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To The Work - Congregational Hymn
To the work! To the work! We are servants of God;
Let us follow the path that our Master has trod;
With the balm of His counsel our strength to renew,
Let us do with our might what our hands find to do.
Refrain:
Toiling on, toiling on,
Toiling on, toiling on;
Let us hope, let us watch,
And labor till the Master comes.
To the work! To the work! Let the hungry be fed;
To the fountain of life let the weary be led;
In the cross and its banner our glory shall be,
While we herald the tidings, “Salvation is free!”
To the work! To the work! There is labor for all;
For the kingdom of darkness and error shall fall;
And the love of our Father exalted shall be,
In the loud swelling chorus, “Salvation is free!”
To the work! To the work! In the strength of the Lord,
And a robe and a crown shall our labor reward,
When the home of the faithful our dwelling shall be,
And we shout with the ransomed, “Salvation is free!”
...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMgzeF3QRXk
Let us follow the path that our Master has trod;
With the balm of His counsel our strength to renew,
Let us do with our might what our hands find to do.
Refrain:
Toiling on, toiling on,
Toiling on, toiling on;
Let us hope, let us watch,
And labor till the Master comes.
To the work! To the work! Let the hungry be fed;
To the fountain of life let the weary be led;
In the cross and its banner our glory shall be,
While we herald the tidings, “Salvation is free!”
To the work! To the work! There is labor for all;
For the kingdom of darkness and error shall fall;
And the love of our Father exalted shall be,
In the loud swelling chorus, “Salvation is free!”
To the work! To the work! In the strength of the Lord,
And a robe and a crown shall our labor reward,
When the home of the faithful our dwelling shall be,
And we shout with the ransomed, “Salvation is free!”
...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMgzeF3QRXk
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a-stronghold-for-you-in-troubled-times
The prophet Nahum brings a divine revelation of gloom - and coming judgment. His name means compassionate, or full of comfort.
The wrath of God is against wicked Nineveh, a city known for its violence and oppression of God’s people. God is jealous. He wants your exclusive worship and loyalty.
God is just; He will punish the guilty. Thankfully, God is patient.
The Bible tells of judgment to come. We should prepare to meet God.
Nahum tells of God’s gracious protection towards us, His people:
7 The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.
The Lord is GOOD. In other words, He is loving, kind, and gracious.
The Lord is a STRONG HOLD. It speaks of a fort, a defence, a strength. He offers assurance and safety and refuge.
Notice, it says The LORD is good, a strong hold IN THE DAY OF TROUBLE… It’s saying you can trust Him. In your very worst of days.
If we are in Christ we are safe. For you that place your trust in Him - you have a sure strong hold and fortress.
1. The Lord is Good
1 Chronicles 16:34 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
God is faithful. God is good.
We can know the goodness of God even when life is hard and we struggle.
Psalms 33:5 …the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD. God's goodness is evident in the wonder of His creation. He offers you salvation and peace in your soul.
Psalms 34:8-10 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. We can know His salvation. His forgiveness.
God is good, in all our situations of life. And we can surely thank Him for His goodness. Psalm 107:8 Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
God is good. Because…
God is love.
He is faithful.
He keeps His promises.
God is for us.
I am blessed with every spiritual blessing.
He is the God of all comfort.
He is my rock.
He is true.
He is our Peace.
He is the giver of every good and perfect gift.
He will never leave us, nor forsake us.
He loves us with an everlasting love.
He redeems my life.
Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
I have been adopted as God’s child.
I have eternal life.
I have access by faith into this grace wherein I stand.
I am accepted in the beloved.
I am His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.
He saves to the uttermost.
He brought me up, out of the miry clay.
He set my feet on the rock to stay.
He has delivered me from the power of darkness.
He has made us His own precious possession.
I have redemption through His blood.
He has purchased us with His own blood.
2. The Lord is a Strong Hold in the day of trouble
It tells us here of our stronghold - our fortress - He gives protection to those who trust in Him. We can find our sure comfort and glad hope in this. In Him. Because…
Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
A Refuge speaks of shelter, of protection from danger. I am saved by grace through faith. We are secure and safe, in His safekeeping. We are kept by the power of God. We are under His wings.
He is our defence. Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. He is a strong and mighty tower.
Even in time of destruction and chaos, and loss, God’s people can know security and safety in God. Even when we face fears and stress.
Psalms 56:3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
Faith is more powerful than any fear. Nothing can separate me from the love of God. He is a refuge for those who trust in Him.
The choicest perfume comes from the bruising and crushing of rose petals. Sometimes we are at our best when life crushes us and we run to the refuge of a Holy God.
In the midst of trials and tests, He is ever faithful.
He is the healer of the brokenhearted. He will wipe away all tears. Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. His hand will wipe away every tear from your eyes. This one who loves you so.
Surely, truly, the Lord is good.
Psalms 91:2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. He is my refuge. In Him will I trust.
This is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith!
Come to the refuge.
3. The Lord knows them that trust in Him
He knows you, through and through, and He still loves you.
God will deliver His own people. We can find comfort in His protection. He promises it.
Have you found refuge in God? Where will you turn in the day of trouble?
Trust in the Lord today. Entrust your heart to Him.
...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abh0q32Syu0
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the-prodigal
Luke 15 is the Bible’s Lost and Found Department…
…A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me.
And he divided unto them his living.
…He took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
He wasted his wealth with wild living.
And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
He had spent everything.
A terrible famine struck. He began to be in need. He had nothing to eat.
He wanted the bright lights. The big city.
He went bush - he went out in search of love and happiness - BUT he was going in the wrong direction.
He had lost God's presence.
He was scraping the bottom of the barrel.
He was facing starvation.
Sin does not satisfy.
He ended up tending to pigs.
He had empty pockets, an empty stomach, and an empty soul.
He came to his senses.
He had gone as low as he could go. Hungering even for the pig slops.
He had hit rock bottom.
Sin is temporary madness.
He came to himself!
I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee.
And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
It was while he was coming to his father - his father was filled with compassion. He ran and threw his arms around him -and kissed him...
He embraced him - ardently kissed him – covered him with kisses – fervently - tenderly – fondly - even though he was dirty and stunk like a pig!
God is alike to the loving father in this story - He welcomes us with open arms.
He “Repented”...
• I will arise and go to my father ...
• I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
• I am no more worthy to be called thy son ...
The father was looking for his son’s return.
The prodigal's search for love and happiness ended back at home.
…the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
The Robe - was a special honour – it wasworn by kings, priests, persons of rank, and the redeemed of the Lord.
The Ring – showed commitment and belonging to the family. Authority and distinction.
The Shoes – showed his sonship and acceptance into the family
God completely welcomes us into his family, even though we don’t deserve it.
• The kiss, the sign of forgiveness.
• The robe, the sign of honour.
• The ring, the sign of authority.
• The sandals, the sign of freedom.
• The feast, the sign of a joyful welcome.
And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
Let's have a feast.
This was the prized calf. The very best.
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
He was a dead man.
He has come to life again.
Sin leaves us hungry and hurting.
God gives us His total, fulfilling love.
How much does God love you?
• He loves you enough to let you go.
• He loves you enough to let you hit bottom.
• He loves you enough to let you come back.
• He loves you so much that he will run to meet you.
When a person receives salvation there is great joy in heaven; another soul is saved from hell! What joy! What blessing!
Verse 32 He “was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.”
Salvation is a dramatic event of changing from death to life. From being lost to being found.
What a joy and thrill we have!
What a glad day!
What rejoicing!
And the angels in Heaven join in too!
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BAPTI
baptism
What's baptism all about? A brief study, some testimonies, and a recent baptism service.
In Acts chapter 8 it tells of Philip witnessing to a man – a eunuch from Ethiopia - he'd been talking about you know the lamb that was slain - the Messiah of Isaiah 53. And Philip preached unto him Jesus. It says, as they went on their way they came unto certain water and the eunuch said: See here is water what doth hinder me to be baptised?
And Philip said, If thou believe us with all thine heart thou mayest.
And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptised him.
Who is baptism for? It is for people who gladly receive the word. It tells us that in Acts 2:41, they gladly received the word and they were baptised. A woman named Lydia heard the word, and her heart the Lord opened. And she attended unto the things which was spoken of Paul and, Acts 16 15, say: And she was baptised and her household.
So baptism is for people whose heart the Lord has opened. God opens wide the heart of a man and a woman, and His light can enter and bring that hope of salvation to the darkened soul.
It's faith that saves us; it's not the baptism.
The Bible talks about believer’s baptism – we believe – and then we get baptised. This word, baptism, means to dip, to immerse in water. So that's the significance of it. Baptism is the outward manifestation of the inward transformation. It's your testimony of your faith. You're testifying of your faith.
There's nothing magic about the water - the water really is a picture - a symbol - a sign. What’s of real significance is that step of faith; to go down into and come up out of the water like the eunuch did.
Baptism is a public witness of your faith in Christ as the Son of God, crucified, buried and raised from the dead. That's the picture of the going down into, as in burial, then the coming up out of the water, signifying resurrection. It is a witness of new life. Baptism shows your identity with Christ. It signifies who you belong to.
It's called a burial in Colossians 2. It talks about buried with him in baptism, wherein also you are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God who hath raised him from the dead.
These folk that are being baptised today are showing a public testimony of their faith in Christ.
Baptism does not save you. It is a figure - a sign- a type - a picture - of the salvation already received. So it's an outward sign of an inward event - an outward sign of an inward change.
Baptism identifies a person as a disciple of Christ. It celebrates their passing from the old way of life to the new life in Christ. The person who was previously dead in sin is pictured as buried – and is now alive - living eternally; spiritually alive.
Baptism is a symbol of dying with Christ, towards sin and receiving new life in Christ. It pictures the believer raised to eternal life with Christ.
Why should a person be baptised?
It's our Lord's command. He says, go and baptise. It is an act of obedience. Our Lord Himself was baptised, as that perfect example. And so we are to follow His steps.
As Philip began preaching, Acts 8:12, the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, it says they were baptised, both men and women. Baptism is for believers; men who believe and women who believe.
As Philip told the eunuch, when he was asked, what hinders me - what's stopping me from being baptised? He says, if you believe with all your heart then you can be baptised.
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Post Abortion Care. After an abortion 29% of women suffer PTSD.
Four powerful truths for the woman who has experienced abortion:
God can use this painful experience to bring about good. Consider Romans 8:28. “God never says it’s good, but He causes it to work together for good,”
God uses pain, affliction and even death to draw us into a closer relationship with Him. From that relationship, healing and then serving in His name is possible.
The hole in your heart will heal. But God must do the healing. Psalm 18:6 declares, “In my distress, I called to the Lord, and cried out to my God. He heard my voice from His temple.” Cry out to Him openly, honestly. The Bible says He hears you. Psalm 139, God is ever present in the midst of our suffering.
Be patient with yourself. Your heart will mend. God’s loving grace is abundant for you.
Baby Loss.
In 2 Samuel 18:33, the story of Absalom, David’s son; we see his grief. “…O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom!”
In John 16:16-22. Our Lord had to prepare His disciples for His death. He wept at Lazarus’ grave.
You can never fully prepare for a loved one’s death!
Why do bad things happen to good people?
In the beginning, God created the universe – He saw everything and said it was very good. ~Genesis 1:31
For a world to be very good, it had to be without blemish, defect, disease, suffering and especially, death! Remember, God is above sin and would not create a sinful world.
In Genesis 1:29-31, the Lord gave them every fruit and seed. God placed Adam and Eve into a perfect Utopia.
There was one rule in ~Genesis 2:17, “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Stay away from the tree!
So what happened? Somewhere right after the creation of one of God’s angels, Lucifer led a rebellion against the Creator. Like the effects of all sin, Adam and Eve were filled with shame and tried to hide their sin using fig leaves.
According to Hebrews 9:22, from this point forward, a blood sacrifice was needed to cover sin.
Death now needs a Savior!
“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” ~Romans 5:12. “For the wages of sin is death…” ~Romans 6:23. “For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” ~I Corinthians 15:21-22.
Due to this sin, we’re all going to die. The Bible presents death as separation from God: physical death is the separation of the soul from the body, and spiritual death is the separation of the soul from God. Adam was the first to experience physical death as the result of sin. The whole world is subject to death because all have sinned.
When Adam disobeyed, he experienced immediate spiritual death, which caused him to hide “…Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God” ~Genesis 3:8, 5:5.
“Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.” ~Matthew 27:50. We see that Jesus on the cross, experienced a physical death. The difference is that Adam died because he was a sinner, and Jesus, who had never sinned, chose to die as a substitute for sinners.
Jesus then showed His power over death and sin by rising from the dead on the third day (Hebrews 2:9, Matthew 28, Revelation 1:18).
Because of Christ, death is defeated. “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (~1 Corinthians 15:55, Hosea 13:14).
For the unsaved, death brings to an end the chance to accept God’s gracious offer of salvation (Eternity away from God). “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” ~Hebrews 9:27.
For the saved, death ushers us into the presence of Christ: “to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord” (~2 Corinthians 5:8 Philippians 1:23).
So real is the promise of the believer’s resurrection, that the physical death of a Christian is called “sleep” (1 Corinthians 15:51; 1 Thessalonians 5:10).
We look forward to that time when “…there shall be no more death” (Revelation 21:4). For those who are saved and have lost saved loved ones, the Lord wants you to know that your loved one is just not in the past but also now in the future.
While the idea of a second chance for salvation is appealing, the Bible is clear that death is the end of all chances. In Hebrews 9:27, the Lord is clear “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:”
“And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man…” ~Genesis 6:3. The Lord may not give you or the lost another opportunity. If you’re not saved, you need to accept the Lord’s perfect will today.
For those who are not saved but their loved ones are, it separates them permanently. Bereavement is hard and we need the Lord to get through it.
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A time of communion with Bro Peter Gates
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BE NO
be-not-deceived
Could You Be Wrong? Ever been deceived?
The Bible talks about deception. 2 Timothy 3:13 …evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
The devil is an impostor. The father of lies.
We can be deceived in the area of DOCTRINE. Doctrine– is about WHAT we believe. It means teaching. Ephesians 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.
The Bible warns us, to: Beware of various winds of doctrine that will blow, and that some can be led astray in deception. Such churches can tend to go from one unbiblical extreme to another.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
Sound doctrine is contrasted with false doctrine. Sound means wholesome and healthy. Some doctrine will be like spiritual junk food – it’s toxic and damaging.
Paul tells of deception and literally piles of false teachers. People would rather have amusement and lightness, and not the whole counsel of the Word of God. Some people are un-teachable, they will not be corrected, they refuse to search the scriptures.
We can also be DECEIVED in our DOING. Doing – is about HOW we behave.
James 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. 22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Some people’s religion is vain. Deceived people have a vain religion. It is a hearing only religion, if that. Some will not even hear - and won’t be accountable, even refusing to come to church. So they grow spiritually weak.
Galatians 6:7, Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
1 Corinthians 15:33, Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
What is the answer to Deception? In days of Deception we need Discernment.
BE DISCERNING. Here’s a definition: Discernment is the ability to decide between truth and error, right and wrong. Discernment is the process of making careful distinctions and correct judgments in our thinking about truth.
BE SPIRITUAL - CHECK EVERYTHING. 1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
Don’t be afraid to check and challenge things. We need spiritual discernmen
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the-gospel-of-isaiah
Behold Him today. See Him there, at Calvary.
Turn with me to… The first Gospel. The Gospel of Isaiah. It was written about 700 years BC. So Isaiah was not an eyewitness of Christ, as the other Gospel writers. He foresaw these events.
Experience… with me… the cross. Behold:
1. His SORROWS
His compassion for us. In other words, what we see is - your pain in His heart. Isaiah 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Despised and rejected - hated, scorned, forsaken. A Man of Sorrows. Pains and anguish. Acquainted with grief - he was used to it. He knows your pain. Your anxiety.
We did not value or regard Him.
See Him, in the Bitterness of Gethsemane. The Olive press. See His tears. Jesus wept - for a world chained by sin. His breaking heart. His yearning love.
There was a sign on a garage: “We can mend everything but a broken heart”. Jesus can.
See His mother, weeping.
Treated with contempt. Treated as worthless. Unloved. Unwanted. Mankind still spits out His name as a swear word, thoughtlessly, blasphemously.
The horror of the cross. The place of Humiliation. Hatred.
Behold: His Sorrows.
Behold:
2. His SUFFERINGS
Isaiah 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
See His Bleeding. His spasms. His pain. His sufferings were a grotesque agony. The ordeal. The extreme weariness. The despair.
As a lamb slaughtered. As a leper avoided. As a victim hurt. As a criminal punished.
He carried our sorrows - our pains and torments. He endured the smiting of men, and the striking of God. He was stricken of God, afflicted.
Consider: The torment. The torture. The terror. The gloomy darkness.
That he should taste death for every man. Hebrews 2:9.
It was the cords of love that held Him there to the cross.
It was shocking. He was defaced. Mutilated. Disfigured. He looked no longer human.
He was made a curse for us. Galatians 3:13.
We cannot conceive the exhaustion. The weight. He bore it willingly, patiently. The horrific humiliation and shame.
Behold: His Sorrows.
Behold: His Sufferings.
Behold:
3. His SACRIFICE
His was a willing sacrifice. Isaiah 53:5-7 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
He was wounded - pierced, stabbed.
The iniquity of us all - our guilt.
We are healed - made whole.
He became sin for us. “Jesus became the greatest lair, perjurer, thief, adulterer and murderer that mankind has ever known - not because He committed these sins but because he was actually made sin for us” - so said Luther.
While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
He carries the weight - He lifts it off us. Our pollution… laid on Him.
He has made full satisfaction. His work is sufficient for all. Efficient for all who call.
This great sacrifice was a sweet smelling savour. Strong smell of perfume.
It tells of the travail of his soul. Travail - as of the pain of childbirth - His body wracked with searing pain - it was especially painful.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
He cried out: It is finished. This was the cry of victory. Payment has been made.
We Behold: His Sorrows.
Behold: His Sufferings.
Behold: His Sacrifice.
This avails today: For us: This gives to us…
Our reason for Purity. He has come to purify unto Himself a people. He makes us as clean can be. Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. The cleansing blood is our reason for Purity.
Also, it’s our reason for Peace - the chastisement of our peace was upon Him. We have Shalom today. Wholeness. Reconciliation.
And, this gives to us, our reason for Praise. Isaiah 52:13 Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high. He shall be exalted. Extolled - lifted up - and honoured.
He who was an object of honour will be the One due praise. He is due our praise today. Behold Him.
...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efaAiLXXjik
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WHERE
where-you-can-find-god's-overflow-a-key
We can be blessed to know spiritual life and power. God's overflow and reviving.
One of the biggest sources of blessing for us as a believer is brotherly fellowship. God’s design is that we be the church. The church is essential. We need the church, and our world needs the church.
This blessing of godly fellowship and worship has been threatened. Government has taken some freedoms away . It seems like “The last thing standing is going to be the church.” The world thinks nothing of shutting down the church.
It seems even some Christians care little for the church - they don't support their church by attending or contributing. There’s a carelessness. It's as if church is not something they value.
Consider the importance of the church. The devil would do his utmost to distract us from fellowship. He would use strong arm government lockdowns, or the apathy of the saints. Let’s make church a priority.
The devil wants to take you out of Fellowship it's one sure fire way that he uses to diminish your spiritual effectiveness.
Fellowship is a blessing for us. Psalms 133:1-3:
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.
Psalm 133 is a song of David. There's blessing here! It's when we get together.
There's a God glorifying kind of unity we should cherish. It's something beautiful – like the harmony of sweet music. The blessings of togetherness - when brothers and sisters dwell together. We grow together. There’s mutual support and encouragement. We honour and glorify God together.
As we…
Join together.
We have to work together. Pray together. Praise together. Worship together.
When we do, we…
Comfort one another.
Encourage one another.
Build up one another.
Love one another.
That is something very special.
That’s a blessing.
David says it’s like the oil poured upon Aaron's head and the refreshing dew of Hermon. The blessing of God comes from above. The Bible also speaks of "the oil of joy" (Isaiah 61:3).
Notice, that the oil poured down his beard. This is oil poured out so richly, so fully, that it even runs down on Aaron’s beard. It’s extravagant. Excessive. God is generous towards us. It’s a picture of God’s overflowing blessing!
Godly fellowship is like oil poured on the head, running down on the beard.
It is precious, it is refreshing, it is a gift from God, and God is gracious and generous towards us. He doesn’t hold anything back.
We have God's refreshing and reviving. The anointing oil was poured out. When the people got together there came a heaven sent blessing and outpouring.
Do we value church? This fellowship is something precious. Let's value the fellowship we can have.
When Moses poured out the oil it was to anoint Aaron – as he was set apart for the service of God. He was sanctified for holy use.
There's a sense of abounding, of God's blessing – the more you fellowship the more you can grow.
Christian Fellowship is sacred. We are joined together, and glued together, in brotherly love.
We are called to love one another.
Hebrews 13:1, Let brotherly love continue.
We are the people of God, set apart for His praise. The Word shows how we relate together, in Harmony. In the Unity of the faith. We have one witness to those around us.
So, there’s a Blessing. There’s an Anointing. David tells of the dew on Mount Hermon.
God’s blessing and favour is likened to the freshness of mountain dew… 3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.
The word Hermon means holy. The picture here is of grass covered with life giving dew and the freshness it brings. Here is the secret of spiritual freshness. This vitalizing of fellowship and fruitfulness.
Unity happens when there's humility. There’s a culture of grace and reconciliation.
We can know the life-giving presence of God. He brings to us refreshment, renewal, and nourishment to our souls. We can know this refreshing of JOY - in fellowship. It happens as we dwell together in unity… in community.
David says, it’s here that God commands the blessing, even life forevermore. There's an eternal dimension about the church. This blessing of God, of faith of fellowship, speaks of life forevermore. The Church of God is a forever family of God.
We have the words of eternal life. God has commanded the blessing - that's powerful.
The outpouring of God happens when we get together. Our Lord Jesus says, Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
When God’s people come together to worship as God commands, God commands a blessing there - life for evermore!
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkU18qowjT0
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Created
6 months ago
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English