SAVED BY WORKS?

 “God will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,” (Romans 2:6-8). These verses sound like a person gets to heaven based on their good works, (trying the best they can). That is what the majority of professing Christians now believe. The problem is the words “patient continuance” mean “steadfastness or constancy”. That means your attempt at being good would have to be perfect all the time, which is impossible because “there is not one righteous person “ (Romans 3:12). Furthermore, Romans 3:23 says, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God”. Jesus didn’t come to make good men better; Jesus came to save evil men who could not save themselves by trying to do the best they can. This is why the word gospel means “ good news”. This is why the word “grace” in the Bible means “gift or unmerited favor”. Eternal life comes only to those who put their complete hope in the work Jesus did on the cross for their salvation, “the just one, dying for the unjust ones to bring them to God” (1 Peter 3:18). “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever BELIEVES in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). 

May God bless you with eternal life through Jesus Christ,

 Pastor Tom.

THE BRONZE SERPENT

After their exodus from Egypt the nation of Israel began a long history of disobeying God. Rather than showing gratitude for what God had done for them they soon began to become a nation of complainers which displeased God greatly.  “From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom. And the people became impatient on the way. And the people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food.” Then the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. And the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you. Pray to the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. And the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.” So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live” (Numbers 21:4-9). The bronze serpent was a symbol of God’s judgment and salvation. In John’s gospel we learn that the symbol became a reality when Jesus took the judgment in behalf of sinners. “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:14-16). Look to Jesus as your Savior and you will be saved from the judgment of all your sins. “…. because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved”(Romans 10:9). 

Keep pressing on, Pastor Tom.

PREPARING FOR WORSHIP ON THE LORD'S DAY

 Alexander Mc Claren wrote: “Fruitful and acceptable worship begins before it begins”. How are you preparing to worship God before you go to church this coming Sunday to hear the Word of God proclaimed? That begins by worshipping Him every day (Monday through Saturday) in the sanctuary of your heart. “I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together” (Psalm 34:1-3). If praising God is continually in our hearts there is no room for complaints, and the joy of the Lord will be our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). Keep pressing on, Pastor Tom.