The Last Day of the Year

From today’s Grace Gem:

The last day of the year has come again! How rapidly are the wheels of time revolving and bearing me on to a boundless eternity! Another year closing, and of what do its “gone-by” periods testify? Why, of aggravated transgression and ingratitude on my part—and most astonishing mercy and longsuffering from my covenant God!

Your Communion with the Saints – Some New Year Pondering

From the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith, Section 27:

All saints who are united to Jesus Christ, their Head, by His Spirit, and by faith…are obligated to the orderly performance of such public and private duties as lead to their mutual good, both in the inward and outward man.

Saints, by their profession are bound to maintain a holy fellowship and communion in the worship of God and in performing such other spiritual services as advance their mutual edification. They are also to give relief to each other in outward things according to their different needs and abilities to meet them.

Our pastor, Butch Rumble, preached on this subject yesterday, 12/30. If you are able, I would encourage you to listen to the sermon HERE, as it will give the full picture from what these notes were taken.

The communion of saints is much more than fellowship, and we would do well to consider what our attitude is toward the church as we prepare to enter another new year. The following things were presented to us yesterday at RCC, and I encourage you to consider them as well if you call yourself a Christian.

• The nature of the gospel makes Christianity a social faith rather than a solitary one.

• In regeneration, the Father draws us to Christ. No one is saved in a vacuum. Rom. 15:5-6

• Is YOUR heart to readily and cheerfully employ YOUR gifts for the advantage and salvation of other members?

• What is the church to YOU?

Ponder -

Christ loves the church, laid His life down for the church, gives gifts to the church, is Himself building the church, is the chief cornerstone of the church, owns the church, is the head of the church, and is returning for the church.

• How can a professing Christian be uninterested, passive, apathetic, and bored when it comes to the church?

Q – How does the Bible view the church?
A – The church exists as a supernatural plan before time.

Q – When were you made a member of Christ’s church?
A – When you were dead! Eph. 2:5

• Isn’t it interesting that God made you a member of the church while you were still a sinner and dead, yet many won’t even join a local body unless it is practically perfect?

• How precious is the church to YOU?
  • You were ransomed, not with perishable things, but with the imperishable blood of Christ – 1 Pet. 1:18-19
• Do YOU treat the church with value?

• Do YOU delight in the Bride of Christ?

After a lifetime of uninvolvement, do you really think you will be at the wedding?