<BrethrenVoice>
<GLEANINGS-FOR-THE-DAY>
<29 July 2002>
Contents:
---------
(1) <Devotional> "Only you shall not go..." - C.H.Spurgen
(2) <Article> "The three most difficult words to say" - C.Giordano
(3) <Hymn-study> "My precious Bible!" - W.S. Walker
(4) <From-the-Gleaner> "BrethrenVoice - Statement of faith"
(1) <Devotional>
"ONLY YOU SHALL NOT GO VERY FAR AWAY" - EXOD 8:28
C.H. SPURGEON (1834-1892)
This is a crafty word from the lip of the arch-tyrant Pharaoh. If the poor
bondaged Israelites must needs go out of Egypt, then he bargains with them
that it shall not be very far away; not too far for them to escape the
terror of his arms, and the observation of his spies. After the same
fashion, the world loves not the non-conformity of nonconformity, or the
dissidence of dissent, it would have us be more charitable and not carry
matters with too severe a hand. Death to the world, and burial with Christ,
are experiences which carnal minds treat with ridicule, and hence the
ordinance which sets them forth is almost universally neglected, and even
contemned. Worldly wisdom recommends the path of compromise, and talks of
"moderation." According to this carnal policy, purity is admitted to be very
desirable, but we are warned against being too precise; truth is of course
to be followed, but error is not to be severely denounced. "Yes," says the
world, "be spiritually minded by all means, but do not deny yourself a
little gay society, an occasional ball, and a Christmas visit to a theatre.
What's the good of crying down a thing when it is so fashionable, and
everybody does it?" Multitudes of professors yield to this cunning advice,
to their own eternal ruin.
If we would follow the Lord wholly, we must go right away into the
wilderness of separation, and leave the Egypt of the carnal world behind us.
We must leave its maxims, its pleasures, and its religion too, and go far
away to the place where the Lord calls His sanctified ones. When the town is
on fire, our house cannot be too far from the flames. When the plague is
abroad, a man cannot be too far from its haunts. The further from a viper
the better, and the further from worldly conformity the better. To all true
believers let the trumpet-call be sounded, "Come ye out from among them, be
ye separate."
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(2) <Article>
THE THREE MOST DIFFICULT WORDS TO SAY
Connie Giordano
"A faithful church member wanted to know which word in the English language
is the most difficult to say. His pastor suggested a few tongue twisters,
but each time the old gentleman shook his head. Finally he answered his own
question by spelling out the word w-r-o-n-g. Have you ever noticed how hard
it is to get anyone to say, 'I am wrong'?" - Encyclopedia of Sermon
Illustrations
Did you ever notice that people will do everything to cover up a wrongdoing
except admit that they were wrong. In order to appease a guilty conscience,
they will shower the offended person with kind deeds and words, sacrifice
their own comfort for a time to bless the other person, or speak kindly of
them to others. In so doing, they fail to do the one thing necessary to
bring cleansing and freedom to their souls; that is, to confess - "I was
wrong."
The Scriptures instruct us that we are to admit our wrongdoing -
1 John 1:9 - "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us
our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Nowhere does it say in the Scriptures that we are to act as if nothing ever
happened or to sweep the offense under the proverbial rug. Time does not
wash away sin - only the Blood of Jesus does. The guilt of the act does not
go away through good deeds or kind actions. Sin was committed against God
and another and it must be verbally confessed. Peace and reconciliation
between God and the offended party will not come until confession is made.
Things will not be made aright until there is an admission of wrongdoing.
The Scriptures also warn us -
Proverbs 28:13 - "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso
confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy."
Does this mean that every one who is experiencing troubles in their lives
must have hidden sin? Absolutely not! However, if a person knowingly is
aware that he has offended another and fails to make it right through the
acknowledgement of the evil deed or word, the chances are that things will
not go well in his or her life until confession is made to the parties
involved. Mercy and pardon will be released at the admission of the
wrongdoing and offense.
Should we run to every one against whom we have had an evil thought? No! No!
No! This would cause more problems or confusion for the other party was not
aware of the thoughts in the first place.
God, through His Word, is requiring us to take responsibility for our words
and actions that may have hurt another. If we have wronged someone, then we
are obligated before God to make it right through the confession of our sin
and unChristlike actions.
In the Scriptures, we read of two specific cases where there is admission
and confession of sin. They are the situations concerning King David and the
incident concerning the Prodigal Son -
1. DAVID
2 Samuel 12:9-13 - "Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the
LORD, to do evil in His sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the
sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the
sword of the children of Ammon. Now therefore the sword shall never depart
from thine house; because thou hast despised Me, and hast taken the wife of
Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.
Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine
own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto
thy neighbor, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun.
For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and
before the sun. And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the
LORD..."
Notice that the word of the Lord to David through the Prophet Nathan clearly
defines who he offended and how. God is very specific here. Through his sin,
David offended God first of all("despised Me"), and secondly, he committed
adultery with Bathsheba, Uriah's wife, and then took his life.
Notice that God calls sin for what it is. He does not mince His words here.
He does not try in any way to be "soft" with David. This servant of the Lord
did evil, and it was only when he admitted his wrongdoing that God actually
forgave him and released His mercy towards him -
2 Samuel 12:13 - "And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the
LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou
shalt not die."
Only when David confessed - "I have sinned" - I was wrong - did God then put
away his sin!
We read in Psalm 51 - David's renowned Psalm of Penitence for his sins of
adultery and murder - where he outrightly confesses his guilt and shame -
Psalm 51:3 - "For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before
me."
If he would have failed to humble himself and admit his wrongdoing, then he
most certainly would have died in his sins and been in hell today.
In 2 Samuel 24:10, we once again read of an account where David committed an
evil act in numbering the people. Afterwards, the Scriptures say that his
heart smote him. At the instant of the recognition of his wrongdoing, he ran
to the LORD and acknowledged his sin -
"And David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And
David said unto the LORD, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and
now, I beseech Thee, O LORD, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I
have done very foolishly."
Through the pride and covetousness of his own heart, he did that which was
forbidden by God - he numbered the people of Israel. After nine months and
twenty days when the numbering was finally accomplished, his heart smote him
for what he had done. His response? "I have sinned greatly...I have done
very foolishly." I was wrong!
2. PRODIGAL SON
Luke 15:13,17-19 - "And not many days after the younger son gathered all
together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his
substance with riotous living... And when he came to himself, he said, How
many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I
perish with hunger!
I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have
sinned against heaven, and before Thee. And am no more worthy to be called
thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants."
Notice the extreme humility displayed here. The Prodigal Son was not trying
to cover up his wrongdoing. He was not full of ideas on how to "butter up"
to Dad when he got home. He was not scheming and conniving to see how he
could sweep this evil under the rug - anything but admit that he was wrong.
No! There was not one ounce of pride in this man. He acknowledged that he
blew it! Dad was right, and he was wrong. He certainly should have received
and listened to his father's wise and godly counsel and not left home in the
first place.
What did he plan on saying to his father when he saw him? "Father, I have
sinned..." I was wrong. I hurt you. I offended you. I caused you much pain
and heartache. I treated you unkindly. I have been so wicked, so
inappreciative, so ungrateful, and so rebellious.
Let's not miss the point that the Holy Ghost seems to be emphasizing through
these two examples. Sin is a great offense against the Holy One of Israel.
Both David and the Prodigal Son recognized this -
1. David
2 Samuel 12:13 - " I have sinned against the LORD..."
Psalm 51:4 - "Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in
Thy sight..."
2 The Prodigal Son
Luke 15:18 - "...Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee."
Have you wronged anyone? Have you hurt, offended, or mistreated another?
Have you spoken unkindly or harshly? Have you treated another in a
unChristlike manner? Are you guilty of vilifying another's reputation and
character? What did you do about it? Did you go and confess your sin to the
offended party? Or have you tried to sweep things under the rug, hoping that
everything will be forgotten in due time?
The Scriptures tell us that we must confess our sins in order to be free
from them. The guilt and shame of our evil actions will not simply go away.
God has designed a manner in which sin is washed away. It is through the
Blood of Jesus that cleanses at the admission of sin.
Perhaps today is the day of Reckoning for many. Perhaps today is the day to
make that phone call, write that letter or e-mail, or make that long-awaited
visit. You will not be sorry. You will experience such wonderful freedom
when you step out and obey the Lord. Don't hesitate another moment.
This is your day for a Miracle! Go ahead and claim it for it will surely
come as soon as you obey.
May God Bless His Word.
Connie
---
Copyright 2002 by Connie Giordano
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(3) <Hymn-study>
"MY PRECIOUS BIBLE"
W.S. Walker
"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away" (Matt.
24.35)
Introduction: A hymn which extols the scriptures where the words of Christ
which shall never pass away are recorded is "My Precious Bible."
The text was written by H. B. Hartzler.
The song identifies the Bible as a source of great cheer and aid for the
Christian.
I. Stanza 1 calls it a "star"
"Like a star in the morning in its beauty, Like a sun is the Bible to my
soul, Shining clear on the way of love and duty, As I hasten on my journey
to the goal."
A. Jesus Christ is "the bright and morning star": Rev. 22.16
B. Jesus Christ is also the "Sun of Righteousness": Mal. 4.2
C. The light of Jesus Christ shines to us "on the way of love and duty" in
the gospel: 2 Cor. 4.4
II. Stanza 2 calls it "a light"
"'Tis a light in the wolderness of sorrow, And a lamp on the weary pilgrim
way; And it guides to the bright, eternal morning, Shining more and more
unto the perfect day."
A. The word of God is given as a lamp to our feet and a light to our
pathway: Ps. 119.105
B. The reason that we need such a light to guide our feet is that as
pilgrims we are travelling a weary way in this life: 1 Pet. 2.11-12
C. The idea of needing a light while travelling a path implies that there is
a goal toward which we are journeying, which is the "eternal
morrow" of "the perfect day" where we shall receive eternal life: Prov.
4.18, Matt. 7.13-14
III. Stanza 3 calls it "a voice"
"'Tis the voice of a friend forever near me, In the toil and the battle here
below; In the gloom of the valley it will cheer me, Till the glory of His
kingdom I shall know."
A. Through the scriptures, we hear the voice of Christ: Matt. 17.5, Heb.
1.1-2
B. This voice will be near us in the toil and battle here below as we fight
the good fight of the faith: 1 Tim. 6.12
C. And as we journey through the gloomy valleys of this life, it will cheer
us until the glory of His kingdom we shall know, which undoubtedly refers
to the eternal kingdom of God in heaven: 2 Pet. 1.11
IV. Stanza 4 calls it "eternal"
"It shall stand in its beauty and its glory, When the earth and the heavens
pass away; Every telling the blessed, wondrous story of the loving Lamb, the
only Living Way."
A. God's word, like all His works, will stand fast in its glory and beauty:
Ps. 111.8
B. Unlike the grass, the flowers, the glory of man, and even the earth and
the heavens, all of which shall pass away, the word of God will
endure forever: 1 Pet. 1.24-25
C. And it will ever tell its blessed story of the "Lamb of God" who is "the
way, the truth, and the life": Jn. 1.28, 14.6
Conclusion: The chorus continues to extol the majesty and beauty of the
scriptures: "Holy Bible! my precious Bible! Gift of God, and lamp of life,
my beautiful Bible!" I will cling to the dear old Holy Bible, As I hasten
to the city of the King."
______________________________________________________________________
(4) <From-the-Gleaner>
BrethrenVoice - STATEMENT OF FAITH
WE BELIEVE:
That “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,” by which I understand
the whole book called “The Bible” ; that it is inerrant in the original
writing and that its teaching and authority is absolute, supreme and final.
That the Holy Spirit guided the holy men of old in all thatthatrote. 2 Tim
3:16; Deut 4:2; 2 Pet 1:21.
That the Godhead eternally exists in three persons—the Father, the Son and
the Holy Spirit. These three are one God, having the same nature,
attributes and perfection. Rom 1:20; Matt 28:19; Deut 4:35; John 17:5.
That the Personality and Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, begotten of the
Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, truly God and truly man. John 1:1, 14;
10:30; Matt 1:20; Luke 1:30, 31; Phil 2:5-7; 1 Tim 3:16, Col.1:19.
That the Personality and Deity of the Holy Spirit, the source and power of
all acceptable worship and service, the infallible interpreter of the
infallible Word, who indwells every true believer and is ever present to
testify of Christ, seeking to occupy us with Him and not with ourselves or
our experiences. John 15:26; Acts 5:3,4; 1:8, Rom 8:26,27; 1 Cor 2:12, 14;
Rom 89:9; 1 Cor 3:16; 12:13; John 16:13,14.
That Man was created in the image of God, after His likeness, as stated in
the Word of God, but the whole human race fell in the fall of the first
Adam. Not only was his moral nature grievously injured by the fall, but he
totally lost all spiritual life, becoming dead in trespasses and sins and
subject to the power of the devil. “The carnal mind is enmity against God;
for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those
who are in the flesh cannot please God” (Rom 8:7,8). Therefore, he cannot
see nor enter the kingdom of God until he is born again by the Holy Spirit.
That no degree of reformation however great, no attainment in morality
however high, no culture however attractive, no humanitarian and
philanthropic schemes and societies however useful, no baptism or other
ordinance however administered can help the sinner to take even one step
toward Heaven; but a new nature imparted from above, a new life implanted by
the Holy Spirit through the Word is absolutely essential to salvation. Gen
1:26, 27; Rom 5:12; Eph 2:1-3; John 3:3,6,7; Titus 3:5.
That Jesus Christ became the sinner’s substitute before God and died as a
propitiatory sacrifice for the sin of the whole world. That He was made a
curse for the sinner, dying for his sins according to the Scriptures; that
no repentance, no feeling, no faith, no good resolutions, no sincere
efforts, no submission to the rules and regulations of any church can add in
the very least to the value of the precious blood or to the merit of that
finished work wrought for us by Him, who tasted death for every man. 1
John2:2; Heb 2:9; Gal 3:13; Rom 3:25, 4:4-5; 5:8; Col 1:13,14,20.21.
In the resurrection of the crucified body of Jesus Christ; that His body was
raised from the dead according to the Scriptures and that He ascended into
Heaven and sat on the right hand of God as the believer’s high priest and
advocate. Luke 24:39; Acts 1:10-11; Eph 4:10; Heb 1:3; 1 John 2:1.
That Christ in the fullness of the blessings He has secured by His death and
resurrection is received by faith alone and that the moment we trust in Him
as our Saviour, we pass out of the death into everlasting life, justified
from all things, accepted before the Father according to the measure of His
acceptance, loved as He is loved and made one with Him. At the time of
acceptance of Christ as Saviour, He comes to dwell within the believer and
to live out His life of holiness and power through Him. Heb 9:15; John
5:24; Rom 3:28; 4:3, 23-25; Eph 1:3; John 17:23; Gal 2:20; 4:6-7; 5:16; Acts
1:8.
That the Church is composed of all those who truly believe on the Lord Jesus
Christ as Saviour. It is the Body and bride of Christ. That every
believer, whether Jew or Gentile, is baptized into the Body of Christ by the
Holy Spirit and having thus become members of one another we are responsible
to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, rising above all
sectarian prejudices and denominational bigotry and loving one another with
pure heart fervently. Eph 1:22, 23; 2:19022; 1 Cor 12:22-27; 1:10-13; Rom
12:4, 5; Eph 4:3,6; 5:32; Phil 2:1-5; Gal 5:13-15.
That all believers in our Lord Jesus Christ are called into a life of
separation from worldly and sinful practices and should abstain from such
amusements and habits as will cause others to stumble or bring reproach upon
the cross of Christ. Believers are created in Christ Jesus unto good works.
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to
those who are of the household of faith.” (Gal 6:10). 1 John 2:15, 16; Rom
13:14, 14:13; 1 Cor 10:31; Eph 2:10.
In the evangelisation of the world; that the supreme mission of the people
of God in this age is to preach the Gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15; 2
Cor 5:18,19.
In the personal return of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; that the coming
again of Jesus Christ is the “blessed hope” set before us, for which we
should be constantly looking. “Our citizenship is in heaven from which we
also eagerly wit for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Phil 3:20). Acts
1:11; 1 Thes 4:16,17; John 14:1-3; Titus 2:13; Phil. 3:20,21.
That the souls of those who have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for
salvation do at death immediately pass into His presence, and there remain
in conscious bliss until the resurrection of the body at His coming, when
soul and body reunited shall be with Him forever in glory. Luke 23:43; 2
Cor 5:8; Luke 16:22,25; Phil 1;23; 1 Thes 4:15-18.
That the souls of the lost remain after death in misery until the final
judgement of the great white throne, when soul and body reunited at the
resurrection shall be cast “into the lake of fire” which is “the second
death,” to be “punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of
the Lord, and from the glory of his power” (2 Thes 1:8,9). Luke 16:22-23,
27-28; Heb 9:27, Rev 20:5, 11-15; 2 Thes 1:7-9.
In the reality and personality of Satan, “that serpent of old, called the
Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world;” (Rev 12:9). Eph 6:11, 12; 1
Pet 5:8; Rev 20:10.
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