CALL TO WORSHIP (Tune – “My Faith Looks Up to Thee,” – p. 359) (Words by Pastor Jim Byrd)
Behold the Father’s Son, Jesus the Righteous One, Nailed to the cross. Blest Lamb of God was He, Died by divine decree, To save His family from endless loss.
Our sins on Christ were laid, Our debt by Him was paid, Our Substitute. Infinite wrath He bore, Justice demands no more; Who can such love explore? What wondrous grace!
God’s law was satisfied, When the Redeemer died, Charged with our guilt. “‘Tis finished,” was His cry, Risen, He reigns on high, To God He brings us nigh; O praise His Name!
Today: Bible Classes – 10:00 a.m.; Morning Worship – 11:00 a.m. Messages by Pastor Bill Parker
Television Broadcast: Reign of Grace Television Sunday morning on WALB-TV @ 9 AM.
Live Streaming – 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. – Sermon Audio web site
Birthdays: Ralston Sparks – Apr. 24th | Mary Margeson – Apr. 29th | Jimmy Casey – Apr. 30th
Hymns for service: “My Redeemer” – p. 488
“All the Way My Savior Leads Me” – p. 296
God views and judges the believer in Christ as perfectly righteous and holy at all times, by virtue of Christ's righteousness imputed to him. Now, the world cannot make a right judgment of believers. Only the spiritual person discerns the things of God and the people of God (1 Cor. 2:14). The faults and failings of the godly are seen by everyone, but their graces are too often unseen. ‘The royal daughter is all glorious within’ (Ps. 45:13). When you are able to make a right judgment of other true believers, you will want nothing better than to be in their company. “To the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight” (Ps. 16:3). – John Owen
Christ said, “If ye love Me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). True believers know we continually fall short of perfect love. And the greatest proof of this is the deficiency of our best obedience to form any part of our ground or entitlement to salvation. Christ’s righteousness alone entitles us to all of salvation. Compared to His obedience and death, our righteousness’s are as filthy rags. This is why we are continually in need of Christ and the grace of God in His righteousness for our whole salvation. We also know that love is only expressed in deeds, and it is required of every justified sinner that he be zealous and fervent in obedience to God so as to express his love to God and to his neighbor. The unique thing about this in the heart of a believer is this — It is Godly love only when the motivation is free of legalism and mercenary promises. Being convinced that Christ’s righteousness alone entitles us to all of salvation before we make any efforts to obey God and express our love to Him and to our neighbor, we are constrained by the love of Christ to bring our character and conduct into conformity to His. Love requires that we obey God not in order to attain, maintain, or be entitled to any part of salvation, but because of what Christ Himself has accomplished and secured for us in complete salvation. It is true that all believers should strive to be moral, sincere, and charitable, but we see that keeping HIS , commandments is much more than trying to be moral, sincere, and charitable people. It is walking by faith in the light of HIS glory, love, and grace, and seeking to express our love for Him as we continually struggle against and repent of our sins. – Pastor Bill Parker
"I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord" (Psalm 122:1). I can and do worship anywhere; I can pray and rejoice in God's mercy in Christ anywhere; I can read the Word and meditate upon His grace anywhere. But there is a time and a place (referred to as the house of God) where the people of God gather in His name each week to worship, pray, preach the word, and encourage one another. Christ promised to be in their midst. They meet to seek His face and to hear His Word. They also come with their children to be identified individually and as families with the Lord and His kingdom, publicly confessing Christ before men and praying for the salvation of their children, using the means God has given for that goal. They come to praise Him in joy and to seek His comfort in their sorrows. For all these reasons, I am glad when that day dawns and that time approaches, and I am privileged to meet with my true family in my Father's house. — copied
What many call “evangelism” today is no more than man-made and man-centered methods of psychology aimed at getting a positive response from people so they add their names to a church roll. Success in false evangelism is measured not by telling the truth of God’s righteousness and man’s sin. It is not measured by believing the truth of the Gospel of God’s free and sovereign grace in the Lord Jesus Christ and based on His righteousness imputed alone. These truths are offensive to men and will not produce the desired results. The result is that they fill their religious buildings with people who are ignorant of the righteousness of God and the reality of how God saves sinners (cf. Rom. 10:1-4). True Gospel evangelism is the work of God alone by His truth. God uses men as instruments of His power in preaching the Gospel, but God the Holy Spirit, not men, persuades God’s elect to believe the truth. He does so by the power of invincible grace. HE convinces men of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8-11). HE brings sinners to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and to repent of their dead works and idolatry. It is an awesome thing for men to be used of God in this great work, but make no mistake – the power is not in man’s eloquence or methods. Salvation is of the Lord!
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