{"id":3313,"date":"2015-06-20T08:16:37","date_gmt":"2015-06-20T08:16:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/?p=3313"},"modified":"2015-06-20T08:16:37","modified_gmt":"2015-06-20T08:16:37","slug":"bulletin-edition-256-june-2015","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/?p=3313","title":{"rendered":"Bulletin Edition #256 June 2015"},"content":{"rendered":"

WHO made us to differ?<\/strong><\/p>\n

(James Smith<\/a>, “The Pastor’s Evening Visit”)<\/p>\n

“But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles” Galatians 1:15-16<\/p>\n

Paul is speaking . . .
\nof being set apart from his mother’s womb,
\nof being called by grace to be saved,
\nof Christ being revealed in him, and
\nof his being made a preacher and an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ
\n\u2014 and he traces up the whole to the good pleasure of God!<\/p>\n

It pleased God<\/em> to convert<\/em>, consecrate<\/em>, and crown <\/em>the apostle with such eminent success. There was nothing in him to deserve <\/em>it \u2014 nothing in him to move God to do it. God blessed Paul, just because He would \u2014 because it pleased Him<\/em> to do it.<\/p>\n

Just so in our case.
\nDo we differ from others?
\nDo we differ from our former selves?
\nHave we spiritual life?
\nHave we Christian graces?
\nWhy were they conferred upon us \u2014 and not upon others?<\/em><\/p>\n

WHO made us to differ? <\/strong>“Who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive?” 1 Corinthians 4:7<\/p>\n

We can trace it to no cause \u2014 but the sovereign good pleasure of God!<\/p>\n

He has mercy \u2014 on whom He will have mercy.<\/p>\n

He has compassion \u2014 on whom He will have compassion.<\/p>\n

“‘Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.’ <\/em>What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! For he says to Moses, ‘I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.’<\/em>” Romans 9:13-15<\/p>\n

7.7.8.7.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Joseph Hart
\nHappy Mourners. Matt. 5. 4; John. 16. 22
\n1\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Christ is the Friend of sinners;
\nBe that forgotten never;
\nA wounded soul, and not a whole,
\nBecomes a true believer;
\nTo see sin smarts but slightly;
\nTo own, with lip confession,
\nIs easier still; but O to feel
\nCuts deep beyond expression.<\/p>\n

2\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 [Trust not to joyous fancies,
\nLight hearts, or smooth behaviour;
\nSinners can say, and none but they,
\n\u201cHow precious is the Saviour!\u201d
\nThen hail, ye happy mourners;
\nHow blest your state to come is!
\nYe soon will meet with comfort sweet;
\nIt is the Lord\u2019s own promise.]<\/p>\n

3\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The contrite heart and broken
\nGod will not give to ruin;
\nThis sacrifice he\u2019ll not despise,
\nFor \u2019tis his Spirit\u2019s doing.
\nThen hail, ye happy mourners,
\nWho pass through tribulation;
\nSin\u2019s filth and guilt, perceived and felt,
\nMake known God\u2019s great salvation.<\/p>\n

4\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 [Dry doctrine cannot save us,
\nBlind zeal, or false devotion;
\nThe feeblest prayer, if faith be there,
\nExceeds all empty notion.
\nThen hail, ye happy mourners,
\nYe will at last be winners;
\nBy Jesus\u2019 blood, the righteous God
\nNow reconciles poor sinners.]<\/p>\n

A TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS IN HEAVEN
\nOne day, as I was passing into the field, suddenly this sentence fell upon my soul: \u201cThy righteousness is in heaven.\u201d And I thought that I could see Jesus Christ at God\u2019s right hand. Yes, there indeed was my righteousness, so that wherever I was, or whatever I was doing, God could not say about me that I did not have righteousness, for it was standing there before Him. I also saw that it was not my good feelings that made my righteousness better, and that my bad feelings did not make my righteousness worse, for my righteousness was Jesus Christ Himself \u2013 \u201cThe same yesterday, and today, and forever\u201d (Hebrews 13:8). Now, indeed, the chains fell off my legs, and I was loosened from my afflictions and irons. My temptations also fled away so that from that time forward those dreadful Scriptures terrified me no more. Now I went home rejoicing because of the grace and love of God, and went to my Bible to look up where the verse was found that said, \u201cThy righteousness is in heaven.\u201d But I could not find it. And so my heart began to sink again, until suddenly, there came to my remembrance I Corinthians 1:30, \u201cWho of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification and redemption.\u201d From this, I saw that the other sentence was also true. \u2013 John Bunyan<\/p>\n

WHO GETS THE GLORY?
\nIf you wish to know if the gospel you are hearing preached is the Gospel of God, ask yourself this question, \u201cWho gets the glory?\u201d If you wish to know whether your religious experience is of the flesh or of the Lord, ask yourself the same thing, \u201cWho gets the glory?\u201d Also, examine all your gifts, works, and missionary efforts by the same rule, \u201cWho gets the glory?\u201d God will not share His glory! That which is of God, from God, and for God\u2019s glory will be blessed with His presence and power \u201cThat no flesh should glory in His presence\u2026that, according as it is written, he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord\u201d (I Corinthians 1:29-31).
\n– Henry Mahan<\/p>\n

By nature and by practice so far
\nHow very far from God
\nYet now by grace, brought nigh to Him
\nThrough faith in Christ\u2019s blood.<\/p>\n

So near, so very near to God
\nI cannot nearer be
\nFor in the person of God\u2019s Son
\nI am as near as He.<\/p>\n

So dear, so very dear to God
\nMore dear I cannot be
\nThe love wherewith He loves His Son
\nSuch is His love for me!
\n– Author Unknown<\/p>\n

Full Revelation
\n<\/strong>Matthew 11: 25-27<\/a><\/p>\n

In his deity, the Son of God had nothing delivered unto him, but as Christ the Mediator all things<\/em> are delivered unto him of the Father.\u00a0 The Lord Jesus had just thanked the Father, for revealing “these things”<\/em>. <\/em>Here he says “all things<\/em>” are delivered unto me.\u00a0 The Lord Jesus had just thanked the Father for “revealing<\/em>” then he says that it is the Son who “reveals the Father.”<\/em> What does this mean?\u00a0 When through the Holy Spirit the Father reveals the Son in the believer, seeing the Son we see the Father–the glory as of the only begotten of the Father <\/em>(John 1: 14<\/a>). <\/em>And seeing the Son we behold all things <\/em>that please the Father–For it pleased the Father that in his Son should all fullness dwell <\/em>(John 14: 9<\/a>; Colossians 1: 14-20<\/a>).\u00a0 And of his fullness<\/em> every believer receives, grace for grace<\/em>. (John 1: 16<\/a>). \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\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\u00a0Clay Curtis.<\/p>\n

Righteousness revealed<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ\u2026for therein is the righteousness of God revealed\u2026\u201d Romans 1:16-17<\/p>\n

The gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ reveals the righteousness of God in the justifying work of Christ which He wrought for the elect and is credited to their account before God, and is imputed to them and imparted in them by the regenerating work of His omnipotent Spirit.<\/p>\n

The gospel exalts the righteousness of Christ and condemns man\u2019s self-righteousness. Paul says, \u201cI am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for therein is the righteousness of God revealed\u201d. God Almighty is just and righteous in accepting sinners clothed with the righteousness of their appointed Substitute. The righteousness of God is not revealed by the light of nature or by the works of man. Only the \u201cgood news\u201d of the gospel of Christ reveals and declares this wondrous work and transaction.<\/p>\n

Man has naught to accomplish or perform, therefore we glory in Christ and Him alone, and we are not ashamed – \u201cTo declare, I say, at this time His righteousness: that He might be just, and the Justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Romans 3:26. In the gospel of Christ is the answer to the unanswerable question in Job 9:2 \u201cI know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?\u201d<\/p>\n

The glory of His righteousness is revealed to us and in us here by His Spirit by the preaching of the gospel, and will one day be revealed openly and universally for all to behold and wonder – \u201cIn those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness.\u201d Jer 33:16.<\/p>\n

This is what the gospel is all about – He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied: by His knowledge shall My righteous servant justify many; for He shall bear their iniquities. Isa 53:11. We may rightfully be ashamed of any other so-called gospel. Any messenger with any other message is accursed of God – \u201cAs we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed\u201d. Galatians 1:9 \u2013Tommy robbins.<\/p>\n

And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

and all flesh shall see it together: <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

(Isaiah 40.5).<\/p>\n

There can be no sweeter sight to the eye of the child of God than to see His Savior glorified in the sight of all flesh. To the child of God, the truth of the gospel is not merely doctrine to be debated and defended, or even just a body of settled truth to be confessed as a matter of orthodox religion. No, to the believer the gospel of the Lord Jesus is a declaration of the glory of the One who loved him and gave Himself for him. It is a portrait of his Beloved, and he could no more tolerate a corruption of the truth than a woman could tolerate that a picture of her beloved husband should be desecrated in her presence.<\/p>\n

What patience does the church exhibit as she sets forth the truth of her heavenly husband and lovingly instructs the children of the Kingdom giving time for them to absorb and come to terms with the truth. But see her kind face flash with anger when her Husband is insulted by a rebellious refusal to acknowledge His sovereign rights. Many religionists become upset when their particular form of religion is assaulted for they take it as an insult against them. But for the church of the Lord Jesus, it is not her own glory for which she is jealous, but for the glory of the One Who loved her and gave Himself for her.<\/p>\n

It may be tempting to establish theological benchmarks and test all men by these. The danger in such a system is that it easily taps into our innate self-righteousness and can make us act as theological legalists. Instead, let us be enamored of the glory of the Lord Jesus. Then, as we make our way in this religious world we will know who it is that has seen the same Savior as we have seen, and we will be fit to defend His glory in this world.<\/p>\n

Joe Terrell.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

WHO made us to differ? (James Smith, “The Pastor’s Evening Visit”) “But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles” Galatians 1:15-16 Paul is speaking . . . of being set apart […]<\/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-3313","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\/3313","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=3313"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3313\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3315,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3313\/revisions\/3315"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3313"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3313"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3313"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}