Scripture is very clear that when a believer is born again, there is a new nature born in that believer that has never been there before. The new birth is not a change, an enlightening, nor an improvement of the flesh. The new birth is the birth of a new man created in the image of and with the nature of Christ Jesus. This is why the warfare with sin does not begin before a sinner is born again. Before the new birth, the old man has no one to fight against, but after the new birth, the old man and the new man war against each other until the flesh dies and the new man departs to be forever with the Lord. The only reason anyone would deny the existence of two distinct, opposite natures in a believer is because that person only has one nature: Adam’s sinful nature.
The great need of today, as of every age, is the faithful preaching of God’s Word; “not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” (I Cor 2:4). What is needed is less anecdotal preaching, less rhetorical embellishment, less reliance upon logic, and more direct, plain, pointed, simple declaration and exposition of the Word itself. Sinners will never be saved without this!
A.W. Pink
At this time of year, many people talk about the birth of Christ who do not think about Christ the rest of the year. Now I am very thankful for our Lord’s birth, and I am glad they are thinking about the Savior. But, I would like to tell all of them that the birth of Christ is meaningless unless He lived a life of perfect obedience to God’s law and then died as the sinner’s substitute. Furthermore, the death of Christ is meaningless unless He was buried and rose again the third day, for “if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.” (I Cor 15:17). Thankfully, we have this glorious truth: Christ “was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” (Rom 4:25). Since Christ died as the substitute for His elect, all of God’s elect will follow Christ to glory to be forever with Him. There would be no peace on earth or joy to the world if it weren’t for the death and resurrection of Christ. Thank God for the Lord Jesus Christ, for in His birth, His life, His death, and His resurrection, a sinner like me has hope of eternal life.
Let us learn never to despair of the salvation of anyone – as long as he lives. Fathers ought never to despair of prodigal sons. Mothers ought never to despair of self-willed, headstrong daughters. Husbands should never despair of wives, nor wives of husbands. There is nothing impossible with God. The arm of grace is very long, and can reach those who seem very far off. Let us pray on, and hope on, for others – however unlikely their salvation may appear to be at present. “Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save!”
(Isaiah 59:1)
Unknown
A believer in the Lord Jesus Christ is not afraid, and need not be, that possibly there are soul damning “skeletons in the closet” which will be brought up in the day of judgment. He Who has magnified His word above all His name (Psalms 138:2), has said concerning His redeemed people, “their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more” (past, present, future) (Heb.8:12).Now we have His word for our assurance and His word dispels all fear of eternal damnation.
Pastor Marvin Stalnaker
There will be no service on Wednesday, Christmas Day, but we are planning to have a New Years Eve service at 7:00 on December 31st. After the service we will have a time of fellowship and celebrate Sabrina Keesee’s 40th birthday. There will be no service the following night.
There will be a ladies brunch on January 11th at 10:30 a.m. at Panera Bread in the Ashland Town Center Mall.