For every look at self

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(Robert Murray M'Cheyne)

For every look at self, take ten looks at Christ!

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2

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Love to Jesus

“O thou whom my soul loveth.” Solomon’s Song 1:7
Suggested Further Reading: Psalm 103
The Christian, if he had no Christ to love, must die, for his heart has become Christ’s. And so if Christ were gone, love could not be; then his heart would be gone too, and a man without a heart is dead. The heart, is it not the vital principle of the body? And love, is it not the vital principle of the soul? Yet there are some who profess to love the Master, but only walk with him by fits, and then go abroad like Dinah into the tents of the Shechemites. Oh, take heed, ye professors, who seek to have two husbands; my Master will never be a part-husband. He is not such a one as to have half of your heart. My Master, though he be full of compassion and very tender, hath too noble a spirit to allow himself to be half-proprietor of any kingdom. Canute, the Danish king, might divide England with Edmund the Ironside, because he could not win the whole country, but my Lord will have every inch of thee, or none. He will reign in thee from one end of the isle of man to the other, or else he will not put a foot upon the soil of thy heart. He was never part-proprietor in a heart, and he will not stoop to such a thing now. What saith the old Puritan? “A heart is so little a thing, that it is scarce enough for a sparrow’s breakfast, and ye say it be too great a thing for Christ to have it all.” No, give him the whole. It is but little when thou weighest his merit, and very small when measured with his loveliness. Give him all. Let thy united heart, thy undivided affection be constantly, every hour, given up to him.
For meditation: The members of the Godhead are the only joint-owners of the Christian. May God teach us his way—that our hearts may be united and wholly for him (Psalm 86:11-12).
Sermon no. 338
30 September (1860)
C.H. Spurgeon

Sovereign Grace Missionary Baptist Church
1217 Dillon Texarkana, Texas 75501
September 29, 2013          
 Newsletter Number 435

Brother Randy Johnson, Pastor                    Brother Ronnie Henderson, Song Director
Pastor E-Mail: pastor@sgmbaptist.com          Web Site: www.sgmbaptist.com

"Where The Truths Of God’s Word Have Been Taught For More Than Fifty Years”

You Were Asked To Pray For:

All of Our Military, Their Family’s & All the Civilian Workers in The Middle East, Zee Mink Fuller and Family, Her son’s Bryan Armstrong and Hunter Hackie, Daughter Shannon, and Brother Philip & Sondra Thornsberry, Junior Baldridge, Frankie Baldridge and daughter, Buckie Thompson, Frank & Sonya Trusty, Frank & Dawana Reigel, Andrew Preston, Larry & Martha Mollette, Larry Mollette II & Family, Kerry Pennington, Kim Poole, Danny & Nita Mollette, Robert Riggs, Wendell Henderson, Judy Dunn, Martha Gray, Joshua Kidd, Matthew Kidd, Ronnie and Sarah Henderson, Ronnie Henderson Jr. & Children, Ricky Henderson and Family, Jacie Henderson, Velma Hammond, Charles, Don Hammond and Families, Archie & Barbara Griffin, Bro. & Sister Bob Keller, Mary Ramsey, Donna Johnson, Fay Johnson, James and Luann Reynolds, Timothy and Nathan Fails, Jacob Ramsey, Jerry Hughes, Sister Nita Bookout, Teresa Bookout, Pastor G. L. Burr, Melody Carr, Janie Capps, Imajo Tracy, Linda Hughes, Roy Lemmon, Rosie Tomlin, Lee Mollette’s Daughter & Granddaughter Kristal, Pat Abercrombie, Barbara Brewer, Donna Jones, Dale and Linda Trahan, Ricky and Margaret McCoy, Brother David O’Neal, Tommy Walker and family, Diane Thomas, Gina Peel, James and Lynn Tomlin, Brother Kelley and Sister Hinson, Robert, Megan Whitaker, Manual Seymour, Sr.  Brother Steve McCool and the work in Canada, Brother Curtis Pugh, Brother Dan Sullivan and the work in Thailand, Brother Raul and the work in Romania, and Bro. Sergey Mochalov and the Churches in Russia.

From Our Pastor:

Ye Must Be Born Again!
John 3:7  “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”

The scripture could not be more clearer on this very point; you must be born again. I once heard a man ask on the radio “what about those billions of people who will never believe in Christ”? I will answer that question, they are going to the eternal lake of fire. Our chance is here on earth and if some are not saved here on earth then they never will be and they will be in the eternal lake of fire. Here Jesus Christ Himself told this Jewish ruler that you absolutely must be born again if you are going to enter the kingdom of God. Preachers can preach the lost into heaven all they want when people die but if they never trusted Christ Jesus as their Saviour then they preached the wrong message. Once a person dies then there is no hope, you will hear Gods men here on this earth that carry the gospel message to the world or you will go to hell. Let’s look at the example of the rich man who went to hell and asked Abraham to send back a witness from the dead to witness to his five brother so that they would not go to hell and Abraham responded  "For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. (29.) Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them." Luke 16:28 – 29 I know it is sad when one dies without Christ but it is just as sad when you die without Christ. I can not say anything to cause your heart to change because that is the work of the Holy Spirit but I can tell you that Christ died to save our souls and I pray that something will prick your heart and cause you to come to Christ before you die. Jesus said "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." John 10:9 only if you enter through the door which is Christ. Folks don’t think that there is hope after death because there is no such scripture, salvation is today before death or never. Jesus said "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." John 10:28 are you securely in the hand of Christ? If not then don’t expect to go to heaven when you die.  John 3:18 "He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

For Our Weekly  Meditation:

I Know Thy Works

   Too frequently believers become apathetic in their Christian service and duties.  They begin to take their ease in “I’m satisfied,” “Resting upon the Rock of Ages,” and “I shall not be moved.”  After all, do not the Scriptures say we are saved by grace and “NOT of works, lest any man should boast.”  Hence, many take it to mean they are never to do anything.  This passage, however, is in reference to the obtaining of salvation and not the duty of good works.  The verse immediately following, on the other hand, is in reference to the duty of the believer after salvation.  It is written: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Eph. 2:10)  God has foreordained the believer to walk in the good works of His design.

   In Eccl. 9:10 are the instructions: “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might: for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.”  If you are going to do anything for the cause of Christ, you must do it quickly because death and the grave knock anxiously upon life’s door.  Jesus warns: “the night cometh, when no man can work.”  Work with all your might while it is called today, for there is an abundance of rest tomorrow when you greet death and the grave.  Far too much of the day has gone and so little work has been accomplished in the fields of harvest.  There is too much “churchy” work going on and being substituted for real heavenly labor.  Work is not always heaven’s work.

   Many say they have faith, yet they will not work.  James says: “shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works,” and “faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”  Where is the evidence of your salvation in Christ Jesus?  Where is the proof of the blood of Lamb upon you?  Work evidences faith!

   In Revelation Jesus told all seven churches, “I know thy works.”  He wasn’t talking to the buildings.  He was talking to the people.  Just as Jesus knew their works, He knows our works as well.  The believer has been made alive in Christ Jesus and ordained by God to walk in good works redeeming the times for they are far spent.  In good works we exhibit or show our faith in Jesus Christ.  What does Jesus know of your works?  Do they give full witness of your faith in Jesus?

By Dr. M. J. Seymour, Sr.

Work for Christ

Many people think that work for Christ must be something great or public. They imagine that to minister to Christ they must . . .

 - teach a Sunday School class,

 - or join a missionary society,

 - or go out to visit sick people,

 - or go into hospitals or prisons on missions of mercy.

These are all beautiful and important ministries, and Christ wants some of you to do these things as well. But the very first place you are to serve Him, is in your own home! Let the blessed light of your life first be shed throughout that most sacred of all spots. Brightening that little place, you will be all the more ready to be a blessing outside. Those who are the best Christians at home — are also the best elsewhere.

By J.R. Miller

Church News:

- The church will observe the Lord’s Supper at the conclusion of the morning service.

- Brother Justin Bookout will hold the services on Sunday October 19 while the Pastor is at a Bible Conference in Silsbee, Texas. Brother Bookout will let you all know what services he plans to have on that Sunday.

- The churches next business meeting will be Sunday October 13, please plan to attend.

Declension from first love

“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” Revelation 2:4
Suggested Further Reading: John 15:9-14
There are some people who always live upon what they have been. I speak very plainly now. There is a brother in this church who may take it to himself; I hope he will. It is not very many years ago since he said to me, when I asked him why he did not do something—“Well, I have done my share; I used to do this, and I have done the other; I have done so and so.” Oh, may the Lord deliver him, and all of us, from living on “has beens!” It will never do to say we have done a thing. Suppose, for a solitary moment, the world should say, “I have turned round; I will stand still.” Let the sea say, “I have been ebbing and flowing these many years; I will ebb and flow no more.” Let the sun say, “I have been shining, and I have been rising and setting for many days; I have done this enough to earn me a goodly name; I will stand still;” and let the moon wrap herself up in veils of darkness, and say, “I have illuminated many a night, and I have lighted many a weary traveller across the moors; I will shut up my lamp and be dark for ever.” Brethren, when you and I cease to labour, let us cease to live. God has no intention to let us live a useless life. But mark this; when we leave our first works, there is no question about our having lost our first love; that is sure. If there be strength remaining, if there be still power mentally and physically, if we cease from our office, if we abstain from our labours, there is no solution of this question which an honest conscience will accept, except this, “Thou hast lost thy first love, and, therefore, thou hast neglected thy first works.”
For meditation: Past love is no substitute for present expressions of it (Philemon: 5-7,20). Present work is no guarantee that love cannot be lost in the future (Philemon: 24; 2 Timothy 4:10).
Sermon no. 217
29 September (Preached 26 September 1858)
C.H. Spurgeon

The grace of God!

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(Don Fortner)

"But by the grace of God I am what I am!" 1 Corinthians 15:10

The grace of God, which provides, reveals, and effectually applies all the blessings of salvation--teaches, motivates, and sweetly compels saved sinners to devote themselves to Christ. Believers are not ruled by law, but by grace.

"For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace!" Romans 6:14

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The omnipotent Savior!

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(James Smith, "The Love of Christ! The Fullness, Freeness, and Immutability of the Savior's Grace Displayed!")

The love of Jesus for His people is armed with divine power, for the execution of its purposes and the fulfillment of its designs. It will perform all its good pleasure--but in the most judicious and prudent way.

Divine love will not be conquered! None can effectually resist its sweet omnipotence when it is exerted; nor are any disposed to find fault, when they feel its omnipotent sweetness.

Christ's omnipotent love for His people . . .
  reaches its objects, when at the greatest distance from God;
  raises them from the pit of destruction;
  plucks them as brands from the fire;
  delivers them from the power of darkness;
  and translates them into His blessed eternal kingdom!

Christ's omnipotent love for His people . . .
restores the backslidden believer from his wanderings;
extricates the erroneous believer from the labyrinths of error;
preserves the tempest-tossed believer from dashing upon the rocks of destruction;
supports the heavenly traveler in his rugged way; and
guides the pilgrims of Zion by its strength, to His holy habitation.

Christ's omnipotent love for His people never varies--and it cannot fail! Every object of the dying love of Jesus is addressed in the language of inspiration, "The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms!" Weakness may be felt, and the soul may be ready to faint--but divine love says, "I will strengthen you! I will help you! Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of My righteousness."

We may come up out of the wilderness, leaning upon the omnipotent arm of a Savior's love (Song of Songs 8:5), and exclaim, "Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear. God is my refuge and strength, my ever-present help in times of trouble. Therefore I will not fear, though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging--for the Lord Almighty is with me, and the omnipotent Savior is my refuge!"

Happy, unspeakably happy--is the soul who is saved by the omnipotent love of Jesus! Nothing shall by any means hurt it, while it . . .
  follows in the footsteps of the lambs,
  feeds among His flock,
  and walks by His holy precepts.
All the attributes of Deity surround it--all the resources of eternity are open to it--and all that God possesses, stands engaged to make it blessed! Trust then in Jesus forever, for in the love of Jesus is everlasting strength!

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The great Supreme

“Ascribe ye greatness unto our God.” Deuteronomy 32:3
Suggested Further Reading: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9
In Protestant countries there is a very strong tendency to priestcraft still. Though we do not bow down and worship images, and do not professedly put our souls into the hands of priests, yet, I am sorry to say it, there is scarce a congregation that is free from that error of ascribing greatness to their minister. If souls are converted, how very prone we are to think there is something marvellous in the man; and if saints are fed and satisfied with marrow and fatness, how prone we are to suppose that the preacher has something about him by which these wondrous things are done; and if a revival takes place in any part of the vineyard, it matters not in what denomination, there is an aptness in the human mind to ascribe some part of the glory and the praise to the mere human agency. Oh, beloved, I am sure that every right-minded minister will scorn the thought. We are but your servants for Christ’s sake. We speak to you, as God helps us, what we believe to be God’s truth; but ascribe not to us any honour or any glory. If a soul is saved, God from first to last has done it. If your souls are fed, thank the Master; be respectful and grateful to the servant as you will be, but most of all thank him who puts the word into the mouths of his servants, and who applies it to your heart. “Oh, down with priestcraft!” even I myself must down with it. “Down with it!” I cry. If I myself like Samson fall beneath its roof, let me fall myself and be crushed, well content in having pulled down or contributed to remove one solitary brick in that colossal house of Satan. Take care, friends, that you put no honour upon any man that you ought to have ascribed unto his Sovereign. “Ascribe ye greatness unto our God.”
For meditation: Why are you using these daily readings? We should thank God for Spurgeon, but many go too far and venerate Spurgeon himself. He reminds us that he too was a man (Acts 10:26) and that the glory belongs not to him but to his and our God (Psalm 115:1).
Sermon no. 367
28 September (1856)
C.H. Spurgeon

The mysteries of the brazen serpent

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:14,15
Suggested Further Reading: John 12:20-36
Let each of us who are called to the solemn work of the ministry remember, that we are not called to lift up doctrine, or church governments, or particular denominations; our business is to lift up Christ Jesus and to preach him fully. There may be times when church government is to be discussed, and peculiar doctrines are to be vindicated. God forbid that we should silence any part of truth: but the main work of the ministry—its every day work—is just exhibiting Christ, and crying out to sinners, “Believe, believe, believe on him who is the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world.” And let it be remembered, that if the minister preaches Christ plainly, that is all he has to do; if with affection and prayer he preaches Christ fully, if there were never a soul saved—which I believe would be impossible—he would have done his work, and his Master would say, “Well done.” I have gone away from this hall, after preaching upon various doctrines, and though many have complimented me, foolishly, I have said to myself, “I can but groan that I had such a subject at all.” And at another time, when I have been faltering in my delivery, and committed a thousand blunders in my speech, I have gone away as happy as a prince, because I have said, “I did preach Christ.” There was enough for sinners to be saved by; and if all the papers in the world should abuse me, and all the men in the world should say ‘cry him down’; he will still live and still breathe as long as he feels in himself, “I have preached to sinners, and Christ has been preached to them, so as they could understand and lay hold on him and be saved.”
For meditation: “We would see Jesus” (John 12:21) is not just something to say to the preacher, but something to pray for the preacher (Colossians 4:3,4).
Sermon no. 153
27 September (1857)
C.H. Spurgeon

As The Days Of Noah

From the Pastor:  Dr. M. J. Seymour, Sr.

 

Jesus said: “But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”  (Matt. 24:37)   “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.  And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.” (Gen. 6:5-6) 

God has said: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.” (Is. 55:8)  Every man is right in his own eyes, but through the eyes of God there is a totally different perspective of the moral and spiritual character of man.  Jesus so graciously gave us some insight as to the make-up of man’s quality in the last days.  This was to fortify our enduring patience in the last days; it was for our preparations and calmness of spirit.  The saints must not fall victim to the evil purposes of man.  We must see through the eyes of the Spirit and discern the difference between the holy mind of God and the brute beast mentality of reprobated men.

These windows of man’s perverted spiritualities given to us in the Scriptures are to help us to comprehend the insane motivations and actions of the world around us.  Mankind will become increasingly more depraved and the reality of it must not paralyze the believers into a state of despair.  “Ye shall be my witnesses!” 

Even I can understand how the Lord did and does regret that He made man.  The animal world has far more scruples than humans.  Humans are enormously viler, more perverted, and more self and environmentally destructive than any other creature that is upon the face of the earth.  Adam’s sin plunged the morals and the intentions of man to the depths of the sewage pot.  By nature he is corrupt. 

Yet, when the fountains of mercy and grace gush from the bosom of the Creator, when the blood of the Christ cleanses, and when birth out of the Spirit gives sacred life, the new creature within abandons the old man as a butterfly his cocoon!  Praise be to God!  

One of a preacher's first duties!

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"A man cannot be a faithful minister, until he preaches Christ for Christ's sake--until he gives up striving to attract people to himself, and seeks only to attract them to Christ!" Robert Murray M'Cheyne
"To efface one's self is one of a preacher's first duties!" Alexander Maclaren

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His name—the Counsellor

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor.” Isaiah 9:6
Suggested Further Reading: Proverbs 8 (which was read earlier in the same service)
Tried child of God, your daughter is sick; your gold has melted in the fire; you are sick yourself, and your heart is sad. Christ counsels you, and he says, “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, he will sustain thee; he will never suffer the righteous to be moved.” Young man, you that are seeking to be great in this world, Christ counsels you this morning. “Seekest thou great things for thyself? Seek them not.” I shall never forget my early years. I was ambitious; I was seeking to go to college, to leave my poor people in the wilderness that I might become something great; and as I was walking that text came with power to my heart; “Seekest thou great things for thyself? Seek them not.” I suppose about forty pounds a year was the sum total of my income, and I was thinking how I should make both ends meet, and whether it would not be a great deal better for me to resign my charge and seek something for the bettering of myself, and so forth. But this text ran in my ears, “Seekest thou great things for thyself? Seek them not.” “Lord,” said I, “I will follow thy counsel and not my own devices;” and I have never had cause to regret it. Always take the Lord for your guide, and you shall never go amiss. Backslider! You that have a name to live, and are dead, or nearly dead, Christ gives you counsel. “I counsel thee to buy of me, gold tried in the fire and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed.” And sinner! You that are far from God, Christ gives you counsel. “Come unto me, all ye that are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Depend on it, it is loving counsel. Take it.
For meditation: God has promised to guide his children and to keep an eye on them (Psalm 32:8). His guidance has a sure foundation and a great advantage over the thoughts and intentions of men (Psalm 33:10,11). We can seek his guidance right where we are; isn’t it strange that we can so often go to him last of all?
Sermon no. 215
26 September (1858)
C.H. Spurgeon

Behind The Proverbial “Christian Apron”

From the Pastor:  Dr. M. J. Seymour, Sr.

 

“Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire.  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” (Matt. 7:19-21) 

While growing up I encountered many a menacing brat that would do evil and provoke others; but after their evilness they would run behind momma’s apron for protection declaring their sweet little innocence.  It is absolutely grotesque to behold this same tactic being used by those who pretentiously lay claim to “Christianity.”  Far too many wicked folk want to go forth in an abortionic froth inflicting their evilness on other; but when confronted they want to run behind the “Christian apron” for divine protection.  The truth of the matter is that there is not an ounce of holy Christianity in them.  “By their fruits ye shall know them.” 

These vile frauds parade in their cloaks of self-righteousness and grace the churches with their presence as they strut in full adorning peacockisms.  The Bible teaches “cursed be the deceiver.”  Their days are filled in evil deeds and abuses breaking almost every commandment of God and are infuriated with anyone daring to question their “sincere Christianity.”  They feel all the liberty of the world to dish out ungodliness, but when challenged they flee to the proverbial Christian apron declaring their angelic innocence and the challenger’s “lack of Christian character.”  “You are supposed to be a Christian, and there you are acting that way toward me!  I am a real ‘Christian’ but you must not be!”  Sound familiar? 

The Lord never instructed the Believers to be punching bags and welcome mats for every scumbag’s evil behavior.  We are the sons of God, ambassadors of New Jerusalem, blood bought by the Christ, and born out of and indwelt by the Holy Spirit.  We are born to be priests and kings to our God, not to be victims of apron hiders.  

Spurgeon & Chambers Devotions September 25th

Morning, September 25        

“Just, and the justifier of him which believeth.”

Romans 3:26

Charles Spurgeon

Being justified by faith, we have peace with God. Conscience accuses no longer. Judgment now decides for the sinner instead of against him. Memory looks back upon past sins, with deep sorrow for the sin, but yet with no dread of any penalty to come; for Christ has paid the debt of his people to the last jot and tittle, and received the divine receipt; and unless God can be so unjust as to demand double payment for one debt, no soul for whom Jesus died as a substitute can ever be cast into hell. It seems to be one of the very principles of our enlightened nature to believe that God is just; we feel that it must be so, and this gives us our terror at first; but is it not marvellous that this very same belief that God is just, becomes afterwards the pillar of our confidence and peace! If God be just, I, a sinner, alone and without a substitute, must be punished; but Jesus stands in my stead and is punished for me; and now, if God be just, I, a sinner, standing in Christ, can never be punished. God must change his nature before one soul, for whom Jesus was a substitute, can ever by any possibility suffer the lash of the law. Therefore, Jesus having taken the place of the believer—having rendered a full equivalent to divine wrath for all that his people ought to have suffered as the result of sin, the believer can shout with glorious triumph, “Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect?” Not God, for he hath justified; not Christ, for he hath died, “yea rather hath risen again.” My hope lives not because I am not a sinner, but because I am a sinner for whom Christ died; my trust is not that I am holy, but that being unholy, he is my righteousness. My faith rests not upon what I am, or shall be, or feel, or know, but in what Christ is, in what he has done, and in what he is now doing for me. On the lion of justice the fair maid of hope rides like a queen.

My Utmost for His Highest

September 25th

The “go” of relationship

And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Matthew 5:41

Oswald Chambers

The summing up of Our Lord’s teaching is that the relationship which He demands is an impossible one unless He has done a supernatural work in us. Jesus Christ demands that there be not the slightest trace of resentment even suppressed in the head of a disciple when he meets with tyranny and injustice. No enthusiasm will ever stand the strain that Jesus Christ will put upon His worker, only one thing will, and that is a personal relationship to Himself which has gone through the mill of His spring-cleaning until there is only one purpose left—‘I am here for God to send me where He will.’ Every other thing may get fogged, but this relationship to Jesus Christ must never be.

The Sermon on the Mount is not an ideal, it is a statement of what will happen in me when Jesus Christ has altered my disposition and put in a disposition like His own. Jesus Christ is the only One Who can fulfil the Sermon on the Mount.

If we are to be disciples of Jesus, we must be made disciples supernaturally; as long as we have the dead-set purpose of being disciples we may be sure we are not. “I have chosen you.” That is the way the grace of God begins. It is a constraint we cannot get away from; we can disobey it, but we cannot generate it. The drawing is done by the supernatural grace of God, and we never can trace where His work begins. Our Lord’s making of a disciple is supernatural. He does not build on any natural capacity at all. God does not ask us to do the things that are easy to us naturally; He only asks us to do the things we are perfectly fitted to do by His grace, and the cross will come along that line always.

Evening, September 25

“Who of God is made unto us wisdom.”

1 Corinthians 1:30

Charles Spurgeon

Man’s intellect seeks after rest, and by nature seeks it apart from the Lord Jesus Christ. Men of education are apt, even when converted, to look upon the simplicities of the cross of Christ with an eye too little reverent and loving. They are snared in the old net in which the Grecians were taken, and have a hankering to mix philosophy with revelation. The temptation with a man of refined thought and high education is to depart from the simple truth of Christ crucified, and to invent, as the term is, a more intellectual doctrine. This led the early Christian churches into Gnosticism, and bewitched them with all sorts of heresies. This is the root of Neology, and the other fine things which in days gone by were so fashionable in Germany, and are now so ensnaring to certain classes of divines. Whoever you are, good reader, and whatever your education may be, if you be the Lord’s, be assured you will find no rest in philosophizing divinity. You may receive this dogma of one great thinker, or that dream of another profound reasoner, but what the chaff is to the wheat, that will these be to the pure word of God. All that reason, when best guided, can find out is but the A B C of truth, and even that lacks certainty, while in Christ Jesus there is treasured up all the fulness of wisdom and knowledge. All attempts on the part of Christians to be content with systems such as Unitarian and Broad-church thinkers would approve of, must fail; true heirs of heaven must come back to the grandly simple reality which makes the ploughboy’s eye flash with joy, and gladens the pious pauper’s heart—“Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners.” Jesus satisfies the most elevated intellect when he is believingly received, but apart from him the mind of the regenerate discovers no rest. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” “A good understanding have all they that do his commandments.” 

Now I hate my sins!

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(John Newton)

"They shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn." Zechariah 12:10

A bleeding Savior I have viewed, and now I hate my sins!

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A divided heart

“Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty.” Hosea 10:2
Suggested Further Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:4-12
If we would provoke the anger of the Most High and bring down trying providences on the churches, we have nothing to do but to be divided in our hearts and all will be accomplished. If we wish that every vial may empty out its ill, and that every vessel may withhold its oil, we have but to cherish our bickerings till they become animosities; we have but to nurse our animosities till they become hatreds, and all the work will be fully completed. And if this be the case in the church at large, it is peculiarly true in those various sections of it which we now call Apostolic Churches. Oh, my brethren, the smallest church in the world is potent for good when it has but one heart and one soul; when pastor, elders, deacons, and members, are bound together by a threefold cord that cannot be broken. Then are they mighty against every attack. But however great their numbers, however enormous their wealth, however splendid may be the talents with which they are gifted, they are powerless for good the moment they become divided amongst themselves. Union is strength. Blessed is the army of the living God, in that day when it goes forth to battle with one mind, and when its soldiers as with the tramp of one man, in undivided march, go onwards towards the attack. But a curse awaits that church which runs to and fro and which, divided in itself, has lost the main stay of its strength with which it should batter against the enemy. Division cuts our bowstrings, snaps our spears, houghs our horses, and burns our chariots in the fire. We are undone the moment the link of love is snapped. Let this perfect bond be once cut in twain and we fall down, and our strength is departed. By union we live, and by disunion we expire.
For meditation: Believers are not to try to create “unity” with those who preach another gospel, but we are urged to maintain the unity that already exists between true believers (Ephesians 4:3; Philippians 1:27). What would somebody have to report about your church (and your own contribution in it)?
Sermon no. 276
25 September (1859)
C.H. Spurgeon

Spurgeon & Chambers Devotions September 24th

Morning, September 24

“For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way:

because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him;

but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him.”

Ezra 8:22

Charles Spurgeon

A convoy on many accounts would have been desirable for the pilgrim band, but a holy shame-facedness would not allow Ezra to seek one. He feared lest the heathen king should think his professions of faith in God to be mere hypocrisy, or imagine that the God of Israel was not able to preserve his own worshippers. He could not bring his mind to lean on an arm of flesh in a matter so evidently of the Lord, and therefore the caravan set out with no visible protection, guarded by him who is the sword and shield of his people. It is to be feared that few believers feel this holy jealousy for God; even those who in a measure walk by faith, occasionally mar the lustre of their life by craving aid from man. It is a most blessed thing to have no props and no buttresses, but to stand upright on the Rock of Ages, upheld by the Lord alone. Would any believers seek state endowments for their Church, if they remembered that the Lord is dishonoured by their asking Caesar’s aid? as if the Lord could not supply the needs of his own cause! Should we run so hastily to friends and relations for assistance, if we remembered that the Lord is magnified by our implicit reliance upon his solitary arm? My soul, wait thou only upon God. “But,” says one, “are not means to be used?” Assuredly they are; but our fault seldom lies in their neglect: far more frequently it springs out of foolishly believing in them instead of believing in God. Few run too far in neglecting the creature’s arm; but very many sin greatly in making too much of it. Learn, dear reader, to glorify the Lord by leaving means untried, if by using them thou wouldst dishonour the name of the Lord.

September 24th

The “go” of preparation

Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there thou rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;

leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

Matthew 5:23, 24

Oswald Chambers

It is easy to imagine that we shall get to a place where we are complete and ready, but preparation is not suddenly accomplished, it is a process steadily maintained. It is dangerous to get into a settled state of experience. It is preparation and preparation.

The sense of sacrifice appeals readily to a young Christian. Humanly speaking, the one thing that attracts to Jesus Christ is our sense of the heroic, and the scrutiny of Our Lord’s words suddenly brings this tide of enthusiasm to the test. “First be reconciled to thy brother.” The “go” of preparation is to let the word of God scrutinize. The sense of heroic sacrifice is not good enough. The thing the Holy Spirit is detecting in you is the disposition that will never work in His service. No one but God can detect that disposition in you. Have you anything to hide from God? If you have, then let God search you with His light. If there is sin, confess it, not admit it. Are you willing to obey your Lord and Master, whatever the humiliation to your right to yourself may be?

Never discard a conviction. If it is important enough for the Spirit of God to have brought it to your mind, it is that thing He is detecting. You were looking for a great thing to give up. God is telling you of some tiny thing; but at the back of it there lies the central citadel of obstinacy: ‘I will not give up my right to myself’—the thing God intends you to give up if ever you are going to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Evening, September 24

“I sleep, but my heart waketh.”

Song of Solomon 5:2

Charles Spurgeon

Paradoxes abound in Christian experience, and here is one—the spouse was asleep, and yet she was awake. He only can read the believer’s riddle who has ploughed with the heifer of his experience. The two points in this evening’s text are—a mournful sleepiness and a hopeful wakefulness. I sleep. Through sin that dwelleth in us we may become lax in holy duties, slothful in religious exercises, dull in spiritual joys, and altogether supine and careless. This is a shameful state for one in whom the quickening Spirit dwells; and it is dangerous to the highest degree. Even wise virgins sometimes slumber, but it is high time for all to shake off the bands of sloth. It is to be feared that many believers lose their strength as Samson lost his locks, while sleeping on the lap of carnal security. With a perishing world around us, to sleep is cruel; with eternity so near at hand, it is madness. Yet we are none of us so much awake as we should be; a few thunder-claps would do us all good, and it may be, unless we soon bestir ourselves, we shall have them in the form of war, or pestilence, or personal bereavements and losses. O that we may leave for ever the couch of fleshly ease, and go forth with flaming torches to meet the coming Bridegroom! My heart waketh. This is a happy sign. Life is not extinct, though sadly smothered. When our renewed heart struggles against our natural heaviness, we should be grateful to sovereign grace for keeping a little vitality within the body of this death. Jesus will hear our hearts, will help our hearts, will visit our hearts; for the voice of the wakeful heart is really the voice of our Beloved, saying, “Open to me.” Holy zeal will surely unbar the door.

“Oh lovely attitude! He stands

With melting heart and laden hands;

My soul forsakes her every sin;

And lets the heavenly stranger in.”

What the person IS, often mars the value of what he DOES!

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(J.R. Miller, "The Glory of the Commonplace")

A pastor was commending Christ to a boy, expressing the hope that he would trust in Christ in his youth. "Religion is a continual joy," he said. "Look at your sister, Sarah. How much that dear girl enjoys her religion!"

"Yes," drawled the boy, with frank candor, "She may enjoy her religion--but nobody else in the house enjoys it!"

There are professing Christians of whom it is true that their families do not enjoy their religion. It is not sweet. It is not a comfort to people. It is critical, rasping, censorious, exacting. It was a serious condemnation of this girl's religion, that her family did not enjoy it.

A keen observer has said, "Many a woman spoils her testimony in the church, by her tongue in the kitchen!"

Another has said, "There are people who lead us Heavenward--but stick pins in us all the way!"

In a conversation overheard on a railway train, one reports catching this fragment of talk: "Yes, I suppose she's a Christian--but she certainly isn't pleasant to live with!"

A Christian who isn't pleasant to live with, is shameful. We may do all our duties faithfully, conscientiously, bearing our share of the burdens and cares--and yet, if we are not pleasant to live with, we fail in the most essential quality of love. An unlovely spirit, frowns and chilling looks, sharp impatient words--overbalance the painstaking Christian service that does so much to help in practical ways. What the person IS, often mars the value of what he DOES!

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Colossians 3:12

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The duty of remembering the poor

“Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.” Galatians 2:10
Suggested Further Reading: James 2:1-17
If you do not help the one that you see has the greatest need, I am afraid the love of God dwelleth not in you. It is a duty we owe to the poor of the Lord’s flock, and we reap many advantages we should not have if we had not to remember the poor. Now, allow me to press home this obligation: why should we remember the poor? I shall not urge it upon the ground of common philanthropy and charity; that were a too mean and low way of addressing Christian men, although even they perhaps might be benefited by it. I shall urge it in another way. “Remember the poor,” because they are your Lord’s brethren. What! Do you not feel, like David, that you would do anything for Jonathan’s sake? And if he hath some poor sick son, some Mephibosheth, lame in his feet, wilt thou not seat him at thy table, or give him a maintenance, if thou canst, seeing that Jonathan’s blood is in his veins? Remember, beloved, the blood of Jesus runs in the veins of poor saints; they are his relatives, they are his friends; and if that move thee not, remember, they are thy friends too. They are thy brethren if thou art a child of God; they are allied to thee; if they are sons of God, so art thou, and they are brethren of thine. What! Let thy brother starve? If thou canst, wilt thou not relieve thy brother’s necessity, not shield him from the cold, not ward off hunger, not provide for his needs? Oh! I know thou lovest Jesus; I know thou lovest the friends of Jesus, and I know thou lovest thine own family; and, therefore, thou wilt love thy poor brethren, wilt thou not? I know thou wilt; thou wilt relieve them.
For meditation: Do you discriminate against some of your brothers and sisters in Christ? Your heavenly Father doesn’t (Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 6:9).
Sermon no. 99
24 September (Preached 25 September 1856)
C.H. Spurgeon

That They All Might Be Damned

From the Pastor:  Dr. M. J. Seymour, Sr.

 

“And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.  And for this cause God shall send them strong  delusion, that they should believe a lie:  That they all might be damned who believe not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” (II Thess. 2:10-12) 

This generation is an absolute frustration as it irrationally repels any such notion of heavenly grace and salvation through the blood of the Lamb.  It unconditionally loathes every presentation of the truths of the living God and the Gospel of the Lord Jesus.  It is perverted and putrefied to its very core.  Rank unbelief super abounds; it is a horrid plague overwhelming the masses.  Salvation has become a revolting stench in the thoughts of the condemned.  Truth is purposely concealed for fear of contaminating free-thinkers. 

In consequence God rejects and condemns to the uttermost, sending the unbelievers strong delusions to dance ever so merrily in their heads.  It is not they are insane; rather they are drunk with the gaieties of the “Delusional Ball.”  But, when the mid-night hour strikes the trumpet resound the masquerade is brought to a halt, and the mask is removed from the deceiver, and then there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.  The moaning of Cain will shake the souls of men as they hear his eternal cry: “My punishment is greater than I can bear.” (Gen. 4:13)  Damned, damned, forever damned!

The only one responsible for a man’s soul is himself.  The responsibility cannot be delegated elsewhere.  Every man is accountable for his own soul.  If he repels and utterly rejects the eternal truths of God, then he must bear upon his own shoulders the eternal punishment.  He, and he, alone is his own guilt bearer.  He had pleasure in unrighteousness and would have nothing of the Lord’s salvation; now he must travel the valley of dead men’s souls.  “Damned” is a greater punishment than man can bear. 

Struggles of conscience

“How many are mine iniquities and sins? Make me to know my transgression and my sin.” Job 13:23
Suggested Further Reading: John 8:21-47
“Tell me how I can feel the need of my Saviour.” The first advice I give you is this: Particularise your sins. Do not say “I am a sinner;” it means nothing; everybody says that. But say this, “Am I a liar? Am I a thief? Am I a drunkard? Have I had impure thoughts? Have I committed unclean acts? Have I in my soul often rebelled against God? Am I often angry without a cause? Have I a bad temper? Am I covetous? Do I love this world better than the world to come? Do I neglect prayer? Do I neglect the great salvation?” Put these questions and you will soon convict yourself much more readily as being a sinner. I have heard of a hypocritical old monk who used to whine out, while he whipped his back as softly as he could, “Lord, I am a great sinner, as big a sinner as Judas;” and when someone said, “Yes that you are—you are like Judas, a vile old hypocrite,” then he would say, “No I am not.” Then he would go on again, “I am a great sinner.” Some one would say, “You are a great sinner, you broke the first commandment;” and then he would say, “No I have not.” Then when he would go on and say, “I am a great sinner,” some one would say, “Yes, you have broken the second commandment,” and he would say, “No I have not;” and the same with the third and the fourth, and so on right through. So it came to pass he had kept the whole ten according to his own account, and yet he went on crying he was a great sinner. The man was a hypocrite, for if he had not broken the commandments, how could he be a sinner at all? You will find it better not to dwell on your sins as a whole, but to pen them, count them over, and look at them individually, one by one.
For meditation: Christ did not die for a theoretical concept of sin, but for actual sins committed by practising sinners (Matthew 1:21; 26:28; 1 Corinthians 15:3; Galatians1:4; Hebrews 1:3; 9:28; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 2:2; Revelation 1:5).
Sermon no. 336
23 September (1860)
C.H. Spurgeon

Sovereign Grace Missionary Baptist Church
1217 Dillon Texarkana, Texas 75501
September 22, 2013          
 Newsletter Number 434

Brother Randy Johnson, Pastor                    Brother Ronnie Henderson, Song Director
Pastor E-Mail: pastor@sgmbaptist.com          Web Site: www.sgmbaptist.com

"Where The Truths Of God’s Word Have Been Taught For More Than Fifty Years”

You Were Asked To Pray For:

All of Our Military, Their Family’s & All the Civilian Workers in The Middle East, Zee Mink Fuller and Family, Her son’s Bryan Armstrong and Hunter Hackie, Daughter Shannon, and Brother Philip & Sondra Thornsberry, Junior Baldridge, Frankie Baldridge and daughter, Buckie Thompson, Frank & Sonya Trusty, Frank & Dawana Reigel, Andrew Preston, Larry & Martha Mollette, Larry Mollette II & Family, Kerry Pennington, Kim Poole, Danny & Nita Mollette, Robert Riggs, Wendell Henderson, Judy Dunn, Martha Gray, Joshua Kidd, Matthew Kidd, Ronnie and Sarah Henderson, Ronnie Henderson Jr. & Children, Ricky Henderson and Family, Jacie Henderson, Velma Hammond, Charles, Don Hammond and Families, Archie & Barbara Griffin, Bro. & Sister Bob Keller, Mary Ramsey, Donna Johnson, Fay Johnson, James and Luann Reynolds, Timothy and Nathan Fails, Jacob Ramsey, Jerry Hughes, Sister Nita Bookout, Teresa Bookout, Pastor G. L. Burr, Melody Carr, Janie Capps, Imajo Tracy, Linda Hughes, Charles Lemmon, Roy Lemmon, Rosie Tomlin, Lee Mollette’s Daughter & Granddaughter Kristal, Pat Abercrombie, Barbara Brewer, Donna Jones, Dale and Linda Trahan, Ricky and Margaret McCoy, Brother David O’Neal, Tommy Walker and family, Diane Thomas, Gina Peel, James and Lynn Tomlin, Brother Kelley and Sister Hinson, Robert, Megan Whitaker, Manual Seymour, Sr.  Brother Steve McCool and the work in Canada, Brother Curtis Pugh, Brother Dan Sullivan and the work in Thailand, Brother Raul and the work in Romania, and Bro. Sergey Mochalov and the Churches in Russia.

From Our Pastor:

What are men?
2 Timothy 3:2, 4 "For men shall be lovers of their own selves...lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;"

God said they are servers on their own self’s, that is what they  want instead of God and what He wants. While no man can defile the sovereign determinate council of God they can defile God when they are without Gods protective hands. We as believers in Christ are what we are by Gods grace and without Gods grace we are what natural man are; servers of our own lust rather than servers of God. To those who serve God it is a true blessing to do so, but those who are without Gods grace consider it a waste of time to serve God. Their love is not for God it is for them self’s and what is best for them. They  lust after worldly things, things that are useless to God and those that serve God. Paul said they were enemies of Christ and His death, whose end is destruction and whose glory is their own shame. Philippians 3:18 - 19 "(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: (19.) Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)" there is nothing good in them nor will there be any good for them when they die. Those who serve God and his Christ will be greatly rewarded while the lost (no matter their deeds or their service in this life) will only be destruction. This includes many religions who call themselves Christians buy are rather lost and going to hell. They say their works will save them but in reality they are just serving their own bellies.  Ephesians 2:9  “Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Because works is self serving if it is for salvation. Works cancels God’s glory and serves only the person. God cannot be more clearer when He said Titus 3:5 "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us..." and yes baptism is an act of righteousness, Matthew 3:15 - 16 "And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him...And Jesus, when he was baptized..." These religions are designed to serve mans own bellies and not the glory of God. Serving God is when God is in control and totally glorified in every aspect and baptism and work’s eliminates Gods glory this is why He said “Not by works of righteousness which we have done…” you can not serve two maters God and your own belly.

For Our Weekly  Meditation:

Sowing for a Harvest

It is written in the Scriptures: “They that sow in tears SHALL reap in joy.  He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, SHALL doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” (Ps. 126:5,6)

Is God faithful and true to His Word?  If He is, this passage is as true as our salvation in the blood of Jesus Christ.  If He is not, can we believe Him when in other passages He promises to save us through the blood of the Lamb?  If God is faithful and true, He is faithful and true in all His words.  I believe He is.  Don’t You?

The lack of harvest is not the fault of the Creator but the sowers.  If there is no sowing and watering on the believer’s part, there can be no growing and harvesting for him either.  Fence off a plot of land, and then sit in the shade on the seat of “do nothing.”  Do not sow any seed, do not water, or do anything else.  How many big beautiful vegetable plants will spring up of themselves and produce a bountiful harvest?  It would be nice if they did, but in reality there will be abso-lutely no vegetables to feast upon.  One’s harvesting depends upon his labor to bring forth a crop to harvest.

The eternal plan of God is for His saints, the believers, to go forth into the world bearing and sowing the precious seed of the glorious Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.  They are not to go forth in coldness of heart, rather in broken and tearful hearts of agonizing love for the lost.  The believer goes and sows, weeping in his bosom for souls be-cause of his consciousness of God, eternity and the coming judgment.

Christ’s knowledge of those given to Him before the foundation of the world did not eradicate His sorrow for those who would perish in unbelief.  Every believer should have no less agony, if indeed the heart of this blessed Saviour dwells within his bosom.  Have we be-come so cold-hearted that we cannot feel the warmth of the Saviour’s love?  Can we not see and feel the drops of tears of the Lord’s com-passion that He shed over Jerusalem?   Have we no tears for the lost?

The God who is faithful and who cannot lie has revealed that many shall perish in unbelief, even some folks you personally know and love.  Do you have any sorrows and tears in your heart for them?  Must millions perish in sin with no one to weep over their souls?

By Dr. M. J. Seymour, Sr.

The hell of hell

"Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels!" Mt. 25:41

And as there are a diversity of torments in hell, so the torments of hell are everlasting.

The sentence which shall be passed upon them, is eternal. God Himself, who damns them, is eternal.

 - The prison and chains which hold them, are eternal.

 - The worm which gnaws them, is eternal.

 - The fire which torments them, is eternal.

Grievous is the torment of the damned—for the bitterness of the punishments. It is more grievous—for the diversity of the punishments. But it is most grievous—for the eternity of the punishments!

- By Thomas Brooks, 1675

The sinfulness of sin

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(J.C. Ryle)

"In order that by means of the Commandment the unspeakable sinfulness of sin might be plainly shown." Romans 7:13

The Christianity which is from the Holy Spirit, will always have a very deep view of the sinfulness of sin. It will not merely regard sin as a blemish and misfortune, which makes men and women objects of pity and compassion. It will see sin as . . .
  the curse which cursed God's beautiful creation,
  the cursed thing which makes the whole earth groan and struggle in pain,
  the abominable thing which God hates,
  the thing which makes people guilty and lost in his Maker's sight,
  the thing which deserves God's eternal wrath and condemnation.
It will look on sin as the cause of all . . .
 sorrow and unhappiness,
 strife and wars,
 quarrels and contentions, 
 sickness and death!

Above all, it will see in sin the thing which will . . .
  ruin us eternally--unless we can find a ransom,
  lead us captive--unless we can get its chains broken,
  and destroy our happiness, both here and hereafter--unless we fight against it, even unto death.

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