Sovereign Grace Missionary Baptist Church "Where The Truths Of God’s Word Have Been Taught For More Than Fifty-Two Years” 1217 Dillon Texarkana, Texas 75501 June 08, 2014 Newsletter Number 468 Brother Randy Johnson, Pastor Brother Ronnie Henderson, Song Director Pastor E-Mail: pastor@sgmbaptist.com Web Site: ww.sgmbaptist.com

You Were Asked To Pray For: All of Our Military, Their Family’s & All the Civilian Workers in The Middle East, Zee Mink Fuller and Family, Her son’s Bryan Armstrong and Hunter Hackie, Daughter Shannon, and Brother Philip & Sondra Thornsberry, Helen Maggard, Johnnie Stephens, Alecia Stephens, and children, Junior Baldridge, Frankie Baldridge and daughter, Buckie Thompson, Frank & Sonya Trusty, Frank & Dawana Reigel, Andrew Preston, Larry & Martha Mollette, Larry Mollette II & Family, Kerry Pennington, Kim Poole, Danny & Nita Mollette, The Muncy Family, Robert Riggs, Wendell Henderson, Judy Dunn, Martha Gray, Joshua Kidd, Matthew Kidd, Ronnie and Sarah Henderson, Ronnie Henderson Jr. & Children, Ricky Henderson and Family, Jacie Henderson, Velma Hammond, Charles, Don Hammond and Families, Archie & Barbara Griffin, Bro. & Sister Bob Keller, Mary Ramsey, Donna Johnson, Fay Johnson, James and Luann Reynolds, Timothy Fails, Nathan & Claire Fails, Jacob Ramsey, Jerry Hughes, Teresa Bookout, Pastor G. L. Burr, Melody Carr, Janie Capps, Imajo Tracy, Linda Hughes, Roy Lemmon, Rosie Tomlin, Pat Abercrombie, Donna Jones, Dale Trahan, Ricky and Margaret McCoy, Brother David O’Neal, James & Diane Thomas, Gina Peel, James and Lynn Tomlin, Brother Kelley and Sister Hinson, Megan Whitaker, Manual Seymour, Sr., Brother Jerry and Sister Jean Dodson, Brother Curtis Pugh, Brother Dan Sullivan and the work in Thailand, Brother Raul and the work in Romania, and Bro. Sergey Mochalov and the Churches in Russia.

A Thought From Our Pastor: Works; they are wonderful, but not for salvation. "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." Galatians 2:16 This has been a battle ever since Jesus was here and before, and I know there is not one article going to change the minds of those who believe in works for salvation. All I can ask is that you listen to the scriptures and not tradition or some preacher. I always advise our church membership to listen to the scriptures more than me. The scriptures will never fail you; ever. If you believe that works plays any parts in salvation then you fail to recognize Jesus Christ as your Saviour. You can talk all you want about your salvation but if your faith is not in the saving blood of Jesus Christ then you are lost. 1 John 1:7 "...the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." It is impossible to be justified by works and faith together, because works steals the glory of the blood of Christ, just as it steals the glory from the grace of God. Romans 11:6 "And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work." The bottom line is the two no more mix than gas and water. I understand some mind’s thinking that works can be a part of salvation but the scriptures conclude the opposite. How can God be so firm against works if it has any part in salvation? Ephesians 2:8 - 9 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9.) Not of works, lest any man should boast." I have just showed you two scriptures that point blank state that works are NOT in any way part of salvation, now I ask you to show just one where God says different. I am not talking about where you think it says it, but rather where it says you cannot be saved without works. See, if you had one scripture then the scriptures would contradict itself, because these two alone point blank takes works out of the conversation. It is impossible for the law to be a justifier and a condemner. The law was used to show us our sin, or you might say God used it to condemn us. Romans 3:20 "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." He also called it a School Master Galatians 3:24 - 25 "Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. (25.) But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster." God said once salvation has come we no longer need the schoolmaster. Not that it voids out the law of God but that the law has no more value in salvation. The law and works will always play a part in a Christian’s life, but not in saving a lost person. James 2:17 - 18 "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. (18.) Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works." Every Christian must have works or else they are sill in the lost state. If one only says they believe and never care enough about their Saviour to work for Him then I must doubt their salvation. The greatest work of a Christian is love and if one has not a God given love in their heart then how can they know the God of love. 1 Corinthians 13:3 "And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing." Charity means love. The same thing can be said of works; you can do all the works you want to but if you do not trust Jesus Christ as your Saviour then al your works are in vain. Romans 9:32 "Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;"

A Thought For The Week: Let Brotherly Love ContinueHebrews 13:1 "Let brotherly love continue." The spiritual Christian will readily admit there is much wrong in his discipleship, and that he comes miserably short in his service to God and his brothers and sisters in the church. Being aware of these unsavory facts should serve to make us reluctant to severely criticize those who are walking with us in the troubled path of faith. The least scrutiny of our brothers and sisters will reveal much which we consider to run counter to the honor of God, and the best interest of the church. On the other hand, the scrutiny being honest, we will discover much in our dear brothers and sisters that is honest, and worthy of compliment. We are not saying, withhold all criticism. No, loving and constructive criticism can be the means of enriching love, correcting error, and contribute to the welfare of the church. Destructive criticism of a brother or sister is grievously wrong, and severe criticism must come only after the effect has been wisely and prayerfully calculated. The flesh takes a certain satisfaction from “Telling him off”, but it often follows that we look back on our time of temper venting, and conclude, I wish I hadn’t said that; or, I could have handled that in a far better way. More good has been accomplished by a pat on the back, than by a finger in the face. We may not relish humble pie, but the inner man thrives on it, and to deny our self this spiritual delicacy is to lower the flammability point of the depraved, harsh and unkind passions. The devil hates church harmony, peace, and unity. He loves to see discord among the brethren, gossip, and negative attitudes. Yet, the devil cannot create in the church these ill conditions apart from help within the church. Christ said, “it is impossible but that offenses will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come” (Luke 17:1). The devil is the arch rival of God, infinitely hates the blood bought church of Jesus Christ, and is determined to undo every member of the church. So, it behooves the members to promote one another, to pray fervently for one another, and to pay respect to one another. A kind word of appreciation can go a long way in disarming the spirit that is caught in the gall of bitterness. After all, it is the meek who inherit the earth, and our Lord said, “I am meek and lowly in heart.” Let us give the church our best, and God will give the best to us. By Elder Oscar B. Mink now in glory; A former Pastor of our church.

Church News: Happy birthday to Sister Diane Thomas on Monday June 9th Our next business meeting will be today at 4:00

"When you see a man with a great deal of religion displayed in his shop window, you may depend upon it, he keeps a very small stock of it within" - Charles H. Spurgeon