CALL TO WORSHIP
Tune: "When I Can Read My Title Clear"

O, God, my heart is fixed on Thee, to sing and give Thee praise;
I'll praise Thee, Lord, among Thy saints, as we our anthems raise.
As we our anthems raise; as we our anthems raise.
I'll praise Thee, Lord, among Thy saints, as we our anthems raise.

I'll praise Thee for Thy mercy great, that reaches down to me
In Christ my Savior, I am blessed with all salvation free.
With all salvation free; with all salvation free.
In Christ my Savior, I am blessed with all salvation free.

I'll praise Thee for Thy righteousness as sent from Thee above;
Thy law and justice satisfied in union with Thy love.
In union with Thy love; in union with Thy love;
Thy law and justice satisfied in union with Thy love.

I'll praise Thee for Thy cleansing Word that sanctifies my soul;
As in my heart Thou art glorified in Christ who makes me whole;
In Christ who makes me whole; in Christ who makes me whole;
As in my heart Thou art glorified in Christ who makes me whole.

Bible Study: "When Sin is Finished" - II Samuel 13

Today's Speaker: Brother Winston 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, Thoughts on the Suretyship of Christ

A surety is a substitute, sponsor, or bondsman, who legally and voluntarily assumes, either singly or jointly, the obligation of another, which he binds himself; either wholly or in part, to perform. When surety-ship is employed in case of debt, there are three parties concerned; the creditor, the debtor, and the surety: if; in this case, the surety gives to the creditor a single bond, in which he solely engages to fulfill the whole obligation of the debtor, on condition that the latter is released from the said obligation, and the creditor accepts this bond at the surety's hand, he, by that very act, at once transfers the debt, from the debtor to the surety, and fully discharges the debtor from the obligation, and, of course, from all liability to pay so much as one mite of the debt. This is the true nature of human surety-ship in cases where the surety gives a single bond; and it is, doubtless, in allusion to this procedure in human affairs, that Jesus is called "the surety of a better testament." Heb.vii.22. By the better testament, it is evident, the holy apostle means the covenant of grace, into which the sacred Three most graciously entered before the foundation of the world was laid, and in which all things relating to the salvation of sinners, and the glory of each divine person and perfection in that stupendous work, were wisely and immutably determined in the infinite, eternal mind; for of the very same testament of which he is the mediator he is the surety, his surety-ship being a part of this office; but it is of the eternal covenant of grace that he is the mediator, Heb. viii. 6; therefore, of that covenant he is the surety. In that ancient and glorious compact, replete with wisdom and love, God the Father was in Christ reconciling the world of his elect unto himself; not imputing their trespasses unto them. Then it was that he laid help upon one that is mighty; "Jesus! Mighty to save!" It must; therefore, be for these that the last-named illustrious personage engaged his gracious word, to become the surety; for, without his surety ship, there could be neither reconciliation to God, nor help in him for any sinner on earth.

By Job Hupton

"BY FAITH ABRAHAM....."

Abraham and the faith that God gave him as a gift of His grace are set forth in scripture many times as examples to God's believing people. In the New Testament, the thing said most of him is simply, "Abraham believed God..." He believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness. Abraham believed on the Lord Jesus who said, "Abraham saw my day..." He saw the coming Christ and looked to Him as His Redeemer "by faith." Abraham, like all God's people, lived by faith and walked by faith. He believed what God said and obeyed what God told him to do. In Hebrews 11:8 the apostle writes, "By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went." We not only come to Christ by faith, we come to Him as Christ crucified by "faith in His blood." (Rom. 3:25) Then we continue coming to Him by faith. We follow Christ by the leadership of the Holy Spirit as He leads us by the written Word of God. When God revealed Himself to Abraham, Abraham began a pilgrimage in this world which was characterized at all times by this walk of faith. When He was called of God, he went and asked no one else. God directed him on a path that is described in 11:9: "By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:" I am sure that this journey was often scary to his flesh as the walk of faith always is. He left his homeland, left his father's religion, and went out "not knowing whither he went." Faith does not know the details of the journey ahead of time, doesn't have a road map and doesn't see by the natural eye the necessary provisions and protection that will be needed. No, faith believes God, looks to Him alone, trusts His promises and leans not on the arm of the flesh. God provided for Abraham and protected him and his family although he made many foolish mistakes and He will all His children. Yes, Abraham lived in tents but he looked toward that city with foundations who Builder and Maker is God! You see, it is not whether or not we can see a way but is this God calling us. He always makes a way if it is His way and His way is the way of faith.