May 6, 2012
SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH
LOCATION
Rocky Hill Firehouse, 2nd Floor
150 Washington Street
Rocky Hill, New Jersey, 08553
Telephone: 615-513-4464
Schedule of Services
Sunday 10: 15 AM Bible Class
Sunday 11 AM Morning Service
Thursday 7: 30 PM Midweek Service
In times of affliction we commonly meet with the sweetest experiences of the love of God. John Bunyan
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Romans 1: 16: For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17: For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
The gospel of Christ reveals the righteousness of God (Rom. 3:25-26). If we would seek salvation or life with God, his righteousness must first be found; for God is holy, just, and righteous; and in order to be loved by God, accepted by God, and justified before God, WE must become righteous--not by our righteousness, which is filthy rags, but by his righteousness (Matt. 5:20; Rom. 10:1-4). We cannot obtain salvation anywhere but through the gospel of Christ, for therein is the righteousness of God revealed (Rom. 5:19; 2 Cor. 5:21). This righteousness is not known nor understood by the light of nature but must be revealed (1 Cor. 2:9-10). Henry Mahan
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GOD’S DEFINITION OF IDOLATRY
Isaiah 44: 9-20
First, God declares the god formed in man’s vain imagination, like the images made to represent his god, is as vain and unprofitable as the sinner who makes it. (Is 44: 9-11) Secondly, the Lord God shows idolatry is the worship of man (Isaiah 44: 12-13) God made man after his own image. The depraved heart makes his god after the image of man. Thirdly, the Lord shows idolatry is using the things of God to worship the works of man’s hands. (Is 44: 14) Fourthly, God declares that idolatry is absurd ignorance. (Is 44: 15-17) Man left to himself in sin feels natural cold, natural hunger, and a natural need to bow down to a god. But in ignorance he uses the things of God to feed himself and is satisfied, uses the things of God to kindle a fire then rejoices in “sparks he has kindled”, and with “the residue thereof” he makes a god. Fifthly, God declares idolatry is defiled reasoning. (Is 44: 19) Sixthly, idolatry is a perverted appetite due to a deceitful heart—he feedeth on ashes (Is 44: 20)
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REMEMBER! RETURN! SING!
Isaiah 44: 9-23
Israel was about to be taken captive by Babylon. Babylon is synonymous with false religion. When living amongst Babylonians you will be pressured to join them, to at least humor them and recognize their gods as the one true God. God shows what a fatal mistake it is to do so. If there be any believer erring in this way, “While it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.” (He 3: 15) Flee from idolatry. Wash your hands of it once and for all. God gives these three commands.
Remember!
Believer, remember these idolaters because that is what you were when God found you—you were no different than a pagan idolater. (Is 44: 21; 51: 1) Remember God’s particular, electing grace to you—God formed you (Eph. 2:1-5). Remember the constant care of God for you--“thou shalt not be forgotten of me.” And remember what Christ has done, “I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins.” We must eat to have Life. When God creates the hunger for righteousness by which he gives his child an infinite hunger we can longer be appeased by finite food. Christ only is the food of our souls, Christ is our feast of “milk and honey”. But remember there is no Bread in Babylon. God says “hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.”
Return!
Even when his redeemed child attempts to turn away in shameful neglect the God of glory speaks in power and successfully persuades his child, saying, Return! (Is 44: 22) It must be so because God said “I have blotted out as a thick cloud thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins!” He has done so by the blood of God’s own Son, by the Power of his grace! Now we belong to God and he will not let one perish. (I Cor 6:19-20) Truly hear what God says dear erring child, God says, “Return to me, nothing stands in the way. I have forgiven your sins!” (Ro 8: 33)
Sing!
God says “Sing!” (Is 44: 23) In heaven there shall be singing. (Luke 15: 7) Amongst all your brethren there shall be singing in the Lord because the Lord chose you, redeemed you, gave his Life for you and would not let you go! The whole creation shall sing together. (Ro 8: 19-22)
Our gracious God says to each erring child being beguiled by the idolatry of Babylon, “Remember, return and sing.” If God has made you hear his Voice, you shall and you shall give God all the glory because the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel.