Right Words Wrong Spirit - Part 1 of 2

The Baptist Bible Hour now comes to you under the direction of Elder LeSaire Bradley, Jr. O for a thousand tongues to sing, my great Redeemer's praise! Thou the grace of my God and King, the triumph of His grace!

This is LeSaire Bradley, Jr. inviting you to stay tuned for another message of God's sovereign grace. What shall I render to my God, for all His kindness shown? My peace shall visit thine abode, my songs and rest thy throne. Among the saints that fill thy house, my offerings shall be gained. There shall my tither form the vows, my soul in anguish made. How happy all thy servants are, how great thy grace to be! My life which thou hast made thy care, Lord, I behold to thee. Now I am thine forever thine, let love thy purpose move.

Thy hand hath loosed my bonds of pain, and bound me with thy love. I'm glad you've joined us for the broadcast today, and I would remind you that we depend on our listeners for support. If you can help us, we'd certainly be thankful for it at this time. Our address is Baptist Bible Hour, Box 17037, Cincinnati, Ohio 45217. And now we have an announcement from Elder Timothy Guest, pastor of Collierville Primitive Baptist Church, Collierville, Tennessee, and managing editor of The Baptist Witness. I'm excited to talk about this latest edition of The Baptist Witness. As our listeners are aware, our publication is now an online-only format, so if you visit BaptistBibleHour.org, you can pull up The Baptist Witness and read it there. Every two months, a new edition comes out with three articles that we trust are edifying to you and a strength in your walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. So this latest edition is themed Honoring Christ in Every Season of Life. There's an article authored by myself that is addressed to young people, and then Richard Hobbywalks has written one directed to those in middle age, and then my dad, Zach Guess, has one for those who are old.

So I'll just let the reader decide which age category that they fall into. In thinking through the content of this edition and then reading through the articles that were written and writing my own, I really was stirred up to pray. There's a verse in the book of Judges it talks about after that Joshua's generation had passed on, and it speaks of a new generation that rose up that knew not the Lord, and I want to pray with all that I have against that. So we are praying that God would raise up a new generation of young people that love Jesus Christ more than they love the attractions of this world, and who would faithfully walk in his kingdom as his servants. And we're thankful for godly young people, and we want to encourage them and strengthen them with this article. We also need faithful examples of those who are middle-aged.

There's particular challenges to these years. There's advantages to this season of life, but there's also temptations. The scriptures have numerous examples of godly people who made dreadful mistakes in their middle-aged years. So Brother Dickey's article has some solid encouragement and some sobering warning. And then finally, old saints are such a blessing to the church to see people who've walked with Jesus for 50, 60, 70 years, who, yes, have made mistakes, but learned from them, who give us an example of long-term faithfulness. So my dad's article is just charged with enthusiastic exhortation for the aged to finish strong in their Christian race. So go to BaptistBibleHour.org and pull up The Baptist Witness, and you can read this latest edition there.

You can also look back and read all of our prior online editions of the publication as well. Again, that's BaptistBibleHour.org. Why hast thou given me but one lot and one portion to inherit, seeing I am a great people? Forasmuch as the Lord hath blessed me heretofore. So the children of Joseph spoke right words when they acknowledged the Lord's blessing, saying, Forasmuch as the Lord hath blessed me heretofore.

But underneath was an attitude of complaint. First, we would give attention to the fact that blessings were acknowledged. The Lord hath blessed us heretofore. They had much cause for giving thanks.

Joshua and Caleb, of course, were the only two that had experienced all of the deliverances that the nation Israel had enjoyed. Multitudes had died in the wilderness because of their sin. But even those who had not lived through all these previous times of blessing had no doubt heard about them in detail from their parents.

So as you look back, you think what a blessing that this whole nation of people or slaves had been in bondage for a number of years. And God, by his mighty hand, brought them out, delivered them, set them free. They came soon to the Red Sea, and God parted it so that they came safely across and Pharaoh's host was drowned in the depths. No doubt the current generation had heard how God blessed in such miraculous ways as to give them water out of a rock, rain down manna from heaven, blessed that even their shoes would not wear out on this long journey, giving them a cloud to direct their way in the daytime and a pillar of fire at night. But this current generation had indeed witnessed and experienced the deliverances that came at the crossing of Jordan. Seeing then, the river rolled back and them coming safely across into the land toward which they had traveled these many years. And then soon the conquering of Jericho, a well-fortified walled city. How could these wilderness wanderers possibly overtake that city? But in obedience to God's command as they marched around the walls, ultimately the walls fell flat to the ground.

Not because of their military strength, but because of the power of God as they trusted him for that success. There were many memorials set up as they continued their journey. As a reminder, God has blessed us.

That first one was set up at Jordan itself. Twelve stones, one for each of the tribes as a reminder. And it was specifically for the purpose that when the children of the coming generation would inquire, what mean these stones, you'll be able to tell them about how God intervened and delivered you, bringing you safely across the river when at flood stage. And this brings to mind the importance of parents conveying to their children the good news of what God has shown them and of how God has blessed them.

It was the responsibility of parents then to inform their children, teach them, tell them what great things God had done in delivering them and bringing them into this good land. And certainly there are abundant reasons for us to give thanks. So many times we take for granted things that are special, unique blessings. Even our daily provisions. God blesses us with daily bread to eat.

Say, well, I've always had enough to eat, but you think about the fact that there are people the world over that don't have enough. We ought not to take it as a blessing for granted, but as a special mercy that God provides for us on a daily basis. When Paul was delivering his message at Morris Hill, he said in Acts 17, 25, he giveth to all life and breath and all things. So the fact that we wake up in the morning, we're still breathing, we're still alive, it's because God gives us breath to breathe and all things. Gives us a place to live that we tend to take for granted. But after having had conversations with several homeless people over recent years, I'm made to understand a little more how troubling it is for somebody as they go through the day not knowing where they will rest that night.

Not knowing if they'll be on a park bench or under a bridge or what their circumstances might be. The very fact that you have a place to live, a place to rest at night is a blessing of God that ought not to be taken for granted. But above all of the natural benefits, and they are plentiful, so many, many things that God has given us to enjoy in life. But above all, to be thankful for his saving grace. Ephesians chapter 2 verse 4, But God, who is rich in mercy for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sin, quickened us together with Christ. By grace you're saved, and hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. Look at the focus on Jesus Christ our Savior. The apostle said in the Corinthian letter, thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

And surely we're made to say that. When we read in this one passage, we're quickened together, we're made alive with Christ. We're made to sit together in heavenly places in Christ. That in time to come he's going to show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. So Jesus Christ is the very focus of this passage. And it's through him that we've received saving grace. We love to sing to him amazing grace. One of the best-loved Christian hymns sung on many occasions. But even as we sing that, let's be sure we give attention to the words and are adequately thankful for what it conveys and how it describes our experience.

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. There's an acknowledgement of our wretchedness, our sinfulness, our unworthiness. That we are not deserving of the blessings of God. Certainly not deserving of his salvation.

What an amazing thing. Have you ever thought about knowing the greatness of God? His magnificence, his power, his holiness. That he upholds all things with the word of his power. And wonder why would he even think about somebody as insignificant as I am?

Why would he have thought about me to put my name in his book before the world began? Surely we have to say it is amazing grace. I once was lost. When a person's lost, in a spiritual sense, they don't even recognize it.

They don't even know their plight. I once was lost but now I'm found. The good shepherd goes out through all kinds of weather and facing all kinds of obstacles but finds that one lost sheep, lays it on his shoulder and brings it safely to the fold. Was blind but now I see. In our natural state we are blind to spiritual things. We're in darkness. In fact, in the Ephesian letter we're described as not only being in the dark prior to our experience of grace but being part of the darkness.

But now, though once was blind, now I see. It was grace that taught my heart to fear. In our human nature, we didn't even fear God.

The fool has said in his heart there is no God. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. And we didn't fear until grace taught us to fear. But the very same grace that taught us to fear relieved our fears. And grace by fears relieved. How precious did that grace appear, the hour I first believed. And oh, may it be so that we not take it for granted. As though, yes, this is something that happened years ago when the Lord first touched my heart and changed my life and brought me into communion and fellowship with Him.

But be constantly renewed that we do not drift away and lose our first love. And then it says, through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come. For those of you that have been on the road a long time, you can look back and think of many dangers, many difficulties, many snares, many obstacles, many discouragements.

You've already come through them. It is grace that has brought me safe thus far. I wouldn't be here today if it were not for grace. The grace of God to have rescued us, to have found us when we were lost, brought us safely to the fold. And this same grace that has brought me safe thus far will lead me home. And that's the precious hope that we have in the midst of our struggles and difficulties here to know that this is temporary.

There's something better yet to come, something better on the other side. This grace of God will lead me home. And then I don't need to think about His saving grace and what that ultimately will bring us as a home in heaven, but to think about the special privileges of grace that we enjoy now. You have the privilege of prayer, the privilege of talking to the Lord, the God of heaven through Jesus Christ, the only intercessor between God and man. You're able to come boldly to the throne of grace. As Hebrews chapter 4 tells us, come boldly to the throne of grace that you may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

What a privilege. Sometimes prayer may be looked upon as a duty and you realize that you fail and are not as diligent and frequent in prayer as you should be. But oh, think of it, not just as an obligation, not just as a duty, but what a privilege to think of having the privilege today to talk to God Himself. Oh, how blessed.

So much for which to give thanks. You have the promises that are made to you by your Heavenly Father. First Corinthians chapter 3 verse 21.

Paul had been speaking of the fact that this church being divided over preachers should not be in such a divisive state. Some saying, I am of Paul, another I am of Apollos, I am of Cephas. He says, therefore let no man glory in men for all things are yours. Don't be glorying in men.

Don't be siding up in factions. All of these gifts are yours. God has given you these various men to minister to you, to preach to you. Whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come, all are yours and you're Christ and Christ is God's. What a blessing.

Hard to really fathom all that's in that. But it says these ministers that God has sent your way, they all are yours. God has sent them for your benefit. And that even the world, the creation of God, the beauty that yet remains in nature in spite of man's fall, it's yours. It's yours to enjoy. Life, life is God's gift.

It's yours and God would have you to enjoy it. But even death is not some dismal end that is to be dreaded by the child of God. At death it's a crossing, a passing over from this life to a better one on the other side. Things present, whatever they may be, you may say, well, right now it's a tough time.

I'm struggling with this problem or that problem. But even the things present are yours. Your troubles, your trials, your afflictions are yours because God uses them to teach you and humble you and bring you into greater dependence upon Him and in a sweeter fellowship with Him. Things to come. There's a tendency to worry about things to come. What is coming?

What can I expect? But if our confidence is in the Lord, we know that whatever we encounter, He will give us sufficient grace to endure it. And ye, all these things are yours and you're Christ, you belong to Him.

Now just think of what a privilege that is. To think of the fact that you, as an unworthy sinner by nature, belong to Jesus Christ. He loved you, He bought you, He paid for you, you belong to Him. And Christ is God's. My, how favored, how blessed, how much reason there is to give thanks for such mercies. And you have grace for every situation that you may ever encounter. James chapter 4 verse 6, But He giveth more grace. Now we've read about this marvelous saving grace in Ephesians chapter 2. But it's not just that grace that rescues us from our lost and ruined state.

He gives more grace, wherefore He saith, God resisteth the proud and giveth grace unto the humble. So whatever the need may be, yes, if you're saved, you were saved by grace. There was an abundance of grace that came to you in the hour when the Lord first dealt with you, and has continued with you. But you need more grace. You need grace to strengthen you spiritually, mentally, physically.

You need grace for every day and whatever is to be encountered during that day. We should also be thankful for the continuance of His blessings. His blessings were charted out for us in the covenant before the world began, executed at the cross, supplied by the Holy Spirit when you were born again, brought to faith in Jesus Christ, but His blessings continue. Psalm 103 describes such a blessing.

Psalm 103 and verse 10. He hath not dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities, for as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him. Must we not all say today, He has not dealt with us after our sins.

Oh, surely there have been times along the way that He has chastened us. But even then, it was an act of love to correct us, to train us, to bring us back from a wayward path. If He had dealt with us according to our sin, we couldn't claim a single blessing. But by mercy, we have these many blessings to review.

As far as the east is from the west, so far have we removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him. For He knoweth our frame, He remembereth that we are dust. To be able to come before Him as our Father and know that He has pity upon us in our weakened state.

He knows our frame. It doesn't mean that God is going to excuse our sin and overlook our acts of disobedience. He will forgive them when we confess, but He does understand our frame that we are but dust. We are weak, frail creatures. In Malachi chapter 3 verse 6, it says, For I am the Lord, I change not, therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

That's why we're not consumed. I believe in the doctrine of perseverance, and the reason I believe in perseverance is because I believe in preservation. God by His grace is preserving and keeping those that are His. He says, He that hath begun a good work in you will perform it unto the day of Jesus Christ. And because we can rely on the covenants and promises of God, we need not fear.

I change not, says the Lord, and for that reason you're not consumed. God can be relied upon in every detail. Oh, that we might be stirred in our minds and hearts to be more diligent in giving thanks to God. To give thanks in our private devotions, in our prayers. To give thanks when we pray together as a family. To give thanks as we pray together as a church.

To give thanks when we express our gratitude to others and let others know we are a thankful people. All my remaining days. The Lord hath been so good to me. I will of Him depend. And every day, where'er I be, I want His truth depend. Surely in this lesson from the book of Joshua we see the importance of maintaining a thankful spirit, never complaining, but being grateful for what God has given us for His abundant mercies that are new every morning. I hope you will write us and until next week at this same time, may the Lord richly bless you all. On that eternal day. The Lord hath been so good to me.

I will of Him depend. The Baptist Bible Hour has come to you under the direction of Elder LeSaire Bradley, Jr. Address all mail to the Baptist Bible Hour, Cincinnati, Ohio 45217. That's the Baptist Bible Hour, Cincinnati, Ohio 45217. And in the land of endless bliss, where all the praise is nigh, Some humble place at thy dear feet, May this poor sinner find. The Lord hath been so good to me.