The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. Psalm 23

“Is It I”
Matthew 26:21-22 “And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?” When our Lord said, “one of you shall betray me,” the disciples did not point their fingers at any of the others and say, “Is it Peter or John?” or even, “Is it Judas?” They said, “Is it I?” This shows a real work of grace, which produces true humility in the heart. (Although Judas said, “Is it I,” his was a false humility). Grace makes us point the finger at ourselves first. For we know whom and what we are, and say, “Is it I?” If my first thought is, “It must be you,” then surely, “It is I.” Pastor John Chapman

THE FIRST RESURRECTION
The new birth is nothing less than a resurrection from the dead. It is a spiritual resurrection. This is the resurrection of which John speaks in Revelation 20:6. Like all other people, God's elect are born in spiritual death and deserving of eternal death. In regeneration God the Holy Spirit, by invincible, irresistible grace, gives them life in Christ. He raises them from death to life. Never in the scriptures is the new birth attributed to the freewill of man, or even to his faith. It is the work of God the Holy Spirit. Only the omnipotent God can give life to dead sinners (John3:3-8). The new birth is always spoken of in the Scriptures as a resurrection (John 5:25; 11:25-26; Ephesians 2:1-4). It is not a decision, but a resurrection. It is not a reformation, but a regeneration. It is not a new start in life, but an entirely new life! Pastor Don Fortner

"For He hath made Him sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Cor. 5:21.
I doubt there is a more clear statement of the gospel of the substitution and satisfaction of the Lord Jesus to be found in all of Scripture. Perhaps that is why it is under continual attack by the enemies of Christ. Often this is done under the guise of defending the sinless nature of Christ. But, the Holy Spirit has done that very well already. Christ had no sin, did no sin, and knew no sin, yet, He was made sin! We can no more explain this to the satisfaction of the natural man, than we can the incarnation of Christ or the dual nature of the Child of God as the consequence of His substitution and result of regeneration and the new birth! But, believe it, preach it and defend it we do. For, if Christ was not made sin for us, then we are not made the righteousness of God in Him! God was not playing make believe on the cross. Christ Jesus was made what He was not (sin), In order that we might be made what we were not (righteous). Thank God! Pastor Charles Pennington

RESURRECTION AND REGENERATION
Eph. 1:19-20
The power of God that quickened us and made us to live spiritually is, in the Scriptures, compared with the power that raised Christ from the dead (Eph. 1:19-20). Christ died for our sins and was raised for our justification. We live because He lives; and we are free from sin because our Surety, Who bore our sin, is now free from them. But there is a likeness between His resurrection and our regeneration and quickening.

1. His resurrection is called a begetting. He is the first-begotten from the dead. Our regeneration is called a begetting (I Pet. 1:3).
2. His human body was lifeless in the grave, as natural men are dead in sin and without spiritual life (Rom. 5:12).
3. His human body could not raise itself, as we cannot give ourselves life (Jn. 6:63).
4. His resurrection was the pure, unaided work of God, as is our regeneration (Eph 2:1).
5. His resurrection led to His exaltation at the right hand of God and is where, in our representative, Jesus Christ, we are already seated (Eph. 2:6). Pastor Henry Mahan

"Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ" 1 Corinthians 11.1
It is not wise to follow a man in everything. One preacher wisely said, “If you try to copy another man, it is certain you will copy his bad characteristics, not his good ones.” No man is to be our template in everything, for all men have their weak spots. But those who faithfully preach the gospel can be followed in this: follow them in the way they follow Christ. When I think of the men whom God has used to teach me the gospel, I might be able to note flaws in their character and mistakes in the conduct of their ministry. But this I note about them: they follow Christ with devotion and single-mindedness; and I want to follow Christ like they follow Him! Pastor Joe Terrell

April 22, 2007
Sunday Worship
Bible Study 10:30 A.M.
Morning Service 11:15 A.M.
Kingsport service 3:00 P.M.
Wednesday Worship 7:00 P.M.

Radio (Sundays):
WXCC 96.5 & 98.1 FM (new time and staion) 8:15 A.M each week