February 1, 2009

SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH
Of Princeton, New Jersey

1 Corinthians 11:28: But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

MEETING LOCATION
Rocky Hill Firehouse, 2nd floor
150 Washington Street, Rocky Hill, NJ, 08553

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
Sunday 10 AM Bible Class
11 AM Morning Worship
Thursday 7:00 PM Mid-week Service

WEB ADDRESSES AND MAILING ADDRESS
www.sovereign-grace.us/
www.sermonaudio.com/sgbcpnj
www.freegraceradio.com

Clay Curtis, Pastor
7 Birch Street
Pennington, New Jersey, 08534
Phone: 615-513-4464
Email: clay@sovereign-grace.us

FORGIVENESS WORKS
If a man has ever truly heard the spirit of the law speak and beheld a glimpse of the depth of his sin, if he's had fear strike his soul at the law's condemning sentence, "Guilty! Guilty! Guilty!" then heard the Lord Jesus Christ whisper, "Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged" that man will spend the rest of his days trying to mortify that oppressive, old legalist that always wrestles to yoke him and his brethren. As he beholds that the kingdom of God is not meat and drink--he ceases to put confidence in the flesh (or emphasis on this flesh) but worships God in spirit and rejoices in Christ Jesus the Lord.

Is It Finished or Not?
Acts 15: 1: And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
Now here is the folly of this lie. These men came declaring to the saints-to saints who were already in the state of righteousness and holiness in the new man in Christ Jesus-saints who because of Christ's work of grace performed in them--circumcision of the heart--they were made willing to look away from themselves to Christ alone in whom they were complete-saints who were satisfied with Christ even as God their Father-and these blind men had the audacity to say that something remained for the sinner to do. The lie comes down to this. After all that Christ has done, man must perfect his work. Such a notion is continually cast out by the inner workings of Christ in those whom he truly governs in Spirit. The eternal security of Christ's hand is at stake if such a lie prevails. Christ will not allow it.

The Believer
By Scott Richardson
The believer is perfect in Christ, but in himself is a poor, feeble creature, ever liable to fall. Oh, the blessedness of having One who can manage all his affairs for him at the right hand of the Majesty in the Heavens: One who upholds him continually by the right hand of His righteousness: One who will never let him go: One who is able to save to the uttermost: One who is the same yesterday, today and forever: One who will bear him triumphantly through all the difficulties and dangers that surround him and finally, present him faultless before the presence of His Glory with exceeding joy. Blessed forever be the grace that has made such ample provision for all our sins in the Blood of a spotless victim and the intercession of a Divine High Priest.

IF GOD IS SOVEREIGN - HOW ARE MEN RESPONSIBLE?
By Todd Nibert
God is sovereign. You cannot take that too far or overstate it. Everything that happens, happens according to the sovereign will of God. "He worketh all things after the counsel of His own will" (Eph. 1:11). If God's will determines everything, how can men be responsible for their actions? Paul addressed this question in Romans 9:18-19, "Therefore hath He mercy on whom He will have mercy, and whom He will He hardeneth. Thou wilt say unto me, why doth He yet find fault? For who hath resisted His will?" A paraphrase would be, "If God hardened my heart, how can I be responsible? I am only acting from the heart that God hardened." I do not know how to answer that question, other than to say, that is just the way it is. God is sovereign. We are responsible. If my understanding of God's sovereignty makes me conclude that men are not responsible for their actions, I really do not understand God's sovereignty. But did you know that a belief of human responsibility is an essential part of spiritual life. We have never confessed our sin before God unless we believe our sin is wholly our fault. There is no confession of sin if we lay the blame on God's sovereign will. We have never truly asked for mercy if we do not believe we are responsible for our sins. If we deny human responsibility, we must also deny salvation by grace. Grace is for the guilty, not for victims of God's sovereignty. God is sovereign and men are responsible. It is impossible to believe the Gospel if either of these truths are rejected.

THEM THAT HAVE THE RULE OVER YOU
By Henry Mahan
"Obey them that have the rule over you and submit yourselves; for they watch for your souls as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief; for that is unprofitable for you" (Heb. 13:17).

1. Those who "have the rule" are faithful pastors and elders.

2. How does one "obey them"? By attending to the word preached by them, by receiving the Word, by regarding and respecting their counsel, advice, and rebuke.

3. If we receive their message and are faithful to Christ, the faithful minister goes about his work with joy and not grief, and in that great day, when he shall be witness to your final end, that, too, will bring him joy and not grief.

4. To whom does the elder "give account"? To his OWN CONSCIENCE (for the true preacher is not covetous of gain or fame), to the CHURCH to whom he ministers, and to the LORD for whom he speaks. What a responsibility! But what a privilege!

This Weeks Featured Sermon
Exploits of the Faithful