ZEBULON BAPTIST CHURCH
Weekly Bulletin
Sunday, June 1st, 2008

God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah. That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah. Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. Psalm 67:1-5

WHERE CAN I GO?
Where can I go this Lord's Day and hear the mercy of God, not the mechanics of grace? Where can I go and hear the love of Christ and not the law of God for saints? Where can I go and hear the righteousness of God fulfilled by Christ and not the righteousness of the creature to be rewarded by God? Let us say, by God's grace, this will be the place and I will be the preacher. The message will not be flowery but full of grace; it will not be with enticing words of man's wisdom but the sovereign mercy of God to helpless sinners in a language all men understand. Let the scholars, theologians and authors go elsewhere to have their intellects challenged. Lord make me THY VOICE to THY PEOPLE. Pastor Henry Mahan

Psalms 146:3
"Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help."

For one man to put confidence in another, is as if one beggar should ask alms of another, or one cripple should carry another, or the blind lead the blind. Anthony Farindon

THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST
Every aspect of the Gospel of Christ is according to the predestinating will of God, so much so that the final salvation of the elect is spoken of in the past tense before it takes place. "Whom He justified, them He also glorified." Any gospel that is not founded upon the sovereign, predestinating will of God is a false gospel, because, if it is not founded upon God's will, it is necessarily founded upon man's will. And we know from Scripture, "It is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy." Pastor Todd Nibert

IT IS ENOUGH
I suppose this could be one of those verses or statements that sum up the believers faith, desire and attitude in a wicked world. Jacob says: "It is enough: Joseph (typical of Christ)...is yet alive" (Genesis 45:28). I've been through many trials and temptations, ups and downs this year it seems; what has simply and singularly brought me safe thus far? "It is enough...Christ!" Knowing that He yet lives, rules and reigns upon His lofty and exalted throne for such a one as me has filled this weak, sad and uncertain heart with joy, peace and thankfulness. I echo the sentiment of my brother of long ago when he asked: "dear Lord if indeed I am thine, if thou art my sun and my song; say why do I languish and pine and why are my winters so long?" Then, He does drive those dark clouds from the sky by showing me once and again: "It is enough...Christ." Free will and works religion is always moving, unsteady; always learning but never able to rest because nothing is ever enough or I should say the sinner never does enough to satisfy the conscience. But dear soul Christ is enough and He yet liveth! What more could an old sinner, young sinner, ‘the' sinner need? May our sweet and majestic Saviour give us this constant and simple reminder every day we live, walk and move in this trying world: "It is enough...Christ." Pastor Drew Dietz

CHRIST FORMED IN YOU
My little children, of whom I travail in birth again till Christ be formed in you (Galatians 4:19).

Paul had spoken in very strong terms to these Galatians who had professed faith in Christ Jesus but were now seeking to add their own works of the law to the righteousness of Christ for justification and/or sanctification (3:1-3). Now, he calls them "My little children," by which he shows his genuine affection for them while at the same time rebuking them for their lack of understanding. He had preached the gospel of Christ to them before but his efforts were evidently in vain (4:11) not resulting in the new birth. Now, he labors in birth again toward this one objective, "till Christ be formed in you."

Here then in few words is the character of the new birth. It is not a mere profession, system of morality, or doctrinal position - it is Christ formed in you! Paul had referred to his own experience in this epistle. "It pleased God...to reveal His Son in me" (1:15-16). "...I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me" (2:20). As he closes this epistle he states, "In Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation" (6:15). The new birth is not a result of something we do but what God does.

Now, he illustrates this by the allegory of Hagar and Sarah. These two women represent the two covenants and the children they produce (Gal. 4:22-27).

Hagar is the covenant of works. She is a bondwoman, she genders to bondage. She produces sons, but they are in bondage with her because they are born of the flesh; of the will, works, and strength of the flesh. That which is born of the flesh is flesh!

Sarah is the covenant of grace. She is the true wife and is the mother of all true sons and heirs. Her children are born of grace not works; by the word and promise of God and not the will of man; they are born after the Spirit and not after the flesh. That which is born of the Spirit is spirit. It is a new creation, a new man, a new spirit and nature - It is Christ formed in us! The result is, we worship God in spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh. Pastor Charles Pennington

Bible Study 10:30 A.M.
Morning Service 11:15 A.M.
Kingsport service 6:00 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