Articles

Bulletin - June 21, 2020

June 21, 2020

 

Hymn of the Day

 

(tune: "Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone?" p.342)

 

When any turn from Zion's way, (Alas, what numbers do!)

It seems I hear my Savior say, "Wilt thou forsake me too?"

 

Ah, Lord! with such a heart as mine, Unless Thou hold me fast;

I feel I must, I shall decline, And prove like them at last.

 

Yet Thou alone hast power I know, To save a wretch like me;

To whom or wither could I go, If I should turn from Thee?

 

Beyond a doubt I rest assured, Thou art the Christ of God;

Who hast eternal life secured, By promise and by blood.

 

The help of men and angels joined, Could never reach my case;

Nor can I hope relief to find, But in Thy boundless grace.

 

What anguish has that question stirred, If I will also go?

Yet, Lord, relying on Thy Word, I humbly answer, No!

 

 

Today's Hymns: # 110 Alas! and Did My Savior Bleed? (Bread)

 # 122 Why? (Wine) - # 125 Jesus Paid It All

 

Special Dates

 

Cornell and Shaina – 21 ~ Nevaeh Sandbulte - 22 ~ Jason & Diane – 22

Allen Koedam – 26 ~ Aimee Koedam -27 ~ Jerry & Pat – 30

 

Congratulations to Jason and Kari Vlastuin on the birth of a daughter, Madilyn Rose, on June 16!

 

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On June 21, 1987, - 33 years ago, today - I began my tenure as pastor of this congregation. What else can we say but, "Hither, by Thy help, we have come." May the Lord's help continue with us until His purpose of grace has been fulfilled for all of us and we stand "faultless and full of joy," in His presence!                                                                             -Joe

 

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The robe that God provided Adam was an effectual covering because He provided it.  The robe that Adam provided for himself was ineffectual, because he provided it.  Adam clothed with God's coat was a safer person outside the fence of paradise than he had been inside. Why?  For within, his dependence was upon himself, whereas outside, his life dependence was on another, even the promised Saviour.   – Donnie Bell

 

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Had God but laid the foundations, and left it unto us to complete the superstructure, He had as well done nothing. But "done, done, done," is replete with joy; it leaves me nothing else to do than sing my thankfulness. He has not merely put me in a salvable condition but saved me—not merely made reconciliation a possibility but reconciled me unto Himself—not merely put me on a road that leads to heaven but guaranteed my reaching there.

 

He would be a fool for his presumption, who should call all to hear what had only been commenced by God, but was dependent for completion on his own exertions, but he on the other hand is a traitor to his Father's glory, who holds his peace concerning what his God has done. A religion of the two letters, DO, can never be a religion of song, but a religion of the four letters, DONE, is a religion that  need never want its accompaniment of praise. See to it then, that in salvation's anthem this note of divine completeness ring loud and clear.     -Archibald Brown

 

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There are, really, only two religions in the world. One of Cain and the other of Abel. One is Ishmael and the other is Isaac. One of Esau and the other of Jacob. One of law and the other of promise. One of Mount Sinai and the other of Mount Calvary.  One condemns, the other finds no fault.  One leads to bondage, the other to freedom.  One tendeth to death, the other to life. One of weakness, the other of power.  One of merit, the other of mercy. One of the weakness of the letter, the other of the power of the Spirit.   -Tom Harding

 

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The very root of all the trouble we see going on in this world right now is nothing more than a sin problem. People can tag whatever name they want to use for all the trouble, but the real problem is sin. Sin is what we are; sins are what we do because of what we are. Until sin is finally gone, we will continue as we are; trouble, trouble and more trouble.    -John Chapman

 

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Many will say to me on that day, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?" Then I will tell them plainly, "I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!"  -Matthew 7.22, 23

 

It is frightening enough to know that some will be surprised on the day of Christ to discover that they are not among the people of Christ. But it is more frightening still to know that this destiny awaits "many." I have read that there are over two billion in our world who profess to be Christians. How many out of two billion does it take to be called "many of them."

 

But we do not need to wait in apprehension to discover how it shall be with u,s for we are taught why these people came to such a surprising end. As each one comes before Him, he says, "Lord, Lord, didn't I°" and for a single letter they gain an eternity of anguish. "I" is the most damning letter in our language. It does not matter what comes after "I," for it is "I," itself, that brings the destruction. "Did I not mourn my sin for many years?" Did I not grow up in the church and faithfully attend throughout my life?" "Did I not give generously to the church and many charitable organizations?" "Did I not get baptized?" "Did I not believe the doctrines of free and sovereign grace?"  

 

The surprise of such people as our Lord mentions is entirely their fault; they disregarded the word of God's grace. Paul wrote, "[It is] not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us." (Titus 3.5) It is not "I,I,I," but "Him, Him, Him." It is not even "Him, Him, I." It is all "Him," from first to last.

 

It is written that the one who trusts in Christ will never be put to shame. The "many" our Lord mentions were obviously not trusting Him, and their words proved it.  Out of the abundance of their self-trusting hearts, their mouths spoke of what they had done, and by their words they were condemned. But when the child of God speaks of his destiny, from the abundance of his heart, he speaks only of what Christ has done, and by his words, he is justified.  -Joe