Work as if Both Everything and Nothing Depended on You

The believer throws himself fully into the Father’s business while, at the same time, he falls back on the promise, “It is God that worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” When I preach, I must study, prepare, and approach the pulpit as though what men hear, learn, and believe depended on my making the message plain and true to the Scriptures; yet, I know that my success depends entirely on God, as if I were not even there!

The same view should be taken by you in your witness, work, giving, and labor in the church. Men may plow, plant, and water; but nothing will come of it if God does not give the increase

Pastor Henry T. Mahan (1986 bulletin article)

The Real Problem Is Sin

The very root of all the trouble we see going on in this world right now is nothing more than a sin problem. People can tag whatever name they want to use for all the trouble, but the real problem is sin. Sin is what we are, sins are what we do because of what we are. Until sin is finally gone, we will continue as we are; trouble, trouble and more trouble.

Pastor John Chapman

To Be With Christ Is Paradise

“And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with Me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)

These are the recorded words that our Lord Jesus Christ spoke to this dying thief moments before he died. The Lord assured him and every believer who dies in faith; they will be with the Lord forever in paradise. Where is paradise? To be with the Lord! Wherever He is that will be paradise, eternal glory and eternal rest with Him forever and ever (2 Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:21; Rev. 14:13). This dying, believing and repentant thief rejoiced in that day in the salvation of his soul; in the forgiveness of all his sins (Eph. 1:7) and righteousness imputed to him by free grace (Rom. 3:24; 4:6) He is right now seated in glory in the Lord Jesus Christ and still rejoicing in Him (Eph. 2:4-6). He is still singing the eternal song of redemption; “Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” (Rev. 1:5-6).

May God be pleased to give us faith and repentance in Christ right now that we too may enjoy Christ our paradise now and forever.

CHRIST OUR SUBSTITUTE

“Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified” (Matt. 27:26).

God has ordered by His marvelous providence a vivid picture of every believer's Substitute. Barabbas was rightly charged, convicted and sentenced to be executed. He was found guilty of murder, robbery and sedition against Rome. When the executioner came to release him, he was told Jesus had taken his scourging and crucifixion and that he could go free.

Barabbas is a type and picture of the sinners for whom Christ Jesus died (1 Tim.1:15). We stand guilty before the law of God (Rom. 3:19-20). We were justly convicted of great offences against God (Psalm 51:4). We were waiting the execution by God's holy law (Rom.6:23). However, by the order of Almighty God, Jesus Christ was sent to rescue, redeem and release sinners (Matt.9:13; Luke 4:18). Believers no more merit release and rescue than Barabbas did (Eph.2:1-4). But God in His sovereign grace sent the gracious Substitute, the Lord Jesus Christ to take our place and set us free (1 Peter 3: 18).

Christ Jesus paid our debt to God's law and justice and cleared us of all guilt (Gal. 3:10-13). Christ Jesus took our scourging and with His stripes we are healed (Isa. 53:5). Christ Jesus took our death and gave us His life (1 John 5:12). He took our sin and gave us His righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21). He was condemned though innocent (1 Peter 2:22), that we might be justified though guilty (Rom.8:1). There is infinite merit in all that Christ performed for His covenant people (Heb. 2:17; Rom. 5:6-11). Surely, it is right to honor and worship the Lamb of God that takes away all our sin and that brings in and freely imputes to us an everlasting righteousness (John 1:29; Rom 4:6; 1 John 3:5).