Central Grace Church
3596 Franklin Street Rocky Mount, Virginia
Website: www.centralgracechurch.com Email: pedm55@gmail.com
June 2nd 2024
10:30 am -------------------------------------------Great Power, Grace, Fear – Acts 4:33/5:5
Wednesday 7:00 pm
Jesus Christ
If Christianity is the mere invention of men, an opium of the people (Carl Marx), or a foolish desire for a happy hunting ground; how do you explain Jesus Christ?
His existence in history men cannot deny. He lived in this world. He was born in Bethlehem, walked this earth, died on a Roman cross, and witnesses claim that He arose from the grave.
Without force or bribery, without arms or money, without an earthly kingdom or great possessions, He left a mark on this world as no other person in all of history! He never wrote a book, yet no library is sufficient to hold the books written about Him. He never wrote a song, yet He has been the theme of more songs than all others combined.
All other religious leaders came to live; He came to die! All other messiahs chose as their followers the rich, powerful, and influential . . . He chose the poor, despised, and the rejected. All other messiahs say, “Follow me, I’ll show you the way.” He said, “Follow me, I AM THE WAY.” All others claim to be messengers of God. He said, “I and the Father are One.” All others stay dead; He arose and all the claims, promises, and work depend on His resurrection.
How do you explain Jesus Christ? -- H.T.M.
Brethren Pray For Us
“Finally brethren pray for us, that the Word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified . . .” -- 2 Thessalonians 3:1
Paul urged the church to pray for him and all who preached and taught God’s Word. Have you prayed for us this morning? Scripture says; “Ask and ye shall receive.” If it is a blessing from God’s Word that you seek, then you must ask for it. If one has not prayed for the preacher he cannot expect a blessing. Ye have not because ye ask not.
No preacher can expect a blessing from God’s Word for himself or those to whom he preaches except he pray for it. The same is true with those who hear the preached Word. There is a great deal of preparation for preaching, by way of prayer and study of the Word. And there is some preparation involved in order to hear the Word and be blessed. It is “not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts” (Zech.4:6). For the Word of God to be a blessing it takes the Spirit of God to bless It. Whether preaching or hearing, we must ask the Lord to bless us; ask the Lord to send His Spirit. He has promised to give the Holy Spirit to them that ask for Him (Luke 11:13).
We cannot rush into the presence of God and immediately worship. God is not mocked in such a way. He is to be approached with fear and trembling (yet boldness and expectation). We cannot be listening to the news of this world and immediately expect to receive the good news. We cannot be singing the songs of the world and then begin to sing the songs of Zion. We cannot have our conversation on earth and immediately turn it heavenward. No, no. There is preparation to be made. Starting with Brethren, pray for us! Ask the Lord to bless His Word, for His glory, the salvation and edification of others (the Lord will turn your captivity if you pray for others Job 42:10). Pray for the church, for “they shall prosper that love her” (Psa.122:6). Pray, ask, knock . . . READ the Word in preparation to hear It. “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this book.” Read the bulletin articles which help turn our minds heavenward.
Though the Lord must always overrule the flesh, yet He has promised to bless those who ask, seek, and knock (Matt.7:7).
How to Treat Your Dearest Treasures-- I Corinthians 7:29-31
Husbands should love their wives as Christ loved the Church. Still, a married believer should be, in some respects, as if he were unmarried. "Honor thy father and thy mother." You cannot be too kind or too gentle to the parents whom God hath given you, yet be as though you had none. Parents, love your children, yet feel that the time is short. They are only a loan from the Lord. Be not surprised if He takes His own. Esteem your minister highly in love for his work's sake, yet be as if you had no pastor. Build your nest upon NO TREE in this world, for God has already given this forest to death; and every tree whereon we would rest our hope and confidence is ready to be cut down. We must flee from the uneasy and frail objects in order to build on the Rock, Christ Jesus. Set NOT your hearts on the flowers of this world. They shall fade and die. Prize the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the Valley – He changes not! Live nearer to Christ than to any person on this earth; so that when they are taken, you may have Him to love and lean upon. -- Robert Murray M'Cheyne (English preacher who died at 29 years old)
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