CALL TO WORSHIP

(Tune: He Leadeth Me)

Hark! How the Gospel trumpet sounds!

Christ and free grace therein abounds;

Free grace to such as sinners be,

And if free grace why not for me?

The Saviour died and by His blood

Brought rebel sinners near to God;

He died to set the captives free,

And why, my soul, why not for thee?

Thus Jesus came the poor to bless,

To clothe them with His righteousness;

That robe is spotless, full and free,

And why, my soul, why not for thee?

Eternal life by Christ is giv'n,

And sinful men are raised to heav'n;

Then sing of grace so rich and free,

And say, my soul, why not for thee?

Bible Study 10 AM. "God's Providence in Salvation-#2" 1 Samuel 16:14

Today's Speaker: Brother Jim Casey will conduct the 11:00 am service today. Pray for him as he delivers God's word.

Radio Broadcast: Sunday morning at 9:30am on 98.7 FM -WISK. You can also hear the sermons on your computer. Just click on http://www.americusradio.com/

Birthdays: Kedrial Riggins - July 4^th.

ASSURANCE FOUND ONLY IN CHRIST

"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 bring it to God instead of the blood? 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?

There is but one thing with which Almighty God is satisfied--entirely 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 our labors and ALL of our righteousnesses and enter into His rest, pardon and peace will come without delay.

God has given us the Gospel not merely for the purpose of securing us life hereafter, but of making us sure of this life even now. It is a true and sure Gospel; so that he who believes it is made sure of being saved. If it could not make us sure, it would make us miserable; for to be told of such a salvation and such a glory, and yet be kept in doubt as to whether they be ours or not, must render us truly wretched.

--- Horatius Bonar, 1850

(Psalm 22:30-31)

A seed shall serve Him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation. They shall come, and shall declare His righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that He hath done this.

ASSURANCE

Unless there is assurance of salvation based upon the merits of Christ's righteousness, there can be no acceptable obedience and "good" works. Some say assurance of salvation is impossible; others, not impossible but very hard to attain as it takes years of prayer, study and good works. Some even say that assurance is dangerous because it leads to presumption and also a license to sin. Assurance cannot be presumption IF IT IS BASED UPON THE RIGHT GROUND, THE BLOOD AND RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST. Now if it be based upon anything else, it is presumption and leads to bondage and legalism. I do not see how being fully persuaded that a holy and just God loves me with a holy love, and has forgiven me all my sins, has a tendency to evil. That kind of thinking is neither Scriptural nor honoring to God in Christ. Of all truths, the one which will kindle love within me, stimulate me unto good works, motivate me to seek to be conformed to Christ, and abase all pride, is the absolute certainty of salvation by Christ and that God loves me with an everlasting love. Uncertainty in the matter of salvation enfeebles me, darkens me, bewilders me, incapacitates me for service, or, at the best, sets me to striving to work my way into the favor of God under subordinate legal and mercenary motives, which can do nothing but keep me dreading all the days of my life, leaving me, perhaps, at the close, in hopeless darkness.

(copied)