CALL TO WORSHIP (Tune: “Away in a Manger,” – p. 86) (Words by Pastor Jim Byrd)
Christ Jesus the Savior came down from above, In covenant mercy and infinite love; The Lord of creation a servant became, To save all His people, O praise His great name.
Enthroned in His beauty and all glorious, Jehovah our Savior became like to us; The Word was made flesh and laid glory aside, What grace and affection for His chosen bride.
Our Prophet, High Priest and our eternal King, Descended from heaven salvation to bring; Emmanuel came – the Lord with us on earth, Behold a great myst’ry the dear Savior’s birth.
O what a Redeemer is Jesus our Lord, He paid all our sin-debt, to God we’re restored; Redeemed by His blood, He our ransom has paid, And clothed in His beauty His saints are arrayed.
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Today: Bible Classes – 10:00 a.m.; Morning Worship – 11:00 a.m. Messages by Pastor Bill Parker
Television Broadcast: Reign of Grace Television Sunday morning on WALB-TV @ 9 AM.
Live Streaming – 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. – Sermon Audio web site
Hymns for service: “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” – p. 93 “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” – p. 84
I will be in Ashland, KY, next weekend to spend time with my family. Elders Jim Casey and Randy Wages will be preaching in my absence. -- The Pastor
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“FOR MINE EYES HAVE SEEN THY SALVATION” - LUKE 2:30
The world views this time of the year either as a religious or family holiday. We know that most people embrace and promote the myths, human traditions, and even idolatry that come with it. We as believers should never join with the world in the idolatry of any season. But we know the reality of the Lord Jesus Christ and His great work of redemption. We can, therefore, rejoice and thank God for the birth of Christ. Why? It is because we do not focus our attention and worship on Him as a helpless babe in a manger, but as the Lord of Glory, the Lord our Righteousness who by the grace of God executed judgment and justice in the earth when He died on the cross for our sins (Jer. 23:5-6). The babe in the manger is truly a miraculous work of God the Son manifesting Himself in human flesh without sin – “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us” (Matt. 1:23). We can all stand amazed and thank God for this moment in time when the Word was made flesh to dwell among us (John 1:14). But when we view the Lord Jesus Christ with the eyes of God-given faith, we say with Simeon of old as he took the infant Jesus up in his arms, praised God, and said, “For mine eyes have seen Thy salvation” (Luke 2:30). – Pastor Bill Parker
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John Flavel once said, “He who calls you to come to Him for mercy and forgiveness, knows your sins, your weakness and your guilt, YET He calls you! Now if your sin does not hinder Christ from calling, neither should it hinder you from coming! What an encouragement to come to Him! Christ Jesus came into this world on purpose to save, not the righteous, but sinners.” Therefore –
Let not conscience make you linger, Nor of fitness fondly dream All the fitness He requireth, Is to see your need of Him.
GOD SENT US A SAVIOR
“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He
also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy Him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (Hebrews 2:14-15). Christ assumed human flesh in order to meet the greatest need of His people, redemption and salvation from sin, death and hell.
If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist. If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer. But our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us a Savior.
—Copied
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There was not a speck of sin on the conscience, nor a principle of sin in the nature of His people, for which Christ was not judged on the cross; and they are now looked upon as having died with Christ, lain in the grave with Christ, been raised with Christ, perfectly accepted in Him. Their sins, their iniquities, their transgressions, their enmity, their uncircumcision, has been entirely put away by the cross. The sentence of death has been written on the flesh; but the believer is in possession of a new life, in union with his risen Head in glory. What rest – perfect rest – for the heart and conscience is here! What full relief for the burdened spirit! All our sins buried in the grave of Christ, not one – even the smallest – left out! God did this for us! All that His searching eye could detect in us, He laid on the head of Christ when He hung upon the cross! He judged Him there and then, instead of judging us in hell forever! – C. H. Mackintosh
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