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

     God does not save any man because there is anything in that man that deserves salvation. He saves sinners because He delights to show mercy. The reason for redemption is found in Him, not in us . His mercy planned salvation, His grace chose us, His love gave Christ to redeem us, and His power keeps us. "So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy" (Romans 9:16).   -preacher Henry Mahan

"Peter was grieved, because He said unto him the third time, Lovest thou Me?"   - John 21:17 [KJV]   Peter had grieved his Lord by three denials of Him. Now his Lord grieves him with three questions, respecting his love to Him. We may often read our sin in our punishment. Peter’s Lord suffered him to fall, to lower his pride and self-confidence. Now He has caused him to descend to the valley of humiliation, He keeps him there. A little while since, he boasted of his superlative love to Christ, above all the rest of His disciples. “Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended—I am ready to go with thee both into prison and to death—Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee.” Bold words! who can doubt of the sincerity of Peter’s heart in all this? Hence learn,    (1st.) The warm frames of young converts, are often attended with great self-confidence. There is much of nature’s fire in them. My heart has often...

     We live in a most religious world. In every county, country and culture; among all people, without exception there is some form of religion. Did you know that all religions can be summed into two groups; the way of Cain or the way of Abel! Cain represents the way that seems right unto men (Proverbs 14:12) , the way of the flesh, works, self-righteousness, self-glory, do the best you can and God will be satisfied. Cain approached God with the best efforts of all his labors, " the fruit of the ground" and God had no respect unto him or his offering. It is recorded in the scriptures, “Woe unto them that have gone the way of Cain” (Jude 24) . Abel represents the way that God has established throughout scripture to show mercy to undeserving sinners. It is the way of free grace (Romans 3:24) , the way of effectual substitution by a blood offering (II Corinthians 5:21) , the way of faith (Hebrews 11:4) . Clearly, Abel and his offering is a picture of the only w...

     In most systematic theology books there are 5 to 7 different theories with regard to the atonement of Christ.  The atonement of Christ is NOT a theory.  It is what it is!  An atonement!  An atonement that does not atone is meaningless and a colossal failure!  If Christ died for and made atonement for the sins of a man, and that man is still sent to hell, then the atonement of Christ failed in its intentions for that man.     Not only was it a failure, but God is guilty of double jeopardy - punishing the same sins twice!  The atonement of Christ is what it is! A particular, successful, definite atonement for all whom He died!  “ Wherefore by one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified ” (Hebrews 10:14) .  That is what it is!  It is no theory!   -preacher Todd Nibert 

Message from preacher Clay Curtis (40 minutes.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgfjNvE6hN4

      "Say among the heathen that the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: He shall judge the people righteously.  Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.   Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice.  Before the LORD: for He cometh, for He cometh to judge the earth: He shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with His truth."  - Psalm 96:10-13 [KJV]                                                                                               All That Is Necessary     We must never imagine that all that our Lord did and said is recorded ...

"Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart." -Psalm 97:11 [KJV]   My soul! mark how blessedly the Holy Ghost speaks of the stores in Jesus laid up for His people. Light, in which is included all blessings in Christ Jesus, is sown, not reaped. This is not the harvest, but the seed-time of a believer. It is a life of faith, a life of trust, a life of dependence. Hence the apostle saith: "Let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not ; " Galatians 6:9 . Now this light is sown for the righteous; for the true believer in the righteousness of Jesus; and there shall be gladness in thee, and for truly regenerated in heart.    My soul! it were exceedingly to be desired, that thou wouldest seek grace from the Holy Ghost to have a right apprehension of the promises. It is to the want of this, very frequently, that thy comforts are broken, and that thou walkest in darkness. Thy Lord Jesus doth ind...

"Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." - Hebrews 11:1 [KJV]   Wherever there is faith, there is desire; and as faith embraces heavenly realities, desire embraces that of which faith testifies. Now as the soul is wrought upon by a divine power, and faith is drawn forth into blessed exercise upon the promises of which it is persuaded and which it embraces, desire is kindled for their enjoyment. Religion is not a burdensome, painful, melancholy, wearisome, and toilsome task or employment as many think. It has indeed its trials, temptations, afflictions, cutting griefs, and depressing sorrows; but it has its sweetness, its peace, its delights, and its enjoyments.    And it is the sweetness that we feel, the enjoyment that we have, and the delighting ourselves in the things of God, which hold our head up and encourage us still to persevere and travel on through the wilderness. It is not all bondage, nor distress of mind, no...

 Message by preacher Wayne Boyd (20 minutes)   https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/730262245101293?autoplay=1

     "Here is a sure resting-place for the heart. Our lives are neither the product of blind fate nor the result of capricious    , but every detail of them was ordained from all eternity and is now ordered by the living and reigning God. Not a hair of our heads can be touched without His permission. "A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps" (Proverbs 16:9) . What assurance, what strength, what comfort should this give the real Christian! "My times are in Thy hand" (Psalm 31:15) . Then let me "Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him" (Psalm 37:7) . -preacher Arthur W. Pink, "The Attributes of God" (The Supremacy of God)

     In the fore-ordination of God, the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, the Son of His love, was slain from the foundation of the world (I Peter1:20) , and in the same everlasting appointment, all God’s elect were secured in His book of life, ever-graven in the bosom of the Father’s love before the world began {John 17:23-24; Ephesians 1:4, Titus 1:2} . These the Father sent the Son to redeem, and to bring them to God; the Son brings them, presents them to the Father, and commends them to His care; the Father seals them with His Holy Spirit, and establishes them secure upon the Rock, against which the gates of hell shall not prevail – “My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and none is able to pluck them out of My Father's hand.”   -preacher John Johnson

     The doctrine of the total depravity of all men without exception is not revealed to insult us. The revelation of total depravity in the Bible is the diagnosis of a terrible disease we all have by nature – the terrible disease of sin .  Because of self-righteousness and pride, the natural man sees it as an insult to his self-proclaimed dignity and goodness, but he does not know the real depths of his own depravity and the seriousness of sin as it rules and mars his whole life and being.  Total depravity does not mean that we are all as bad as we could be in the eyes of men and according to man’s twisted standard of good and bad. Thank God for His restraining power to keep some from going the full depths of our fallen, sinful natures.  Total depravity means:         (1) Having no righteousness of our own naturally, we are incapable of producing righteousness and goodness by our best efforts to keep the law – “Therefore by the de...

       "Many are the instances which might be given in proof of the antiquity of God's love to His elect, and as it is antecedent to their being brought out of a state of nature. God's choosing them in Christ before the foundation of the world, was an act of His love towards them, the fruit and effect of it; for election pre-supposes love. His making an everlasting covenant with His Son, ordered in all things, and sure, on account of those He chose in Him; His setting Him up as the Mediator of the covenant from everlasting; His donation of grace to them in Him before the world began; His putting their persons into His hands, and so making them His care and charge, are so many demonstrative proofs of His early love to them; for can it ever be imagined that there should be a choice of persons made, a covenant of grace so well formed and stored, a promise of life granted, and a security made, both of persons and grace, and yet no love all this while?" -prea...

       "The Salvation prepared BY GOD THE FATHER, and wrought BY GOD THE SON, becomes the strong consolation of His people by the influential operation OF GOD THE HOLY GHOST. Hence the Gospel is a full flow of Divine Grace; a free proclamation of life, peace, pardon and everlasting Salvation, without any mixture of bondage, threatenings or conditions required on the creature’s  part; for it sets forth Christ as the New Covenant of His people, answering all the conditions of the legal Covenant.  Perfect obedience He performed in His life, perfect satisfaction for sin He made in His death, perfect holiness He communicates by His Spirit, from His own fullness to the souls of His people. Thus, the rich blessings of the Gospel completely answer all the demands of the Law; for as the law gives nothing, but requires all; so, the Gospel requires nothing from the sinner for salvation, but gives all freely in and by Christ." —preacher John Johnson { Faith of God’s E...

    " No doctrine of the Scriptures more exposes the enmity of the natural man’s heart against the God of grace and glory than that of the absolute authority and sovereignty of the Lord in the salvation of sinners.  The truths of the Father’s election of some unto salvation, the Son’s effectual redemption of His people and the Holy Spirit’s irresistible, regenerating call of grace are enough to send many a rebel into an angry rage.  Men want to control everything, even salvation, but that cannot be.  The truth that  “Salvation is of the LORD”  shall still remain long after the enemies of God have been cast into the pit of hell." -preacher Jim Byrd Audio Gospel sermons here, friends:   https://www.sermonaudio.com/broadcasters/13thstbaptist/sermons

  The time is short! – the season near, When death will us remove; To leave our friends, however dear, And all we fondly love!   The time is short! – sinners, beware, Nor trifle time away; The Word of great salvation hear, While it is called today.   The time is short! – ye rebels, now To Christ the Lord submit; To mercy’s golden sceptre bow, And fall at Jesus’ feet.   The time is short! – ye saints rejoice, The Lord will quickly come: Soon ye shall hear the Bridegroom’s voice, To call your spirits home.   The time is short! – it swiftly flies, The hour is just at hand, When we shall mount above the skies, And reach Emmanuel’s land.     Tune:  “Amazing Grace” CM Words by Robert Murray McCheyne -------O-------      “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.  Behold, Thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part Thou shalt make me to know wisdom.  Purge me with hyssop,...

Characteristics of Every True Christian    Sermon On The Mount , The Beatitudes  Message preached by Henry T. Mahan (27 minutes)   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKMYXnUnpxg Are the Beatitudes the way to salvation? In this powerful expository sermon from Matthew 5:1–12, discover the biblical meaning of the Beatitudes and why Jesus was describing the characteristics of those who have already been saved by grace through faith, not teaching a works-based path to heaven. This sermon explains that salvation comes only through faith in Jesus Christ, while the Beatitudes reveal the visible evidence of genuine saving faith . Learn what it truly means to be: Poor in spirit Those who mourn over sin Meek before God Hungry and thirsty for righteousness Merciful Pure in heart Peacemakers The message also explores the relationship between justification, regeneration, sanctification, and the fruit of true faith, showing that a transformed heart produces a transformed life. If...

     Divine Election is the Scriptural doctrine stating that God the Father, before the foundation of the world, by His sovereign grace alone, blessed His foreknown people to be chosen to be holy, blameless, and saved (Ephesians 1:3f; II Thessalonians 2:13; Psalm 65:4 & 33:12; I Peter 1:2; et.al.) . Divine Election is called “the election of grace. And if by grace, then it is no longer of works” (Romans 11:5f) . We read also of “the purpose of God according to election ..., not of works but of Him who calls” (Romans 9:11) . Jehovah calls His chosen people “My servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He” (Isaiah 43:10).  They are also called “Jehovah’s chosen ones” (Psalm 105:6, 43) , “chosen in the Lord” (Romans 16:13) . “The elect of God, holy and beloved” (Colossians 3:12) , “the elect whom He chose” (Mark 13:20 adapted) , “His own elect” (Luke 18:7) , “God’s elect” (Romans 8:33; Titus 1:1) , a...

"I have remembered Thy name, O LORD, in the night."   -Psalm 119:55 [KJV]   Consider, (1st.) Hebrew names express the nature of the things to which they are applied. Whatever name the LORD makes Himself known by to us, is expressive of His nature, and of His covenant of love and grace to us. Hence there is no name so sweet to us sinners, as that which He hath assumed, the name JESUS: The LORD, the self-existing Jehovah, Jesus . All the glorious perfections of wisdom, love, and power, shine with the greatest lustre in that name: the great God, even our Saviour Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13.) All the attributes of Jehovah are magnified and glorified in that precious name.    (2d.) To remember the name of the Lord, is to meditate in faith, upon what He is to us, hath done for us, and hath promised to bestow upon us, as the Lord our Saviour. O what a wide field for meditation is here!    But (3d.) David remembered the Lord in the night. While others w...

"Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?" -Ruth 2:10 [KJV]   My soul! dost thou not find continual causes for sending forth the same inquiry as this poor Moabitess did, when thou art receiving some renewed instance of Jesus' favour? Her heart was overwhelmed with the kindness of Boaz, in permitting her to glean only in his fields, and to eat a morsel of food with his servants: but thy Boaz, thy Kinsman-Redeemer, hath opened to thee all His stores of grace and mercy; He bids thee come and take of the water of life freely; yea, He is to thee, Himself, the bread of life, and the water of life; and is now, and will be for ever, thy portion, on which thou mayest feed to all eternity.    When thou lookest back, and tracest the subject of His love from the beginning, in the springs and autumns of His grace; when thou takest a review of the distinguishing nature of these acts of grace; when thou bringes...

"Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins." -Acts 5:31 [KJV] Jesus is "exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour to give repentance and remission of sins." The two go together. Whenever He gives repentance, He gives remission; wherever He grants remission, He bestows repentance. It will not do to let repentance go. Every child of God is brought to repent of his sins, and by repentance to forsake them. "But," you say, "have I repented?   Considering the nature and magnitude of my sins, were I a repenting sinner, surely I should be mourning and sorrowing over them all the day long."     What, then, creates that doubt in your mind? Because you are often hard, dark, dead, cold. Here, then, again, we must distinguish between that godly sorrow for sin which is felt in the spiritual mind, and that hardness and darkness of our carnal mind which is still enm...

  1. Ah! But for free and sovereign grace,   I still had lived estranged from God,   Till hell had proved the destined place   Of my deserved but dread abode.   2. But O! Amazed, I see the hand   That stopped me in my wild career;   A miracle of grace I stand;   The Lord has taught my heart to hear.   3. To fear His name, to trust His grace,   To learn His will be my employ,   Till I shall see Him face to face,   Himself my heav’n, Himself my joy. –Paige (1798 A.D.); L.M.; to “Hamburg” / When I Survey The Wondrous Cross    -------0------- Out of Christ's condemnation , flows our justification. Out of His agony , comes our victory. Out of His pain , comes our ease. Out of His stripes , comes our healing. Out of His gall and vinegar , comes our honey. Out of His curse , comes our blessing. Out of His crown of thorns , comes our crown of glory. Out of His death , comes our life. O what a melting consideration is this! – ...