{"id":2734,"date":"2014-01-04T10:41:01","date_gmt":"2014-01-04T10:41:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/?p=2734"},"modified":"2014-01-04T10:41:32","modified_gmt":"2014-01-04T10:41:32","slug":"bulletin-edition-195-december-2013","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/?p=2734","title":{"rendered":"Bulletin Edition #195 January 2014"},"content":{"rendered":"

Christ Is All!<\/strong><\/p>\n

James Smith, 1855
\nWhat the sun is to the world \u2014 that Christ is to the Church. What the soul is to the body \u2014 that Christ is to the soul. It has pleased the Father, that in him should all fullness dwell \u2014 and emptiness is written upon everything out of Christ. The Apostles testified that Jesus was all in all<\/em>, and primitive believers lived upon him as such. Let us look at this testimony.<\/p>\n

First, In reference to the SINNER<\/strong>. Christ is all he needs, or can need.<\/p>\n

Does he need pardon<\/em>? Jesus is exalted to give the remission of sins.<\/p>\n

Does he need righteousness<\/em>? Christ is made of God unto us righteousness. He is the end of the law for righteousness to every one who believes.<\/p>\n

Does he need acceptance with God<\/em>? We are made accepted in the Beloved.<\/p>\n

Does he need wisdom<\/em>? In Jesus dwells all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge; and he is made unto us wisdom.<\/p>\n

Does he need holiness<\/em>? Jesus is the root of all true sanctification; and he is made of God sanctification unto us.<\/p>\n

Does he need redemption<\/em>? We have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our pins, according to the riches of his grace; he is of God made unto us redemption.<\/p>\n

There is no one thing that is necessary to make him holy or happy \u2014 but it is in Jesus; and whatever is in Jesus \u2014 is free <\/em>for all who come unto him by faith.<\/p>\n

Therefore it is that we direct every sinner to Christ. To Christ alone. To go to Jesus immediately. To go for all <\/em>that he needs. To go expecting to receive. To go just as he is \u2014 for a full and free salvation, and thus glorify the riches of his grace.<\/p>\n

Secondly, Let us view the testimony in reference to the SAINT<\/strong>. Christ is not only all that he needs \u2014 but all that he can consistently desire.<\/p>\n

Is he in darkness? Christ is the Sun of righteousness, with healing in his beams.<\/p>\n

Is he in danger? Jesus is his shield.<\/p>\n

Is he diseased? Christ is the great Physician.<\/p>\n

Is he hungry and thirsty? Jesus is the true bread that came down from Heaven; and the water that he gives, becomes a well of water springing up unto everlasting life.<\/p>\n

Does he feel dead and lifeless? Christ is his life, and will quicken him again.<\/p>\n

Is he imperfect? In Jesus is completeness, and we are complete in him, who is the head of all principality and power.<\/p>\n

Christ is all, therefore we say to the believer: Look to Jesus for all you need. Live upon Christ. Make him what God has made him to you \u2014 a full and complete Savior. Go to no one else. Expect from no other quarter.<\/p>\n

Remember, the two principal lessons you have to learn are, first, to receive <\/em>Christ; and then, daily to make use <\/em>of Christ. Cleave to him with full purpose of heart. Follow on to know him. Seek great things from him, and use all you receive from him for the advancement of his kingdom and glory. Having Christ, all things are yours; for all things are in Christ, or under his direction and control.<\/p>\n

Thirdly, Let us view the testimony in reference to the PREACHER<\/strong>. The truly enlightened and spiritual preacher, exhibits Christ as all in all . . .
\nin every doctrine <\/em>he proclaims,
\nin every promise <\/em>he unfolds,
\nin every precept <\/em>he enforces, and
\nin every experience <\/em>he sets forth.<\/p>\n

Doctrines apart from Christ, are dry and unsavory.<\/p>\n

Promises apart from Christ, are lifeless words.<\/p>\n

Precepts apart from Christ, are irksome and grievous.<\/p>\n

Experience without Christ, is enthusiasm or delusion.<\/p>\n

Every gospel doctrine <\/em>centers in the Cross of Christ.<\/p>\n

Every new covenant promise <\/em>is in the hand of Christ.<\/p>\n

Every scriptural precept <\/em>leads us to Christ.<\/p>\n

Every experience <\/em>which is produced by the Holy Spirit, is an experience of the grace, power, presence, or faithfulness of Christ.<\/p>\n

Christ is all <\/em>in our ministry. Take away Christ, and we lay down our commission, give up our work, and retire from our post.<\/p>\n

We preach Christ in every place \u2014 Christ in every sermon \u2014 Christ for every purpose.<\/p>\n

Do we aim to convert the sinner? We preach Christ, who is the wisdom of God, and the power of God.<\/p>\n

Do we wish to relieve the distressed? We preach Christ, whose blood cleanses us from all sin \u2014 whose righteousness justifies from all charges \u2014 and whose grace is sufficient for every case.<\/p>\n

Do we endeavor to comfort the mourner? We preach Christ who is the consolation of Israel, and who has said, “As one whom his mother comforts, so will I comfort you; and you shall be comforted.” It is by . . .
\nunfolding his fullness,
\nexhibiting his grace,
\nsetting forth his perfect work, and
\nshowing the tenderness of his heart \u2014
\nthat we comfort those who are cast down.<\/p>\n

Do we try to strengthen the weak? It is by preaching Christ, who is the strength of the poor, and the strength of the needy in his distress.<\/p>\n

Jesus meets every case, suits every person, and is our one grand subject.<\/p>\n

We preach Christ Jesus the Lord, and we preach him as all and in all<\/em>. All that the sinner <\/em>needs \u2014 all that the saint <\/em>desires \u2014 and all that the preacher <\/em>requires.<\/p>\n

By faith in him \u2014 the sinner is saved;<\/p>\n

living upon him \u2014 the believer is happy; and<\/p>\n

preaching him fully, freely, and constantly \u2014 the preacher is successful.<\/p>\n

This subject is a touchstone to try us<\/em> \u2014 Is Christ our all? Our All in the closet, before God? our All in the Church, before the saints? our All in the world, before his foes? If Christ is not our all \u2014 we differ from apostolic Christians, and our state is suspicious.<\/p>\n

This subject is like a friendly sign-post: it directs all to Christ \u2014 and it directs us to Christ always, and for everything. He is . . .
\nthe Fountain <\/em>which supplies us,
\nthe strong Refuge <\/em>which protects us,
\nthe Friend <\/em>who sympathizes with us,
\nthe Prophet <\/em>who teaches us,
\nthe Priest <\/em>who atones for us,
\nthe King <\/em>who rules over us, and
\nthe Savior <\/em>who delivers from all evil, and introduces us to all good!<\/p>\n

May we live upon Christ as our all!<\/p>\n

May we labor to set forth Christ as all!<\/p>\n

May we die bearing testimony that Christ is all!<\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

“But of him are you in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption–that, according as it is written, He that glories, let him glory in the Lord.”<\/em> 1 Corinthians 1:30, 31<\/p>\n

Wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.<\/em> God has made Christ all these to his people. He has set him up as their eternal Head, made him the Bridegroom of their souls, that out of his fullness they may all receive. Then, just in proportion as they learn these two lessons–what they <\/em>are, and what he <\/em>is–they receive him into their hearts actually what he is to them in the purpose of God.<\/p>\n

Am I a fool? Do I feel it and know it? Have I had painful experience of it, so that all my creature wisdom is turned into one mass of foolishness? Do I catch by the eye of faith a view of the risen Mediator, “Immanuel, God with us,” and see what he is made of God to us? The moment my eye sees him as “WISDOM,” that moment a measure of divine wisdom flows into my conscience.<\/p>\n

Am I polluted and defiled throughout? Have I no righteousness of my own? Is all my obedience imperfect? Am I unable to fulfill the requirements of God’s holy law? If once I catch by the eye of faith this glorious truth, through him who is the truth, that Jesus Christ is of God made unto me “RIGHTEOUSNESS”–the moment I see that by the eye of faith, that moment a measure of imparted righteousness flows into my heart.<\/p>\n

Am I an unholy, depraved, filthy wretch? Does corruption work in my heart? The moment I catch by the eye of faith Jesus made unto me of God “SANCTIFICATION,” that moment a measure of sanctification comes into my heart, drawing up holy affections, casting out the love of the world, curbing my reigning lusts, and bringing my soul into submission at his footstool.<\/p>\n

Am I a poor captive, entangled by Satan, by the world, and my own evil heart? The moment that I catch this glorious view, that Jesus Christ at the right hand of the Father is made unto me “REDEMPTION”–if I can believe that he is made such for me, that I have a standing in him, and a union with him, so that he is my redemption–that moment a measure of deliverance comes into my soul, and redemption imputed becomes redemption imparted; the soul receives then internally what Christ has done externally.<\/p>\n

In a word, when Christ is received as “wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption,” he becomes all these in vital manifestation.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0J.C. Philpot<\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

At the cross alone<\/strong><\/p>\n

(J. C. Philpot, “Meditations on the Blessed Redeemer”)<\/p>\n

“Jesus has become our wisdom <\/strong>and our righteousness
\n<\/strong>and sanctification <\/strong>and redemption<\/strong>.” 1 Corinthians 1:30<\/p>\n

“May I never boast except in the cross<\/strong> of our Lord
\nJesus Christ, through which the world has been
\ncrucified to me, and I to the world.” Galatians 6:14<\/p>\n

An experimental knowledge of crucifixion with his
\ncrucified Lord, made Paul preach the cross–not only
\nin its power to save<\/strong>, but in its power to sanctify<\/strong>.
\n<\/strong>
\nThe cross is not only the meritorious cause of all
\nsalvation–<\/strong>but is the instrumental cause of all
\nsanctification<\/strong>. As there is no other way of salvation<\/strong>
\nthan by the blood of the cross–so <\/strong>there is no other
\nway of holiness<\/strong> than by the power of the cross.<\/p>\n

Through the cross, that is, through union and
\ncommunion with Him who suffered upon it, not
\nonly is there a fountain opened for all sin<\/strong>–but
\nfor all uncleanness!<\/strong><\/p>\n

All our . . .<\/strong>
\npardon and peace,
\nacceptance and justification,
\nhappiness and holiness,
\nwisdom and strength,
\nvictory over the world,
\nmortification of the body of sin and death,
\nhope and confidence,
\nprayer and praise,
\ngracious feelings,
\nspiritual desires,
\nwarm supplications,
\nhonest confessions,
\ngodly sorrows for sin,
\nspring from the cross! <\/strong><\/p>\n

At the cross alone<\/strong> can we . . .
\nbe made wise unto salvation,
\nbecome righteous by a free justification,
\nreceive of His Spirit to make us holy, and
\nbe redeemed and delivered from . . .
\nsin, Satan, death and hell.<\/p>\n

To the cross we are to bring . . .
\nour sorrows,
\nour trials,
\nour temptations,
\nour sufferings,
\nto get life from His death,
\npardon and peace from His atoning blood,
\njustification from His divine obedience, and
\nresignation to the will of God from His holy example.<\/p>\n

At the cross alone<\/strong> is . . .
\nthe world crucified to us, and we to the world;
\nsin mortified, and its reigning power dethroned;
\nthe old man crucified and put off, and the new man put on.<\/p>\n

For the most part, it is only through a long series of . . .
\nafflictions,
\nbereavements,
\ndisappointments,
\nvexations,
\nillnesses,
\npains of body and mind,
\nhot furnaces, and
\ndeep waters,
\nas sanctified to his soul’s profit by the Holy Spirit,
\nthat the child of God comes to the cross.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Christ Is All! James Smith, 1855 What the sun is to the world \u2014 that Christ is to the Church. What the soul is to the body \u2014 that Christ is to the soul. It has pleased the Father, that in him should all fullness dwell \u2014 and emptiness is written upon everything out of […]<\/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-2734","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\/2734","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=2734"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2734\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2737,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2734\/revisions\/2737"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2734"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2734"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2734"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}