Sovereign Grace Missionary Baptist Church
1217 Dillon Dr. (Wake Village) Texarkana, Texas 75501
January 09, 2005 
Elder Randy Johnson, Pastor                                      Bro. Ronnie Henderson, Song Director  
Pastor E-Mail: sgmbcpastor@countrybaptist.org         Web Site: www.countrybaptist.org/sgmbc

When Paul and Barnabas had completed their first missionary journey, they returned to Antioch and declared all things that God had done through them (Acts 14:27). When the word of God's dealings and saving mercies among the Gentlies had filtered back to Jerusalem, certain of the Pharisees took upon themselves to travel to Antioch and tried to subvert and convince the Gentiles who believed, that it was needful to be circumcised and to keep the law of Moses before one could be saved (Acts 15: 1). Paul and Barnabas traveled to Jerusalem to consider this vital question with the Apostles and Elders of the church. After there had been much disputing Peter stood up and clears the air with this plain, God-inspired statement of the gospel, "We believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they." From this one statement we can learn at least four things.
1). Salvation is all of Grace!
Because God is holy and all mankind are most sinful, the only way God can be just and justify the ungodly is exclusively by His sovereign grace. This is the plain teaching of scripture and the message of all the prophets and Apostles. We are chosen by His grace (Rom.11: 5). We are justified by His grace (Rom. 3:24). We are saved by His grace (Eph. 2:8-9). We are called by His grace (Gal. 5:15). We are glorified by His grace (Eph. 2:7). From election to glorification salvation is all of GRACE!
2). Salvation is through the Lord Jesus Christ!
There is not one single spiritual blessing given to any sinner apart from Jesus Christ. God has blessed His people with all spiritual blessings in the heavenly things only in Christ (Eph. 1:3-6). Jesus Christ is our salvation (I Jn.5:12). He only is our righteousness (Phil. 3:9). Jesus Christ is our wisdom (I Cor. 1:30). He alone is our redemption from all sin (Heb.9:12). God's grace is always given through righteous means (Rom. 5:2 1).
3). Salvation is certain for those whom God has foreknown!
Peter says, "we shall be saved." There are no uncertainties with God. James says, "Known unto God are all his works from the beginning"(Acts 15:18). All of those given to Jesus Christ in the covenant of grace (John 6:37); all those from whom Jesus Christ was made Surety, Mediator and Saviour must be saved (Rom. 8:29-30). The blood sacrifice He made guarantees their salvation (Heb. 10: 9-17).
4). God saves all whom He wisely saves by the same means!
There is not one method of salvation for the Jews and another for the Gentiles. Peter says, " we shall be saved even as they." No Jew nor Gentile will ever be justified by the law, but only through His mighty grace!
By: Tom Harding, Pastor Zebulon Baptist Church Pikeville, Ky.

...A new company has found a way to let Christian healthcare professionals wear their hearts, not on their sleeves but on their scrubs. A new company called "Scripture Scrubs" is producing medical uniform tops that offer a blend of scripture and design with a biblical theme that allows the wearer to share their faith and address patients' spiritual needs. "When people are fearful and vulnerable, they tend to gravitate towards others who demonstrate their faith, seeking comfort, hope and encouragement," says founding partner Barbara Payne, R.N. That is the idea behind Scripture Scrubs, she explains: a holistic approach to healthcare by sharing faith in a quiet but powerful and visible way. The 100-percent cotton uniforms have a standard V-neck, two-pocket, side-slit design, and are available in two styles: the "Hope in the Lord" scrubs, which feature a dove and rainbow motif; and the "Reaping and Sowing" scrubs, which have a garden theme. Scripture Scrubs is committed to supporting Christian professionals in the medical field and the mission field. Payne says the Round Rock, Texas-based company will be donating 20 percent of its annual proceeds to a medical mission fund for the poor and indigent in response to the biblical principle found in Matthew 25:40, which says, "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." [Jenni Parker]
Source The Agape News Press

I look at the weeds which overspread my garden, and breathe out an earnest wish that they were eradicated. But why? What prompts the wish? It may be that I may walk out and say to myself, 'In what fine order is my garden kept!' This is pride. Or, it may be that my neighbours may look over the wall and say, 'How finely your garden flourishes!' This is vanity. Or I may wish for the destruction of the weeds, because I am weary of pulling them up. This is indolence." So that even our desires after holiness may be polluted by ill motives. Under the greenest sods worms hide themselves; we need not look long to discover them. How cheering is the thought, that when the High Priest bore the iniquity of the holy things he wore upon his brow the words, "HOLINESS TO THE LORD:" and even so while Jesus bears our sin, He presents before His Father's face not our unholiness, but his own holiness. O for grace to view our great High Priest by the eye of faith!