{"id":6424,"date":"2023-04-02T07:21:01","date_gmt":"2023-04-02T07:21:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/?p=6424"},"modified":"2023-04-02T07:21:01","modified_gmt":"2023-04-02T07:21:01","slug":"bulletin-edition-april-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/?p=6424","title":{"rendered":"Bulletin Edition April 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A man is never so fit for believing as when\nhe is most unfit. It is unfitness, not fitness, that is really required. What\nis fitness for being washed? Filth! What is fitness for receiving pardon?\nGuilt! If you are filthy, if you are guilty, you have all the fitness that is\nrequired. So, come and find in Jesus Christ all that meets your greatest need.\n                     \n                     \n         ~Charles Spurgeon<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Filled with folly, vanity,\nand vexation!<\/strong>
\n
\n(Letters of John Newton<\/a>)
\n
\nAugust 28, 1779
\nMy dear friend,
\nThe days speed away apace! Each one bears away its own burden\nwith it–to return no more. Both pleasures <\/em>and pains <\/em>which\nare past<\/strong>–are gone forever! What is yet future <\/strong>will\nlikewise, soon be past.
\n
\nOur final end will shortly arrive! O to realise the thought, and\nto judge of things now in some measure suitable to the opinion which we shall\nform of them, when we are about to leave them all! <\/em>Many things\nwhich now either elate <\/em>or depress <\/em>us–will\nthen appear to be trifles as light as air!<\/em>
\nOnly one thing is needful<\/strong>—
\nto have our hearts united to Jesus in humble faith;
\nto set Him always before us;
\nto rejoice in Him as our Shepherd and our portion;
\nto submit to all His appointments, not of necessity, because He\nis stronger than us–but with a cheerful acquiescence, because He is wise and\ngood, and loves us better than we do ourselves;
\nto feed upon His truth;
\nto have our understandings, wills, affections, imaginations,\nmemory–all filled and impressed with the great mysteries of His redeeming\nlove;
\n   to do all for<\/em> Jesus;
\n   to receive all from<\/em> Jesus;
\n   to find all in<\/em> Jesus!
\n
\nI have mentioned many things, but they are all comprised in\none–a life of faith in Jesus!<\/em>
\n
\nWe are empty vessels<\/em> in ourselves–but we\ncannot remain empty. Unless Jesus dwells in our hearts, and fills them with His\npower and presence–they will be filled\nwith folly, vanity, and vexation!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n A religion that satisfies\n thousands<\/strong>
\n
\n (Philpot, “The Cry of Jonah out of the Belly\n of Hell<\/a>“)
\n
\n “Having a form of godliness<\/strong> but denying the power\n thereof.”
\n      2 Tim. 3:5
\n
\n Much that passes for religion,
\n is not true religion at all.
\n
\n Much that goes for hopes of salvation,
\n is nothing but lying refuges.
\n
\n Much is palmed off for the teaching of the Spirit,
\n which is nothing but delusion.
\n
\n Vital godliness is very rare.<\/strong>
\n
\n There are very few people spiritually taught of God.
\n
\n There are very few ministers who really preach the truth.
\n
\n Satan is thus daily deceiving thousands, and tens of thousands.
\n
\n A living soul, however weak and feeble in himself,
\n cannot take up with a religion in the flesh<\/strong>.
\n
\n He cannot rest on the opinions of men, nor be
\n deceived by Satan’s delusions. He has a secret
\n gnawing of conscience, which makes him dissatisfied
\n with a religion that satisfies\n thousands.<\/strong>\n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n A religious animal<\/strong>
\n
\n (Philpot, “The\n Exercise and Profit of Godliness<\/a>” 1850)
\n
\n “Ye<\/em> men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too\n superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an\n altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.” Acts 17:22-23
\n
\n Man has been called, and perhaps with some truth,
\n a religious animal<\/strong>. Religion of some\n kind, at any rate,
\n seems almost indispensable to his very existence\u2014for
\n from the most civilized nation, to the most barbarous
\n tribe upon the face of the earth\u2014we find some form of
\n religion practiced. Whether this is ingrained into the
\n very constitution of man, or whether it be received by
\n custom or tradition\u2014I will not pretend to decide. But
\n that some kind of religion is almost universally
\n prevalent, is a fact that cannot be denied.
\n
\n We will always find these two kinds of religion<\/strong> . . .
\n   false and true,
\n   earthly and heavenly,
\n   fleshly and spiritual,
\n   natural and supernatural.
\n
\n Compare this vital, spiritual, heavenly,
\n divine, supernatural religion . . .
\n   this work of grace upon the soul,
\n   this teaching of God in the heart,
\n   this life of faith within
\n \u2014with its flimsy counterfeit.
\n
\n Compare the actings of . . .
\n   real faith,
\n   real hope,
\n   real love;
\n the teachings, the dealings, the leadings, and
\n the operations of the blessed Spirit in the soul
\n \u2014with rounds of . . .
\n   duties,
\n   superstitious forms,
\n   empty ceremonies, and
\n a notional religion, however puffed up and varnished.
\n
\n Compare the life of God in the heart of a true Christian,
\n amid all his dejection, despondency, trials, temptations,
\n and exercises; compare that precious treasure, Christ’s
\n own grace in the soul\u2014with all mere . . .
\n   external religion,
\n   superficial religion,
\n   notional religion.
\n
\n O, it is no more to be compared than a grain of dust
\n with a diamond! No more to be compared than a criminal
\n in a dungeon to the King on the throne! In fact, there is
\n no comparison between them.\n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n A human religion?<\/strong>\n (Horatius Bonar, “The Way Of Cain”)<\/em>\n “Woe to them! They have gone in the way of Cain<\/strong> .\n . .”
\n         Jude 11\n Cain<\/strong> is not an atheist, nor an altogether irreligious man.\n He acknowledges a God, and brings his fruits<\/strong> to\n the altar.\n But he brings no lamb<\/strong>, no blood, nothing that\n speaks of death.\n He comes with no confession, no cry for mercy.\n He has a religion, but it is self made; a human religion<\/strong>,
\n something of his own; without Christ, or blood, or pardon.\n Rejection of God’s religion, and of His Messiah; this is
\n “the way of Cain.”\n “Woe to them! They have gone in the way of Cain<\/strong> .\n . .”
\n         Jude 11\n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n False religion<\/strong>\n (Horatius Bonar<\/a>,\n “False Religion and Its Doom”)\n “I will lay the dead carcasses of the children of Israel\n before their idols; and I will
\n  scatter your bones around about your altars.” Ezek. 6:5\n There is such a thing as false\n religion<\/strong>.\n It may be earnest and zealous, yet false.\n No amount of sincerity or zeal will make
\n that true, which is in itself false.\n False religion<\/strong> is\n the worship of a false god<\/strong>,
\n or the false worship of the true God.<\/strong>\n We worship the true God untruly<\/strong> when we
\n give him only half a heart, half a soul.\n Do not think that the utterance of some true
\n words, or the expression of a little sentimental<\/strong>
\n devotion,<\/strong> is the true worship of the true God.\n False religion<\/strong> is\n useless.<\/strong>
\n It profits nothing and nobody, either here or hereafter.
\n It is not acceptable to God.
\n It will not be counted a substitute for the true.
\n It does not satisfy the conscience.
\n It does not make the man happy.
\n It does not fill the heart.
\n It does not remove burdens.
\n It will not stand the fire.
\n It is but wood, and hay, and stubble.
\n The judgment will sweep it all away.
\n It is useless both for time nor eternity,
\n   both for earth nor heaven. \n It is irksome and unprofitable, only cheating
\n the poor worshiper into the belief that he has
\n felt or performed something good and worthy.\n God abhors<\/strong> false\n religion<\/strong>.
\n It has not one feature that is pleasing to Him.
\n It is merely external.
\n It is untrue.
\n It is against His revelation.
\n It is dishonoring to Him.
\n It is self exalting.
\n It is pure mockery.
\n It is rottenness and death.
\n It is a mouthful of words, a handful of dust and ashes.
\n Therefore God abhors it.\n ” I will lay the dead carcasses of the children of Israel\n before their idols; and I will
\n  scatter your bones around about your altars.” Ezek. 6:5\n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n It was not sects, or\n creeds, or doctrines, or<\/strong>
\n churches<\/strong>, or\n ecclesiastical organizations!<\/strong>
\n <\/strong>
\n (MacDuff, “A Chapter in Providence and Grace”)<\/em>
\n
\n It is not dead doctrine, dry formulated dogma<\/strong>
\n which the soul needs, but a living Being.
\n
\n Paul thus exults, in what may be called a dying
\n testimony, “I know WHOM I have believed.”
\n
\n It was<\/strong> not . . .<\/strong>
\n   sects,
\n   or creeds,
\n   or doctrines,
\n   or churches<\/strong>,
\n   or ecclesiastical organizations<\/strong>,
\n that the dying hero clung to, in the
\n hour of departure, but . . .
\n   the glorious Person<\/strong> of the divine Immanuel,
\n   the living Presence<\/strong> of the ever living, ever loving\n Savior;
\n   the Brother<\/strong>,
\n   the Friend <\/strong>on the throne,
\n whom he had learned to love more
\n dearly than all the world beside!\n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n Avoid the world’s\n religion!<\/strong>
\n <\/strong>
\n The following is from Spurgeon’s sermon,
\n “Abram’s call. Or, Half-Way And All the Way”
\n <\/em>
\n Will you devote yourself to God and His cause
\n and truth? In matters of religion follow the Lord
\n fully. Let the Word of God be your sole and sure
\n rule and nothing else. That religion which is not
\n according to God’s Word is a false religion.
\n
\n Accept neither doctrine nor ceremony for which
\n there is no Scriptural warrant. Search the Word
\n about it all, “to the Law and to the testimony,
\n if they speak not according to this Word, it is
\n because there is no light in them.”
\n
\n Avoid the world’s religion!<\/strong>
\n
\n For if there is one world worse than another,
\n it is the religious world. Be distinctly removed
\n from the religion which is based upon self-will,
\n pride of intellect, and worldly conformity.
\n
\n The world’s religion is as evil
\n as the world’s irreligion.
\n
\n Surrender to the plain teaching of the Spirit
\n of God and resolve in all things to follow
\n your Lord wherever He may lead you.
\n
\n Stand alone, if others will not obey.
\n
\n My brethren, if we thus separate ourselves
\n from the world’s religion, we must expect
\n violent opposition. Severe criticism will not
\n be spared us. Some will say, “The man is mad!”
\n Others more gently will murmur, “He is sadly
\n misled.” Many will accuse you of a liking to be
\n singular, or a weakness for going to extremes.
\n Having once made up their mind that you are
\n foolish and contemptible they will view all your
\n conduct through colored glasses and condemn
\n you up and down.
\n
\n Be not dismayed but endure hardship for
\n the love of Jesus. The life of a consecrated
\n believer involves trials.
\n
\n Avoid the world’s religion!
\n
\n O you, who by Divine Grace are beginners in
\n the heavenly life, make a strong resolve to be
\n the servants of God and endeavor in all things
\n to obey Him.
\n
\n We live here in this world as strangers and
\n pilgrims. We find little to charm us in this
\n foreign land. Our treasure is above and it
\n will be a joy for our souls to rise to the place
\n where our hearts already dwell.
\n
\n If you are now separated unto Him, you
\n shall find your reward in that day when
\n He shall divide the sheep from the goats.
\n You shall be placed at His right hand to hear
\n Him say, “Come, you blessed of My Father.”
\n
\n Avoid the world’s religion!\n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n

One of the most loathsome\nsights in the world!<\/strong>
\n
\n(Don Fortner)
\n
\n“This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Woe\nto the shepherds of Israel who only take care of themselves!<\/em> Should\nnot shepherds take care of the flock? You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with\nthe wool and slaughter the choice animals \u2014 but you do not take care of the\nflock!” Ezekiel 34:2-3
\n
\nOne of the most loathsome sights in the world<\/strong>, is a\nself-serving preacher!
\n
\nNo work is so great,
\nno labor is so noble,
\nno burden is so heavy,
\nno honour is so humbling \u2014
\nas preaching the gospel of the grace of God to eternity bound\nsinners!
\n
\nLet every man called of God to preach the Gospel, disentangle\nhimself from the affairs of this world \u2014 with determined consecration to\nChrist, His Gospel and His Church, addicting himself to prayer, study and\npreaching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“He is a dear brother, a faithful minister <\/em>and\nfellow servant in the Lord.” Colossians 4:7<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, even I, will both\nsearch my sheep, and seek them out.” Ezekiel. 34:11.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

THIS he does at the first when his elect are like wandering\nsheep that know not the shepherd or the fold. How wonderfully does the Lord\nfind out his chosen! Jesus is great as a seeking shepherd as well as a saving\nshepherd. Though many of those his Father gave him have gone as near to\nhell-gate as they well can, yet the Lord by searching and seeking discovers\nthem, and draws near to them in grace. He has sought out us: let us have good\nhope for those who are laid upon our hearts in prayer, for he will find them\nout also.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Lord repeats this process when any of his flock stray from\nthe pastures of truth and holiness. They may fall into gross error, sad sin,\nand grievous hardness; but yet the Lord, who has become a surety for them to\nhis Father, will not suffer one of them to go so far as to perish. He will by\nprovidence and grace pursue them into foreign lands, into abodes of poverty,\ninto dens of obscurity, into deeps of despair; he will not lose one of all that\nthe Father has given him. It is a point of honour with Jesus to seek and to\nsave all the flock, without a single exception. What a promise to plead, if at\nthis hour I am compelled to cry, “I have gone astray like a lost\nsheep!”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

C.H.Spurgeon<\/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\nwith His own blood, suffered without the gate<\/em>.
\n Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the\ncamp<\/em>, bearing His reproach.
\n For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to\ncome.”
\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\nHim.” They must take their position “outside the camp,” as\nwitness-bearers for the truth. They must be prepared to tread the straight and\nnarrow path. They must have bold, unflinching, lion-like hearts, loving Christ\nfirst, and His truth next\u2014and Christ and His truth beyond all the world!
\n
\nJesus would have His people “go forth to Him, outside the\ncamp” for their own sanctification. You cannot grow in grace to any high\ndegree\u2014while you are conformed to the world. The life of\nseparation <\/em>may be a path of sorrow<\/em>\u2014but it is the highway\nof safety<\/em>. And though the\nseparated life<\/strong> may cost you many pangs, and make every day a battle\u2014yet\nit is a happy <\/em>life after all. No joy can excel that of the\nsoldier of Christ; Jesus reveals Himself so graciously, and gives such sweet\nrefreshment, that the warrior feels more calm and peace in his daily\nstrife\u2014than others in their hours of rest!
\n
\nThe highway of holiness <\/em>is the highway of sweet\ncommunion with Jesus. It is thus we shall hope to win the crown, if we are\nenabled by divine grace faithfully to follow Christ “outside the\ncamp.”
\n
\nThe cross of separation<\/em>\u2014will be followed by\nthe crown of glory!<\/em>
\n
\nA moment’s shame\u2014will be well recompensed by eternal honour when\nwe are “forever with the Lord!”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A man is never so fit for believing as when he is most unfit. It is unfitness, not fitness, that is really required. What is fitness for being washed? Filth! What is fitness for receiving pardon? Guilt! If you are filthy, if you are guilty, you have all the fitness that is required. So, come […]<\/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-6424","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\/6424","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=6424"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6424\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6425,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6424\/revisions\/6425"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6424"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6424"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6424"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}