September 9^th . 2018

9:30 am Bible Study & 10:00 am Service -----------------------------------Messages by Brother Eric Floyd

Pure and Free Grace – By Maurice Montgomery

After many years of studying and preaching, meditation and observation, I think the Lord is beginning to show me just a little something of what He and Paul meant by the “offense of the cross” (Matthew 11: 6; Galatians 5: 6). The message of the cross (Christ crucified, I Cor. 1: 23; 2: 2) is of such PURE GRACE, that once the gist of it is perceived, it will inevitably offend man’s pride. Like a “two-edged sword” (Heb. 4: 12), it verily decapitates the sinner’s natural pride and self-righteousness, before ever clothing him in the perfect righteousness of the Lord Jesus (II Cor. 5: 21).
PURE GRACE spits in the face of those human distinctions wherein men judge one another and commend themselves to themselves and others. Every man stands on the same level before the gospel—“dead in trespasses and sins” (Eph. 2: 1). It pays no respect to prince or president because of his honor, or the wisest philosopher because of his learning, or the moralist because of his upright conduct, or to the religious man on account of his zeal and devotion. No, my friends, in the eyes of God’s justifying grace, that religious man who appears to be “as clean as a hound’s tooth” and the drunken pervert lying yonder in his own vomit; that virtuous dedicated mom and the most notorious prostitute stand on the same level!
Oh, “the offense of the cross!” Precious beyond expression, yet so unpalatable and difficult for fallen man to swallow! Each believes that in some way, he is in a better standing with God than are many others. The teetotaler feels certain that God must place a higher premium on him than upon those wretched boozers, while the boozer says, “Sure, I get looped occasionally, but at least I’m not a self-righteous hypocrite like those teetotalers,” and he feels sure that God must

be pleased by his honesty.
Have you learned the gospel of PURE GRACE? Have you experienced its power? If so, you have learned two things : (1.) The only qualification any sinner has to apply for God’s mercy is his sin and guilt and (2.) The only hope any sinner has of receiving God’s mercy is the gospel of PURE, FREE GRACE—unmerited favor.

Since God is pleased by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe, should we not be continually urging the lost to come hear the Gospel? May God be pleased to open doors for us to go to this dying world and compel men and women to come to Christ. -- David Eddmenson

Behold Me

We come into this world crying for attention, literally. As we grow older and more independent, our desire for the eyes of men only get worse. We have perfected the art of calling attention to ourselves with modern day social media. It all goes back to our perverted desire to be like God. (Gen. 3:5). For God says, “Behold me. Behold me”. Is. 65:1. What is the difference when God says, “look at me” and when we say it? For us it is a desperate attempt to shore up our feelings of insecurity with the approval of men. It is filled with pride and self-righteousness. When God says, “Behold me”, it is a gracious call for sinners be saved. -- Greg Elmquist

“‘Be ye holy’ is the great and fundamental law of our religion.” -- Matthew Henry