CALL TO WORSHIP

(Tune: "The Great Physician")

A prophet came from God one day, Emanuel, God with us,

In search of sinner's gone astray, that Prophet's name was Jesus.

"Come unto me, I'll give you rest, I have established righteousness,

And in me you'll find God's rest," Jesus blessed Jesus.

A Priest upon the Altar laid His sacrifice for sinners,

And once for all atonement made because His name is Jesus.

Sinless humanity He gave, altar of Deity the place

All my sins were put away, Jesus blessed Jesus.

A King enthroned in heaven above now reigns and rules forever,

Ensuring all the Father loves are brought to final glory.

Taking our cause He intercedes; ever His righteousness He pleads

There before the throne I see, Jesus blessed Jesus.

Salvation is God's gift of grace; to you the promise given

Believe His Word, repent today, receive the joy of heaven.

Trusting His righteousness alone, sinners have access to the throne

Of the true and Living God; Jesus blessed Jesus.

Bible Study 10 AM. Video sermon

Today's Speaker: Brother Winston Pannell 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/

Where is your Refuge?

It is a peculiar happiness to observe, that in matters of spiritual concern, the philosopher and ploughman (if truly regenerate) have the same feelings, speak the same language; they all eat of the same spiritual meat, and drink of the same spiritual rock that follows them, and that rock is Christ. Hence that similitude of experience, or to speak figuratively, that strong and striking family likeness which obtains among the converted people of God, in every period of time, and in every nation under heaven. They all, without exception, feel themselves totally ruined by original sin; they, all without exception, take refuge in the righteousness and cross of Christ, and unite in ascribing the whole praise of their salvation to the alone free grace and sovereign mercy of Father, Son, and Spirit.

Augustus Toplady

GOD'S THOUGHTS AND WAYS

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord." (Isaiah 55:9).

Our thoughts are not God's thoughts, and our ways are not God's ways. This is evident in all things. But the primary reference here is concerning God's thoughts and God's way of redeeming sinners! Our thoughts and ways (which seem right to the natural mind) are the ways of deeds and works and will lead to death. Naaman, when confronted with God's way said, " I thought..."

Does anyone think that God can accept an imperfect righteousness or pardon a sinner without His justice being fully honored? Suppose He did? Suppose that without Christ's righteousness and blood God accepted us. What peace could we have? A god who can pardon without justice may one day condemn without reason. A god who can set aside His holiness may one day set aside his mercy. A god who can deny his law may one day deny his gospel. A god who can change his character may one day change his mind and his promises.

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"GOOD NEWS!"

But now mercy and truth have met together (Psalm 85:10); now grace is righteousness and righteousness is grace. This satisfies the sinner's conscience by showing him righteous love for the unrighteous and unlovable. It tells him, too, that the reconciliation brought about in this way shall never be disturbed, either in this life or that which is to come. It is righteous reconciliation and will stand every test, as well as last throughout eternity. The peace of conscience, thus secured, will be trial-proof, sickness-proof, deathbed-proof, judgment-proof. Realizing this, the chief of sinners can say, "Who is he that condemneth?"

Horatius Bonar

THE HONOR OF GOD

John 12:26

"If any man serve me, let him follow me: and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will the Father honor."

The honor of God is a marvel of His grace. Honor in the Hebrew means, "to set the value on." God sets the value on whom He honors. It is bestowed on one who serves and follows God. The Greek word "follow" means to "come after." The Greek word "serve" means to "attend." God honors him who comes after and attends the things of God.

Who has come after God? Is there one who will attend the things of God? Through the Prophet Isaiah God spoke these words in 65:1; "I am sought by them that asked not for me; I am found by them that sought me not; I said, behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name." No man by nature seeks God. All by nature follow and serve an idol of their imagination. God said to the unbelieving world in John 5:40; "You will not come to me that you might have life."

But there is one who serves God. There is one who attends the things of God. He is Jehovah's Servant, (Isaiah 42:1) the God man. Said He in Hebrews 10:7; "Lo, I come (In the volume of the Book it is written), to do thy will, O God." By His obedience unto death, law and justice are satisfied. By his satisfaction in precept and penalty, righteousness reigns. "Wherefore, God has also highly exalted Him and given Him name that is above every name," (Philippians 2:9) that where God is, there is His Servant also.

Is this One who comes after and serves God, your Savior? Is this your God? Have you "set the value on" Him that God the Father has? Has His blood availed for you? Follow Him; Attend to Him if my God has "set the value" on you. "I follow after, if that I may apprehend (lay hold on to serve) that for which also I am apprehended (laid hold on to save) of Christ." (Philippians 3:12) Such a man "is more honorable that his brethren." (1 Chronicles 4:9)