CALL TO WORSHIP

(Tune: "Come Thou Fount")

Christ is made the sure Foundation,

Christ the Head and Cornerstone,

Chosen of the Lord and precious,

Binding all the church in one;

Holy Zion's help forever,

And her confidence alone

Is in Christ the blessed Savior,

In His righteousness alone.

Laud and honor to the Father,

Laud and honor to the Son,

Laud and honor to the Spirit,

Ever Three and ever One;

All engaged in our salvation,

By His grace alone are we

Safe and sure for heaven's glory,

In His presence we will be.

Bible Study: "The Savior of Sinners" 1 Samuel 23:1-12

Today's Speaker: 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/

Birthdays: Brooke Young - Sept. 20^th. - David Alvord - Sept. 20^th.

Dawson Young - Sept. 23^rd.

WAS CHRIST A SINNER?

I was recently asked if I believe that sin was actually infused into Christ thereby making Him a sinner when He died in the stead of His people. I want you to think about that issue and as you do reflect on these questions, what is a sinner - and - what is the Bible definition of sin? In order to understand the word sinner, pay attention to Mr. Webster's meaning of er when put at the end of a verb. He says er is "a suffix added to verb bases meaning the action of." Here are some examples of verb base words with er added. One who fights is a fighter. One who runs is a runner. One who preaches is a preacher. One who serves is a server. You get the idea. One who sins, therefore, is a sinner. Now I ask you, did the Lord Jesus sin? What do the Scriptures say? "Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth: Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously: Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by Whose stripes ye were healed" (1　Peter　2:22-24). What is sin? "Sin is the transgression of the law" (1 John 3:4). The issue, therefore, amounts to this: did Christ ever transgress the law of God? If He did, He was a sinner; if He did not, He was not a sinner. Again, what do the Scriptures say? It is written that Christ died, "the Just for the unjust to bring us to God" (1　Peter　3:18). "Just" means righteous, and the word is capitalized. Christ was not sinful or unrighteous when He died. He was, is and always shall be "THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS" (Jeremiah 23:6). Remember that in the covenant of grace our Surety assumed full responsibility for our spiritual indebtedness, as illustrated by what Paul said concerning Onesimus. He wrote to Philemon, "if he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee aught, put that on mine account" (Philemon 1:18). The sin-debt of His people was imputed to the account of our Substitute. When He shed His blood and paid for our sins, did He become a sinner? Did sin enter that Holy One? The very idea is preposterous and anti-scriptural. How did Christ satisfy the demands of a broken law and save us from our sins? By enduring the judgment of God appointed for sin; He was the Offering for sin. It is not written that Christ died for His sins, but He "died for our sins" (1 Corinthians 15:3). The Savior endured divine wrath and so redeemed His people from the claims of offended justice. He was condemned because of our sins, but He had none of His own, therefore He was never a sinner.

Jim Byrd

PREDESTINATION

Predestination may be considered as special, and as relating to particular persons, and to things spiritual and eternal; whereas predestination in general respects all creatures and things, even things temporal and civil.

First, Christ himself is the object of predestination; he was fore-ordained to be the mediator between God and man; to be the propitiation for sin; to be the redeemer and saviour of his people; to be the head of the church; king of saints, and judge of the world: hence he is called, God's elect, and his chosen one; and whatsoever befell him, or was done unto him, was by the determinate council and fore-knowledge of God; even all things relating to his sufferings and death in proof of which read the following Scriptures. Romans 3:5-Whom God hath set forth, proeqeto, fore-ordained to be a propitiation.

• 1 Peter 1:20-Who verily was fore-ordained before the foundation of the world, that is, to be the Lamb slain. See chapter 2:4.
• Luke 22:29-And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me.
• Acts 18:31-Because he hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained. See also chapter 10:42.
• Isaiah 43:1-Behold my servant, whom I uphold, mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth. See Matthew 12:18.
• Luke 22:22-And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined, but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed.
• Acts 2:23-Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and fore-knowledge of God, ye have taken, &c. Chapter 4:28-For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.