Proverbs 29:18-20

Do Not Waste That Which You Have Been Given

There is nothing that we have as children of God, whether in nature or grace, that is not the gift of God. As each of you has received a particular talent, endowment, or ability (whether physical, material, or spiritual), you are to use that gift or blessing as a faithful steward.

God did not give you what you have, or make you what you are, that you might consume it on your own lust or provide for your own comfort and satisfaction, but that you might serve His purpose, glorify His name, and help His people.

Let the beauty of Christ, the love of Christ, and the generosity and grace of Christ be seen in you!

Pastor Henry T. Mahan (bulletin 1983)

All Things Are Yours

“Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; and ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's” (1 Cor. 3:21-23).

God's apostle gives to every believer great reason to have assurance and confidence resting in the Lord Jesus Christ, "All things are for your sake" (2 Cor. 4:15; 2 Cor. 5:18). This cannot be said of those who refuse to trust Christ and rest in their own righteousness, the only thing that belongs to them is the wages of sin (Rom. 6:23). But to those who by sovereign grace rest in Christ, our great God and Saviour has supplied all our need abundantly, eternally and freely (Rom 8:32; Phil. 4:19).

Notice some of the spiritual blessings of grace mentioned in these verses:

1). All ministers of the gospel are for your sake, "whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas." God has chosen them by His grace, taught them by His Spirit and sent them by His power (Eph. 3:7-8; Eph. 4-12). God has ordained the preaching of the gospel as the means to call out His elect (1 Cor.1:18-22), to build them up in the faith and to refresh and feed their soul with the Bread of life (John 21:15-18).

2). The creation of all things is ours, "or the world." The whole creation belongs to God (Psa. 24:1). He made it for His covenant people to enjoy and it only exists because of them. As the heirs of His grace (Rom.8:17) and adopted into His family (1John 3:1); "all things are yours," not only in this world now, but also in the world to come (1 Peter 1:3-4; 2 Pet. 3:13).

3). Salvation in Christ is ours, "or life." By the decree of Almighty God, we have spiritual and eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (1 John 5:11-13). We believe by the power of God (Eph.1:19; Acts 13:48).

4). The death of Christ is ours, "or death." Christ died the appointed death at the appointed time for the appointed people (Acts 2:23). By His death and blood sacrifice our sin is put away (Heb. 9:26; 10:17). Because of Christ dying in our room and stead the sting of death has been removed for the believer (1 Cor. 15:54-57; Psalm 116:15).

5). The providence of God works for our eternal good, "or things present, or things to come." God has arranged and ordered all things in the life of the believer to work together for their eternal salvation and great design of God's glory (Rom.8:28-35; 2 Cor.5:18).

6). The Lord Christ Jesus is ours, "ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's." There is no better news for any sinner to hear. We have been given to Christ in the covenant of grace ( John 6:37; Eph. 1:3-6). He bought us with His blood sacrifice (Acts 20:28; 1 Cor. 6:20). He possesses us by His Spirit (1 Cor. 3:16; John 14:23).

"Therefore let no man glory in men." (Gal. 6:14; 1Cor.1:30).

We Believe T.U.L.I.P

Total depravity: All are ruined by Adam’s fall.

Unconditional election: God elected his people in Christ by his free grace.

Limited atonement: Christ made atonement for the sins of God’s elect alone.

Irresistible grace: The Holy Spirit gives life and faith in Christ and none can stop him.

Perseverance: Believers continue trusting Christ by God’s preserving grace.