Why Christ Came

At this time of year, by tradition, the world is confronted with the truth that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came into this world, being born of a virgin in Bethlehem, the City of David. Whilst the world may do its best to ignore this truth and submerge itself in merriment, the fact remains that Christ did come into this world - and He came for a purpose.

What was that purpose? Listen to the following message: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners or see the Audio page of www.graceandtruthonline.com

Intelligence?

Perhaps the greatest idiocy of our day is the claim, by those who consider themselves to be wise, that no intelligent, educated, man believes that there is a God.... ‘Educated’ men such as Richard Dawkins ridicule the truth concerning Jesus Christ as mere ‘fiction’ and ‘fairytale’.

Yet Dawkins' problem is that his very attitude proves the very truth of that which he seeks to discredit. For God, many thousands of years before the very existence of Richard Dawkins, already spoke of such ‘wisdom’, such ‘intelligence’ and set it down in the scriptures in the following terms:


“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge?” Psalm 14:1-4

“…The invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools” Romans 1:20-22

“…Be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.” 2 Peter 3:2-4

“But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.” Jude 17-18


So such mocking, such unbelief, such animosity to the truth shouldn’t surprise us. It has always been so. In the deadness of his natural, fallen, sinful, nature, man has always been blind to the truth, always resisted it, always mocked it…. Today he may be more open, more brazen, in his ridicule, but the cry of his heart is the same. Mankind in its foolishness cries out “There is no God!”

Just as with others, so with us. But for the grace of God we would be the same. But for the grace of God we were the same. But for the grace of God we may remain the same…. What do you know of the grace of God?

I was no different. There was a time in my wisdom, my intelligence, when I rejected God's truth, when I doubted it, when, in my heart, I scorned it, counting it a foolish thing. But praise God that He arrested me in my folly, that He stopped me in my tracks, that He opened my blind eyes to see, opened my deaf ears to hear, and revealed His Son both to me, and in me. For knowledge of the truth comes not by human intellect, but by the revelation of God! Oh what a transformation when God reveals Himself to us! When he takes away our foolishness and shows us His wisdom! Oh to know Him "In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge"! Colossians 2:3.

If God ever opens our blind eyes to see the truth. If He ever reveals Himself to us as our Maker, our Saviour, our Redeemer, if He ever shows us our natural foolishness and His manifold wisdom, then we will ever live to praise His Name and thank Him for His wondrous grace to sinners! And we will ever be thankful that though man is so rebellious by nature, so proud, so arrogant, so blind to wisdom and so open to foolishness, that though “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God”, though we have all mocked at God’s very word…. Nevertheless, despite this, God in His Wisdom, in His intelligence sent His only begotten Son into this world to save sinners, for:

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” 1 Timothy 1:16


“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. ” 1 Corinthians 1:18-21

Knebworth Grace Fellowship

Knebworth Grace Fellowship is a new meeting, led by our brother Allan Jellett, which has been meeting for a while in Knebworth and has recently begun to hold meetings in the local Primary School. Holding firmly to the message of Free Grace, they seek to proclaim the Person and Work of Christ in all their meetings.

Full details are available on the Knebworth Grace Fellowship website. May the Lord be pleased to bless this witness to Christ and His Gospel in this area.

Grace e-Books

Larry Brown of Grace Baptist Church, Danville, Kentucky (pastored by Don Fortner) has recently set up a new website called Grace e-Books which comes highly recommended.

On here you will find complete, downloadable, versions of many books, in PDF format, including many works by William Huntington, Robert Hawker, John Gill, Don Fortner, Henry Mahan and others.

And all free!

Looking for a church? Wondering where the Gospel may be heard in your area?

We live in days when the Gospel of Christ has ceased to be preached faithfully in many meetings and when a number of God's people find themselves in situations where they wonder just where they can go to hear Christ preached in the Gospel.

Often I hear from people, scattered sheep as it were, who find themselves in just such a situation. Having been taught of God the Gospel of God's Free Grace in Christ, they long to hear that Gospel preached where they live, and to worship the Lord in such a meeting, but find the message preached in so many places to be greatly lacking when compared to the truth of God's grace as taught in the scriptures.

If you find yourself in just such a situation why not drop us a line? Send me an email at ianpotts@graceandtruthonline.com. We might know of a meeting nearby which I can point you towards, or perhaps just some other believers in your area. Whether it be Nottingham, Exeter, Wolverhampton or Bournemouth, do feel free to get in touch.

Alternatively why not take a look at our map of Free Grace Churches or visit our new site 'The Church in Devon'.

"Jesus Christ" Colossians 1:15-17

Listen to this heart warming message by Maurice Montgomery http://sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=1130785685

Highly Recommended!

New site: The Gospel of God - in the epistle to the Romans

Take a look at our new website The Gospel of God which concentrates on proclaiming the Gospel through articles concentrating on the Epistle to the Romans.

Substitution

One of the greatest truths at the heart of the Gospel is that of the Subtitutionary work of Jesus Christ, in which He stood in the place of His people and suffered under the judgment of God against their sin, in order that they would become the righteousness of God in Him. This substitutionary work is what Paul addresses in 2 Corinthians 5:21 in which he writes:

"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."

This is a truly glorious truth - that Christ, the Son of God, the perfect, impeccable, spotless Lamb of God, the One who knew no sin, willingly went to the cross where God the Father laid upon the Sin-bearer, the sins of all His people, and made Him to be sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. How? By His suffering under the outpouring of God's wrath against that sin, until all that sin was completely blotted out and taken out of the way - leaving nothing but the righteousness of God in Christ, which His people are made to be in Him.

United with His people in death, all the changes were in the Saviour: He took on His people's state, that they might be made into His state - righteousness. He who knew no sin, was made to be sin. God judged that sin in His own Son by the outpouring of His wrath. Having "condemned sin in the flesh" (Romans 8:3), sin was no more to be seen, and death could not hold the Saviour, who rose again from the grave in perfect righteousness, and His people in Him. He was the One who suffered, He was the One who died, yet, as a result, His people are delivered from darkness into light, from death into life, from the bondage of sin, to the liberty of eternal life and everlasting righteousness in Christ. What a Saviour!

Yet, despite the tremendous glory in this truth, despite the fact that the preaching of this message, the preaching of the cross, is the power of God to them that believe (1 Corinthians 1:18), it is nevertheless to them that perish, "foolishness". To many it is a stumbling block, and an offence. But that which is offensive to the natural man, is the power of God to those who believe.

Have a listen to several messages that expound this vital doctrine, which lies at the heart of the Gospel:

Substitution (2 Corinthians 5:21) by Henry Mahan
God Has Made Christ Sin (2 Corinthians 5:21) by Don Fortner
Substitution (2 Corinthians 5:21) by John Chapman
Barabbas or Jesus (Matthew 27:16-26) by Paul Mahan
The Offence of the Cross (Galatians 5:11) by Ian Potts

“Grace and Truth Online Publications” Book Sale

As our regular visitors will know, in addition to the website we also publish several books, as an additional means of proclaiming the Gospel of Christ. These are available for purchase online, but also through the Christian Bookshop in Ossett. Full details of the books are provided below.

As a special promotion, for a limited time only, and whilst stocks last, we are now offering all three books at specially reduced ‘Sale’ prices through CBO only. These prices are up to 35% off the usual rate, being specially subsidised in order that more readers may have access to these works.

‘Christ, the Sun of Righteousness’ Normal price £6.95 Sale price £4.50
‘The Fountain of Life’ Normal price £10.50 Sale price £7.50
‘Sovereign Grace – Past and Present’ Normal price £12.00 Sale price £8.50

To order simply contact the Christian Bookshop Ossett [21 Queen Street, Ossett, West Yorks, WF5 8AS Tel. 01924 260502].

Or you can send an email to lorna@christianbookshopossett.co.uk specifying which book(s) you would like – an invoice will be sent with the books and payment can be made after receipt.

With our kind regards,

Grace and Truth Online Publications
http://www.graceandtruthonline.com

.....

GRACE AND TRUTH ONLINE PUBLICATIONS

As an extension of the work of the ‘Grace and Truth Online’ website we have recently started to publish a number of our own printed books which set forth the Gospel of Christ. These are made available to both those who have no online access and to those who would prefer to read on the printed page, rather than on a computer screen. "Grace and Truth Online Publications" is entirely non-profit making and in fact runs at a loss. In producing such works it is our desire to see the work of God furthered in the proclamation of His Gospel, and to provide encouragement and consolation to God's people in a needy day. But most of all we wish to see God's Name glorified and honoured. Below are details of our current publications along with full ordering information.


"Sovereign Grace - Past and Present" Edited by Ian Potts

Published by Grace and Truth Online Publications, Sale Price £8.50. 416pp paperback, ISBN 978 1 84728 097 8

Our third title, "Sovereign Grace - Past and Present", is a collection of writings from both past and present preachers of God's Gospel of Free and Sovereign Grace through Jesus Christ.

Includes works by William Tiptaft, Tobias Crisp, William Huntington, William Gadsby, Robert Murray M'Cheyne, J.C. Philpot, John Kershaw, James Bourne, Eli Ashdown, Francis Covell, John Vinall, John Warburton, Don Fortner, Henry Mahan, Don Bell, Gary Shepard, Todd Nibert, Tom Harding, Peter Meney and Benjamin A. Ramsbottom.

Click here for full contents list.

The book also includes an Introduction on 'Sovereign Grace', background information about each author and a useful appendix containing much information about other works written by or about the authors.

These works are by authors whose lives span several hundred years, yet their message is the same - they proclaim the grace of God which brings salvation - because the One of whom they speak never changes, He is "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever".

For more details and/or to order the book online view the book description on Lulu.com or visit our Publications Booklist or contact the Christian Bookshop Ossett for U.K. orders.

"What a collection of burning and shining lights! Surely "a feast of fat things"!" ... "Beautifully produced and sold at a most reasonable price" Gospel Standard Magazine, September 2006

“It is refreshing to be reminded of what has been preached and written about the bountiful grace of our merciful God in earlier years, and to be given an opportunity of reading material highlighting this oft neglected doctrine… In a day when so many seem to ignore or slight the doctrine of Grace it is good to have this book centring on this subject.” Morgan Crane, English Churchman, December 2006

"We are delighted that Mr Potts is producing such material, making old writers available to a new audience and, by his knowledge of current trends in modern evangelicalism, introducing modern writers whose eligibility for inclusion is that they maintain and profess the same old gospel truths that marked out their predecessors." New Focus Magazine, October/November 2006



"The Fountain of Life" by William Huntington
(Collected Writings of William Huntington S.S.)

Published by Grace and Truth Online Publications, Sale Price £7.50. 340pp paperback, ISBN 1 4116 5856 6

This publication contains six chapters taken from the works of William Huntington S.S. All the chapters are Christ-exalting and experimental as they set forth the true work of God in the salvation of sinners. Included are the following works:-

"The Dimensions of Eternal Love"
"The Destruction of Death by the Fountain of Life"
"The Eternal Setting of the Sun"
"The Saint’s Seed-time and Harvest"
"An Innocent Game for Babes in Grace"
"The Broken Cistern & The Springing Well"

The book also includes biographical material about Huntington and his ministry written by Dr. George M. Ella, as well as a useful bibliography of available books by or about William Huntington.

We trust that this publication will prove edifying to readers and also provide a welcome introduction to the writings of Huntington to those who may be unfamiliar with the works of this man who was greatly used by God in his day and generation.

For more details and/or to order the book online view the book description on Lulu.com or visit our Publications Booklist or contact the Christian Bookshop Ossett for U.K. orders.

"Lovers of Huntington will welcome this well-produced book, in clear print, of some of his works." Gospel Standard Magazine, April 2006

“…of great encouragement…” The Sinner Saved Magazine, Autumn 2006



"Christ, the Sun of Righteousness" by Ian Potts

Published by Grace and Truth Online Publications, Sale Price £4.50. 150pp paperback, ISBN 1 4116 5133 2

This book sets forth pictures of Christ as He is revealed throughout the scriptures.

The whole message of the Bible regards the person and the work of Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God. He is to be found on every page of Holy Writ. He is the sum and substance of God’s message to lost mankind, He is the One through whom God reveals Himself to man, He is the One through whom God reconciles sinners to Himself, He is the One in whom all the blessings of God to His people are revealed. Christ is all and in all.

Yes, the Gospel of God concerns His Son, Jesus Christ and the message of the Bible is one of the Salvation of sinners through Christ, by Free and Sovereign Grace. Christ Himself is God’s message to man, so when we read the scriptures we look for Him.

May God the Holy Spirit be pleased to use the chapters in this book to point the reader towards Christ, the Saviour, the “Sun of righteousness”

For more details and/or to order the book online view the book description on Lulu.com or visit our Publications Booklist or contact the Christian Bookshop Ossett for U.K. orders.

"I am happy to recommend this book for personal reading and meditation. It will handsomely reward time invested in it. However, it has other uses too. The book may readily be employed evangelistically as a gift... throughout the book grace is unambiguously presented as the free gift of God." New Focus Magazine Dec/Jan 2006

See book reviews here.

The Gospel of the Kingdom

Yesterday I received an email enquiry which made reference to Matthew 4:23 and the Kingdom of God. In my response I made reference to the following message entitled "The Gospel of the Kingdom" Mark 1:14 which expounds the subject very well. I thought others might appreciate it also, so have uploaded it as an Mp3 message which can be downloaded by clicking the following link:

"The Gospel of the Kingdom" Mark 1:14

"The Heeding Heart" Acts 16:13-15

The following message which can be downloaded in Mp3 format was heard at our meeting on the 8th October 2007. Preached by Stephen Bignall at the Campus Church, Welywn Garden City, just following Pastor Don Fortner's visit to the UK in April 2007, it presents us with the urgent and vital message that 'Ye must be born again'.

Right click this link to save the Mp3 to your PC: "The Heeding Heart" Acts 16:13-15, by Stephen Bignall

New 'Honiton Sovereign Grace Meetings' website

A new website has been added as a link from the main 'Grace and Truth Online' website which provides further information about the meetings we hold in Honiton to gather around the preaching of the Gospel of Christ.

See Honiton Sovereign Grace Meetings for further details.

"Contending for the faith" Jude 1:3

Or visit here to download a variety of versions including video and MP3 audio.

'Discovering Christ in Hebrews' - New book by Don Fortner

Discovering Christ in Hebrews
A New Commentary by Pastor Don Fortner

GO Publications has just released Pastor Fortner’s newest book, a commentary on the book of Hebrews, Discovering Christ in Hebrews.

Peter Meney writes in the editor’s foreword, “The author finds Jesus Christ in every nook and cranny. Then, having discovered the Lord, Don declares with the Samaritan woman, ‘Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?” This 600 page hardback book retails for $42.95. As with all our pastor’s books, the publishers allow us to sell this volume at our cost — $35.00.
(N.B. For pricing in the UK and details of how to order, see below)

If you would like to purchase a copy of Discovering Christ in Hebrews, please make your check or money-order (US Dollars)* payable to Grace Baptist Church of Danville and mail it to...

Grace Baptist Church of Danville
2734 Old Stanford Road
Danville, Kentucky 40422-9438

* We do not have the ability to use credit cards, or to exchange foreign currency. Our European friends may find it more convenient to order directly from the publisher. You can contact the publisher for information at...

GO Publications
The Cairn,
Hill Top,
Eggleston,
Co. Durham, DL12 0AU
United Kingdom

peter@go-newfocus.co.uk
www.go-newfocus.co.uk

(Ian: The book is £24.50 in the UK, post-free.)

The Lord Has Put Away Your Sin

The following audio message by Don Fortner comes highly recommended:

The Lord Has Put Away Your Sin

Free Grace Meetings in the U.K.

For some years on receiving copies of the 'Gospel Standard' magazine I have often wondered just where on the map many of the listed chapels are located. Many are situated in villages or towns with names not entirely familiar to me. So I have often thought it would be a good idea if someone produced a map with the various chapels marked on it....

...well, I've never seen one so decided it might be worth having a go myself. After some thought I had the idea of looking at 'Google Maps' to see if it is possible to achieve such an aim using that... and it is.

So, for those interested, and any who might want to see if there is a meeting proclaiming Free and Sovereign Grace in their area, I have produced a map of 'Gospel Standard' and 'Free Grace' meetings on Google Maps. Have a look: Free Grace Meetings in the U.K.

As well as GS chapels (which was my initial reason for producing the map) I have also started to add details of some other meetings which seek to proclaim the message of God's grace in salvation, through the Person and Work of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The meetings are marked on the map with a blue marker for GS chapels, and a red marker for other meetings. Addresses and meetings times are given and details can be seen either by clicking on the chapel names on the left panel, or by clicking on the markers on the map.

(As I haven't attended many of the chapels listed I can not give a specific personal recommendation. However the GS chapels and others are listed because of the position they hold in defence of Free Grace. Also, please note, that I may well have made minor typographical errors or placed the markers at slightly wrong places on the map, so please feel free to get in touch with any corrections that you might notice!)

I trust the map will prove helpful to many.

In Christ and By Grace Alone,

Ian Potts

Afflicted, Saved, Redeemed, and Carried - Isaiah 63:9 (Don Fortner)

Preaching About Christ or Preaching Christ?

(A very timely message posted on FreeGraceRadio.com yesterday.... Ian)

"He (the Holy Spirit) shall glorify ME; for He shall receive of mine and show it unto you." John 16:14.

The Holy Spirit does not reach after something novel, new, or spectacular in order to glorify Christ or to preach Christ to men. He does not need tongues, fleshly emotion, bodily healings, and creature fame and importance in order to bring glory to Christ and call out His sheep. He finds Christ's glory IN CHRIST HIMSELF!

If we want to honor Christ, glorify Christ, and preach Christ, we must not look for something outside of Christ; but we must honor Him by preaching that which is His already–His deity, His person, His man-hood, His life, His death, His resurrection, His ascension, His intercession, His return! Strange as it may seem, there is today very little preaching OF CHRIST HIMSELF.

Men preach about those who knew Him, who served Him, and who wrote of Him. They preach about His church, His doctrines, and His commandments. They preach series of messages on those who used to preach Christ, on the conduct and conversation of those who profess to know Christ, and on the duties and responsibilities of believers in Christ, but very few messages ON THE PERSON AND WORK OF CHRIST HIMSELF. They read papers and conduct discussions on ways and means to serve Christ, to discipline and organize the kingdom of Christ, and how to honor Christ; and they seldom get around to doing that which God has ordained and commissioned us to do AND THAT IS TO PREACH CHRIST!

Jesus Christ is most glorified, His sheep most edified, His will and purpose accomplished, and His church perfected in faith, hope, and love WHEN WE PREACH CHRIST HIMSELF. The work of the Spirit of God is to reveal to us the beauties of Jesus Christ, AND THEY ARE ALL FOUND IN CHRIST HIMSELF.

Henry Mahan

Welcome

Welcome to the 'Grace and Truth Online' 'blog' site. This is a companion site to the main http://www.graceandtruthonline.com/ website, created to provide a quick method of updating readers on news and items of interest in relation to the main website, and of course as a further means of proclaiming the Gospel of Christ online.

This blog, because of the ease of updating it, will probably allow the posting of articles or messages which might not otherwise make it to the main site. And of course visitors are able, and welcome, to comment on any entries.

For the main site visit: http://www.graceandtruthonline.com/

By Grace Alone,

Ian Potts