Self Denial in the Christian Life

“I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me.”

 Galatians 2:20

 The life of Christ and the life of self cannot coexist in the same heart. If the one lives, the other dies. The sentence of death is written upon a man’s self, when the Spirit of Christ enters his heart, and quickens his soul with the life of God. “I live,” he exclaims, “yet not I.” What a striking and beautiful example of this have we in the life and labours of the apostle Paul! Does he speak of his ministry?–what a renunciation of self appears! Lost in the greatness and grandeur of his theme, he exclaims–”We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord.” Again–”Unto me who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.” Does he refer to his office?–what self-crucifixion! “I magnify my office.” In what way? Was it by vaunting proclamations of its grandeur and legitimacy, its Divine institution, or its solemn functions? Never! but he magnified his office by diminishing himself, and exalting his Master. He was nothing–aye, and even his office itself was comparatively nothing–that “Christ might be all in all.” Does he speak of his gifts and labours? what absence of self! “I am the least of the apostles, that am not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the Church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am; and His grace, which was bestowed upon me, was not in vain, but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” Such was the religion of Paul. His Christianity was a self-denying, self-crucifying, self-renouncing Christianity. “I live, yet not I. I laboured more abundantly than they all, yet not I.” Oh what a self-denying spirit was his!

 

But every truly spiritual man is a self-renouncing man. In the discipline of his own heart, beneath the cross of Jesus, and in the school of trial and temptation, he has been taught in some degree, that if he lives, it is not he that lives, but that it is Christ that lives in him. Upon all his own righteousness, his duties, and doings, he tramples as to the great matter of justification; while, as fruits of the Spirit, as evidences of faith, as pulsations of the inner spiritual life, as, in a word, tending to authenticate and advance his sanctification, he desires to be “careful to maintain good works,” that God in all things might be glorified. – Octavius Winslow

The Lord’s Day Services

Sunday, March 6th 10:00a.m. Sunday School classes for all ages.

Adult Bible Class – Study on God’s Existence – Dr. Frank McClelland

11:00a.m. Morning Service – Dr. Saunders

Communion Service

6:00p.m. Pre-Service Prayer Meeting
6:30p.m. Evening Service – Dr. Saunders

There will be a brief board meeting after the service.

Weekly Announcements

Wednesday, March 9th 7:25p.m. Prayer Meeting & Bible Study

Advance Announcements

Sunday, March 13th 11:00a.m. Morning Service – Dr. Larry Saunders
6:30p.m. Evening Service – Dr. Larry Saunders
Wednesday, March 16th 7:25p.m. Prayer Meeting & Bible Study
Thursday, March 17th 7:30p.m. Women’s Missionary Fellowship

– Special Presentation by Mara Whittle speaking on

her trip to the F.A.M.E mission.

 Looking Ahead
Thursday, April 14th 7:30p.m. Session and Board Meeting
Wednesday, April 20th 7:25p.m. Annual General Meeting

Please Pray For:

Memorize Scripture

Congregational Memory Verses

Jeremiah 29:11-14

  1. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
  2. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.
  3. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
  4. And I will be found of you, saith the LORD…”

Men’s Bible Fellowship Weekend

We are planning a Men’s Bible Fellowship Weekend at Nottawasaga Inn & Resort. We are looking forward to having the Rev. Colin Mercer as the guest speaker.

Date: April 8th & 9th, 2016

Cost: Double Room $85/person or Single Room $100. This includes one night accommodation and three meals.

There is a sign up sheet in the foyer of the church, for those who would like to attend.