CALL TO WORSHIP A Prayer - Living and Dying [original words to Rock of Ages] by Augustus Toplady
Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee; Let the water and the blood, from Thy wounded side which flow’d, Be of sin the double cure, cleanse me from its guilt and pow’r.
Not the labors of my hands, can fulfill Thy law’s demands; Could my zeal no respite know, could my tears forever flow; All for sin could not atone, Thou must save and Thou alone.
Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling; Naked come to Thee for dress, helpless, look to Thee for grace; Foul I to the fountain fly, wash me, Savior, or I die.
While I draw this fleeting breath, when my eye-strings close in death; When I soar to worlds unknown; see Thee on Thy judgment throne; Rock of ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee.
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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
Birthdays: William Sparks – Jan. 4th – Jack Cox – Jan. 5th – Jordan Drake – Jan. 5th – Carolyn Hayes – Jan. 9th
Hymns for service: “The Solid Rock” – p. 272 “O God, Our Help in Ages Past” – p. 10
“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18)
“Thou crownest the year with Thy goodness; and Thy paths drop fatness.” (Psalm 65:11)
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Every declaration of God to the sinner is on the principle of grace and gift, not an offer, which implies there is some capability in man to make use of the benefit offered. The offer of salvation is a denial of man’s total depravity as born in Adam’s fall, and "dead in trespasses and sins," it ignores the Gospel truth of the new birth and puts in its place man’s acceptance of the offer as the condition of divine life. -- John Hazelton
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Although we who are saved and preserved by God’s grace in Christ Jesus alone know that our outward behavior does not save us or make us righteous before God, we do realize how important it is that we honor Christ not only in our doctrine but also in our walk. Consider the following article –
WHAT KIND OF AN EXAMPLE?
“Ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia” (1
Thessalonians 1:7). We are all examples to those around us. We may be good or bad examples, but rest assured, we are examples to our family, friends, acquaintances, co-workers, other saints and even to some with whom we have no known association. The old adage is true, “no man is an island.” I doubt any of us realize how closely we are observed by some people. May the Lord enable us to conduct ourselves in such a way as to “adorn the doctrine of God our Savior is all things” (Titus 2:10). May we manifest to others how vital the gospel of grace and the things of Christ are to us. Let us demonstrate patience in suffering, contentment when tried, meekness when successful, forgiveness when wronged, boldness when the gospel is opposed, kindness when mistreated and faithfulness to the cause of God continually. I set before you the only truly faithful Man, our dear Savior, the perfect Example. Follow Him. “Christ also hath suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth: Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously” (1 Peter 2:21-23). —Pastor Jim Byrd
Some say that “religion is a crutch.” “True religion,” as James calls it, is that and more. It is the very arms of God under each of my arms. Arms called grace and mercy! They lifted me out of my sin, set my feet on the Solid Rock and carry me every day to eternal glory. Grace and mercy are the arms of God extended to me in the arms of the man Christ Jesus! “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms…” (Deut. 33:27).
-- Pastor Gary Shepard
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“AWAKE TO RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND SIN NOT” 1 Corinthians 15:34
It takes a sovereign and powerful work of God the Holy Spirit for us to see and believe the reality of sin and righteousness. He convinces us that apart from the grace of God in the Lord Jesus Christ, the best we as sinners can do is sin in the sight of God. It is impossible for the natural man to believe that one who seeks to keep the law of God could be asleep as to righteousness and sinning with a high hand. But that is the case with sinners who are trying to establish their own righteousness before God (Rom. 9:31—10:3). The Holy Spirit convinces God’s people that even after salvation, our best efforts still fall short of the perfection of righteousness. He convinces us that righteousness can only be found in the glorious Person and finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ as our Surety and Substitute (Rom. 10:4; Php. 3:3-9). It is only then that we are “awake to righteousness.” God the Holy Spirit causes us to look within ourselves to see our sinfulness, and He drives us continually to Christ for righteousness and acceptance with God. This is the way He brings us to Godly sorrow over our sin and to confess our sins knowing that God is just and faithful to forgive by the blood of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit never commands or motivates us to look within ourselves to find righteousness because within ourselves there is none. He shows us the glory, majesty, grace, love, and power of the Lord Jesus Christ to save, preserve, forgive, and bring us to glory. By this great reality, He motivates us to love Christ, our brethren, our neighbors, and to the obedience of faith and love as we strive to be like Christ and war against the flesh. When He shows us the reality of sin and righteousness, He always causes us to look away from ourselves and look to Christ and Him alone. As the Lord our Righteousness, Christ is our hope and assurance so that even in all our shortcomings and failures, we need not despair. – Pastor Bill Parker
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