is not changed. What reason is there why \u2028they should not hate the truth now, as much as in the \u2028time of the apostles? I never saw any fruits of my \u2028labors until I roused and disturbed the ‘roaring lion’. \u2028When, through the grace of God, I began to disturb \u2028his kingdom, I soon found that his children began \u2028to hiss!\u2028\u2028The world and Satan hate believers. The Pharisees \u2028hate me the most. I cut off all their rotten props, \u2028and all their fleshly devotion!\u2028\u2028It is not coming near to the truth, it is not the ‘mere letter’\u2028of the gospel, that will convert men; but the Holy Spirit.\u2028\u2028Make the Word of God your study. Pin your faith to \u2028no man’s views! I scarcely read any other book.\u2028\u2028Beware of those who want to exalt man in any manner.\u2028\u2028Yours very affectionately,\u2028William Tiptaft, Jan. 30th, 1830<\/p>\n

—
\n“Launched on the tide of God’s eternal love, \u2028His ark beneath you, and His light above, \u2028What can you fear? Be still, my soul, be still! \u2028Your God has never left you–never will.”
\nWinslow.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Dealing With Sin – ‘Peter, do you love me?’ John Chapman How different from us does Christ deal with sin! I would venture to say that Peter would never have been allowed to preach had we been in the Lord’s place. Or if he had, our confrontation with Peter would likely have made Peter unwilling […]<\/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-2304","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\/2304","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=2304"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2304\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2306,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2304\/revisions\/2306"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2304"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2304"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2304"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}