Grace Baptist Church of Danville
January 2, 2011
I always try to begin the New Year by remembering “the time is short.” Soon this day of grace will be ended. Soon my appointed days will be finished. Soon I will meet God in eternity!
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With a Blessed New Year’s Dawning — Don Fortner
(Tune: #294 — Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us — 87.87.87)
1. With a blessed New Year’s dawning,
Rest, my soul, in cov’nant love;
From the world of sin, this morning
Haste away to Christ above.
Blessed Spirit, Holy Spirit,
Shed abroad the Savior’s love!
2. Like the earth in winter frozen,
I confess, is my poor heart;
But my Savior to His chosen
Will celestial fire impart. —
Blessed Spirit, let me feel it,
Burning as my years depart!
3. Though the year which now commences
Must bring sorrows, crosses, woes,
God sufficient grace dispenses,
And His promised aid bestows.
Christ, my Savior, ever present,
Will defend me from my foes.
4. O, for grace, each day increasing,
(My appointed end draws near!)
Give me mercy, Lord, unceasing
Through each swift revolving year,
Till at last with Christ in glory,
Face to face I shall appear.!
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“In the Beginning God”
Genesis 1:1
In the opening chapters of the Inspired Volume we are given the seed of all divine truth. The opening words of the Book of God declare that which is essential to the understanding of all things: — “In the beginning God.” All things have their origin in the Lord God himself, the Triune Jehovah.
1. In the beginning God created all things. — When he was done he rested from his works, keeping the first sabbath and showing us the meaning of the sabbath of faith. We rest from our works, trusting Christ alone as our Savior.
2. In the creation, ruin, and restoration of the natural creation, we are given a picture of grace and salvation. — As the earth was created, became a ruin, and was restored by the moving of God’s Spirit upon the face of the deep, so we (originally created in the image of God and then ruined by the sin and fall of our father Adam) are restored in Christ and made new by the sovereign operations of God the Holy Spirit.
3. In the creation of Adam, we have a picture and type of Christ, the second Adam.
4. In the creation of Eve, we are shown the purpose for and origin of God’s church. — As Eve was taken out of Adam and made for him, so the church of God was born from Christ the second Adam, and was made for him.
5. In the fall, we see a picture of Christ’s love for his church. — As Adam, because of his love for Eve, plunged himself into death and condemnation, so Christ, because of his love for us, plunged himself into death, as our Substitute, under the wrath of God.
6. In Genesis 3:9, the offended God seeks the offending sinner to show him mercy.
7. In Genesis 3:15, God himself preached the first gospel sermon to needy sinners.
8. In the kids slain to make a covering for Adam and Eve, we see redemption and righteousness by the sacrifice of Christ the Lamb of God.
As we begin a new year, let us carry through the day, through the year, and through all the days of our lives the comfort of this blessed fact: — “All things are of God.” As all things have their beginning with the will, purpose, and decree of our heavenly Father, so all things are brought to pass by the wise, unerring hand of his good providence, and shall ultimately bring forth everlasting praise to him. — “Of him, through him, and to him are all things.”
Yet, there is more. “All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” All that has been, is, and shall hereafter be is brought to pass by our God for the everlasting good of his elect. Let us find in this blessed truth comfort for every sorrow, strength to endure every trial, courage to face every foe, and joy to lighten the load of our daily pilgrimage through this world. Let these things inspire our hearts to heed the admonition of 1 Thessalonians 5:18. — “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
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“See that Ye Fall Not Out by the Way.”
Genesis 45:24
Joseph said to his brethren, when they were going home to his father’s house, “See that ye fall not out by the way.” He knew they were apt to be quarrelsome. Having forgiven them all, he lays this charge upon them, urging them to have peace among themselves. There was something extremely beautiful in that exhortation. “See that ye fall not out by the way.” May God the Holy Spirit graciously apply it to each of us. Our Lord Jesus, our great Joseph, teaches us to “love one another” and “have peace one with another.” Whatever occurs, or has occurred, our Joseph says to us, “See that ye fall not out by the way.” Why is this admonition so important?
1. We are brethren with one Father, “the God of peace.” We are of one family, “the family of God.”
2. We are his brethren. We bring shame upon ourselves and bring shame upon our Savior, Christ who “is our peace,” if we fall out by the way.
3. We are all guilty sinners. Instead of quarrelling with one another, we have a great reason to fall out with ourselves.
4. We are forgiven of God, whom we have all offended. We should be ready to forgive one another, as we have been forgiven, freely, without restitution, and without condition.
5. We are by the way, a way that lies through the land of Egypt, where we have many eyes upon us that seek occasion and advantage against us, a way that leads to Canaan, where we hope to be forever in perfect peace.
Let men of different nations and different families fall out if they must; but we are of the seed of Israel, we are one tribe and one holy nation, one family. Our home is in one heaven. The way home is rough. We meet with many enemies along the way; but none in the family are enemies to one another. There will be no falling out when we get home. So “see that ye fall not out by the way.”
Keep together; stand by one another, defend each other’s name and character, maintain and manifest unceasing affection for one another, “Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” The world hates us, because we are not of the world. “Beloved, let us love one another.”
All who trust Christ are going to the same house. It is shameful for us to fall out and not speak to one another by the way. We will sit together in heaven. We sit together at the Lord’s Table. We worship one Lord. We have one faith. We profess that faith with one baptism. We are one body, united by one Spirit, in one Christ, called in one hope. Let us not fall out by the way.
What great mercies we possess together in Christ! We are all redeemed, pardoned, accepted, elected, justified, sanctified, and adopted. Our Joseph has filled our sacks with “provision for the way.” Our sacks are full. All have enough. All are secure. All are fully blessed. “See that ye fall not out by the way.” Let those who handle the trowel and those who carry the spear, those who go out to war and those who stay by the stuff live and walk as one in Christ; and “see that ye fall not out by the way.”
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THE GRACE BULLETIN
January 2, 2011
Grace Baptist Church of Danville
2734 Old Stanford Road-Danville, Kentucky 40422-9438
Telephone (859) 236-8235 - E-Mail don@donfortner.com
Donald S. Fortner, Pastor
Schedule of Regular Services
Sunday
10:00 A.M. Bible Classes
10:30 A.M. Morning Worship Service
6:30 P.M. Evening Worship Service
Tuesday
7:30 P.M. Mid-Week Worship Service
Television Broadcasts in Danville
Channel 6 - Sunday Morning 8:00 A.M.
Channel 6 - Wednesday Evening 6:00 P.M.
Channel 6 - Friday Evening 7:00 P.M.
Television Broadcasts in Harrodsburg
Channel 6 - Sunday Afternoon 3:00 P.M.
Channel 6 - Friday Evening 6:00 P.M.
Web Pages
http://www.DonFortner.com
http://www.FreegraceRadio.com
http://www.Grace-eBooks.com |
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