(TUNE: “MY FAITH HAS FOUND A RESTING PLACE”) CM/DOUBLE WORDS BY JIM BYRD
1. The church of Jesus which He chose, Forevermore she stands; Each of the names of His elect, Are graven on His hands. The Lord who chose her by His grace, Ordained that she would be; Redeemed, forgiven, justified, Safe for eternity.
2. Christ came to save His chosen bride, And cleanse her from all stain; And when redemption’s work was done, Went to His throne again. Though all defiled by sin and shame, No goodness we possess; Yet pure before the law we stand In Christ our Righteousness.
3. Though troubles will befall the church, And Satan shall oppose; Yet all the ransomed church shall rise, Triumphant o’er her foes. Soon all the saints in garments white, Will see the Savior’s face; And sing the praises of the Lamb, Who saved her by His grace.
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.
Fellowship Meal: Immediately following the 11am service today, we will have a fellowship meal. All are invited to attend.
Television Broadcast: Our Reign of Grace Television program is being broadcast every Sunday morning on WALB-TV @ 9 AM.
Radio Broadcast: Sunday morning at 10:30 am on Mix 107.7 FM
I have seen a lot of books over the years with titles something like this, “John Smith on The Atonement.” They record the various views and opinions of men on what the death of Christ was about, who He died for and what His death accomplished. But if we really want to know the truth concerning these things, we must go to Christ Himself! We must go to HIS book. In the Bible we find one sentence statements spoken by Christ that speak volumes concerning His death. Such is His statement in John 10:11: “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” Then again in verse 15 He states His doctrine on His atoning work: “As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.” Men may be divided on the atonement but Christ is not. His, rather than being a universal death to make salvation from sin possible for all, is a particular death for a particular people, “my sheep.” He did not die to get them but already possessed them! He calls them “MY sheep” before He dies for them because they were a people chosen of God and given to Him in the everlasting covenant before the world began. As their Shepherd, all responsibility in saving them and keeping them was committed to Him alone. In order to do this, in order to save them from their sins, He must do that which was necessary to save them, pay the penalty for their sins. That penalty before the justice of God who must punish sin, was death. Not just a general death but a particular death in their place and as their Substitute. He gives His life “FOR the sheep.” He does this for them to the full satisfaction of God in every way by it accomplishes both the Father’s will and their full salvation. The Father loves Him for this and has exalted Him for this. The very resurrection of Christ is the open testimony of God that He has accepted this sacrificial work by which the Lord Jesus Christ lived up to His name to “save His people from their sins.” (Matt. 1:21) But someone will say, “How do I know if He died for me?” Well, these He came into to the world to save are called “sinners.” Sinners incapable of saving themselves who are brought by God to cease from their doing to save themselves and to rest and trust in what Christ has already done! The sheep hear His voice say in His gospel, “It is finished.”
--- Gary Shepard
OUR INTERCESSOR
"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" (Romans 8:34). Our Lord Jesus Christ has fully accomplished His great work of redemption, substitution and sacrifice. He has already suffered, bled and died, "the Just for the unjust to bring us to God" (1 Peter 3:17). Christ did not remain in heaven, pitying us from a distance, but came and was "obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" (Philippians 2:8) by which He put away our sins, saved us from the curse of the law, justified us by His imputed righteousness and rescued us from Satan’s captivity. He arose, ascended and now sits at the right hand of the majesty on high.
Though the reconciliation of His people is finished, Christ is still active in heaven for us as our Intercessor. We have a glorious Advocate and Mediator between God and us, One who is always representing us and our eternal interests before the Father. He sees to it that the benefits of His death are applied to all those for whom they were designed. It is because of Him that we are constantly accepted by the Father, for God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, always mindful of the blood of His Son. Christ prays for us, not to supplicate an angry Judge, for God’s anger against our sins has been pacified by the Savior’s death, but rather He prays that we will be provided with daily supplies of mercy and grace, and His prayers are always answered. As the Old Testament high-priest carried the names of the tribes of Israel upon his breastplate and shoulders, so our Great High-Priest carries the names of all His elect upon His heart, the place of love, and upon His shoulders, the place of power and authority. When we worship and serve the Lord, He presents those feeble efforts to the Father and our worship and service is made acceptable to God by Him. We are closely monitored by our Savior so that He is always aware of every detail of our lives and sees to it that all things fulfill His purpose and work together for our spiritual good. Christ our Elder Brother is our Intercessor in the court of heaven, and He represents all of His earthly brethren. "What a Friend we have in Jesus!"
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