We bless Thee, Lord, for all the fruits, all in Thy hands to give;
The righteousness that grace imputes, and faith alone receives.
In Thee we have a righteousness, by God Himself approved;
Our rock, our sure foundation this, which never can be moved.
Our ransom by Thy death was paid, for all Thy people giv’n,
The law Thou perfectly obeyed, that they might enter heav’n.
As all in Adam sinned alone, in his transgression died,
So by the righteousness of One are sinners justified.
We to Thy merit, gracious Lord, with humblest joy submit,
Again to Paradise restored, in Thee alone complete.
TODAY’S SERVICES – Messages by Pastor Bill Parker
BIBLE CLASS – 10:00 a.m. –
The Reality of Sin and Depravity (3) – Romans 3:15-20
MORNING WORSHIP – 11:00 a.m –
OPENING – 1 Corinthians 1:29-31
CALL TO WORSHIP (above)
HYMN – Nothing But the Blood – p. 212
READING – Colossians 2:8-17
MESSAGE – The Fulness of Union with Christ – Col. 2:11-13
CLOSING HYMN – Amazing Grace – p. 236
Birthdays: Kedrial Riggins – July 4th
I will be traveling to Ashland, KY, this week to spend time with my family. Brothers Randy Wages and Jim Casey will be preaching next Sunday in my absence. —The Pastor
THE FRUIT OF CHRIST’S DEATH
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” (John 12:24)
“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me. This He said, signifying what death He should die.” (John 12:32-33)
The death of Christ as the Surety, Substitute, and Redeemer of His people was no mere attempt save them. It was not making salvation available to sinners if they would only believe in Him. His death was (and is) the assurance of the salvation of all His people. It is the ground upon which God has justified the elect, which is Christ’s righteousness imputed to them. And it is the source and power of their new birth in which they are all given spiritual life and brought to faith in Christ and repentance of their sins.
The Lord Jesus Christ used an earthly example here to teach His disciples this spiritual truth. A grain of wheat must be planted (buried) in the ground before it can yield fruit. So it is with Christ, the Son of Man, the one Mediator between God and men, the Substitute and Surety for sinners. He must die, be buried, and be raised from the dead or there can be no salvation for sinners. The salvation of His people is the yield or the fruit of His work of redemption. He was showing His disciples here how He must suffer and die in order to establish righteousness for His sheep and accomplish their redemption and salvation. He must satisfy God’s law and justice for them in order to establish righteousness. Because of His death to establish righteousness and proven by His resurrection from the dead, He would “bring forth much fruit” – spiritual life and glory of all for whom He died. His death was never (and will never be) a fruitless death. —Pastor Bill Parker
A God-taught and God-called preacher is not one who invents new doctrine or omits or edits old doctrine. He is a faithful proclaimer of the undiluted Word of the living God. He declares God as He is to sinners as we are. He announces the good news of salvation, forgiveness, reconciliation and ever lasting righteousness in Jesus Christ, the God-Man, who was crucified, buried, arose, ascended and is enthroned in everlasting glory. A preacher sent by the Lord sets forth the truth, just as it is, to sinners, just as they are. —Pastor Jim Byrd
The great need of this hour is a mighty working of God’s Spirit in the hearts and minds of men and women. God alone can convince us of sin. He alone can give repentance and faith. He alone can bring us from darkness to light and from death unto life. He alone can bring us to forsake our false religious profession and enable us to trust Christ as He is set forth in the true Gospel. When the Spirit of God brings sinners to Christ, they will not just experience a reformation or come to a new theological position. No, they will be brought to life and faith in Christ. They will say as Paul, “I was before a blasphemer…but I obtained mercy.” May God give us grace to preach the Gospel of His free and sovereign grace in Christ crucified and never let us be satisfied with anything less than a real work of grace in our hearer’s hearts. “All is vain unless the Spirit of the Holy One come down.” There is enough vanity in this world. I pray for the reality of knowing Christ in truth and know that we all stand in need of the Spirit’s power and work. —Pastor Gary Shepard
NO NEW REVELATION, BUT NEW ILLUMINATION
God’s revelation of truth in the Scriptures is complete and cannot be added to, but as we grow in grace and in knowledge of Christ, God does give us new light on what He has already revealed. We will often read passages of Scripture which we have read many times before, and God gives us more light to understand these words. However, any light that we claim God has given us on the Scriptures must adhere to the following:
(1) It must be consistent with the true nature of God, the true state of sinners, and the only way of salvation by God’s grace in the glorious Person and righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ. Any claim of light that denies, ignores, or confuses the glory of God in the salvation of sinners by the Lord Jesus Christ and based on His righteousness imputed as the only ground of salvation is not light but darkness.
(2) It must edify and promote unity among true believers. Any claim of light that confuses and divides brethren is not light but darkness.
(3) It must encourage believers in the obedience of grace, love, and gratitude. Any claim of light that allows God’s children to be neglectful in worshipping and serving the Lord is not light but darkness.
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