A REFUGE FOR SINNERS

(Tune: "How Firm A Foundation")

A refuge for sinners the Gospel makes known,

‘Tis found in the merits of Jesus alone;

The weary, the tempted, the burdened of sin

Are never excluded from entering in.

This refuge for sinners God's love did ordain

In Jesus, the Lamb, from eternity slain;

In Christ the Redeemer Who lived and Who died,

God's law and His justice are now satisfied.

Should conscience accuse us, as often it may,

The blood of our Saviour has put sin away;

In Jesus, our Surety, the sinner can view

A city of refuge and righteousness too.

Romans 4:6-8

⁶Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, ⁷Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. ⁸Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

MORNING WORSHIP:

10:00 Bible Study: Video sermon by Bill Parker

11:00 Service: Brother Mark Pannell will conduct the 11:00 am service today. Pray for him as he delivers God's word.

Radio Broadcast: Sunday morning at 9:30am on 98.7 FM -WISK

You can also hear the sermons on your computer. Just click on

http://www.americusradio.com/

THE TRIUMPH OF FAITH

He made all our enemies his own, and fought our battles against them. He obeyed, that the broken law which stood against us might be magnified by his obedience; the penalties of it he endured, when the Lord laid upon him the iniquities of us all. His cross was his triumphal chariot, on which he vanquished all our foes. (Col. ii. 14, 15.) He blotted out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and he took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in that same cross. By dying on it, he put away sin by the sacrifice of himself; and by his rising from the dead on the third day, according to the Scriptures, he overcame death, and him that had the power of death, that is, the devil. And now as God-man in one Christ, the almighty Saviour of his redeemed, he is seated upon his throne of grace: all his enemies being made his footstool, he is able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by Him.

William Romaine - 1714-1795

PREVIEW OF THE DAY OF DECLARATION

Matthew 25: 31 - 46

The King declares that those whom He "set on his right hand" are "blessed of His Father".

The King also declares that these are "heirs of the Kingdom of heaven". They are HEIRS. They did not do anything to obtain their place in this kingdom. Nor, did they do anything to deserve their place in this kingdom. God, the Father, purposed this kingdom and chose those who would inherit this kingdom. God, the Son established this kingdom in Righteousness and bought the right of every inhabitant of this kingdom with His own blood. Their inheritance of this kingdom is the product of God's Sovereign Mercy and the work of Christ for them alone.

Christ is the heir and those in Him are joint heirs with Him. Look at Rom 8: 14-17. These are made to know that Christ established this kingdom and obtained it for them by His obedience unto death, and that it is theirs only by inheritance.

Mark Pannell, Eager Ave. Grace Church

2 Peter 1:1

Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ.

This like precious faith is :

The gift of GOD. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." (Eph 2:8) Let no man think that faith is the function of his own mind or an activity of his will. This faith is bestowed upon HIS elect according to HIS own measure and purpose. "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." (Rom 12:3)

The same to all of HIS elect. Though it has pleased HIM to give to various men differing degrees or measures of faith, the essence of faith which HE gives is the same to all of them. "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism." (Eph 4:4-5) The sum and substance of the faith of GOD's elect is the "righteousness of CHRIST" manifested in HIS redeeming work at Calvary. We look for no other. "But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him." (1John 2:27) HE said HE was the vine and we are branches and we are to abide in HIM. This is extremely sweet for the sons of GOD as they contemplate their acceptance before the FATHER to be one hundred percent according to HIS acceptance there. If that be the case they are assured of their own acceptance since HE is their hope and faith.

That which gives them strength in the present hour. Though the full enjoyment and manifestation of our total blessing in CHRIST yet awaits us in the day of the resurrection, we are presently given grace through this same "like precious faith" to stand in this present evil day. "Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." (Eph 6:16) "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Gal 2:20) That faith in which we shall stand when the dead, both small and great, stand before the ALMIGHTY is the same faith in which we currently live and move and have our being. "The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies." (Psa 18:2-3)