"Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in Himself; so hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself." (John 5:25-26)
CHRIST DIED ON CALVARY Tune to "MY FAITH LOOKS UP TO THEE" 664.6664 Words by JIM BYRD
God’s own eternal Son, Christ the Anointed One, Hung on the cross. Servant of God was He, Dying on Calvary; To set His people free, From endless loss.
Our sins on Him were laid, By Him our debt was paid, What wondrous grace! Infinite wrath He bore, Who can such love explore? God can demand no more, Christ took our place.
Justice was satisfied, When Christ our Savior died, By God’s decree. Risen, He reigns on high, To God He brings us nigh; On Him our hopes rely, Eternally! *************************************************************************** CONGREGATIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS TODAY: MORNING: PSALM 113 / EVENING: LUKE 11:29-44
*************************************************************************** ALTOGETHER LOVELY "His mouth is most sweet: yea, He is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem" (Song of Solomon 5:16). Put the beauty of ten thousand thousand worlds of paradises, like the garden of Eden, into one; put in all pleasant trees, all pleasant flowers, all pleasant smells, all pleasant colors, all pleasant tastes, all joys, all sweetness and all loveliness together into one. Oh, what a lovely and excellent place that would be! And yet it would be less in comparison to that lovely and dearest well-beloved Christ than one drop of rain to all the seas, rivers, lakes and fountains of ten thousand earths. Yes, "He is altogether lovely!" –Samuel Rutherford ***************************************************************************
DISCRIMINATING GRACE By nature, there is no difference between the elect and the reprobate. Paul was as bloody a persecutor as Domitian or Julian; Zacchaeus as unconscionable and covetous a worldling as was that rich glutton damned to hell (Luke 16). The elect and reprobate, before converting grace makes the difference, are like two men walking in one journey, of one mind and one heart. They resemble Elijah and Elisha, walking and talking together, when, lo, a chariot of fire suddenly severs them and Elijah is rapt up into heaven, while Elisha is left behind on earth. So is it when God’s effectual calling, quite unlooked for, comes and separates those two who before were walking together, yea, running to the same excess of riot. The one returns back to the Lord, from Whom he was fallen; while the other, untouched by God, marvels that his former companion hath forsaken him and walks on still in the old course of his sins to his final condemnation. –William Cowper Author of "There is a Fountain Filled with Blood"
*************************************************************************** THE SALVATION OF THE ELECT The God of glory, before the world began, graciously chose a people in Christ unto salvation. "But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto He called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14). Concerning these chosen ones, the Shepherd said, "and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand" (John 10:28). The Lord determined that His people would be justified, redeemed, sanctified, regenerated, called, preserved and glorified. Not one of the elect shall perish for God has willed their eternal salvation and has engaged all of His attributes to accomplish that purpose. His sovereignty determined their salvation and will never be frustrated. His wisdom has arranged all things in order to bring every son to glory in a manner consistent with all of the divine perfections. His holiness demanded righteousness and has been satisfied in the life, death and resurrection of their Substitute. His power is invincible and will overcome every obstacle standing in the way of their salvation. His justice has been satisfied in the death of their Redeemer and now demands they all be brought safely home to glory. His everlasting love for them will never be disappointed. The providence of God will bring them to hear the glorious gospel of Christ. The call of God will give them life and grant them repentance from dead works and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The goodness and mercy of God will follow them throughout their pilgrim journey. God’s eternal purpose of salvation shall not fail to be accomplished. "The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand" (Isaiah 14:24). "Salvation is of the LORD" (Jonah 2:9). –Pastor Jim Byrd
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