LORD, REMEMBER ME! A SINNER'S CRY

William Andrew Dillard

The multiple facets of life which men choose to follow amazes the keen observer. Some are meek and humble; others are haughty and proud; some are weak and fearful; others are bold and aggressive; some are quick to inquire while others already know it all; some are consumed with power and authority while others are content to fulfill their tasks of life, leaving the authority worries to others, It goes on! Here is a graphic illustration. Think with me about it!
Once upon a time on a hill far away were raised three cruel crosses. Upon these were men, still alive, badly beaten and abused, whose fate was to die in intense agony for crimes allegedly committed. The cross on one end contained a convicted thief. The cross on the other end also contained a convicted thief and/or robber or insurrectionist.
The cross in the middle contained the unrecognizable figure who without sin admitted the sins of the entire world upon Himself: Our altogether lovely, Wonderful, Precious Savior: Jesus, God’s only begotten Son. He was unrecognizable because the heavily wielded, Roman cat of nine-tails has laid upon his flesh to expose His bones. His beard had been pulled off His face with its flesh. His vestige was marred more than any man (Psalm 22, Isa. 52), and interestingly enough, a brief dialogue of the three dying men occurred.
The thief on one end of the three-cross line spoke sarcastically to the man on the middle cross. “If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.” Luke 23:39. He neither knew nor cared that the greatest single event in all of human history was occurring, and he was also a part of that monumental scene. He thoughts were not of the world beyond in which he would soon find himself, or that he was beside the resurrection and the life who could pardon his wicked soul of the sins for which he was dying. How typical of the world of sinful men.
On the other side of the middle cross the second thief rebuked the first, saying, “Doest not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.” Luke 23:40-41 It was then that he turned his head to the middle cross and said, “Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.” Jesus said, “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
Let it then be shouted to the darkest regions of the universe: Jesus is Lord, and there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.
I want to be remembered by the Man of the Middle /Cross, and I am, and I shall be.
Men in every generation should follow the undeniably successful attitude of the second thief. It is just this simple, and there is no plan “B.” In repentance from sin, and singular trust in the Savior, let prayers ascend, “Lord, remember me!”

The Danger of Evil Friends

Proverbs 1:10-15
“My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not,” Proverbs 1:10.

At the moment, the rain fell lightly over the road. Earlier it had been raining heavily. Through the broken glass the light showers kissed the pale cheeks of the teen girl and boy. The tires continued to spin, as if they were still moving on the road, but, instead, were immobile as they faced skyward.
The evening started off with laughter at their friend’s house, then, as the evening progressed many of the teens became stoned, drunk or both.
In the wreckage, the young couple were barely breathing, still unaware of their situation as moments of their lives flashed through their minds. The boy remembered the pleadings of his father not to fall prey to the influence of drugs or alcohol and he promised his father he would not. The girl recalled the godly influence of her parents but because she wanted to be accepted by her friends, she disregarded their Christian values for false popularity.
Although this particular story is imaginary, a similar one is repeated much too often by youth and adults alike. While not everyone’s life gone astray ends in an accident, it is, however, a disaster waiting to happen. Ask anyone in a rehabilitation facility if he meant for his life to succumb to the influence of friends who really did not care, ones who were not really friends.

REFLECTION
My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path (Prov. 1:15).

Beverly Barnett

350 – Dec. 16 – THIS DAY IN BAPTIST HISTORY PAST

Revival came and spread in the land.
 December 16, 1769 – Jesse Mercer – Was born in Halifax County, North Carolina. According to William Cathcart, in his time, “He was the most influential Baptist minister in the State of Georgia.” He was the oldest child of the Rev. Silas Mercer, and his young life was circumspect in every regard, but at the age of 15, he saw himself as a sinner and was converted. In his 17th year he was baptized and united with the Phillips’ Mill Church. In his 19th year he was married, and before he was 20, he was ordained into the ministry and began his fruitful work for the Lord.
For over 50 years he served the Lord as pastor, but he traveled extensively preaching the gospel to the spiritually impoverished in sparsely settled areas of the state. He was influenced by Luther Rice and became a strong advocate of missions among the slaves, promoted the Sunday school movement, and led in the efforts of the temperance movement. He served as a trustee of the Columbian College in Washington, D.C.  He served as clerk of the Georgia Baptist Association for 21 years, and as moderator for 23 years. He was President of the Georgia Baptist Convention for 19 years, from its founding in 1822 until 1841. He also published The Christian Index. His wife died on the way home where he preached at the Triennial Convention in 1826 and the following year he married Nancy Simons, a wealthy widow, and together they became generous donors to the cause of Christ. Though he was granted a doctorate from Brown University in 1835 he preferred not to be called by that title but they called him “Brother” and his friends called him “Father.” On returning from a revival where there was a great outpouring he stood before his people and said with tears, “You are too good to be saved!” Revival came and spread in the land.
Dr. Greg J. Dixon from: This Day in Baptist History Vol. I: Cummins Thompson /, pp. 524-26.

WHAT BAPTISTS BELIEVE ABOUT THE WAY OF SALVATION

THE WAY OF SALVATION
EPHESIANS 2:1-10

Men have added rituals, ceremonies, and human effort to the Bible teaching of the way of salvation until it is necessary that this plain Bible truth be affirmed over and over. The very destiny of souls in eternity is dependent upon what they believe.

I.   THE SALVATION OF SINNERS IS WHOLLY OF GRACE. (EPHESIANS 2:8; ISAIAH 45:22; JONAH 2:9)

II.  ALL MEN NEED THE GRACE OF GOD. (PSALM 14:1-3; ACTS 18:27).
     1. Every New Testament example of a child of God is that of one who became such by the grace of God.
     2. Grace means: to grant as a favour or gift expecting nothing in return. 
     3. It is impossible to work one’s way into favour with God. (Romans 2:4)
     4. God’s saving grace cannot be mixed with works or anything else. (Romans 11:5,6)
     5. Salvation cannot be earned. (Romans 4:4)

III. MEN NEED THE MEDIATORIAL OFFICE WORK OF THE SON OF GOD.
     1. There is only one mediator. (I Timothy 2:5)
     2. There is only one way to come to God. (John 14:6).
     3. Jesus suffered that He might be the mediator for man. (Philippians 2:8-11)
     4. Jesus’ death made full payment for man’s sins. (Matthew 20:28; Hebrews 2:9)
     5. Jesus is now enthroned in Heaven, having risen from the dead. (Hebrews 1:3)
     6. Jesus is in every way qualified to be a suitable and compassionate Saviour. (Hebrews 7:25)

IV.  GOD’S GRACE NOW ABOUNDS (ROMANS 5:20)
         He still extends His grace to men. (II Peter 3:9)

V.   HOW GOD’S GRACE IS OBTAINED IN SALVATION. SOME EXAMPLES:
     1. “God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble”. (I Peter 5:5)
     2. “But He giveth more grace”. (James 4:6)
     3. Luke 23:39-43; Acts 9:1-5; 16:31; John 1:11,12.

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