Birthdays: Tim Hall – Jan. 26th – Brent Cox – Jan. 30th
Hymns for service: “How Firm a Foundation” – p. 268 “Hiding In Thee” – p. 282
Next Sunday (January 31) we will serve the Lord’s Supper after the morning messages. We will have covered-dish dinner in the fellowship hall following all worship services.
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WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:11-14).
We meet all kinds of people who are looking for things or looking for a church to “meet their needs, satisfy their longings, give them peace and assurance, and/or make them feel good.” I tell many who are looking for a church to attend NOT to look for a church so much, but to look for a place where the truth of the Gospel of God’s free and sovereign grace in Christ Jesus is preached and lived. There is much religion and many “churches” in our day, but there is not much truth. We need to be in that place where we hear the Gospel, taught the Scriptures, and are exhorted always to be “looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith” (Heb. 12:2). We need to be where God’s grace in Christ (His righteousness imputed) is exalted and man’s works are denied as forming any part of the ground of salvation. We need to be where God’s will is sovereign and powerful to save His people and give them faith in Christ and where man’s power and will are not made the savior of sinners. We need to be where God’s Word (the Bible), which reveals Christ crucified, is the main subject of preaching and where man’s methods of entertainment, psychology, and persuasion are not in any way part of the worship service. In this way sinners are encouraged to look for “that blessed hope” which a saved sinners assurance and expectation of final glory in heaven through the Lord Jesus Christ and based on His blood and righteousness alone.
– Pastor Bill Parker
The death of Jesus Christ was not merely the example of a martyr’s death. No, it was a true and accepted sacrifice. His blood was shed as a sacrifice in the place of and on the behalf of His people to satisfy the offended and outraged justice of God. He offered Himself a sacrifice to God, for sins, that He might save His people from their sins. Any gospel that sets Christ forth as less than this is defective! “But now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself” (Heb. 9:26). Jesus Christ died as a Substitute, a Sacrifice and a SUCCESS! -- Pastor Gary Shepard
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Though an object of mercy, a subject of grace, and an heir of promise, YET NOT ONE SINGLE DROP of mercy, or of grace, nor one word of promise IS MADE TO THY PERSON, but only as thou STANDEST IN, and ART RELATED TO THY PRECIOUS SAVIOR, according to covenant love. Therefore God's covenant of peace shall not, cannot fail.
-- William Mason
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Our times are in Thy hand, Father we wish them there: Our life, our soul, our all, we leave entirely to Thy care. Our times are in Thy hand, whatever they may be, Pleasing or painful, dark or bright, as best may seem to Thee. Our times are in Thy hand, why should we doubt or fear? A Father’s hand will never cause His child a needless tear. Our times are in Thy hand, Jesus the crucified! The hand our many sins had pierced is now our guard and guide. Our times are in Thy hand, we’ll always trust in Thee; Till we have left this weary land and all Thy glory see.
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