April 10, 2016
SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH
LOCATION
Rocky Hill Firehouse, 2nd Floor
150 Washington Street
Rocky Hill, New Jersey, 08553
Clay Curtis, pastor
Telephone: 615-513-4464
Schedule of Services
Sunday 10: 15 AM Bible Class
Sunday 11:00 AM Morning Service
Thursday 7: 30 PM Midweek Service
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NURSERY
We have a nursery equipped with a digital flat screen television broadcasting all services live, for children four and under. Check the announcements.
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All articles by the pastor unless otherwise noted. As you read the bulletin at home with your children be sure to look up the scripture references.
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REMINDER
We plan to send an offering to our missionaries at the end of this month. Please designate your offerings “Missions”.
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“Not Of Works”
Ephesians 2:9: “Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Here are just a few ways God’s Word proclaims, “Not of Works.”
“No man can come.” NOT OF WORKS. John 6:44
“You will not come.” NOT OF WORKS. John 5:40
“By grace are ye saved.” NOT OF WORKS. Ephesians 2:8
“I will have mercy.” NOT OF WORKS. Romans 9:15
“You hath He quickened.” NOT OF WORKS. Ephesians 2:1
“According to His mercy.” NOT OF WORKS. Titus 3:5
“Not of him that willeth.” NOT OF WORKS. Romans 9:16
“Ye have not chosen me.” NOT OF WORKS. John 15:16
“But I have chosen you.” NOT OF WORKS. John 15:16
“Noah found grace.” NOT OF WORKS. Genesis 6:8
“Lazarus come forth.” NOT OF WORKS. John 11:43
“It is finished.” NOT OF WORKS. John 19:30
No boasting in race, face or place when you are saved by grace—David Eddmenson
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IN THE WORLD NOT OF THE WORLD
Child of God never forget that we live IN this world but we are not OF this world. Live well in the world in the sight of God and men, but be separate from it. Live in the world so you can be the salt of the earth but be separate from it. Be separate by not adopting the way of the world, which is always wrong. Do not adopt the way the world thinks about God. Do not adopt the way that seems right to this world because that way leads to eternal death. The way that seems right to man may make perfectly good sense to fallen man, but do not be deceived by it. “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” (Proverbs 16:25). Seek rather to follow Christ who is the way of salvation, the way of life and the way of truth. Frank Tate
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IS THE LORD’S HAND WAXED SHORT?
Nu 11: 23
As the congregation of Israel complained unbelief swept over all, including Moses. (vv4, 10) The LORD promised Moses, he would provide. (vv13-20) Moses doubt not the spiritual miracle but God’s ability to work the temporal miracle in feeding the people. (vv21-23) “And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the LORD’S hand waxed short?” (v23)
God’s hand is not short to reserve mercy for his child. Moses’ words were full of sin same as the rebels. (vv 11, 12, 15) Yet, God blessed Moses but judged the others. The only difference is God chose to be gracious to Moses. The same is true of all God is saving by his grace. (Lam 3:22; Malachi 3:6)
God’s hand is not short to overcome unbelief with faith. By asking Moses this question, God convicted Moses of his unbelief. Then God gave him faith by speaking, “thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not.” (v23) It means “immediately thou shalt see!” Immediately, God turned Moses from unbelief to faith. We know because the next verse says “Moses went out, and told the people the words of the LORD.” (v24; Eph 2:8)
God’s hand is not short to provide all spiritual and temporal blessings. As God said he would, he gave a spiritual blessing by putting the same spirit as Moses upon seventy elders providing men to help Moses minister to the people. (v25-29) God promised it, God did it! (Jer 3:15; 23: 4; Is 30:20; Eph 4: 11-13; Gal 6: 13-16) Also, God provided the temporal blessing of feeding the multitude. (v31) God provided his Son will God not provide every lesser thing? (Rom 8: 32) God is the power of every law of the universe from gravity to weightlessness, from gentle breezes to the power of the sun to turning men whatsoever he will. He is the LORD of Sabaoth—the LORD of the armies—the LORD of hosts.
God’s hand is not short to restore peace to his congregation. (vv32-35) God used his enemies to gather up the quail for Moses, Joshua and Caleb then destroyed his enemies in just judgment. (Ps 106: 15; 78: 18-33) After doing so, he moved his people from a place which means “graves of lust” to “Hazeroth” which means “settled.” God’s hand is mighty to deliver all his people from the “the graves of lust” and settle us by his grace in faith.
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A WORD FOR CITIZENS OF HEAVEN
Philippians 3: 20: For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
The conversation—citizenship—of every saint of God is in heaven. Christ reconciled all God’s elect by his blood. By the Holy Spirit, he gave us life and faith to rest in him. He made every believer one with God and our brethren as citizens of heavenly Jerusalem. Knowing this present world shall soon be burned up and we shall be with Christ in our heavenly city, how should we live in this present world? (2 Pet 3: 10-13; Heb 12: 18-29)
Stand fast in the Lord with the same mind (Php 4: 1-3) Christ called us by assembling a body of believers, who he blessed to support the preaching of our glorious gospel. Now, Christ has called us and fit us together to do the same for other lost sheep. Therefore, let each of us be of one mind to make this work of spreading this gospel our chief business in this world, standing fast in the Lord with one mind.
Rejoice in the Lord alway. (Php 4: 4) Having all fullness in Christ, we should be the happiest folks on earth. We sorrow due to the sins of our flesh. Yet, we rejoice always that we are complete in Christ. Grace chose us, grace redeemed us, grace regenerated us, grace shall keep us and grace shall bring us home. Oh, rejoice!
Let your moderation be known unto all men. (Php 4: 5) Let our spirit be mild, gentle, patient, kind, tenderhearted, non-judgmental toward those in the church and the world. (Eph. 4:32) “The Lord is at hand.”
Be careful for nothing (Php 4: 6-7) When I visit another country, I am still a citizen of this country. I do not protest in their street because that is not my country. The same goes for each believer concerning the politics and cares of this world. Our citizenship is in heaven so let us live here looking to Christ, asking grace from him, without being anxious and worrisome about things below. (Ro 11: 1-2; Jer 29:7; Rom 12: 18; Lu 6: 35)
Occupy Your Mind. (Php 4: 8) A great deal of what we fill our minds with only serves to trouble us. The Spirit of God says occupy your minds with things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy. In other words, set your affection on things above where Christ sits at God’s right hand. (Col 3: 1-4) Do so knowing, “my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Php 4: 19) In a little while this soujourn will be over and we will be going to our eternal home!