Psalm 14:1-2

All I Need

There are two vital things the Holy Spirit reveals to all whom He brings to faith in Christ Jesus.

1). He will reveal OUR NEED OF CHRIST! “I need Thee, precious Jesus, for I am full of sin, my soul is dark and gloomy, my heart is dead within; I need the cleansing fountain, where I can always flee,

the blood of Christ most precious, the sinner’s perfect plea.”

2). He will reveal that CHRIST IS ALL WE NEED!

“In Him dwelleth ALL the fulness of the Godhead bodily and ye are COMPLETE in Him.” He, of God, is made unto me all I need. The more quickly we learn that Christ is, indeed, ALL we need to make us righteous and accepted before God the Father, the sooner we’ll enjoy the rest, peace, and assurance promised to His own.

Most of God’s elect are brought to Christ earlier in life than the dying thief, but we all are redeemed and made righteous EXACTLY AS HE WAS; by the free grace of God, plus nothing, minus nothing.

Pastor Henry T. Mahan (bulletin 1991)

“HE BROUGHT HIM TO JESUS” (John 1:42)

Yes, salvation is all of grace. It is the Good Shepherd who goes out to seek his sheep. He finds them, and he brings them home. But according to his infinite wisdom and condescending grace, it is our Lord’s good pleasure to employ men in this heavenly work. Andrew was present when John said, “Behold the Lamb of God!” And Andrew beheld him. Immediately, Andrew went and found Simon and told Him “We have found the Christ.” “And he brought him to Jesus.” Andrew could not give Simon faith. He could not show him Christ’s glory. He could not save him. But there was something he could do—he could tell Simon what he had seen. He could tell Simon about Christ. And he could bring Simon to the place where he might meet Christ for himself. You know the result of Andrew’s effort. Simon was converted and he became the mighty spokesman of the early church.

Andrew never preached like Peter did. But had it not been for Andrew’s witness to his brother, Peter would never have preached either. Maybe you can’t preach, but you can be an Andrew. Go and tell men what you have experienced. Tell them about the Christ of God, and then bring them with you to the place where they are most likely to meet Christ for themselves. Bring others with you to the house of God to hear a man preach the gospel of Christ.

I cannot believe that a man has tasted the honey of the gospel if he is content to eat it all by himself. Free grace compels a man to be generous. We do not want to feast on the riches of Christ by ourselves. We want to bring others to our Lord so that they may enjoy his riches with us. You have a tremendous opportunity before you. How many people do you know who are perishing for a lack of knowledge? You have at your disposal tracts, articles, tapes, and your own experience by which you can share the knowledge of Christ and his gospel. Who knows? Maybe God will be pleased to use you to bring another sinner like yourself to a saving knowledge of Christ.

What a glorious prospect! Let it inspire you to begin the work today. Andrew brought Simon to the Savior. Philip brought Nathanael. Who will you bring? Pastor Maurice Montgomery

THINK ON THESE THINGS

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Phil. 4:8).

Finally brethren, last but not least, give yourselves to meditate on these things of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul says in another scripture, “Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.” (1Tim. 4:15). Take note of these eight words that describe the gospel.

1). The gospel of Christ is unquestionably true. In the word of the gospel we have the truth declared about sin (Rom. 3:9-23); the truth declared about salvation (2Tim. 1:9; Acts 4:12); the truth declared about God’s Christ (Rom. 3:4; Isa. 45:21-22). Our Lord said it is the truth that sets sinners free (John. 8:32).

2). The gospel of Christ is indisputably honest or honorable. When God justifies a sinner through the blood atonement of Jesus Christ (1John 4:10), God always justifies the ungodly in His described way that honors His holy law and satisfies His righteous justice (Isa 42:21; 1Peter 1:18-20).

3). The gospel of Christ is undeniably just or righteous. The question of all questions is, how can God be just and justify the ungodly? The only right answer is found in the gospel of grace (Rom. 3:24-26). It is only revealed in the gospel how God can show mercy not at the expense of His holy justice (Psalm 85:10).

4). The gospel of Christ is irrefutably pure or perfect. Nothing but the blood of Christ can cleanse us from all sin (1John 1:7). Jesus Christ alone, by Himself purged us from all our sin (Heb. 1:3).

5). The gospel of Christ is incontestably lovely. To you who believe Jesus Christ is most precious (1Pet. 2:7); He is altogether lovely (Song Sol. 5:16). We love Him only because He first loved us (1John 4:19).

6). The gospel of Christ is obviously a good report, or good news. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that will believe it (Rom. 1:16). Christ died for the ungodly (Rom. 5:6). God justifies the ungodly (Rom. 4:5). Jesus Christ came to save sinners (Matt. 9:13).

7). The gospel of Christ is definitely a virtue or excellent. Christ completely provides for all His church everything that God demands (Phi. 4:19; Col. 2:9-10).

8). The gospel of Christ is absolutely worthy of all our praise and glory to God alone (Rev. 5:9-14; Psalm 115:1; Gal. 6:14).