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Grounded-In-Biblical-Truth | |
Sovereign Grace
Doctrine
Concerning 'THE GOSPEL' - JESUS CHRIST
THE PIT AND THE PROVISION
Zechariah 9:11
"By the blood of thy covenant, I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water."
Intro:
The greatest thing a man can experience is to be set free from sin. We have in our scripture the only way this can be accomplished; The Blood of the Covenant. When that Covenant was fulfilled when the most precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ was shed, we were set free. As our Representative He ascended to the Father's right hand and we are there in Him.
Before we ever see our need of this provision, we must be where all sinners are.
This is indeed a "horrible" pit Help must come from outside.
The Pit
I. Everyone who is saved was in this pit at one time. In the East no prisons were built. An empty well would do. The poor prisoners were let down by ropes, the mouth was covered and they were left to die. It was a foul, smelly place, a living grave where others had rotted away. The poor captive is a picture of men by nature.
2. The law of God puts men in that pit. Man has broken that holy law, which must punish him; and his conscience builds around him huge walls harder than granite. He finds no way of escape! A prisoner to his own evil desires a depraved heart, he is lawfully locked by the High Court of Heaven.
3. Do you remember that? Nothing be more terrible, out of hell, than to have an awakened conscience, see the angry God, and yet see not the Savior. I remember! What shall I do? All the stench of the foul sin is everywhere. There's no comfort in other sinners, for they smell as bad. There's no comfort whatever, for there was no water.
4. But wait! There is a cistern. What is that written on it? "Human ceremonies." When we try this water it turns out to be brine and not refreshing, and our thirst is increased. Hanging in the corner is a bucket inscribed with the words "free will". So I try it, and will as I might, the walls are too steep. "Self-righteous" water turned out to be a mirage.
5. Our bondage was a hopeless one, for we were shut up to die. When a man is cast into a deep pit. the mouth is covered, and he is given neither food nor water; it means one thing--DEATH! Did you ever awake in the morning and wonder that you were not in hell, and go to your bed at night afraid to fall asleep lest you never awake and plunge out into eternity? Did these words ever frighten you "And in hell he lifted up his eyes. . . ." This is indeed a "horrible" pit. Help must come from outside.
The Provision
I. "By the blood of the covenant There is ONE who furnished the blood of redemption. "HE brought me up a1so out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay and set my feet upon a rock and established my goings" (Ps.40:2). "The Son of man came to give His life a ransom for many" (Matt.20:28). The ransom price has been paid. "And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads" (Is.35:10).
2. The prisoner is out of the pit, and he is out by "right". He didn't break out, but he is out because all his debts have been paid. A child of God justly as well graciously saved. It would be an eternal injustice if any soul for whom the Savior stood as a Substitute, should suffer Divine justice. Shall He be punished and justice still hold me? It cannot be! Payment God cannot twice demand, First at my bleeding Surety's hand, And then again at mine.
"The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin"
1 John 1:7
Conclusion:
If you have believed the true gospel, not mixing its beauty with the old yoke of bondage, and not being chained by men through ordinances or rules; then you are indeed the Lord's free man. If you have been set free by the great Liberator, then walk as a free person in the presence of the Lord who has bought your freedom at the great price of His most precious blood.
"By the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water."
Laird Street Baptist Church
23033 Hughey Avenue - New Caney, TX 77357-4993
Pastor Jack Shanks - Phone: 281-399-9542
Email lairdst@aol.com
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