CALL TO WORSHIP (Tune: “Immortal Invisible” – p. 34) (Words by Gary Shepard)
Sweet mercies of Jesus, I find my delight. My hope in the morning, my song in the night. Whatever He sends me, I know it’s from Him. Both sorrow and joy, till this life shall end.
Sweet grace of the Savior, I find my delight. The grace of the Sovereign, to give is His right. The grace that now reigneth, in righteousness true. The grace everlasting, the covenant new.
Sweet peace of the GodMan, whose blood has prevailed; And reconciled fully, when to the cross nailed. Sin now made an end of, salvation so free. Sweet blessings, sweet prospect, sweet gospel to me.
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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
All Hail the Power – p. 42 Praise the Savior – p. 51
DO I LIVE BY THE BIBLE?
When I read newspapers, books, and even when I browse the internet on social media, I find many, many people still quote the Bible. And this is a good thing as the wisdom and precepts of God’s Word are good words by which we should all live. Also, it shows God’s sovereign and good providence involved in the lives of people as the Bible still has some influence over society. Some may argue that the Bible’s influence grows weaker and weaker, and so many people misinterpret its real message. This is all true. But we must admit it still has some influence in the lives of many people. However, the fact is that people can read, memorize, study, and quote the Bible over and over, but until they are brought by God to see the one and only way of salvation by His grace through the Lord Jesus Christ, it is a closed book as far as salvation is concerned. The apostle Paul wrote to his student and fellow-laborer Timothy of “the holy scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15). The Bible is a book of Jesus Christ Who is the complete salvation of His people (John 5:39). The Bible, like no other book, reveals how all of salvation is by God’s free and sovereign grace through the Lord Jesus Christ and based on the merits of His blood, His righteousness imputed alone. Until men are brought by God to see and believe this message of grace, they cannot and do not live by the Bible.
– Pastor Bill Parker
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CONTENTION
“Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom”
(Proverbs 13:10). Beware of those who seek to divide families, friends or the fellowship of believers by the spreading of slander, innuendo and rumor. Here are more words of wisdom from Solomon on this subject. “Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife. The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly” (Proverbs 26:20-22). —Pastor Jim Byrd
IS GOD A POLITICIAN?
So many people today who call themselves “Christians” have reduced salvation to no more than a cosmic political campaign. Consider a popular slogan found in many so-called “gospel” tracts saying, “God has casts his vote for you. Satan casts his vote against you. You have to cast the deciding vote.” This reduces God to no more than one side of a struggle with Satan for the souls of men. It forces God to resort to “campaign tactics” to sway voters to vote for him and enter heaven. The Gospel then becomes NOT the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes, but merely a tool of human powers of persuasion and the self-elevated wills of men. Is this how salvation for sinners really works? Is this what the Bible teaches? Absolutely not! God’s Word shows us how salvation for sinners is a miracle of God’s sovereign power and grace through the Lord Jesus Christ Who alone has accomplished redemption for His people by establishing the only righteousness whereby God can be just to justify the ungodly. The need of salvation is set forth in the Bible as being for sinners who are spiritually dead in trespasses and sins and who have no will or desire to believe God and submit to His way of salvation by the Lord Jesus Christ. God sends His Spirit to bring sinners under the preaching of Christ and to raise them from the dead by giving them spiritual life which includes a new heart, new mind, new spirit, even a new will and desire for salvation God’s way by grace through faith in Christ. Salvation then is not by the wills (or votes) of men; it is by the sovereign will and power of God – “So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy” (Rom. 9:16); “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12-13). Rest assured, if we truly believe in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, we are products of the sovereign power and will of God. We are not God’s political constituents who have been persuaded by men to vote for Him. We have been raised from the dead; we are miracles of God’s grace!
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