June 3^rd . 2018

9:30 am ------------------------------------------Two Men Within – Romans 7:14-25

10:00 am ------------------------------------The Gift of Precious Faith – 2 Peter 1:1

Wednesday 7:00 pm --------------------------------Faith & Virtue – 2 Peter 1:1-12

“Thy People Shall Be Willing” (Ps. 110:3).

God’s elect worship and serve Him with willing hearts. We willingly believe, willingly worship, willingly give, and willingly do what we can for the glory of God. It is God Who, by effectual grace makes us willing; but we are willing servants of the most high God! Any worship, service or gift offered to God that is not done with a willing heart is an abomination to Him.

– Scott Richardson

Please Don’t Call Me Reverend

“Who art thou? What sayest thou of thyself.” – John 1:22

I received a piece of mail this week that was addressed to me as Reverend David Eddmenson. I cringe every time I see that title in print or hear it audibly. There is nothing “reverend” about me. The definition of the word “reverend” is: “deserving of deep respect or reverence.” In and of myself I am deserving of one thing and one thing only. I deserve severe judgment and eternal condemnation.

Though the office of a preacher or a pastor is to be respected, and one of honor, the man who occupies the office is no different than any other sinner by nature. We are ALL sinners who “come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) Like Paul I see myself as, “less than the least of all saints.” (Ephesians 3:8) By birth and by practice, there is nothing that would qualify me to be called “reverend.”

Natural and religious men and women love titles. Like the Pharisees of old, they love to be seen, honored, respected and made a fuss over as they walk through the streets of life. They desire to dress and act in a way that draws attention unto themselves and Christ exposed them by saying, “You desire to be honored and respected and to outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.” (Read the whole chapter of Matt. 23)

The true called servant (bond slave) and messenger of God will always distance themselves from flowery titles and the praise of men. The apostle Paul introduced himself in Romans 1:1 as simply, “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God.” When John the Baptist was asked in John 1:22, “Who art thou? What sayest thou of thyself? He answered plain and simply, “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord.”

The child of God does not desire special treatment or honorable titles. Their focus and intention is single-fold. They simply desire to point sinners to the Lord Jesus Christ, who Himself is salvation. Paul said in 1 Corinthians chapter 2, verse 2, “For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” JesusChrist is the preacher’s Master and Message. No, please don’t call me “reverend.” Simply call me David. I’m a servant, a bond slave, just a voice crying in this spiritual wilderness for sinners to trust in Christ alone for salvation. – David Eddmenson

Submit To The Higher Powers -- “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers.” (Rom 13: 1)