SHREVEPORT GRACE CHURCH
2970 Baird Rd., Shreveport, LA 71118
CHRIST ALONE-SCRIPTURE ALONE-GRACE ALONE
March 19, 2006
SUNDAY
Scripture Reading/Prayer: Psalm 136 (David)
Call to Worship: ‘Praise the Lord for He is Kind’
Scripture Reading/Prayer: 2 Kings 4 (Mike)
Hymn: #228- ‘My Faith Has Found a Resting Place’
Message: THE WRATH OF THE LAMB- Revelation 6:12-17
WEDNESDAY
6:30 PM- Mid-week Service
Nursery care available for all services for ages 4 and younger.
Ken Wimer, Pastor- ( (318) 687-4943
E-MAIL: pastor@shrevegrace.org
WEB SITE: http://www.shrevegrace.org Updated weekly with audio messages now available on-line.
CALL TO WORSHIP
(Tune: “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,” # 118)
Words based on 136 written by, John Milton-1645
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et us with a gladsome mind,
Praise the Lord for He is kind;
For His mercies shall endure,
Ever faithful, ever sure.
Let us sound His name abroad,
For of gods He is the God;
For His mercies shall endure,
Ever faithful, ever sure.
He, with all commanding might.,
Filled the new-made world with light;
For His mercies shall endure,
Ever faithful, ever sure.
All things living He doth feed,
His full hand supplies their need;
For His mercies shall endure,
Ever faithful, ever sure.
He His chosen race did bless,
In the wasteful wilderness;
For His mercies shall endure,
Ever faithful, ever sure
He hath with a piteous eye,
Looked upon our misery;
For His mercies shall endure,
Ever faithful, ever sure.
POOR IN SPIRIT
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o who then are “poor in spirit?” They are those who have been brought, by the life giving power of God the Holy Spirit, to know of their spiritual poverty – to know that they have nothing to pay, nothing to merit or earn them anything before God. They have been convinced of sin by the Holy Spirit, including the sin that would deceive us all – what the scriptures call the “deceivableness of unrighteousness” – of thinking anything other than the imputed righteousness of Christ (the merit of His obedience unto death) charged to our account, -- of thinking anything else would satisfy a Holy God so as to gain or even contribute to our acceptance by Him.
RANDY WAGES- Albany, Ga.
THE GOSPEL SUMMONS
“Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” Isaiah 55:7
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t first glance, such a verse may be misinterpreted to mean that God is waiting on the sinner to act first, in order that He may show him mercy. We have all heard or read the statements of conditional preaching that has God willing to show mercy, but unable unless the sinner lets him.
However, the Gospel is neither an offer nor an invitation. It is a proclamation, declaration, and summons to sinners to look away from themselves to the ONLY source of mercy and pardon, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. The context of the preceding verses in Isaiah 55 clearly shows on what basis God does show mercy and pardon sinners.
1. In v. 1 God sovereignly addresses the call to those that are thirsty. Thirst is the sign of life. Spiritually dead sinners have no thirst for God, or desire to turn from their wicked ways. However, when the Spirit of God is pleased to open the sinner’s heart to Christ, he will desire the Water of Life, Rev. 22:17.
2. It is also clear that the call to come to Christ is based solely on the free grace of God alone, unmixed by conditions placed upon the sinner- “he that hath no money…without money and without price.” Mercy and pardon flow from the reality of the ransom price having been already paid by another, Jesus Christ, Matthew 20:28. In v. 2, God declares how foolish it is for any to attempt to buy His favor with their works, will, efforts, labors, or strivings. The call in verse 7 for the wicked to forsake his way, is God’s demand to renounce any self-effort, and to REST in Christ THE HOLY ONE of Israel, (v. 5) whose righteousness imputed in His death is the sole means by which God has saved and justified any sinner. All such SHALL run to Him in faith, forsaking their own righteousness, not in order to obtain mercy and pardon, but because it has been revealed to them to have already been granted in the death of the Lord Jesus. KEN WIMER
WHEN TROUBLES AND AFFLICTIONS COME
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uppose we had no troubles or trials, what would be the result? Why, we should rest upon our lees, and be satisfied with the things of time and sense. But when we are brought into the deep waters, and into the furnace of affliction, what is the result then: Why we are made to cry unto the Lord from a feeling of deep necessity, and He encourages us with such a promise as this, “Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.”
JOHN KERSHAW, 1842
FROM HIS FULNESS
“And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace” Jn 1:16
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ll plenitude is in Christ, to answer all the needs of His people. In Christ dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, that out of His fullness I may receive all spiritual blessings!
Have I destroyed myself by sin? I have deliverance from Him who is mighty to save from sin and wrath!
Is my foolish mind darkened? Am I a guilty, polluted, and ruined wretch? Jesus is my wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption!
Is my life fleeting—and passing away like a shadow? Jesus is the Ancient of days, and endures for evermore!
Are my days short-lived and full of trouble? Jesus is my life, the length of my days, and the joy of my heart!
Am I exposed to contempt? Jesus shall be my crown of glory, and diadem of beauty!
Am I traveling through the wilderness? Jesus is my staff, and on Him I lean all the way!
Am I on my last journey to my long home? Jesus is my leader, and my rewarder!
Am I a sheep? Jesus is my pasture and my green pasture too!
Am I hungry and thirsty? Jesus is my heavenly manna, and gives me to drink of the water of life!
Am I weary? Jesus is my rest and refreshing!
Am I weak? Jesus is my strength!
Am I oppressed and wronged? Jesus is my judge, and my avenger!
Am I reproached? The reproach of His people, Jesus will wipe away!
Am I a soldier? Jesus is my Captain and shield!
Must I fight in the field of battle? Jesus is my armor in the day of war!
Do I sit in darkness? Jesus is my light!
Do I have doubts? Jesus is my counselor!
Am I ignorant? Jesus is my wisdom!
Am I guilty? Jesus is my justification!
Am I filthy? Jesus is my sanctification!
Am I dead in sin? Jesus is my life, and quickens those who are dead in trespasses and sins!
Am I poor? Jesus is the pearl of great price, and has immeasurable riches! James Meikle, 1730-1799