November 28^th 2021

9:30 am -------------------------------------------------- Exhortations to All – 1 Peter 5

10:00 am ------------------------------------------------- Christ The King – Luke 23:1-3

I am not what I ought to be, ah, how imperfect and deficient. I am not what I wish to be; I abhor what is evil, and I would cleave to what is good. I am not what I hope to be; soon I shall put off, with mortality, all sin and imperfection. Though I am not what I ought to be, nor what I wish to be, nor what I hope to be, I can truly say that I am not what I once was, a slave to sin and Satan. And I can heartily join with the apostle and acknowledge that by the grace of God I am what I am. – John Newton, preacher, author of Amazing Grace

Only Men At Best - From John Ploughman's Talks, Charles Spurgeon

If we would remember that we live among people who are imperfect, we would not be in such a fever when we discover one another's failings. Old cloth will tear and cracked pots will leak. Blessed is he who expects nothing of poor flesh and blood, for he will seldom be disappointed. The best of men are only men at the best.

A Fallen Saint -- “Peter went out and wept bitterly.” Luke 22:62

Peter had sat in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. He had walked on the water to go to Him. He had lived in the full assurance that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God. “We believe and are sure,” he said, “That thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God,” the words of blood redemption had gone to Peter’s heart from the very lips of Jesus Christ Himself (Jn.6:88). Peter had seen the power of the Lord when he spoke to the raging waves of the sea and stilled them – the Lord Jesus saved Peter’s life that day, and Peter knew it too.

Now this same Peter has denied the Lord he loved and believed – even cursed and swore he never knew him. Look at him now as he goes off in the darkness sobbing as he goes. Imagine the guilt and fear that weighed upon his afflicted conscience? Imagine the suggestions from Satan, the prince of darkness, saying to him, “There is no hope for you now.” Only those who have experienced such a thing know how Satan can work with a guilty conscience to drive it to despair.

I am sure Peter thought, as many have since, “There is no way out of this dilemma I find myself in.” A poor soul like this can despair of ever being recovered. He sank in deep mire where there was no standing. I will tell you this, if Jesus Christ does not make intercession for such a person and strengthen his faith, and send some light into his darkness, Satan will sift him. Those who dream they are a match for Satan’s accusations are ignorant of his devices.

Does our Lord Jesus know all this? Of course he knows. His intercession had already secured Peter, not from falling but from falling away. Not from bitter weeping but from final despair. Peter had a sad and fearful fall, but he had a fearless and faithful Advocate with the Father. Peter fell, but just about the time the enemy began to rejoice over him, he rose up again – forgiven and restored.

Dear fallen saint don’t despair. Maybe you see no way in your present darkness to be restored, but Jesus Christ sees for you, He is the way. Look out of your wet eyes to him. Your heart is aching but the Lord Jesus feels it. Trust Him. Wait upon Him. Your weeping may endure for a night, but joy will come in the morning. – Bruce Crabtree

Pay What You Owe – ‘Owe no man anything, but to love one another . . .” – Romans 13:8

We certainly owe an unpayable debt of love, thanksgiving and service to our Lord God for His unspeakable gift; but what about others? Do we owe anyone a debt? Have we been fed and served by others? Have we been forgiven? Do we owe anyone an apology? Have others given more than their share? . . . carried a greater burden? . . . have we been a burden? It’s time to start bearing burdens, giving ourselves; time to pull our weight rather than being one; time to care rather than be carried. It’s time to pay what we owe.