March 9, 2014
We will have a Fellowship Dinner today after Service. Everyone please stay. Welcome to our dear friend Pastor Bruce Crabtree who will be bringing the Message today. No Service Tonight.
Hymn for the Day
God moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.
And rides upon the storm.
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take,
The clouds you so much dread;
Are big with mercy, and shall break
With blessing on your head.
With blessing on your head.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.
He hides a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.
But sweet will be the flower.
By William Cowper 1774
(Pg. 52 "Majestic Sweetness")
Heaven
John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Heaven is only heaven because that is where Christ will be. Eternal life is only wonderful because eternity will be spent with Christ our God. To be a child of God is to be an heir of all that is God's, but the amazing thing about being an heir is being a joint-heir with the Lord Jesus Christ. To live eternally without sin is a glorious and wonderful thought, but to live forever with Him who was made to be sin for us, is beyond my comprehension. Christ is heaven to the child of God.
- Pastor David Eddmenson
~~~ O ~~~
Church membership has become the best place to hide from God. Religious beliefs and experiences serve as refuges to shield them from the arrows of conviction and the message of real redemption in Christ. Everybody in this super church is "saved" and are insulted if the question of their interest in Christ is raised or even suggested. There is no possible way to confront these "know-so salvationists" with the gospel of God's glory! The so-called church of today exists as a social power, a political power, and as a powerful body in the community; but it has lost its true nature as the body of Christ. They have sold their birthright for respectability, social and intellectual acceptance.
- Rolfe Barnard
~~~ O ~~~
"FROM SUCH WITHDRAW THYSELF" (1 Timothy 6:3 - 5)
"The gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ produces a humble and loving spirit; but religion without Christ (even though quite orthodox) fills the mind with pride, vanity, and self-esteem. These people often spend their time in controversy, disputes, and strife over words, ordinances. laws, church discipline, and government. Their ministry and contact with others produce quarrels and dissension, insults and suspicion, envy and jealousy. 'From such withdraw thyself.' The true grace of God holds and proclaims the gospel of His glory in the spirit of our Lord and will bring His people together in righteousness, joy, and peace."
- Henry Mahan
WHAT THINK YE OF CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED?
Holy Scriptures teach an effectual atonement based upon the fact of Who He was who died to atone. Such a blood shedding could never be in vain in any sense when we consider the infinite value of the person who shed His blood. Paul, to show the value of the atonement, first tells us who He is Who died; "Jesus Christ," he said; and then, "and him crucified." Well how much value do we put on Jesus Christ? Better yet, how much value does God the Father put on Him? The Father calls Him a Savior, a great one, a mighty one, and says of Him, "He shall deliver them." (Is 19:20). The fact that it is Christ's blood is what makes it effectual. "The blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son cleanseth us from all sin." What else could the blood of such an infinite One do but accomplish the task for which it was shed? "He came to save His people from their sins." (Matt 1:21). And how was He to accomplish such a great task? By giving His own blood! By pouring it out while hanging on a cross! The blood atoned for sins and cleanses from all sins because it is Christ's blood. One man said it this way, "the words 'the blood' never stand alone; the One Who shed the blood is invariable specified, for it is the Person that gives value to the work; the saving efficacy of the Death depends entirely upon the fact that He Who died was the Son of God." Let us first and foremost receive the testimony of the Holy Scriptures concerning the infinite and eternal value of the Son of God. Having received that testimony in our hearts by the power of the Holy Spirit, then we will never undervalue that atonement which such an infinite person accomplished. I am convinced this is one reason some deny the effectual atonement of Christ; they place little value on Him. Let every man examine his own conscience. Can you, knowing who He is, say to Him with a clear conscience, "you failed?" "You, the Lord of glory, died in vain?" Can you say such a thing without your conscience smiting you? What think ye of Jesus crucified must be answered in the light of what think ye of Jesus Christ himself. - Pastor Bruce Crabtree
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