Sovereign Grace Baptist Church

October 2, 2022

 Weekly Schedule of Services

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Proverbs 19:8: He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.

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Christ a True Friend (Pro 17:17; 18:24)
(Tune: Alas and Did my Savior Bleed)

A Friend there is, your voices join,
  Ye saints, to praise his name,
  Whose truth and kindness are divine,
  Whose love’s a constant flame.

When most we need his helping hand,
  This Friend is always near;
  With heaven and earth at his command,
  He waits to answer prayer.

His love no end or measure knows;
  No change can turn its course;
  Immutably the same, it flows
  From one eternal source!

When frowns appear to veil his face,
  And clouds surround his throne,
  He hides the purpose of his grace,
  To make it better known.

And if our dearest comforts fall
  Before his sovereign will,
  He never takes away our All
  Himself he gives us still.

Our sorrows in the scale he weighs,
  And measures out our pains;
  The wildest storm his word obeys;
  His word its rage restrains.

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It is Christ himself; which ought to be the first object in our view and every other concern but as mediums and channels to pass through to him. It is true, indeed, that the doctrine of Christ and the ordinances of Christ are all valuable as connected with him; and in having him we have all. But for a child of God to be more intent upon them than upon him; to be more pleased with some supposed gracious disposition wrought in us than in the glorious and complete work Christ hath wrought for us; this is putting the effect for the cause and the servant in the place of his master. This is not making Christ in our view what Christ is in God’s view; the Alpha, and Omega, the first, and the last: the author and finisher of salvation. Christ is the first in all God’s thoughts and the last and ultimate object of all God’s designs. I know, that there are many of God’s dear children who would tremble if they were found having any other views; and who would not intentionally, for the world, place any object before Christ or in the room of Christ; but certainly, this is the case when we take comfort in any grace without eyeing Christ in the grace; and are found magnifying the effects of Christ’s love more than Christ himself. It is a sad consequence of our fallen state, and the imperfection of our faith, when the Person of Christ is bidden from our dim-sighted view in a cloud of his own gifts.

–Robert Hawker

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In a world of suffering and sorrow, to preserve the faith of His people amid so many and sore tests, trials, buffetings, disappointments, betrayals by friends and professed brethren in Christ, is infinitely more wonderful than if a man should succeed in carrying an unsheltered candle alight across an open moor when a hurricane was blowing.

–A. W. Pink

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As Abel’s sacrifice was a type of Christ’s, so his speaking after his death was a type of Christ’s speaking since his death: it is said of Abel, that he, “being dead, yet speaketh”, (Heb 11:4) so Christ, though dead, is alive, and lives for ever, and makes intercession, and speaks for his people; as Abel’s blood had a voice in it, so has the blood of Christ; but with this difference, the blood of Abel cried against his brother; Christ’s blood cries for his brethren, on their behalf: Abel’s blood cried for vengeance on the murderer; Christ’s blood calls for, and speaks peace and pardon to guilty men (Heb 12:24).  

–John Gill

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“Let your conversation be without covetousness and be content with such things as you have” (Hebrews 13:5).  If I am content with Christ, I am not coveting. When I am coveting, I am not content with Christ. 

–Todd Nibert

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Sinful Shame – “Whose glory is in their shame” . . . “It is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret” (Phil.3:19, Eph.5:12).

     The people of this world sin without shame and even glory in their sins. God forbid that the people of God should ever think of sin without shame. Let not the preacher or people preach about it, talk about it, or admit it . . . without shame. May we hang our heads in sorrow and shame. It was sin, every sin, that put our Lord on the cross.  Sin is no light nor laughing matter . . . it is a shame. Sin is not a little nor trifling thing . . . it is damning. Let us not laugh about it nor toy with it, but pray to be kept from it, eschew it, repent of it, and be ashamed of it.  Here is the heart’s cry and attitude of every true child of God: “Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my SIN.” – Psalm 51:2

–Paul Mahan

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“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption” (Eph 4:30). 

The Holy Spirit of God has sealed each one He has brought to trust Christ unto the day of redemption.  There is no possibility one shall be lost.  Nor shall the Spirit be frustrated in keeping us separated from the evil, sanctified unto our Lord Jesus Christ.  If need be our heavenly Father will chasten us sorely.  It will be very grievous and cause much sorrow and the Spirit shall not fail to make it effectual in our hearts.  Therefore, let us watch to avoid any sinful thought, word or deed that will grieve the Holy Spirit.  At the Spirit’s first prick of our heart, at the first sound of the still small voice, saying “this is the way walk ye in it”, let us set our affection on Christ at God’s right hand, casting all our care on him.  And then give God all the glory for making us do so.