CALL TO WORSHIP

(Tune: He Leadeth Me)

Hark! How the Gospel trumpet sounds!

Christ and free grace therein abounds;

Free grace to such as sinners be,

And if free grace why not for me?

The Saviour died and by His blood

Brought rebel sinners near to God;

He died to set the captives free,

And why, my soul, why not for thee?

Thus Jesus came the poor to bless,

To clothe them with His righteousness;

That robe is spotless, full and free,

And why, my soul, why not for thee?

Eternal life by Christ is giv'n,

And sinful men are raised to heav'n;

Then sing of grace so rich and free,

And say, my soul, why not for thee?

Bible Study: “The Glory of God in Christ” –II Samuel 22:1-4

Today’s Speaker: Brother Jim Casey will conduct the 11:00 am service today. Pray for him as he delivers God’s word.

Television Broadcast: Our Reign of Grace Television program is being broadcast on WFXL Fox 31, Channel 4. The program will air every Sunday morning at 11 AM. Pray that God will use it for His glory.

Radio Broadcast: Sunday morning at 9:30am on 98.7 FM –WISK. You can also hear the sermons on your computer. Just click on www.americusradio.com

In The Likeness of His Resurrection

Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. ⁵For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. ⁷For he that is dead is freed from sin.

Romans 6:4-7

Consider dear friends, the comforting truth of this passage for believers. Being buried with Him by baptism into the death of Christ speaks of the elect sinner’s inseparable union with Christ in all that He did in His obedience unto death as their Substitute – in their room and stead. As such, they have all of the fruits of His accomplished death. It is a truth that just as sure as He was raised from the dead, all who were planted together in Him – all those He represented – shall without fail live spiritually and eternally with Him. They shall (1) walk in the newness of spiritual life, having been born again by the Spirit just as surely as they shall (2) also be raised unto heaven’s glory at the last day (John 6:39-40), all in the likeness of His resurrection. Not one for whom He lived and died can possibly suffer in hell due to sin which was destroyed or rendered powerless, speaking of the sins of all those who were baptized or made one with Him in His death. If you are among those to whom God has been pleased to reveal Himself through the Gospel of His sovereign grace, it is because you were planted together with Him. If so, rejoice in Christ Jesus and in the knowledge that this God-given gift of faith is evidence of spiritual life and therefore, an evidence of this gracious truth – of having been made one with Him in His death, burial and resurrection. He that is dead is freed (justified) from sin. So, just as sure as Christ died and arose from the grave, all those He represented shall likewise live with Him – and that forevermore!

Randy Wages - Eager Avenue Grace Church

CALLING AND ELECTION

“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 2Peter1:10)
It is God’s command to all His children, not an option but His command for us, to “give diligence to make [our] calling and election sure.” Some may ask, “How do we know we are God’s elect?” It is by our calling by the Word of God in the Gospel of His grace in and by the Lord Jesus Christ as it was and is endued with the power of the Holy Spirit to bring us to faith in Christ and true repentance. This is the calling of the Holy Spirit in the new birth, and it is known by the simple reality of conviction of our own sinfulness, worthlessness, and impotence to save ourselves from sin, death, and hell, and the glorious reality of Christ’s ability and willingness to save any and all sinners who come to Him alone for salvation, righteousness, and eternal life. Our calling is not to work to save ourselves or make ourselves righteous before God. It is to run to Christ and rest in Him for all righteousness. Our calling is not to make amends for our sins in order to motivate God to save, accept, and forgive us. It is to plead the merits of Christ’s blood alone for complete salvation, acceptance, and forgiveness of all our sins. Our calling is not to a life of obedience motivated by legal threats of punishment and/or mercenary promises of earned reward. It is to a life of obedience motivated by love for Christ, His mercy and grace in saving us, and gratitude for all that He freely gives us when we do not deserve and cannot earn the least of His blessings. Our calling is the calling of God’s free and sovereign grace in Christ, and THIS calling gives evidence of our election. Any claim or assurance of election without THIS calling is presumption and pride.

Pastor Bill Parker

The death of death by a death? God said to the Hebrews in Egypt, “when I see the blood I will pass over you.” (Ex. 12:13). This is always the case! The blood of the passover Lamb represented the death of the Substitute for sinners, the Lord Jesus, who “through death” destroyed him who had the power of death, the devil.