April 21, 2024
“Is not this the carpenter”? Mk. 6:3
When our Lord revealed Himself as the Christ to His neighbors in Nazareth, this is all they could see. “He’s the carpenter!”. Yes, in God’s perfect order He was a carpenter. Sadly, their eyes and hearts of flesh could not see the real carpentry work He did to save their souls. In the garden, He fashioned from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, the fall and rising again of many in Israel. Lk 2:34. In His incarnation, He laid the ax to the tree of Israel, that a tender Branch shall grow from its root. Is. 11:1. He planted and fashioned His trees of righteousness with a Seed to yield fruit after its own kind. Gen. 1:12 He fashioned Noah’s Ark from gopherwood, and the Ark of the Covenant from shittim wood. In saving Gentiles, He grafted a wild branch into the fatness of the olive tree. Rom. 11:17 Most gloriously, He took the cursed tree of the cross, and by His death made it the Tree of Life. Oh, what a Carpenter He is; “His work is perfect.” Deut. 32:4 ~GE
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The only way we will not harshly judge our brethren is to see ourselves as we really are. An honest view of self will stop us from being harsh to others because an honest view of self shows me that I am the chief of sinners. The chief of sinners has no right to look down his nose at anyone. ~Frank Tate
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Can any man perish more justly than they who refuse to be saved? ~John Calvin
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When all of the redeemed of the Lord are assembled in glory with their great Redeemer, perfected and glorified forever, the only visible evidence of the consequences of sin will be seen on the Redeemer Himself. The wounds inflected upon Him when He delivered Himself to be crucified as the Substitute for sinners to suffer, “The Just One for the unjust,” that He might bring them to God. What an eternal reminder that it is, “By His stripes they are healed!” What amazing love and grace! What an amazing Redeemer – God! ~Maurice Montgomery
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Upcoming Bible Conferences
April 26-28 Hurricane Road Grace Church, Catlettsburg, KY
May 3-5 Bethel Baptist Church, Spring Lake, NC
June 7-9 Oley Grace Church, Oley, PA
June 14-16 Sovereign Grace Church, Great Falls, MT
“Peace, peace, when there is no peace.” Jer. 6:14
The wisdom of the world speaks false peace to men by telling them that their sin is not their fault. They are a victim of their circumstances or are simply afflicted with a disease. Religion speaks false peace to men by telling them that their sin is their fault, but that they have the power to fix it. By decision and dedication, they can amend their ways. The gospel speaks the truth to sinners by telling them that their sin is all their fault, and they can’t fix it. It shuts sinners up to Christ as the only One who can put away their sin and give them peace with God by the sacrifice of Himself. ~GE
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If there is one word that describes this generation of religious people, it is “irreverence.” Sophistication will yet kill this present generation. Men go to church today to patronize God, not to worship God. The majority of church-going people, judging from their attitude, believe that in attending church, they are conferring a great honor upon God. Church attendance is an excuse for a fashion parade and a show of pride. Men go to church to be entertained and amused. They insist that the preacher be a good mixer, entertainer, actor, and pulpit clown. The preacher who dares to declare the gospel of Christ is one thought of as one being hopelessly out of date. ~Scott Richardson
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If the possession of heaven could be obtained with only a single act of goodness, never to all eternity should I find it. “When I would do good, evil is present with me.” Oh! Then for grace to know Thee, to love Thee, to follow Thee, as my only good; my hope, my righteousness, my portion forever! ~Robert Hawker
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Every problem we have in this world that cannot be solved with money will eventually be solved by time. What a blessing it is when the Lord is pleased to show us that we have a problem beyond this world. A problem that no amount of money, nor an eternity of time can fix. Our real problem is our sin, and consequently the need we have to be reconciled to a Holy God. That is a problem that only God can fix. That is THE problem that the Lord Jesus Christ came into the world to solve for His church. Christ came into the world to save sinners… and Save every one of them is exactly what He did. ~GE
CALL TO WORSHIP
O, Lamb of God, still keep me
Near to Thy wounded side
Tis only there in safety
And peace I can abide
What foes and snares surround me!
What lusts and fears within!
The grace that sought and found me
Alone can keep me clean.
‘Tis only in Thee hiding
I know my life secure
Only in Thee abiding
I steadfast shall endure.
Thine arm the victory gaineth
O’er every hurtful foe
The love my heart sustaineth
In all its care and woe.
Soon shall my eyes behold Thee
With rapture, face to face
The half hath not been told me
Of all Thy power and grace.
Thy beauty, Lord, and glory
The wonders of Thy love
Shall be the endless story
Of all Thy saints above.
(Tune: “The Church’s One Foundation” p. 186)
NURSERY
This Week 10:00 Savannah 10:45 Kaylee
Next Week 10:00 Diane 10:45 Sarah
Clean-Up Schedule
Week of Apr 21st Chris & Ruth
Logan & Emily
Scott & Rachel
Week of Apr 28th Adam & Lauren
Trevor & Sarah
Noah & Callie and Kids
Birthdays
Apr 23 Olivia Fenby Apr 24 Laura Grace Lorow