November 29, 2020
Always Two Natures
Child of God, if you come away from listening to a man preach thinking; “that’s not my experience. I guess I’m not as spiritual as he is.” Fear not, truth is, it’s not his experience either, and he’s not as spiritual as he wants you to think he is. The problem is that most people will suppress those impressions and join the preacher in his hypocrisy. There is no liberty in pretending to be something we’re not. As long as we are in this world the body of death will be strapped to our backs. There is no place this side of heaven where we can reach some sort of spiritual euphoria that looks and feels like sinless perfection. We are sinless and sinful at the very same time. We will always cry; “Lord, I believe, help thou my unbelief”. Mk 9:24. As long as we have two natures, our rejoicing will be mixed with Rebekah’s lament; “Why am I thus?” Gen. 25:22. Where then is our rejoicing? Where is our liberty? Oh, wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus. Rom. 7:24-8:1. The Lord Jesus Christ Himself is our rejoicing ~GE
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While the message of the Bible is profound, majestic, transcendent, and glorious, it is not complicated. There is only one message! Christ said concerning Scripture, “They are they which testify of Me.” Every Scripture testifies of Him. We know their meaning before we know what they say! “And beginning at Moses and all the prophets He expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.” ~Todd Nibert
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Free Will or Predestination
Free will is responsible for every evil in the world. All sin is the result of free will. Free will is why the first murder was committed. It is responsible for all war and has produced every false religion. Free will is the doctrine of the sovereignty of man. Predestination is the doctrine of the sovereignty of God. If believed, it will abolish all race problems and rid us of all tyranny and war. “Now therefore, our God, we thank Thee and praise Thy glorious name” (I Chron. 29:10-14). ~Scott Richardson
Our Portion and Inheritance
One who is born of God has the Lord as his por¬tion and inheritance. He is thankful for who he is and what he has; for in Christ he has "all things" that are worth having. Having food and clothing and believing friends, he is content. He brought nothing into this world and will carry nothing out. Earthly possessions, honors, and property have no value after death; but to be forgiven of sin and alive in Christ is the highest prize and glory. As soon as a person really learns, believes, and embraces the grace of Christ, like Moses, "he esteems even the reproach of Christ greater than the riches of this world." But they that seek after riches and worldly honor fall into many temptations, which drown men in destruc¬tion and misery. This craving for the world's wealth and approval has caused many to depart from the faith and pierce themselves through with many sorrows (I Tim. 6:6-10). ~Henry Mahan
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He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30
John the Baptist, the man who was sent to prepare the way of the Lord; the man who our Lord Jesus Christ said was the greatest prophet born of a woman, said: “The Lord Jesus Christ must increase, but I must decrease.” To that, all of God’s people will cry: Amen! The higher that the Lord Jesus Christ is raised up, and the more exalted God’s people see Him to be... The happier they are! When Christ is exalted, their joy is exalted, their hope is exalted, and their faith is exalted as it LOOKS UP to Him, HIGH in the heavens. The higher they see His throne to be, the more glorious the gospel of their redemption is to them, and the more in awe they are of how far He came down to save them. After seeing Christ in all of His exalted glory, God’s people cannot and will not ever see Him any other way. They will cry to every soul who will listen: “He must increase, but I must decrease!” ~Gabe Stalnaker
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“Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul. But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.”
Psalm 66:16, 19-20
CALL TO WORSHIP
To God be the glory, great things He has done;
So loved He His people He gave them His Son,
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,
And opened the life gate that they may go in.
Refrain
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let His people rejoice!
O come to the Father,
Through Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory,
Great things He has done.
O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,
To every believer the promise of God;
The vilest offender who truly believes,
That sinner from Jesus a pardon receives.
Great things He has taught us, great things He has done,
And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;
But purer, and higher, and greater will be
Our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see.
Nursery
This Week 10:00 Mary Williams 10:45 Richelle
Next Week 10:00 Rachael Clark 10:45 Lauren Charron
Clean-Up Schedule
Week of Nov 29th Tom & Cindy
Don & Mary Williams
Britain & Jennifer
Henri Avila
Week of Dec 6th Michael & Diane
Jim & Kay
Norris & Lautilde
Birthdays
Nov 29 Jill Olson