Great Encouragement in Christ JESUS ~ 28 September, 2026 A.D.

THE WORK OF THE SOVEREIGN SPIRIT

 

     Believing the gospel is no small thing.  The message of salvation altogether by grace conditioned upon the merits and work of the Son of God is offensive to the natural man because it declares the inability of man to save himself.  It proclaims that redemption has been obtained, reconciliation has been accomplished and righteousness has been brought in for all of God’s elect by the life, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.  When God the Holy Spirit comes to a spiritually dead sinner, He finds in that poor rebel nothing with which to work.  The sinner’s mind is enmity against God, his heart as adamant stone toward the truth and his will set in opposition to the divine will.  

 

The Spirit must quicken the dead, break down the rebellion, convince of sin, grant repentance from dead works and faith in Jesus Christ and seal upon the heart and conscience of the newly regenerated sinner that blessed truth that he or she stands accepted before a holy God solely upon the ground of the blood and righteousness of the glorious Redeemer.  What but the work of the sovereign Spirit could bring a needy sinner to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ?                                                                                                  

 

-preacher Jim Byrd

 

-------O-------

 


OUR FATHER’S BUSINESS

 

     When William Carey announced that he wished to go overseas to preach to the heathen, a pastor replied, “Young man, if God wishes to save the heathen, He will do it without you!”  What a bad spirit and error!  Yes!  God can accomplish His purpose and save His people WITHOUT ME and WITHOUT YOU; but He will use SOMEONE to preach the Word, SOMEONE to send the messenger, and SOMEONE to pray and support His servant.  I want that someone to be you and me!  What a privilege and joy to have something to do with His glorious purpose to glorify Christ in calling out a people.  Today, pray for your pastor as he preaches, encourage and support the missionaries, invite someone to hear the Word, give out a tape or book, and let us be about our Father’s business.                                                                    

 

-preacher Henry Mahan

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