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

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...

"We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God." -Acts 14:22 [KJV]   What are the promises? Are not all the promises suited to the Lord's poor and needy family? What are the promises of pardon, except to the guilty? What are promises of salvation, except to the lost? What are promises of consolation, except to the afflicted? What are promises of grace, except to those who feel themselves altogether undone? Thus it is "through much tribulation" we enter into the sweetness of the promises. Then they come with power into the heart; they are manifested with life and feeling to the soul; and we begin, like Jeremiah of old, to "find God's word and eat it;" and feel it to be the very joy and rejoicing of our heart.    This is the effect of passing through tribulation in providence and in grace,—of cutting trials; of severe, harassing temptations; of frowns from the world; of blows from sinners and saints; of learning the w...