Charles H. Spurgeon on the Disease of Sin

Because our Church Office is closed Wednesday through Friday of this week, I am sending out this “guest edition” of the Weekly Words. Enjoy this classic devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening. Your servant, Pastor Stephen

“If the leprous disease has covered all of the body, he shall pronounce him clean of the disease” (Leviticus 13:13).

Strange enough this regulation appears, yet there was wisdom in it, for the throwing out of the disease proved that the constitution was sound. It may be well for us to see the typical teaching of so singular a rule. We, too, are lepers, and may read the law of the leper as applicable to ourselves. When a man sees himself to be altogether lost and ruined, covered all over with the defilement of sin, and no part free from pollution; when he disclaims all righteousness of his own, and pleads guilty before the Lord, then is he clean through the blood of Jesus, and the grace of God.

Hidden, unfelt, unconfessed iniquity is the true leprosy, but when sin is seen and felt it has received its death blow, and the Lord looks with eyes of mercy upon the soul afflicted with it. Nothing is more deadly than self-righteousness, or more hopeful than contrition. We must confess that we are “nothing else but sin,” for no confession short of this will be the whole truth, and if the Holy Spirit be at work with us, convincing us of sin, there will be no difficulty about making such an acknowledgment-it will spring spontaneously from our lips.

What comfort does the text afford to those under a deep sense of sin! Sin mourned and confessed, however black and foul, shall never shut a man out from the Lord Jesus. Whosoever cometh unto him, he will in no wise cast out. Though dishonest as the thief, though unchaste as the woman who was a sinner, though fierce as Saul of Tarsus, though cruel as Manasseh, though rebellious as the prodigal, the great heart of love will look upon the man who feels himself to have no soundness in him, and will pronounce him clean, when he trusts in Jesus crucified. Come to him, then, poor heavy-laden sinner,

Come needy, come guilty, come loathsome and bare; You can’t come too filthy-come just as you are.

- Rev. C. H. Spurgeon

Say Something About Jesus

If we want to live for the name of Christ, then we must be prepared to spreak.

• We must speak graciously
• We must speak appropriately
• We must speak knowledgeably

Scripture reading from Colossians 4:6

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Sermon audio here: Say Something About Jesus

Jesus, the Master of My Soul

Dear friend,

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Perhaps you have heard these famous poetic lines before: “I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul.”

There are many people in the world who live by the lines of the poet Henley. Some proudly hold fast to the helm of their lives, certain that they know better than anybody how to survive. Others adopt this motto because they are so wounded by the world that they retreat deep into themselves where they seek some consolation from their pain. In the end, however, those who take charge of their own souls end up an emotional, spiritual wreck.

The Christian descends from the throne of his or her own heart and allows King Jesus to be seated there. This sweet surrender, which takes place when we trust the Savior, makes Him the master of our fate. We are bound for heaven when Jesus is on the throne of our hearts, but Lord Jesus assumes command as well. He is our Savior and our God. This means we allow His Will as expressed in his Word to chart our course through life. He leads and we follow. He commands and we obey. The result? Our souls arrive safely in the blessed heaven of our God.

Is Jesus the captain of your soul? You know all that he has done for you Christian, have you asked him today what He wants you to do?

“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me’” (Mt. 28:18).

Your servant,

Stephen

Rev. Stephen St. John
Pastor/Elder

Men’s Bible Study

Do you have resolve?

Join our Men’s Fellowship at one of these two times:

Wednesdays at 12 Noon
Starts October 8
Meets every other Wednesday
In Pizza and Ribs at D.S.

Or

Wednesdays at 7 PM
Starts October 15
Meets Every Other Wednesday
In the J.I.B.C. Office

Topic: Resolutions for Christian Living

Redeeming the Time

If you want to live for the honor of Christ, then you must redeem the time (use it for Him).

1. Who is to redeem the time?

• Paul is writing to Christian people (insiders)
• Also, mentioned are non-Christian people (outsiders).
• There is an open door.

2. Why are we to redeem the time?

• Because of evangelism.
• Because of God.
• Because we are going to die.

3. How are we to redeem the time?

• Setting your relationship with God ahead of every relationship.
• Seeking God’s kingdom before all things.
• Giving like Christ, who gave all he had to give.

Scripture reading from Colossians 4:5

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.

Our Youth Ministry

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

- Proverbs 22:6

JIBC Youth Ministry includes ages 11 - 20, and offers Sunday School, Youth Fellowship, and Bible Studies on Sunday mornings and Friday nights.

Sunday School age groups:

• Youth Journey 1: 11 - 13 years old
• Youth Journey 2: 14 - 16 years old
• Youth Journey 3: 17 - 20 years old

• Youth Fellowship and Bible Study: 6:00 pm, The Baguley’s Home at Kebayorah 
• Occassional Friday Movie Night at 7.00 pm, The Suwardi’s Home at Permata Hijau

JIBC Youth is constantly looking

Upward … toward a better understanding of what it means to be a Christian

Inward … in order to support each other through faith, prayer and fellowship

Outward … into the wider community with the love of Christ

For more information please contact Mrs. Edna Romulo (+62 818 0847-0655)

“Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” - 1 Timothy 4:12

Happiness With God

Dear friend,

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

“If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands.” Clap, clap!

Did you sing that song when you were a child? I did. And I clapped too. I also stamped my feet and said amen. Happiness seems to come easy for children who were loved like I was. Looking around now, however, I observe that happiness for grown-ups is harder to come by. Are you happy? I do not mean, “How are you?” You would probably answer “fine” to that question, but are you happy?

If you are a Christian, I hope you will say yes. This is not to say life is a bed of roses and everything around you is perfect. Most of us face circumstances that are difficult and some of us are in the midst of severe trial. The Christian, however, has something that transcends circumstances in this world. The Christian has a relationship with God. Of course we know that means heaven, eternal life, no pain after death, and no tears. It means something more though. It means happiness with Him. Have you every thought about God as the supreme, lasting, perfect, ultimate source of happiness in your life? Let me encourage you to find ultimate satisfaction in the Lord.

The psalmist says:

“I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy!” (Ps. 43:4a)

Dear friend, make God your joy and happiness today!

Your servant,

Stephen

Rev. Stephen St. John
Pastor/Elder

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