"Salvation is of the LORD." -Jonah 2:9

"Men shall be blessed in Him: all nations shall call Him blessed."   - Psalm 72:17 [KJV]   “Cursed is every one who continueth not in all things, which are written in the book of the law to do them” (Galatians 3:10.) This curse, God hath never revoked. Every man upon the earth is naturally under it. But the greatest curse is, men neither believe it, feel it, nor care for it. Hence they slight and disregard that dear Man, who was made “a curse for us,” that we might be blessed in Him. Says our Lord, “search the scriptures, they testify of Me , ” (John 5:39.) Here is a sweet testimony for our mind, and precious food for our faith. Jesus, Master, bless me while I meditate on it.    (1st.) See all blessedness in Christ. Well might Luther say, “I will have nothing to do with an absolute God.” That is, God without a mediator. O sinner, O saint, there is nothing but curse and wrath for us, out of Christ. There is a hell of sin in our nature. The pride of ...

"Jesus wept." - John 11:35 [KJV]   My soul! look at thy Redeemer in this account of Him. Was there ever a more interesting portrait than what the evangelist hath here drawn of the Son of God? If the imagination were to be employed forever in forming an interesting scene of the miseries of human nature, what could furnish so complete a picture as these two words give of Christ, at the sight of them? "Jesus wept." Here we have at once the evidence how much the miseries of our nature affected the heart of Jesus; and here we have the most convincing testimony, that He partook of all the sinless infirmities of our nature, and was truly, and in all points, man, as well as God.    We are told by one of the ancient writers (as well as I recollect, it was St. Chrysostom) that some weak but injudicious christians in his days, were so rash as to strike this verse out of their bibles, from an idea, that it was unsuitable and unbecoming in the Son of God to weep...

"For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul? Will God hear his cry when trouble cometh upon him? Will he delight himself in the Almighty? Will he always call upon God?" -Job 27:8-10 [KJV]   Many of God's people are at times exercised as to their hypocrisy, and sometimes they may think themselves the most consummate hypocrites that ever stood in a profession. But if you are exercised with these painful surmises, these doubts and fears, just see (and the Lord enable you to bring it to the light of His countenance) these two features of a spiritual character. Do not talk about your hope; it may be "a spider's web." Do not boast of your gifts; they may be altogether in the flesh. Do not bring forward the good opinion of men; they may be deceived in you. But just see if, with the Lord's blessing, you can feel these two tests in your soul, as written there by His own hand.    If so, you are not ...

"Give diligence to make your calling and election sure."   -II Peter 1:10 [KJV]   Without election there had been no Saviour given: no salvation wrought out: no promises made: no Spirit sent: no sinners effectually called to be saints: no love from God to comfort them; nor any heaven open to receive them. O how do poor sinners fight against their own mercies, when they call in question and reject the electing love of God. But, says one, I tremble to think, if I should not be one of the elect, what a dreadful thing would that be? Not at all more dreadful, but just the same, as if there had been no election. But what kind of argument is this, against any truth? Suppose a profane sinner says, if there is a hell, and I should be one of the damned, what a dreadful thing would that be? What does this prove? People are apt to stand in nature and self, and judge of the truths of God. Hence they have hard thoughts of a God of love.    Behold, I shew unto you a mor...

"A sheaf of the first-fruits." -Leviticus 23:10 [KJV]   This was a most interesting service in the Jewish church, and full of gospel mercies; When the Lord appointed "a sheaf of the first-fruits" of their harvest to be brought before Him, and waved towards heaven, as a token that all fruits were of the Lord, and that He was both the giver and proprietor of all. And it hath reference to the person of Christ, both in His death and resurrection. For "a lamb of the first year, without blemish," was to be offered as a burnt-offering with it, to testify that the death of Jesus sanctifies and sweetens all; and Christ Himself, in His resurrection, is the "first-fruits of them that sleep."    My soul! dost thou observe this Jewish service in a gospel dress? Surely, the service is a reasonable service, and, if possible, more heightened now than then. When this law was given, the Israelite had no power to perform it; neither indeed was it inte...

"Who by Him do believe in God, that raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God." -I Peter 1:21 [KJV]   Observe the special mark which is here given of those for whom Christ was manifested. It is said of them that "by Him they believe in God." If this be their distinctive mark, we may well inquire what is intended by it. It must surely be a very great thing to believe in God with a faith that brings salvation with it. It is easy to believe that there is a God in nature, or a God in providence, or a God in grace, according to the mere letter of the word, and this is what thousands do who have no manifested interest in redeeming love and atoning blood.    In fact, it is the great delusion of the day, the religion of that religious multitude who know neither God nor themselves, neither law nor gospel, neither sin nor salvation. All this is a believing about God, or a believing of God, such as that He exists, ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qc8tPTYn9j4   -by preacher Henry Mahan (27 minutes) Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). In this powerful Bible message, discover why Scripture teaches that Jesus Christ is the eternal Savior and the only way to God throughout every generation. This sermon walks through key passages including Hebrews 13:8, John 14:6, Acts 4:12 , Isaiah 53, Genesis 3:15 , Romans 1, Hebrews 10, Luke 24, and many others, showing that salvation has always been by God’s grace through Christ—not by the law, prophets, religious ceremonies, or human works. Throughout the message, you’ll learn: Why Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. How the entire Bible points to Christ as the promised Redeemer. Why salvation has always been through Jesus Christ alone. The significance of the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world. How Old Testament sacrifices foreshadowed Christ’s atoning work. Why faith in Christ—not religiou...

  Let us love, and sing, and wonder, let us praise the Savior’s Name! He has hushed the law’s loud thunder, He has quenched Mount Sinai’s flame: He has washed us with His blood, He has brought us nigh to God.   Let us praise and join the chorus of the saints enthroned on high; Here they trusted Him before us, now their praises fill the sky; “Thou hast washed us with Thy blood, Thou art worthy Lamb of God!”                                                                                                -preacher John N...

  NO OTHER ONE BUT JESUS   O what a Savior Jesus is, How suited to our need; He died to save us from our sins, For so it was decreed.   No other One could rescue us, No other One could save; To purge us from our guilt and shame, His life He freely gave.   Who else but Jesus Christ alone, The law could satisfy; He suffered on the bloody tree, Our souls to justify.   Who else but God the Father’s Son, For us could intercede? His Name alone prevails with God, No other name we plead.     O may the blood and righteousness, Of Jesus ever be; Our only trust and confidence, Our only hope and plea.     Tune:  “O For a Thousand Tongues” CM Words by Jim Byrd -------O-------          “Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory, for Thy mercy, and for Thy truth’s sake.  Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?  But our God is in the heavens: He hath done whatsoever He h...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5Wwf_MxIxI What is true worship according to the Bible?  Why did Jesus Christ die on the cross?  -preacher Henry Mahan (47 minutes)   In this powerful Bible sermon, we explore the three essentials of true worship revealed in Scripture: • The Place of Worship – the presence of God • The High Priest – Jesus Christ our mediator • The Sacrifice – the precious blood of Christ In the Old Testament, worship centered around the tabernacle, the priesthood, and the blood sacrifice.  But in the New Testament, these truths are perfectly fulfilled in Jesus Christ, our eternal High Priest who brings believers directly into the presence of God. This sermon also reveals seven biblical reasons why Christ died, including:   ✔ Christ died to become Lord of the living and the dead  ✔ Christ died to redeem His people from the law  ✔ Christ died so believers would live for Him and not themselves  ✔ Christ died to deliver us from this...

"Brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure."   -II Peter 1:10 [KJV]   Work for life , say the sons of ignorance and pride. Work not at all, Christ has left us nothing to do , say the sons of sloth and licentiousness. But, say the sons of wisdom, We labour and give diligence in the ways of God, not in order to obtain life; not to be saved for what we do; but to enjoy more of the life of Christ, the love of God, and the assurance of His Spirit, that we are His children . To this Peter exhorts. Brethren! Ye who profess to believe in the Son of God, and long to know assuredly that ye are the children of God, “Give diligence.”     Do not rest in a few idle wishes, cold desires, and formal duties, but be earnest—be active—be upon the stretch for God. As we say, leave no stone unturned. Study the Lord’s word of grace—dwell upon the rich promises of His love—meditate upon the finished salvation of Christ—confer with His people— be fervent i...

"Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience, by the things which He suffered." -Hebrews 5:8 [KJV]   My soul! behold what a precious verse of scripture is here! How blessedly doth it set forth thy Redeemer! See here what an example Jesus shews to all His people, and how sweetly accommodating is that example to every case and circumstance, into which any of them can be brought! Surely, if any might have done without going into such a school of suffering, for the purpose of learning, it must have been Jesus; but yet even Jesus would not. And wouldest thou, my soul, after such an illustrious pattern, desire to be excused? Hath not Jesus dignified it, and made it blessed? Oh! the honour of following His steps.    There is another beauty in this scripture. The apostle, in a verse or two preceding, took notice of Jesus in His human nature, that He sought not, as such, the high priest's office uncalled. "Christ (saith he) glorified not Himself, to be made a...