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?

Today’s Speaker: Eager Avenue Grace Church extends a warm welcome to Pastor Bill Parker. Bill 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 web site at: www.rofgrace.com

Also visit us at: www.Sermonaudio.com\reignofgrace

Birthdays: Debra Riggins – Oct. 22^nd , Mike Lee – Oct. 24^th - Jim Casey – Oct. 27^th

IN THE STEAD OF

Abraham received a divine command to offer his son as a burnt offering (Genesis 22:2). When all things were ready - the location reached, the altar built, the wood laid in order, Isaac bound and laid on the altar - Abraham raised the sacrificial knife to carry out the command. But the Lord stopped him from killing Isaac, and a ram was offered, “for a burnt offering in the stead of his son” (verse 13). What kind of justice would have required Abraham, after he offered the ram, to also kill Isaac? Of course that would have been no justice at all for the ram died in the stead of Isaac.
Christ came into this world to “give His life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). As the ram died in the stead of Isaac, so the Savior died in the stead of His chosen people. The law of God demanded death for our sins, and a fit and worthy Substitute rendered to justice that which it required. It was the death of the Lord Jesus that enabled God to be “a just God and a Savior” (Isaiah 45:21). If Christ has paid my debt of sin, then no debt of sin remains; if He has put away my guilt, then no guilt lingers; if He brought in everlasting righteousness for me, then divine justice finds me to be perfect in Christ, “THE LORD MY RIGHTEOUSNESS.” Bless His Name, God has given to me “a good hope through grace” (2 Thessalonians 2:16). It is true that I am a sinner, but I am a sinner in whose stead the Son of God has died, and I am assured of this for He has brought me to cast my poor soul and all of its concerns upon the dear Savior. He is all my hope, my salvation, my righteousness and my life. I have no confidence in myself, my feelings, my experience, my knowledge, or my faith. My hope rests in the person, the blood and the righteousness of Jesus Christ my Substitute. I find, therefore, that the justice of God, which once brought fear to my soul, is a very heart-comforting truth for I know there is no possibility that any sinner can perish in whose stead Christ has died. Justice would never allow it.

--- Pastor Jim Byrd

JUDGMENT AND MOTIVATION

One of the most comforting truths revealed in God’s Word is the truth of judgment when it applies to true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. The fact is that for believers, sinners saved by the grace of God in Christ, the judgment day is not future – it is past. Indeed, when Jesus Christ died on the cross, He was judged and punished by Almighty God for all of our sins and for all of our transgressions – sins past, sins present, sins future. Because Jesus Christ bore the judgment of God in our room and stead, we who trust in Him for all salvation will not face God’s wrath on the final day. Therefore, when we appear before God’s throne on the day of judgment, we will not hear words of condemnation. Rather, because of Christ’s saving work on our behalf, because of His redeeming blood and His righteousness imputed to us, we will hear words of blessing – “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into that kingdom which has been prepared for you from before the creation of the world” (Matthew 25:21). Many object to this as they believe it will lead to a life of sin. They believe the threat of judgment must be held over people in order to motivate them in obedience. This is not the case with God’s people in Christ. For God’s people, the grace of God that reveals salvation freely given to us in Christ also powerfully motivates in the obedience of faith in following Christ. Confidence in Christ at the judgment and assurance of salvation through His blood and righteousness alone is a great inspiration for obedience to the true children of God.

--- Pastor Bill Parker

Had our own righteousness any part or share in clothing us in our justification, how could the righteousness of another be said to be imputed to us, or Christ be said to be the Lord our righteousness, or be made of God unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption (I Cor. 1:30). As Christ was not made sin for us by any sin inherent in Him, so neither are we made righteous by any righteousness inherent in us, but by the righteousness of Christ imputed to us.