April 17 ^th, 2016

9:30 am Bible Study---------------------------------------- The Faith of God’s Elect – Titus 1:1-4

10:00 am Service ---------------------- The Lord’s Day Psalm (Planted in God’s House) – Psalm 92

Nursery Today: Second Service: Wendy B. , Alt. Irene D.

Cleaning Schedule: This week - none , Next Week: Sheesleys

Birthdays: April 17^th – Betty Groover & Emma Holland, 21^st – Jennifer Holland, 22^nd – Richard Kess

Please remember our spring cleanup day, this Saturday, 23^rd. And please give generously to help with some of the added expenses of a bible conference.

An Ideal Church

If your study of the New Testament Church makes you unhappy because you cannot find its counterpart in the world today, or at least in your neighborhood, let me remind you that there were no perfect or ideal churches in the New Testament, except, of course, "That glorious church, without spot or wrinkle, washed in the blood of the Lamb."

The local assemblies which met in various cities and towns during New Testament days were not perfect by any means. Corinth was troubled with divisions which were the results of spiritual immaturity. Colosse was troubled with vain philosophy. Galatia was troubled with the error of salvation by works; other churches had left their first love.

In spite of all these failings, our Lord walked among the golden candlesticks and held the seven stars in His right hand! The Bible points out the defects of these churches not to excuse people from assembling with the church, but to correct error and to exhort believers to a more consistent walk in holiness. The church is the people — "What kind of church would His church be, if all the members were just like me?" We would do well to take these Epistles not only as a pattern for New Testament Churches but also as a pattern for New Testament Christians! -- Henry Mahan

Strangers Keep Out “…There shall no strangers pass through her anymore” -- Joel 3:17

The people that my heart goes out to, more than any others, are they who do not enjoy being in the presence of the Church in its time of meeting together for worship. What is the reason for this? The only answer is that they are “strangers” who pass through with no understanding of the heart worship of those who are vitally united to the blessed Redeemer. Our God has said that He dwells among His people: “I am the Lord your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain.”

Some assemble with the knowledge of His presence, while others merely “go to church.” The day is soon coming when Jerusalem will be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her anymore. Then the church-going will be done. There will be no more the question, “Are we going to Church today?”

Certainly we cannot cast blame on these “strangers”, for we ourselves were as they. I remember those years when “church-goin” got in the way of more important things. Why was that? “Ye were without Christ and strangers from the covenants of promise” (Ephesians 2:12). Would it not be a wondrous thing to have these strangers know our Lord so it could be said of them as we, “now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God” (Eph.2:19)? It would indeed be a miracle of God to see them in Christ as we ourselves.