(Tune – My Faith Has Found a Resting Place – p. 228)
(Words written by Pastor Jim Byrd)
Bless God the Father of our Lord,
To Him all blessings trace;
He chose us in His precious Son, to save us by His grace.
Predestinated in His love, to be a holy seed;
We were adopted to be sons, this God Himself decreed.
In Christ God chose to save our souls,
Through Him all blessings flow;
He came into this world of shame, because God loved us so.
We have forgiveness through His blood,
Redemption’s price He paid;
For by His death on Calvary, atonement Jesus made.
God sent His Spirit to our hearts, to seal us by His grace;
He is the Earnest giv’n to all, the chosen, ransomed race.
So sing the praises of our God,
The praise of Christ who died;
And praise the Spirit for His work; may God be glorified!
TODAY’S SERVICES – Messages by Pastor Bill Parker
BIBLE CLASS – 10:00 a.m. –
The Righteous Judgment of God (2) – Romans 2:7-16
MORNING WORSHIP – 11:00 a.m –
OPENING – Psalm 85:8-13
CALL TO WORSHIP (above)
HYMN – Like a River Glorious – p. 287
READING – 2 Corinthians 5:10-21
MESSAGE – Reconciliation – Colossians 1:19-22
CLOSING HYMN – Rock of Ages – p. 126
Birthdays: Sarah Hall – May 27th | Alex Wages – June 1st
THE TOTAL DEPRAVITY OF MAN
When we think of the Biblical doctrine of the total depravity of man, what comes to mind as far as evidences of this depravity? Many people think only of the most perverted and immoral dregs of society. Their minds only go to the criminals and miscreants of whom even most unbelievers disapprove and avoid. But the Bible reveals the full reality of man’s spiritual deadness and depravity in verse such as the following – “He [the Lord Jesus Christ] was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and THE WORLD KNEW HIM NOT. He came unto His own, and HIS OWN RECEIVED HIM NOT” (John 1:10-11). The real essence of total depravity (the utter sinfulness of unregenerate man) is in his natural ignorance and rejection of the Gospel wherein the glory of God in Christ Jesus and the one way of salvation by God’s free and sovereign grace based on the merits of Christ’s obedience unto death, His righteousness imputed alone is revealed. Total depravity can be seen in its lowest depth in the unbelief of sinners. This is why it takes the power of God in Christ by the Holy Spirit in new birth to give us the right knowledge of and desire for the free grace of God in salvation by the Lord Jesus Christ – “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12-13). —Pastor Bill Parker
The way we know the presence of God in our worship services is by the message we preach and hear. Is it truth from God’s Word, or is it man’s word? If it is truth from God’s Word, it is a message that exalts Christ as the Savior of His people in Whom they are all justified, redeemed, forgiven, and sure to be glorified.
JEHOVAH SHAMMAH
JEHOVAH SHAMMAH means, "The LORD is there" (Ezekiel 48:35). Such is the name of the church in consequence of the presence of her glorious Husband. The prophet is speaking by the Spirit of prophecy and looking into the days of the Gospel; so that here is a mark to know the church by now, and which will be the character of Christ’s church forever. Without the Lord’s presence there is no church; unless He be in the midst of us, we will go lean all our days. Lord, write JEHOVAH SHAMMAH in our churches, in our hearts, in our houses, and in our families!
—Robert Hawker
WHY GOD’S GRACE IS AMAZING
It is no wonder that the religious voices of our day speak of a "grace" that is not very amazing at all. It is because the true condition of all people by nature is denied. In Romans 5, the apostle Paul speaks of abundant and abounding grace. He tells of the true grace of God in the Lord Jesus Christ as it meets the true condition and need of sinful men. What is the true condition that grace meets? Grace meets those who are "without strength" (vs.6). They have no ability to save themselves, no ability to perform works of perfect righteousness, and no ability to come to Christ that they might have life. Grace meets those who are "ungodly" (vs.6). They are "without God" and therefore without hope in this world. They do not love God, desire God, serve God, worship God, praise God, believe God, come to God, or submit to God. They are ungodly! Grace meets those who are "sinners" (vs.8). Those who must be saved by sovereign grace in Christ are those who are sinners by nature, their very mind being enmity against God; sinners by birth, by practice and especially sinners by proxy in Adam, their representative. By him, sin entered in because all sinned in him. Then, grace meets those who are "enemies" to God (vs.10). They are rebels against the throne of His glory and dominion, defying His rule and government and defiling His kingdom.
They are enemies in their "minds,” trust their own “wicked works.” Their friendship with the world makes them the enemies of God. The truth is, every person saved by grace is all of these things: without strength, ungodly, a sinner, and an enemy! Now grace that can save such as these must be "marvelous grace!" This grace comes to these sinners through the "obedience of one," Jesus Christ. By His obedience "many are made righteous." This obedience is His obedience unto death! Because grace must "reign through righteousness," Christ satisfied the claims of God's holy justice on their behalf and now God can, on the basis of Christ's blood and righteousness, show grace to them as a just God and a Savior. All the race fell in sin. The law entered and sin abounded. But to those who are the objects of God's grace in Christ, "where sin abounded, grace did MUCH MORE ABOUND”! Amazing grace it is to each one who has been saved by it. Amazing grace is righteous grace that is in Christ crucified!
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