And be found In Him... Phil.3: 4-9

"Though I might also have confidence in the flesh, If any other man thinks that he has whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yes doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the Knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having my own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith".

When the Apostle talked about being found in Christ he described himself as at one time being without Christ. How did he know what it was to not be found in Christ?

He at one time was looking to his own righteousness, trusting in the deeds of his flesh. After being smitten down on the Damascus road, after having seen the Glory of Christ, after having heard his voice...then he said; I count all things that was at one time my hope, DUNG, GARBAGE, how could he turn his back on such a fine life of “living for God”?

How could he turn his back on his heritage, he was a Hebrew of Hebrews? How could he turn his back on his religious profession, that gave him such a good standing among his peers?

Those who know The Lord Jesus Christ, all who have seen Him by a revelation of the Holy Spirit they know the answer to these questions. Everyone, who has seen Christ, will also turn their back on all the hopes they had before. They will also count all their former religion but Dung and Garbage, they will be embarrassed that they ever had such high views of themselves and such low views of Christ Jesus The Lord.

It is impossible to see the Glory of Christ and to hear his voice as the Apostle did and still hold to an old profession that made salvation to be partly of you and partly of Christ.

The salvation the scriptures describe, make SALVATION TO BE OF THE LORD from start to finish. The salvation the scriptures describe, sets Christ on the throne, gives Him all the glory. Christ said, “I Am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me” (Jn.14).

Do you want to be found in Christ? Have you counted all before you believed Him as dung, as worthless not only in God’s sight, but also in your sight?

I tell you faithfully, but firmly, if you trust any deed you have done, if you have any hope of righteousness in your self, you WILL NOT BE FOUND IN CHRIST.

- Don Bell, Pastor TN

We Preach Christ Crucified

WE PREACH CHRIST CRUCIFIED

“For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified.” (I Cor. 1:22-23)

It is the same today – men want clever preachers, not Christ preachers; reason, not revelation; their minds challenged, not their hearts pricked. The wisdom of this world says, “If you wish to reach the people of this day; you must not be dogmatic; share, discuss, exchange ideas, counsel people, but don’t preach!” I hear people say, “If you would enlist today’s youth, you must adapt to their life-style and their language; pick up the rock beat, use comedy, puppets, and social entertainment; don’t preach Christ to them!”

Can you imagine the Apostle Paul compromising with this so-called “wisdom of the world?” NO! His reply to what men require and seek is “We preach Christ and Him crucified.” I desire to preach and minister to young and old, wise and unwise, but not at the expense of God’s glory and truth. “It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (I Cor.1:21); and if depravity offends men’s dignity, revelation offends their wisdom, and substitution offends their pride, so be it!

I find God’s prophets, apostles, and preachers, who have been used of God in past years, to be compassionate men but never compromisers, to be comforters but never cowards. They were willing to take the offense out of their manners but never out of their message. They all PREACHED CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED.

Pastor Henry Mahan