Grace Baptist Church of Danville

February 21, 2010

 

 

Always beware of those who, like Diotrephes, love to have pre-eminence. They are easily spotted and identified. — Such people promote themselves, discredit others and divide brethren.

 

 

Daily Readings for the Week of February 21-28

Sunday                Numbers 30-32                                Thursday                   Deuteronomy 5-7

            Monday                     Numbers 33-35                                Friday             Deuteronomy 8-11

            Tuesday                    Numbers 36-Deut.   1                      Saturday                    Deuteronomy 12-14

            Wednesday  Deuteronomy 2-4                            Sunday                      Deuteronomy 15-18

 

NURSERY DUTY THIS WEEK

Today: Debbie Bartley (AM) Anne Peterson (PM) Tuesday: Jayalita McCormack

 

The Lord our RighteousnessDon Fortner

(Tune: When I can Read my Title Clear — CM)

 

1.    Sinners condemned by SinaiÕs law,

And sunk. in deep distress,

To CalvÕry look, and comfort draw

From Christ our Righteousness.

 

2.    This is the name by which HeÕs known,

The name His saints confess.

We look on Him and humbly own —

ÒThe Lord our Righteousness

 

3.    Our title just, our pardon sealed,

Our spotless wedding dress,

Both grace and glory are revealed

In Christ, our Righteousness.

 

4.    By faith He gives, sinners may claim,

(O blessed gift of grace!)

Eternal life in JesusÕ name, —

ÒThe Lord our Righteousness!Ó

 

            ÒIn 1860 Andrew BonarÕs little son, also called Andrew, died. It was a Sunday and somehow the grieving father managed to preach that day.

            His lament was real and he wrote in his diary: ÔO to see him come with Christ, to recognize that sweet, sweet voice amid the company of the redeemed!Õ Four years later, BonarÕs wife. Isabella, died and this time Bonar wrote: ÔIÕve been thinking of her in glory, perhaps with little Andrew beside her, and how they will meet me.

            ÔWeeping may tarry for a night, but joy comes in the morningÕ (Psalm 30:5).Ó                                                                                                                                                         — Peter Barnes

 

ÒGood NewsÓ

Proverbs 25:25

 

I have a good many dear friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, who could benefit greatly by a little good news. I want, by the Spirit of God, to be a messenger of good news to them and to you.

 

Good News for Sinners

 

Here is good news for helpless sinners from the almighty God of sovereign grace. The God against whom we have sinned is a gracious, almighty God. It is true; God is holy, righteous and just. He must and will punish sin. But it is the glory of God to forgive iniquity, transgression and sin. His goodness is his glory (Exodus 33:18-19; 34:5-7). This great God has found a way to save sinners without compromising his holy character. He gave his Son, Jesus Christ, to be a propitiation for our sins. The Lord Jesus Christ has obtained eternal redemption for every sinner who comes to God by him.

 

Good News for Pilgrims

 

Here is good news for weary, heavy-hearted pilgrims from our homeland in heaven. Do you have heartaches and troubles too numerous to count? It will do you good to receive some good news from home. — The Lord our God is still on his throne. — Our Savior is still in heaven, preparing a place for you, representing you, interceding for you. — There are many in heaven just like you and me already. There is a fallen David there, a doubting Thomas, an angry Moses, a feeble Philip, an impetuous Peter and a righteous Lot. All are there by grace alone, through the merits of ChristÕs blood and righteousness.

 

And you are wanted there! God the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost want you there. The angels of God want you there. Your glorified brethren want you there. — And, soon, the Lord Jesus Christ will come again to take you there (John 14:1-3).

 

Good News for the Church

 

And we have good news for the church above from the church here below. Our brothers and sisters in heaven are interested in GodÕs church on earth. They rejoice to hear that sinners are repenting. GodÕs saints are running the race with patience. Gospel churches are being established. The gospel is spreading again through America, Mexico, Africa, Europe, Asia, Canada, Australia and the islands of the seas. GodÕs saints are growing in grace. Some are growing old gracefully. Some are growing feeble, but growing strong in the Lord. And some will be going home soon. — Rejoice! There is good news all around!

 

GodÕs Method of Grace

 

ÒNow Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by.Ó        (Zechariah 3:3-5)

 

We must be careful not to suggest that sinners must meet certain qualifications, pass through the same feelings, emotions and experiences, or possess great knowledge before they can be saved. It is the task of gospel preachers not to place obstacles in the sinnerÕs way, but to remove every obstacle that might hinder sinners fleeing to Christ for refuge. Salvation is as simple and profound as this: —-ÒBelieve on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.Ó

 

Still, in the Scriptures we are given many pictures of salvation which reveal GodÕs method of grace. One of those pictures is found here in Zechariah 3:3-5. Here is Joshua the High Priest of Israel. Though he was of the priestly line, he was a sinner in need of grace. And what he experienced is a picture of GodÕs grace. This is what happens when God saves a sinner by his grace.

 

1. We must take our place as guilty sinners before the Lord Jesus Christ (v. 3). Take the ground God gives you. If you take your place as a sinner before God, he will lift you up by his grace (1 John 1:9).

 

2. Our sin must be taken away (v. 4). Christ took away the sins of his people when he died upon the cursed tree as the sinnersÕ Substitute (Hebrews 9:27). He sends his servants to proclaim the free pardon and forgiveness of sin by the gospel (Isaiah 40:1-2). And in the day of grace, by faith in his blood, he causes the guilt of sin to be removed from your conscience (Hebrews 9:14).

 

3. Then the Lord Jesus clothes us with change of raiment, the garments of salvation (v. 4). This change of raiment is the righteousness of Christ, imputed to us in justification and imparted to us in regeneration. Like a garment, it covers us, protects us, warms us and adorns us.

 

4. At last, the sinner saved by the grace of God is given the miter of assured acceptance (v. 5). The miter of the High Priest had a golden plate upon the front of it, with these words inscribed upon it: — ÒHOLINESS TO THE LORDÓ (Exodus 28:36-38). The sinner, with his sins washed away and ChristÕs righteousness imputed and imparted to him, is assured of acceptance with God by faith in Christ. With his spotless garments on, all who believe are as holy as GodÕs own Son!

 

 

 

Grace Bulletin

 

February 21, 2010

 

Grace Baptist Church of Danville

2734 Old Stanford Road-Danville, Kentucky 40422-9438

Telephone (859) 236-8235 - E-Mail don@donfortner.com

 

Donald S. Fortner, Pastor

 

Schedule of Regular Services

 

Sunday

10:00 A.M. Bible Classes

10:30 A.M. Morning Worship Service

6:30 P.M. Evening Worship Service

 

Tuesday

7:30 P.M. Mid-Week Worship Service

 

 

Television Broadcasts in Danville

 

Channel 6 - Sunday Morning 8:00 A.M.

Channel 6 - Wednesday Evening 6:00 P.M.

Channel 6 - Friday Evening 7:00 P.M.

 

Web Pages

http://www.donfortner.com

http://www.freegraceradio.com

http://www.sovereign-grace.com/gracechurch.htm

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don Fortner

 

 

Listen to sermons at FreeGraceRadio.com