Sovereign Grace Baptist Church

August 14, 2022

 Weekly Schedule of Services

Proverbs 19:1: Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.

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“Clear conviction of sin is the only true origin of dependence on another’s righteousness, and therefore (strange to say!) of the Christian’s peace of mind and cheerfulness.” 

–Robert M’Cheyne

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EVERY JOT AND TITTLE

Christ Jesus came to fulfill the law for his people.  So he said, “Verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” (Mt 5:18).  Let’s illustrate the importance of Christ fulfilling ever jot and tittle of the law by using the word “tittle.”  If we write the word “tittle” without the tittles across the “t’s” and without the jot above the “i” then this is how it appears: “llllles.”  We do not receive it as a word because it is not a word and means nothing to us.  If we come to God trusting our own works rather than Christ then we come to God with that with that which God will not accept because we come with that which is no righteousness at all.  But when we add the jot and tittles then this is how the word appears: “tittle.”  We receive it because it is the word “tittle” and means something to us.  When we come to God believing on Christ, the only one who fulfilled every jot and tittle of the law, then we come to God with the Righteousness of his Son who God has provided, the only Righteousness God will accept.

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Psalm 110:3: Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.

God's elect worship and serve Him with willing hearts. We willingly believe, willingly worship, willingly give, and willingly do what we can for the glory of God. It is God Who, by effectual grace, makes us willing; but we are willing servants of the Most High God! Any worship, service, or gifts offered to God that is not done with a willing heart is an abomination to Him. 

–Scott Richardson

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ONE DESIRE

Psalm 27:4: One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. 5: For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. 6: And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.

Behold the faith of Christ.  The Son of God was made flesh to give his people everlasting communion with God in God’s house forever.  But to accomplish that our Head had to satisfy the justice of God. When our sins were found on him, God had to turn his back on our Substitute in justice.  But in darkness while seeing only the wrath of God, the Lord Jesus believed God the Father’s promise, “For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.”  At last God honored the pure faith of our Redeemer by lifting him up above all his enemies, and raised up his people in him. (Eph 1:21; 2:6).  Christ is the true tabernacle in whom we shall dwell forever.  When the child of God feels cut off, it is not so.  Christ perfected obedience and put away our sins forever. He says, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.” We are kept because “Christ liveth in me and the life I now live I live by the faith of Christ who loved me and gave himself for me.” By Christ’s perfect fidelity the Spirit lifts our head and sits us on Christ the Rock and keeps us dwelling in his house forever to behold the beauty of the LORD, Christ himself.

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REAL TRIALS

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you as though some strange thing happened unto you” (I Peter 4:12).

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into different trials; knowing this, that the trial of your faith worketh patience” (James 1:2-3).

David said, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn Thy statutes.” Martin Luther declared, “I never knew the true meaning of God’s Word until I came into affliction. I have always found trials to be the best schoolmaster.”

1.      Real trials touch us PERSONALLY – our flesh, our hearts, our homes, our children! This is not something we read about concerning others and then offer high-blown advice, but something we EXPERIENCE.

2.      Real trials go to THE ROOT OF THE MATTER and reveals the truth of our nature. It shows whether repentance, faith, love for Christ, and confidence in His purpose and providence are realities or whether they are pretense. Trials do not produce faith; rather, they either reveal the faith that is there or they reveal sham and hypocrisy.

3.      Real trial tests A MAN’S GRACES. We talk of love for one another, but not until real trials come can we be sure that we do love. We talk of forgiveness and mercy, but not until forgiveness is needed and mercy is required can we be sure that we have it to give! Some of the best religious “talkers” are the poorest “doers” when it comes to putting their theology into practice.

4.      Real trial gives us AN OPPORTUNITY TO MINISTER TO OTHERS: first, by equipping us with necessary abilities. None can enter into a brother’s sorrow like one who has actually been in the same situation. Second, by bringing us to the brother’s side at this particular time. “I’m sorry that you are burdened in such a way, but I rejoice that the Lord affords me the OPPORTUNITY AND PRIVILEGE of helping you bear your burden.”

     My brethren, don’t fumble the opportunity to relieve the distressed, forgive the fallen, or feed the hungry. You just may not pass this way again. (Read Mt 25:41-46).    

–Henry Mahan