We will serve the LORD’S SUPPER following the messages this morning. All believers are invited to participate in this blessed memorial service as we remember our Lord’s body and death for our sins and what He accomplished for our complete salvation by God’s grace. Afterwards we will serve lunch in our fellowship hall. All are invited to eat with us.
----------0----------
AN ORDINANCE FOR SAVED SINNERS
If you claim to believe in Jesus Christ for all salvation, forgiveness, righteousness, eternal life and glory, but are still looking for something within yourself for worthiness and qualification to take the Lord’s Supper, I hope you do not find it. For if you do it will only cause you to look away from Christ and His merits and promote pride within yourself. This in essence is a denial of Christ. Just as salvation is for sinners and by the grace of God based on the merits of Christ, the Lamb slain for our sins, the Lord’s supper is an ordinance for sinners saved by grace through the merits of Christ. The believer’s right and title to partake of the Lord’s Supper is the same as his right and title to salvation and the whole inheritance of grace. It is the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ as his Surety and Substitute found only in His the virtue and power of His blood, His righteousness imputed. This is an ordinance for believers, and believers are those who have been brought by the Holy Spirit to face the reality of their sin which leaves them with no worthiness in themselves. They have been brought by the Holy Spirit to the only Divine remedy for sin – Jesus Christ crucified, the Lord our Righteousness. Those who are qualified to take the Lord’s Supper are those who sing the song of the redeemed – “WORTHY IS THE LAMB THAT WAS SLAIN” (Rev. 5:12).
– Pastor Bill Parker
----------0----------
Our godly lives and good works do not merit salvation in any way, to any degree, at any time or stage of our lives as sinners saved by grace. They contribute absolutely nothing to the righteousness in which we stand justified before God, the imputed righteousness of Christ. Our works, however, do say a lot about us – our faith in, love for, and gratitude and dedication to the Lord Who has saved and Who keeps us. – Copied
THE WEDDING GARMENT
“And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:11-14). The wedding garment of in Matthew 22 has been a subject of much anxiety to many precious souls. The general belief is that it is Christ’s person, work and righteousness. Hence the church is represented as singing, “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord: my soul shall be joyful in my God, for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels” (Isaiah 61:10). This is what the Lord Jesus counseled the church of Laodicea to buy of Him, “white raiment, that she might be clothed” (Revelation 3:18). Hence, therefore, what is the garment, but Christ’s righteousness, in which all the faithful are clothed, when justified in the perfect salvation of the Lord? — Robert Hawker
----------0----------
“BUT THE SHEEP DID NOT HEAR THEM”
Sometimes I forget that it is not up to me to keep the Lord’s sheep. As an under-shepherd of some of Christ’s sheep I cannot but be jealous over you with a Godly jealousy, watching over your souls, seeking to feed you with His word and protect you from spiritual danger. I’m like a mother fretting over her children. I have found great consolation and relief in the Good Shepherd’s words in John 10:8. He speaks of such dangers and says, “All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers...” The same is true of the many “shepherds” set forth by religion today. But here is my delight, “but the sheep did not hear them.” Glory to God, His sheep, because of His grace and power to them, hear HIS VOICE! I pray that I do not err concerning what I speak to them but if I do, they will not hear but will hear the voice of the Shepherd in His word and follow HIM! -- Pastor Gary Shepard