Dear Brothers and Sisters,

On Sunday morning and evening, we will continue to examine the doctrine of clothing and to look at some of the critical passages of scripture. As we consider this subject, we must remember that our bodies are not our own as we were bought with a price. Our bodies were not given to us for self expression, but rather to express the beauty of holiness. Nancy Leigh DeMoss says it this way,  “As Christians, we don’t belong to this world. We’re citizens of another kingdom – the Kingdom of God. That means everything about us should reflect our real home.” From, “The Look,” by Nancy Leigh DeMoss, P15. So far we have touched on 1. God’s zeal to cover shame, Gen. 3:7,13, 21; Isa. 61:1-11; Rev. 3:5. And 2. God’s zeal for beauty, Ex. 28:2-8; Ps. 45:13-14al Isa. 52:1-12; Isa. 59:17 Isa. 62:5; Eph 5:27; Ezekiel 1.

On Sunday, we will examine the following: 3. God’s blessing of humility, 1 Tim. 2:9-10; Isa. 3:16-26. 4. God’s care for unfading adornment, 1 Pet. 3:3-6. 5. God’s passion for purity, Prov. 7:4-27; 5:29-30. 6. God’s design for gender distinction, Deut. 22:5. 7. God’s favor for non-conformity to the world, Rom. 12:1-2; 1 Thess. 4:1-7; 1 Cor. 6:13-20; Jer. 10:2-4.

And let us remember to keep our minds fixed on the very words of scripture as we cleanse our minds from thinking that is contrary or additional to what God has spoken. This is our greatest need, and the pathway to greatest blessing.

Prayer will be held at the Brown’s barn.

Rejoice: on Sunday we will witness the baptism of Sam and Christy Zuniga at 2:00 in the Brown’s lake.

Here is an upcoming evangelism event with Freddy Molina at NC State this coming weekend. He will be going from 1 to 5.  Here is the website: What is Packapalooza? https://packapalooza.ncsu.edu/ Please let Freddy know if you would like to ride with him this Saturday. He can fit 4 in his car. 

 Our singing together on Sunday bring us to these songs:

• Crown Him with Many Crowns
• Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness
  •    http://opc.org/hymn.html?hymn_id=391
• The Solid Rock
• His Robes for Mine
• Are You Washed in the Blood 

Crown Him with Many Crowns

Crown Him with many crowns

The Lamb upon His throne

Hark! how the heav’nly anthem drowns 

All music but its own!

Awake, my soul, and sing

Of Him who died for thee

And hail Him as thy matchless King

Thro’ all eternity

Crown Him the Lord of Love!  

Behold His hands and side –

Rich wounds, yet visible above

In beauty glorified

All hail, Redeemer, hail!  

For Thou Hast died for me

Thy praise and glory shall not fail

Thro’out eternity 

Crown Him the Lord of life!

Who triumphed o’er the grave

Who rose victorious in the strife 

For those He came to save

His glories now we sing

Who died and rose on high

Who died eternal life to bring 

And lives that death may die

Crown Him the Lord of Heav’n!

One with the Father known

One with the Spirit thro’ Him giv’n

From yonder glorious throne

To Thee be endless praise

For Thou for us hast died

Be Thou, O Lord, thro’ endless days

Adored and magnified

Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness

Jesus, thy blood and righteousness

My beauty are, my glorious dress;

‘Midst flaming worlds, in these arrayed,

With joy shall I lift up my head.

Bold shall I stand in thy great day;

For who aught to my charge shall lay?

Fully absolved through these I am

From sin and fear, from guilt and shame.

When from the dust of death I rise

To claim my mansion in the skies,

Ev’n then this shall be all my plea,

Jesus hath lived, hath died, for me.

Jesus, be endless praise to thee,

Whose boundless mercy hath for me—

For me a full atonement made,

An everlasting ransom paid.

O let the dead now hear thy voice;

Now bid thy banished ones rejoice;

Their beauty this, their glorious dress,

Jesus, thy blood and righteousness.

The Solid Rock

My hope is built on nothing less

than Jesus’ blood and righteousness

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

but wholly lean on Jesus’ name

   On Christ the solid Rock I stand

   All other ground is sinking sand

   All other ground is sinking sand

When darkness veils His lovely face,

I rest on His unchanging grace

In every high and stormy gale,

my anchor holds within the veil

His oath, His covenant, His blood,

Support me in the whelming flood

When all around my soul gives way

He then is all my hope and stay

When He shall come with trumpet sound

O may I then in Him be found

Dressed in His righteousness alone

Faultless to stand before the throne

His Robes for Mine

His robes for mine: O wonderful exchange!

Clothed in my sin, Christ suffered ‘neath God’s rage.

Draped in His righteousness, I’m justified.

In Christ I live, for in my place He died.

   I cling to Christ, and marvel at the cost:

   Jesus forsaken, God estranged from God.

   Bought by such love, my life is not my own.

   My praise-my all-shall be for Christ alone.

His robes for mine: what cause have I for dread?

God’s daunting Law Christ mastered in my stead.

Faultless I stand with righteous works not mine,

Saved by my Lord’s vicarious death and life.

His robes for mine: God’s justice is appeased.

Jesus is crushed, and thus the Father’s pleased.

Christ drank God’s wrath on sin, then cried “‘Tis done!”

Sin’s wage is paid; propitiation won.

His robes for mine: such anguish none can know.

Christ, God’s beloved, condemned as though His foe.

He, as though I, accursed and left alone;

I, as though He, embraced and welcomed home!

Are You Washed in the Blood  

Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing pow’r?

Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour?

Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

   Are you washed in the blood,

   In the soul-cleansing blood of the Lamb?

   Are your garments spotless?

   Are they white as snow?

   Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Are you walking daily by the Savior’s side?

Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Do you rest each moment in the Crucified?

Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

When the Bridegroom cometh will your robes be white!

Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Will your soul be ready for His presence bright,

And be washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin,

And be washed in the blood of the Lamb;

There’s a fountain flowing for the soul unclean,

O be washed in the blood of the Lamb.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As we come to Nehemiah 7 we enter into a new section, which has been called the “second book,” of Nehemiah. The focus shifts from rebuilding the walls, to rebuilding the people. This process begins by gathering more people into the city. But, here’s the catch – the city must be populated only by those who ought to be there, for the city of God is not for everyone.

You will notice approximately 130 names of the original returnees from Babylon 100 years earlier (See Ezra 2). It is a list verifying that these are the people of God. Now that the walls were built, the city needed to be populated according to the heart and the mind of God.

Nehemiah 7 shows us how God has provided a good city for His people. It is a city which He has ordered by His wisdom. But the presence of this city raises questions: Are you living in the city of God? Is your name written in the lambs book of life?  Have you entered in to the city according to God’s way? Are you a citizen of the city of God or are you still a citizen of the city of man?

Notice this: the city is ready, but there is still much room for more people… this is the situation with the church today. We must continue to gather people into the city of God through the spread of the gospel of  Jesus Christ.

Here are a few things we learn about God in Nehemiah 7: Through Jesus Christ, God establishes a dwelling place with protections for His people in His Church; God knows your name; God draws  you into His story; God provides for your public worship; God calls you into His city.

Here is the outline of chapter 7:1-73

1. Men were appointed to minister and protect, v1-3
2. The conditions in the city are stated – few houses and sparse population, v4
3. The people were registered, 5-73

Prayer will be held at the Noah’s

Please pray for the group traveling to Montgomery Alabama for two conferences this weekend. The first will take place on Friday evening, which feature a small gathering of black pastors to consider the state of fatherhood in the church. Carlton McLeod, Clarence Simmons, Jason Dohm, Tom Ford, Scott Brown and others from the Montgomery area, including the former Chief Justice of Alabama, Roy Moore will be speaking. Then on Saturday Jason, Tom, Clarence, Carlton, Scott and Paul will be speaking at a family conference. Others making the trip are, Isaac Burke, Will Arterburn, Joah Carpenter, Jake and Laura Dohm, Michael, Malachi and Isabelle Templeton.

On Sunday evening Mike will continue his instruction in the Baptist Confession 1689, chapter 22, on “The Worship of God and the Sabbath.”

Don’t forget about the Father Daughter Retreat, August 11-12, where we will be doing character studies – biographies – on great Christian women in history. And we will be running the Neuse River in Canoes on Saturday afternoon…

Our singing together on Sunday will feature these songs:

• I Sing the Mighty Power of God
• How Great Thou Art
• Rejoice in the Lord
• All I Have Is Christ
• Amazing Grace
  
  

I Sing the Mighty Power of God
I sing the mighty pow’r of God
that made the mountains rise
That spread the flowing seas abroad
and built the lofty skies
I sing the wisdom that ordained
the sun to rule the day
The moon shines full at His command
and all the stars obey

I sing the goodness of the Lord
that filled the earth with food
He formed the creatures with His word
and then pronounced them good
Lord, how Thy wonders are displayed
wher-e’er I turn my eye
If I survey the ground I tread
or gaze upon the sky

There’s not a plant or flow’r below
but makes Thy glories known
And clouds arise and tempests blow
by order from Thy throne
While all that borrows life from Thee
is ever in Thy care
And everywhere that man can be,
Thou, God, art present there

How Great Thou Art
O Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
Thy pow’r thro’out the universe displayed

  Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee
How great Thou art!  How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee
How great Thou art!  How great Thou art!

When thro’ the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees,
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze

And when I think that God, His Son not sparing
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing
He bled and died to take away my sin

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration
And there proclaim:  my God, how great Thou art!

Rejoice in the Lord
God never moves without purpose or plan
When trying His servant and molding a man.
Give thanks to the LORD though your testing seems long;
In darkness He giveth a song.

   O Rejoice in the LORD; He makes no mistake,
He knoweth the end of each path that I take,
For when I am tried and purified,
I shall come forth as gold.

I could not see through the shadows ahead;
So I looked at the cross of my Savior instead.
I bowed to the will of the Master that day;
Then peace came and tears fled away.

Now I can see testing comes from above;
God strengthens His children and purges in love.
My Father knows best, and I trust in His care;
Through purging more fruit I will bear.

All I Have Is Christ
I once was lost in darkest night
Yet thought I knew the way.
The sin that promised joy and life
Had led me to the grave.
I had no hope that You would own
A rebel to Your will.
And if You had not loved me first
I would refuse You still.

But as I ran my hell-bound race
Indifferent to the cost
You looked upon my helpless state
And led me to the cross.
And I beheld God’s love displayed
You suffered in my place
You bore the wrath reserved for me
Now all I know is grace.

   Hallelujah! All I have is Christ
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life

Now, Lord, I would be Yours alone
And live so all might see
The strength to follow Your commands
Could never come from me.
Oh Father, use my ransomed life
In any way You choose.
And let my song forever be
My only boast is You.

Hallelujah! All I have is Christ
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life

Amazing Grace
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost but now am found
Was blind but now I see

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed

Through many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come
‘Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home

The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my Shield and Portion be,
As long as life endures

When we’ve been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun

Brothers and sisters, have you ever felt that a sermon preached on a Sunday morning was aimed specifically at you? Be prepared! This one has you specifically in mind! Yes, you. And yes, me as well – actually, me quite much. How can I be so sure that this passage applies so specifically to you and to me? Because the man who penned the words under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit said it did. James reminds us (3:1-12) of two unsettling realities – 1) we all stumble in many things, and 2) no man can tame the tongue.

We will seek to open up the passage under the following headings:

The Priority of the Tongue (vv 1-2)
The Power of the Tongue (vv 3-5a)
The Potential of the Tongue (vv 5b-8a)
The Purity of the Tongue (vv 8b-12)

Dear ones, approach Sunday morning with the prayer of David in your heart and on your lips – Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer (Ps. 19:14).

Prayer Wednesday night will be at the Brown’s barn.

The songs we will be singing Sunday are as follows:

O Church Arise
Suffering Servant
Speak O Lord
Ancient Words
He Leadeth Me

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

In the previous chapter, Nehemiah faces opposition from the outside forces. Now, Nehemiah faces internal forces. If the devil cannot convince you to give up as a result of external pressure, he will use a selfish spirit and the internal dissatisfaction that it causes. Here internal disunity raises its ugly head. It was a time of enormous pressure – famine, debt, oppression. We must sympathize with the hardships the rebuilders were experiencing. Yes, they were making great progress on the wall, but behind the scenes there was injustice and oppression. The trouble was fueled by a loss of generosity and obedience to the law of God regarding lending to your brethren. Often the worst enemy of the church, is the church itself… and her people who sin against one another. Why the disunity? Generosity died. There are always love killing influences latently lurking in the hearts of people in the church. What is their source? It is always the same thing: setting aside the commands of Word of God which is summed up in one word – love. In this case, it was the virus of selfishness that killed generosity. Jesus was very familiar with this problem, “And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you?” Luke 6:34.

Here is the good news: they had many legitimate reasons to stop building, but they did not. They sought reconciliation.  There is a victory here in chapter 5: sin did not stop the building… they dealt with their sin and the joy rushed in.  While God is sanctifying sinners, the devil takes advantage of the situation.

Here is an outline: I. The outcry, v1-5. II. Nehemiah responds, v6-11. III. The oppressors repent and obey, v12-13. IV. The generosity of Nehemiah, 5:14-19.

Prayer will be held at the Burke home this week.

The songs are here:

• Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
• More, More About Jesus
• Let It Be Said of Us
• Complete In Thee
• Grace Greater Than Our Sin
  
  

Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
Come, Thou Fount of every blessing
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace
Streams of mercy, never ceasing
Call for songs of loudest praise
Teach me some melodious sonnet
Sung by flaming tongues above
Praise His name – I’m fixed upon it
Name of God’s redeeming love

Hitherto Thy love has blest me
Thou hast bro’t me to this place
And I know Thy hand will bring me
Safely home by Thy good grace
Jesus sought me when a stranger
Wand’ring from the fold of God
He, to rescue me from danger
Bo’t me with His precious blood

O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter
Bind my wand’ring heart to Thee
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it
Prone to leave the God I love
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it
Seal it for Thy courts above

More, More About Jesus
More about Jesus would I know,
More of His grace to others show,
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love who died for me.

   More, more about Jesus,
More, more about Jesus,
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love who died for me.

More about Jesus let me learn,
More of His holy will discern;
Spirit of God, my Teacher be,
Showing the things of Christ to me.

More about Jesus in His Word,
Holding communion with my Lord;
Hearing His voice in ev’ry line,
Making each faithful saying mine.

More about Jesus on His throne,
Riches in glory all His own;
More of His kingdom’s sure increase;
More of His coming, Prince of Peace.

Let It Be Said of Us
Let it be said of us that the Lord was our passion
That with gladness we bore every cross we were given
That we fought the good fight that we finished the course
Knowing within us the pow’r of the risen Lord

  Let the cross be our glory and the Lord be our song
By mercy made holy, by the Spirit made strong
Let the cross be our glory and the Lord be our song
Till the likeness of Jesus be through us made known
Let the cross be our glory and the Lord be our song

Let it be said of us we were marked by forgiveness
We were known by our love and delighted in meekness
We were ruled by His peace, heeding unity’s call
Joined as one body that Christ would be seen by all

Complete In Thee
Complete in Thee, no work of mine
Could take, dear Lord, the place of Thine.
Thy blood hath pardon bought for me,
And I shall stand complete in Thee!

   Yea, justified, oh blessed thought!
And sanctified salvation-wrought!
Thy blood hath pardon bought for me,
And glorified I, too, shall be.

Complete in Thee, each want supplied,
And no good thing to me denied,
Since Thou my portion, Lord, will be,
I ask no more, complete in Thee!

Complete in Thee, no more shall sin
Thy grace has conquered reign within;
Thy blood shall bid the tempter flee,
And I shall stand complete in Thee!

Dear Savior, when, before Thy bar,
All tribes and tongues assembled are,
Among the chosen I shall be,
At Thy right hand, complete in Thee!

Grace Greater Than Our Sin
Marvelous grace of our loving Lord
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt
Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt

Grace, grace, God’s grace
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within!
Grace, grace, God’s grace
Grace that is greater than all our sin!

Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold
Threaten the soul with infinite loss
Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold
Points to the refuge, the mighty cross

Dark is the stain that we cannot hide
What can avail to wash it away?
Look! there is flowing a crimson tide
Whiter than snow you may be today

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace
Freely bestowed on all who believe!
You that are longing to see His face
Will you this moment His grace receive?