July 6^th, 2014

Today’s Services:

9:30 am ­............................................................................A Sinner of The Worst Sort Saved -- Matthew 17:14-21

10:00 am .... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... . A Wife For The Son -- Genesis 24

Wednesday: 7:30 pm ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .. Certain Children of Israel -- Daniel 1

Birthdays: July: 6^th -- Henry Sword & Winna Groover, 9^th -- Margaret Torrence, 11^th -- Stan Anderson

14^th -- Daisy Hudson, 19^th -- Mary Parks, 22^nd -- Barbara Ross, 24^th -- Vikki Patton

Sanctification-- By J.C. Ryle, England, 1816-1900

He who supposes that Jesus Christ only lived and died and rose again in order to provide justification and forgiveness of sins for His people, has yet much to learn. Whether he knows it or not, he is dishonoring our blessed Lord, and making Him only half Saviour. The Lord Jesus Christ has undertaken everything that His people's souls require; not only to deliver them from the guilt of their sins by His atoning death, but from the dominion of their sins, by placing in their hearts the Holy Spirit; not only to justify them, but also to sanctify them. He is, thus, not only their 'righteousness', but their 'sanctification'

(I Cor.1:30). Let us hear what the Bible says: "For their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified."

" Christ loved the Church, and gave Himself for it; that He might sanctify and cleanse it." "Christ gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." "Christ bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness." " Christ hath reconciled (you) in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, unblameable and unreprovable in His sight." (John 17:19; Eph.5:25; Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 2:24; Col. 1:22).

Let the meaning of these five texts be carefully considered. If words mean anything, they teach that Christ undertakes the sanctification, no less than the justification of His believing people. Both things are alike and provided for in that "everlasting covenant ordered in all things and sure," of which the Mediator is Christ. In fact, Christ in one place is called "He that sanctifieth," and His people, "they who are sanctified" (Heb.2:11).

Trespassers

Yesterday morning when I pulled into the church parking lot, there were 4 cars parked there; none of which belonged to church members here. I must admit to having very bad thoughts toward these trespassers (let the air out of their tires or worse). These people , with total disregard to private property, took it upon themselves to park where they would, without permission. In a show of presumption, pride, and blatant disrespect for the property owners, they just did as they pleased. And I'm sure they all reasoned that since there were so many it would be okay, i.e. safety in numbers. By law, I could have had all those cars removed. You say, 'it's not as bad as all that.' No, it's not. In fact, if I had been here, and they had asked permission, I would have gladly let them park here. But this is a good illustration of how men and women trespass in a much more serious way . . . trespassers against God.

All the inhabitants of this earth, who use God's earth, who take from it and claim it for their own are TRESPASSERS. "The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof" (Ps.24:1). It all belongs to Him, and any and all who do not "Ask, seek, knock, call . . . on the name of the Lord" are trespassers. Any and all who do not ask Him for mercy, all the while rebelling against Him, are rebels and trespassers and should be shot on sight. Any and all who are not thankful, who do not give God all the glory, but are presumptuous, proud, arrogant and blatantly demanding and rebellious; if they continue that way and do not repent and ask forgiveness, will indeed be destroyed. And though the whole world reject God, there is no strength or truth in numbers, but all who continue to trespass against Him will be destroyed by the Lord of Heaven and earth.

Here is the amazing mercy and grace of our God. All He requires of us human beings is to acknowledge Him (worship, praise, thank Him), and worship, believe and follow His Son. He said: "Come now and let us reason together." Though we ought to be destroyed for our rebellion, God in great mercy spares some of these trespassers; in great grace sends His Holy Spirit to them, convicting them of their trespasses and sins against their God; revealing their Sin offering and Substitute (Christ) to them; and causes them to come to Him for pardon and forgiveness in His Son. Once rebellious trespassers, now asking His will, His permission and His blessing for all things. Though once fearless, presumptuous and unthankful; now fear Him, call upon Him and thank Him for everything.