PREACHING THAT MAKES SAD OR GLAD

The prophet Ezekiel speaks the charges of God against the false prophets of Israel: “Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life:” (Ezekiel 13:22) Hearing the gospel is a “sweet savour of life unto life” to some and a “savour of death unto death to others.” It will find us all out whether we are trusting Christ and the gift of righteousness from God’s free grace in Him or whether we are still going about to establish our own righteousness which are but filthy rags in God’s sight. The gospel of Christ and Him crucified is “glad tidings of good things.” God’s elect will in His time receive it with joy. But as God said through the prophet of old, the preaching of lies which is any message of based on or including human works or worth makes the hearts of the righteous “sad.” Any gospel except the gospel of God and His grace is, as Paul said, “another gospel.” It will always make His people sad and those who preach this message of law and human righteousness as either a part of our justification or sanctification have a sad message. Yet, it is received well by some. Some delight to hear more of the law than of the gospel. More of what Moses gave from Mt. Sinai than of what Christ did on Mt. Calvary! Such preaching simply “strengthens the hands of the wicked, that he should return from his wicked way, by promising him life.” Under such preaching self-righteousness flourishes and men will not return from their wicked way to Christ who is the Way! Life is in Christ the Life and His doing and dying not matter what false preachers promise people if they will only do something. The “way that seemeth right unto a man” is characterized by many “ways” and the “ways thereof are the ways of death.” That preaching wherein the righteousness of God is revealed is forever the stream that makes glad the Zion of God. Real sinners who have been born of God when they hear of salvation through the righteousness of Another, they rejoice! This message is good news to them. God’s promise of life in the Lord Jesus Christ does not make His people sad, it makes them glad.

Gary Shepard

WHY ATTEND THE GOSPEL?

“Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25

The church of God operates according to the law of love (with the motive of love). Although the benefits and blessings rendered to us by our loving heavenly Father are incomprehensible, we do not assemble together in His blessed name to get something from Him, we come together with the motive to render worship unto Him Who loved us and gave Himself for us - “The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him.” John 4:23.

We see the glorified church in heaven doing the same - “The four and twenty elders (representative of the complete church) fall down before Him that sat on the throne, and worship Him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne.” Revelation 4:10. If indeed Christ is preached there is no scriptural motive for believers to absent themselves from the worship of Christ with other believers, - “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them” Mt 18:20.

Love for Christ and the worship of Christ being the chief motive, there are many good things that flow from this. It is an encouragement to other believers as we “consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works”. Our love for the brethren as we are one in Christ brings us together in exhortation (“exhorting one another”) to faithful worship, being of one mind, one accord, and one Spirit. Our faithful (or unfaithful) attendance of the gospel of Christ speaks volumes to those who are without Christ. Our love (or lack thereof) for Christ, His gospel and for each other is a witness and testimony to our lost family, friends and neighbors. God may use this means (love and faithfulness) to bring them under the gospel and reveal Christ to them as well. However, if He doesn’t, what a blessing and privilege it is to meet with those whom we love in Christ and worship Him in the preaching and hearing of the gospel!

Tommy Robbins

Follow the Lamb, though others follow the beast and the false prophets. Follow the Lamb wherever he goes. Take up the cross, and follow the Lamb over hedge and ditch, through thick and thin. Do not turn your backs on Christ. Deny yourself; your natural self, your sinful self, your religious self, to follow the Lamb.

Thomas Brooks

We sing his love, Who once was slain,

Who soon o’er death revived again,

That all His saints through Him might have

Eternal conquests o’er the grave.

The saints who now with Jesus sleep

His own almighty pow’r shall keep,

Till dawns the bright illustrious day

When death itself shall die away.

How loud shall our glad voices sing,

When Christ His risen saints shall bring,

From beds of dust and silent clay,

To realms of everlasting day!

When Jesus we in glory meet,

Our utmost joys shall be complete,

When landed on that heavenly shore,

Death and the curse will be no more.

Hasten, dear Lord, the glorious day,

And this delightful scene display,

When all Thy saints from death shall rise

Caught up in bliss beyond the skies.

88.88

(Attributed to Rowland Hill)

THE APPREHENDED APPREHENDING

“Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.” Php 3:12

In the language of Scripture, this word is peculiarly significant. Paul the apostle best explains it, when he saith, "I follow after, if that I may apprehend that, for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus." That is, if by faith, I may be enabled to lay hold of Christ Jesus, as the Lord by grace hath laid hold of me.