Public Worship

"I was glad when they said unto me, let us go in­to the house of the Lord" (Psalm 122:1).

I can and do worship the Lord anywhere; I can pray and rejoice in God's mercy in Christ anywhere; I can read the Word and meditate upon His grace anywhere; but there is a time and a place (referred to as the house of God) where the people of God gather in His name each week to worship, pray, preach His Word, and encourage one another. He promised to be in their midst (Matt. 18:20). They meet to seek His face, His blessings, and to hear the Word He has given His servant for them at that time.

They also come with their child­ren to be identified individually and as families with the Lord and His kingdom. They come to praise Him in joy and seek His comfort in their sorrows. For all these reasons, I am glad when that day dawns and that time approaches and I can meet my true fam­ily in my Father's house. I must be honest, as one called of God to speak for Him; I cannot believe for one moment that those who forsake this sacred assem­bly and find every excuse not to be there (whatever the reason) have a true love and regard for our blessed Redeemer.

Pastor Henry T. Mahan (bulletin 1993)

THE GOD OF JACOB

The God of Jacob is the God who saves unworthy sinners like Jacob. The God of Jacob chose to save unworthy Jacob. (Rom. 9:13) The God of Jacob revealed Himself to Jacob at Bethel. (Gen. 28:10-15) The God of Jacob gave Jacob a new name, Israel (a prince of God) (Gen. 32:24-30) The God of Jacob kept Jacob and shepherded Jacob his whole life long. (Gen 48:15-16)

Psalm 146:5 says “Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God” Any sinner who God saves like He saved Jacob, is a happy sinner.

God’s people are happy to be chosen of God in divine election even though we don’t deserve it. God’s people are happy that God did not leave them to their own devices, but He revealed Himself to them through the preaching of the gospel. God’s people are happy that the Lord joined Himself to them and changed their name to His name: Jehovah-tsidkenu, the Lord our Righteousness. (Jer. 33:16) God’s people are happy to depend on the Lord to shepherd us and keep us our whole life long. God’s people are happy that their salvation depends entirely on God to do all of the saving for them.

Pastor Frank Tate

WHAT IS THE CHURCH?

From the Scriptures we know the church is His body, His bride, the people He loved and purchased with His own blood that He sees as glorious, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing. It is the church of Christ, the church of God, the house of God, the pillar and ground of the Truth. It is that which He built and of which He is the Head. It is the ones He feeds, and walks in their midst, and promises His presence. It is the place from whose midst He sings. It is the general assembly and church of the firstborn whose names are written in heaven. It is that group of people of whom Christ said, “In as much as ye have done it to the least of these My brethren, you have done it to Me.” We see how important church is to Him. How important is it to you? Pastor Todd Nibert

A DESCRIPTION OF THE LORD’S PEOPLE
1 Peter 2:7-10

To those who are granted faith to believe the gospel, the Lord Jesus Christ is most precious and altogether lovely; "Unto you therefore which believe He is precious" (1Peter 1:7). Christ Jesus is everything in salvation, this is the true admiration of the faith of God's elect (Col.3:11). To those who refuse to believe the gospel, the Lord Jesus Christ is made unto them; "A stone of stumbling and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed"(1 Peter 2:8). Peter then gives to us the reasons why some believe Christ to the saving of the soul and why some are disobedient to the condemnation of their soul. Simply put, it is God who has made us to differ (1 Cor.4:7). God gives us a sevenfold description of His people and how they differ from the unbeliever.

1). A chosen people, "You are a chosen generation." Our sovereign God elected a people unto salvation. We believe because of God's grace (Acts 13:48; 1 Peter 1:2). This is what the scriptures plainly teach (Eph.1:3-6; 2 Thes.2:13).

2). A royal people, "A royal priesthood." Through our union with Christ and by His blood atonement, He has made us kings and priests unto God (Rev.5:9). We are crowned and dressed with His righteousness (Jer.23:5).

3). A holy people, "A holy nation." We claim no holiness in our obedience (Isa. 64:5). We say with the apostle, "in my flesh dwellth no good thing" (Rom.7:18). However, every believer rightfully claims that Christ Jesus alone is our sanctification ( 1Cor.1:30; Phil.3:7-9).

4). A purchased people, "A peculiar people." The Lord Jesus Christ bought His church at great expense, His precious blood (1 Pt.1:18-20; Acts 20:28; Eph.5:25). That which Christ purchased, He must possess.

5). A called people, "called you out of darkness into his marvellous light."

This is the irresistible call of the gospel by the command of Almighty God. Those who God chose in eternity, in time will be called out of darkness of ignorance and death into light and life (2 Cor.4:7; Col.1:13; 2 Tim.1:9).

6). A worshipping people, "that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you." Every believer has a vigorous desire to worship and reverence the Lord of glory for all that has been freely given (Psa. 115:1).