December 17^th 2023

9:30 am -----------------------------------The Descent, Conquest & Ascent of Christ – Ephesians 4:8-10

10:00 am ---- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -- Family Worship – Exodus 18:1-12

Wednesday: 7:00 pm ------------------------------- The Gift of Gospel Preachers – Ephesians 4:11-16

To Central Grace: We have been preaching the gospel on the local radio station for nearly 35 years. For many years the radio was a widely used means of communicating to the public. Many, if not most listened to the radio. Times have changed. The computer is now what most use as the means of communication. For this reason, we are discontinuing the radio program. Sunday, December 31^st, will be our last program. Many of you still listen to the program every Sunday morning and it has been a good way to prepare for the morning worship, but we need to use the funds in other ways of getting the gospel out. Thank you for your support of the radio ministry all these years through your prayers, gifts and encouraging words.

“See That Ye Refuse Not Him That Speaketh” – Hebrews 12:25

How Do We Refuse Him That Speaketh? . . .

1. By neglecting to read daily and diligently the Scriptures through which He speaks.

2. By failing to attend public preaching where His Word is faithfully set forth.

3. By failing to comply with the terms of His Gospel and yield ourselves unto His authority.

4. By forsaking the Narrow Way of His commandments and going back again to the world.

5. By abandoning the truth for error--for will-worship, sanctification by your obedience to the law rather than

by Christ the Sanctifier and the Word of his grace. – author unknown

True Humility

True humility is to have a right estimate of one’s self. It is not to deny or underestimate true ability, real knowledge, and obvious gifts. A gifted singer knows he can sing. An intelligent person is aware of his knowledge. A successful businessman knows his business, and an artist knows his skills. It is not humility to speak what one does not truly feel. True humility is born when one discovers the SOURCE of all gifts, talents, and knowledge. “WHO maketh thee to differ?” It is certain that we are different and some have what others do not have in different areas. But the Lord God, in His sovereign will, gives us all that we have. “Without Him we can do nothing.” “A Man can receive nothing except it be GIVEN him from heaven!”

The higher a man grows in the grace of God, the lower he will be in his own eyes. A man who has been introduced to what really happened in the Garden of Eden and what really happened on the cross of Calvary will have no problem with pride and arrogance. Apart from the mercy and grace of God, he knows WHERE he could be and WHAT he could be!

“By the grace of God I am what I am.” – Henry Mahan

What do I have to fear?– By Brady Floyd (son of Eric)

I was at a leadership retreat a few days ago. The instructor had taken us through various activities and exercises when we came to the conclusion of our session. The final discussion would be based on this prompt, “What fears do you have for the future”? After a few minutes of reflection, my peers began describing their fears. Each of which was more dire than the instructor had anticipated. Fears for their family and home. Fears for this nation. Fears of leading an unsatisfied and unaccomplished life. Fears for the upcoming election. Fears of hardships and trials. The instructor struggled as he tried to comfort and console my classmates and was ultimately unsuccessful.

As I sat there, this thought struck me, “What do I have to fear”? What does one of God’s sheep have to fear? Regarding my family and home, Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it (Psalms 127:1). Regarding this nation, Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain (Psalms 127:1). Regarding an unsatisfied and unaccomplished life, Be content with such things as ye have: for He [The Lord] hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee (Hebrews 13:5). Regarding the upcoming election, The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will (Proverbs 21:1). Regarding hardships and trials, Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness (Isaiah 41:10). What about other things I don’t even know I should be afraid of? What about everything else in this life? (Romans 8:28) And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. I ask again, what do I have to fear? Swift cometh this reply: