Welcome, friends, to another
broadcast of Morsels for Zion's Poor. Back in the olden times,
as I was growing up, listening to the music of the day was done
by turning on the radio or using a device called a record player.
Upon this antiquated piece of machinery was placed a round
piece of vinyl which was called a record. The value of this record
was not in the plastic, which probably only cost a few cents
to produce, but rather in the music which was embedded in its
grooves. The scriptures speak of a record
which is of much greater delight to the sons of God than any sound
which could be produced by any of man's devices or technology.
This is an ancient record which actually predates the dawn of
time and the creation of the world. It is a very simple and
straightforward record which is at one and the same time the
most profound truth which men have ever been privileged to
hear. The Greek word, which is translated as record, occurs
37 times in the New Testament. It simply means the evidence
given, a witness, a testimony, or a trustworthy report. This
record is not new, since the saints in all ages have relied
upon it, even those who could only dimly see the unfolding
of that testimony. Hebrews chapter 11 is devoted
to chronicling their reliance upon that record. These all died
in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen
them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and
confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims in the earth. The
chapter then concludes with this, and these all, having obtained
a good report through faith, received not the promise, God
having provided some better thing for us, that they without us
should not be made perfect. It is impossible to overstate
the great privilege that has been bestowed upon the saints
here and now in the end of the world, in being given eyes to
see with clear vision the manifestation of the redemptive work of Christ.
Though we yet see through a glass darkly, we behold Him who is
the Savior of sinners, and all questions which have arisen over
the years concerning this report are now fully answered in this
declaration given by John. And this is the record that God
has given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. We believe this testimony because
we have this witness in ourselves. We have this witness because
it has pleased the Lord to give us the kingdom, and He has sent
Him to be our comforter and guide into all truth. Those who are
the called according to his purpose cannot fail to believe. Peter
confessed this when he said, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou
hast the words of eternal life, and we believe and are sure that
Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. Faith is the
gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast. The Spirit
of God glorifies the Son of God. Howbeit, when He, the Spirit
of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth. For He shall
not speak of Himself, but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He
speak. And He will show you things to come. He shall glorify Me,
for He shall receive of Mine and shall show it unto you. Thus
he shall only declare this record that John most blessedly recounts.
To preach anything other than Jesus Christ and Him crucified
is to deny that record which says God hath given to us eternal
life. The only source of life in the
universe is He who is the life. He is the Word, and the Word
was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory.
The glory is of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace
and truth. His primary purpose in dwelling among men in the
flesh and blood was to lay down his life as an atonement for
the sins of those whom he has loved. And thou shalt call his
name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins. John
the baptizer testified of his coming among men, but he was
not enabled to see the work which he was to perform in all of its
fullness. The fullness of understanding
of that which Christ came to perform can only be seen by those
who are witnesses of his resurrection. This resurrection testifies that
He has triumphed over the foes of His people, making a show
of them openly. Christ, that One who is glorious
in His apparel, traveling in the greatness of His strength,
I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. Those who do
not worship this One, who has laid down His life for His sheep,
spit in the face of God, and say that He is a liar, for they
believe not the record which He has given. They shall perish
in their sin, having no life except that which must return
to the dust. And when I saw him, I fell at
his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon
me, saying unto me, Fear not, I am the first and the last.
I am he that liveth and was dead. And behold, I am alive forevermore.
Amen. And have the keys of hell and
death. This is the record. For a free
CD containing 15 of these radio broadcasts, send an email to
forthepoor at windstream.net.