THE CHURCH OF JESUS TUNE: “MY FAITH HAS FOUND A RESTING PLACE” CM/DOUBLE WORDS BY JIM BYRD
1. The church of Jesus which He chose, Forevermore she stands; Each of the names of His elect, Are graven on His hands. The Lord who chose her by His grace, Ordained that she would be; Redeemed, forgiven, justified, Safe for eternity.
2. Christ came to save His chosen bride, And cleanse her from all stain; And when redemption’s work was done, Went to His throne again. Though all defiled by sin and shame, No goodness we possess; Yet pure before the law we stand In Christ our Righteousness.
3. Though troubles will befall the church, And Satan shall oppose; Yet all the ransomed church shall rise, Triumphant o’er her foes. Soon all the saints in garments white, Will see the Savior’s face; And sing the praises of the Lamb, Who saved her by His grace.
SCRIPTURE READINGS TODAY: MORNING: PSALM 139 EVENING: JOHN 16:1-15
Daily Readings - April 6-12 Sunday - 1 Samuel 19-21 Monday - 1 Samuel 22-24 Tuesday - 1 Samuel 25-27 Wednesday- 2 Samuel 28-31 Thursday - 2 Samuel 1-2 Friday - 2 Samuel 3-5 Saturday - 2 Samuel 6-9
“Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and He shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” (Psalm 55:22)
Why are the hearts of unconverted people prone to swell with opposition against the saving truths of God’s Word? Because those truths run directly counter to the natural prejudices and the corrupt reasonings of self-righteous pride. It stings a Pharisee, who looks for salvation from his own doings, to be told that all who get to heaven must be brought thither, not by works of righteousness which they have done, but by the free, unmingled grace of God in Christ. It quite affronts the free-willer to be informed that it is God Himself Who, by the power of His Spirit, must work in us both to will and to do those things that are pleasing in His sight. Hence it is that the Gospel of Christ meets with hatred and repulse. And hence that remarkable saying, “Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three” (Luke 12:51-52). The truth is they who receive the Gospel must ever expect to be nibbled at by those who do not receive it. And the apostle’s observation holds as good at this present day, as it did when he first committed it to paper. “But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now” (Galatians 4:29). –Augustus Toplady
HOW CAN MY WORKS BE GOOD WORKS? I am a follower of the Lamb, a believer on the Lord Jesus Christ. As a result of the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit Who taught me “the Word of Truth,” I have renounced every false way and turned to Christ for my salvation, righteousness and everlasting life. While I am indeed saved by free and sovereign grace, nevertheless I remain a sinner and my sinfulness is sadly realized and acknowledged even in my worship and service to the Lord. As John Newton said, “Sin is mixed with all I do.” When I look at my faith, I weep over the unbelief of it. When I examine my prayers, there is so much coldness in them. When I read the Scriptures, my mind frequently wonders. When I gather with others to worship, I am easily distracted. My efforts to honor God are stained with inward corruption. I want to love the Lord with all my heart and love you as I ought, but my love only vaguely resembles what it should be. Since vileness mars my best intentions, I ask: how could God ever consider my works to be good and acceptable when I know they are all polluted by sin? It is written, “And it shall be upon Aaron’s forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the LORD” (Exodus 28:38). Aaron, a type of Christ, was the high priest of Israel. Fastened to the mitre (turban) which he wore was a plate of pure gold with this engraving, “HOLINESS TO THE LORD.” Though our “holy things,” and “holy gifts,” prayers, worship, service, etc., are indeed tainted with iniquity, Christ is our holiness. He is ever and always consecrated to the Lord and He has already paid for, not only the “iniquity of the holy things,” but for all the sins of His people. Thank God for the Savior and His work on the cross which is perpetually effectual before God. It is because of His blood and righteousness that this sinner and my pitiful efforts to serve Him are made pleasing to God. As I am “accepted in the Beloved” (Ephesians 1:6) so my works, worship and service are “accepted in the Beloved.” “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5). –Pastor Jim Byrd
Older
Top
