Hark! How the Gospel trumpet sounds! Christ and free grace therein abounds; Free grace to such as sinners be, And if free grace why not for me?
The Saviour died and by His blood Brought rebel sinners near to God; He died to set the captives free, And why, my soul, why not for thee?
Thus Jesus came the poor to bless, To clothe them with His righteousness; That robe is spotless, full and free, And why, my soul, why not for thee?
Eternal life by Christ is giv'n, And sinful men are raised to heav'n; Then sing of grace so rich and free, And say, my soul, why not for thee?
Bible Study: "When the King Goes Forth to Battle" - II Samuel 12:26-31
Today's Speaker: Brother Mark Pannell will conduct the 11:00 am service today. Pray for him as he delivers God's word.
Television Broadcast: Our Reign of Grace Television program is being broadcast on WFXL Fox 31, Channel 4. The program will air every Sunday morning at 11 AM. Pray that God will use it for His glory.
Radio Broadcast: Sunday morning at 9:30am on 98.7 FM -WISK. You can also hear the sermons on your computer. Just click on www.americusradio.com
Excerpts from, The Taking Away of Our Sins
And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. I John 3:5
Now if all of the sin of every man in the world was laid on HIM, we are quite certain that every man in the world would be saved. However the scriptures plainly declare that there is a number of the human race who shall be ultimately cast into the lake of fire. "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." (Rev 20:12-15) We take no particular delight in this somber scene and the resultant destruction of the wicked, however this separation of the sheep from the goats does cause the saints of GOD to rejoice, as we contemplate the mercies of GOD which has spared us from a like fate. Our eyes are turned to Calvary's cross and our exhultation is the same as the apostle Paul's when he said, "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." (Gal 6:14) We rejoice not simply in our sonship, nor our resultant election unto salvation, but our rejoicing is at its fullest as we contemplate HIM who took upon HIMSELF our sin and imputed HIS righteousness to us when HE accomplished our redemption and took away our sin. "And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Col 2:13-15) This is HE who "is glorious in his apparel, traveling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save." (Isa 63:1) HE is our REDEEMER who has tread the winepress of GOD's wrath alone and no man stood with HIM. Yet HE did triumph in our behalf and has delivered a complete and full salvation unto all of those for whom HE shed HIS precious blood. May HIS name be ever glorified for HE is worthy of all praise.
Mike McInnis, Grace Chapel Ministries
Our Experience of Salvation
"And I will give them an heart to know Me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be My people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto Me with their whole heart." (Jeremiah 24:7)
Our experience of salvation, when applied by the power of the Holy Spirit in the new birth, is infinitely more than a moral reformation or the mere acquiring of knowledge. It is a true heart transformation, a miracle of God's power and grace in Christ who gives life to His people and a heart to know, believe, and follow Him as Lord and Savior. Someone once wrote, - "Reformation without transformation, which comes by regeneration, will only lead to degradation and ultimately condemnation." Now in this powerful transformation that comes in regeneration by the Holy Spirit there is a moral reformation, either from open immorality or from self-righteous religion to true faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and repentance of sin and dead works. Also, in this powerful transformation that comes in regeneration by the Holy Spirit there is the acquiring of knowledge as God the Holy Spirit reveals truth to us and teaches us the reality of God's holiness and justice, our sinfulness and depravity, and the glory of salvation by God's grace in and by the Lord Jesus Christ, based on His finished work on the cross. The Holy Spirit does not convict us of sin without showing us and teaching of our sin. He does not bring us to Christ without showing us and teaching of the glorious Person and finished work of Christ to save us from our sins. He does not bring us to God without showing us and teaching us by the Gospel preached, heard, and believed, how God is just to justify sinners like us by the blood and imputed righteousness of Christ. Christ saved us by His work on the cross. We experience this salvation in the fruit of His work when we are born again by the Holy Spirit. We are then changed in heart, and we know Him whom to know is life eternal - "And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent." (John 17:3)
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