October 18, 2020
Hymn of the Day
(tune: There is a Fountain, 222)
Come, Thou Almighty Comforter, And bring upon Thy wing,
Sweet consolation to each soul, That we may praise and sing.
We want to hear, we want to see, We want to know Christ more;
We want sweet foretastes of His love, As we have had before.
And shall we come in vain to God? Oh, Lord, that cannot be;
Thy promise stands engaged to come, And bless e'en two or three.
Lord, give more love, more sincere faith, More confidence in Thee;
Break off our legal chains, O God, And let our souls go free.
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We will celebrate the Lord's Table, today. It is open to all believers in our Lord Jesus whether they regularly worship at this assembly or at another.
Today's Hymns
According to Thy Gracious Word #192
Here, Lord, I See Thee Face to Face #191
Blessed Redeemer #112
Special Dates: Oliver Van Beek – 25
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From the time of my childhood until now, I have often heard preachers say that we are in the darkest of times. I have even read this in the writings of those from centuries ago. I certainly understand how they feel; I have often thought that we are in a very dark period of human history and that the church is at a very low ebb.
But think of what that assessment of things means. Are we to believe that the darkness is overcoming the light or are we to believe what the Scriptures say, "Light has come into the world and the darkness was not able to overcome it"? (John 1.5) Has it not always been that "there is a remnant according to the election of grace," showing that the people of God have never been in the majority in this world, and quite often, the people of God have not been the majority even among those who call themselves the people of God. Do we expect it to be any different now?
You might say, "But I have read of the days of this or that preacher and what wonderful revival happened in those times." It may surprise you to know that those same preachers bemoaned the great darkness of their day. And you must also consider that when you read their stories, all the work of God over the span of a lifetime was condensed into a few hours of reading. No wonder it looked like a remarkable movement!
It is true that there are times when it appears the Word has freer course than at other times, and there have been times when it seemed that the church had more effect in the world than at other times. But we must be careful lest we speak against the purpose and providence of God. We must avoid that spirit of Elijah that despaired of the success of God's Word in this day. Elijah thought that darkness had won in Israel. God responded, "I have reserved for Myself 7000 who have not bowed the knee to Ba'al." Did Elijah think there would be more (or less) than what God had reserved for Himself? Or had he blinded himself to the presence of these 7000 because they were not all in one place or were not all the product of the ministry God had given him?
Ever since the Lord ascended to the Father's right hand, there have been exactly the right number of faithful preachers to declare the gospel. And, by that means, every one of the The Great Shepherd's wandering sheep have been sought, found, rescued, and preserved. Not one of God's elect has been missed through the passage of time. We know the Word of God is being preached everywhere God has sent it and it is accomplishing the very purpose for which God sent it.
It is not as though we do not care whether there are more or less believers; it is simply that we are not in despair as though the light of truth has been extinguished - as though the powers of darkness have prevailed. THEY HAVE NOT! Not once, not ever! Our job is to reflect that light in our day and, and in this way, BE the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). Let us not curse the darkness when we are the light! If you perceive darkness, then YOU shine the light there.
It is easier and sounds more wise and "spiritual" to speak of what a dark age it is in which we live. But no one was ever saved by preachers cursing the darkness. Sinners are saved through shing the light of the truth of Christ! -Joe
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"For where two or three are gathered together in my name,
there am I in the midst of them." ~Matthew 18:20
What a promise! What a prospect! The Son of God promises that wherever two or three sinners come together in his name, 'There am I in the midst of them!" Reading those words, my heart cries out to God, "that is what I want!" I hope we have gathered here this hour in the name of Christ. If we have, we shall have the glorious privilege and blessing of his presence! I am so tired of religious meetings of no profit and no value to our souls. I loathe the thought of maintaining a form of godliness without the presence and power of God. I want, with all my heart, to worship in His presence. Don't you?
HIS presence:
• Awakens Dead Sinners (Lazarus!).
• Brings Forgiveness (The Harlot. The Woman taken in Adultery).
• Comforts Troubled Hearts (John 14:1-3).
• Brings Peace (Where the Prince of Peace comes there is peace!).
• Gives Assurance (Heb. 13:5).
May this place be Bethel! The house of God, the gate of heaven! -Don Fortner
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No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day. It is written in the Prophets: 'They will all be taught by God.' Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from him comes to me. ~John 6.44,45
Those who object to the sovereignty of God often object to it on the ground that it limits who may come to Christ. That is simply not the truth. God's sovereign choice of those whom He will save sets no limit on who MAY come. Nor does it render anyone UNABLE to come. People are born unable and unwilling to come to Christ. God's sovereign grace tells us who will be enabled to come to Christ and who will actually come. Everyone who can come will come, and the only reason they can come is because God enables them. But NO ONE is disallowed from coming! - Joe