Let There be Light
\nIn Genesis 1: 3-5, God declares the giving of light. Light is essential
\nto the purpose of God in creation because creation is the stage upon
\nwhich His redemptive glory will be unveiled. It is because God is
\nwilling to make known this glory, that He commands first a light by
\nwhich it can be seen.<\/p>\n
This being so in the natural creation; how much more is it of necessity
\nin the spiritual? Paul gives thanks unto the Father which hath made us
\nmeet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in Light: \u201cwho
\nhath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us
\ninto the kingdom of His dear Son.\u201d (Colossians 1: 12-13) How is this
\naccomplished? \u201cFor God, who commanded the light to shine out of
\ndarkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge
\nof the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.\u201d(II Corinthians 4:6)
\nThis is that good light and is that light that divides and sets apart
\nthe darkness. May God be pleased to give us the light to see the
\ndifference.
\nDarvin Pruitt<\/p>\n
OUR BRETHREN THE PHARISEES?
\nActs 5:40: And to him they agreed: and when they had called the
\napostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in
\nthe name of Jesus, and let them go.
\nWould you think it absurd for someone to say that the Pharisees and
\nSadducees were really Peter and John’s brethren? Do you think it more
\nloving to say that their only problem was that they had not arrived at
\nthe intellectual understanding of doctrine which Peter and John had?
\nAfter all, they verbally called out the name Jehovah, even as Peter and
\nJohn. The high priest and the scribes were sincere in their teachings as
\nwere Peter and John. They each had the same scriptures even as most who
\ncall themselves Christians in our day. It would be too dogmatic NOT to
\nembrace the Pharisees and the Sadducees as brethren, wouldn’t it? Most
\nwould admit that it would be an absurdity to say that the Pharisees and
\nSadducees were our brethren. By their own admission they denied Christ
\nwhen the Lord told them he came to lay down his life for those chosen of
\nGod and given him from eternity.
\nYet, in our day many think the absurdity is in NOT embracing everyone
\nwho calls themselves a Christian. If a person proudly claims that it was
\ntheir act of believing which made Christ’s accomplishment of redemption
\na finished work then it is as opposite of truth as Annas’ hope was to
\nthat of the apostle Peter? For a person to say that the Lord’s hand is
\ntoo short to bring his elect out from under the preaching of a powerless
\njesus to the truth of his glorious Son is as much a mockery of the Holy
\nSpirit as those mockers on the day of Pentecost who excused their
\nrebellion by accusing our brethren of being drunk. Have you not heard?
\nWherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none
\nto answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I
\nno power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the
\nrivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because there is no water, and
\ndieth for thirst. I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make
\nsackcloth their covering (Isaiah 50:2-3.)
\n“But what is the least a believer can know about Christ and yet be
\nsaved!” The next time you are in need of major surgery be sure you seek
\nout a doctor who asks, “What is the least I can know about surgery and
\nstill be your surgeon?” Those truly born of the Holy Spirit give
\nthemselves delightfully to know everything God will teach them about his
\nSon because the power of God will not suffer them to neglect the King of
\nglory.
\nWe either have to deny the power of God or confess that those who remain
\nwith the Pharisees and Sadducees are yet in need of Christ. We either
\nhave to pamper our own sinful flesh or suffer the opposition we will
\nface from preaching the offense of the cross. We either love ourselves
\nmore than those we pretend to love or we show the greatest of all love
\nby denying ourselves and being as clear about the power of God to save
\nsinners as we can. We either side with the vain traditions and old wives
\nfables of false religion thinking the truth of God can be brought down
\nto the level of the worthless vain profession in which we trust or we
\ndenounce our former lusts and submit to Christ the Lord. We either
\ncompromise as did the Pharisees and Sadducees or as the apostles we
\ncease not to teach and to preach Jesus Christ!
\nWhen dealing with the sovereign God, MIGHTY TO SAVE, there is no middle
\nground!
\nClay Curtis.<\/p>\n
The Perfect Man<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be
\ndone away.\u201d I Cor. 13:10<\/p>\n
When the \u201cPerfect Man\u201d comes, only then shall we see Him as He is and be
\nmade like Him. In the meantime, our faith is mixed with unbelief. Our
\nlove is mixed with selfishness. Our understanding is mixed with
\nignorance. Our sorrow for sin is shallow. Our worship falls so far short
\nof its mark. Our experience of peace is fraught with fear. Our joy is
\nmixed with sorrow. Truly; \u201cNow we see through a glass darkly\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Here is our hope brethren. Faith does not look to our experience in
\nthese graces for the hope of our salvation. Oh no! Faith looks to that
\nPerfect Man in whom all these spiritual graces are full and complete.
\nMay we rest the hope of our salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ who
\nstands in our stead before Almighty God. \u201cWherefore, He is able to save
\nthem to the uttermost (perfectly) that come unto God by Him, seeing He
\never liveth to make intercession for them.\u201d Heb. 7:25. ~Greg<\/p>\n
The glory of the Lord God is that which distinguishes Him from all
\nothers and all else. It is said of Him in Holy Writ \u201cWho is like unto
\nThee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like Thee, glorious in holiness,
\nfearful in praises, doing wonders?\u201d As there was no room for Moses in
\nthe tabernacle because it was filled with God\u2019s glory, there is no place
\nfor man or the works of the law in the gospel of God\u2019s grace or in the
\nsalvation of the elect. The glory and wonder of God\u2019s grace fills the
\nLord Jesus Christ – \u201cAnd the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us,
\n(and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the
\nFather,)full of grace and truth\u201d John 1:14. This simple guide to
\ndistinguish truth from error is perpetual and can never be wrong – \u2018That
\nwhich gives God and His Son all the glory is the truth and that which
\ndoes not is a lie\u2019. The message that is filled with Christ is full of
\nthe glory of God and there is no room for anything else. The message
\nthat enthrones man, his works and freewill leaves no room for Christ.
\nMan is unable to enter into the glorious work of God in Christ. There is
\njust no room! All the glorious virtues and attributes of God in Christ
\npermeate every aspect of the purpose of God in the redemption of
\nsinners. The Lord Jesus Christ is glorious, His righteousness is
\nglorious, His sacrificial death is glorious, His accomplishment is
\nglorious, and His position now as our Sovereign Great High Priest is
\nglorious in Holiness. My friend, if you have a problem with the message
\nthat renders all the glory to God, your problem is with God and is far
\ngreater than you can imagine. Tommy Robbins<\/p>\n
\u201cYE ARE COMPLETE IN HIM\u201d
\nColossians 2:10
\nThe believers standing in Christ does not fluctuate with his feelings,
\nnot even the increase or decrease of his faith or understanding or
\nanything else. He stands complete in Christ. God would never trust any
\nof His children to stand before him at anytime in their own selves –
\nthat is, in their merits or certain good frames of mind. He knows our
\nframe. He remembers that we are yet dust. Therefore, He has on purpose
\nprovided for them this perfect standing in Christ Jesus. \u201cYe are
\ncomplete in Him,\u201d the Holy Ghost said. He says in another place, \u201cYe are
\nperfect in Christ Jesus,\u201d (Col. 1:28.) The very nature of our God
\nrequires us to be perfect and complete before Him at all times. He, out
\nof necessity, therefore provided all this for His children: a
\nperfection, a completeness, which can never be diminished. It is as
\nunchanging as God himself, (Hebrews 6:17; 13:8). Every true believer may
\nwalk through this world in perfect liberty, free from anything and
\neverything – yes, even his sin, fear of condemnation, and all else that
\nwould cause him to doubt of his completeness. He may freely come to God,
\nworship Him, call Him \u201cFather,\u201d and this he may do at all times with the
\nutmost confidence and thankfulness, because in Christ he stands, first
\nand foremost and always, complete before God. \u201cO thanks be to God for
\nJesus Christ.<\/p>\n
By Bruce Crabtree<\/p>\n
WHAT PLEASES GOD PLEASES HIS PEOPLE
\nActs 15:28
\nTom Harding<\/p>\n
For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no
\ngreater burden than these necessary things;\u2013Acts 15:28.<\/p>\n
When the brethren in Jerusalem wrote this inspired letter to the church
\nin Antioch they declared this strong Biblical principle that the
\ntestimony of God plainly sets forth, “For it seemed good (pleasing) to
\nthe Holy Ghost, and to us.”
\nWhat is pleasing to God in creation, providence and salvation is also
\nmost pleasing to His covenant people. We say with David, “But our God is
\nin the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased” (Psalm 115:3).
\nOr with Eli, “It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good (1Sam.
\n3:18).
\nIt was most pleasing to God to sovereignly and unconditionally choose
\nHis people in Christ before the foundation of the world (1Sam. 12:22;
\nEph. 1:3-6). We thank our Lord that He purposed to choose us in electing
\nlove or we never would have chosen Him or believed Him. (John 16:15;
\nEph. 1:19; 2Thes.2:13).
\nIt was well pleasing to our Lord to bruise the Lord Jesus Christ for our
\nsins (Isa. 53:10; Acts 2:23). It is well pleasing to every believer to
\nsee our sins fully atoned for and eternally put away in Christ crucified
\n( Isa. 44: 22-23;1Cor. 1:18; 2:2; Heb. 9:26; 1John 4:10).
\nIt is most pleasing to our gracious Lord that in the Lord Jesus Christ
\nshould all the fullness of the Godhead dwell bodily and to place all
\nspiritual blessings in Him (John 1:14: Eph. 1:3; Col. 1:19; 2:9; 1John
\n5:11-12). It is also well pleasing to every believer to rejoice, receive
\nby faith and rest in complete salvation in Jesus Christ (1Cor. 1:30;
\nPhil. 3:7-9; Col. 2:10).
\nIt is most pleasing to our sovereign Lord that through the preaching of
\nthe gospel of Christ to quicken, enlighten and call His people to
\nHimself, from darkness to light and from bondage to liberty (1Cor. 1:21;
\n1Peter. 1:23; James 1:18; Col. 1:13). It certainly is well pleasing to
\nevery believer to hear about His Lord through the declaration of the
\ngospel and to be given faith to embrace Him (Rom. 10:13-17; Eph. 2:8-9),
\nlight to reveal Him (2Cor. 4:6) and liberty to worship Him in Spirit and
\ntruth (John 4:24).<\/p>\n
Mistaken or Satanic?<\/p>\n
Is doctrine contrary to the Gospel of grace mistaken or Satanic? Is it
\nmisinformed or the Devil\u2019s deception? Is it not full light, or is it
\ndarkness? Paul spoke of Satan\u2019s ministers as angels of light and
\nministers of righteousness (II Cor. 11:13-15). The Lord spoke of the
\nteaching of Jezebel as the depths of Satan (Rev. 2:24). He spoke of
\nthose in the church at Philadelphia who are \u201cthem of the synagogue of
\nSatan, which say they are Jews, and are not\u201d (Rev. 3:9). Clearly, that
\nwhich is contrary to the Gospel is Satanic. As I think of men and women
\nall over the world, using the name of Christ in their \u201cworship
\nservices\u201d, I feel both sad and angry – sad that they are so deceived;
\nangry at the wickedness of the deception. But not only do I feel sad and
\nangry, I feel determined by the grace of God to preach the Gospel in
\nsuch a way that the Gospel is seen for what it is, and that which is
\ncontrary is seen for what it is, and men will call upon the name of the
\nLord. — Todd Nibert.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Let There be Light In Genesis 1: 3-5, God declares the giving of light. Light is essential to the purpose of God in creation because creation is the stage upon which His redemptive glory will be unveiled. It is because God is willing to make known this glory, that He commands first a light by […]<\/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-5158","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\/5158","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=5158"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5158\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5159,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5158\/revisions\/5159"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5158"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5158"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5158"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}