The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods. Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah. Psalm 24:1-6

WHAT MADE THE DIFFERENCE?
Man's entire apostasy and death in sin, so that he cannot save himself, and God's entire supremacy, so that He saves whom He will, are doctrines exceedingly distasteful to human pride. But they are Scriptural. Why was one thief saved and the other lost? "Even so Father for so it seemed good in Thy sight." (MT 11:25-27). God was not bound to save the one and He had power enough to have saved the other, and neither could save himself. What made the difference? The Sovereign Grace of God! Horatius Bonar

ONE MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD AND MEN
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus," (I Timothy 2:5)
I must approach unto God by Christ Jesus because I am unholy. God must approach unto me by Christ Jesus because HE IS HOLY. In Christ Jesus, I, a poor sinner, and God, a Holy and Heavenly Father have an honest and sincere communion one with another. His holiness is not violated and my sin is not imputed but all is washed away. Oh, sweet fellowship! Oh, holy union! Oh, easy walk! Oh, joyous friendship! Oh happy me! (I John 1:7). Pastor Bruce Crabtree

What It Is to Confess Christ?
Our Lord said, "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess before my Father which is in Heaven" (Matthew 10:32). What is it to confess Christ?
1. It is to have an understanding in the mind of WHO Christ is, WHAT Christ did, and WHERE Christ is. "The Son of God has come and given us an understanding...." (I John 5:20).
2. It is to believe Christ in the heart. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto Salvation." (Romans 10:9-10) To receive Christ with a sincere and genuine heart love, and committal as Lord and Saviour, Prophet, Priest, and King.
3. It is to confess Christ openly and publicly in believer’s baptism. "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." Baptism does not save nor add anything to the Saviour’s work; but it is a confession of, identification with, and testimony of the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord, and our own death to sin and resurrection TO WALK WITH HIM.
4. It is identification with the church of our Lord Jesus, the people who love Him, and the preachers who preach His Gospel of free and sovereign Grace. Paul said to Timothy, "Be not ashamed of the testimony (Gospel) of our God, nor of me His servant, but be ready yourself to partake (be identified) of the afflictions of the Gospel." Where the Gospel is preached, where the true people of God meet to worship, where the name of Christ is worshipped and exalted, THERE I WANT TO BE! And if I truly love Christ and confess Christ, THERE I WILL BE! Pastor Henry Mahan

HEAR HIM
“And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him” ( Matt. 17:5; Luke 9:35)
On this occasion the Lord Jesus was glorified before the apostles. There also appeared with Him Moses and Elijah when He was transfigured. Both Moses and Elijah were occupied and discussing the Lord’s death and exodus from this life. When Peter saw this glorious sight he thought that it might be good to build three tabernacles honoring them, Moses the great Lawgiver and Elijah the mighty prophet of God. About this time God was pleased to overshadow them with a cloud and to speak out of heaven unto the disciple. The instructions of God were plain and simple, “Hear Him.” Peter, don’t build, don’t sacrifice, and don’t worship Moses and Elijah; “Hear Him.” The command of God is as appropriate today as it was then, “Hear Him.” God has given the whole testimony of scripture as an accurate record to bear witness to the glorious person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ, “And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27). May God give us grace to do these four things.
1). Receive with confident conviction the truth to which God bears witness. Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of the most high God, “this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation (John 14:6). God is only well pleased with those in Him (Eph.1:6). He is the only suitable and effectual sacrifice for sin (Heb.9:12).
2). Because of who He is we should hear Him with profound reverence, “Holy and reverend is His name” (Psa.111:9). His teachings are not the philosophy of men, but rather the doctrine of God, “My doctrine is not mine but His that sent me” (John 7:17). Therefore we should quickly receive His word as, “light” and “life;” as the only foundation of faith .
3). We should hear Him with unconditional obedience. God told king Saul that it was better to obey than to sacrifice (1Sam.15:22). We are commanded to repent and believe the gospel (Acts 17:30). Our Lord said, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:15-16). May God give life and grace to hear and obey Him.
4). Hear Him with joyful confidence. We can believe His word and trust His grace with certain expectation that the Lord Jesus Christ; fulfilled and honored God’s holy law, made full and eternal redemption for our sin, entered into glory as our forerunner and is seated at God’s right hand (Heb. 1:3; 6:17-20; 9:12).

May 6th, 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