Calvary Baptist Church

Calvary Baptist Church, Grenada, MS

Holding to the truths embraced by Baptist for centuries.

Paul was on board ship being carried to Rome as a prisoner. There were 275 others on board — prisoners, soldiers, passengers and crew. A storm had raged for two weeks. (Acts 27:20, 23-25) "And when neither sun or stars in many days appeared and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away." . . . "There stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, saying, "Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar, and lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer; for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me." This is the only time Paul said, "I believe God", but from the meeting of Jesus on the Damascus road to the end of his life Paul's belief in God completely controlled him. On the storm-tossed sea Paul said, "Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me." This gave him a message of good cheer to his fellow-travelers. This exemplified his whole ministry. He believed God, therefore he could say, "Be of good cheer, it will be even as it was told me".

This is true of every one who believes God. If you can say, "I believe God", you can say to your fellows, "Be of good cheer." Believing what God says gives us a message of good cheer. We can preach with absolute assurance anything God tells us. His message to us is not by an angel as it was to Paul on Damascus road. He speaks to us in His Word. We can go to His Word and get a message and say

to people, "Be of good cheer, I believe God, that it will be even as it was told me." It was a great message that Paul had for those distressed, distraught hopeless travelers. He had a greater message to sinners wherever he went, and so do we.

I, by faith, stand on the banks of the Jordan River and hear the Father's voice from heaven, (Mark 1:11) "Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." God says it. I believe God. I tell it. I know "it shall be even as it was told me". What good news to proclaim! The Son of God has come into the world! Just to meditate upon this unspeakable blessedness should make us run throughout the world proclaiming this wonderful truth: "The Son of God came into this world."

Hear God again as He speaks through John. I John 4:10, "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." Do you believe this? Can you say, "I believe God"? How can anyone believe God and keep quiet? Surely we must say, "be of good cheer". Just listen to my message, "I believe God," and this is what He says: "I loved the world and sent my Son to be the propitiation for their sins."

The most terrible thing that awaits sinners is not to go down with a sinking ship at sea, but to meet God in their sins, to die in sin, to meet their appointed death and the judgment that follows. We can say to such, "Be of good cheer for 'I believe God' lhal it will be even as He said." Some one may say, "Yes, but who has the blessedness of this propitiation? What does a sinner have to do to get this propitiation, this forgiveness of sin?" God speaks here, and I believe God. Acts 10:43 "To Him (Jesus) give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever be-lieveth in His shall receive remission of sins." Acts 16:31 "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." If anyone believes God he will say,—he cannot say else—"Be of good cheer, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved. That is what God says, It will be even as He said."

It is our privilege to have a good cheer message for God's people in their troubles, suffering, distresses, and sorrows. We can say to the troubled, I Peter 5:7, "Casting all your care on Him for He careth for you". Romans 8:32. He that spareth not His own Son but delivered Him up for us all, how shall he not with Him also freely give us all things?" This is God's assurance to every believer. "I believe God," therefore I can take it to myself and tell it to you. Philippians 4:4-7. "Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

How blessed it is that we can find God's good cheer message in His Holy Word for ourselves, and also seek out such for others. This is a delightful, God-honoring and Christ-exalting work for His people. This is their one great privilege and work.