We will have New Year’s Eve service at our normal time on Wednesday, December 31^st. We will observe the Lord’s Table and have refreshments and a time of fellowship following the service.

YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN

Since man is dead in sins, man must be born again in order to have spiritual life. Spiritual life comes from a miraculous operation of the Holy Spirit in the new birth, when a new man is born in holiness. Spiritual life cannot come by knowledge of doctrine. Spiritual life cannot come by improving our conduct. The flesh cannot be changed into anything good so spiritual life can only come in the new birth. This is why our Lord said, “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” (John 3:7)

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” That is enough. That is the word of Him who cannot lie. Nothing more is needed. “Verily, verily I say unto you, he that heareth my word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life.” Never mind about your feelings; do not stop to examine your repentance to see if it is deep enough. It is CHRIST that saves; not your tears, or prayers or resolutions. If you have received Christ, then you are saved.

Arthur W. Pink

GRACE

Any objection a man has to distinguishing grace, any charge he makes of unfairness on God’s part for Him saving one by His grace and passing anotherby through His justice has this at its root: an ignorance of sin. If we have an understanding of sin we would understand no man has any claims on God. It is utterly just and right for God to judge somebody for their sin and cast them into hell. What we are amazed by is how God could give His Son for a vast multitude of people who deserve to be damned. We do not sit in judgmentof the great Judge. We are awed by His grace!

Pastor Todd Nibert

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TEACH ABOUT ELECTION?

The Bible teaches the doctrine of God's electing grace so constantly that you can hardly turn from one page to the other without being confronted with it. Sinners saved by grace, knowing their debt to grace, never tire of hearing God say, "I have chosen thee" (Isa. 48:10; Psa. 65:4; Matt. 20:28; John 15:16; Acts 13:48; Rom. 9:11-13; 11:5; Eph. 1:3-6; II Thess. 2:13-14).

All those passages and many more plainly state the doctrine of election. They teach us that...

1. ELECTION IS AN ACT OF GOD'S SOVEREIGN, ETERNAL, UNCONDITIONAL GRACE.

God chose whom he would save before the world began, without regard to anything they might be or do in time.

2. ELECTION IS IN CHRIST. God chose his people in Christ their covenant Head, Surety, and Mediator that he might make them to be like Christ in the perfection of holiness in heavenly glory.

3. ELECTION IS THE FOUNTAINHEAD OF SALVATION. All the blessings of salvation and grace flow freely to chosen sinners "according as he hath chosen us in Christ before the foundation of the world."

4. THE PURPOSE OF GOD IN ELECTION MUST STAND FOREVER. It must be fulfilled. Every chosen sinner must be saved! We rejoice in the doctrine of God's electing grace. Without God's election there would be no salvation. Because of his electing love, salvation is sure to all who trust Christ.