SUNDAY MAY 29, 2022
Bible Study To Usward
Ephesians 1:3-6
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved
SCHEDULED MEETINGS
Sunday Morning Bible Study 10:00 AM
Sunday Morning Worship 11:00 AM
Friday Night Bible Study 7:00 PM
OPENING HYMN BENEATH THE CROSS OF JESTU PAGE 183
SCRIPTURE READING PSALMS 119:89-96
WORSHIP HYMN HALLELUJAH WHAT A SAVIOR PAGE 175
MESSAGE
FOR IN THESE I DELIGHT
CLOSING HYMN FACE TO FACE PAGE 549
J.C. Ryle once said, “I warn all men that knowledge NOT ACTED UPON, in God’s sight, is no knowledge at all! A faith which does not influence a man’s walk and talk is not worthy of the name faith.” There are only two classes of people in this world – those who believe God and those who do not believe God! Those who believe God do mind (are concerned with, interested in, and identified with) the things of God, and those who do not believe God so mind (pursue, love, and run after) the things of the flesh and the world. The difference lies in one word – I BELIEVE God. – Copied
“And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” (Revelation 14:13)
*Join us on Zoom Friday Night Bible Study & Sunday Morning Services send your
e-mail address to rescuebaptist232@gmail.com to be added to our list.
ANNOUNCEMENT
*Fellowship Dinner is scheduled for next Sunday June 5th
*We will come to The Lord’s Table (DV) after a short message following
our afternoon meal, Lord Willing
*Our Church Workday is Scheduled for Saturday June 18th
*Our 37th Annual Summer Conference Scheduled for July 1st thru 3rd
SAFE
It is a very good thing to feel safe. However, it is much better to be safe. April 15, 1912, everyone on the “unsinkable” Titanic felt safe, and were living life as if there was no tomorrow. Tragically, for over 1500 poor souls, there would be no tomorrow. In contrast, the disciples were on a rickety wooden boat crossing the sea of Galilee when suddenly they were in a “great tempest”. Fearing they were about to die, they cried out to the Lord who was asleep in the boat. “Lord, save us: we perish”. After rebuking them for their fear and lack of faith, He immediately calmed the seas and straightforward they were safe on the other side. On one boat people felt safe but were not. On the other boat men did not feel safe but were. What made the difference? Who made the difference? If the Lord Jesus Christ is in our boat we are safe, even when the seas are turbulent. “Whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe”. Pr. 29:25b. The oceans of this world are full of stately vessels filled with careless souls oblivious to the destruction that is just below the surface of their shallow religion. Their porters assure the passengers that once you pay your fare, you are guaranteed safe passage to the other side. The truly safe boats are usually small unimpressive vessels of just a few “fellows on the ship”. On these little boats the Lord is resting because He has finished His work to pay in full the fare for all on board.
Greg Elmquist
“He who waters will also be watered himself” (Prov. 11:25). This text teaches a great lesson – to receive, we must give, to accumulate, we must scatter: to be happy, we must make others happy; to have friends, we must be friendly; in teaching others, we gain instruction. It is like the man in the snow storm who rubbed the limbs of his friend to keep him from freezing, and in so doing kept his own blood circulating and thus saved his own life! “He who waters is watered.” “Give and it shall be given you” (Luke 6:38). - Copied
SUNDAY MAY 22, 2022
Bible Study Simon Peter an Apostel of Christ
PSALM 150:1-6
Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.
SCHEDULED MEETINGS
Sunday Morning Bible Study 10:00 AM
Sunday Morning Worship 11:00 AM
Friday Night Bible Study 7:00 PM
OPENING HYMN COME THOU FOUNT PAGE 2
SCRIPTURE READING PSALMS 119:81-88
WORSHIP HYMN CALVARY COVERS IT ALL PAGE 189
MESSAGE
My Refuge
CLOSING HYMN CROWN HIM WITH MANY CROWNS PAGE 234
AND WE KNOW
(ROMANS 8:28)
As my wife and I were going through the announcement of her sister having cancer a second time, I resorted to this very verse, as I often do, especially, when trials arise, and as I pondered this verse, I couldn’t help but pause, and see the blessing it is to “KNOW”. You see I can remember when I didn’t “KNOW”. I remember when my life was all about chance. I was either lucky or not. Then, in the day of his power! He gave me life. He came to me when I was yet dead in trespasses and sin, and through the preaching of his word, he revealed the truths of who he is and what he has done and who he has done it for! I know that JESUS THE CHRIST is God in the flesh! I know that He established a perfect righteousness for all of those that the Father hath given Him, I know he has paid the price in full for all my sins, past, present, and future. I know he sits on His throne, ruling over all things, and working out every detail according to his will. I know that if He had not given me the gift of faith, I would still be lost in chance, and luck. Dear reader, are you living in chance and luck! If so cry out! GOD HAVE MERCY ON ME! And may the peace of this verse, “AND WE KNOW THAT ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD TO THEM THAT LOVE GOD” be yours also! John Reeves
*Join us on Zoom Friday Night Bible Study & Sunday Morning Services send your
e-mail address to rescuebaptist232@gmail.com to be added to our list.
FIRSTFRUITS, BORN OF THE WORD OF TRUTH
James 1: 18: Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
The Word of truth is that by which believers are born which Peter says is "not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever" (I Peter 1: 23.) When a gardener has a crop of tomatoes which are cursed with blight, the gardener does not reserve the seed of those tomatoes for next year's planting. He knows the seed is corrupt. It will only produce more corrupt fruit. Yet, false preachers who take to themselves the honor of husbandry which belongs to God alone, sow the blight-ridden-seeds of man's free-will, in order that they might glory in their own green-thumbs, when in fact, all they produce are fields of weeds.
What a rare privilege to hear Christ and him crucified preached as the full, effectual, redeeming, God-pleasing sacrifice whereby all God's elect shall be saved from their sins. This is the Word of truth. This is the incorruptible seed sown into the heart of the believer by the Holy Spirit. It is the Seed of God, Christ Jesus the Life, which results in the new birth within the tilled soil of these old dead carcasses. This Seed is the germinating Life whereby the believer no longer lives in the great sin of unbelief but shall always, continually live and abide in Christ by faith, as John declares, "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God (1John 3:9)
One plants the Word of truth. Others water with the Word of truth. But God gives the increase. We are God's husbandry (I Co 3:6,7.) Every gardener anticipates with great joy the first fruits of his labor. Even so our God who gave us life by the Word of truth rejoices over every believer as a kind of first fruits of His creation.
Clay Curtis
A Perfect Man
“Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man, neither will he help the evil doers” (Job 8:20)
BELOVED, our Lord declares “him that cometh to Me I will in no
wise cast out.” And why is that? Because beloved, our God declares that He “will not cast away a perfect man!” You see, every sinner who comes to Christ for salvation is made perfect through His doing and dying! Praise the LORD! He hath perfected His people forever; indeed “by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified” (Hebrews 10:14). Amen! Joseph Murphy
SUNDAY MAY 15, 2022
Bible Study Simon Peter an Apostle of Christ
EPHESIANS 1:6-9
To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
SCHEDULED MEETINGS
Sunday Morning Bible Study 10:00 AM
Sunday Morning Worship 11:00 AM
Friday Night Bible Study 7:00 PM
OPENING HYMN REDEEMED PAGE 521
SCRIPTURE READING PSALMS 119:65-80
WORSHIP HYMN WHEN THE ROLL IS CALLED UP YOUNDER PAGE 543
MESSAGE
A Simple Message of Encouragement
CLOSING HYMN IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL PAGE 493
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” - Rom 12v1
In the course of history, many have given their lives for religion. Many have given themselves over to holy living. Most of these people are regarded by mankind to have lived an acceptable life (or died an acceptable death). But it was not “unto God”. Therefore, it was not a sacrifice, not holy, and not acceptable.
How can a child of Adam give themselves over fully as a living sacrifice unto God? How can a wretch like me be holy unto God? How can a maggot be acceptable unto God? Only by the mercies of God, found in Christ Jesus our Lord!
When we are made to see Christ is our living sacrifice, Christ is our holiness, Christ is our acceptance before God – and that “It is finished!” - how reasonable it is for us to turn ourselves over completely to His loving mercies, and to our brethren! - KBT
*We Zoom Friday Night Bible Study & Sunday Morning Services send your e-mail address to rescuebaptist232@gmail.com to be added to our list.
ANNOUNCEMENT
· We will come to the Lord’s Table immediately following our morning message.
THE SPIRIT OF HIS SON
Galatians 4: 6: And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
Romans 8: 15: For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Romans 8: 26: Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27: And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
This is too wonderful for me! But it is so because God says it! In Galatians 4:6 it is the Spirit of his Son himself within our hearts, crying Abba, Father. In Romans 8: 15 the Spirit of adoption makes us cry. Then in Romans 8:26 when we cannot pray, the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which we cannot utter and God, who knows our hearts, knows the mind of the Spirit within us because the Spirit makes intercession according to the will of God.
Is this not the only reason why the apostle Peter’s faith failed not? Is it not the only reason our faith fails not? Even when Peter appeared outwardly to have denied the Lord, Christ prayed for him, not only at God’s right hand but also within his heart. This is an illustration of what Paul meant when he said, “the life I now live in the flesh, I live by the FAITH OF THE SON GOD...” The Spirit of God’s Son within us is the Faith of our faith, even when unbelief makes it appear we believe not. With the Spirit of Christ in us we are so one with Christ that by the Spirit of the Son crying, Abba, Father we cry Abba, Father. The Spirit within makes intercession for us even when we know not what we should pray for as we ought and cannot utter a word. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 2 that we have the mind of Christ. Here he says God who knows our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit within us because the Spirit makes intercession for us according to God’s will. This is more than this sinner can understand. But I am so thankful it is so! Christ is the Faith of our faith and the Intercessor of our prayers.
- Pastor Clay Curtis (Ewing, NJ)
SUNDAY MAY 8, 2022
Bible Study Simon Peter an Apostle of Christ
HEBREWS 4:1-3
Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
SCHEDULED MEETINGS
Sunday Morning Bible Study 10:00 AM
Sunday Morning Worship 11:00 AM
Friday Night Bible Study 7:00 PM
OPENING HYMN PRAISE THE SAVIOR PAGE 75
SCRIPTURE READING PSALMS 119:57-64
WORSHIP HYMN BLESSED ASSURANCE PAGE 345
MESSAGE
Seek ye the Lord
CLOSING HYMN THE SOLID ROCK PAGE 404
Come To Christ
Christ told us “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink” (John 7:37). And “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Isaiah prophesied “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” ANY, ALL, and EVERY ONE; come thirsty, tired and burdened. Come to Christ now, without any payment of your works, and enter into true rest! ~Kevin Thacker
*We Zoom Friday Night Bible Study & Sunday Morning Services send your e-mail address to rescuebaptist232@gmail.com to be added to our list.
ANNOUNCEMENT
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY
· Missionary Daniel “Moose” Parks will be our Friday Night guest speaker May 13th 7:00 PM
· Sunday May 15th we will come to the Lord’s Table immediately following our morning message.
Practical Theology
by Henry Mahan
How blessed it would be for us, and for all who cross our paths, if we could put our theology into deeds and not mere words. We profess to believe in God’s immutable sovereignty and then constantly mourn over our lot in life. We claim to believe in God’s purpose and providence, but fill every ear that will listen with our discontent and our sad state of affairs. Usually those who do the most complaining have, in reality, the least to complain about; while those who have serious handicaps, heavy burdens, and deep sorrows find a reason to praise the Lord and rejoice in His blessings.
I need not remind you of God’s anger with Israel because of their murmuring, or to remind you of the words of our Lord, “Take no anxious thought for what you shall eat, drink, or wear” or to remind you of the words of Paul, “Let your conversation be without covetousness, and be content with such things as ye have.” No! I need not remind you of these words; for you have read them, taught them, and perhaps preached them. Then our problem is not ignorance of the Word and will of God (perhaps it would be better if this were our problem); our problem is identified in Hebrews 4:2, “The Word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.”
It is a heart problem, for out of the heart the mouth speaks. And truthfully, our complaints are not with men, who are but second causes, but with God WHOM WE SAY is the first Cause and Lord of our lives. I can understand the free-willer (whose God is but a puppet of man’s permission) complaining, murmuring, and finding fault with all about Him. But the most inconsistent person living is the professed Christian who says he believes, “The Most High rules in the kingdom of men and giveth it to whomsoever He will” or “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you”, and then fills the air about with a constant stream of complaints and reasons why he should be somewhere else or doing something else, or blessed in a more abundant measure. A certain cure for anxious care is TRUST. “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him!”
SUNDAY MAY 1, 2022
Bible Study Simon Peter an Apostle of Christ
Revelation 14:13
“And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.”
OPENING HYMN TO GOD BE THE GLORY PAGE 66
SCRIPTURE READING PSALMS 119:41-56
WORSHIP HYMN IN THE GARDEN PAGE 425
MESSAGE Peace and Trouble
CLOSING HYMN UNDER HIS WINGS PAGE 356
HIS GLORY - Ephesians 1 v1-14
The Glory of the Triune God is paramount in all things. This Glory is magnified in the electing of a people by the Father in Christ. It is magnified in the saving of that people through the blood of Christ. And it is magnified in the revelation of our Savior, in our new hearts, through the Holy Spirit.
When the child of God is finally brought home, we will forever sing praise to His Glory in perfection and for eternity. Pastor Kevin Thacker
How sweet it is to awake every day knowing that God my Savior is on his throne, that he has purposed all that the day shall bring forth, and that he has purposed it for me, for my everlasting good. Don Fortner
“UNBELIEF...is a sin that is its own punishment. Those who do not trust God are continually vexing themselves.” Matthew Henry
Every sermon sent by God Almighty will always find its focus in the Person of the Lord Jesus. He is the Alpha and Omega of life. He is the answer to all eternal questions and the purpose of all things. Comfort in all trials is found by hearing the message of Christ which proclaims His glory, work, and honor. We will never be found to honor Him more than to hear and believe His Gospel which, beginning with Moses and throughout all the prophets and in all the scriptures, declare those things that are concerning Him.
Pastor Marvin Stalnaker
WHAT SUITS ME
Being the sinner I am, knowing my weakness and inability, God has provided me just what I need; He suits my needs.
His Word suits my need. It tells me of God and who He is, what He does in this world and what He will do in the world to come. His Word tells of His absolute sovereignty, of how He can be a just God and Savior. That salvation is by His will, not man’s. That salvation is what God does for man, not what man does for God.
His will suits me from the top of my head down to my feet. I know His will is the best thing for me. Thank God He has not left me to my will, but in His infinite wisdom orders all things for my good and His glory. His Will is perfect, which suits my imperfection.
The Lord Jesus Christ suits my needs as a sinner: His blood cleanses me from all sin, His obedience is given in place of my rebellion, and His righteousness is given to me in place of my righteousness, which is a filthy rag.
His word tells me Christ Jesus came to save sinners…. I’m one of them. That He came to seek and save the lost, I was one of them. In fact, I was so lost that only He could find me, and bless His holy name, He found me and saved me from my sin which was so great.
His word tells me that not only has He saved me from my sin and my rebellion, but that He will carry on His work. Not one for whom He died will ever be cast out, which gives assurance that I will not ever be forsaken of Him.
Yes, everything from His Word, His will, and His Son and the salvation that He has given me suits me perfectly.
Pastor Donnie Bell
HOW EXCELLENT O GOD!
Psalm 36:7
How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.
I LOVE TO SEE and bask in the Light of God’s electing love, for Christ is God’s Elect and it was in Him that His people were chosen before they ever existed, removing all doubt about Who does the saving. (Ephesians 1:4)
I LOVE TO HEAR of Divine substitution, for it was Christ Jesus, my Lord, my Savior, and my God who substituted Himself and died in the place of the ungodly. (Romans5:6)
I LOVE TO THINK on God’s irresistible call of sovereign grace, for I would have resisted had Christ not made me willing in the day of His power. (Psalm 110:3) “It is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.” (Romans 9:16)
I LOVE TO PREACH on perfect righteousness and justification, for Christ gave His perfect righteousness to His sheep as He took their sins upon Himself, remaining both “just and Justifier" of those who believe in Christ. (Romans 3:26)
I LOVE TO BELIEVE that Christ chose me, called me, and took my place, justifying me before the Father by giving me His perfect righteousness.
(2 Corinthians 5:21)
I LOVE TO REST in the excellence of Christ’s lovingkindness, for greater love hath no man than this, that He lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13)
IS IT THEN ANY WONDER that Jesus Christ is everything to the saved sinner? Pastor David Eddmenson
“It is as clear as the noonday sun that the law is neither the ground of life to the sinner nor the rule of life to the Christian. The Lord Jesus Christ is both the one and the other; He is our life and our rule of life. The law can only curse and kill, Christ is our life and righteousness. He became our curse by hanging on a tree. He went down into the place of death and judgment and by his death completely discharged all that was or could be against us "Bless the Lord, O my soul!” Scott Richardson
ANNOUNCEMENT
· Join us for our Fellowship Dinner
· We will come to The Lord’s Table (DV) after a short message following our afternoon meal
OH! SWEET GRACE, BLESSED GRACE
"For by grace are you saved." Ephesians 2:8
We are saved by grâce—free grace, rich grace, sovereign grace, distinguishing grace—without one atom of works, without one grain of creature merit, without anything of the flesh. Oh! Sweet grace, blessed grace! Oh! what a help—what a strength—what a rest for a poor toiling, striving, laboring soul—to find that grace has done all the work—to feel that grace has triumphed in the cross of Christ—to find that nothing is required, nothing is needed, nothing is to be done! J. C. Philpot
THE FAMILY OF GOD
All those adopted into God's family should cultivate a continual care and concern for each family member. How can we do this? Look at what the Scriptures say:
· 1 Corinthians 12:25 – "Care one for another."
· John 13:34 – "Love one another."
· James5:16 – "Pray for one another."
· 1Thessalonians 4:18 – "Comfort one another."
· Romans 15:14 – "Admonish one another."
· 1Thessalonians 5:11 – "Edify one another."
· Mark 9:50 – "Be at peace with one another."
· Ephesians 4:32 – "Forgive one another.”
Pastor Tom Harding
The Full Sum of our Preaching
“The Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom; but WE PREACH CHRIST CRUCIFIED” (1 Cor. 1:22-23).
Times have changed but men have not. Most religionists still seek signs, tongues, feelings, and experiences. The other camp of religionists still seek wisdom, intellectualism, and philosophy. But God’s preachers PREACH CHRIST.
They know Christ, love Christ, and desire that others know Him. Such a vast, infinite, and heavenly gospel can never be exhausted; so, we preach Christ today and tomorrow, as our first and last message, and as the full sum of our theology. Henry Mahan
TO WHOM SHALL WE GO?
When the Lord spoke of eating His flesh and drinking His blood, many found it to be a hard saying, unbelievable saying, and many of His disciples went back and walked no more with him. The Lord asked the twelve. “Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?" Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. John 6:67-68
1. To whom shall we go for Truth? Christ said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life…” apart from Christ we cannot know the Truth. Truth is a person.
2. To whom shall we go for forgiveness? Jesus Christ only has the authority to forgive us of our sins. “But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.” Matthew 9:6
3. To whom shall we go for Redemption? If we are to be saved we must be redeemed from the curse of the law. “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree” Galatians 3:13. “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins” Col 1:14.
4. To whom shall we go for wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption? Jesus Christ is all these to every believer. “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption" 1 Corinthians 1:30
5. God the Father has made His Son, Jesus Christ, to be our all in all. “Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all” (Colossians 3:11). Thank God if you know that there is no one else to go to for all you need to stand before God accepted. Pastor John Chapman
Sovereignty and Responsibility
“And truly the Son of Man goeth as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom He is betrayed” (Luke 22:22).
Here the absolute sovereignty of God and the complete responsibility of man meet. The betrayal of Christ by Judas was determined by God before it ever took place. Consequently, there was no way that it would not take place. Does this relieve Judas from the responsibility of this desperately wicked act? NO! The Lord pronounces a woe upon him. In both Matthew and Mark’s account, the Lord said, “It had been good for that man if he had never been born.” Judas is held fully responsible for his action and was punished accordingly. You cannot overstate God’s absolute sovereignty. Nor can you overstate man’s complete responsibility. They are not at odds, and to tone down either of them is to deny them altogether. Pastor Todd Nibert
“Without a doubt a world crisis is at hand, and everywhere men are alarmed. BUT GOD IS NOT! He is never taken by surprise. It is no unexpected emergency which now confronts Him, for He is the One who ‘worketh all things after the counsel of His own will’ (Eph. 1:11). Hence, though the world is panic-stricken, the word to the believer is ‘Fear not!’ ‘All things’ are subject to His immediate control; ‘all things’ are moving in accord with His eternal purpose; and therefore, ‘all things are working together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.’ It must be so, for ‘of Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things’ (Rom. 11:36). Yet how little is this realized today even by the people of God! Many suppose that He is little more than a far-distant spectator, taking no immediate hand in the affairs of earth. It is true that man has a will, but so also has God. It is true that man is endowed with power, but God is all-powerful. It is true that, speaking generally, the material world is regulated by law, but behind that law is the law-giver, the law-administrator. Man is but the creature; God is the Creator. And endless ages before man first saw the light, ‘the mighty God’ (Isa. 9:6) existed; and ere the world was founded, made His plans; and being infinite in power, and man only finite, His purpose and plan cannot be withstood nor thwarted by the creatures of His own hands.” A. W. Pink
TRUE FAITH
“It is not true faith to trust Christ only when you feel you are saved. True faith is to trust Christ at all times, whether you feel like you are saved or not; when you have a deep consciousness of your sin and when you don’t; when you have assurance of faith and when your faith is so weak you wonder if you have faith at all. A person is not saved because he feels saved nor because he is aware of his sinfulness. A person is saved when he trusts Christ--His blood for redemption and forgiveness of sin, His righteousness for acceptance with God; when he commits all to Him as the ‘Author and finisher of our faith. Our feelings may change by the hour, but our salvation is not dependent on our feelings; it is dependent solely on Him who never changes--‘Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever!’” Pastor Charles Pennington
Psalm 98:1-3
O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory. The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen. He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
SUNDAY APRIL 24, 2022
Bible Study (not recorded)
MICAH 7:18
Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.
SCHEDULED MEETINGS
Sunday Morning Bible Study 10:00 AM
Sunday Morning Worship 11:00 AM
Friday Night Bible Study 7:00 PM
OPENING HYMN A SHELTER IN THE TIME OF STORM PAGE 353
SCRIPTURE READING PSALMS 119:33-40
WORSHIP HYMN THE WAY OF THE CROSS LEADS HOME PAGE 471
MESSAGE
Not recorded
CLOSING HYMN HOLY, HOLY, HOLY PAGE 262
“We must be very clear in telling the sinner that there is no hope for him anywhere else but in Christ. Nine out of ten of the arrows in a minister's quiver ought to be shot at the sinner's good works, for these are his worst enemies. That ‘deadly doing’ that needs to be cast ‘down at Jesus' feet’, — that trying to be or to feel something in order that they may save themselves, — this is the curse of many. O sinner, if, from the crown of thy head to the soles of thy feet, there is no sound part in thee, but thou art full of wounds; and bruises, and putrefying sores, yet, if thou wilt but believe in Jesus, he will make thee whole every whit, and thou shalt go thy way a sinner saved by grace.” C. H. Spurgeon
ANNOUNCEMENT
· Friday Night Bible Study is Canceled April 29th
· Our Fellowship Dinner is Scheduled for May 1st
· We will come to the Lord’s Table after a short message following our afternoon meal
“The sovereignty of God is the stumbling block on which thousands fall and perish; and if we go contending with God about His sovereignty it will be our eternal ruin. It is absolutely necessary that we should submit to God as an absolute sovereign, and the sovereign of our souls; as One who may have mercy on whom He will have mercy and harden whom He will.” Jonathan Edwards
“The Lord used ravens to feed Elijah, but Elijah never thought of trusting in the ravens. If we lean on instruments instead of the hand that uses them, we bring down a curse upon ourselves, for it is written, ‘Cursed be the man that trusteth in man and maketh flesh his arm and whose heart departeth from the Lord’ (Jer. 17:5). Brother Scott Richardson
If Jesus Christ is not your risen, exalted Lord who rules and reigns as the Sovereign Monarch over heaven and earth; if you don’t see Him as your Saviour who, by Himself, when he died on the cross, purged all your sins from God’s sight forever, obtaining eternal redemption for you, YOU DON’T EVEN KNOW HIM! Gene Harmon
“It is a clear commentary upon someone’s religion when they are more interested in talking about their own thoughts and opinions, their will, wants and wishes, their denominational beliefs, church creeds, discipline, traditions, rules and practices, rather than the Word of God. The Apostle Paul said these are those who are, ‘NOT HOLDING THE HEAD’ (Col. 2:19), but would rather talk about the body (church). ‘But you have not so learned Christ.’ Those who have truly seen the ‘Glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ’, are altogether taken up with Him, with His person, and His work. While the conversation of the mere professor of religion is of his religion, the speech of the true ‘Christian’ is of his CHRIST.” Pastor Paul Mahan
“Faith in Christ is NOT TO WORK but to cease from our labor and to rest in Him for all things. Faith in Christ is NOT TO DO ANYTHING, but to believe and own that ALL IS DONE in Him, by Him, and is imputed to us so fully that we are rewarded as if we did it ourselves!” Pastor Henry Mahan
SUNDAY APRIL 17, 2022
Bible Study Simon Peter an Apostle of Christ
Revelation 14:13
“And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.”
SCHEDULED MEETINGS
Sunday Morning Bible Study 10:00 AM
Sunday Morning Worship 11:00 AM
Friday Night Bible Study 7:00 PM
OPENING HYMN ARE YOU WASHED IN THE BLOOD PAGE 190
SCRIPTURE READING PSALMS 119:25-32
WORSHIP HYMN I KNOW WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED PAGE 409
MESSAGE
Be glad in the Lord, Pastor Gabe Stalnaker
CLOSING HYMN ALL THAT THRILLS MY SOUL PAGE 526
The first step toward the recovery or restoration of sight is the realization that one has a problem seeing. I never heard of anyone who sought out and called upon an optometrist before realizing that his sight was bad. Likewise, no sinner ever sought out and savingly called upon the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, until he realized that he could not see. Christ Jesus only saves the blind (John 9:39-41). But how full of grace He is to them!
Pastor Maurice Montgomery
Assurance based upon personal holiness, personal graces, and personal works is nothing but self-righteous presumption. Lack of assurance based upon the lack of those things is also self-righteousness. True assurance is simple faith, trusting Christ alone for every particle of salvation and eternal acceptance with God.
Don Fortner
ANNOUNCEMENT
· We will come to the Lord’s Table immediately following this morning’s message.
· Kathy and I will be traveling April 19th – April 26th
· Friday Night Bible Study is CANCELLED for April 22nd & 29th
· Brother Mike Loveless will be preaching on April 24th
· THERE WILL BE NO ZOOM MEETING while we are away, we will resume when we return
· Keep me in your prayers as I have the honor to preach for the Saints at Madisonville, KY on April 24th
OH! SWEET GRACE, BLESSED GRACE
"For by grace are you saved." Ephesians 2:8
We are saved by grâce — free grace, rich grace, sovereign grace, distinguishing grace—without one atom of works, without one grain of creature merit, without anything of the flesh. Oh! Sweet grace, blessed grace! Oh! what a help—what a strength—what a rest for a poor toiling, striving, laboring soul—to find that grace has done all the work—to feel that grace has triumphed in the cross of Christ—to find that nothing is required, nothing is needed, nothing is to be done!
J. C. Philpot
Absence Makes The Heart Grow Fonder
The apostle Paul told all of the brethren of the church in Philippi: “I have you in my heart”… because “Ye are all partakers with me of grace” (Phil. 1:7). I feel the exact same way toward all the brethren of the church in Kingsport. In the same way that all of God’s chosen people long to be with Christ, God’s people love to be with those who are in Christ, and love Christ, and bow the knee to Christ. When we have even brief moments of separation it causes us to realize how much we desire being together. May the Lord God make that desire to grow. May our love for Christ grow; and may our love for each other grow. Because of the blood of our Savior, we are brethren - brothers and sisters together in Him. And I want each one of you to know that I sincerely love you, I thank the Lord for you, and I greatly desire to see you again soon. Being made to be “partakers of grace together,” “I have you in my heart.” May Christ be in all of our hearts today, and may we be in His. –
Pastor Gabe Stalnaker
There is a common, worldly kind of Christianity in this day, which many have, and think they have enough. It is a cheap Christianity which offends nobody and requires no sacrifice. It is a Christianity that costs nothing and is worth nothing. J. C. Ryle
SUNDAY APRIL 10, 2022
Bible Study Simon Peter an Apostle of Christ
MATTHEW 5:2-12
And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
SCHEDULED MEETINGS
Sunday Morning Bible Study 10:00 AM
Sunday Morning Worship 11:00 AM
Friday Night Bible Study 7:00 PM
OPENING HYMN WONDERFUL GRACE OF JESUS PAGE 198
SCRIPTURE READING PSALMS 119:17-24
WORSHIP HYMN BLESSED BE THE NAME PAGE 103
MESSAGE
WONDERFUL GRACE OF JESUS
CLOSING HYMN BLESSED ASSURANCE PAGE 345
NOT ASHAMED OF MY HOPE
“Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.” – Psalm 119:116
A man would be ashamed of his hope if it turned out that it was not based upon a sure foundation. The Lord taught that there will be many that will learn too late that they built their hope on their own works which proved to be as a house built on sand. When the storm came that house fell.
That will never be true of a child of God who built his hope on Jesus Christ. They will never be ashamed that they put their trust in Christ. They will never have a reason to be. The hope of believer’s rests on the sure foundation of the grace of God that is in Christ Jesus. Since it is a good hope through grace, and an anchor of the soul, sure and steadfast, we can be certain that those with such a hope will never be ashamed. -- Larry Criss
“But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.” Isaiah 45:17
ANNOUNCEMENT
· Friday Night Bible Study for April 15th is CANCELED
· Our Special meetings starts Saturday April 16th at 7:00 PM
· Gabe Stalnaker will preach for us on Sunday April 17th at 11:00 AM
· Lord willing, we will come to the Lord’s Table next Sunday April 17th
You The Sinner
“…God be merciful to me [the] sinner.” (Luke 18:13)
IF GOD will be gracious to you, He will make Christ more than the Savior of
Sinners to your understanding. He will make Christ the Saviour of YOU the
Sinner. You will know yourself to be the guilty Sinner. He will make you to know
that the only hope of salvation for you is in the blood of Jesus Christ.
What a mercy to know that Christ is your Saviour. To feel your need of Him and to know you are forgiven for Christ’s sake. Christ is God’s gift to His child.
And He gives His grace for us to look to Christ; to believe on Christ. He makes us to hunger and thirst for His righteousness.
To walk by faith in Him. “For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith” (Galatians 5:5). To breathe in prayer by the Spirit of adoption “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15). Christ is more than the Son of God to the child of God. He is the Son of God who came in the flesh to be my Surety.
To sacrifice himself to put away my sins, and to present me faultless before the throne of God. [Reader] If God will be gracious to you, He will make Christ more than the Saviour of Sinners to your understanding. He will make Christ the Saviour of YOU the Sinner. -- Eric Lutter
“One Thing Is Needful.”
“But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:42
There are many things which are good and useful. There are many things which are helpful and important. But only one thing is needful. We must not allow either the cares of this world, or religious activity to keep us from this one needful thing. The one needful thing which Mary chose, that good thing which shall not be taken away from her is this – Mary “sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word” (Luke 10:39). Brethren, the one thing we need, the one thing that is necessary and essential is the worship of Christ. Religious activity is good if it is accompanied with and arises from spiritual worship. But we must never be so active that we neglect the sweet, worshipful communion to be found sitting at Jesus’ feet.
Dear friend, would you serve Christ? “Getting busy for Jesus” is not the first thing you need to do. You need to sit down at his feet and hear his Word. All true service begins with and is inspired by worshipping – DOWN AT THE SAVIOR’S FEET. ~Don Fortner (grace Bulletin 11/16/80)
SUNDAY APRIL 3, 2022
Bible Study Simon Peter an Apostle of Christ
JAMES 3:17
3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
OPENING HYMN MORE ABOUT JESUS PAGE 389
SCRIPTURE READING PSALMS 119:9-16
WORSHIP HYMN THERE IS POWER IN THE BLOOD PAGE 191
MESSAGE
Salvation Offered, Salvation Declared
CLOSING HYMN ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS NAME PAGE 97
“BRING FORTH THE BEST ROBE…”
Nothing but the love of God could have provided the best robe. Our Lord did not come and suffer in the sinner’s stead to obtain the love of God. He came and died because of the love of God. “herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He first loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1John 4:10)
How many times have we received something, and what really made us love it and appreciate it was that it was given out of love. How many times after service have I seen some little child out in the field pluck a wild flower and bring it to his mother. I’ve never seen a mother refuse to receive it and value it, because she sees the love in that little face. Oh, if we could ever get hold of this truth, “the love of God,” how it would break these hearts of stone. “For God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten Son.” The best robe, God’s love provided it – The righteousness of Christ.
- David Pledger
GOOD NEWS FOR PILGRIMS!
Here is good news for weary, heavy-hearted pilgrims from our homeland in Heaven. Do you have heartaches and troubles too numerous to count? It will do you good to receive some good news from home.
The Lord our God is still on His throne.
Our Savior is still in Heaven, preparing a place for you, representing you, interceding for you.
There are many in Heaven just like you and me already.
There is . . . a fallen David there, a doubting Thomas there, an angry Moses there, a feeble Philip there, an impetuous Peter there, and a righteous Lot there.
All are there by grace alone, through the merits of Christ's blood and righteousness.
And soon, the Lord Jesus Christ will come again to take you there!
John 14:1-3, "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also."
Don Fortner
Romans 15:13
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Oh, The Wonder Of It! Ephesians 1: 6-7—When I think of the wonder, majesty, and glory of God, I can hardly believe that such a worm as I am should be called to be an heir of His grace. Yet, it is just this vast difference that manifests the glory of His grace. He who is the highest, the holiest, and the greatest has set His affection on the lowest, the most sinful, and weakest. It is "to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved, In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace."
Pastor Darvin Pruitt
A Broken Heart
Is that which is broken good for anything? One cannot see in a broken mirror; one cannot drink from a broken glass; one cannot work with a broken arm; one cannot walk with a broken leg. ONLY THE HEART IS AT ITS BEST STATE WHEN IT IS BROKEN! “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart” (Psalm 34:18).
Henry Mahan
BELIEVE YE THAT I AM ABLE TO DO THIS?
Matthew 9v28
This was a question the Lord asked two blind men regarding His ability to give them sight. Their answer was, “Yea, Lord.” Here we are given an illustration of what faith really is. Faith is not believing you are saved or believing that God loves you and Christ died for you or believing all of your sins are forgiven or believing you are perfect in God’s sight. These things belong to the realm of assurance.
Faith is neither more nor less than believing that He is able to save you. Paul said in 2 Timothy 1:12, “I am persuaded that He is able....” Assurance that you are saved and all of your sins are forgiven will come out of that, but the actual act of faith is believing He is able. If you lack assurance, perhaps you have never really believed that “He is able.” Believing He is able will lead to the assurance of these things, because you are relying upon His ability, and not your own.
Pastor Todd Nibert
He knew what He would do" -John 6v6
What a powerfully consoling, Christ-exalting truth so plainly and confidently written by the pen of the apostle John under inspiration by the Holy Spirit of God! Our Master always knows what He will do. He always does what He knows (Isaiah 14:24). And He teaches us as the Master, so that though it takes us our entire life, we too will know what He has done (Eph. 2:7; Rev. 1:5; 5:9)!
Pastor Rick Warta
Why should we ever doubt our Great and Loving Lord? I confess that I cannot tell how God will work out all things together for my good. I am not called to explain the providence of God but just to believe God no matter the providence. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Pastor Fred Evans
WAITING ON THE LORD
If our God be Sovereign, then anytime we find ourselves waiting on anything, we are in truth, waiting on the Lord. Let us always remember that whoever or whatever seems to be holding things up, is a secondary cause. Our God is the first cause of all things and will move those secondary causes in His perfect time. The king’s heart (and everyone else’s) is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of waters, He turneth it whithersoever He will. Pr. 21:1. “Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” Psalm 37:7. While we wait on the coming of the Lord, let us remember that He hath made everything beautiful in His time. It will all “come to pass” exactly when the Lord purposes it to “come to pass.” Pastor Greg Elmquist
ANNOUNCEMENT
· Join us for our Fellowship Dinner
· We will come to The Lord’s Table (DV) after a short message following our afternoon meal
BE MINDFUL OF THIS (Romans 12:16-18)
Our flesh finds it is easy to get frustrated with brethren, and easy to give up on them. It takes grace to bear long with them, and to suffer a wrong. Without the grace of God, it inevitably leads to division. Is it any wonder then why Paul wrote much to the churches on the fruits of the spirit that speak of peace, longsuffering (Gal 5:22) and forgiving one another (Eph 4:32)? Perhaps you have been wronged or think a brother is coming along too slowly to be a child of grace worthy of your time. Remember that God is the Lord. “Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand” (Rom 14:4).
Moreover, “Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not” (Rom 14:3). Oh that we would receive that word through the understanding of the gospel. Would to God we would apply that to how the body hears and feeds upon Christ, knowing it’s the Lord who gives the hearing ear and the appetite. And he gives grace to hear as much or as little as pleases him according to his measure of faith. “For God is able to make him stand”. Remember that if we have understanding, it is God who gave it to us (Phil 3:15-16). It is God who grows us according to the hearing of faith. And he will use the differences in the body to grow us all in love. Be mindful of this. Be patient and love one another as you walk by faith in Christ your salvation.
Pastor Eric Lutter
NOT THE MAN, BUT THE MESSAGE
“But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.” Gal 1v23
When Stephen was stoned to death for preaching Christ, he cried aloud as Christ did on the cross, “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.” (Acts 7v60). Our Lord was merciful to one standing there holding the coats of the murders - Saul of Tarsus. Later, Paul would preach to those who heard of Stephen and what Paul had done to other children of God. But, through the mercies of God in Christ, they heard the message and not the man! “And they glorified God in me.” (Gal 1v24). Oh, that we could be kept from looking at the man, or the past transgressions, and glorify the workmanship of God in sinners that are saved from all their sins by the very same Grace we are!
Pastor Kevin Thacker
James wrote, “Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” (James 1:3-4) Isn’t it an amazing thought that when we are, by God’s grace, patient for what we want and need, we will need and want nothing?
Pastor David Eddmenson
GRACE, PRIDE, AND HUMILITY
I love salvation by grace! Salvation is by God’s grace and nothing else. My works never add or subtract to my salvation. If I am saved by grace I should put pride far from me. If I am so sinful that I must be saved purely by God’s grace, then I cannot be proud of anything about myself. Salvation by grace rightly humbles me and shows me that I am nothing. If I am nothing then it won’t be hard for me to humble myself to serve my brethren. If the Savior humbled Himself to save me, how can I not humble myself to help my brethren?
Pastor Frank Tate
A FAITHFUL MINISTER OF CHRIST
“Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him JESUS” (Acts 8:35)
What do faithful ministers of the gospel preach? Do they preach a theology? Do they preach some essential points of doctrine agreed upon among religious men? Philip, as it is the case with all faithful ministers of the Lord, didn’t preach a theology, he didn’t preach an opinion, he didn’t preach a doctrinal position; beloved, he preached a Person! He opened his mouth, and from the scriptures he preached JESUS!
Our Lord declares “He that believeth on THE SON hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not THE SON shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36). You see, theology didn’t give it’s life as a ransom to redeem God’s people, doctrines didn’t shed any blood for the remission of sins. Beloved, taught of God (you know this)—salvation is found in a person, the Lord Jesus Christ. By God’s quickening power, we have been made to know Him! All God’s people can say with Paul “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (2 Timothy 1:12).
All faithful ministers, men sent of God, preach Christ Jesus the Lord; they don’t preach themselves—they are not men pleasers—they are your servants for JESUS sake [2 Corinthians 4:5, Galatians 1:10].
Lord, enable your servants to open their mouths, and preach unto your people—JESUS. Grant us your enabling grace to be such a one as Epaphras, a fellow servant and faithful minister of Christ; for without You—we can do nothing [John 15:5]. Amen! Pastor Joseph Murphy
“THE ONLY WISE GOD”
(Jude 1:24-25) Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion, and power, both now and ever. Amen.
Who can we truly trust? Where can we place our confidence, our assurance? Not in this sin filled flesh, not in my carnal feelings, not in my so called will!
Only One can be trusted, the One who says He loved us with an everlasting love, the One who loved His elect from before the world was, the One who gave Himself for those the Father gave Him, the One who sent His spirit too comfort us. He takes a stony black heart and cuts it away, replacing it with a knew heart that believes on Him, a new heart that believes His Word, The One who is able to keep us from falling. He not only keeps us from falling, “He presents us faultless “, We stand perfectly before The Thrice Holly God, not by anything we have done, but by His work and His alone. He hung on the cross and said, “it is finished”, it is done, And He did so because it pleased Him, we call Him our God, our Saviour, “THE ONLY WISE GOD our Saviour” to Him “be the glory, and Majesty, and Dominion, and Power, Both now and ever”
John Reeves
God’s mercy is freely bestowed upon a peculiar people - His purchased, special people. But not at the expense of His Holy Justice. God CANNOT, and WILL NOT, pardon you, or me, unless we have honored His Holy Law perfectly. He CANNOT, and WILL NOT, have mercy on you, or me, unless we have perfectly satisfied His Holy Justice! Jesus Christ is the only man who walked on this earth in perfect obedience to God our Father. He didn’t come to change God’s law; He came to fulfill it - AND HE DID JUST THAT! Jesus Christ, the Perfect God-man, represented all of His chosen people when He honored God‘s law. And He established a perfect righteousness for all those He represented. His perfect obedience is the perfect obedience for all of those who were in Christ when he walked on this earth. Jesus Christ, by His Substitutionary death, so perfectly satisfied the Holy Justice of God for all of His chosen people, that absolutely NOTHING can be laid to our charge. That’s why God has mercy on some hell-deserving sinners, and not on others. He sees only His elect in Christ. “He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth” (Rom. 8:32 - 33). God sees His chosen, blood-bought people in Christ, JUST-AS-IF-WE-HAD-NEVER-SINNED! That’s good news for any hell-deserving sinner.
Gene Harmon
SUNDAY MARCH 27, 2022
Bible Study Study Simon Peter an Apostle of Christ
HEBREWS 12:2
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
OPENING HYMN JESUS PAID IT ALL PAGE 210
SCRIPTURE READING PSALMS 119:1-8
WORSHIP HYMN THE CHURCH IS ONE FOUNDATION PAGE 277
MESSAGE
Knowing the Truth
CLOSING HYMN HAVE THINE OWN WAY LORD PAGE 371
ORIGINALITY
“Don't worry about originality, brethren; Christ never claimed it. He says, "The Words that I speak are not mine, but His that sent me." The Holy Spirit did not claim it; for it is written, "He shall not speak of Himself, but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak." In fact, the only original thinker and speaker in the Bible is he of whom it is written, "When he speaketh a lie He speaketh of his own" (John 8.44).
C. H. Spurgeon
PRAY FOR WHAT YOU DO NOT DESERVE!
“Men and women who think highly of themselves pray, ‘God, be just to me and give to me what I deserve.’ We who know ourselves to be what we truly are pray, ‘God, be merciful to me and withhold from me what I deserve – Your everlasting wrath. And be gracious to me and give to me what I do not deserve – Jesus Christ as my All In All’.” Missionary Daniel E. Parks
ANNOUNCEMENT
· Next Sunday April 3, 2022 is our Fellowship Dinner followed by a short message and Lord willing we will come to the Lord’s Table DV
· Friday Night Bible Study time will being moving from 7:30 PM to 7:00 PM starting Friday April 1, 2022
WHAT IS YOUR GROUND OF ASSURANCE?
“To those who struggle with assurance, saying, ‘There are so many times that I do not feel saved’, I would remind you that, before you came to Christ, there were many times you did not feel lost! Did your lack of ‘lost feeling’ at that time mean that you weren’t lost? Of course not! For feelings have nothing to do with whether or not we are lost. Do you not see that it is the same with respect to whether or not we are saved?
Martin Luther said it well when he wrote:
‘For feelings come and feelings go,
And feelings are deceiving;
My warrant is the Word of God;
Naught else is worth believing.
There it is! God’s Word! There is our foundation. The Scriptures never instruct us to feel, but to believe. If you do not feel, believe anyway! It does not say, ‘For by grace are you saved through FEELINGS.’ Feelings are a look inward, at ourselves. Faith is a look outward at Christ. Feelings change because they look at a changing object – ourselves. Faith never changes, for it looks at an unchanging object – Christ! May God grant you grace to look to Him.” Pastor Joe Terrell
All Is Vain Without Christ
“Everything in this world is vain without Christ. This world is nothing more than a pretty painted coffin which to go to Hell. It mocks your soul. It is an illusion-a mirage in a desert. There is no joy here. Possessions are nothing more than anxiety and worry. ‘Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.’ In this world there is nothing that comforts, nothing that satisfies, nothing that makes you happy. Everything here passes away. All religion is nothing more than the makeup that is put on a corpse. Even repentance, if it does not lead you to Christ, must be repented of. Faith that does not look to Christ, and is not based on His atoning sacrifice, is not the faith of God’s elect.
Pastor Milton Howard
SUNDAY MARCH 20, 2022
Bible Study Study Simon Peter an Apostle of Christ
2 SAMUEL 22:2-3
And he said, The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour;
OPENING HYMN WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS PAGE 435
SCRIPTURE READING PSALMS 118
WORSHIP HYMN SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER PAGE 433
MESSAGE
Teach us to Pray
CLOSING HYMN LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS PAGE 354
PEACE IS BETTER
“The peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:7
Usually, this verse is thought to mean that the peace of God is too great to be understood. Surely there is some truth to that, for the peace of God is a miracle of grace in the heart ministered by the Holy Spirit. Like everything else our God does, it is unsearchable and passed finding out. Rom 11:33. However, there is something more glorious and liberating to be seen in this passage of scripture. The word “passeth” means to be higher than, better, or more excellent. The Lord is telling us that in Christ Jesus there is something better than understanding. How often we sacrifice the peace of God for understanding. We become disquieted and fearful in our attempt to understand and control our circumstances. Oh to be careful for nothing, to make our request known onto God through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. Then the peace of God which far exceeds any understanding will keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Pastor Greg Elmquist (Apopka, FL)
ANNOUNCEMENT
· Lord willing we’ll come to the Lord’s Table immediately following this morning’s message
SHEEP, GIRAFFES, SWINE, MAGGOTS, AND WOLVES
Jesus Christ’s sheep feed upon Him as His preachers preach Him to them.
· Giraffes do not feed with sheep. They instead stretch their long necks upward so they can eat leaves in lofty places.
· Nor do swine feed with sheep. They instead eat unclean things, especially slop.
· Nor do maggots feed with sheep. They instead feed upon carcasses and dung.
· Nor do wolves feed with sheep. Rather, they intend to devour sheep.
But the Good Shepherd drives them away.
Pastor Daniel Parks (St Croix, USVI)
The very first tomorrow is recorded in Genesis 1:8 - “... And the evening and the morning were the second day.” Everything that happened on that first tomorrow was ordained by God before time began and came to pass according to the eternal purpose of our Sovereign Lord. That very truth can be said of every tomorrow since, and of every tomorrow that is yet to come. Brethren, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He holds every tomorrow in His omnipotent hands. WE CAN TRUST HIM! He is worthy of our trust! AMEN? Gene Harmon
“Our souls loatheth this light bread.” The manna that fell down from heaven every day no longer tasted good to them. Did the manna change in composition or taste? No. Their taste had changed!
Pastor Todd Nibert (Lexington, KY)
TRUST
“Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus”
TRUST is a wonderful thing, and SWEET is a good word to describe it. Whether between husband and wife, parents and children, friends, or whomever….trust is sweet! The word implies faith, confidence, and reliance, but that is not all. There is also a wonderful rest and repose in trust; a freedom from doubts, suspicions, anxieties, and fearful apprehensions. Trust is calm, peaceful and assured. “Tis so sweet” when guilty sinners come to “trust in Jesus”. Maurice Montgomery ***********************************************************************************************************************************
SUNDAY MARCH 13, 2022
Bible Study Study Simon Peter an Apostle of Christ
ISAIAH 14:24,26 &27
The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I
have purposed, so shall it stand: This is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth: and this
is the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations. For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who
shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?
OPENING HYMN I KNOW WHOM I HAVE BELEIVED PAGE 409
SCRIPTURE READING PSALMS 117
WORSHIP HYMN PASS ME NOT, O GENTLE SAVIOR PAGE 337
MESSAGE
THE SIMPLICITY THAT IS IN CHRIST
CLOSING HYMN HE TOUCHED ME PAGE 504
Good Thought for the day:
I can appreciate the ability of the learned botanist to give me the scientific names of the rose, the origin of it, the
various types of roses, how and where they grow, and the number of petals, thorns, and leaves to expect on a
genuine rose; but too often those who become overly entangled in these things somehow lose the most
important things, the beauty and fragrance of the rose!
I hope in our preaching, teaching and witnessing concerning the gospel of our dear Savior we do not become
more concerned with the system than the sweetness, with the mechanics rather than the mercy, with the
right terminology rather than the right spirit and attitude. You will soon weary my head if you don’t warm my heart;
and while I am eager to learn more of how, why, and when I got to Christ, I would like to rejoice and enjoy
my relationship with Christ! He is my rose of Sharon, which brightens my life and sends His sweet fragrance through
my soul. One can preach about Christ and not preach Christ, just as one can know how God saves sinners and not
be a saved sinner. O the wonder of it all, just to think that CHRIST LOVES ME!
– Henry Mahan
ANNOUNCEMENT
· Lord willing next Sunday March 20th we’ll come to the Lord’s Table
THE SPIRIT OF HIS SON
Galatians 4: 6: And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba,
Father.
Romans 8: 15: For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of
adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Romans 8: 26: Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought:
but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27: And he that searcheth
the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the
will of God.
This is too wonderful for me! But it is so because God says it! In Galatians 4:6 it is the Spirit of his Son himself
within our hearts, crying Abba, Father. In Romans 8: 15 the Spirit of adoption make us cry. Then in Romans 8:26
when we cannot pray, the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which we cannot utter and God,
who knows our hearts, knows the mind of the Spirit within us because the Spirit makes intercession according to the will of God.
Is this not the only reason why the apostle Peter’s faith failed not? Is it not the only reason our faith fails not?
Even when Peter appeared outwardly to have denied the Lord, Christ prayed for him, not only at God’s right hand
but also within his heart. This is an illustration of what Paul meant when he said, “the life I now live in the flesh, I
live by the FAITH OF THE SON GOD…” The Spirit of God’s Son within us is the Faith of our faith, even when
unbelief makes it appear we believe not. With the Spirit of Christ in us we are so one with Christ that by the Spirit
of the Son crying, Abba, Father we cry Abba, Father. The Spirit within makes intercession for us even when we
know not what we should pray for as we ought and cannot utter a word. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 2 that we have
the mind of Christ. Here he says God who knows our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit within us because the
Spirit makes intercession for us according to God’s will. This is more than this sinner can understand. But I am
so thankful it is so! Christ is the Faith of our faith and the Intercessor of our prayers.
Pastor Clay Curtis
SUNDAY MARCH 6, 2022
Bible Study Simon Peter an Apostle of Christ
ZECHARIAH 6:12-13
Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow
up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:
Zec 6:13 Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon
his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.
OPENING HYMN LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS PAGE 354
SCRIPTURE READING PSALMS 116
WORSHIP HYMN VICTORY IN JESUS PAGE 473
MESSAGE
Conquerors through Him
CLOSING HYMN FAITH IS THE VICTORY PAGE 486
There is only one path to eternal life, everything else is the road to destruction, quit beating around the bush with
false gods that need man to choose them! the God of all creation needs nothing from man! including your decision,
God makes His chosen People willing in the day of His Loving Power, (Psalms 110:3), if left to ourselves, we will
choose death. Has God left you to yourself? will you go through that door marked death into the pit of eternal
fire? I know this with a surety, The Lord of all declares this "all that the Father giveth me shall come to me, and him
that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out" (John 6:37), if you come to Love the True and living Christ, it's only
because he first loved you! (Eph 2:8-9) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is
the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast".
Pastor John Reeves
‘I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish’
--John 10:28—
“Here is a divine gift: ‘I give unto them eternal life.’ There was nothing in our hearts or conduct which caused
God to bestow eternal life upon us (Jer. 31:3) and there is nothing in the believer’s heart or conduct which can cause
the Lord to take away his gift of life (Isa. 54: 10). It is contrary to the nature of God to take away those gifts which he
has freely bestowed upon his people (Rom. 11: 29). Knowing that eternal life is entirely the free gift of God, in no
way earned by or dependent upon man we are persuaded that those to whom eternal life is given are eternally
secure in Christ (Eccles. 3:14). Eternal life must, of necessity, be eternal.
Here is a divine promise: ‘And they shall never perish.’ Our Lord here makes a blanket promise. It takes
into consideration all times, circumstances, contingencies, events and possibilities. What if they are babes and
their faith is weak? ‘They shall never perish!’ What if they are young men and their passions are strong? ‘They
shall never perish!’ What if they are old men and their vision grows dim? ‘They shall never perish!’ What if they
are tempted? ‘They shall never perish!’ What if all hell breaks loose against them? ‘They shall never perish!’
What if they fall? ‘They shall never perish!’ What if they sin? ‘They shall never perish!’ What if they sin again?
‘They shall never perish!’ This promise takes in all the flock. Not one of Christ’s sheep will ever perish, no, not
even one! This is not the distinctive privilege of a few. It is the common mercy of all. If you are a believer, if you trust
the Lord Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, if you have received eternal life from him, you will never perish! Christ
himself has promised it.
Here is a divine security: ‘Neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.’ We are preserved in the heart of
our Savior’s eternal love and we are preserved in the hand of his omnipotent grace. ‘All thy saints are in thy hands.’
We are in the hands of God our Savior, always in his hands. What a blessed place to be!”
Pastor Don Fortner
To him I look. In him I trust. All my expectation is in Him. His glory set forth, His name exalted in my salvation, His
place on heaven's throne for His people is all I plead for all of my salvation. I need nothing else, I want nothing
more, I trust nothing less than Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
~Rick Warta, Pastor
(Marysville, CA)
All Spiritual Blessings Eph. 1:3
“Blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with ALL spiritual
blessings in heavenly places IN CHRIST.”
The Holy Spirit uses this phrase over and over again - IN CHRIST. The whole of the word of God is to reveal to us
the Lord Jesus and his accomplished salvation. The whole of God’s word is to teach us what we have IN CHRIST.
When Our Lord Jesus Christ said, ‘Come unto me, and you shall find rest for your souls’ He is telling us there is
no other place, other than in Him, to find rest for our soul - rest from the guilt and power of sin.
When Christ said, ‘Come unto me’, He didn’t say come to a particular position on doctrine, come to election, or
come to imputed righteousness. He didn’t say come to total depravity, or to God’s Sovereignty. He told sinners to
COME UNTO ME! Why? Because when a sinner comes to Christ they receive all that he did in his work, all that he
is in His person. We were chosen in HIM, and accepted in HIM. Redemption is through HIS blood, we obtained
an inheritance in HIM, and we were quickened together with HIM, raised up to sit together in heavenly places in
HIM. The long and the short of it beloved is that if we have Christ we have ALL WE NEED, and we have it
where it counts, before God Almighty who demands perfection. Blessed be his name for he has provided us
perfection IN CHRIST. ‘And ye are COMPLETE IN HIM, which is the head of all principality and power’.
We need righteousness - Christ is our righteousness. We need wisdom - Christ is our wisdom. We
need sanctification - Christ is our sanctification. We need redemption and Christ is our redemption. God made
Him so unto us (1Cor. 1:30).
Christ said: COME UNTO ME, in coming to Him you will have all that is IN HIM and you will spend the rest of your life learning about all you have IN HIM!”
Pastor Don Bell
ANNOUNCEMENT
· Join us for our Fellowship Dinner
· We will come to The Lord’s Table (DV) after a short message following our afternoon meal
GRACE AND TRUTH BY JESUS CHRIST”
Colossians 3:5
“Grace reigns through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Romans 5:21
“The grace that saves the sinner is not mere pity and sentiment such as we find in the creature. The grace that
saves sinners is established on the principles of an honored law and a satisfied justice (Romans 3:23 - 26). Grace
does not ignore the law nor set aside its requirements. No! It establishes the law (Romans 3:31). Grace
establishes the law because it has a Substitute who perfectly fulfilled the law and endured the death penalty for all
who believe, in order that God may be both just and Justifier.
· Law manifests what is in men - SIN! Grace manifests what is in God - LOVE.
· Law demands righteousness from men! Grace brings righteousness to men!
· Law sentences men to death! Grace brings dead men to life!
· Law speaks of what I must do! Grace tells what Christ has done!
· Law gives knowledge of sin! Grace puts away sin!
· ‘O to grace how great a debtor, daily I’m constrained to be’.”
Pastor Henry Mahan
In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel – Romans 2:16
If ever there was a reason for men to sit and hear the gospel, it is here given. There is a day, an appointed
day of judgment for all men. What shall be judged? Every man and his secrets. That which man hides in his heart.
That which he thinks is hidden. That which no other man knows about shall be laid bare by the all-knowing God.
Nothing is hid from the Lord of heaven and earth. He sees all and knows all.
Who is the judge? The Lord Jesus Christ whom God justified as the Just One when he raised him from the dead.
He is even now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. All judgment is committed to him.
What is the rule of judgment the Lord shall use? The gospel that declares salvation by Christ alone is the rule.
“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the
wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36).
Pastor Eric Lutter
HIS story! (History)
This whole vast ever-unfolding human experience is one miraculous revelation after another. Each one coming
within the timeline created for it. Each revelation unlocking another mystery. Those mysteries in science
allowing mankind to step up to each appointed advancement needful to that, and every other, particular time! The
“end” told from the beginning by HIM who controls all things from before the beginning to that never-ending future
that has no end! Each a miracle within ONE VAST MIRACLE, giving glory to HIM who has laid down one
Divinely orchestrated event after another! This human experience created by HIM into which HE HIMSELF stepped
into forever! All to His own praise, honor, and glory, gifting it all IN LOVE to His elect! Every moment of it a miracle,
and every stage of its glorious panorama special to HIS un-folding plan and purpose!
Not one moment of it wasted or stagnant, while each unfolding second as important as another! Our GREAT
I AM revealed in the LORD JESUS CHRIST is more vastly WONDERFUL than we can ever imagine or dream!
And in HIM, for Christ’s sake, His elect are promised ALL THINGS!
There has NEVER been one bad day in all of History for those who are “the called according to His purpose”;
those that He has made “accepted in the Beloved”! ~Elder Mike Loveless
WHAT IS MEANT BY SOVEREIGN GRACE?
“Sovereign Grace is God’s grace. And God’s grace is Sovereign Grace. If it is not Sovereign Grace, it is not
saving grace. Sovereign Grace is the truth. Sovereign Grace is the message that declares the electing love of
the Father, the redeeming love of the Son, and the invincible love of the Holy Spirit. Sovereign Grace is the
Gospel. Any message that does not declare the Sovereign Grace of God in Christ Jesus is ‘another gospel!’
Sovereign Grace is saving grace!” Pastor Todd Nibert
Do Not Praise the Dead and Shun the Living
If I truly believe the gospel of God’s sovereign grace and glory, I will not hesitate to be fully identified with those who believe and preach that gospel IN MY DAY. Paul said to Timothy, “Do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner.”
It is cowardice and compromising to brag on dead preachers like Spurgeon, Pink, and Barnard, and yet fail to
support, encourage, and hear those who preach the same gospel NOW! Such professors who never bear the
scars of battle will never wear the crown. Those who shun the good fight of faith in their day will never celebrate
the victory in that great day of our Lord. Henry Mahan
"And his name shall be called Wonderful." (Isa. 9:6)
In the opening of the last month, the fragrancy of Jesus's name, as Emanuel, gave a sweet savor to my soul. May
He, whose name is as ointment poured forth, give a new refreshment to my spiritual senses this morning, in this
name also as Wonderful; for surely everything in him, and concerning him, of whom the prophet speaks, is eminently
so. But who shall speak of thy wonders, dearest Lord! the wonders of thy Godhead, the wonders of thy manhood,
the wonders of both natures united and centered in one Person? - Who shall talk of the wonders of thy work,
the wonders of thine offices, characters, relations; thy miraculous birth, thy wonderful death, resurrection,
ascension? - Who shall follow thee, thou risen and exalted Saviour, at the right hand of power, and tell of the
exercise of thine everlasting priesthood? Who shall speak of the wonders of thy righteousness, the wonders of thy
sin-atoning blood? What angel shall be found competent to proclaim the wonders of the Father's love, in giving thee
for poor sinners? What archangel to write down the wonders of thy love, in undertaking and accomplishing
redemption? And who but God the Spirit can manifest both in the height, and depth, and breadth, and length, of a
love that passeth knowledge? Is there, my soul, a wonder yet, that, as it concerns thee, and thine interest in him,
whose name is wonderful, is still more marvelous to thy view? Yes, Oh thou wonderful Lord, for sure all wonders
seem lost in the contemplation compared to that, that Jesus should look on me in my lost, ruined, and undone estate;
for his mercy endureth for ever. Well might Jesus say, "Behold, I and the children whom thou hast given me, are
for signs and wonders!" Isa. viii. 18. Well might the Lord, concerning Jesus and his people, declare them to be as
men wondered at. Zech. iii. 8. And blessed Lord, the more love thou hast shewn to thy people, the more are they
the world's wonder and their own. Precious Lord, continue to surprise my soul with the tokens of thy love. All
the tendencies of thy grace, all the manifestations of thy favor, thy visits, thy love-tokens, thy pardons, thy renewings,
thy morning-call, thy midday feedings, thy noon, thy evening, thy midnight grace all, all are among thy wonderful
ways of salvation; and all testify to my soul, that thy name, as well as thy work, is, and must be, wonderful.
Robert Hawker
