September 11^th 2022

9:30 am ---------------------------------------- Message by Patrick Holland

10:00 am ------------------------------------------ Message by John Sheesley II

Before Sermon….During Sermon….After Sermon– by Henry Mahan

There is not one heart alive that does not need to be prepared to worship, to enter into the presence of God, and to hear the Word of God for this hour. We would do well to rise a little earlier, to read the Scriptures, and to arrive at the house of God in time to get our greetings over with and prepare to worship the King in an attentive and prayerful fashion.

During the sermon, with the open Bible before us, we should give the most sincere attention to the minister. Let our eyes, ears, and thoughts be directed to the message not to those about us. The birds of night use every subtle means to rob us of the life-giving seed. A crying infant, a late comer, a sleeping companion, a slip of the tongue by one who speaks - any and all things are used to make one turn attention from the Word.

And I am certain that many serious impressions have been lost through the idle chit-chat and foolish talk after the sermon. We feel that we must talk, and I suppose that we must, for we cannot stand around and stare at one another. Love and fellowship must be expressed. But wouldn't it be more profitable for us to direct our conversation toward the message, the Scriptures, the mercies and blessings of God in Christ? That our hearts not wander from spiritual impressions made by the Word!

Not All Have Obeyed The Gospel

“ But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias (Isaiah) saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?” – Romans 10:16

Unbelief is a fact that every saint must come to grips with, especially those who are called to the public ministry of Christ. Not everyone who hears the gospel believes the gospel and those that believe not shall be damned. (Mark 16: 16)

When I look into the faces of our young adults and the faces of others who can hear with total disregard, with no interest, and hear as though the Lord will give them this privilege forever, it makes cold chills run down my back. Families, mothers, daughters, sons or wives come, but in unbelief, withdraw themselves from the assembly. There have been many through the years. The road to reprobation has its beginning in suppressing the light of revelation. God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness.

They hear it, understand it, and they will not receive it, obey it or believe it. For this cause God shall send them strong delusion that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasures in unrighteousness. (II Thessalonians 2: 11-12) As the unbelieving Jews received the curse of God, our Lord bowed His head and said, "I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and the prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight. (Matthew 11: 20-26)

You cannot help those who will not receive your help. Those who will not hear the gospel close the door of mercy and according to the scriptures, have nothing but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation which shall devour the adversaries. (Hebrews 10: 27) -- Darvin Pruitt

To Those Who Make Light of Preaching