Welcome, friends, to another
broadcast of Morsels for Zion's Poor. It has been my observation
over the years that organized religion usually begins with
good intentions, as men seek to establish safe havens in this
world of sin and sorrow, where they can relax and perpetuate
a model which they believe to be scriptural and able to be
passed from one generation to the other. It is amazing that
there is really very little specific instruction in the New Testament
concerning how churches are to conduct themselves, nor does
it appear that such uniformity of action is ever made an issue
of great importance from one location to another. However,
most of the multitude of groups which have arisen over time,
each claiming to be the New Testament church, all in one way or another,
exists primarily to perpetuate their existence as an assembly
by establishing an orthodoxy of practice and approved conduct
in their midst. We're quite certain that the
scriptures do not teach us how a church on earth is to operate,
but that teaching is more by way of establishing a principle
than a dogma. Those who gather in the name
of Christ in the earth are to do so according to the rule of
being new creatures in Christ, rather than because they conform
to a certain orthodoxy. Paul describes those churches
which he established in this way, "...forasmuch as ye are
manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ, ministered
by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living
God, not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart."
In saying this, Paul did not mean that whatever men feel like
doing in the flesh is okay. Rather, the contrary is true.
Those who accuse us of being antinomians, that is, without
law, seem to have difficulty in comprehending the fact that
the Spirit of God alone can teach men what the Scripture means
or cause them to walk in conformity with it. No amount of proper
instruction or rote learning of Scripture can prepare the
heart of a man to walk in spiritual obedience. Hence Paul says, God
hath made us able ministers of the New Testament, not of the
letter, but of the Spirit. For the letter killeth, but the
Spirit giveth life. If something is sufficient, then
nothing else is required. If one has a sufficiency, then
they are content and need nothing else to be satisfied. The Greek
word that is translated sufficiency in the verse before us is the
same word that John the Baptist used to describe his unworthiness
to unloose the sandals of the Lord, and the same word used
by the centurion when he said he was unworthy for Christ to
enter his home. Apart from the sufficiency or
worthiness which is supplied by Christ alone, we have none. He is our sufficiency in the
court of heaven. Much more, then, being now justified by His blood,
we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if, when we
were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son,
much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
He is our sufficiency in the court of our accusers. Who shall
lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It
is Christ that died, yea, rather, that is risen again, who is even
at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for
us. He is our sufficiency in the court of man's opinion. As
it is written, for thy sake we are killed all the day long.
We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these
things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. He
is our sufficiency in any ministry to which we are called. But we
have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency
of the power may be of God and not of us. He is our sufficiency
in faith. I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless
I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me. And the life which
I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God,
who loved me and gave himself for me. He is our sufficiency
in sanctification. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus,
who of God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification
and redemption. He is our sufficiency and assurance.
I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able
to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. He
is our sufficiency in life and death. For none of us liveth
to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live,
we live unto the Lord, or whether we die, we die unto the Lord.
Whether we live, therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. Is Christ
your sufficiency, or are you seeking to bring something unto
the Lord which you believe he will be pleased with? Can you
improve upon the perfection of Christ alone? He is our peace. He is our sufficiency. For a
free CD containing 15 of these radio broadcasts, send an email
to forthepoor at windstream.net.