<BrethrenVoice>
<GLEANINGS-FOR-THE-DAY>
<30 August 2002>
Contents:
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(1) <Devotional> "Have mercy upon me, O God." - C.H.Spurgeon
(2) <Exhortational> "Bridging the gap" - Ravi Zacharias
(3) <Doctrinal> "In the beginning it was not so!" (Pt-5) - C.E.Wiggs
(4) <Prophetical> "The Redeemer's Return" (Pt-15)- A.W.Pink
(5) <Apologetics) "Christian Apologetics, Intro..." (Pt-3) -M.Copland
(1) <DEVOTIONAL>
"HAVE MERCY UPON ME, O GOD" PSALM 51:1
C.H. Spurgeon
When Dr. William Carey was suffering from a dangerous illness, the enquiry
was made, "If this sickness should prove fatal, what passage would you
select as the text for your funeral sermon?" He replied, "Oh, I feel that
such a poor sinful creature is unworthy to have anything said about him; but
if a funeral sermon must be preached, let it be from the words, 'Have mercy
upon me, O God, according to Thy lovingkindness; according unto the
multitude of Thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.'" In the same
spirit of humility he directed in his will that the following inscription
and nothing more should be cut on his gravestone:
WILLIAM CAREY, BORN AUGUST 17th, 1761:
DIED - "A wretched, poor, and helpless worm
On Thy kind arms I fall."
Only on the footing of free grace can the most experienced and most honoured
of the saints approach their God. The best of men are conscious above all
others that they are men at the best. Empty boats float high, but heavily
laden vessels are low in the water; mere professors can boast, but true
children of God cry for mercy upon their unprofitableness. We have need that
the Lord should have mercy upon our good works, our prayers, our preachings,
our alms-givings, and our holiest things. The blood was not only sprinkled
upon the doorposts of Israel's dwelling houses, but upon the sanctuary, the
mercy-seat, and the altar, because as sin intrudes into our holiest things,
the blood of Jesus is needed to purify them from defilement. If mercy be
needed to be exercised towards our duties, what shall be said of our sins?
How sweet the remembrance that inexhaustible mercy is waiting to be gracious
to us, to restore our backslidings, and make our broken bones rejoice!
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(2) <EXHORTATIONAL> <SLICE-OF-INFINITY>
BRIDGING THE GAP
Ravi Zacharias
Each of us brings a different personality and emotions into our relationship
with God. So we might ask: How may we blend knowledge of the truth with
proportionate feeling so that we will lead our emotions rather than their
leading us? Let me share with you an unforgettable lesson our
family learned.
A few years ago, our telephone rang at about one-thirty in the morning. It
was my sister-in-law calling, her voice filled with dread that something had
happened to her husband. He was a flight instructor and was flying in the
mountains with two students. But something had obviously gone terribly
wrong. Ground control had lost contact with him, and fifteen hours passed in
silence. The direst of tragedies now loomed before us.
How do you react to such news at any time, let alone in the middle of the
night? We did the only thing we knew to do, and that was to pray. After
several hours, the family was informed that a signal from a downed plane had
been detected from a canyon in the mountains. It was indeed my
brother-in-law's airplane, and the rescue story was nothing short of a
miracle. All three men were alive but badly injured and close to death. They
had been caught in a downdraft and descended uncontrollably, crashing into
trees at the end of a precipice. Then began the hours of silence.
For my sister-in-law it was the nightmare of living through an unknown
tunnel of time, grieving at the possibility of losing the love of her life
and raising a young child all alone. For her husband, his greatest need was
to stay alive. He urgently wished for somebody who could tell his wife he
loved her and was going to make it.
The two experienced diametrically opposite feelings: one born out of living
unaware of the truth, the other too wounded to feel his pain but fully alert
to his longings.
There was only one way to bring their lives and their feelings hand in hand
again: Someone who could give my sister-in-law the knowledge that her
husband was being rescued and someone who could mend his body, so he could
have the capacity to feel in proportion to what he longed for.
Such is the composite the Grand Designer has put into our hearts and
minds—the desire to know and to feel. God feels with perfect knowledge, and
His feeling is in conformity to what is true. We, friend, are made in His
image and can know this reality too.
---
Copyright (p)(c) 2001 Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM).
Reprinted with permission. A Slice of Infinity is a radio ministry of Ravi
Zacharias International Ministries
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(3) <DOCTRINAL>
IN THE BEGINNING IT WAS NOT SO! (PART-5)
Charles E. Wigg
....
An examination of what took place, and the things practiced when the Church
began. Contrasting it with present practices (2)
AFTER BAPTISM (2/2)
It is important to note that Paul tells us in 1 Cor.11:26, that we are to do
this often, & when we do, we show forth the Lord's death until He comes.
Some Churches do this once each fortnight, others once each month, & some
only once every three months. Those in the early Church continued
steadfastly in the breaking of bread. Let us go back to what was "in the
beginning".
The Lord's supper has proved to be a rallying point for the affections of
true believers, down through the ages. Our Lord Jesus instituted it for this
purpose. He foresaw our human weakness, & our tendency to forget, & thus
provided His Supper, to constantly remind us of Himself, & what He has done
for us. It follows then, that each believer should gather with their
brothers & sisters, to remember the Lord Jesus in the breaking of bread,
every time the Lord's Supper is celebrated, if possible.
The fourth thing mentioned, in which they continued steadfastly is
"prayers". It was the practice of devout Jews, even before the Church began,
to "go up to the Temple to pray". It seems that to begin with, it became the
practice of the Church in Jerusalem to do this each day, at 3 PM, the hour
of prayer. However as the Church became established, it seems that the
Temple was no longer used for this purpose, & we read of believers gathering
in a house for the purpose of earnest prayer, (chapter 12 : 5 & 12). It
seems that the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark, was one of the places
where the Church gathered for this purpose, as it evidently had a large
upper room.
As time went on, it became the practice of many believers, to gather on one
day, or night, each week for this purpose, & this continues amongst those
who have followed the example of Scripture, up until this day. Thus we may
rightly assume that every true believer should gather each week with the
local Church, or Assembly, for the purpose of prayer. It is good for those
who are men, to learn to pray publicly, in the meeting for prayer. This is
commanded in 1 Tim.2:8. The women are also to pray, but silently, in the
Assembly. God has wonderfully blessed the prayers of godly women down
through the ages.
It is a sad feature of the decline that is to be seen everywhere, that
prayer is no longer regarded as important, & even where there is a prayer
meeting held each week, it is usually the most poorly attended of all the
meetings. It has sometimes been said, "Where there is no prayer, there is no
power". This accounts for the present powerless state of many Assemblies
today.
My dear brothers & sisters, let us go back to what was practiced "in the
beginning". Let us see that these four very important things are carried out
today, & we will see the power that marked the Church at its beginning,
return once again. We read that fear came upon every soul, there was a state
of gladness, singleness of heart, continuing praise to God, sweet fellowship
together, & an absence of selfishness.
May the Lord help us to return to what was there in the beginning. As we
look around, we are compelled to think of the Lord's words; "In the
beginning it was not so". May God bless you each one!
[To be concluded]
---
[Reproduced with permission of Charles E. Wigg]
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(4) <PROPHETICAL>
"THE REDEEMER'S RETURN" (PART-15)
II. THE AUTHORIZATION OF OUR HOPE
Arthur W. Pink
....
The insufficiency and failure of the various hopes of the world reviewed
previously, serve only to furnish a background upon which, by way of
contrast, may shine forth more prominently and gloriously the certainty and
sufficiency of our hope. Every hope of man which originates in his own mind
and heart is doomed to end in disappointment. If men refuse the light which
is furnished by Divine revelation then they must expect to remain in
darkness, and, as our Lord said, "If therefore the light that is in thee be
darkness how great is that darkness!" (Matt. 6:23). The value of a hope lies
in the authorization of it, what then are the grounds for our hope?
What warrant have we for expecting the Return of the Redeemer? After all
that has been said in the previous pages and in view of the various
Scriptures therein cited, a lengthy reply to this question is not necessary.
In brief, it may be said, the inspired and infallible Word of Him who cannot
lie is our warrant and authorization for looking for that Blessed Hope. But,
briefly, to particularize:
1. We have the Promise of the Lord Jesus Himself
We have already quoted from John 14 in other connections but we now refer to
it again. On the eve of His crucifixion our Saviour turned to His disciples
and said, "I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go and prepare a place
for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am,
there ye may be also" (John 14:2, 3). Here is an assertion about which there
is no ambiguity whatever. Here is a promise that is positive and
unequivocal. Here is a word of comfort from the lips of Truth incarnate. The
Lord who has gone away from this earth to prepare a place for His people is
coming back again for them, coming back in person, coming to receive them to
Himself that they may be with Him for evermore.
2. We have the word of God's messengers at the time of His Son's Ascension
These words are recorded in the first chapter of the Acts which presents a
scene of unusual interest and importance. Our Lord's sojourn upon earth was
now to terminate. The time of His departure was at hand. The great purpose
of the Divine incarnation had been accomplished. The cross and the empty
sepulchre lay behind, and now the Saviour of sinners was to be exalted to
the right hand of the Majesty on high. Together with a few of His disciples
He went as far as Bethany, and lifting up His hands He blessed them, and
while in the act of blessing them He was "parted from them, and went up into
heaven" (Luke 24:50, 51). And a cloud received Him out of their sight, and
then we are told, "While they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went
up, two men stood by them in white apparel: which also said, Ye men of
Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken
up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go
into heaven" (Acts 1:10, 11). Here again is a statement that is clear and
simple. Here again is a promise that is plain and positive. The Lord Jesus
has gone up into heaven, but He is not to remain there for ever. The "same
Jesus" which ascended is to descend: the "same Jesus" which was seen
returning to this earth. The absent One is coming back, coming back in
person in "like manner" as He went away.
[To be concluded]
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(5) <APOLOGETICS>
"CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS, AN INTRODUCTION - (PART-3)"
M.Copland
....
IV. THE CHRISTIAN FAITH IS "BASED ON PRINCIPLES OF TRUTH"
A. SUCH AS "TRUTH IS ALWAYS OPEN TO EXAMINATION"
1. So is the Christian faith
a. Cf. Ac 2:22 - Peter appealed to the crowd to examine what
they themselves knew
b. Cf. Ac 26:24-26 - Paul invited Agrippa to examine the
evidence
2. Unlike some religions (esp. "Jehovah's Witnesses" and the
"Mormons"), the CHRISTIAN FAITH is open to honest examination
B. SUCH AS "TRUTH IS ALWAYS OPEN TO NON-TRUTH (FALSIFICATION)"
1. That is, it is open to be proven wrong
2. To illustrate, if you don't believe Jesus was raised from the
dead...
a. Use the evidence that is available, and...
b. Attempt to prove by it that He wasn't!
c. Do this and then we shall see which interpretation of the
facts is more logical (intelligent and rational)
[Before I close this lesson, I wish to address one last question: "If
the Christian faith is such an intelligent, rational, historical and
factual faith, then why do many people reject it?"]
V. WHY PEOPLE REJECT CHRIST
A. AS IN THE DAYS OF CHRIST, IT IS USUALLY DUE TO ONE OF THREE
REASONS...
1. IGNORANCE - Jn 7:40-43
a. Some rejected Jesus as the Christ because they were ignorant
of the historical facts concerning His birth
b. So many do today for a similar reason: LACK OF ACCURATE
INFORMATION!
2. PRIDE - Jn 12:42-43
a. Pride in wanting to be approved by men kept them from
confessing Jesus as the Christ
b. Today, many do not want the RIDICULE or REJECTION one might
face for following Christ
3. MORAL PROBLEM - Jn 3:19-20
a. Some people reject the evidence because it would mean having
to change their LIFESTYLE
b. Today, many people in efforts to justify their immorality...
1) Accept only that evidence which supports theories which
allows them to continue their lifestyle
2) Reject any evidence which may support a doctrine which
would condemn their behavior and require a change
B. WHAT IT OFTEN BOILS DOWN TO IS THIS...
1. The rejection of Christ...
a. Is not so much a problem of the "MIND" but of the "WILL"!
b. Is not so much "I CAN'T" but "I WON'T"!
2. There is enough evidence to convince the honest and sincere
seeker
3. But there is not enough evidence to force a man against his
will when he is determined to reject it!
CONCLUSION
1. It is with these "BASICS" in mind that I shall endeavor to give
evidence that warrants faith in Jesus of Nazareth as the Christ, the
Son of God
2. I shall not attempt to prove anything "beyond a shadow of a doubt,"
for that is not possible
3. But I shall try to show that it is more logical to believe in Jesus,
than for one not to!
And we shall begin by examining the evidence that demonstrates Jesus to
be a true, historical figure, a person who actually lived!
[To be concluded]
---
© M.Copland 2002
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