This is Spurgeon at his most heartfelt, delighting in grace and urging to holiness. Taking quite a substantial text, and holding fast to its substance and arrangement, he brings us face to face first of all with what we are by nature, what we once were in the evils of our minds, our pursuits, and our hearts. Here he urges us to tears of repentance as he ploughs up our souls. Then he considers what the Lord has done for us, ranging over the wonderful declarations of grace contained in the text, and stirring us up to grateful joy, considering not least the merciful works of the Father, the Son, and the Spirit toward us. Then he brings us to the practical punch, that we should be careful to maintain good works. Here he robustly dismisses any suggestion that this is mere legalistic preaching, making clear that to the unbeliever he calls not to good works, but to Christ only. The exhortation to live as a cheerful servant goes not to the slave but to the son, to those who have been redeemed by grace. Inaction here, careless or passive living, brings dishonour to the Lord who has saved us, and so we must embrace this "faithful saying," and show by our good fruit the sweetness of our new root.

A brief bit of encouragement for the journey from God's Word. Today's Scripture reading: Philippians 4 To support this devotional ministry: https://faithbaptiststerling.com/give/ Music: "Awaken the Dawn" by Stanton Lanierhttps://www.stantonlanier.com CCLI #20109360

The early church in Jerusalem responds to threats from religious authorities by gathering to pray for boldness rather than protection. They acknowledge God's supreme sovereignty as Creator and recognize that the crucifixion of Jesus was part of His eternal plan, fulfilling Psalm 2. The believers pray for confidence to speak God's Word despite opposition and ask for miraculous signs to validate their message. God answers their prayer by shaking the place where they meet and filling them with the Holy Spirit. Empowered by this divine response, they go out to proclaim the gospel with renewed courage and authority.

It is the Lord Jesus Christ who gives you as a pastor the enabling grace to be faithful in the work of the ministry. In looking at Paul's words here, we will see what Christ Jesus did for him to enable him to be a faithful minister. Christ gave this enabling grace to the apostle Paul so that he would be able to show us as ministers how we can be more useful and fruitful to Christ in our ministries if we will heed what he is saying here. We should indeed be willing to imitate Paul as he imitated Christ. (1st Corinthians 11: 1) 1st of all – The apostle Paul is a pattern of Christ's longsuffering in relation to all believers, especially pastors. 2nd - Christ would have a pastor and his people speak often to one another.

The sermon explores the second major sermon in Deuteronomy, framing it as a renewal of the covenant God established with Israel at Mount Sinai. It highlights Deuteronomy 10:12 as an epitomizing text that calls believers to fear, walk in, love, serve, and obey God. The preacher contrasts the first generation's failure with the second generation's opportunity to embrace covenant loyalty rooted in God's redemptive love. Attention is given to the Ten Commandments as a restoration of creation morality and the Shema as the supreme command to love God with all one's being. The message urges believers to internalize Scripture, teach it diligently to future generations, and live out their faith through daily devotion and obedience.

~~~~~~~ No 26 in the series - The Epistles of Peter. ~~~~~~~ **Considering 2 Peter 1:12-15** Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always **in remembrance** of these things, ......... to stir you up by putting you **in remembrance;** ........ Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always **in remembrance.** *1/ A reminder of God's use of aids to remembrance in his Word, the Bible. 2/ "These things" Peter wants us to have **always** in remembrance, and what is not stopping him from reminding us. 3/ The blessing of rememberance.* **Sermon summary:** The sermon explores the critical spiritual discipline of remembering God's truths, drawing primarily from 2 Peter 1:12-15 where the Apostle Peter urges believers to constantly recall essential doctrines. The preacher highlights various biblical aids for remembrance, such as the rainbow, the Passover, and the Lord's Supper, which serve as tangible reminders of God's covenants and redemptive work. Emphasizing that even established Christians are prone to forgetfulness, the message argues that repeated exposure to Scripture is necessary to maintain faith and prevent spiritual complacency. The Holy Spirit acts as the ultimate Remembrancer, bringing past blessings and scriptural truths to light at divinely appointed times for encouragement and correction. Ultimately, the sermon calls the congregation to actively engage with God's Word so as to have the assurance of their calling and therefore election until Christ's return.

Anchored in the Word Morning Reflection: Season 5 Episode 154 Delighting in Christ's Love for His Church: Union Ephesians 5:22-32 #morningreflections #strength #wisdom #perspective #trust

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