"IN ALL THIS"
The Word of God testifies to the spiritual integrity of a man who lived in the land of Uz whose name was Job. "In all this," it is written of him, "Job sinned not, nor charged God with folly" (Job 1:22). In all what? In all this tribulation, all this trouble, all this sorrow which he had experienced.
Four servants had brought the bad news, one at a time. First, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys were stolen. Then, seven thousand sheep were destroyed by fire. Then, three thousand camels were stolen. And finally, Job's seven sons and three daughters were killed in a tornado. Yet "in all this" Job kept his spiritual composure.
When the last report came in concerning his children, it is reported by the Holy Spirit that "Job arose, and tore his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshiped" (1:20). Is not this a mistranslation? It would seem so. Maybe a scribe somewhere along the line copied the wrong word at the end of this verse. Possibly it should read that Job "fell down upon the ground, and wondered, or worried, or wailed." Or should it read: He "fell down . . . and cursed?"
No. The translation is correct. "Job fell down . . . and worshiped." If it was our biography, it probably would read differently, but not so with this man who was "perfect and upright, and a man who feared God, and shunned evil" (1:1).
Job recognized and acknowledged God's sovereignty not only in his prosperity but also in his adversity. He "worshiped, and said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD" (1:21). He testified to the transitory nature of the material and physical universe; and to the abiding and eternal nature of the LORD whose name is blessed. Far from cursing, Job blessed the LORD.
Jesus assured His disciples that "all authority is given unto me in heaven and in earth" (Matthew 28:18). This means that Jesus Christ is Sovereign over His universe. Over all of it, and each part of it. Lord of both heaven and earth. My Lord and my God.
As a result, whatever happens, we may be sure that He knows, He cares, and He has complete control. Nothing takes Him by surprise. He may indeed permit adversity and inflict chastisement, but He alone (not these things) is Sovereign. We can trust the Man who died for us. For He is the God-Man, LORD of all.
"God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow . . . and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is LORD, to the glory of God, the Father" (Philippians 2:9-11).
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"And such trust have we through Christ toward God; not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God."
2 Corinthians 3:4,5.
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First in a Series
THE DEATH OF JESUS CHRIST
( ITS IMPORTANCE )
What is the importance of the death of Christ?
First, it is the central theme of Scripture
In Old Testament prophecy it holds a prominent place. For this, read Psalm 22:1-31; 69:1-21, Isaiah 52:12-53:12, Daniel 9:24-26, and Zechariah 12:10; 13:1,7.
In the ministry of John the Baptist it was prominent. See John 1:29.
In the teaching of Christ Himself it was important. Some would object, saying that Christ had little to say about death. Of course the answer to that would be that Christ came, not so much to preach the Gospel of His death, but in order that there might be such a Gospel to preach. But our Lord did speak of His death. Matthew tells us that "from that time began Jesus to show unto his disciples, that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things . . . and be killed." "From that time" Jesus turned from teaching the Kingdom to teaching the Gospel -- the Gospel of His death.
Christ's death has a very prominent place in the New Testament epistles, especially in Paul's letters, and also in the book of Revelation.
Secondly, the death of Christ was the first truth in apostolic preaching. Preachers today could learn a lesson here. Paul declared to his Corinthian converts: "I delivered unto you first of all . . . how that Christ died for our sins." He said, "For I determined not to know anything among you, except Jesus Christ, and him crucified."
Thirdly, the death of Christ was the heart of the Church's ordinances. Baptism introduced the convert into the Church and spoke to him of the death of Christ. The Communion service was the center of the Church's worship and spoke to the worshipper of the death of his Lord.
Fourthly, the death of Christ was the great object of interest to the heavenly world. What was it Moses and Elijah talked with Christ about when they made their astounding appearance on the Mount of Transfiguration? They "spake of his decease which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem." What is it that angels desire to look into? "The sufferings of Christ, and the glories that should follow them."
Fifthly, the death of Christ is the song of the redeemed in heaven. Read Revelation 5:8-10.
And finally, the death of Christ will be remembered as an everlasting monument of God's love and grace. The eternal state of our universe will begin after God has made the new heavens and a new earth. The prominent figure of this new and eternal state will be our Lord Jesus Christ. He will be called "the Lamb." This name throughout eternity will be a memorial to His death. Read Revelation 21 and 22.
What does all this mean? It means, as someone has said, that the "Cross of Christ is the moral and spiritual center of the universe. An eternity past knew no other future, and an eternity to come will know no other past."
My thanks to Dr. Alva J. McClain, President Emeritus of Grace Theological Seminary, for the outline and much of the material in this and subsequent studies on "The Death of Jesus Christ." -- Editor
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"BELIEVEST THOU THIS?"
Jesus told Martha a very startling thing. After Martha expressed her disappointment at Jesus' absence when her brother, Lazarus, had died, "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die." Then He put the question: "Believest thou this?" (John 11)
What would you think if a man came up to you and said that he was the resurrection and the life and that by believing in him you would live forever? That is what Jesus said to Martha, and in fact is what He says to you. These words were recorded for your benefit.
Do you believe this? Do you believe that Jesus spoke the truth, that He truly is the resurrection and the life? Jesus says that whoever believes in Him, though he were dead in trespasses and sins, yet shall he live spiritually, and whoever lives spiritually, believing in Him, shall never have part in the second death, i.e. the Lake of Fire. These are fantastic claims, yet they are proven true to all who believe.
Jesus is the Resurrection. If you want to participate in the resurrection of the saints at the Rapture of the Church when Christ returns, then you must receive Christ as your Saviour. As He arose, so shall we be raised. Jesus is the Life. If you want eternal life and all that accrues therefrom, then you must have Him, for "he that hath the Son hath life." "In him was life," and Jesus said, "I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish."
It is the possession of the Person of Christ that guarantees you resurrection unto life. These words are synonymous with His Person. When we talk about Christ, we are talking also about the resurrection and the life, we are talking also about Christ. They are one and the same. You cannot have one without the other. If you have resurrection life abiding in your heart, you have Christ in your heart. If you have Christ, you have resurrection life. If you do not, on the other hand, have Christ, neither do you have life, and you have nothing to look forward to but "the resurrection of damnation," when those who are not found written in the Book of Life are cast into the Lake of Fire.
"Believest thou this?" Martha answered Him, "Yea, Lord, I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God . . . " Do you find it in your heart to answer the same? I trust you do. God help you to see and believe! Time is running out!
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HE LIVES FOR US
The Lamb of God has come to take away the sin of the world, to put it away by the sacrifice of Himself. The full results of that offering are not yet made manifest, but He has been raised from the dead, and He now lives to God in His presence. There He lives for us as our representative. Because He lives we live also. Into that circle where He is, sorrow and death can never enter. It is a scene of cloudless favour, peace and endless delight. -- J. Revell.
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Christ gave His life FOR us, that He might give His life TO us.
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Christian Martyrs of the Past
Sixteenth Century
LAURENCE SAUNDERS
Rev. Laurence Saunders had been educated at Cambridge, and found his first employment with Sir William Chester, a rich merchant of London, who was afterward sheriff of that city. Saunders had not been long in this place, when he became weary of a tradesman's life. He lost his spirits, and pined to be released from an employment so little to his taste. His master, who was a kindly man, took notice of his clerk's despondency and asked the reason for it. The young man told him that he wanted to continue his studies in college, so as to prepare himself for the ministry, whereupon the merchant generously gave him back his papers of apprenticeship, and sent him home to his relations.
Overjoyed at his release, Saunders lost no time in returning to his studies at Cambridge, fully determined to qualify himself as a preacher. He especially devoted himself to the study of the Greek and Hebrew languages, so that he could read the Scriptures in the original tongues. Having completed his course, at the beginning of king Edward's reign, when the reformers were in the ascendant, Saunders began to preach with great success. His first appointment was at Fotheringham, where he read a divinity lecture; but that college soon being closed, he was appointed a preacher at Lichfield. He married about this time, and won the respect of all by his active and useful life in the ministry.
While Saunders was thus attending to the work of his parish, king Edward died, and queen Mary succeeded to the throne. In the second year of her reign a royal proclamation was sent out requiring all persons to attend mass. Many refused to obey this, and no one was more determined in his refusal than Laurence Saunders. He continued to preach whenever he had an opportunity, and recommended the prayer-book, with the Scriptures, to the people.
One day as Saunders was coming to the city of London, Sir John Mordant, a councillor to queen Mary, overtook him, and asked him where he was going. "I have," said Saunders, "an appointment to preach at London, and now I am going there to instruct my people according to my duty."
"If you will follow my counsel," said Mordant "let them alone, and go not to them." To this Saunders answered, "How shall I then be excused, if any of them be sick and desire consolation, if any should slip into error and receive false doctrine?"
"Did you not," said Mordant, "preach last Sunday in Bread street, in London?" "Yes, truly," said Saunders, "that is where my church is." "I heard you myself," said Mordant: "and will you preach there again?" "If it please you," said Saunders, "tomorrow you may hear me preach again in that same place."
"I would advise you," said Mordant, "not to preach." Saunders answered, "If you can and will forbid me by lawful authority, then must I obey."
"Nay," replied Mordant, "I will not go so far as to forbid you, but I do give you warning." And then they both entered the city, and parted from each other, -- Mordant, in a spirit of malice, going at once to give information to Bonner, bishop of London.
The next morning, being Sunday, Saunders preached as he had intended; exhorting his people to be steadfast in the truth, and not to fear those who can only kill the body. He was listened to by a great crowd of people, which gave much offence to the clergy, particularly to bishop Bonner. No notice, however, was taken of him in the forenoon, but in the afternoon, when he made ready to preach again, Bonner sent an officer to arrest him. The minister went away quietly with the officer, and Sir John Mordant appeared to give evidence against him.
When Saunders appeared before bishop Bonner, he was roughly charged with disobeying the queen's command. "How happeneth it," cried the bishop, "that, notwithstanding the queen's proclamation to the contrary, you have continued to preach!"
Saunders did not deny that he had preached. He said he saw the perilous times at hand, and did but exhort his flock to persevere in the doctrine which they had learned; saying also, that he was moved and urged forward to it by the command to obey God rather than man: and, moreover, that nothing had stirred him thereto but his own conscience.
"A goodly conscience, surely!" said the bishop. "this your conscience would make our queen not entitled to her crown: would it not, I pray you?"
Saunders replied, "We do not declare or say that the queen has no right to the throne. But let those take care who have declared it, and whose writings are yet in the hands of men:" ( -- by this meaning the bishop himself, who had, to get the favor of Henry VIII, written a book in which he openly declared queen Mary to be illegitimate, and therefore not able to inherit the throne). "And," said Saunders, "as to our preaching, we do only profess and teach the purity of the Word; and, although we may now be forbidden to speak with our mouths, our lives hereafter shall testify."
The bishop being put out of countenance by this, cried, "Carry away the frenzied fool to prison." Saunders answered, that he did give God thanks who had given him at last a place of rest and quietness, where he might pray for the bishop's conversion.
Saunders remained in the Marshalsea prison for a year and three months; during which time he sent letters to Cranmer, Ridley, and Latimer (other reform ministers), and also others, complaining of the cruelty of the queen, and injustice of the bishops. His wife used to come to the prison to see him, carrying her young child in her arms. When Saunders saw the child he clasped him to his beast, and rejoiced greatly, saying, how happy he was in having such a son; and all who were in the prison admired the beauty of the boy.
At last, being brought before the council for his final examination, Saunders was asked many questions, all of which he answered boldly, caring more to uphold what he considered the truth than to save his life. He was soon found guilty of heresy, and sent to the Compter prison to await his sentence. Saunders' treatment in this place was less severe than it had been in the Marshalsea prison, and he was able to see his friends many of whom visited him. But this was not to last long. His enemies were untiring in their efforts to hasten on his dreadful punishment. In a few weeks the sheriff of London came and took him out of prison, and delivered him to the queen's guard, who had been ordered to take him to the city of Coventry to be burned.
As the company were coming into the town of Coventry, a poor shoemaker came to the prisoner as he stood among the soldiers, and said to him, "O my good master, God strengthen and comfort you." "Good shoemaker," cried Saunders "pray for me; for I am the unworthiest man to be chosen for this sacrifice that ever was appointed to it; but I doubt not that my gracious God and Father is able to make me strong enough for it." That night he was put into the common jail among the other prisoners, where he slept little, but spent the night in prayer. On the next day he was led to the place of burning in a park without the city. He had but an old gown and shirt to wear, and was barefooted, and he often fell flat on the ground, and prayed.
When he was come near to the place, the officer, who was appointed to see the execution done, cried out that the prisoner was one of those who marred the queen's realm with false doctrine and heresy, "wherefore thou hast deserved death," said he; "but yet, if thou wilt revoke thine heresies, the queen will pardon thee; if not, yonder fire is prepared for thee."
To this Saunders answered, "It is not I, nor my fellow-preachers of God's truth, that have hurt the queen's realm, but it is yourself, and such as you, who have always resisted God's holy Word; it is you who have, and who do mar the queen's realm. I maintain no heresies; but the doctrine of God, the blessed Gospel of Christ, that I hold to, that I believe, that I have taught, and that will I never revoke."
Then cried the officer, "Away with him!" And away they hurried him to the stake. When he had come to it he fell to the ground, and prayed; and then rose up again, took the stake to which he was to be chained, in his arms, and kissed it, saying, "Welcome the cross of Christ, welcome everlasting life." Such were the last words of Laurence Saunders, who may well be compared to the ancient martyrs of the church; both in fervent zeal for the truth and constant patience in his suffering, as also for the cruel torments that he sustained in the flames of fire. For so his cruel tormentors hated him that they burned him with green wood rather than dry fuel, which put him to much more pain. But the grace and consolation of Christ, who never forsakes His servants, gave him patience to bear all their torments.
From "Foxe's Christian Martyrs of the World," published by Moody Press, Chicago.
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THE WONDERFUL CHANGE
By M. R. DeHaan, M.D.
Salvation by faith in Jesus Christ is a momentous transaction, for we are made spiritually alive after being dead in trespasses and sins. The greatest evidence of the power of the Gospel is the change it produces in the believer. The thief is made honest, the harlot virtuous, the blasphemer a worshiper, and the liar trustworthy and dependable. The world has no way of accounting for the miracle of such a Spirit-led life.
The story is told of an old Fijian chief and an English earl -- an infidel -- who visited those little-known islands. The Englishman said to the chief: "You are a great leader, and it is a real pity that you have been so gullible as to listen to the missionaries, who only want to get rich among you. Nowadays no one believes any more in the Bible; neither do men listen to the threadbare story about Jesus Christ dying on a cross for the sins of mankind. People know better now, and I am only sorry for you that you are so foolish." The old chief's eyes flashed, and he answered, "Do you see that great rock over there? On that stone we smashed the heads of our victims. Do you see that furnace over yonder? In that oven we formerly roasted the human bodies of our enemies for our great feasts. If it had not been for those good missionaries and the great love of Jesus Christ, which has changed us from savages into God's children, you would never leave this spot alive! You should thank God for the Gospel, for otherwise we would already be feasting on your body. If it were not for the Bible, you would now be our supper!"
Yes, the Gospel transforms men completely. Have you experienced that all-important change in your life? If not, receive Christ right now! Tomorrow may be too late!
(In "Our Daily Bread," copyright 1967 by Radio Bible Class, Grand Rapids, MI.)
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CHRIST IS ALL
By F. Bodman
"While he yet spake, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him . . . And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only." Matthew 17:5-8.
Have you ever been in the "cloud?" Have you ever heard the "voice?" Have you been on your "face?" Have you felt the "touch?" Then, have you heard another voice, "Arise?" Do your eyes see "no man save Jesus only?"
O let us know more of that rich blessedness which comes of making "Christ all," of seeing "Jesus only." Our cry should be -- "that I may know Him." In our selfishness we cry and beg for blessings. It is the Blesser we need -- Himself, He is the joy of the Father's heart. Let us taste with Him the delight He takes in His Son. Christ is infinitely higher than doctrine or experience. Experience we shall have, but only with Him can our hearts be ravished and raptured.
Why is it we are not changed more from "glory to glory?" The veil has been rent; the blood has been sprinkled; the Spirit has been given. The reason is we are occupied with ourselves and the work of the Spirit in us, rather than with Christ alone. Let us look more in that unveiled face, from which streams the light of the knowledge of the glory of God. All else will pale and fade if we will but linger there.
The work of Christ, wonderfully blessed as it is, can never be the object of my heart. It gives my conscience peace, sweet peace, but only His Person can satisfy my heart, And oh, how His Person does! Ten thousand hallelujahs to Him!
The Father directs our attention to Christ (Matthew 17:5). The Holy Spirit would occupy us with Christ (Acts 7:55-56). The Word of God testifies of Christ (John 5:39). He is the object of faith; He is the object of love; He is the object of hope; and the faith, or love, or hope, that does not make Him the object is spurious and unreal. He is all for my path; He is all for my service; He is all for my worship; blessed, blessed be His name. He is not on the Cross; He is not in the grave; He is on the throne. Wondrous fact, a Man in the glory of God, and that One my Saviour; my Priest, my Advocate; the One who died for me; the One who lives for me; the One who is coming for me; the Bridegroom of His Church. It is not surprising that Peter should say, "Unto you therefore which believe, He is precious." He is enough, and it pleases His heart for us to make everything of Him.
May it be with us, Christ, Christ, Christ. You cannot get a better portion or place than He gives. Your portion here will be "food and raiment"; your place, "outside." Your portion there is "all spiritual blessings"; your place, "in Him." And now, let every affection, every desire, every thought, and every aim, be gathered to, and centered in HIM.
(In "Things Concerning Himself.")
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