BIBLE CLASS - 10:00 AM

Parable of the Leaven – Matthew 13:33

MORNING WORSHIP- 11:00 AM

Scripture Reading/Prayer: Psalm 119:17-24 (David)

Call to Worship: ‘Open My Eyes‘

Scripture Reading/Prayer: II Samuel 16 (Mathieu)

Hymn: #209 –‘Grace Greater Than Our Sin’

Message: HOLD FAST– Rev. 2:18-29

Hymn: #277 – ‘O Thou in Whose Presence’

AFTERNOON WORSHIP

Hymn: #340 – ‘Nearer Still Nearer’

Scripture Reading/Prayer: John 1 (Jim)

Hymn: #272 – ‘My Hope Is Built…’

Message: THE BURDEN OF THE MEDIATOR - Numbers 11:10-17

Hymn: #127 – ‘Man of Sorrows’

CONTACT INFORMATION

PO Box 5028, Shreveport, LA 71135

“Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God”. I John 3:9

ow I long to be free from sin in my experience! There was a day when it was not so, being yet dead in sin, without the life of God in me, by His Spirit. However, since God graciously crossed my path with the Good News of Christ’s death and satisfaction for sin, and the Spirit of God brought me from darkness to light, I am more aware of sin in me now than ever before. On the one hand, I can understand, because now with the Spirit of God in me, as the light, it exposes what I truly am by nature- a sinful, wicked, wretch. Like a cancer, I long to be rid of it, and be free forever from its deadly effects.

Therefore, when I read that “whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin,” I wonder how this can be. I hear different ones explaining their theories that if born again, there is a ‘sinless righteousness’ that we have that is created in us, that does not sin. However, as I have questioned these about this, I can never get a straight answer as to exactly how this keeps me from sinning. Some say that it is by this ‘imparted righteousness’ that we can actually love God as we ought, and to pray, witness, believe, etc. And yet, when I ask those who claim to have such a nature to tell me one instance where they have prayed a sinless prayer, or done a perfect work, or believed as they ought, they “hem and haw.” For any who are honest and indeed troubled by their sin, I believe there is a clearer explanation that John is writing of, under the inspiration of the Spirit. He wrote earlier in I John 1:9 that if we say that we have not sinned [having sinned in Adam with continuing ongoing effects], we make God a liar. Then again in 2:1, John affirms the necessity of Christ’s ongoing role as Advocate because of our bent to sin. If there were a sinless nature imparted to us at regeneration, what then would be the need for Christ’s ongoing advocacy? Why the call of scripture to be transformed by the RENEWING OF OUR MIND, Romans 12:2?

The only answer I can find is that it refers to our standing in Christ and His IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS through His obedience unto death. If I am born of God, it is because Christ has already put away ALL my sin in His death, His wrath removed, and I am thereby JUSTIFIED and acquitted of ALL charges against me, Acts 13:39. Yes, I acknowledge that ongoing, unchangeable sin nature within me, which the Spirit of God causes me to confess continually before God. However, in so doing, I have the assurance that He is faithful and just to continue to forgive and cleanse me of all my unrighteousness because of the death of His Son on my behalf, I John 1:9. The renewing of the mind then is by the Spirit of God causing me to look away from sin and self to the ONLY righteousness of God, that was already imputed to me at the cross, and by which God continually looks upon me as sinless, Heb. 8:12, 10:17. Romans 4:15- “for where no law is, there is no transgression.” Christ satisfied the law, therefore, there is no more sin to condemn for those He redeemed by His shed blood, Romans 10:4.

When John writes of his seed remaining in one who is born of God, that seed is the very Word of Christ, revealed to the soul through the Gospel- 1 Peter 1:23. Also, 1John 1:10, “If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and HIS WORD is not in us.” It is not referring to some seed of righteousness implanted in us, but the revealed Word of God, which remains in one born of God, and causes them to see themselves as JUSTIFIED before God by the imputed righteousness of God in Christ. What hope can I have that it is so for me? Having been born of God, I know that He gave me life because He has already declared me perfect through the death of His Son, Heb. 1:3. In that, I rejoice, and look to the day when I shall indeed in my experience be completely rid of my sin, through the resurrection of this body, and my final glorification in HIM! I John 3:1. KEN WIMER

EADER, approach the bitter garden scene. Here all the waves of anguish beat on the Redeemer’s soul. His every look and every cry make known that He is wrestling with extremest pangs. But whence comes this overwhelming grief? The hour is still. The place is deep retreat. No hostile bands appear. None but His loved-ones are in view. It is an unseen arm, which now arrests Him. The sword of hidden wrath now really pierces to the quick. The fire from God’s right hand now truly falls, and fiercely deals with the self-offered Lamb. Each inward travail shows, that God is now exacting debts from Him, until the boundless price is paid. My soul intently gaze! You see wrath visibly outpoured on Christ. Then be content-the cup is drained. No drop remains for you.

Another scene is near. The death is died. The grave contains its precious captive. The stone is rolled. The seal is fixed. The guard is set. The hand of justice has borne Jesus off. The prison gates are closed. Where are our hopes? Are claims all satisfied? Will God declare, that He demands no more? Will there be manifested proof, that all His people are redeemed? Draw near and witness. The grave restores the mighty dead, Jesus appears released-alive. Here the fire of satisfaction falls. The top stone of acceptance is brought forth. The pyramid of God’s approval is complete. Christ is accredited, as the full Savior of the fully saved.

When Israel’s host beheld the fire from God, what was their feeling? “They shouted and fell on their faces.” Lev. 9:24. Sweet joy was theirs. Deep adoration warmed each heart. Exulting praise burst forth. Profoundest worship was their instant act. Believer, do the like. God sends His Son to seek and to save. He laid on Him your every sin. He gives you every pledge, that He approves-attests-receives-delights in the Accepted offering. Witness after witness from His courts assures, that pardon, acquittal, release form every woe, admission to the home of heaven, are yours. Oh! Then, let every breath praise God. Let every hour of every day be inward worship.

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