Tracing the Grace in the Lineage of Jesus Christ Matthew Chapter 1 records the earthly record of the birth of Jesus Christ from Abraham to Mary the wife of Joseph. We can tend to skip over or through genealogies and miss the lessons that are there for us. The Lord recorded each of these individuals intentionally. Just as people today study their family tree to learn about their past history, we can learn some lessons by looking at Jesus earthly father’s lineage. Matthew chapter 1 divides into three parts: The book of the generations of Jesus Christ The birth of Jesus Christ The blessing of the birth of Jesus Christ This book of generations reveals that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the promises of the Gospel first preached to Abraham. Galatians 3:8; Genesis 12:17 This book of generations reveals that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the promise of David’s seed ruling upon David’s throne. II Samuel 7 This book of the generation [...]

An Effective Gospel Minister The Apostle Paul writes to the Ephesian believers, saints in Christ to share of their spiritual wealth and then their walk. Paul shares his calling to them in chapter three. Paul was an effective preacher of the Gospel. As we approach the end of the year and the Christmas season, we must ask the Lord to help us be effective preachers of the Gospel. What made Paul an effective Gospel preacher? Unwavering Commitment—vs. 1 He was in prison for the sake of preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Gospel is the most important thing for men to hear—He would go to prison for Christ. Unparalleled Stewardship—vs. 2-5 A dispensation or stewardship of God’s grace had been revealed to Paul in this New Testament dispensation. This revelation was made known by the Spirit of God to His men-written In the Scriptures. These truths were not made known in the Old Testament. God is a dispensationalist—He has stewardships with truth in [...]

I Took Thee; I was With Thee; I Have Made Thee: II Samuel 7:8-9 Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel: And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great [men] that [are] in the earth. Consider the blessings that are found wrapped in these three statements of the actions of our God. God in His grace and providence takes believers, is with them, and makes them who He wants them to be. He takes them from obscurity in the wilderness and places them in authority in Christ. He is with believers whithersoever they go for He has said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. His presence goes with them and [...]

OUR GREAT NEED FOR PERSONAL FELLOWSHIP IN PRAYER We were created to relate to God. Born again people have the opportunity to walk each day with the Lord and talk about everything that is happening to them. Our heavenly Father desires an intimate child/father relationship that is maintained by moment by moment fellowship. We can tell the Lord about our work, our families, our church, our fears, our trials and our world. Specific times set aside for prayer are helpful and important, but we should also keep in constant communion with the Father throughout the day. This is what the apostle Paul meant when he urged us to “pray without ceasing” (I Thess. 5:17), and to be “praying always” (Eph. 6:18). Each of us as children of the Father should learn to recognize His presence in our everyday life. A child at play loves to point out things that interest him to his mom and dad and hold their hands as they walk. A [...]

Personal Check – Up for the New Year Thomas Guthrie said, “If you find yourself loving any pleasure more than your prayers, any book better than the Bible, any house better than the house of the Lord, any table better than the Lord’s Table, any persons better than Christ, or any indulgence better than the hope of heaven -- be alarmed!” We should ask ourselves those three probing questions which help evaluate where we are headed spiritually. Have you ever been happier in the Lord than you are now? Have you ever been closer to the Lord than you are now? Have you ever been more used of the Lord than you are now? God’s people must take nothing for granted but be sober, vigilant and careful to keep our heart true to the Lord and separated unto Him in devotion, dedication and holiness. Pray one for another that we not fail of the grace of God. Spurgeon described the seriousness of backsliding this [...]

Gossip Town Alfred Smith Have you ever heard of Gossip Town, On the Shores of Falsehood Bay, Wher old Rumor with rustling gown, Is going the live long day?   It isn’t far to Gossip Town, For people who want to go… The Idleness Trail will take you down, In just an hour or so.   The Thoughtless Road is a popular route, And most folks start that way, But its steep downgrade; if you don’t watch out, You’ll land in Falsehood Bay!   You’ll glide through the Alley of Vicious Town, And into the Tunnel of Hate, Then crossing the Add-to Bridge, you walk Right into the city gate.   The Principal Street is called “They Say,” And “I’ve Heard” is the Public Well; And Breezes that blow from Falsehood Bay Are laden with “Don’t you Tell!”     In the midst of the town is the Tell Tale Park, You’re never quite safe while you’re there, For its owner is Madam Suspicious [...]

The Scriptures speak much about the relationship that exists between a father and his children. This is a heart relationship. Children’s hearts are such a tender thing. As a general rule fathers have their children’s heart when they are little. Gradually over time this relationship of trust can be lost through the actions or inactions of the father. Satan, the world, the flesh are in competition for the heart of every child. How sad it is that subtly over time a heart can be stolen or lost without even a father realizing. Fathers ought to have a goal of keeping their child’s heart. They ought to help the child protect his heart with all diligence as out of it are the issues of life. The tender, innocent heart must be guarded. Father’s must help their child in this pursuit. Woe be to the father who does not set boundaries to help his child guard his heart. An unguarded heart is one that is soon [...]

II Timothy 2:1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  Consider some truths about spiritual strength for the Christian life. 1. Commanded. There is no place for weakness in the ranks of Jesus Christ. This command is not optional. It is a command. 2. Context. The strength is needed because of the sufferings that will come to those who will not be ashamed of the gospel and be a partaker of the afflictions of the Gospel. 3. Christ. The Grace for the Christian is not found in himself. This is not a “Army Strong” type of strength. Grace is sufficient for any battle and is found in Christ Jesus who filleth all in all. 4. Conflict. The world would have us believe that grace is only for the weak. Strong men in the world have no need of grace. The Believer knows that he is weak and in need of grace. Thus a strong man is [...]

The Anatomy of an Divine Appointment Acts 8 Philip the Evangelist was being used by the Lord to see souls converted to the Saviour in the town of Samaria. There were souls believing and great joy among the people. God asks Philip to leave this area of ministry and go toward the south. Philip is about to be used by God for a Divine Appointment to witness. Somewhere down south God has been working on the heart of a man who is ready to receive Christ. What are some of the components of a Divine Appointment? God’s Providence: God’s Divine plan for souls to be saved God had been meeting with Philip in Samaria and there is Spiritual Fruit. God asks Philip to Get up and Go! God’s Preacher: A Man with an intimate relationship with the Lord A Faithful Man: The Lord is able to entrust to Philip this task because he is already working for the Lord. A Surrendered Man: [...]

Galatians 1:15-16 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: The pleasure and purpose of God for the life of the Apostle Paul is evident. God had separated this man from his mother’s womb for His special purpose. This purpose involved Apostleship, Sanctification, and Preaching of Christ to the heathen. This special calling is not on the basis of merit, but strictly upon the Grace of God. While the Lord does not call men and women to be Apostles today, He certainly does call believers out of this world and to be identified with His dear Son. He as well calls all believers to be a preacher of the Gospel of His Son. God desires that His Son Jesus would be revealed in each believer. Christ indwells the heart of the believer [...]