CALL TO WORSHIP
(Tune: “O God Our Help” – p. 10)
(Words by Jim Byrd)

O may the praises of the Lord,
From every heart arise;
Declare the glories of our God,
Who rules o’er earth and skies.

Sing of His great creative work,
By Him the heav’ns were made;
Proclaim the wonders of His might,
Who earth’s foundation laid.

Adore mysterious providence,
By Him all things consist;
Extol His purpose, wise and good,
Whose will none can resist.

Behold Jehovah’s greatest work,
Salvation by His grace;
He gave His Son, the ransom Price,
To save a chosen race.

Declare the praises of our God,
Let none refuse to sing;
Affirm the greatness of the Lord,
Give glory to the King!

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Today: Bible Classes – 10:00 a.m.; Morning Worship – 11:00 a.m.
Messages by Pastor Bill Parker
Television Broadcast: Reign of Grace Television
Sunday morning on WALB-TV @ 9 AM.
Live Streaming – 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. – Sermon Audio web site
Web Sites: Reign of Grace: www.rofgrace.com
Sermon Audio: www.Sermonaudio.com\reignofgrace

From the Pastor

We will serve THE LORD’S SUPPER next Sunday (August 30, 2015). We will have a covered-dish dinner after the worship services.

"But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself!" (John 12:32)

Whenever and wherever Christ is lifted up, then His power to attract is made plain. The elect of God, drawn by a power they have no ability or will to resist, take their places beneath the cross. The uplifting of Christ crucified is God's chosen means to draw to Himself His elect, yet hidden people. The cross is the divine magnet that draws with irresistible force, hearts of steel. So mighty is its magnetic power that it attracts those on whom all other means have failed. – Copied

If salvation in the new birth comes by men and women deciding for Christ of their own “free” wills, then what the Bible says about natural, fallen, sinful men and women, that we are all born spiritually dead in trespasses and sins, that we have no knowledge of or desire for the things of God’s glory in Christ Jesus (John 1:11-13; 3:19-20; Rom. 3:10-18; Eph. 2:1-4, for ex.), is not true. But what the Bible says of all of us by nature is most certainly true. Is what men say true and what God says a lie? “God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar” (Rom. 3:4). Why is it important that we know this? It is for the same reasons that God reveals ALL of salvation by His free, sovereign, unearned grace – “That no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, Who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord” (1 Cor. 1:29-31). We glory, not in our decision for Christ, but in Him and His cross-work alone (Gal. 6:14). Also, we must know this to learn that what we are as chosen, redeemed, regenerated and converted sinners, believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we are only by the sovereign power and grace of Almighty God (1 Cor. 15:10). God will not share His glory with another, not even with His chosen people (Isa. 42:8). – Pastor Bill Parker

O LORD our Lord, how excellent is Thy name in all the earth! Who hast set Thy glory above the heavens. (Psalm 8:1)

How We as Believers Should See Things

Our view of salvation, of holiness, righteousness, faith, repentance, worship, and obedience, even life here on earth as we struggle against the world, the flesh, and the devil, must be founded upon the truth of God’s Word as revealed in the salvation of sinners by His free, sovereign grace through the Lord Jesus Christ. These things can neither be based on the thoughts of natural, unregenerate men, nor even the experiences, opinions, and feelings of regenerate men. In our knowledge and understanding of these serious matters, we must be able to say from Scripture, “Thus saith the Lord.” So it is incumbent upon us as true children of God to heed the instructions given us by our heavenly Father to “strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness” (2 Timothy 2:14-16). This sets all matters in light of the fact that Christ, God manifests in the flesh, must have the preeminence in all these things. He, not us, must be glorified as our whole salvation and our whole lives as sinners saved by grace. This sets all matters in light of our complete salvation freely accomplished, given, and applied to us through the merits of Christ’s blood and righteousness alone, and nothing of what we do for Him. Our faith, repentance, worship, and obedience form no part of the merit of righteousness by which we are justified in God’s sight. It is all Christ crucified, His righteousness imputed to us. All these things are the work of the Holy Spirit in us and are the fruits of Christ’s work for us. This also aids us in avoiding division among us as true brethren when self-serving and self-promoting men set their own opinions and egos above the Word of God and above the fellowship of love and truth. If our view of all these blessings of God’s grace is founded upon HIS Word alone, then we will experience what the psalmist described – “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1)