GOSPEL ASSURANCE

“For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth" (Job 19:25 NKJV).

With this statement, Job is making a great profession of his faith. These words were spoken over fifteen hundred years before Calvary and contains much truth about the Lord Jesus Christ. Thus, we want to note - the redeeming by Christ, the resurrection of Christ, and the rule of Christ.

Redeeming by Christ – “I know that my Redeemer lives.” The word “Redeemer” here speaks of the kinsman-redeemer. The kinsman-redeemer is related to the redeemed, and pays the price to deliver the redeemed. This wonderfully portrays the work of redemption by the Lord Jesus Christ. He is related to us in that He took upon Him the form of man so He could be our Redeemer. Then through the price of His blood at Calvary, He is able to deliver us from the eternal penalty of our sins.

Resurrection of Christ – “Lives.” Job spoke this message about the resurrection long before it happened. He knew by faith that His Redeemer lives. The Lord Jesus overcame the power of the grave to become our Redeemer. When the women came to the Lord’s tomb early that first Easter morning, they were met by two angels who announced that Christ was not in the grave but “is risen” (Luke 24:6). This is the glorious news of the Gospel. Christ is alive! Thus He can redeem us. He is alive today to be our Advocate before God on behalf of our salvation.

Rule of Christ – “He shall stand at last on the earth.” The Lord is destined to rule. Though rejected and crucified by man, He will still rule over man. He “shall stand,” all others will bow. The Lord Jesus Christ was not defeated at Calvary; He conquered death at Calvary. Further, the Lord’s rule and reign will last forever. That day is nearing. Are you ready for that day? Christ’s rule upon this earth will also bring the greatest peace to the earth that it has ever known.

(Adapted from Butler Daily Bible Reading)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“Jesus took our place that we might have His peace; He took our sin that we might have His salvation!”

Anonymous

Word Study

Discern

In Heb. 5:14 we read, “But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (NKJV).

Discern is the Greek word diákrisis (διάκρισις = dee-ak'-ree-sis). It is made up of two words – “dia” which means separation, between, and “krino” which means to decide, judge. Literally, the word means to distinguish between or make a judgment between two things. It describes the ability to evaluate and decide or to clearly discern. In Classical Greek diákrisis carries the idea of the idea of separation and division together.

In the Septuagint diákrisis carries the idea of making a distinction, examine, choose, and render judgment in the sense of dispensing justice. In the New Testament diákrisis essentially means the differentiation between good and bad (Heb. 5:14) and the discerning of spirits (1 Cor. 12:10). It also carries the meaning of quarrel in Rom. 14:1.Thus, discernment speaks of the faculty of the mind, by which it distinguishes one thing from another, as truth from falsehood, virtue from vice, good from evil. It speaks of the power to see what is not evident to the average mind

Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus

Old Testament Prophecy – Messiah as Abraham’s seed, will bless all nations (Gen. 12:3)

New Testament Fulfillment – Acts 3:25-26; Gal. 3:8

Bible Facts

Animals do not have a conscience (Psalm 32:9). A parrot can be taught to swear and blaspheme, yet never feel conviction. Many animals steal, but they do not experience guilt. If man evolved from animals, where did our conscience come from? The Bible explains that man alone was created as a moral being in God’s image.

Bible Quiz

Whom did Noah curse, his son or grandson?

**Answer to last week’s trivia: After his meeting with the Lord on the road to Damascus, how many days did Paul remain blind? 3days (Acts 9:9).

That’s in the Bible

"No respecter of persons”

“Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons” (Acts 10:34 KJV).

“No respecter of persons” - The expression “no respecter of persons” carries the idea of giving no special treatment to anyone. This means that God does not value a Jew, because he is a Jew; nor does He detest a Gentile because he is a Gentile. He does not look at a person’s external appearance, nationality, wealth, social status, or achievements. All must stand before His judgment seat, to be judged according to the deeds done in the body. It also means God does not exclude anyone from the Gospel.

Did You Know - Christian History

Jackson Kemper was born December 24, 1789 in the Hudson River Valley of New York. He was the first missionary bishop of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America.

Relocating to Philadelphia, Kemper was ordained a deacon in the Episcopal Church in 1811. Particularly interested in evangelism, Kemper persuaded his elderly mentor to make a missionary journey to western Pennsylvania during which also he founded St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Wheeling, West Virginia.

Motivated by the urgency of winning souls, Jackson traveled incessantly on horseback or in open wagons and worked himself hard. After being consecrated as a bishop he promptly headed west for Indiana and Missouri. Since most clergy who had lived in the East were slow to respond to his call to join him on the frontier, he founded a school to train priests from among western men. Kemper College, his first venture, failed due to financial difficulties and faculty quarrels. Later he founded Nashotah House and Racine College both of which succeeded better. Kemper also founded the mission parish that became the Cathedral Church of All Saints in Milwaukee.

His kindness, friendliness, honesty, and concern for souls made him many friends throughout the vast territory of what was then called the Northwest. The extent of his effort can be seen in the fact that he organized eight dioceses: California, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. In addition to this, he promoted mission work among the Potawatomi, Seneca, Oneida and Huron Indians with whom he worked. He pleaded for translation of the Scriptures into their languages.

His last public work was a confirmation service. Kemper died on May 24, 1870. His last words were, “I hope I have been faithful; I hope I have kept the faith.”

A Little Humor

A rich woman died and went to heaven. There she saw her maid riding in a Rolls Royce to a big mansion. She thought to herself, if my maid gets all of this treatment, I can’t wait to see what I will get. But she was surprised when St. Peter gave her a bicycle. She couldn’t believe it and became very gloomy. However, later St. Peter noticed she was happy again. “Why are you so happy with your bicycle?” he asked. She replied, “I just saw my pastor go by on roller skates.”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“Salvation is so simple that people overlook it; so free they do not believe it!”