CALL TO WORSHIP

(Tune – O For a Thousand Tongues – p. 46)

(Words by Pastor Jim Byrd)

O may the praises of the Lord from every heart arise;

Declare the glories of our God,

Who dwells above the skies.

Sing of His great creative work, by Him the heav’ns were made;

Proclaim the wonders of His might,

Who earth’s foundation laid.

Adore mysterious providence, by Him all things consist;

Extol His purpose, wise and good,

Who can His will resist?

Behold Jehovah’s greatest work, salvation by His grace;

Christ Jesus paid the ransom price,

Of all His chosen race.

Declare the praises of our God, let none refuse to sing;

Affirm the greatness of the Lord,

Give glory to the King!

TODAY’S SERVICES – Messages by Pastor Bill Parker

BIBLE CLASS – 10:00 a.m. –

The Imputed Righteousness of Christ – Matthew 5:20

MORNING WORSHIP – 11:00 a.m –

• OPENING – Psalm 85:7-13

• CALL TO WORSHIP (above)

• HYMN – The Solid Rock – p. 272

• READING – Hebrews 1:1-3,32-40

• MESSAGE – A Good Report Through Faith – Heb. 11:32-40

• CLOSING HYMN – My Faith Looks Up To Thee – p. 359

Birthdays: Steve Brown – Oct. 5^th | Sandy O'Connor – Oct. 6^th

SPECIAL MEETING THIS WEEK

The Lord willing, Brother Richard Warmack, pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Ruston, LA, and his wife Pam will be with us this coming weekend for special services. The schedule of services is as follows:

• FRIDAY (Oct. 6) at 7:00 p.m.

• SATURDAY (Oct. 7) at 11:00 a.m.

• Saturday evening (5:00 p.m.) – You are all invited to Bill and Debbie’s house for food and fellowship – 314 Martindale Lane, Albany (Lee County) Directions will be on the foyer table.

• SUNDAY (Oct. 8) – 10:00 & 11:00 a.m. (dinner following)

DO NOT PRETEND

It is the conscious absence of all goodness that leads us to Christ, the foundation of all goodness; and that fountain is open to all who come in this fashion. It is closed against all who come on any other footing. It is the want of light and life that draws us to Christ, the source of both; and both of these are the gift of God. He who comes as partly righteous is sent away empty. He who comes acknowledging unrighteousness, but at the same time trying to neutralize it or to expiate it by feelings, works, or tears, is equally rejected. But he who comes as an unrighteous man to a righteous and gracious Savior, finds not only ready access, but plenteous redemption. The righteous God receives unrighteous man if that man presents himself in his own true character as a sinner, and does not mock God by pretending to be something less or better than he is. –Horatius Bonar

When the Holy God and a ruined sinner meet on a blood-splattered platform, all is settled once and for all, settled in such a way as to perfectly honor and glorify God and eternally save the sinner. The only proper meeting place between God and man is the point where grace and righteousness meet and perfectly harmonize. Nothing but perfect righteousness could suit God, and nothing but perfect grace could suit the sinner. But where could that take place? Only in the cross. There it is that mercy and truth are met together, and there the believing sinner finds peace for the heart and conscience. – Pastor Scott Richardson

DYING THIEF FAITH

The dying thief that called upon the Lord Jesus Christ in his last moments exhibited that one evidence of the new birth – God-given faith – faith in Christ alone! He looked to a man who not only appeared outwardly as one like himself but who also in that hour was hanging on a cross, hands and feet nailed to it and dying like himself. A man rejected and scorned by all around him including the other thief. A man mocked especially as a king, crowned with a crown of thorns, a reed scepter and scarlet robe. To this Man, the Man Christ Jesus, in spite of all these things, he pleads, “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom” (Luke 23:42). There is spiritual recognition of Christ as He is, the King of kings! He knows now that Christ is the Lord. He sees Christ for what He is by faith because Christ has revealed Himself to him. In the darkest hours, when there is no other hope and he obviously is nothing and can do nothing. He has no other evidence that he is a true believer. No other evidence that he is an object of the electing grace of God, that he is one of God’s beloved children. Yet he is enabled of God to manifest the faith of God’s elect – CONFIDENCE IN CHRIST! He says, “remember me WHEN you come into your kingdom.” There is no “if” or other possibilities. It is WHEN! You are dying but you shall rise again and successfully have accomplished all that you purposed to accomplish in death, “perform the MERCY” promised. You will be victorious in all that you do and will rise again and be glorified as the KING over your kingdom. Oh, he cries, “Remember ME” when you do! This is the cry and confidence of faith. We do not find assurance anywhere else in anything else but Christ and His successfully finished work. We believe that Christ did not fail in the work of salvation and we look to Him alone for mercy. God’s elect, like this thief, find no one else to go to – “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 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God” (John 6:67-69). Faith is marked by confidence that Christ has finished the work of righteousness and we do not look anywhere else for evidence. We believe and are sure that He is the Christ! If we seek evidence in anything else, we do not have faith. –Pastor Gary Shepard

The dying thief rejoiced to see

That Fountain in his day;

And there may I though vile as he,