February 22, 2015

Sunday Worship

Radio WXCC 96.5 fm (internet wxccfm.com) 8:30 A.M.

Radio 98.1 fm; SuddenLink TV (channel 9) 10:30 A.M.

Bible Study 10:30 A.M.

Morning Service 11:15 A.M.

Wednesday Worship 7:00 P.M.

And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee. And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.

Exodus 25: 21-22

FAITH AND WORKS

“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law” (Romans 3:28).

“Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only” (James 2:24).

It may appear that James is contradicting Paul’s statement in Romans 3:28. This is not true! Paul speaks of the justification of the soul before God. James speaks of the justification of our faith before men (verse. 18). Paul speaks of our works as a cause, saying that good works cannot be the cause of justification. James speaks of good works as an effect, flowing from faith and showing the sincerity of faith. Paul warns the legalists and self-righteous who sought acceptance by works. James warns the libertines and worldly who sought acceptance by an empty profession of faith that had no regard for holiness and good works! Pastor Henry T. Mahan

HEARING THE WORD

According to Eli’s instruction, this was to be the answer of young Samuel if he heard the Lord call again in the night …"speak Lord; for thy servant heareth." Thiswas Samuel's response and it is the response and longing of every regenerated saint made sensitive to the voice of the Lord Jesus. The believer truly desires to hear from his great Shepherd as He speaks to the heart through His word. The hearts of God’s sheep burn with gratitude and appreciation for His mercy as He opens unto them the Holy Scriptures. The realization that God Almighty, in the power of His Holy Spirit, through the blessed Scriptures would graciously speak peace and comfort to an undeserving sinner for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ is a glowing ember of joy to the redeemed saint. Truly, He speaks and those that are of the truth hear His voice (John 18:37).

Pastor Marvin Stalnaker

NOT WITH WISDOM OF WORDS

I Corinthians 2: 1-10

While the intellectual may be gifted to discern mechanical things and able to memorize large portions of things he reads and hears he can never by all his gifts come to any understanding of spiritual matters. At best he will dispute, argue, and debate over words. Paul describes them like this, "He is proud knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railing, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. (I Timothy 6: 4-5)

The scriptures are clear. The work of the Holy Spirit in God’s elect is to bring them into submission, reveal to them their ignorance, darkness, inability, and then through his messenger teach them the truth. This is the way God’s elect are called, even those who are wise. Pastor Darvin Pruitt

MY GOD SHALL SUPPLY ALL YOUR NEED (Phil. 4:19)

When Paul was sitting in a Roman prison for preaching the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, he lacked the necessities that he needed to maintain his physical strength. The believers at Philippi found out about Paul’s deplorable circumstances and sent relief to him by the hand of their pastor. Having received the gift from them, he wrote back to them saying, "I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God" (Phil. 4:18). Paul also assured them that the Almighty God would take care of all their need, "My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:19).

Believer, although we have a great need of all spiritual blessings; to ascend and to stand in His presence (Pas 24:3), we can fully rest in this and many other precious promises of our Lord Jesus Christ that He will meet all our need, not according to our puny efforts of religious work, but rather according to His riches in glory by Jesus Christ (Rom.8:32). Although we are poor and needy sinners, yet the Lord thinketh upon us (Psa. 40:17).

We have a great need of pardon and forgiveness from all sin (Rom. 3:23). The Lord Jesus Christ is ready to abundantly pardon His people from all their sin; seeing, that in our room and stead He paid all our indebtedness to God’s offended justice and put away all our sin (Neh. 9:17; Isa. 55:6-7; Jer. 50:20; Eph. 1:7; Heb. 9:26).