May 30, 2010
Sundays 7:00 am Channel 27 WKYT
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 OF THE DAY
Precious Saviour, friend of sinners
We, as such, to Thee draw near
Let Thy Spirit dwell within us
With that love that casts out fear.

Matchless Saviour, let us know Thee
As the Lord our Righteousness
Cause our hearts to cleave unto Thee
Come, and with Thy presence bless.

Open now Thy precious treasure
Let Thy Word here freely flow
Give to us a gracious measure
‘Tis Thyself we long to know.

Come and claim us as Thy portion
Let us all find rest in Thee
Leave us not to empty notions
We would find our hope in Thee!

(Tune: “Jesus Calls Us” p. 374)

*****
We rejoice with Caitie Pennington who will confess Christ in believer’s baptism at the close of the service this evening.

Congratulations to our graduating High School seniors Amanda Carver, Matthew Greenleaf, and Aaron Sligh. We will have a fellowship for them after the service next Sunday evening, June 6th. Bring an appetizer or dessert.

Congratulations also to Sarah Williams and Adam Charron who graduated from the University of Kentucky.

Birthday
1st – Rebekah Vincent 2nd – Audrey Grace Hacker
2nd- Jacob Rigsby 2nd – John Walmsley

“He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.” - Proverbs 17:27-28
*****
It is certainly enjoyable to rejoice. But it is also a sin not to. Not rejoicing is the child of unbelief. We are commanded in Philippians 14:4 to “Rejoice in the Lord alway, and again I say, Rejoice.” And we certainly have reason to rejoice! He reigns! “The Lord reigneth, let the earth rejoice.”
*****
DENYING THE POWER OF GODLINESS
Paul warns us in II Timothy 3:5 of those who “have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof.” On the surface, these people seem to be devoted. They have a form, an outward semblance of true godliness. They read the Bible and pray. They use words like grace, love, and faith. But there is a fatal flaw in their religion. They deny the power of godliness. How does one deny the power of godliness? There are three ways it can be done. (1) The power of godliness is denied when we deny the source of that power: the sovereign grace of God. When salvation is ultimately conditioned upon the will of the sinner rather than the will of God, the source of power is denied (2) The power of godliness is denied when the means through which the power comes is denied. Romans 1:16 says concerning the Gospel message, “It is the power of God unto salvation.” When someone says it is not necessary to preach or hear the true message of the Gospel, the power of the gospel is denied. (3) The power of godliness is denied when the results of that power are denied. When we give sinners some hope that they are saved when they have not bowed to and willingly embraced the Gospel, and when they have not “denied self, taken up their cross, and followed Him”, we are guilty of denying the power of godliness.
May God in His mercy deliver us from this great crime of denying the power of godliness!

*****
Christ is not valued nor His grace appreciated until men have a genuine knowledge of their misery, helplessness, and lost condition because of sin. When sin is sin indeed, then grace is grace indeed, and Christ is Christ indeed. If men have a superficial sense of sin, they have a superficial faith in Christ. – Thomas Manton

WHAT ABOUT YOU
“I am not satisfied with my faith,” says one. No, of course you aren’t nor will you ever be; at least I hope not! The Bible does not say, “Therefore being satisfied with our faith we have peace with God.” It says, “Being justified by faith we have peace with God.”
“I am not satisfied with my repentance.” That is wonderful! What would you do with your repentance if you were satisfied with it? Would you find peace in repentance? Oh, what pride and self-righteousness must be in any person who is satisfied with his repentance and faith! That person could never find true peace, for such a refuge of lies must fall.
“I am not satisfied with my love.” What? Did you expect on this earth, to be satisfied with any grace found in you? Was it your love for Christ or His love for you that gave you peace at first?
Now then, there is but one thing with which Almighty God is satisfied – and that is the Person and work of His Son. It is with Christ that we must be satisfied, not with ourselves, nor anything about us! When we cease from ALL our labors, and ALL our righteousness, and ENTER INTO HIS REST, pardon and peace will come without delay.
- Horatius Bonar
*****

The marginal reading of Mark 11:23 “have faith in God” is “have the faith of God.” Have the faith that comes from God. Have the same faith God has. He trusts His Son completely. He knows that whatever He wills, is! In the very next verse, the Lord says regarding that man who asks for something in prayer, “…and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass, he shall have whatsoever he saith.” That is the faith of God!


*****

A doctrine is not true because I believe it or because you believe it; it is true only if God says it! I do not ask whether you believe what I preach; perhaps you do not. but I ask you to search the Scriptures and determine whether these things be so. I am not afraid to submit my belief in God immutable sovereignty, man’s total fall and ruin, God’s elective grace, Christ’s effectual atonement, the Spirit’s invincible call, and the perseverance of the sheep to the word of God!
-Pastor Henry Mahan