BIBLE CLASS- 10:00 AM

Jacob Loved-Esau Hated- Romans 9:9-23

MORNING WORSHIP- 11:00 AM

Scripture Reading/Prayer: Psalm 28 (Mike)

Call to Worship: ‘I Sing My Savior’s Wondrous Death’

Scripture Reading/Prayer: Romans 1(David)

Hymn: #172- ‘O Word of God Incarnate’

Message: The Church Preserved to the End- Rev. 11:11-16

Hymn: #186- ‘The Church’s One Foundation’

AFTERNOON WORSHIP – 12:30PM

Hymn: #474- ‘Only a Sinner’

Scripture Reading/Prayer: Ezra 9 (Jim)

Hymn: #309- ‘Beneath the Cross of Jesus’

Message: ‘Who Is He That Condemneth?’ - Numbers 23

Hymn: #258- ‘He HIdeth My Soul’

CONTACT INFORMATION

PO Box 5028, Shreveport, LA 71135

odern “evangelism” (so called) centers its efforts in skillful presentations and in persuading men to do something. They are “persuaded” by many methods, sometimes even trickery and appealing music, but most often with great amounts of emotional appeals, to step out, step up, walk the aisle, escape hell, let ‘jesus’ into their heart, give the LORD a chance, or make a decision to be saved. On the other hand those who are true preachers of the Gospel are simply that, preachers of the Gospel. The persuasion that they have is a clear declaration of what JESUS CHRIST has done in the behalf of sinners. Their only desire is to magnify HIM who has purchased eternal redemption for that which was lost. Paul never asked those to whom he preached to do anything. He preached JESUS CHRIST and HIM crucified. He said since we have the fear of the LORD, we persuade men by proclaiming that truth of GOD which HE is able to convince men of. (See II Cor.5:11-21) Paul said to Agrippa, “I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am.” (Acts 26:29) Paul was saying to the king, I would you were persuaded of the same things that I have been convinced of in the same fashion and by the same ONE. What was it that he was persuaded of by the LORD?

The LORD has cleansed all things for HIS people. “I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.” (Rom 14:14) The LORD satisfied and fulfilled every jot and tittle of the law in the behalf of HIS elect bride and there is nothing in the earth that can bring them into condemnation. (see Rom. 8:1) “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. “ (Rom 8:38-39)

The LORD calls HIS children by name and makes them new creatures in HIS own time. “And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.” (Rom 15:14) The LORD not only purchased for us an eternal redemption but HE has begun a good work in us which HE will perform to the end. (see Phil. 1:6) Eternal life is begun in those who are called by HIS grace and they shall never die.

This faith wherein we stand is that which has been the hope of GOD’s children in all ages. “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” (Heb 11:13) GOD has never set forth any means of salvation for HIS elect in any age except that which has been accomplished by JESUS CHRIST. The Old Testament saints died without the full realization of the finished work of CHRIST, whereas we have been made aware that HE has actually paid the purchase price in time, our sin having been imputed to HIM and HIS righteousness to us. Those who were heirs of the promise in ages past are just as much partakers of that purchased redemption as we are. The gospel of the LORD JESUS CHRIST is the faith once delivered to the saints. We look for no other.

JESUS CHRIST alone is the hope and expectation of the true believer. “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” (2Tim 1:12) Of what are you persuaded?

very act of God expressive of kindness or favor is an act of grace; and every act performed upon or in relation to His chosen people is an act of this kind. All the provisions necessary to their eternal salvation were made in Christ, while they were yet in a state of nonentity, yea, from all eternity. For their sakes the foundations of the earth were laid; light and darkness, life and death, evil and good, angels, men and devils, and all things present, past and to come, are so many expressions of God’s grace to His people. And they are assured, through the apostle Paul that no creature shall be able to separate them from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus.

Even though they fell in Adam, and became dead in trespasses and sins? It was in full view of this state that God loved them with a perfect love, and made for them all that rich provision of grace of which we read in the Scriptures. Even though, when born, they go astray from the womb, and run into all the excesses of riot and debauchery to which their depraved natures incline them? God’s grace is commended to them in that while they were yet sinners Christ died for them. Even though being dead they are unable to know or appreciate His kindness towards them? God’s grace has made provision for their being quickened into life… Even though being quickened they are left to feel themselves exposed to wrath under the sentence of God’s violated law and borne down by a weight of guilt sufficient to sink a world to hell? There is in store for them, as the fruit of God’s grace, a righteousness which shall hide all their shame, a sacrifice that has paid for all their sins, and a victim that their faith shall behold, enduring the entire wrath that was due to them. Even though in the Christian pilgrimage they meet with sore temptations and dire afflictions? ‘My grace,’ saith God ‘shall be sufficient for them…’ When His providence seems to frown and bear strong marks of displeasure, yet while He chastens He loves, and works all things together for good to them who are the called according to His purpose. That grace therefore which ordained the salvation for God’s elect, shall be their companion and comfort through this vale of tears; their support in death, and it has in store for them in heaven an inheritance which is incorruptible, undefiled, and cannot fade away. May we not then joyfully sing, "O to grace how great a debtor!" SAMUEL TROTT

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