CALL TO WORSHIP

(Tune – Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus – p. 378)

I see the blessed Savior uplifted on the tree;

The law held Him its captive, that sinners might go free.

His blood poured out in mercy — It does for sin atone;

I hear Him cry, “It’s finished!” — The work is fully done.

I see the mighty victor arising from the grave;

Death, Hell, and Satan vanquished for those He came to save!

Christ took His place in Heaven upon the throne above;

To Him all pow’r is given to save the souls He loves.

I trust you, Jesus, Savior; I bow before your throne;

By sov’reign mercy save me and take me for your own!

Your blood, my only cleansing; Your righteousness, my robe;

You are my only refuge; I have no other hope.

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TODAY’S SERVICES – Messages by Pastor Bill Parker

BIBLE CLASS – 10:00 a.m. –

Liberty, Love, and Wisdom – Romans 14:14-23

MORNING WORSHIP – 11:00 a.m –

• OPENING – 2 Samuel 23:3-5

• CALL TO WORSHIP (above)

• HYMN – Standing on the Promises – p. 175

• READING – Hebrews 10:11-24

• MESSAGE – Justified and Sanctified – Hebrews 10:14

• CLOSING HYMN – Blessed Assurance – p. 255

Birthdays: Marsha McKenzie – Feb. 24 | Reid Jackson – Feb. 28^th

“And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. And My people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places;” (Isaiah 32:17-18)

“And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.” (Romans 11:6)

Always know that in the matter of the ground of salvation and its security, grace and works can never mix. One will always cancel out the other. Grace is justification before God based on the imputed righteousness of Christ alone. Works is justification by what men do or think they are enabled to do with the help of God. Grace is forgiveness of all sins totally and exclusively by the blood of Christ. Works is forgiveness in whole or in part by the repentance and good works of men. Grace is salvation conditioned on CHRIST ALONE. Works is salvation conditioned in some way on the sinner. —Copied

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“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6)

Looking closely here, GOD stands alone as sovereign. God is the one “who commanded the light to shine out of darkness” and no other. God on His eternal throne spoke into existence His providence and will and commanded the light to shine out of darkness. God commanded the light to “shine in our hearts,” the hearts of the vessels of His mercy. No man has this power, and in the day of God’s power, He gives, through His sovereign mercy, “the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” This is the knowledge of how He is just to justify the ungodly in His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. This is not just in any “Jesus Christ,” but it is “in the face of Jesus Christ.” “The face” is a feature that distinguishes one person from another. This is the distinguishing characteristic that sets the true Christ apart from all others. His face distinguishes Him as “the Lord our Righteousness” (Jer. 23:5-6; 33:15-16). He is the true Jesus Christ who established righteousness which God has imputed to those whom He gave to His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ paid for their sins in full on the cross of Calvary and satisfied the justice of God by His blood. Knowing with full assurance that God’s justice was satisfied, He was raised again and is even at the right hand of God making intercession for us (Rom. 8:34). —Timothy Pannell

JUSTIFICATION AND SANCTIFICATION

Both the justification and the sanctification of sinners is necessary in salvation by God’s grace through the Lord Jesus Christ. Those who have been justified are also sanctified. Those who are sanctified have been justified. Both of these works are of God’s grace and not by the efforts of sinners saved by grace. Both are part of “ALL SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS in heavenly places IN CHRIST” (Eph. 1:3). Both are included in “all things that pertain unto life and godliness” freely given to us by God’s “divine power” (2 Pet. 1:3). However, there is a vital distinction between our justification and our sanctification. They are not the same.

Justification refers to the LEGAL matters of salvation from sin by God’s grace in Christ and answers to the ground or basis upon which God is just to save sinners. God is both “a just God and a Savior” (Isa. 45:21-22). It is the work of God where the righteousness of Jesus Christ is imputed (charged, reckoned, accounted) to a sinner, so that the sinner is declared by God as being righteous under the law (Rom. 4:3-8; 5:1,9; Gal. 2:16; 3:11; 2 Cor. 5:19-21). This righteousness is not earned or retained by any effort of the saved. It is based completely and solely upon Christ’s one offering of Himself on the cross (1 Pet. 2:24). Many deny this because they consider the legal declaration of righteousness to be less than real, even what they call a “legal fiction.” But it is real. When God declares a sinner righteous, that sinner IS righteous, and the proof of this is that Christ’s righteousness imputed demands spiritual life for that sinner (Rom. 8:10).