A Case For Grace

We began the new year by worshiping in church Sunday morning at Mill Creek Baptist Church. Wayne Johnson opened our service with prayer and special prayers were requested for Sheri White's father, the Gerrall Law family, Naomi Cartwright and Dot's sister.

Linda Abercrombie shared the first devotional of the new year, "Begin with the End in Mind," and read John 14:27: "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." Linda reminded us that life is short and we need to get our priorities in order. Everyday is precious and we need to be diligent to pray for one another. She told us to "let the dishes pile up if your family wants to do something." As she talked about beginning something with the end in mind, she told us there are two steps to make things happen. First, envision what you want to create and then live in line to create that vision. Begin with an end in mind, just like using a blueprint to build a house. God provides a blueprint for us to live a life in peace. Ask God to help you develop the peace you want. God's blueprint will help show us how to put the bricks and mortar in place if we will commit to Him.

Rick Lett and Tyrel Lett served as ushers and collected the offering, and Becky Johnson and Karen Gardner led the congregation in singing "Sunlight" and "He Set Me Free."

Brother Mark Hall read Ephesians 2:1-10 and then began God's message for us: "A Case for Grace." He began by telling us that grace is not a reward for the righteous, it is a gift for the guilty. In prayer, Brother Mark thanked God for His grace and prayed over the new year.

What is God's grace? Brother Mark told us, "It is God's undeserved favor for us that is freely given to everyone who believes Jesus Christ is the son of God and that He died for us. God's grace is there for everyone, but you won't understand grace until you take a good look at Jesus Christ. It will change your life forever, but you won't know grace until you know Jesus.

"Grace is when we follow, serve and love Jesus, not for what He is going to do for us, but what he has already done for us. He gave us life with His gift of salvation. Jesus Christ died and paid our sin debt. Why did God give His son for that? Because he loves us and so we could be with Him and show others. You weren't saved by doing good works. You were saved to do good works. We don't go to church to get saved; we go to church because we are saved and to praise God for it. Do you want to live for yourself now or live for Christ for an eternity?"

Brother Mark told us "Faith comes from the heart and knowing and believing that Jesus Christ walked out of that grave and became the Lord of our life through the saving of our soul. When you believe in Jesus Christ, you act accordingly and walk and follow in Him. Grace is free, but not cheap." Brother Mark talked about all of Jesus' sacrifices for us.

In closing, Brother Mark read Colossians 1:21-22 and asked, "Are you drowning in the lake of life today? If so, Jesus Christ is reaching out for you if you will take His hand. Close your eyes, open your heart, humble yourself and let Jesus into your life. He has a load of grace waiting for you."

Our hymn of invitation was "Lord, I'm Coming Home," and Wayne Holly gave the benediction.

The quarterly business meeting will be held at 6 p.m next Sunday, and Brother Mark will host the Widow's Luncheon next Sunday immediately after the morning worship service.

We invite you begin your new year in church worshiping with us at Mill Creek Baptist Church. Sunday school begins at 10 a.m. and worship service at 11. Everyone is welcome. Mill Creek is located 3.5 miles east of Noel, just off Highway 90.

Religion on 01/05/2017