1. Praise the blessed Name of Jesus, Prophet, Priest and reigning King; Bow before the mighty Sovereign, Unto Him our praises bring. Hallelujah, He’s our Savior, Let our thanks to Him ascend; Trust Him only for salvation, Jesus Christ the sinner’s Friend.
2. Praise the blessed Name of Jesus, Who upon Mount Calvary; Shed His blood to save His people, Died to set the captives free. Let the ransomed sing His praises, Till we see Him face to face; Then throughout the endless ages, Praise Him for His love and grace.
Today’s Speaker: Eager Avenue Grace Church extends a warm welcome to Pastor Jim Byrd. Jim will conduct both the 10:00 am and 11:00 am services today. Pray for him as he delivers God's Word.
Television Broadcast: Our Reign of Grace Television program is being broadcast on WFXL Fox 31, Channel 4. The program will air every Sunday morning at 11 AM.
Radio Broadcast: Sunday morning at 9:30am on 98.7 FM –WISK. To hear sermons click here
Web Sites: Visit our newly designed web site at: www.rofgrace.com
Birthdays: Tammy Hall – April 13th - Kandice Drake – April 14th
THE STRAIT GATE AND NARROW WAY
"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth to life, and few there be which find it." (Matthew 7:13-14)
The natural man believes there must be something more required for entrance into the kingdom of God than merely the person and work of Christ. "Surely," he reasons, "if I am to be saved, there is some contribution I must make - a law to keep, duty to perform or religious ritual to be observed." But the Scripture declares it is a strait gate and a narrow way; strait and narrow in the sense there is only room for Christ and His justice-satisfying obedience. If you think that your self-righteous deeds, called "filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6), are required for salvation, you are dead wrong. Christ and His work of redemption is the only way of entrance into the kingdom of heaven. In the matter of a sinner’s acceptance before a holy God, there is no room for Christ’s imputed righteousness and the sinner’s manufactured righteousness (which is, in reality, unrighteousness). If God were to permit your righteousness to pass through in addition to Christ’s, He would have to make the gate wider and the way broader, which He will never do.
--- Pastor Jim Byrd
ALTOGETHER LOVELY
"His mouth is most sweet: yea, He is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem" (Song of Solomon 5:16). Put the beauty of ten thousand thousand worlds of paradises, like the garden of Eden, into one; put in all pleasant trees, all pleasant flowers, all pleasant smells, all pleasant colors, all pleasant tastes, all joys, all sweetness and all loveliness together into one. Oh, what a lovely and excellent place that would be! And yet it would be less in comparison to that lovely and dearest well-beloved Christ than one drop of rain to all the seas, rivers, lakes and fountains of ten thousand earths. Yes, "He is altogether lovely!"
--- Samuel Rutherford
THE SALVATION OF THE ELECT
The God of glory, before the world began, graciously chose a people in Christ unto salvation. "But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto He called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14). Concerning these chosen ones, the Shepherd said, "and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand" (John 10:28). The Lord determined that His people would be justified, redeemed, sanctified, regenerated, called, preserved and glorified. Not one of the elect shall perish for God has willed their eternal salvation and has engaged all of His attributes to accomplish that purpose. His sovereignty determined their salvation and will never be frustrated. His wisdom has arranged all things in order to bring every son to glory in a manner consistent with all of the divine perfections. His holiness demanded righteousness and has been satisfied in the life, death and resurrection of their Substitute. His power is invincible and will overcome every obstacle standing in the way of their salvation. His justice has been satisfied in the death of their Redeemer and now demands they all be brought safely home to glory. His everlasting love for them will never be disappointed. The providence of God will bring them to hear the glorious gospel of Christ. The call of God will give them life and grant them repentance from dead works and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The goodness and mercy of God will follow them throughout their pilgrim journey. God’s eternal purpose of salvation shall not fail to be accomplished. "The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand" (Isaiah 14:24). "Salvation is of the LORD" (Jonah 2:9).
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