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The Ever-Rolling Stream The Road to Nowhere Meet one of our Members The Unsearchable Riches of Christ
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Take Note
A Shifting, Changing World C H Spurgeon in a sermon entitled Gods will about the Future spoke of this shifting, changing world. History should teach us that very little remains the same. As we reflect on the past decade, the noughties as they have been dubbed, the majority of us find ourselves in different situations and circumstances at the beginning of 2010 than we were in January 2000. Family, work and church situations have changed for many of us in the last decade. We live in a culture of change and the year that lies ahead will be sure to bring more change. It is election year in the United Kingdom and if all the political pundits are correct this will bring a change of Government at Westminster. There are however, some things that never change. Christian people have a hope and assurance that gives them stability and peace in this troubled world. God is our refuge, he is the one who does not change. His Word is true and will never pass away. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. He is building his church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. This is the confidence with which the Lords people face the future. Our present duty is to work for the Master while it is day for the night is coming when no man can work. Only God knows the future and he has promised to be with his people unto the end of the age.
Policy
The views expressed are those of the Editor and Contributors which are understood to reflect the theological position of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church
Editor
Harold Gibson 'Stockbridge' 2 Barronstown Court DROMORE BT25 1FB hgibson@barronstown.force9.net
Copy Deadline
1st of month prior to publication
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Finance
Anyone wishing to help the Churchs work may send their gift to the Finance Committee, C/o: Rev J S Roger 16 Huntingdale BALLYCLARE BT39 9XB The church can benefit from the Gift Aid scheme from taxpayers donations. Please ask for details.
Cover Photograph
The south face of Mount Robson (3,954 m), the highest point in the Canadian Rockies. It is located in Mount Robson Provincial Park. one of Canadas World Heritage Sites.
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Christians are to be characterised by a seriousness in matters eternal and are to be always abounding in the work of the Lord. A hymn reminds us: Theres a work for Jesus, none but you can do. We are to buy up every opportunity and make full use of the time we have got left in this world. Time will come to an End The disciples asked Jesus when shall the end be? and many are asking today how shall it all end? Listen to the discussions on TV and radio on this subject and you will find all sorts of ideas and theories presented as to how and when the world might end. Dr Lloyd-Jones preaching on 2 Peter 3.8-9 said: It is obviously not a date on a calendar, it is when the Gospel shall have been preached to all nations and among all peoplethen cometh the end.1 The world lives as though it will go on forever but a day is coming when our Lord will return and every eye shall see him and time shall be no more. This is still the day of grace and opportunity to preach and evangelise and to make disciples of all nations. As we stand at the beginning of a new year the challenge to bring the Gospel to our family, friends and neighbours confronts us. Paul told us to make the most of time because the days are evil. The end will come as it is appointed for men to die once (Heb 9.27),and after this the judgement. We will all stand before God one day and give account of our lives. That will include our use of time. The Apostle Peter reminds us that we are to live our lives with an anticipation of the day when Christ shall return. He calls it that blessed hope. Amidst all the trials and difficulties of this life Gods people are called to persevere looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by him in peace, without spot and blameless. The ever-rolling stream bears all its sons away, one generation passes to the next and it is our calling to work for Jesus while it is still day. What are your priorities for 2010?
Only one life, It will soon be past, Only whats done for the Master Will last.
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Our Spiritual Health HealthSome thoughts from A W Tozer Seven areas of self examination that reveal the quality of our spiritual health: What we most want what we most think about how we use our money what we do with our leisure time the company we enjoy whom and what we admire and what we laugh at.
JanuaryJanuary-February 2010
Understandable reasons. Now it is important that we realize that he is leaving for understandable reasons. This is the time of the Judges and there is a famine in the land. (1.1 ESV) The period of the Judges is best summed up by the phrase that Everyone did what was right in his own eyes (Jud. 21.25 ESV) There was this repeated cycle of rebellion, judgement, repentance and deliverance. This is Elimelechs world and the fact that there is a famine, indicates that this is a period of judgement. So he decides to leave Bethlehem, which means house of bread, because there is no bread to be found there.
You can understanding Elimelechs reasoning cant you? Especially, when you bear in mind where he is going to. He is going to the country Moab(v1), literally the fields of Moab. Conjures up a picture of fertility and prosperity doesnt it?
Not quite as simple. But whilst we might be able to identify with his choices, we must also realize that things are not quite as simple as they seem. Think about the country he is leaving. For all its difficulties, this is the Promised Land. Even with the famine, it is still the one corner of this world that Yahweh claims to be peculiarly his own, but Elimelech is leaving! Think also about the country he is going to. Yes, Moab is green and fertile, but it is a pagan land. A land of vile fertility cults. A cruel land that had sought, to dominate Israel, but this is where Elimelech is going! This is where he is hoping to raise his young family!
There is something wrong here. Yes, Moab has a lot going for it. It promises much, but it is a road to nowhere, because Elimelech is taking his family out of the sphere of blessing. In this regard he is a warning to us. As we traverse the narrow
and difficult path of the Christian life (Matt 7.13-14), the green and fertile fields of the world are often in view, and they hold out the promise of a better, easier life and we are tempted by what we see. Rather ironically, the name Elimelech means something like God is my King, but the Lord isnt King of Elimelechs life as he makes his decision to leave. What about us? Is the Lord King of our lives, directing the choices that we make in life or are we more influenced by the green and fertile fields of the world? 2 Lifes Knocks So the road to nowhere is paved with promises. Secondly, there are lessons to be learned from lifes knocks. There are always consequences to our actions, whether for good or ill. Not so long ago a 67 year old man, decided to take a shortcut across a tidal estuary in Devon. But he got into trouble and began to sink into the quicksand. By the time the coastguard reached him, he had sunk up to his waist!
Permanent stay. And there are consequences to Elimelechs choices. One being that a temporary stay becomes permanent. In v1 we are told that he went to sojourn in the country of Moab, which may imply that initially at least, Elimelech only intended to stay temporarily, perhaps until the famine passed. But in the next verse we read, They went into the country of Moab and remained there. Now Elimelech may not have made a conscious decision to stay permanently, but you can understand how it happened. They move to Moab and begin to put down roots and before they know it, the years have just drifted by. Missed opportunity. Now Elimelechs reason for moving was to escape disaster, but sadly disaster catches up with him in the green and fertile fields of Moab. Having left a land of want, he dies in a land of plenty (v3). We can imagine the devastating impact his death must have had upon his family, but in another sense this is a heaven sent opportunity. It is an opportunity for them ask some very important questions, about why their plans for a better life have been frustrated? It provides them with an opportunity to make better choices and to return home. But Elimelechs loved ones dont seem to ask those kind of questions. In fact they put down even deeper roots, because his sons take wives from amongst the Moabites (v4).
But this sad rerun of Elimelechs bad choices has great motivating potential. Which one of us wants to see our children making bad choices? Bad choices that they have learned from us. Well, the answer is not to make those bad choices in the first place. The answer is to set our children a good example by only making biblically informed choices. We also need to show them how to learn from lifes knocks. That doesnt mean that whenever something goes seriously wrong, it is an indication that we have made a bad choice and that the Lord is dealing with us. But it is an opportunity to sit down and to ask ourselves some important questions, and where necessary to acknowledge our mistakes and to correct them by making Christ honouring choices. 3 End of the Road So we need to learn from lives knocks. Our final lesson is that the end of the road is sometimes the beginning of hope. Sometimes things really do go from bad to worse and that was the case with Elimelechs wife Naomi. Having lost her husband, she now loses her sons (v 5).
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Its one thing after another. What a bitter moment this is in Naomis life. Having lost everything, she is now far from home, with only her two Moabite daughters-in -law for company. But in actual fact this is a turning point in her life. Hope is beginning to dawn and the Lord is on the move. Shortly, she will receive news that will encourage her to make the right choice and to return to the land of blessing. Now we might ask why this couldnt have happened earlier? Couldnt the Lord have brought Naomi to her senses before this? Well, the Lord is the best physician of our souls and he knows when the timing is right. Sometimes he allows us to run with our sinful choices for a while and to suffer the consequences. Sometimes he allows us to go a long way-away before he reels us back in, and sometimes it has to be that way, because it is only when we have gone to the extremities, that we are then ready to be brought back. Think of the prodigal. It was only when the money had run out and he was eating the pigs leftovers, that he was ready to return home. (Luke 15.16-17). The same is true for Naomi. Only now, when she has reached the end of the road, is she ready to set out on the road home. And even though she doesnt realize it, the Lord is already at work in her life and there is hope at the end of the road. We can all find the green and fertile fields of Moab attractive. We are all tempted by the prospect of an easier and more comfortable life. We can all make bad choices and stray into a foreign land, but the wonderful thing is that our Lord Jesus Christ once went into a self-imposed exile. He once went a long, long wayaway from home into a foreign and hostile land, and he did so in order to give us hope at the end of the road and to bring us back home. Amen...
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JanuaryJanuary-February 2010
Back to Omagh Hugh returned to Omagh in 1946, having been in Belfast for most of the Second World War. His grandmother died soon after and the old home fell into disuse, but he has a clear testimony about his childhood in it: Though father, mother, both me leave, The Lord me up will take. (Ps 27.10) Hugh joined C A Anderson, a general, provincial store in Omagh, in 1946 as a Junior Assistant and worked there for 44 years until his retirement in 1989. He managed the shop during his last twenty years. Anderson's was bombed several times during the troubles. One day near closing time, the yardman informed Hugh that a car had been left at the back and the driver had failed to return. As Hugh and the yardman were pushing the car out the police arrived and told them that there was a 500 lb bomb in it! That time, it was defused. Family Life Around 1955 Hugh met Ethel McCallon from Sion Mills through meetings they both attended and they married in February 1957. Their only child, Sandra, was born in December. She was saved at a CEF meeting in her youth. In 1984 Sandra married William Workman, a mission worker with the Irish Mission of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, and based mainly in Athy. Sandra died after a long battle with cancer in August 2009, but the Lord enabled her to remain active in his service for much of her illness. It was a privilege for many to pray for her. Ethel had died, after a similar illness, in June 1995. Hugh remains thankful to the Lord for blessing him with a good wife, a lovely daughter and a very happy family life. The Evangelical Presbyterian Church Hugh settled in a local church on his return to Omagh in 1946. He taught Sunday school for 20 years until the Minister upheld complaints from parents about Hugh speaking to the children about the need to be saved. Omagh Reformed Evangelical Church, which emerged from Omagh FP Church, integrated into the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in 1982. Hugh joined it when it moved to its new building on the Mountfield Road in 1990. He was elected a Deacon in 1991 and an Elder in 1992. He became Clerk of Session in 1992 which was significant for Hughs family history. There had always been a Hugh Crawford in the family since the 1700s and they had all been Clerk of Session. As the last Hugh Crawford in the line he is thankful to carry on the Clerk of Session family tradition. He has been a reader of good books and magazines all his life. A Word of Thanks Hugh wishes to express his sincere thanks to the Omagh congregation, to the members of Presbytery and to his other Christian friends for their friendship, love, prayers and support, especially during the recent years of family sickness and bereavement. He celebrated his 90th birthday on 23 November 2009 at an enthusiastic Church gathering and was presented with a painting of the area where he grew up. We wish him ongoing years of usefulness in Omagh and in the work of the Kingdom of Heaven, at home and further afield. He has a great love for both.
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From Rev Norman Reid, 7 December 2009 ... I am writing to share with you some very recent blessings which we have received here in the work of the Lord . We were greatly encouraged this morning as we met at Dumisani Theological Institute for our start the week prayer meeting, as we shared what we had experienced at communions the previous day. We were in Somerset East yesterday where I conducted the communion service. It was a very special service and we felt the presence of the Lord in a way that I have rarely experienced before. There was a good attendance and the singing was wonderful. The attention to the preaching was remarkable. As I served the table I thought to myself how wonderful must be the marriage supper of the Lamb and I was almost overcome by the desire to be in heaven. The presence of the Lord was clearly sensed by others. After the service three of the Elders spoke to the congregation about blessing received and encouraged them to respond to the Word. One Elder said We came here today for the Lords Supper but we have received so much more, we have seen Christ. (I had preached on Philippians 2: The Humiliation and Exaltation of Christ). Pray that the word will remain with the people. An elder from the Dewar District, Mr Stali, accompanied me and translated. On the way home he told me about blessing he had received recently. He is in charge of a church at Lloyd location near Alice. He was discouraged as he had to conduct four funerals in a month, of young people who had died of AIDS. These young people he had never met as they had been living and working far from home, but they were brought home for burial by relatives who expected the Elder to conduct the funerals. At the last funeral he preached strongly against the sins in the community and told the people: This is the last funeral I will conduct of someone I do not know. You must change your ways. On the next Sunday when he came to preach at church, six men from the community were waiting for him. They said, What you said at the funeral is true. We are here because we want to be saved and to join the church. That was several months ago and those men are all attending regularly and are now members of the church, which was previously made up of mamas and children. Praise the Lord, He is clearly at work. There is also evidence of blessing in the King District. At their communion yesterday the Lords presence was clearly evident. Both Ikho and Hombakazi were overjoyed as they told us today at the prayer meeting about the service yesterday. A new Elder was ordained and a Deacon appointed and they received four new members. The church was full and new people from the community have begun attending at Gwaba including a man just released from prison. At the new church building in King there is a new Sunday School established with 24 children attending regularly and new people from the community are attending. But do pray for the church at Qhugqwala where there are problems that this blessing might spread there. Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not faint. Thank you for your prayers, May the Lords Name be praised for his blessings.
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Next question: up? question: How long will you keep it up? Now answer this one honestly: honestly: Could you go for a whole day without being grumpy, grumpy, awkward, awkward, cheeky, cheeky, lazy or disobedient? disobedient?
No matter how good our intentions are, we cannot turn ourselves into better people. We have been born with sinful hearts. The only answer is to START ALL OVER AGAIN with a NEW HEART and a NEW LIFE. That is called
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REGENERATION.
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Wait a minute cant I make my heart good by Going to church Reading my Bible Helping at home and Giving money to missionaries?
U E O I N C D M S
(unjumble)
He was a religious leader who came to visit Jesus at night time. What did Jesus say to him? Youve done your best God is pleased with you Just keep up the effort and youll be OK
Jesus said: You must be BORN AGAIN. There is NO OTHER WAY to get to heaven. John 3:3
BEING BORN AGAIN means the same as REGENERATION New Years Resolutions wont change the person you are. Only
JESUS can give you a NEW HEART and NEW START. Why dont you ask Him?
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D Martyn Lloyd-Jones, The New ManExposition of Romans Chap 6, Banner of Truth, 1972, P 30 C H Spurgeon, The Metropolitan Tabernacle PulpitVolume 27, Pilgrim Publications, P 628
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Christian Institute Pray for the resources needed to defend Christians and the Christian faith India Richhill South Africa Give thanks for the new baptisms at Chhapara. See page 10 Praise God for recent encouragements. Pray that these would continue Give thanks for recent blessing. Pray that it will increase. See page 11 Pray for all who preach Gods Word each Lords Day in our pulpits Pray for unity and vision as we advance the Kingdom of God in the area Pray for Stranmillis Students Bible Study Group, each Friday night Pray for the visit of Dr Pipa, 16-17 February. See page 18. Pray that the books sold will be a blessing to all who read them Pray for the Reunion, Groomsport, 15-16 January, and for the 2010 Camp Pray for our forthcoming Mission, planned for Easter week, Pray for the boys and girls, that many will come to love the Saviour Pray for new people coming to Helping Hand, that God would save Pray for the advance of the Gospel throughout Europe, and for resources Pray that the contacts we make would by Gods grace become converts Pray for the camp reunion 29-31 January and for the 2010 Camp Remember the vacancy and continue to pray for a new Minister Colegio san Andrs in Lima is progressing. Pray for its spiritual life. Pray that God will use the new websites to draw Jewish people to Christ Give thanks for the encouraging number of young people who attend Pray for the development of the outreach work at Lisburn Road Pray for our monthly meetings, for wisdom, direction and efficiency Pray that new people will begin to attend our church services Remember the elderly and housebound members of our congregations Pray for the literature work and the witness of the new library at Goli Give thanks for the day of rest and gladness. Pray that we will use it best
10 Pulpits 11 Knock 12 Student Work 13 Omagh 14 Book Shop 15 Junior Camp 16 Finaghy 17 Sunday Schools 18 Crosscollyer St 19 EMF 20 Stranmillis 21 Inters Camp 22 Crumlin 23 Peru 24 CWI 25 Ballyclare 26 Lisburn Road 27 Presbytery 28 Somerton Road 29 Housebound 30 Uganda 31 Lords Day
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11 12 13 15 16 17 18 19 21 23 24 26 30 27 28 31 32 33 35 38 40 41 36 37 39 34 22 25 29 20 14
Across 1 4 8 10 11 12 14 15 17 19 21 23 26 29 30 31 33 35 36 38 39
Plant, ex President (4) Tyranny (10) Son and Tribe (8) Gods Name without worth (4) Burnt in Holy Place (7) Miracles (7) Special Box (3) Compass point (4) Record or witness (9) Bright epidermis (7) Plague (10) Almighty Name (3) Furnace issue (5) Lazy (4) Tabernacle area (5) Moses went here (6) Precious metal (4) Came with thunder (4) Moses had slow one (6) Weep (3) Moses to smite this (4)
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The 2010 series of Crosswords will test 1 Please post your entry to the Editor to our knowledge of six major Bible characters. arrive, week commencing 24 January. We start with Moses. You will need to look (Not before!) at Exodus-Deuteronomy, but mostly at 2 Mark your envelope Crossword. Exodus. Remember too that there are 3 The Editor will select the first correct references to Moses throughout the Bible. entry from the bag as the winner.
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Church News
Obituary: Mrs Isabella Gordon, Crosscollyer Street
Mrs Isabella Gordon passed on to be with her Lord and Saviour on 17 October 2009 in her 97th year. She grew up in Ballygowan and came to work in Belfast shortly before her marriage to David in 1935. She managed the family shop in Buckingham Street, off the Grosvenor Road, until they were bombed out in 1972 and moved to North Belfast. Converted in her early 30s she had a vibrant Christian testimony and joined Crosscollyer St. Church in 1982. She was active as a Sunday School teacher, Mother and Toddler group leader and in any other activity where she could be of help. Each Friday night they held a prayer meeting in their home for the needs of the district. Very faithful in her attendance at all services she and David (who predeceased her in 2008) were united together in marriage for 73 years. She spent the last years of her life under the excellent care of Lansdowne Nursing Home and looked forward to the regular Christian events held there. Though increasingly frail in body her mind remained sharp until the end. Our prayerful sympathy is extended to her daughters Olive and Maureen and her son George in Australia. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on . that they may rest from their labours and their works follow them RCB
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Spotlight on Society
Increasing government control of family life (recommendations of the Badman report) The Government wants to accept the recommendations of the Badman Report that home education should be formally regulated in England. Many parents can envisage circumstances where they would have to take their child out of school, if only for a short time. But under Government plans, parents who make this choice would be put on a national register, receive regular home visits from officials, and have to stay outside when their children are interviewed about what they are teaching them. Marginalization of Christians (as seen in the Equality Bill) The Equality Bill will place a duty on public bodieslike schools and the policeto promote homosexual and transsexual rights. It will also impact upon private or voluntary bodies with Government contracts. Christian groups are concerned that the Bill will reopen many of the discrimination issues which have left Christians at the bottom of the pile when it comes to equality and diversity. Unbelieving Thoughts for the Day! Lord Birt, former Director General of the BBC has suggested that atheists be given time on BBCs Thought for the Day! Thankfully BBC Radio Ulster still gives air time to evangelicals and Rev Gareth Burke began a five week slot on Monday 21December. Pray for this opportunity that many will be challenged by the Gospel. Tune in at 6.55 and 7.55 am each Monday morning. The Top 100: what the nation reads! In a survey of 100 books that defined the decade, three out of the top five included Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows (1), The Da Vinci Code (3) and The God Delusion (5). And what are many Northern Ireland Christians reading? The recent top sellers at the Wesley Owen bookshop in Belfast were The Shack, If You Want to Walk on the Water get out of the Boat and The Purpose Driven Life! Please now turn to page 23 and to the back page where we present reading materials which we believe will be of particular value in building up our spiritual lives. Surely we must recognise that such reading is indispensable for our growth.
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A merchant from Covenanter times told friends that at St Andrews he heard a Mr Blair preachthat man showed me the majesty of God; at Irvine he heard a certain Mr Dicksonthat man showed me all my heart. Elsewhere he encountered Mr Rutherfordthat man showed me the loveliness of Christ. A hearer of Jonathan Edwards spoke similarly he always speaks so sweetly of Christ. The apostle Paul loved to speak of his Saviour toothe sun of righteousness was the centre of his spiritual universe. In Eph 3:8 he uses this remarkable expression: the unsearchable riches of Christ. Only God is unsearchable. There is a vast chasm between the Creator and the creature and one difference is seen right here. All creation is finiteeven the depths of the ocean or the length of the horizon can be measured. The Creator alone is infinite and even when we have spent aeons of eternity in glory we will still confess that we only know the border of Gods ways. The riches of Christ are as unsearchable as God himself. They are untraceable, unfathomable, inexhaustible, and so on. They can be known, but never fully known. Paul spent his entire life searching out them out (Phil 3.10). The Unsearchable Riches of Christs Person Prior to the Damascus Road Saul of Tarsus believed that he worshipped the God of the OT and that the life of Christ was discontinuous with that revelation. He was not in the line of prophets and not the anticipated Messiah. Sauls main objective was to rid the world of all such notions. In spite of his miracles and the wonder of his teachings, the Person of Christ had no attraction for Saul. Christ was the one person he hated with all his heart. But from that moment at Damascus this arch persecutor was persuaded of the unsearchable riches of Christs Person. The man who formerly denied the deity of Christ became its foremost proponent. Saul knew that it was the Lord who appeared to him from the Shekinah glory. (Acts 9.3) However, he had to ask about his exact identity, Who are you Lord? (9.5) I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. That word Jesus must have thrust Sauls soul like a daggerthe last thing he wanted to hear. From that moment his entire world turned upside down as he learned that Christ possessed undiluted deity as well as true humanity. He could soon describe Christ as God blessed for ever (Rom 9.5), the One in whom dwells all the fullness of the godhead in bodily form. (Col 2.9) Is this a truth you rejoice in? Christ had to be both man and God, otherwise we have no salvation. While a true man had to endure punishment in our stead, since that was the realm in which sin entered, only God could bear the penalty due to a great multitude which no man could number and rise gloriously from the dead. The Unsearchable Riches of Christs Work Before the Damascus Road Saul thought that Christs work was the work of a madman. He believed that Christ got his comeuppance on the cross because of his wickedness. This is how he would have understood the teaching of Deut 21.33: he that is hanged is accursed of God. The Damascus Road changed all that, for in a flash Saul learned that Jesus was alive and that it could only have
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come about because God had raised him from the dead. What a shock! Saul came to see that the Father was well pleased with the work of his Son. The resurrection was proof of that. That was God's way of saying Amen to Calvary. Even a cursory study of Pauls epistles will show that this was one of the unsearchable riches that Paul preached Christs finished work. He rejoiced in the truth of Christs substitutionary curse-bearing atonement. Christs cross-work was redemption, a deliverance from bondage by payment of a price, for all who believed on him: Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us (Gal 3.13). It was a propitiation, averting the wrath of God from over the heads of those who trust in him: : whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood. (Rom 3.25) It reconciles us to God when we call upon him for God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself. (1 Cor 5.19) It is also the basis of our justification, enabling God to pronounce us righteous before the crown court of heaven: therefore being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Rom 5:1) Sin and its problems can ever be resolved through the unsearchable riches of Christs work. The Unsearchable Riches of Christs Grace The Damascus Road taught Saul that Jesus Christ is full of grace and truth. (John 1.14). Far from seeking salvation on that road, Saul was in the throes of eradicating Christianity with an intensity and bitterness probably never been equalled. Having done all he could in Israel to exterminate the faith he turned his attention to Syria with authorising letters in his pocket. Yet while Saul was closing in to kill, God was seeking him out to save him! Here is another of these unsearchable riches the unsearchable riches of Christs grace and central in the message he preached: by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. (Eph 2.8). Salvation is not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy (Tit 3:5). Doubtless Paul frequently ended meetings with his own benediction, and what did he emphasize? The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ...be with you all Grasp this unsearchable truth. What channel does salvation flow in? Grace alone! In 1 Tim 1.16 Paul urges us to consider Christs own grace towards him as a motive to believe: However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. The Unsearchable Riches of Christs Union with his People Here is yet another truth that Saul discovered on the Damascus Road. Christ said: Saul, Saul why are you persecuting me?(Acts 9.4) Saul had never persecuted Christ directly but in persecuting his people Saul was persecuting Christ. Such is the solidarity between Christ and his people and Saul saw it again a day or so later when Ananias greeted him with these beautiful words: Brother Saul. (9.17) Now that Saul belonged to Christ, he had become one with his people and the phrase in Christ became one of his favourites. This was one of the unsearchable riches of Christ that Paul preached. Now are ye the body of Christ, and members in particular(1 Cor 12.27). There is only one organisation which endures for ever: the believers union with Christ. What do the unsearchable riches of Christ mean to you? What think ye of Christ? is the test to try both your state and your scheme. You cannot be right in the rest unless you think rightly of him
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WC F
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Section 1 The Purpose of Synods and Councils These assemblies exist to develop the church and its government. Section 2 The Convening of Synods and Councils State officials may lawfully convene and attend a Synod with church leaders for consultation and advice about religious affairs. If the civil government is openly opposed to the church, church leaders may themselves meet together in Synod. Section 3 The Authority of Synods and Councils Church leaders meet in Synod with powers to consider and determine matters of doctrine, worship, conscience, church government and discipline. Their findings, if agreeable to the Word of God, are to be received with respect and submission, because of that agreement with the Word and also because of the divine institution and authority of church government. Section 4 The Limitation of Synods and Councils Since all Synods are fallible they cannot determine faith or practice on the basis of Synod authority. They serve the church by declaring and applying the Word. Section 5 The Sphere of Synods and Councils Synods and Councils must confine themselves to ecclesiastical issues. They must not involve themselves in civil affairs other than by humble petition in exceptional circumstances or to provide advice at the request of the civil authorities. Synods, or Councils, mean different things in different forms of church government. In the Presbyterian system Synods would comprise all the Presbyteries in a geographical location as a level of church courts between Presbytery and General Assembly. This would more often apply today in larger countries. Not all Presbyterian Churches now have Synods, just Presbyteries and the General Assembly. In this case the Synod principles of this chapter would apply to these levels. EPC has a Declaratory Act with reference to chapter 23The Civil Magistrate to the effect that we do not receive it in any sense to mean that the State has a controlling power over church courts which are supreme in their own sphere. With the Church and State link between Chapters 23, 30 and 31 the principle of this Act applies to each of these chapters where relevant. With only two Chapters of the Confession to go in this series, both on the Doctrine of the Last Things, it is useful to summarise. There are various views on the structure of the Confession, but the one we have adopted for our study is this: The Word, Existence and Nature of God (1-2), Gods Decrees (3-5), Redemption (6-9), Order of SalvationOrdo Salutis (10-18), Living the Christian Life (19-24), the Church (25-31), the Last Things (32-33).
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JanuaryJanuary-February 2010
Book Reviews
Useful aids in maintaining the daily discipline of prayer, Bible study and family worship. Tabletalk, Tabletalk, Ligonier Ministries and R C Sproul, Sproul www.ligonier.org A monthly magazine that contains superb articles from leading Reformed theologians and pastors together with a Monday-Friday devotional exposition of Scripture. Edited by Burk Parsons, this is a helpful and instructive journal that will prove to be a real spiritual tonic. For details and subscription see Ligonier webpage. For the Love of God Don Carson, Carson IVP, 2 Volumes, 14.99 9.99 Based on Robert Murray McCheynes chart of daily Bible readings these volumes are truly a daily companion for discovering the riches of Gods Word. Here you will find a systematic 365 day plan that will take you through the Psalms and New Testament twice and the Old Testament once in the course of a year. Carsons helpful insights will help deepen your understanding of Gods eternal truth. The Psalms, Psalms, John Calvin, Calvin Banner of Truth, Clothbound 18.00 14.40 This is an abridged volume of Calvins Psalms by David Searle who tells us in the introduction that he has used Calvins commentary on the Psalms in his devotional reading of Scripture. This is a volume described as a treasure chest and for all who love the Psalms these selections will warm and edify the believers heart. Matthew Henry Daily Readings Randall Pederson, Pederson Editor, Christian Focus Publications 11.99 8.99 Many of us have been blessed by Matthew Henrys commentary on the Bible. His insight and wisdom together with his pithy sayings have proved a help and comfort in various situations. Here is a collection of daily readings beautifully presented in a leather binding and pocket size so that it can travel with us everywhere! The Goodnight Book Richard Bewes, Bewes Christian Focus Publications, 7.99 5.99 If you have trouble getting to sleep then this is the book for you! Often when we lie down to sleep the events of the day or the prospects of tomorrow affect our mental and emotional make-up. Taking time to read one page each evening and meditating on the Scripture portion will in the words of Joni Earekson Tada shape your night time dreams and enhance your evening reflections. Many other helpful daily reading books are available including Spurgeons
Morning and Evening and Day Ones series 365 days with various authors.
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A new title in a series which is useful for personal devotions. 19.99 9.99 Easy access to the riches of Gods Word; 15 Bible versions & 127 reference works.
My God Is True! Paul Wolfe Lessons Learned Along Cancer's Dark Road Fanny J Crosby An Autobiography H/B
The story of the beloved blind hymn writer.
P/B
6.25 5.50
A leading British creationist dismantles the arguments and pretensions of scientific atheism.
John Calvin
A fine opportunity to enjoy the practical wisdom of one of the great popular authors of the last century.
8.99 6.99