Scripture at Sunrise 12.28.2021

“He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” -Hebrews 13:5

Several times in the Scriptures the Lord hath said this. He has often repeated it to make our assurance doubly sure. Let us never harbor a doubt about it. In itself the promise is specially emphatic. In the Greek it has five negatives, each one definitely shutting out the possibility of the Lord’s ever leaving one of His people so that he can justly feel forsaken of his God. This priceless Scripture does not promise us exemption from trouble, but it does secure us against desertion. We may be called to traverse strange ways, but we shall always have our Lord’s company, assistance, and provision. We need not covet money, for we shall always have our God, and God is better than gold; His favor is better than fortune.

We ought surely to be content with such things as we have, for he who has God has more than all the world besides. What can we have beyond the Infinite? What more can we desire than almighty Goodness.

Come, my heart; if God says He will never leave thee nor forsake thee, be thou much in prayer for grace that thou mayest never leave thy Lord, nor even for a moment forsake His ways.

[from Faith’s Checkbook by Charles H. Spurgeon]

Scripture at Sunrise 5.8.2018

For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name. -Psalm 33:21

The root of faith produces the flower of heart-joy. We may not at the first rejoice, but it comes in due time. We trust the Lord when we are sad, and in due season He so answers our confidence that our faith turns to fruition, and we rejoice in the Lord. Doubt breeds distress, but trust means joy in the long run.

The assurance expressed by the psalmist in this verse is really a promise held out in the hands of holy confidence. Oh, for grace to appropriate it. If we do not rejoice at this moment, yet we shall do so, as surely as David’s God is our God.

Let us meditate upon the Lord’s holy name that we may trust Him the better and rejoice the more readily. He is in character holy, just, true, gracious, faithful, and unchanging. Is not such a God to be trusted? He is all wise, almighty, and everywhere present; can we not cheerfully rely upon Him? Yes, we will do so at once and do so without reserve. Jehovah-Jireh will provide; Jehovah-Shalom will send peace; Jehovah-Tsidkenu will justify; Jehovah-Shammah will be forever near; and in Jehovah-Nissi we will conquer every foe. They that know Thy name will trust Thee; and they that trust Thee will rejoice in Thee, O Lord.

[from Faith’s Checkbook by Charles H. Spurgeon]

Scripture at Sunrise 2.6.2017

Sunday Morning Sermon: Experiencing Assurance | Romans 5:5 | Steve Wainright
“and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” -Romans 5:5

It is only the Spirit of God pouring the love of God into the heart of a believer that can make them love the unlovable.

-excerpt from Steve Wainright’s Morning Sermon

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This Week’s Sermon Audio:Sermon Audio:
Wednesday Evening – Ichabod | Ezekiel 10:1-22 (Steve Wainright)
Sunday Morning – Experiencing Assurance | Romans 5:5 (Steve Wainright)
Sunday Evening – A Good Role Model | 2 Kings 2 (Steve Wainright)

Scripture at Sunrise 1.2.2017

Sunday Morning Sermon: Assurance of Salvation through Justification | Romans 5:1 | Steve Wainright
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” –Romans 5:1

If you misunderstand the doctrine of justification, you cannot have the joy of someone who has full assurance of their salvation. Justification happens at a particular point in time…it’s a completed action! It is only because of God’s grace that we are justified (declared righteous, declared to be in a right standing with God).

-excerpts from Steve Wainright’s Sunday Morning Sermon

Scripture at Sunrise 4.28.2016

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?” -Romans 8:35

Legalism gives us a temporary feeling of security based on self, the gospel gives us assurance of our eternal security based on Christ. -Burk Parsons via Twitter

Scripture at Sunrise 5.10.2011

So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. -Hebrews 13:6

Because God will never leave nor forsake us, we may well be content with such things as we have. Since the Lord is ours, we cannot be left without a friend, a treasure, and a dwelling place. This assurance may make us feel quite independent of men. Under such high patronage we do not feel tempted to cringe before our fellowmen and ask of them permission to call our lives our own; but what we say we boldly say and defy contradiction.

He who fears God has nothing else to fear. We should stand in such awe of the living Lord that all the threats that can be used by the proudest persecutor should have no more effect upon us than the whistling of the wind. Man in these days cannot do so much against us as he could when the apostle wrote the verse at the head of this page. Racks and stakes are out of fashion. Giant Pope cannot burn the pilgrims now. If the followers of false teachers try cruel mockery and scorn, we do not wonder at it, for the men of this world cannot love the heavenly seed. What then? We must bear the world’s scorn. It breaks no bones. God helping us, let us be bold; and when the world rages, let it rage, but let us not fear it.

[from Faith’s Checkbook by Charles H. Spurgeon]

Scripture at Sunrise 12.29.09

“He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”  -Hebrews 13:5

Several times in the Scriptures the LORD hath said this. He has often repeated it to make our assurance doubly sure. Let us never harbor a doubt about it. In itself the promise is specially emphatic. In the Greek it has five negatives, each one definitely shutting out the possibility of the LORD’s ever leaving one of His people so that he can justly feel forsaken of his God. This priceless Scripture does not promise us exemption from trouble, but it does secure us against desertion. We may be called to traverse strange ways, but we shall always have our LORD’s company, assistance, and provision. We need not covet money, for we shall always have our God, and God is better than gold; His favor is better than fortune. We ought surely to be content with such things as we have, for he who has God has more than all the world besides. What can we have beyond the Infinite? What more can we desire than almighty Goodness. Come, my heart; if God says He will never leave thee nor forsake thee, be thou much in prayer for grace that thou mayest never leave thy LORD, nor even for a moment forsake His ways.

[from Faith’s Checkbook by Charles H. Spurgeon, December 28 entry]

Scripture at Sunrise 6.23.09

“Let my heart be sound in thy statutes: that I be not ashamed.”  -Psalm 119:80

A Sound Heart
We may regard this inspired prayer as containing within itself the assurance that those who keep close to the Word of God shall never have cause to be ashamed of doing so.

See, the prayer is for soundness of heart. A sound creed is good, a sound judgment concerning it is better, but a sound heart toward the truth is best of all. We must love the truth, feel the truth, and obey the truth, otherwise we are not truly sound in God’s statutes. Are there many in these evil days who are sound? Oh, that the writer and the reader may be two of this sort!

Many will be ashamed in the last great day, when all disputes will be decided. Then they will see the folly of their inventions and be filled with remorse because of their proud infidelity and willful defiance of the Lord; but he who believed what the Lord taught and did what the Lord commanded will stand forth justified in what he did. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun. Men much slandered and abused shall find their shame turned into glory in that day.

Let us pray the prayer of our text, and we may be sure that its promise will be fulfilled to us. If the Lord makes us sound, He will keep us safe.

[from Faith’s Check Book by Charles H. Spurgeon; June 19 entry]

Wednesday Night Recap 5.27.09

Eternal Security:
-If one could lose his salvation, no one could be saved.  (Psalm 130:3)
-We have forgiveness of sins and the imputed righteousness of Christ, seen 34 times in Romans (Romans 4; 2 Corinthians 5:21)
-We are not righteous because we are declared righteous.  We are righteous because we are righteous–because we have been made righteous in Christ. 
-We are not under law but under grace! 
-Assurance: has to do with the believer’s understanding and sense that he does indeed possess eternal life.
-Eternal Security: This doesn’t refer to one who just attends church or has changed his life in such a way that he conforms to Christian standards.
-Justified: Romans 8:29-30 The completion of one act necessitates the next.  Sanctification is omitted because it would have to be after justification and sanctification cannot necessitate glorification.  It is God’s work from start to finish.  Romans 8:31-39.  Who could condemn?  Only God.  But He is the One Who justifies.  (John 6:37-39; John 10:27-29; John 17:6-7; Romans 11:29)
-False professions: Matthew 7:21-23 What believer would point to his owrks that he has done?  We point to our Savior! 
-1 John 5:11-12- past tense: “has given eternal life”
-Hebrews 10:14- perfected; forever; that are being sanctified (vs. 17-18- “no more sacrifice for sins because there are no more sins to be atoned for)
-Hebrews 13:5; 1 Peter 1:2-4
-Ephesians 1:13-14- A seal was used a symbol of ownership and security.  For example, Pilate placed a seal on the tomb of Jesus.  Only Pilate or someone greater than Pilate could legally break the seal.  The Holy Spirit is seen as both the seal and the One who does the sealing.  You are owned and kept by God.  The only one who can break that seal is God or someone greater than God.  The believer is sealed until the day of redemption. 
-If someone believed they could lose their salvation by some sin, who are they depending upon for salvation? 
-Does your salvation depend on you or on God?  If on you, you will ever have assurance.  (Romans 3:20, Philippians 1:6, 2 Timothy 1:12)
-Psalm 23- Security is not an issue here for the sheep (vs.1- total provision; vs. 2a- He controls and directs; vs. 2b- He provides rest and refreshment; vs. 3a- He maintains life; vs. 3b- straight paths; vs. 4- through the deep dark valleys, the staff protects and prods)