August 17, 2008

Sunday 10:00am WLEX TV Channel 18
It is requested that all children under the age of five stay in our nursery
so there will be no distractions during the preaching of the Gospel.


HYMN FOR THE DAY
Prepare me, gracious God
To stand before Thy face
Thy Spirit must the work perform
For it is all of grace.

In Christ’s obedience clothe
And wash me in His blood
So shall I lift my head with joy
Among the sons of God.

Do Thou my sins remove
Thy sovereign love make known
The spirit of my mind renew
And save my in20Thy Son.

Let me attest Thy power
Let me Thy goodness move
Till my full soul can hold no more
Of everlasting love.

(Tune: “I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord” p. 188)

*****

Bob Coffey will bring the message this morning and Brian Dufour will speak tonight. I am on vacation this week and will return Saturday, Lord willing. Don Fortner will preach Wednesday evening.

Birthdays
18th – Molly Mohr 18th – Adam Peters 19th – Nora Imes
19th – Allison Vincent 19th – Sharon Vincent 21st – Mark Ham
23rd – Rych Byrd 23rd – Mike Carver

“Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.” - Proverbs 24:1

WHY THE ELECT LOVE ELECTION

The elect love election! That is a fact. When they were unregenerate they had no love for or understanding of election. But when God saves them they become lovers of this holy Truth. Here are two reasons why they love election. (1) Because they love the God of election. Election gives God all the glory in salvation, and that is the heart desire of every believer. (2) Election teaches that God’s salvation is all of grace, and that gives hope to helpless sinners. The elect know enough about their sin to know that if God did not choose them, they could not have possibly been saved. Election gives Christ all the glory in salvation and declares a salvation that is all of grace. That is why the elect love election. Thank God for election!



*****


Paul the Apostle said, “Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the Gospel: not with20wisdom of words, less the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.” We do not want to be offensive in our presentation of the Gospel. However, if we try and present the Gospel in a way that we think will make it easier to swallow, and more appealing to the flesh, all we do is nullify its power. We do not need to use wisdom of words to dress it up in such a way that makes it smoother and easier for men to receive nor do we need to use language that tones down the stark reality of what the Gospel says. We do not apologize for the Gospel. We preach it in its naked simplicity, trusting God to take care of all the results! Paul said, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ. For it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.”



*****


I can still recall the first night Lynn and I slept in our first house. We did not realize we were so close to a railroad track. I can still remember how loud that train sounded! But within a few months, it got to where I didn’t even notice it. Could that be the way some of us are toward hearing the Gospel? There is not a more dreadful state than being “Gospel hardened”.

THE BASICS ABOUT BAPTISM
1. WHAT IS BAPTISM? It is an ordinance of God (one of only two, the Lord’s supper being the other) given for a confession of faith and a symbol of salvation through the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (Mark 16:16; Col. 2:12; Rom. 6:3).
2. WHO IS TO BE BAPTIZED? Not infants and not unbelievers. Believers only should be baptized; all those who believe with all their heart that “Jesus Christ is the Son of God” should not be hindered (Acts 8:26-38).
3. WHY SHOULD ALL BELIEVERS BE BAPTIZED? Primarily because Christ commands it! It is not optional but simply a matter of obedience to our Lord. Consequently, it is also encouraging to the new believer who is being baptized and edifying to the rest of the church (Matt. 7:21-23; Matt. 10:32-33; Rom. 10:9-10).
4. WHEN SHOULD BELIEVERS BE BAPTIZED? A very singular answer here – immediately! Upon bowing in faith to the Lordship of Christ (Acts 2:38-41; Acts 9:18; Acts 16:31).
5. HOW SHOULD BELIEVERS BE BAPTIZED? The word “baptize” is not a complicated word; it means “to dip or plunge into”, thus, immersion is the ONLY mode of baptism. Also, this was the method used by our Lord Himself and the Apostles.
– Pastor Bruce Crabtree



*****

Kindness is never wrong. Meanness is always wrong! If I am kind to a fallen man, does that mean that I condone his fall? Of course not! It means I know what it is to fall, and I want to help the fallen.
Some attempt to excuse their meanness toward others under the guise of loving the truth, maintaining church discipline, and reproving sin. But these things never excuse or condone any lack of kindness. Our danger is being self righteous to the point of meanness. God give me grace to be kind to sinners like myself. Amen!
- Pastor Don Fortner