CALL TO WORSHIP

(Tune: "How Firm A Foundation")

A refuge for sinners the Gospel makes known,

‘Tis found in the merits of Jesus alone;

The weary, the tempted, the burdened of sin

Are never excluded from entering in.

This refuge for sinners God's love did ordain

In Jesus, the Lamb, from eternity slain;

In Christ the Redeemer Who lived and Who died,

God's law and His justice are now satisfied.

Should conscience accuse us, as often it may,

The blood of our Saviour has put sin away;

In Jesus, our Surety, the sinner can view

A city of refuge and righteousness too.

MORNING WORSHIP:

Bible Study 10 am: Video sermon by Pastor Bill Parker

Today's Speaker: Brother Randy Wages will conduct the 11:00 am service today. Pray for him as he delivers God's word.

Radio Broadcast: Sunday morning at 9:30am on 98.7 FM -WISK

You can also hear the sermons on your computer. Just click on

http://www.americusradio.com/

Birthdays: Jermaine Harpe - Aug. 1^st. - Alisha Jackson - Aug. 7^th.

ONCE OFFERED TO BEAR THE SINS OF MANY

The Lord Jesus Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many. As man dies but once, Christ was offered but once, or He suffered and died but once. And that was not on His own account, or for His own sins, "but to bear the sins of many." It was not for angels but for men, and these not a few, but "many," which is said to magnify the grace of God, to exalt the satisfaction and righteousness of Christ, and to encourage souls to hope in Him. Hence, many are brought to believe in Him, and many are justified by Him, have their sins forgiven them, and are glorified. Though Christ bore not the sins of all men; for as all men have not faith, all are not justified, pardoned, and saved, what He bore were "sins" - all kind of sin, every act of sin, and all that belongs to it - its filth, guilt, and punishment, even the iniquity of all His people. His bearing these sins supposes they were upon Him, though not in Him, imputed, though not inherent. He did not sink under them, but He made an entire satisfaction for them and bore them wholly away, both from the persons of His people and from the sight of justice. The way in which He came to bear them was this - He became a surety for all the elect. His Father imputed to Him all their sins, and He voluntarily took them upon Himself. Where justice found them and demanded satisfaction of Him for them, He gave it, which is an instance both of His great love, and of His great strength. -John Gill

RECONCILED IN ONE BODY BY THE CROSS

Ephesians 2:16

There was such enmity between Jews and Gentiles that it took the greatest of all works to bring them together. It took the work of Christ on the cross. As we see the glory and power of the finished work of Christ on the cross of Calvary to put away our sins and establish our only righteousness before God, we are brought together into one body - the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. It took the blood of the cross to reconcile God to us and us to God (2 Cor. 5:19-21; Col. 1:20), and it takes the blood of the cross to reconcile us to one another (Eph. 2:14-15). Our unity and peace with one another is founded upon the fact that "through HIM we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father" (Eph. 2:18). We who look to and rest in Christ's shed blood and imputed righteousness for all of salvation are, by God's grace, in fellowship one with another.

Pastor Bill Parker

HOPE IN THE FACE OF DEATH

The desire of my soul is to die rejoicing that God's just and holy law, broken by me in thought, word, and deed, has been fulfilled for me by the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The language of Paul on this subject has long been sweet and precious to my soul. Writing to the Corinthians, he says, "But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption, that... he that glorieth let him glory in the Lord." It also rejoices my heart to feel and see that all my sins were removed by Christ our spiritual Scapegoat; so that when they are sought for they can never be found.

How desirable in the prospect of death to have the testimony of the Holy Spirit in our soul that we are delivered from the curse and condemnation of the law. I hope never to forget the time of my deliverance out of bondage, and being brought into the liberty wherewith Christ has made me free, the following portion of God's Word being blessedly applied:" There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." [Rom. 8:1] I could then rejoice that my name was written in heaven in the Lamb's book of life, and say with Job, ‘My record is on high' and ‘I know that my Redeemer liveth.'It was Paul's joy that he knew in whom he had believed; and he had the happy persuasion that Jesus, in whom he believed for the saving of his soul, was able to keep that which he had committed into his hand against that day. I have often said amongst you that this blessed portion of the word of God enters into the vitality of true faith in the soul of a sinner.

All my hope and trust are in the Lord, into whose hands, by the grace of God, I have committed my cause. I cannot find language to describe the comfort and support I have enjoyed from these words:

If I am found in Jesus' hands, My soul can ne'er be lost