After the morning service we will take a short break and then assemble to observe the Lord’s Table. We also plan to have lunch together.

Pastor Gabe Stalnaker will be with us on Thursday to bring the gospel message to us.

God’s Sovereignty

There is nothing more comforting to believers than God’s sovereignty over all things. Under the most adverse circumstances, in the most severe trials, we believe that God has ordained our afflictions, that God overrules them, and that God will sanctify them for our good and His glory. There is nothing for which we ought to contend more earnestly than the truth of God’s rule and reign over all things, all creatures, and all their actions. The throne of God, His right to sit on that throne and to do with His own as He will, is what we believe and what we preach. Let us be accused of over-emphasizing the majesty and power of the living God, but never let it be said that we underestimate His glory.

Pastor Henry T. Mahan

“After this manner therefore pray ye” (Matt. 6:9)

Public prayer is a difficult task! When a man stands up to pray in front of the congregation, he knows that all ears are listening to him. Unless the Lord intervenes, it can be a great hindrance to the one praying, and to all who hear him pray. We sometimes lose our words, lose our train of thought, and are at that moment more concerned with ourselves than the God we are praying to. May our Lord help us! Our prayer is that He might allow us to enter into the closet of His Spirit, forget that anyone is listening, and pour our heart out to Him! With this being said, as we are called on to pray, let's beg our Lord to remind us of the things he has taught us… He said: "after this manner therefore pray ye..."

"Our Father" - let's remember that we are not praying on our own behalf, but on behalf of the entire congregation. Let's strive to substitute the words: "I", "me", "my"... With: "we", "us", "our"!

"Hallowed be Thy name" - let's remember that we are praying to the Holy God! May our tone be with fear and reverence!

"Thy kingdom come" - In order for us to truly worship God, we must be gathered in the power of His Holy Spirit! So each time we assemble together, let's remember to beg Him to come to us, meet

with us, and bless us with His presence!

"Thy will be done" - let's preface everything that we ask with: 'if it

be Thy will!'

"Give us this day" - let's acknowledge to Him that all things come

from His hand!

"And forgive us" - May we never forget to beg him for mercy and

forgiveness for sin!

"Lead us"... "deliver us"... "For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen!" - May our prayer be the prayer of faith! Knowing that if He is willing, He is able!

Pastor Gabe Stalnaker

CHRIST OUR SUBSTITUTE

“Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified” (Matt. 27:26).

God has ordered by His marvelous and sovereign providence a vivid picture of every believer's Substitute. Barabbas was rightly charged, convicted and sentenced to be executed. He was found guilty of murder, robbery and sedition against Rome. When the executioner came to release him, he was told Jesus had taken his scourging and crucifixion and that he could go free.

Barabbas is a type and picture of sinners for whom Christ Jesus died (1Tim.1:15). We stand guilty before the law of God (Rom. 3:19-20). We were justly convicted of great offences against God (Psalm 51:4). We were waiting the execution by God's holy law (Rom.6:23). However, by the order of Almighty God, Jesus Christ was sent to rescue, redeem and release sinners (Matt.9:13; Luke 4:18).

Believers no more merit release and rescue than Barabbas did (Eph.2:1-4). But God in His sovereign grace sent the gracious Substitute, the Lord Jesus Christ to take our place and set us free (1Peter 3: 18). Christ Jesus paid our debt to God's law and justice and cleared us of all guilt (Gal. 3:10-13;). Christ Jesus took our scourging and with His strips we are healed (Isa. 53:5). Christ Jesus took our death and gave us His life (1John 5:12). He took our sin and gave us His righteousness (2Cor. 5:21). He was condemned though innocent (1Peter 2:22), that we might be justified though guilty (Rom.3:24-26; 8:1).