Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me. The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands. Psalm 138:6-8

PASTOR’S NOTE
Our annual summer meeting with pastors Todd Nibert and Paul Mahan is only four weeks away, July 23-25. Let us each pray for the services that the Lord will be magnified in all things.

CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to Brian and Allison Francis in the recent birth of their son, Mattox. He weighed 7 lbs. and 3 ounces…we give thanks unto the Lord for the safe delivery and for their healthy son.

SINCERE SYMPATHY
Our sincere sympathy is extended to Tom Runyon and family in the recent death of his sister, Annette Dotson.

Also, our sympathy is extended to the Davis family in the recent death of David Brown. He was 52 years old.

THE DAY OF JUDGMENT
I can imagine the day of judgment. All are gathered before the throne of God. Those who are robed in the perfect robe of Christ's righteousness are gathered to His right hand. The rest wait to hear His voice of condemnation, "Depart from Me!" Does anyone have anything to say? If there be one who has no sin, let him step forth and say so. Come forth, my friend, and state your case! What about the righteousness and holiness in which you boasted while on earth? Come forward and tell about your works, your gifts, your denomination; you found much comfort in those things once. You who scoffed at substitution, who laughed at free grace, imputed righteousness and covenant mercies ---you are not laughing now! Why is your face so pale? Why do you tremble so? You never trembled before but always had so much confidence in your decision and boasted of being as sure for heaven as if you were already there! Why do you not tell God what you did for Him on earth? It is quite evident that He did nothing for you. But I remember that you said, "God has done all that he could do and salvation is up to you."

What a terrible time to discover what you should have known, "SALVATION IS OF THE LORD!" "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us." Why do you not speak? Is it because of the awesome, infinite "HOLINESS, OF HIS PRESENCE"? You clutch your righteous garments about you and they are nothing but filthy rags now, and you know it! You think of your prayers, your religious activities, your debates over doctrine; and they are all so much rubbish in the light of His presence. And now you are praying? What is it that you cry? "O rocks and mountains, fall on me, and hide me from the face of Him that sits upon the throne." I wish that you had cried as fervently for Christ to hide you, cleanse you, and cover you ---HE WOULD HAVE! Thomas Brooks said, "The preaching of this and that opinion may please a man's fancy, but it is only the preaching of Christ that changes a man's heart.” Pastor Henry Mahan

THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS
"Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins" (Acts 13:38).

Forgiveness and pardon from all sin will only interest you if you consider yourself to be guilty before God. Our Lord said, "they that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick" (Matt. 9:11). There is but one exclusive method by which God pardons sin, "through this man." God will pardon sin, but not apart from this man, Jesus Christ our Lord and His appointed, suitable sacrifice for sin (Heb. 2:17). All of the sin of God's elect were so charged to Christ Jesus (2 Cor.5:21) and He so completely made satisfaction for them (1 Peter 3:18), that all who receive Him by God given faith shall never perish (John 10:27-30; Rom. 8:1). Here are four important Biblical facts about the pardon of sin in Christ.

1). It is full and complete pardon. His precious blood does not atone and put away some of the sins of God's people. It is complete and full for all who by grace do believe (Acts 15:11). This is the plain record of holy scripture, "If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin" (1John 1:7; Col. 2:13; Heb.10:17).

2). It is free and sovereign pardon. It is true that it cost God our Saviour a tremendous price, He shed His blood and gave His life as a sacrifice to God's justice to put away sin (Acts 20:28). However, pardon of sin to the believer is absolutely free, "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Rom. 8:32; Rev. 21:6; 22:17).

3). It is irreversible and eternal pardon. Those who God pardons will never stand before the throne of God charged with sin, "Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us" (Rom. 8:33-34). He saves us with an everlasting salvation (Isa. 45:17). He redeemed us with an eternal redemption (Heb. 9:12). He gives unto His sheep eternal life and they shall never perish (John 10:27-30).

4). It is present and immediate pardon. Can we know that we have this perfect pardon from God, that we are accepted in the Beloved now? Here is the promise of scripture, "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace " (Eph. 1:7; Rom. 5:8-11; 1 John 3:1).