{"id":6404,"date":"2023-02-17T21:09:07","date_gmt":"2023-02-17T21:09:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/?p=6404"},"modified":"2023-02-17T21:09:07","modified_gmt":"2023-02-17T21:09:07","slug":"bulletin-edition-february-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/?p=6404","title":{"rendered":"Bulletin Edition February 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

“THERE\nWAS A DIVISION AMONG THE PEOPLE BECAUSE OF HIM.”<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

John 7:43<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was true then, and\nit is true today: the Lord Jesus Christ is the cause of great division among\nmen. (Read Matthew10:34-36 and Luke 12:51-53). Spurgeon said,\n“Between the poorest saint and the brightest moralist, there is a great\ngulf. We may not be able to perceive it in the outward character, but there is\nas deep a gulf as there is between the feeblest form of life and death, – a\ngulf which only omnipotent grace can cause any man to pass over. “The\nradical difference between the true believer and the unbeliever lies in their\nrelation to Christ. That is the point of divergence.”<\/strong> It is\nfoolish for us to refuse to recognize this division. The seed of the serpent\nhates the seed of the woman. The child of bondage and the free born son cannot\nlive together in the same house. There no compatibility between\nbelievers and unbelievers.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                To\nthe unbeliever Christ is nothing; but to the believer Christ is everything. The\nunbeliever trusts himself, his works, his priest, or his church for acceptance\nbefore God; but the believer trusts Christ alone for his whole salvation. To\nthe unbeliever Christ is a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence; but to the\nbeliever Christ is exceedingly precious. The unbeliever is motivated by pride,\nseeks his own gain, lives by the principle of covetousness, and has his heart\nattached to this world. But the believer is not the same sort of man. He is\nmotivated by the glory of Christ, seeks the will of Christ, lives in this world\nby the principles of love and faith, and has his heart fixed upon eternity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The point is this – If you trust Christ, love Christ, serve Christ, and seek the glory of Christ, you will be wise not to seek the companionship of men and women who care nothing for Christ. Such companionship can only bring you pain and misery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The carnal mind rages at the\nCross of Christ!<\/strong>
\nThe following is from Spurgeon’s sermon,
\n“Jesus Affirmed to Be Alive” #2016. Acts 25:18-19
\n
\nDo not imagine that it is possible, fairly
\nand squarely, to preach Jesus Christ and
\nHis Gospel without raising opposition.
\n
\nThere is no hope of faithfully preaching
\nChrist without being called disrespectful
\nnames, regarded as a fool and reckoned
\namong the vulgar and ignorant. Some kind
\nof ugly name will always be appended to
\nthe preacher of the true Gospel.
\n
\nBrethren, expect it and accept it!
\nBid farewell to a quiet life, if you
\nresolve to be true to Jesus.
\n
\nNothing excites such animosity
\n as the preaching of Jesus!
\n
\nThe carnal mind rages
\nat the Cross of Christ!
\n
\nThat which would be to men the greatest
\ncomfort and the greatest joy if they were
\nin their right minds, is their direst hate
\nbecause sin has perverted their judgments.
\n
\nOf course nobody opposes
\nan indistinct, colourless, please
\neverybody gospel that is not
\nworth anything.
\n
\nBut speak clearly and distinctly the doctrine
\nof the great Sacrifice and you will bring upon
\nyour head a shower of opposition.
\n
\nThe carnal mind rages at the Cross of Christ!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cross has not become obsolete!
\n
\n<\/strong>(Horatius Bonar<\/a>,\n“The Surety’s Cross”)
\n
\n“For the preaching of the cross<\/strong> is to them that perish\nfoolishness; but unto us who are saved it is
\n the power <\/strong>of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18
\n
\n<\/em>The whole world looked with contempt\u2014indignant at the
\naudacity of a few humble Christians, thus affronting and
\ndefying the “public opinion” of nations and ages; assailing
\nthe religions of earth with the cross<\/strong> as their only sword;striking down their idols with this as their only hammer;
\nand with this, as their one lever, proposing to turn the
\nworld upside down!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>From that day the cross became “a power” in the\nearth;
\na power which went forth, like the light\u2014noiselessly yet
\nirresistibly\u2014smiting down all religions alike, all shrines
\nalike, all altars alike\u2014sparing no superstition nor philosophy.
\n
\nThis power remains\u2014in its mystery, its silence, its influence,
\nit remains. The cross has not become obsolete!<\/strong> The
\npreaching of the cross has not ceased to be powerful and
\neffectual!
\n
\nThere are those who would persuade us that, in this modern
\nage\u2014the cross is out of date and out of fashion, time-worn.
\nBut this shakes us not. It only leads us to clasp the cross more
\nfervently, and to study it more profoundly, as embodying in
\nitself that gospel which is at once the wisdom and the power
\nof God.
\n
\nYet the cross is not without its mysteries.
\n
\nIt illuminates\u2014yet it darkens.
\n
\nIt is life\u2014yet it is death.
\n
\nIt is honour\u2014yet it is shame.
\n
\nIt is wisdom\u2014but also foolishness.
\n
\nIt is . . .
\n  both pardon and condemnation;
\n  both strength and weakness;
\n  both joy and sorrow;
\n  both love and hatred;
\n  both medicine and poison;
\n  both hope and despair.
\n
\nIt is Christ’s humiliation\u2014yet it is His exaltation!
\n
\nIt is Satan’s victory\u2014yet it is Satan’s defeat!
\n
\nIt is the gate of heaven\u2014and the gate of hell!
\n
\nThe cross is the key to God’s character, His word,
\nHis ways, His purposes. It is the summary of all
\nthe Bible\u2014the epitome of Revelation!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The happiest Christians<\/strong>
\n(John Newton’s Letters<\/a>)
\n
\nThey are the happiest Christians<\/strong>, who have the
\nlowest thoughts of themselves, and in whose eyes
\nJesus is most glorious and precious.”Unto you therefore which believe He is precious.” 1 Peter 2:7<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“THERE WAS A\nDIVISION AMONG THE PEOPLE BECAUSE OF HIM.”<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

John 7:43<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was true then, and\nit is true today: the Lord Jesus Christ is the cause of great division among\nmen. (Read Matthew10:34-36 and Luke 12:51-53). Spurgeon said,\n“Between the poorest saint and the brightest moralist, there is a great\ngulf. We may not be able to perceive it in the outward character, but there is\nas deep a gulf as there is between the feeblest form of life and death, – a\ngulf which only omnipotent grace can cause any man to pass over. “The\nradical difference between the true believer and the unbeliever lies in their\nrelation to Christ. That is the point of divergence.”<\/strong> It is\nfoolish for us to refuse to recognize this division. The seed of the serpent\nhates the seed of the woman. The child of bondage and the free born son cannot\nlive together in the same house. There no compatibility between\nbelievers and unbelievers.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                To\nthe unbeliever Christ is nothing; but to the believer Christ is everything. The\nunbeliever trusts himself, his works, his priest, or his church for acceptance\nbefore God; but the believer trusts Christ alone for his whole salvation. To\nthe unbeliever Christ is a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence; but to the\nbeliever Christ is exceedingly precious. The unbeliever is motivated by pride,\nseeks his own gain, lives by the principle of covetousness, and has his heart\nattached to this world. But the believer is not the same sort of man. He is\nmotivated by the glory of Christ, seeks the will of Christ, lives in this world\nby the principles of love and faith, and has his heart fixed upon eternity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                The\npoint is this – If you trust Christ, love Christ, serve Christ, and seek the\nglory of Christ, you will be wise not to seek the companionship of men and\nwomen who care nothing for Christ. Such companionship can only bring you pain\nand misery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is my Beloved, my Shepherd, my Savior and my Husband!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Letters of John Newton<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The life of faith<\/em> is a happy life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though it is attended with conflicts<\/em>\u2014there is an\nassurance of victory<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If we sometimes get a wound<\/em>\u2014there is healing\nbalm<\/em> near at hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If we seem to fall<\/em>\u2014we are raised <\/em>again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And, if tribulations <\/em>abound\u2014then consolations <\/em>shall\nmuch more abound.
\n
\nIs it not happiness to have . . .
\n  an infallible Guide,
\n  an invincible Guard,
\n  an Almighty Friend?
\n
\nIt is bliss to be able to say of the Maker of heaven and earth, “He is\nmy Beloved, my Shepherd, my Savior and my Husband!<\/strong>“Oh, the peace which flows from believing . . .
\n  that all the events in which we are concerned, are under His immediate\ndisposal;
\n  that the very hairs of our head are all numbered;
\n  that He delights in our prosperity;
\n  that there is a need-be, if we are in heaviness;
\n  and that all things shall surely work together for our good!
\n
\nHow happy to have such views of His sovereignty, wisdom, love, and\nfaithfulness\u2014as will enable us to meet every difficult dispensation with\nsubmission; and to look through the painful changes of the present life\u2014to that\nunchangeable inheritance to which the Lord is leading us; when all evil shall\ncease, and where our joy shall be perfect and eternal!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A life of daily dependence on God!<\/strong>
\n(from Octavius Winslow’s “My Times in God’s Hand”)
\n
\nCovet to live a life of daily dependence on God.
\n
\nOh! it is a sweet and holy life!
\n
\nIt will save you….
\n from many a desponding feeling;
\n from many a corroding care;
\n from many an anxious thought;
\n from many a sleepless night;
\n from many a tearful eye; and
\n from many an imprudent and sinful scheme.
\n
\nLearn to be content with your present lot, with
\nGod’s dealings with you, and His disposal of you.
\n
\nYou are just where His ‘providence’ has, in its
\ninscrutable but all wise and righteous decision,
\nhas placed you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The separated life!<\/strong>
\n
\n(Charles Spurgeon<\/a>)
\n
\n“Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own\nblood, suffered outside the gate<\/em>.
\n Let us go forth therefore unto Him, outside the camp<\/em>, bearing\nHis reproach.
\n For here we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come.”
\n     Hebrews 13:12-14
\n
\nJesus, bearing His cross, went forth to suffer outside the gate.
\n
\nThe Christian’s reason for leaving the camp of the world’s sin <\/em>and\nthe world’s religion<\/em>, is not because he loves to be singular\u2014but\nbecause Jesus did so, and the disciple must follow his Master. Christ was\n“not of the world”\u2014His life and His teachings were a constant protest\nagainst conformity with the world. Never was there such overflowing affection\nfor men as you find in Him; but still He was “separate from sinners.”
\n
\nIn like manner, Christ’s people must “go forth unto Him.” They must\ntake their position “outside the camp,” as witness-bearers for the\ntruth. They must be prepared to tread the straight and narrow path. They must\nhave bold, unflinching, lion-like hearts, loving Christ first, and His truth\nnext\u2014and Christ and His truth beyond all the world!
\n
\nJesus would have His people “go forth to Him, outside the camp” for\ntheir own sanctification. You cannot grow in grace to any high degree\u2014while you\nare conformed to the world. The life of separation <\/em>may be a\npath of sorrow<\/em>\u2014but it is the highway of safety<\/em>. And\nthough the separated life<\/strong> may cost you many pangs, and make every\nday a battle\u2014yet it is a happy <\/em>life after all. No joy can\nexcel that of the soldier of Christ; Jesus reveals Himself so graciously, and\ngives such sweet refreshment, that the warrior feels more calm and peace in his\ndaily strife\u2014than others in their hours of rest!
\n
\nThe highway of holiness <\/em>is the highway of sweet communion with\nJesus. It is thus we shall hope to win the crown, if we are enabled by divine\ngrace faithfully to follow Christ “outside the camp.”
\n
\nThe cross of separation<\/em>\u2014will be followed by the crown of\nglory!<\/em>
\n
\nA moment’s shame\u2014will be well recompensed by eternal honour when we are\n“forever with the Lord!”<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n<\/strong>\u201cAbraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Genesis\n22:14<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAbraham\ncalled the name of that place Jehovah-jireh,\u201d<\/em> because he knew\nJehovah-jireh for himself and knew by experience his provision. The ram caught\nin the thicket had been provided as a substitute for Isaac. Not only had the\nLord seen, but according to the promise made to Abraham\u2019s faith, the Lord had\nprovided. Even before he knew how this trial would end, Abraham confidently\nbelieved God, trusting him to provide what was needed (Romans 4:20). Isaac\nsaid, \u201cBehold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt\noffering?\u201d<\/em> Abraham answered with confident faith, \u201cMy son, God\nwill provide!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In due time, God did just that. As these words were spoken\nprophetically by Abraham concerning Isaac and his substitute, they were also a\ndirect prophecy of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Substitute God has provided for\nsinners. Abraham was, by the Spirit of prophecy, saying to us, as God provided\na substitute for Isaac, so he will provide a Substitute for all his covenant\npeople in whom the Lord will be seen. That Substitute is the Lord Jesus Christ,\nthe Lamb of God. He was also telling us that, as God provided for him in his\ntime of extremity, so he will provide for all who trust him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The God of Abraham lives today! He is the same today as he was\nin Abraham\u2019s day. In the hour of Abraham\u2019s great need, when there seemed to be\nno possible way of escape, the Lord appeared for him and was seen in the mount.\nSo it shall be with all the children of Abraham. We shall be tried and tested,\nbut in the hour of our utmost need our God will see us. Seeing our need, he\nwill provide for us. And he will be seen in the provision he makes. The name of\nour God is Jehovah-jireh. He is worthy of absolute trust and confidence. The\nLord Jehovah, is our Preserver and our Provider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let this truth be firmly fixed in your heart. \u2014 God\u2019s provision\nfor Abraham and Isaac typified the far greater provision of his grace, by which\nall believing sinners are delivered from sin and death. And God\u2019s provision for\nus in Christ, by his death at Mt. Calvary, has given us the sure guarantee that\nall our necessities, both carnal and spiritual, shall be provided by him for\nboth time and eternity. The richest person in the world is the one who is\ncontent. If a person is content, he can never be made richer or poorer. And\nthose who have Christ ought to be perfectly content, because Christ is\ncontentment! He who is Jehovah-jireh has promised, \u201cI will satiate the soul\nof the priests with fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness,\nsaith the Lord<\/em>\u201d (Jeremiah 31:14). What blessed, heavenly logic Paul was\ninspired of God to use in Romans 8:32, when he asked, \u201cHe that spared not\nhis own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also\nfreely give us all <\/em>things?\u201d That is more than a promise; it is a\nconglomeration of promises. It is a mass of precious jewels, of rubies, and\nemeralds, and diamonds, with a nugget of gold for their setting. What can the\nLord God deny us after giving us his own dear Son? If we need all things in\nheaven and earth, he will grant them to us. If there could be a limit anywhere,\nsurely he would have kept back his own Son!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\nFortner<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are at home in the world<\/strong>
\n
\n(J. C. Philpot<\/a>, “Daily Portions”)
\n
\n“For\nwe are<\/em> strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were<\/em> all\nour fathers: our days on the earth are<\/em> as a shadow, and there\nis<\/em> none abiding.” 1 Chron. 29:15
\n
\nIf you possess the faith of Abraham, Isaac, and,
\nJacob, you, like them, confess that you are a
\nstranger; and your confession springs out of a
\nbelieving heart and a sincere experience.
\n
\nYou feel yourself a stranger in this ungodly world.
\n
\nIt is not your element.
\n
\nIt is not your home.
\n
\nYou are in it during God’s appointed time, but
\nyou wander up and down this world . . .<\/strong>
\n  a stranger to its company,
\n  a stranger to its maxims,
\n  a stranger to its fashions,
\n  a stranger to its principles,
\n  a stranger to its motives,
\n  a stranger to its lusts,
\n  a stranger to its inclinations, and all in which
\nthis world moves as in its native element.
\n
\nGrace has separated you by God’s sovereign power,
\nthat though you are in <\/em>the world, you are not of <\/em>it.
\n
\nI can tell you plainly–if you are at home in the
\nworld<\/strong>; if the things of time and sense are your
\nelement; if you feel one with . . .
\n    the company of the world,
\n    the maxims of the world,
\n    the fashions of the world, and
\n    the principles of the world
\n–grace has not reached your heart, the faith
\nof God’s elect does not dwell in your bosom.
\n
\nThe first effect of grace is to separate.<\/strong>
\n
\nIt was so in the case of Abraham. He was called
\nby grace to leave the land of his fathers, and go
\nout into a land that God would show him. And so
\nGod’s own word to His people is now, “Come out
\nfrom among them, and be separate, says the Lord,
\nand touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive
\nyou, and will be a Father unto you, and you shall
\nbe my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”
\n
\nSeparation, separation, separation from the world
\nis the grand distinguishing mark of vital godliness.
\n
\nThere may be indeed separation of body <\/strong>where there
\nis no separation of heart<\/strong>. But what I mean is . . .
\n  separation of heart<\/strong>,
\n  separation of principle<\/strong>,
\n  separation of affection<\/strong>,
\n  separation of spirit<\/strong>.
\n
\nAnd if grace has touched your heart, and you are
\na partaker of the faith of God’s elect, you are a
\nstranger in the world, and will make it manifest
\nby your life and conduct that you are such.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

“THERE WAS A DIVISION AMONG THE PEOPLE BECAUSE OF HIM.”  John 7:43 It was true then, and it is true today: the Lord Jesus Christ is the cause of great division among men. (Read Matthew10:34-36 and Luke 12:51-53). Spurgeon said, “Between the poorest saint and the brightest moralist, there is a great gulf. We may […]<\/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-6404","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\/6404","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=6404"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6404\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6410,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6404\/revisions\/6410"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6404"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6404"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6404"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}