Since publication of the last issue, a number of things have happened to encourage our hearts here at the Landmark Missionary Baptist Church, in Rockford.
asked to be re-baptized - saying that, though she was saved when quite young, she did not understand what baptism was all about, and wanted to publicly commit herself to the Lord as a knowledgeable adult.
    Then four souls have been added to our membership:
(on promise of a letter from the Ho'Okahi MBC of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii).


    On Saturday, June 1, Paul Bratland and Carol Thompson will be united in marriage. Their wedding will take place in the facilities of Faith Baptist Church, on Monona Road, in Monona, Wisconsin. As their pastor, I rejoice in their faithfulness to attend our services

    One of the basic problems we face in attempting to minister to those outside the New Covenant community is the INCONSISTENCY that others see IN US - the failure to properly ADORN biblical doctrine by EXEMPLARY LIVING.
    Believers were first called "Christians" at Antioch. This was because they were CHRISTLIKE. Where there is no manifestation of such CHRISTLIKENESS no church is functioning as it ought. Where there IS Christlikeness, there will be an obvious LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER. Without this NO CHURCH can have an effective witness and ministry.
    Thus, Paul urges Titus to place special emphasis on a proper ADORNING of Christian Doctrine by genuine CHRISTIAN CONDUCT!
    It is to illustrate this concept that Paul, in Titus 2:11-14, introduces the subject of GRACE - suggesting a fourfold function whereby it effectively produces a sound, healthy church. Due to the weakness of the flesh the law did not produce, in Israel, a HOLY PEOPLE for God's possession, (Rom. 8:3). By way of contrast, the "grace and truth" that came

BY (or through) Jesus Christ enables the people of God to exemplify such Christlike character as will make their witness effective during this age.


    It was Divine grace that made our redemption possible, (Titus 2:11). In reality, this was the SAVING GRACE of God.
    "Grace" suggests such "favor" as is unmerited and undeserved. The Greek word "sooteerias", used in this passage, modifies "grace", and is properly rendered, as in the ASV, as "saving grace".
    This grace is said to have "appeared" - been manifested, or shined upon, (I Tim. 6:14; 2 Tim. 1:8-il; Tit. 3:4-6). The EXTENT of its ministration is said to have been "TO ALL MEN"! (I Tim. 2:4; Ezek. 18:23, 32; I Tim. 4:10; 2 Pet. 3:9; John 3:17). This does NOT IMPLY a universal salvation! Nor is there even a hint of such

a concept as "irresistible grace"! The idea seems to be that GRACE "makes its appeal to" or "available to" ALL MEN, UNIVERSALLY! None are denied who are willing to COME TO GOD in the ONLY WAY that He has appointed - through repentance toward God and faith in His dear Son.


    In Titus 2:12 Paul pictures GRACE in the role of a TEACHER - training, or schooling us (either by word or by discipline) in the way of godliness. The word that Paul employs here is elsewhere translated: "chastise" (Lk. 23:16, 22); "was learned", (Acts 7:22); "taught", (Acts 22:3); "may learn", (I Tim. 1:20); "instructing", (2 Tim. 2:25); "chasten", (Rev. 3:19); etc.
    Stated negatively: GRACE teaches us to DENY, or RENOUNCE, a number of things, 1) Ungodliness must be abandoned, (I Tim. 1:9; Rom. 1:19). 2) Worldly lusts, passions or desires must not even be considered, (I Tim. 6:9; comp. Matt. 5:28; I Cor. 10:6; Gal. 5:17; Jas. 4:2).
    Stated positively: Grace very patiently teaches every church member to live: 1) SOBERLY - being self-controlled, temperate and discreet, (Tit. 2:2; 1:8; I Tim. 3:2); 2) RIGHTEOUSLY, (Matt. 6:33); and 3) GODLY, (I Tim. 2:2).
    Such is the work of Grace, toward the functioning of a New Testament church "in this present age", (I Tim. 6:17). It is in this way that we become equipped for sharing the Lord's glory, and being ministers of His grace to others, in the AGE TO COME!

    An expectant LOOKING for "the blessed hope" involves far more than a confident and patient awaiting of our Lord's return - though this is certainly involved, (I Cor. 1:8; Rom. 8:23; Phil. 3:20). It is an eager anticipation of the "manifestation of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ"! This is a "glory" that He will be pleased to share with His faithful, covenant-people. But such future honor and glory are conditioned on CHARACTER - such character as may be developed ONLY IN THIS LIFE. It requires faithfulness and identification with our Lord in suffering for truth, (Matt. 19:28-30; 20:21-28; comp. Lk. 22:24-30).
    The Word of God constantly calls us to SOUND THINKING and HOLY LIVING. God really does care about our spiritual maturity! It is necessary if we are to qualify to SHARE HIS GLORY, (Col. 3:4-5, 8-9, 24; I Thes. 3:12-13; 5:4-8; 2 Pet. 3:11-12; I Jn. 2:28; 4:17). He has prepared positions of honor for those who honor His beloved Son, (Jn. 12:23; Mk. 10:40). That which is "laid up" for us IN HEAVEN will become our actual possession ONLY when Jesus comes again, (Col. 1:5; Phil. 3:20; Heb. 10:34-37; 2 Tim. 4:8; I Pet. 4:5-7; 2 Cor. 5:2; Rev. 21:2).
    The fulness of salvation awaits the "appearing of the glory" of our Lord at His second coming, (Heb. 2:3-5; Jude 3, 14, 21, 24; I Pet. 1:3-13). It is then that He will punish His enemies, (Matt. 13:38-43); rule gloriously as King of the earth, (Dan. 7:13-14; Isa.

9:1-13; Lk. 22:29; 1:32); and share His glory with those who have joyfully shared His sufferings, (Rom. 8:17-18).

ness, (I Pet. 1:18; Isa. 52:3). This suggests that, by nature, we are IN BONDAGE: to sin, the flesh, the world and the devil. But Jesus went to the slave market and purchased us - our lives and our free- dom. Thus has he liberated us unto the privileges belonging to God's own children.
    Christ has redeemed us that He might sanctify, purify and cleanse us as a people for "His own possession", (Heb. 1:3; 9:14; I Jn. 1:7; comp. Ex. 19:5; Deut. 14:2; 9:26, 29; 26:18-19; 32:9; Mal. 3:17: Psa. 135:4; Eph. 1:11, 14, 18; I Pet. 2:9) - a people who would be "zealous of good works", (Eph. 2:10; Tit. 3:8; I Pet. 3:13). E.G.

every Sunday and pray that the Lord may be pleased to bless Paul and Carol with many years of happiness together as they serve Him.

    On Sunday morning, June 2, Landmark Church begins a special series of services (continuing through June 9) led by Bro. Edward Byrd, of Harrison, Arkansas. Bro. Byrd is well known to our people, and has often proved a blessing.
    We cordially invite others from the community, and from sister churches in the area, to SHARE OUR BLESSINGS! E.G.

"We bless The for Thy peace, 0 God!
   Deep as the soundless sea,
Which falls like sunshine on the
      road
   Of those who trust in Thee.

We ask not, Father, for repose
   Which comes from outward rest,
If we may have through all life's
      woes
   Thy peace within our breast;

That peace which suffers and is
      strong,
   Trusts where it cannot see,
Deems not the trial way too long,
   But leaves the end with Thee;

That peace which flows serene and
      deep -
   A river in the soul,
Whose banks a living verdure keep:
   God's sunshine o'er the whole!

Such, Father, give our hearts such
      peace
   Whate'er the outward be,
Till all life's discipline shall
      cease,
   And we go home to Thee".