This evening at 8:00 PM; Pastor Mahan’s TV program will be aired on WPRG-TV, (channel 5) on Inter-Mountain Cable; also on Foothills Cable, (channel 92). Spread the word!!

Forgiveness

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Eph. 4:32).

The fact that we constantly need Divine forgiveness ought to encourage us to forgive. Another may do many things for me, but no man can forgive my enemies but I MYSELF! You may say, “I will never forgive.” Then, for your sake, I hope you never sin!

Forgiveness is not only something I owe to others, it is something I owe to myself. And I do myself great harm by holding grudges.

Pastor Henry T. Mahan (bulletin 1985)

"Absolute Predestination"

Without a due sense of predestination, we shall lack the surest and the most powerful inducement to patience, resignation and dependence on God under every spiritual and temporal affliction. How sweet must the following considerations be to a distressed believer!

(1) There most certainly exists an almighty, all-wise and infinitely gracious God. (2) He has given me in times past and is giving me at present (if I had eyes to see it), many and signal intimations of His love to me-both in a way of providence and grace. (3) This love of His is immutable: He never repents of it or withdraws it. (4) Whatever comes to pass in time; is the result of His will from everlasting, consequently: (5) my afflictions were part of His original plan, and are all numbered in number, weight and measure. (6) The very hairs of my head are (every one) counted by Him, nor can a single hair fall to the ground but in consequence of His determination. Hence: (7) my distresses are not the result of chance, accident or a fortuitous combination of circumstance, but (8) the providential accomplishment of God’s purpose, and (9) designed to answer some wise and gracious ends, nor (10) shall my affliction continue a moment longer then God sees fit. (11) He who has brought me to it, has promised to support me under it, and to carry me through it. (12) All shall most assuredly, work together for His glory and my good, therefore: (13) “The cup which my heavenly Father has given me to drink, shall I not drink it?” Yes, I will in the strength He imparts, even rejoice in tribulation. I will commit myself and the event to him, whose purpose cannot be overthrown, whose plan cannot be disconcerted, and who, whither I am resigned or not, will still go on to work all things after the counsel of His own will.

Jerome Zanchius, 1511-1590

THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

“When he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they believe not on me; of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged”(John 16:8-11).

When God's preachers go forth with the Word of truth they go with great confidence that the Holy Spirit will bless and honor the gospel of Jesus Christ to the conversion and comfort of the elect (Isa. 55:11). Here are several things taught in the word about the Holy Spirit's ministry.

1). He will reprove (convict, convince) the world of sin!

There is no way the preacher can convict the sinner. While he may be able to expose the truth to your head, he is unable to reach your heart. The Holy Spirit through the Word not only spells out our problem (sin), but also reveals and proves it to our heart and causes us to humbly own it before the Holy God; the fact of sin (Rom. 3:23), the filth of sin (Isa. 64:6), the fountain of sin (Matt. 5:19), the fruit of sin (Rom. 6:23). Then He centers in on the target of the problem "unbelief;" this is the great reigning and ruining sin that will condemn our soul (John 3:36). If God has taught and convinced you of what you are; rejoice, only sinners will come before God as mercy beggars (Luke 18:13-14).

2). He will reprove the world of Righteousness!

The Holy Spirit will also reveal unto the sinner the absolute righteousness and purity of Jesus Christ. He truly is "Jesus Christ the Righteous." Our Lord had no sin, did no sin and knew no sin (Heb. 7:26). Then He also reveals and teaches us our need of righteousness and shows us that this is freely imputed and fully provided in Jesus Christ. "Blessed is the man to whom God imputeth righteousness without works" (Rom. 4:6). He is the Lord our Righteousness, Who ever lives to intercede for us (Jer. 23:5-6; Heb. 7:25)!

3). He will reprove the world of judgement!