The Word Cleanses Your Walk by Theodore Epp John 17:13-19 The Bible speaks of our being sanctified

by the Word of the Holy Spirit.

Just as Christ is not of the world, so the believer is not of the w

and work of the Holy Spirit, to bring about the changes He wants in o the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is might be sanctified through the truth." Obviously, in order to be set apart by the Word of God,

Concerning this our Saviour prayed in John 17:16-19, "Th

even so have I also sent them into the world. And for th

This sanctification by the Word of God is a continuous p

Some people are not separated from the old life of sin a

made a profession of faith in Christ. The reason is not n

that the Word of God does not have the place in their liv

The Holy Spirit indwells them, but because they have no

Spirit to apply it to their lives, they have not experience

"Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoke Wonderfully Made by Dr.Warren Wiersbe Read Psalm 139:13-18

"I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully mad

the miracle of conception and birth. It's an amazing stor very well" (vv. 13,14).

You have covered me in my mother's womb.... Marvelou

Someone defined a baby as something that gets you up

That may be true, but so are the words of poet Carl San

world should go on." When we contemplate human birth

The God of the galaxies is the God who is concerned abo

genetic structure of a yet unborn child. We ought to bow

because each individual child is a part of His handiwork.

are born handicapped or exceptional in some areas. But

Our next response should be confidence. We can trust G of complaining about what we're not, we can gratefully about each of us before we were born.

Finally, we should respond with obedience. We can take

glory. Instead of searching for something you can't have ***

When you contemplate the miracle of birth, praise God. you. Good stewardship honors God.

and obedience, determine to be a good steward with the

The Marvel of Life by Dr. Warren Wiersbe

Read Psalm 139:13-

The greatest evide

potential and excit

Peterson has said,

truths, what shoul

We worship God. T with awe" (v. 14).

the process into so

excitement, but Da

don't see anything

We show confidenc

Him. He accepts u

someone else, but expectation.

discouraged by wh

We obey God. The

gave us and wreck

To leave God out o

from your sins and confidence in Him

that He has built in

ermon: Psalm 51, A broken

"Be gracious to me, O God, according to Thy lovingkind compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me th from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions, And my Thee only, I have sinned, And done what is evil in Thy dost speak, And blameless when Thou dost judge. 5 B in sin my mother conceived me. 6 Behold, Thou dost d the hidden part Thou wilt make me know wisdom. 7 Pu Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Make me which Thou hast broken rejoice. 9 Hide Thy face from Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a stead away from Thy presence, And do not take Thy Holy Sp Thy salvation, And sustain me with a willing spirit. 13 T And sinners will be converted to Thee. 14 Deliver me f my salvation; Then my tongue will joyfully sing of Thy r That my mouth may declare Thy praise. 16 For Thou d would give it; Thou art not pleased with burnt offering. spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt n Zion; Build the walls of Jerusalem. 19 Then Thou wilt d offering and whole burnt offering; Then young bulls will

Being king must have gone to David's head. He may h God. He set aside all his morals, scruples, and ethics

looked with lust on Bathsheba as she bathed; he had h adulterous alliance with her. Then when she told him s by having her husband Uriah brought home from battle sleeping at home so David had him abandoned in the f

This was no sin of impulse. David wasn't just caught u planned and plotted to carry out his sin and he put grea reveals David's folly and restoration. It is the Psalm of told and retold under a hundred different scenarios. M This morning let me relate a situation that parallels and spiritual recovery.

When he was just 19, Al Johnson had joined two other was closed after the two other criminals were killed in a identified by bank officials as the robbers. Al felt sure h Christian girl and even pretended to be a Christian. Sh someone sent him a tract in the mail entitled, "God's Pl Bible verse that said, "whosoever shall call on the nam realization struck that salvation was for him. He could The guilt of his crime accused him, the cowardice of h his guilt and hated it. That is the first step in having a c we. What is the first step to a changed heart?

CONTRITION: V17: "The sacrifices of God ar contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despi David spoke of a broken and contrite heart. The To be bowed down with the awareness of our spi That our inner spirit is crushed with a sense of its That we have a genuine and deep sorrow for our desire to do differently. A contrite heart Does not seek to rationalize or explain or excuse Does not try to fool God or others or self. It reco honesty. Does not mean merely feeling bad or remorseful Does not seek to blame circumstances or other p Remember Adam saying, "The woman YOU gave Eve pointed to the serpent an

blamed God and Eve, she blam Can't you just hear David doing something like th Bathsheba: "Lord, if you hadn walking on the palace roof in what she wasn't wearing?" Maybe we do the same thing: "Well, Lord, if you too!" Or "It's not my fault, th the company to survive!" Or, I wouldn't lose my temper as A contrite heart recognizes that sin is: A spiritual crime since it is a violation of God's law An offense against all that is decent and moral an Rebellion, disobedience, and stubbornness of hea When we become aware of our sins, iniquities an need to know that God isn't interested in empty apologies. God doesn't want cheap promises or resolutions. God cares nothing for our efforts to balance evil God desires a broken and contrite heart which is to turn from sin, to forsake sin, and

Al Johnson became convicted of sin, was contrite, hum his sin and to follow Jesus Christ. When he did, his life lying and cheating. And after much thought and prayer made television newscasts and newspaper headlines. essential in our own lives, too, and it was another step step in having a changed heart?

CONFESSION: verses 3, 4: "For I know my tr before me. 4 Against Thee, Thee only, I h Thy sight, So that Thou art justified when when Thou dost judge." There are two sides to his confession: He confessed to himself: "I know, I am acquainte deny it or escape it or forget it. Th me, the sin taunts me, and it is alw He confessed to God: "Against You only have I si Along with his admission of guilt is a confession o judging him for his sin. David makes no

permissiveness, no claim that God is bein sentence. Simply put, it is, "I am wrong Genuine confession demands: A right estimate of sin. It is not a mistake, or a s A right attitude to sin. A loathing, a disgust, a di A right conduct with regard to sin. A forsaking o This brings us to the cross of Christ. At the cross, we do not hide our sins, but confess away. Solomon said, "He who conceals his transgressio confesses and forsakes them will find com demands the honesty of: It was Isaiah who said, "Woe is me, for I am ruin ..." Isaiah 6:5. It was Peter who fell at Jesus' feet and said, "Dep Lord!" Luke 5:8. The publican smote his breast and prayed, "God, 18:13. Paul who declared "It is a trustworthy statement, Jesus came into the world to save s all." 1 Timothy 1:15.

Al Johnson, convicted of sin, converted to Christ, went by confessing his crime. As it turned out, under a Kans There was no penalty that could legally attach to him f even better than that. And there is something even be justification, salvation. Let's consider, then, the last ste

CLEANSING: verses 7, 9, 10: "Purify me with me, and I shall be whiter than snow. . . 9 blot out all my iniquities. 10 Create in me steadfast spirit within me." David recognized the filth and grime of his sin an He said, "Purge me, purify me, wash me." The w scrubbing. One pictures an old tim scrubbing him until his skin literally He said, "Blot out my iniquities." It is the image obliterated, wiped away and remov He said, "Create in me a clean heart, and renew

the inclination of one's heart to evil He knew that "every intent of the thoughts of his Genesis 6:5. He knew that "The heart is more deceitful than a 17:9. It was not David's desire, nor God's intent, to glo Sin had to go. It is not while we indulge, or excuse, or conceal s cleansing that we can know the joy of Hi Sometimes we have door-to-door salesmen tryin will remove everything from berry stains a cleanser that never fails: "the blood of 1 John 1:7. All sin, all times, all people,

Conclusion

In a sense, the statute of limitations had cleansed all A beyond the scope of law to punish him, he still chose to bank. In time he became the manager of a service sta and an outstanding Christian layman. But he didn't do

Someone once said, "Man cannot cope with guilt alone you attend or good deeds you do, your goodness is ins deserve forgiveness. ... No one. Not you, not me, not a guilt. You can't do it. There's no way. I don't care how forget it. And I don't care how good you are. You can' need a Savior." And, for those who come to Jesus Chr savior. Will you come to Him? Will you ask Him to cle transform your life? Will you experience the salvation H moment to decide as you ask Him to change your hear
Be Filled by Dr. Woodrow Kroll 1 Kings 8:10-11

And it came to pas the Lord filled the

the Lord, so that th

Be Filled

There are many oc

headed out for a lo

do. Or when the do better.

the pills, even afte

When Solomon an

presence known in

Solomon and on th

presence would no those who served A Christian needs

priests had to halt

fill our lives that w

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but be filled with t

continually be filled

Spirit of God spills

Ask God to fill you

nominal, lukewarm

everyone around y

He who is full of G

Passion and

Lisa Barry: Do y only tell the influe she has received 17-year-old boy t

Elisabeth Elliot: the everlasting ar that I have receiv

I found this one v of my book report to read it. And sin

enjoy your broadc part of Shadow of

Let me put in a pa husband. I've had Jim Elliot was a m

So this young ma and I'm sure for a Joshua Harris. I c concerned for so

Well so am I, Josh

"I have been hom be if I had stayed Christian in a plac or developed as a

"I pray that God w bear the injustice we must do the n letter personally, busy and you get Well, Joshua, I'm

"By Elisabeth Ellio relationships, and

"This book," Joshu Elisabeth was ext and deny God her before its time. Th with a proposition

"Elisabeth had it r submit to the man stand between Go but not more than in all facets of life knowledge, we're

"There was an int Lord He takes res comfort this bring leave all trust in H

"This is not to say content to long fo

does not always w our selfish flesh."

I thought that wa does not always w our selfish flesh.

"Now who can say without condition, be done.' Just as choice to do so, a

"The most interes fleshly desire, one will. This man lov give back to the L what God had com me respect this m

"I wish I could sa of good Scriptura one moral howeve when we lose all t

"This is the most book in connectio the Master of all t knowledge that I

"If I give any adv because God alre

I love that! Now t men and women One of the things realize what abso seventies. When a feels good, do it."

You know, they a have had to be do seventies. Of cour read, have realize wants you to rem your lives, what y

I have no doubt t and gave away yo that?" But I'm her

forgive you. He w will give you back Jesus, and the Lo

I've had many wo you. If there's any a boyfriend or gir cross. Say, "Lord, be whiter than sn and He will enable get you back into

Read 1 Corinthian glorify God in you

Lisa Barry: If yo And we have that verses and quotes Gateway To Joy: $15.00. To purcha

Gateway To Joy, B 68501. Or call tol find us on the Int

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What Is a Wife to
Elisabeth Elliot

Many women write some of them deep who abuse their w who habitually indu God's Word, reque effect it has on the a deaf ear.

What is a wife to d would be simple: q helplessness, whic others who have w

God has given us beyond our ability to you; save me an

My eyes stay open NIV). The man wh pornographic mail for advice. He doe willing to be chang sanctified: that you that is holy and ho has to say about it to do the will of Go

In some cases the should, further tho spirit? Is it the wife words by the beha daughters if you do with God. He is in prayers.

It may not be amis with God for years be truly Christian, apparently immova desperately for ans she was. Then one God to get through one has a word fro

"I remembered you think the Lord wan thing, acting again hard and wouldn't Things changed dr

In difficulties of all Do you know the h That is where we m calls us to give up yourself, so painfu travail in prayer, an Himself has poure you (Jesus submit refrain from taking except as you daily only God can do. I of Norwich wrote.

One of the most tra 1:24 and 1 Peter 4 It's up to God to ch

faithfully leave the whatever that may

"The fretting frictio inward strife, The p loveliness His shrin

Celebrate Je

As a Christian Chr the celebration. It i expected. Too ofte consumed by the d

The question I ofte worrying about the it worth going to pa

Lets face it the thin it isnt worth it. Go worth it. Standing holiday just is not w celebration is gone

A part of me would His birth. Part of w

Since there isnt a So I want to give y to celebrate Christ

With that being sai because of the fus talking about.

The first example i then an angel show gets interesting, th Revelation 12 whe gave birth, and tha great spiritual war

The shepherds, on Him and then told trusted (shepherds

The second examp to be presented at encountered an old him that he would arms of His parent 29 Master, now yo according to your w 30 For my eyes ha 31 which you prep 32 a light that will r and bring glory to y Mary and Joseph w an old lady named praising God for Je king of Israel. A fu

The last example i some Jewish teach of the promised Ki finally found this sm

Angels, shepherds the iceberg of the f made about Jesus The only way we w the effort. If not we

Sp

A Sermon (No.1002) Delivered by C. H. SPURGEO At the Metropoli "For now we see IN THIS CHAP accounts it to b before been spe it. Those gifts y portion, so that passed from de and to the breth body should be is a light in the moreover, were exercised; but t eternal future s brother, as an a all, cherish love himthe secret sacred instinct o let the love of C love has a powe our modern sch

Arnold's succes preference to a which the supe prophecy or pre disparage know knowledge we p he was once a c are soon dried u our selfishness the widest influe a young child, attainments he rather looks bac a vein of pleas understood as a Thus he compa knowledge he fe him in prospect. as a mere tyro, through a glass, I am known." He alluded to, we m to disagree abo between viewing eye. We must h advantage. "Now of mind, that p explanation. The for clearer visi congratulation th through a glass, Beloved, the ob

ample and profo There are some whatever. There deal upon our k knowledge than in heaven will di treasures of his after this transie pleased our eye shall never see eye-salve, shall of fairer scenes forget; we shall knowledge; and see them there i So we shall spe distinctly hereaf considering wha I. Among the thi Spirit, is OURSE To see ourselve themselves. The facsimile, but it i have bemoaned natural depravity actual sinfulness and have fled fo ourselvesnoth for us to know o our weakness; longer we live t "Vanity of vaniti

ourselves, the m we never saw e unriddled thing, we do now. The into what a horr blackness of sin we shall look do be singing, "Wo his blood, and s needed washing those scarlet sp We know to-day Christ Jesus; bu better seen by u how much bette and righteousne adopted. We fee it is to be the so there, and when we shall unders with Christ, but that belong to m the inheritance u is in Christ Jesu riddle to us than with Christ will b know what it is t the mystical ma branch springs Christ. Thus, on "ourselves." Here, too, we se

AND-BY. We know there from before the throughout our l should not par characteristics; the people of th quickened with attachment to it when we shall g her face to face numbers of the amongst the co there we shall m know better the processes of di among the sain flock and one S shall understan become so stran of the church in better what are redound to his o are called and c looking for, that are written in he Christ our Lord. Thirdly. Is it not THE PROVIDEN Here we see the There was glass thick dull colour

common bottles what we now se love God; we h proved it to be s how "every dark will make those subserve his glo face to face; and dealt with us. "W were the best th troubled myself known persons something very contents, or else of trial, such a p it in, and been g black we were ourselves, but p shall there perh earthquakes tha machinery; and that is either in right. It is good shall be upon h The everlasting every part and saint's good. W displays of the w admiring view. Fourthly. It is su DOCTRINES O months or years

grand doctrines, is too feeble to them, yet we da heaven there sh glory of God to heaven, to comp be. God alone k truth shall we di understand whe tell. Probably, th at our own ignor if they could be smile at the lea shall know! I am known." We now there. And we a same system, o that gnarl canno "Then shall I see All I desired or w And every powe In that eternal w But, my dear bre into the temple; am not going to did to the brideg BUT WE DO NO way, that we h wilderness, whe know that "he is Sometimes, whe gates of carbun

beauty has entr like the report w of the Great Kin behold, and not suggestions of w wide of the mark his glory. Oh, to upon the head condescension, what better do w when a man spe the pearl gates will but slightly rivet our gaze, their highest pitc Once again (an GOD. It is writte word. Little inde as far as creatu read that Aaron sapphire stone God's more imm peculiar bliss. W him, be more fa hearts; we shall than he has yet tenderness towa sorrows and gu follow the teach strained my eye God; I, whose c holy law; I, who

blessed gospel have recognised that should com Sonto me, ver have, as it were through a glass heart, give me f may, so I can, s II. We proposed SHALL BE EFF We cannot alto many of these th it is dim twilight. the mouth of hi whom he hath a thoughts of his the light will be wisdom shall be the mysteries, a suits us as men When we have too, we are at a be nearer to the us. Our Lord Je telescope of fai heaven, since h that we may lite center, and thin which the plane an age astrono progressive, ret providence in o

heaven, shall be know here as m had better ears probably we sho other. Probably might not be of a mental faculties knew more of o we might die of it, we might be minds and our s here from overl cannot here drin in our heavenly passions. We sh is so much clea of daily care; the to see much in s clouds ever gath is serene as the III. The practica Methinks there i do not see now that never see C a leper, defiled sin, renewed b constraining the introducing thee have, dear broth the world began miracle has bee whereas I was b

Our text teaches know not how s ordained it, that Another lesson the asperity of o not get cross ab actual knowledg abeyance for a wrangling about what it was; but How many diffic the day dawn, Besides, we hav Sailing is dange order; manage get into the fair When some of made, and rejoic Should not this natural for us to Lord. We are a University of He are shuddering persons who die when it has scar there is no pain pain. Do not bla end of it. The m Master's will sha his beaming cou Lord! thy will be be. Do we now

chosen us of his anxiety if we ha never see the fa after him, repair Blessed for thee thou shalt fully k grant it, for Jesu PORTION OF S SOME of the Se Sword and the denominations, connected with circulation of an religious novels; The volume en illustrations to re press with a sec worth. Passmore

1 Corinthians

G. Campbell M understand it. could get a spir

A. The suprem

1. (1-2) L

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Matthew Henry

Boredom by Eli

"The day follow Follow me. Now and saith unto h Jesus of Nazare

FOR a soul to co it then begins to Lord. That day o man's past career doubt he has, the that very day his the sky when Go into the depths o shall not be foun contact with Chr present, what a d commences to li of liberty, instead continuing on th said to me, "Sir, it when we are b alteration; they f of Jesus, and lift walking, for we walking, and lea wonder at it? If y God when you h happy, happy da makes the lame m

The day in which when the helm o

will never be wh there will never b own promise to u neck of sin, that yet it is doomed must. Henceforth

Now, dear friend bless God, and s Saviour, I wish t you are not often my legs, and had

"Tell to sinner

I do pray that som led to seek and to so many more.

I am going to tal convert's descrip whom Moses in Philip's descripti so, in the second would go forth in Christ; but the H although the latte

I. First then, T these word you is save man did wh if there be consciousn he had foun looked rou Messiah w the world n Messiah! I

need a Sav recognize t overcome. need divine patient with need a Sav Messiah, P and of wha to find Chr Scriptures unconverte curiosity, o quite ignor saying, "Oh would not

"Laden with appe griefs

He who reads t Scripture w will speak his heart of loves to be But then the Lord to Christ. Oh, what is the sake of utte feel that yo were so mu of your ver the one we

"Gracious Lo cry; of my freely

 Giv believ

With the open graciously find him as Messiah fo to make su I have the S Saviour, if some troub have Chris the Saviour who have b heart. He is once; there or may not and he who saved; but you ask, "W this, accept prepared, y the outside to be taken make that m it. It is just the twelfth them gave it, you see, Certainly, y you are to d and you wi life you mu change you is to receiv some this e will not be may hold a Spirit must

understand him. You a anything to that you ne Philip, "We have found

II. But now very words findeth Phi found Phili Jesus woul had found preached; b puzzled wi down, one pardoned, I in one mom truth, I said work been mercy with Then I und God's etern will and Go doctrines o Saviour, an Lord revea you though instead of c which wrou and hell? S with you in time when that sorrow human natu it was Chri him. Nex Saviour of salvation. W

but no one was the Ho simple trut matter alre had often h merciful to cried to Go bone cry ou power of th Jesus, and Spirit of G when I was been wond somebody which I cou hearts of m themselves work upon it. Philip th previous w Notice how O my bless he never w my Lord de found a go that you ca thick of thi seemed not find some m then let Ph find a soul, just here if me," "FOL some one t shelter, you have been "Follow me modern tho them. Jesus

silly talk; l me." Take The Saviou glory herea the text for followed h to get other different w the Baptist found throu speak to hi do not begi you, and sa converted i trusted in h yourselves Holy Spirit They are pe things; and would be q one, "you t Spirit of G reconcile th will reconc any in prac supper at th you, "you m be God's et there is no You might and a farth needless ar you. If you you may se you need n it true that morning,-to enjoy th I have do

Bethsaida: these three dear hearer Sitting all r were there many of hi over them t mighty wo repented lo and Sidon heaven, sha had been d be more to some of yo grace of Go and Gomor Saviour. B Bethsaida,same place Church, an how I long to-night, ar you, here in be ended, " wicked for and he will Christ, trus

The Co

"And Jesus ans

glorified. Veril it abideth alone it; and he that h

ERTAIN Gree should, just at "We would see they could hav a person with w and to have a f of that great m who are yet to sight of them, b thoughts of his these Gentiles servant John. himself as the "The hour is co does he here sp the Jewish side of the house of the Son of Abr to the Jew. Let the earth are jo manhood; blac blood by which every man that his glory as ap glorified." He d and the crucifix from among th death, he speak Remember, bre honour by thos

him. When the desire to see hi harvest, and he these Greeks so informed that w importance. It would burst the enveloped. I m of the house of reminded her o he sent out the after the house through its out wheat begins to of God, though Gentile, but sim regarded all wh or the period o Greeks, the tru before. Hence, dear friends, w Spirit. First, we principal. Fir suggested to hi paradoxes. Fi that the Son of for the human Jesus had also character. The condescending His way of goi and was alway blandishments, glory. I should

nature never m despised, rejec men. The apos glory, the glory refers not only glory, but to ou spiritual minds before had bee purposes, alrea to his personal your Lord, ther God in your ha come upon him second paradox hour is come, t The greatest fu obedient to dea himself of no r rendered more would never ha been spat upon once been dim the beryl, but t his glory was a cross, and to th must never for coming King w highest honour once, for out o down from the believed? It is his throne, and and has redeem or abide alone

die," and so ge he will be alon there in the lon enough explain winepress alon and as it were s the cross he ha quite deserted not actually die and the divine man to keep hi members is a g the fulness of h shepherd witho flock. He woul that for this pu chosen. He cla bridegroom wi a selfish happin heart of the Br love, his dove, top of a pillar i warrant for his of men, not avo receiveth sinne was lifted up fr if he had not be soldiers, and al the dread lonel much fruit." T corn of wheat f much fruit": Je with non-existe sinneth it shall

from God who shall not see lif into the ground resolution of an parting from th up the corn. Ou was parted from actually died h where the vital if Christ's prea he could have example. But h that this was be preaching? I ad to live on,if living as he did attracting powe number of disc could have bee on earth? But t except through God except thr Father. If, as so than its peculia brought out be chosen, and sti he assures us th holy living? No been saved fro Not one of us c and risen from result of Christ Life first came father of our ra

resurrection. N went among th new world, risi to-day. We are there is no real of death, buria friends?for i you know the e doctrine of the value the life o Christ that save all these ninete own sublime a life among all dear hearer, yo example of Ch spiritual life an you. You have all sin. When y unless you reco will never reali others. One o since Jesus Ch of it. "If it die, see little things Christ died for who go to Ebe scanty compan fewerwill gl dear brethren, fruit that is to c London shall w glory of God s before the Son

says one; "mis seed: all that w and died: this i perfect Son of and of the unut sacrifice he off his Son, and do infinite love, a travail of the S commensurate shall reign for astounded ange admire the exc beloved, great brave, you sold hopefully, suff nations. Thus PRACTICAL every child of but if it die, it b indicates,"H shall keep it un for you, for me of your own? I death must be Spirit of God m grass withereth must be slain b Spirit. Next, w Brother, you ca everything up i to have nothing the plumes of y have; and if yo

indeed, you ha keep it. Some o child from God as they were G you would kee to you. Next, unto life eterna live. The man w crown of existe "Seek ye first t added unto you the joy of othe your measure d not, but you sh present age? I and women wh you will, the m from bishops d they preached their rostrums. The self-sacrif to achieve a gr must be by the purpose. Not e out of yourself give in his acco come from the on, even to exh of others canno under the evil c there God's bes husbandry that cannot longer t I finish the sen

work for God o true, but think in well doing. Y you be a corn o mummy's hand somewhere." I Tract-lending a exertion if will it die, it bringe service are not sacrifice of life far more reason consecration m eager to be as t Thus have I me depths.

Sermon outline and notes p Pastor Stephen Felker Swift Creek Baptist Churc 1/25/04

Galatians 2:20 Chris

Intro. I want to ask yo are going to heaven? W that you are living in s I hope so. And so this verse of Scripture. It i Bible. This is one you In this verse Paul use so much Paul who is a not experienced the re may be that you simpl hand, it may be that yo will listen carefully, fo but it also gives the se

I. THE FOUNDATIO

The book of Galatian effort. Christ had to ac part of v.20 is made p

He loved me and gav brief statement we see

A. The Motive of thi in Scripture we read th that Jesus Christ was v loved us. He was not to the cross by His ow I want you to know th proof you need is seen Himself said in John 1 friends. Charles Spurgeon told in the snow. Some wo horses were lashed to their howling pursuers vain. A horse was loos last a devoted servant, hope for you; I will th We also see here in th

B. The Purpose of th translated for (hupe substitutionary. Jesus Jesus had not died for from a holy God. I wa died in my place.

C. The Personal Focu for all men, or for the perspective of the aton died for me. The lov bold as to think that w abstraction that He die Christ loves all, we m shepherd who searche flash of omniscience, individuals]. Indeed, e So the work of Christ nothing else would ma second step toward sa

II. THE FOUNDATI

The fact that Christ lo two responses mention Christ, both in death a the concept of our uni says that in marriage, life becomes bound up partner. Even so, Paul reminds me of the teac

Abide in Me, and I in neither can you, unles So what are the two r

A. Die to Self Chri with Him in His death Now this death to self decisive and so real, th crucified is in the pe the past, with abiding place when Paul was c and proud Pharisee. B dominating control of Apostle Paul might be old self died, the old s Lets examine this jus Christ in His death. Fi 1. We Are Crucified that crucifixion was a is a judicial meaning h God. When you iden have died with Christ. was executed upon us with Him, we are free criminal is put to deat penalty is paid. So it i of sin! 2. We Are Crucified we should die to our s me. Paul uses simila & self. The sins of the 5:24, And those who 5:15 says, He died fo who died for them and with Him, that the bod Have you died to sin, me give you a little se is to watch how easily concerned about our f feelings hurt quite eas unwanted or unloved. hurt, they are unforgiv knowingly hurt anyon to reckon yourself as d you lay yourself open So again I ask you, ha 3. We Are Crucified context of Galatians, P our Lord Jesus Christ, 3:2-3 Paul said, Set y life is hidden with Chr happiness and fulfillm

pusher. He seeks the real life, or real joy an life? No! Here is real The Susan B. Anthon achieved such limited often professing Chris
1

We have also been crucifi Paul said in Col. 2:20-21, living in the world, do you

for Christ. So on the basis of the sure you have been cr as your source of happ life in a real and lastin In 1833 Charles Darw theory of evolution in called it. He found a tr suggested he might ha and man. He saw no h Charles Darwin return he was absolutely asto He found those people missionary named Joh came to Christ, they w can make. But in orde crucified with Christ. However, that is not e

B. Live by Faith in C But Paul went on to sa God. In the Greek th Jesus Christ, we share Jesus Christ. Now if faith is so imp Lets think of: 1. The Meaning of F what is most importan faith. And the worthy we cannot trust people and untrustworthy. Bu says something more a trustworthy. It means asked to trust in just a best interest at heart. willing to save and he 2. The Need for Per Jesus Christ. Paul exp Even so, our faith sho have known, what I be of others. It must be y mother, father, or prea

land, and a river of wa believe that it could sa

2

faith in the Son of God faith.

the river and receives when it leads you to C what you ought to be. And as we have alrea The Christ who loves have as much right to Have you reached the crucified with Christ, where you have put yo However, repenting o There is so much mor the Christian life, but

III. THE CONTINUA

Once you have died t rest of your life is to b two types of life. One on this earth. But far believer.

A. The Source of the Spirit and life of the in in me. By faith, Chri is a Person, the Lord J the best you can, but a Let me show you why want you to see from o

B. The Benefits of th 1. A New Motivatio people is that they do They want to live the know this problem ex pressure. We parents m upon them. To the de consequence, then tha children all the days o produce positive resul That is provided in the right. He will help you within by the influenc is God who works in y reminding us of His g to true obedience is th died for them. People

2. A New Power for a power saw? Ladies, washing machine? If a Christian life in your o Well, I'm doing the b get by with our own st Paul learned of a pow in you, believer. Not y talk about impossibilit me. You can overcom negative peer pressure indwelling presence o them, because He who positive aspects of Ch through His strength. us. So if we died to self, trust in His strength, th For our lives will inde

Conclusion: There wa man and he told us ab came another man and steal. We paid no att down from heaven to for our sins, and who Indian said, I could n

Sources: W.A. Criswell, E Epistle of Paul the Apostle Testament Commentary: G of St. Paul to the Galatian Vol. 14 (Grand Rapids: Ba Timnathserah Inc., 1996); Strauss, Devotional Studie Galatians: A Study Guide 2:11-21 dated 8/26/84); Ke Rapids: Eerdmans Publish New King James Version (

ABOUT THESE SERMO

This document has not be process. Most outlines are other sermons, and Bible s the live sermon is in the audio cassette tape ordered

cassette. Make checks pay

Law and Cha

"Law is always exte him wish he had be

Law is incapable of they are afraid of th consquences. So w heart.

"You have heard th judgment.' But I say idiot, you are in dan danger of the fires o

"You have heard th at a woman with lus NLT).

"You have heard th your enemies! Pray

Jesus tells us that w Law cannot fix a he can correct that pro

What does that mea appear. Without Jes restore our sinful he grace. Change will rather than being pe

A Follower or

Erwin McManus wro "We cannot assume God says when we

like what God has s unwilling to submit t because God agree

It is easy to follow J follow the morality o moral life is not follo Christians. We can

To be a follower of agreeing with His te demonstrated mere doing those things G trust God more than

As they were walkin "But Jesus replied, home of my own, n He said to another The man agreed, b Jesus replied, "Let the coming of the K Another said, "Yes, But Jesus told him, the God." (Luke 9:5

There were many p them. It wasn't just of a spiritual group. separates the follow faith.

To really have faith our safety and drea don't understand th we are truly followin

Daily Though

"The cause of the w

you. And that cann

gloriously." ~ Andre

IS DYING TO SELF REALLY NECESSARY?

If you want to live for Christ, you will realize the necessity of dying to self. Matthew 16:24-25, Then Jesus told his disciples, If anyone would come afte up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but will find it. Jesus expressed the idea of dying to self in the Sermon on the Mount (The you have not read it recently, review it again and notice the various ways in w self. How is it possible to have the characteristics of the righteous that are descr without dying to self and wholeheartedly following Jesus? How is it possible in the Sermon on the Mount without picking up your cross each day and layin Christ and His example? Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones in his commentary on the Sermon on the Mount said this whole problem of the self in an honest manner. We must cease to make e circumvent it. It is to be faced honestly and squarely. He goes on to state, I and believe that He has died for our sins, it means that our greatest desire sho Dying to self is an obvious prerequisite to growing in Christ, but it is not som know Christ. It is the way a person initially comes to Christ. As Charles Spur Christ because you repent, but trust Christ to make you repent; not to come to but to come to Him that He may give you a broken heart; not to come to Him Him because you are unfit to come. Your fitness is your unfitness. Your qual This lack of qualification is what God looks for in using His servants fully (1 New Testament days and this has remained a hallmark trait throughout histor Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God c shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; G in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so th the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who becam righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, Let Lord. One such servant used dynamically by God was George Mueller, who lived i known because of his orphanage ministry and his practice of praying for fina need. What you may not know is Mr. Muellers view of himself. He recogniz total indifference to self. He wrote of his death to self in these words, Georg tastes, and will died to the world, its approval or censure; died to the approva and since then I have studied only to show myself approved unto God. Is George Mullers description of himself a description of your life? It must b the image of Jesus Christ.

This dying to self is not a morbid introspection. Instead, it focuses on the per related in Galatians 2:20.

Is Dying to Self Really Necessary? 2008 WordTruth, Inchttp://www.wordtruth.net 1 Verses from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version 2001Version by Crossway Bibles, a

Galatians 2:20, I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, b life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me an The writer of the New Testament book of Hebrews gives similar encouragem Hebrews 12:1-3, Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of w weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the rac Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set befo the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. As you study the New Testament, you will recognize the necessity of being t you cooperate with Him to make Christ-like changes in your life (Romans 8:2 John 15:5, I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I i for apart from me you can do nothing. Romans 8:29, For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be confor order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Ephesians 4:1, I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a man you have been called. Is dying to self a necessity for you to mature in Christ? Yes, it is. Someone p you will live for self. If you live for self, you cannot know the fullness of Jes Since living for self results in a believers spiritual immaturity, ask the Lord self. If you get serious about this exchange, rest assured that God will direct t fruition, as Philippians 1:6 promises. Philippians 1:6, And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you day of Jesus Christ.
Is Dying to Self Really Necessary? 2008 WordTruth, Inchttp://www.wordtruth.net 2

Verses from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version 2001Version by Crossway Bibles, a

Contentmen

Delivered on Sabbath Evening, March 2 Spurgeon At New Park Stree

"For I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, t 4:11.

HE APOSTLE Paul was a very learned man, bu acquisitions in science was thishe had learne better than much that is acquired in the schools back on the past, but too often those who cull th

enthusiasm, are thoughtless about the present, a daily life. Their learning may open up dead lan derive any living benefit from them. Far better thing of ever-present utility, and alike serviceab rarest, but one of the most desirable accomplish the most learned of our Cambridge men in the l learned apostle; for this surely is the highest de can possibly attain, to have learned in whatsoev see at once from reading the text, upon the very states is not a natural propensity of man. Ill we discontent, and murmuring, are as natural to ma no need to sow thistles and brambles; they com are indigenous to earth, upon which rests the cu men to complain, they complain fast enough w precious things of the earth must be cultivated. plough and sow; if we want flowers, there mus care. Now, contentment is one of the flowers o must be cultivated. It will not grow in us by nat can produce it, and even then we must be speci maintain and cultivate the grace which God has learned to be content;" as much as to say he did him some pains to attain to the mystery of that thought he had learned, and then broke down. F he had his knuckles rapped; frequently he foun task, and when at last he had attained unto it, an whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content," upon the borders of the grave, a poor prisoner s Rome. We, my brethren, might well be willin share the cold dungeon with him, if we too mig degree of contentment. Do not indulge, any of contented without learning, or learn without di exercised naturally, but a science to be acquired next text might suggest this, even if we did not not be taught to murmur, but we must be taugh

pleasure of the Lord our God. When the apost immediately gave a commentary upon them. R to be abased, and I know how to abound; every instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both need." Notice first, that the apostle said he kn knowledge this. When all men honour us, then when the finger of scorn is pointed, at us, when and men hiss us by the wayside, it requires muc endure that with patience and with cheerfulness growing in rank, and honour, and human esteem but when we have to say with John the Baptist, some other servant advanced to our place, and had longed to hold, it is not easy to sit still, and Moses, "Would to God that all the Lord's serva man praised at your own expense, to find your forth the superior excellence of some new rival nature, to be able to bear it with joy and thankf be something noble in the heart of the man who as willingly as he took them up, when he can as to humble him, as to lift him up and seat him u we have not any one of us learned what the apo glorify Christ by shame, by ignominy and by re among men. We must be ready to give up every to go downwards, in order that Christ's name m known and glorified among men. "I know how second piece of knowledge is equally valuable, a great many men that know a little how to be a to abound. When they are put down in the pit w starry promise, and the hope for an escape. But pinnacle, their heads grow dizzy, and they are r they used to battle it, as one of our great nation

"Yet many things, imposs

Have been by Need to full p The daring of the soul proc Sharpness of Wit, and ac Prudence at once and Fo And, if in patience taken, m

But mark the same men after success has crown over; they are rich and increased with goods. A who has sprung up from nothing to wealth, how how intolerant? Nobody would have thought th not believe that man at any time ever used to se He is so great in his own eyes, that one would h Caesars must flow in his veins. He does not kn familiar friend of other days he now passes by man does not know how to abound; he has grow measure. There have been men who have been the Church. They have preached successfully, a the people have honoured them, and rightly so. they have lusted after authority; they have look everybody else, as if other men were small pigm Their conduct has been intolerable, and they ha high places, because they did not know how to piece of paper put up into George Whitfield's p effect:"A young man who has lately inherite of the congregation." Right well was the prayer we need prayer that we may be kept steady. Go not half the fear of stumbling. The Christian far prosperity than when he is being abased. There growing worldly. When a man finds that his we gold will stick to the fingers. The man who had than he required he would be exceedingly liber guinea heart, but now with a guinea purse he ha money adheres, and he cannot get it off. You h a "money spinner," I do not know why it is call

of spiders you cannot get off your fingers; it ge hand, then on your sleeve; it is here and there; y crush it outright: so it is with many who aboun usethe strength, the sinews of commerce and the heart, and begets "foul-cankering rust." Gol bad thing to have about one's loins, or over one precious earth with which a man is buried alive there been who seemed as if they were destroye soul and neglect of spiritual things have been b and bounties of God! Yet this is not a matter of us that he knew how to abound. When he had m asked of God that he might be kept humbleth have plenty of ballastthat when his cup ran o that in his time of plenty he might be ready to g a faithful steward he might hold all he had at th learning. "I know both how to be abased, and I goes on to say, "everywhere and in all things I be hungry." It is a divine lesson, let me say, to Israelites were full once, and while the flesh wa came upon them. And there have been many th might satisfy their own heart's lust; as it is writ drink, and rose up to play." Fulness of bread ha that has brought on wantonness of spirit. When merciesstrange that we should have to say th men have much of God's providential mercies, little of God's grace, and little gratitude for the are full, and they forget God; satisfied with ear heaven. Rest assured, my dear hearers, it is har to know how to be hungry. To know how to be know how to be full is the harder lesson after a human nature to pride and forgetfulness of God stock of manna, and begin to hoard it, it breeds nostrils of God. Take care that you ask in your how to be full.

The apostle knew still further how to experienc hunger. What a trial that is! To have one day a next day to find the soil beneath you barren of the poor man being contented in his poverty, fo a bird that has been born in a cage, and does no man who has had much of this world's goods, a to absolute penury, he is like the bird that once encaged. Those poor larks you sometimes see i would be looking up, and they are constantly p wings, and wanting to fly away. So will it be w you have been rich and are brought down to be "how to be hungry." Indeed, my brethren, it mu sometimes of the poor, that they murmur. Ah! W than they do, if their lot fell to us. To sit down eat, and five or six little children crying for bre heart. Or for the mother, when her husband has round on the gloom-stricken home, press her ne look upon the others, with widowed heart reme father to seek their livelihood. Oh! It must need hungry. And for the man who has lost a situatio Londonperhaps a thousand milesto get a p home, and know that when he faces his wife, h brought home any bread?" "Have you found an "No; there have been no doors open to me." It i patiently. I have had to admire, and look with a members of this Church, when I have happened privations. They would not tell anyone, and the endured their pangs in secret, struggled heroica dangers, and came out more than conquerors. A easy lesson when you come to see it in a book, come to put it in practice. It is hard to know ho know how to be hungry. Our apostle had learne suffer need." Having thus expounded to you the apostle Paul

upon the words of my text, let me return to the what course of study did he acquire this peacef we may be quite certain, it was by no stoic proc and exclusively by faith in the Son of God. You may easily imagine a nobleman whose hom through foreign parts for purposes of scientific command some military expedition in the servi may be well content with his fare, and feel that why? Because he had no right to expect anythin comparison with his rank, his fortune, or his so He had said "Our conversation or citizenship is as a pilgrim and stranger he was content to take battle field, he had no ground of complaint that sometimes encircle his path, while at other time and pleasing intervals. Again, adverting to the text, you will notice tha italics. If therefore we do not omit it, we need n interpretation. There is nothing in hunger, or th our contentment. If we are content under such c motives than our condition itself affords. Hung of stern necessity. But hunger may be voluntari conscience makes a man willing to fast. Reproa be bravely endured, when I am animated by a s Paul counted that all the ills which befell him w Lord. So for the love he bear to the name of Jes self-mortification sat lightly on his shoulders, a heart. There is yet a third reason why Paul was conten veteran takes great pleasure in recounting the d He looks back with more than contentment, oft the terrible dangers and distresses of his heroic eye, and the pride that sits on his lofty wrinkled were not there when he was in he midst of the s only since the dangers are past, the fears have s

that his enthusiasm has been kindled to a flame here. "In all these things," said he, "we are mor voyage toward Rome. When the ship in which before a tempestuous wind; when darkness veil stars in many days appeared; when hope failed manly courage. And why? The angel of God st faith was predestinarian, and as such, he had a breast while the tribulation lasted as when it ha And now I want to commend the lesson of my more at length to the poor, and then with symp who are sore-tried in their persons by suffering First, to the RICH. The apostle Paul says, "I ha therewith to be content." Now some of you hav concerned, all that the heart can wish. God has you have not to toil with your hands, and in the You will perhaps think that any exhortation to Alas! my brethren, a man may be very disconte quite as possible for discontent to sit on the thro broken-backed chair in a hovel. Remember tha not in the extent of his possessions. Alexander, for another world to conquer. He is sorry becau which he may carry his victorious arms, and wa fellow man, to slake the thrist of his insatiable necessary that we give the same exhortation as Many a rich man who has an estate is not satisf piece of ground that belongs to his neighbour, l of Israel needed that he might make a garden o matters it," says he, "though I have all these acr vineyard?" Surely a king should have been ash a poor man's patrimony. But yet so it is; men w scarcely able to ride over, may have that old ho always cries, "Give, give! More, more!" They t if they had ten thousand pounds it would be eno thousand pounds. When they have that, they sti

it would be "A trifle more!" So would it contin increased, so would the lust of acquiring prope upon the rich this exhortation: "Learn in your s Besides, there is another danger that frequently enough wealth and property, he has not always but make him a justice of the peace for the cou become! That done, he will never be satisfied t knight, he would never be content until he beca never be satisfied till he was an earl; nor would he could be a duke; nor would he be quite satis kingdom for him somewhere. Men are not easi may bow down at a man's feet; then he will ask and so keep on bowing for ever, for the lust of honoured, and though king Ahasuerus make Ha all this availeth nothing, so long as Mordecai in lord Haman. Oh! Learn, brethren, in whatever s And here let me speak to the elders and deacon content with the office you hold, not envious of yourselves. I turn to myself, I turn to the minist degrees in Christ's Church; we must be content give it all up, knowing that it is but a puff of br the servants of the Church, and to serve them fo the reward of their thanks, may we but receive the lips of the Lord Jesus Christ. We must learn to be content. At a little more length I have to counsel the PO apostle, "in whatever state I am, therewith to be A very large number of my present congregatio and who, perhaps, without any unkindly reflect catalogue of the poor. They have enoughbare even reduced to straitness. Now remember, my there are two sorts of poor people in the world. are the devil's poor. As for the devil's poor: the idleness, their own vice, their own extravaganc

night. There is another class, the Lord's poor. T providences, poor, but industrious,labouring of all men, but yet they still continue through a numbered with the poor and needy. You will ex exhorting you to be contented; and yet why sho of my office to stir you up to everything that is I beseech you, in your humble sphere, cultivate you can, by superior skill, steady perseverance, your position. Be not so extravagant as to live e for he that provideth not for his own household than a heathen man and a publican; but at the s God has placed you, strive to adorn that positio name. And shall I give you some reasons for so Remember, that if you are poor in this world so believer who hath fellowship with Christ; but a special vein of fellowship with Christ opened u peasant's garb, and spoke a peasant's brogue. H fishermen. He was not one who was clothed in sumptuously every day. He knew what it was to poorer than you, for he had not where to lay his should a disciple be above his Master, or a serv moreover, you are capable of communion with poor? Now can I sympathize with him in his po thus on the well? I am weary too, and I can hav sweat which he wiped from his brow." Some o you can; it were wrong of them to attempt to do voluntary wickedness. But inasmuch as God ha facility for walking with Christ, where others c all the depths of care and woe, and follow him temptation, when you are in your straits and dif always cheer and comfort you, and make you h Lord and Master is able to sympathize as well a Permit me to remind you again, that you should you will belie your own prayers. You kneel dow

"Thy will be done!" Suppose you get up and w the dispensation of your heavenly Father, have hypocrite? The language of your prayer is at va Let it always be sufficient for you to think that you not heard the story of the heroic boy on bo father told him to stand in a certain part of the v father bade him, but stood still when the ship w danger he held his ground. Until his father told The ship was blown up, and he perished in his faithful to an earthly parent than we are to our F ordered everything for our good, and can he be whatever he appoints is best; let us choose rath were two places, one a place of poverty, and an I could have my choice, it should be my privile will, but as thou wilt." Another reflection suggests itself. If you are po your position, because, depend upon it, it is the cast your lot. If you were rich, you would not h Perhaps God knew, that did he not make you p heaven at all; and so he has kept you where you thither. Suppose there is a ship of large tonnage part of the river there is a shallow, should some steer his vessel through the deep part of the cha "Because I should not get it into harbour at all i it may be, you would remain aground and suffe did not always make you trace the deepest part where the current ran with the greatest speed. S exposed; it may be that you are planted in some you do not get so much sun as you would like, own righteous planting, that you may bring for this, had any other condition been better for yo would have put you there. You are put by him i had had the picking of your lot half-an-hour aft and said, "Lord, choose for me, for I have not c

heard, perhaps, the old fable in Aesop, of the m their burdens, and the god in anger bade them e take the one he would like best. They all came man who had a lame leg, and he thought he cou man who had a blind eye thought he could do b not blindness, while the man who was poor tho would not mind taking the sickness of the rich So they all made a change. But the fable saith t again, asking that they might have their own bu burdens so much lighter than the one that was t would you find it. Then be content; you cannot you could not have a better trial than you have the most; it will do you the most good, and pro making you perfect in every good word and wo And surely, my dear brethren, if I need to add a content, it were this: whatever your trouble, it i estate on earth, but you have a large one in hea heaven will be all the larger by reason of the po below. You may have scarcely a house to cove in heaven,a house not made with hands. You pillow, but it shall one day wear a crown. Your they shall sweep the strings of golden harps. Yo dinner of herbs, but there you shall eat bread in at the marriage supper of the Lamb.

"The way may be rough, bu So we'll smooth it with hope an

Yet a little while, the painful conflict will be ov glittering robes for conquerors. Courage, my br become rich than thou dreamest of; perhaps the thee and thine inheritance. Thou mayest go hom cold March wind; but ere morning dawneth tho Bear up with thy lot then, bear up with it. Let n

estate beyond the stars, murmur as others. You who have no hope; though you may seem poor neighbours see you disconsolate, but let them s sweet resignation, that gracious submission, wh glorious than he that wears a coronet, and lifts habitation, and sets him among the princes of th brethren, be satisfied and content. God will hav may be, therewith to be content. And now just one or two words to SUFFERER some men are born to a double portion of it. As are different classes. The cypress seems to have the grave's head and be a weeper; and there are seem to have been made on purpose that they m of our race; they do not often know an hour fre have dragged along through a miserable life, di birth, suffering some sorrowful infirmity that w and the frolic of youth. They grow up to mourn its ploughshare deeper into their brows, and the them?they are apt to murmur, and they say, " pleasures of life as others can; why is it?" "Oh! "consumption has looked on me; that fell disea should I have to come, scarcely able to breathe sitting here, exhausted with the heat of this crow home, and prepare to engage in daily labour mu not yielding me repose, and my nights scared w dreams?why is this?" I say it these brothers a blame them, because, when we are sick, we bro they. I do admire patience, because I feel myse man suffering, and suffering bravely, I often fe yes, I admire and love this man who can bear p who are naturally healthy and strong, when we Caesar pules like a sick girl, and so do some of down; while hose who are always enduring suf to pain, and yet not uttering a complaint. There

long a victim of sickness; he was a complicatio was a young man, as may be judged of from th the signs of decay; and though he lived a long w going to die to-morrow. In the deepest of his ag pains and acute disease, the only cry he was ev usquequo? How long, Lord? How long, Lord?" that he never used. Ah! but we get kicking agai complaining. Brothers and sisters, the exhortati pains are sharp, yet "his strokes are fewer than guilt." From the pains of hell Christ has deliver complain? As long as you are out of hell, gratit Besides, remember that all these sufferings are not watch with thy Lord one hour?" He hangs u in his bowels; cannot you bear these lesser mis all these chastenings work for your good; they stroke of your Father's rod is bringing you near hurt thee; it only refines thee, and takes away th pain and sickness have been so greatly blessed oughtest to rebel. "Before I was afflicted I wen word." You have seen more of heaven through have seen if you had been well. When we are w cannot see much light; but when disease comes down the mud, and makes the wattles in the wa two, the sunlight of heaven shines through. Sic glory than men do when they are in health. Thi undisturbed, waxes gross. When the strings of o better music than when they are best wound up never come to us but when we are shut up in th pressed before the wine can be distilled. Furnac any use in the world. We should be just the poo sometimes get sick. Perhaps, you that are frequ would have been scarcely worth anything in the been for this trial of your faith. You have a sha well filed, you would not have been an instrum

would have grown so rusty. If he had kept you would have been often lacking those sweet cord administers to his fainting patients. Be content then; but I feel as if I hardly must sa When I came to you once, from the chamber of and ill, I remember addressing you from that te in America,"If needs be ye are in heaviness t I think I might very justly have said to you, "In content;" but now that I am not suffering mysel boldly as I could then. But nevertheless, be it so and imitate this beloved apostle Paul. "I have le therewith to be content." Before I dismiss you there is this one other sen recollect that you are the most miserable people think yourselves happy, there is no one of us th of you. When we are very sick, very poor, and were to step in and say to us "Come, I will chan my gold, and my silver, my riches, and my hea living Christian that would change places with deliberate, we would give you at once our answ in what you have; but all your treasures are tran will keep our sufferings, and you shall keep yo but what they suffer here on earth; sinners will here in his poor troublesome world. We have o afterwards; you may have your glory here, but ever and ever. God grant you new hearts, and r Jesus, and then I would say to you as I have sai state you are, be content.

James 4:11-12

eauty Within by Dr. Warren Wiersbe

Read Psalm 45:13-1

Psalm 45 is a wedd

within: her clothin

did the bride wear

wedding. "The king

important what we

wants His Bride, H

We are married to

ever thought abou

perform a marriag

you think about ea

same way, trusting read, "Whosoever going to come out

Christ or know Him

Yes, you belong to

sorrowful clothes o Christians are the

righteousness. Enj

righteousness. Are

Renew your comm