January 17^th, 2016

9:30 am Bible Stud-------------------------------------- No Respect of Persons – James2:1-9

10:00 am Service--------------------- Let These Be Our Last Words – 2 Samuel 23:1-6

Nursery Today: Second Service: Wendy Alt. – Margaret

Cleaning Schedule: This Week: Kesses, Next Week: Hollands

­­­­­­­­­­­Birthdays: January 18^th – Cody Groover, 31^st -- Robin Pendry

JESUS CHRIST THE SAME -- “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” -- Hebrews 13:8

One of our hymns says: “Change and decay in all around I see – O Thou who changest not, abide with me!” Peter wrote: “But the end of all things is at hand.” But that One I need the most, says; “For I am the Lord, I change not.” The Same Purpose – Many people resolved to start or stop something when this new year began, they may or may not succeed. But our great God and Savior shall not fail! He is still in the heavens, doing whatsoever He has pleased. What He has promised, He is able to perform. Who shall prevent Him? His word has never returned to Him void, but has always accomplished that which He pleased. And it always will. Many today talk about a god who can't have his way, but that's not the God of the Bible. Saints in heaven as well as saints here rejoice to know that the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. The Same Grace – How we thank God for His free, sovereign, reigning grace. Nothing else can give this sinner a good hope except the grace of God that is in Christ Jesus. My everlasting salvation is in no way dependent upon me. His grace has kept me to this day and will not let me go. My heart rejoices in this blessed fact. The Lord of heaven and earth has purposed to save this sinner and none can stay His hand. The Lord Jesus Christ paid my ransom with His own precious blood. “Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood shall never lose it's power – Till all the ransomed Church of God be saved to sin no more.” The Same Mighty Savior – Brothers and sisters in Christ, does anyone have more cause to be hopeful in this new year than you? The Lord Jesus has not changed His purpose that all that the Father gave Him be with Him where He is. What a blessed thought! Before we see the close of another year, we may see His face. We may be brought into the presence of Him Who loved us and gave Himself for us. And He that sits upon the throne will wipe away all our tears, and we will never have a reason to cry again. His promise to you this year as always is that He will never leave nor forsake you. With that sure and blessed hope I say to you, Happy New Year! His grace hath brought me safe thus far – And grace will lead me home – Larry Criss, Pastor, Sylacauga, Alabama

The Total Depravity of Man

I wish to warn you against some of the prevailing errors of the time, lest you, being “led away . . . from your own stedfast-

ness” should follow after the “diverse and strange doctrines” of these last days. So it was necessary to dwell upon those errors which have been most prominently advanced, and to open up those truths which have been most perverted and denied.

My appeal is to the Word of God. What are the reasonings, or opinions, or inferences of men? “What is the chaff to the wheat?” saith the Lord. Let the Bible decide each question.

The real question of the present day is just this, Is man a totally and thoroughly depraved being by nature? Is he ruined, helpless and blind, dead in trespasses and sins? Many other questions have arisen, but this is the central one. . . It is upon the truth of this doctrine that the whole Bible proceeds.

Man being so thoroughly depraved in nature, is it possible, I ask, to save him without a special and direct intervention of the Father, Son and Spirit, in man’s behalf? In other words, can he be saved in any way which does not involve personal election by the Father, particular redemption by the Son, and direct, immediate, overcoming operation of the Holy Spirit?

You will find that the objections urged against God’s sovereignty and man’s helplessness, are just different manifestations of human pride . . . the pride into which Satan tempted Adam, “ye shall be as gods”, and into which pride all his offspring

Have fallen along with him. Man will not consent to be nothing, that God alone may be all.