Sovereign Grace Missionary Baptist Church "Where The Truths Of God’s Word Have Been Taught For More Than Fifty-Four Years” 1217 Dillon Texarkana, Texas 75501 January 03, 2016            Newsletter Number 549 Brother Randy Johnson, Pastor                    Brother Ronnie Henderson Sr., Song Director Pastor E-Mail: pastor@sgmbaptist.com          Web Site: www.sgmbaptist.com

Happy New Year; It's 2016

Our Prayer Request: 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,  Johnnie Stephens, Alecia Stephens, and children, Frankie Baldridge and daughter, Buckie Thompson, Frank & Sonya Trusty, Frank & Dawana Reigel, Andrew Preston, Larry & Martha Mollette and Her Family, Ted O'Bonion, Larry Mollette II & Family, Kerry Pennington, Kim Poole, Danny & Nita Mollette, The Muncy Family,  Wendell Henderson, 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, Donna Johnson, James and Luann Reynolds, Timothy Fails, Nathan Fails, Jacob Ramsey, Jerry Hughes, Pastor G. L. Burr, Melody Carr, Janie Capps, Imajo Tracy, Linda Hughes, Roy Lemmon, Rosie Tomlin, James and Lynn Tomlin, Pat Abercrombie, Donna Jones, Diane Thomas, Brandy Sullivan, Gina Peel, Tammy Hairston and family, Brother Kelley and Sister Hinson, Manual Seymour, Sr, Brother Jerry and Sister Jean Dodson, Dewayne Sewell, The Harris Family, Teresa Bookout, LittleTitan Thomas (Trent and Tiffane Thomas child), James and Brook Thomas, Steve Sparks, 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:   Let Your New Years Resolution Be; To Be A Better Church Member."Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." Hebrews 10:25   There are many Christians who have forsaken the assemblies, this is what the Lord calls an "Apostasy" or a falling away from the local churches. If is a fact that people who forsake the local churches are weak in faith and biblical understanding. If you have fled the church let me urge you to return. The church is the most important and most valuable thing in your earthly life. The church is the earths seminary of learning. The church is the single place on earth to be as close to heaven that there is. If you have left church or have forsaken the assembly for any reason, and I mean ANY reason, then please return. There is not a good reason to forsake the local church. Maybe something was said, something done, maybe something was not right, but maybe things have changed. However bad it was that caused you to forsake the church maybe it is corrected by now, maybe there is another pastor by now, or etc. You are a Christian and if you are not in church you are hurting yourself, but also the assembly that God set you in as a member.   If you are a Christian and are not a member of a local assembly then you need to find one. God does not save people to forsake His assemblies, His teachings, or the worship of him. Believe me you cannot satisfy God in worship if you do not attend church. I once had a boss (in the attempt to get me to work on Sunday)  that the church is everywhere and you can worship at home, at work, or anywhere you can hear a preacher preaching. I must say this man was totally ignorant of the scriptures. A Christian is not satisfying God if they are not attending church, the only holy ground on earth. Paul told young Timothy in 1 Titus 3:15 "But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." There is not another place on earth with these sort of benefits. The church is the HOUSE OF GOD and THE PILLER and GROUND OF TRUTH. But only a true church, that is one who teaches the truths of the scripture, even if it offends us. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"  2 Timothy 3:16 What this means the scriptures is preached to us all as a discipline tool of God. Beloved if you have left church, don't go to church, or even have been disciplined but the church with expulsion, make it your New Years resolution to return and correct that issue, and draw yourself closer to the Lord Jesus Christ.   The Lord went on in our text scripture and said "... exhorting one another..." This word means - a call to be good - that is good to each other. All church members must realize that God has grace on us all, in saving our souls when we were at enmity with him, therefore as Christians and church members we are to be gracious to others, no matter what. I have over the years met many rude and unruly church members, even so rude as to mock other people who was attending church. As kids we were laughed at for the clothes we wore, from the family we were from, and in many other ways, and this ought not be in God's house. The Lord said in 1 Thessalonians 5:11 "Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do." the word "comfort" here is the same word as "exhorting" but here the Lord goes farther and says to "edify one another" and that means to build-up one another, not to destroy one another for selfish reasons. Have a good and blessed New Years!

A Thought For Your Week:   What God has prepared for those who love Him! "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined — what God has prepared for those who love Him!" 1 Corinthians 2:9   Oh! what enlightenment, what joys, what consolation, what delight of heart — is experienced by him who has learned to feed on Jesus — and on Jesus alone. Yet the realization which we have of Christ's preciousness is, in this life, imperfect at the best. As an old writer says, "Tis but a taste!" We have but tasted "that the Lord is gracious," but we do not yet know how good and gracious He is; although what we know of His sweetness, makes us long for more. We have enjoyed the first fruits — and they have set us hungering and thirsting for the fullness of the heavenly vintage! Here on earth, we are like Israel in the wilderness, who had but one cluster from Eshcol — but there, we shall be in the vineyard!   We are but beginners now in spiritual education; for although we have learned the first letters of the alphabet, we cannot read words yet, much less can we put sentences together! As one says, "He who has been in heaven but five minutes — knows more than all the theologians on earth!"   We have many ungratified desires at present — but soon every wish shall be satisfied! All our powers shall find the sweetest employment in that eternal world of unbounded joy.   O Christian, within a very little time, you shall be rid of all your  trials and your troubles! Your eyes which are now suffused with tears — shall weep no longer. You shall gaze in ineffable rapture upon the splendor of Him who sits upon the throne! Nay, more — you yourself shall sit upon His throne! The triumph of His glory shall be shared by you! His crown, His joy, His paradise — these shall be yours! You shall be co-heir with Him who is the heir of all things! By Charles Spurgeon

Church News:   Happy Birthday to Sister Sarah Henderson On Sunday January 03   Happy Birthday to Brother Ronnie Henderson Sr. On Monday January 04

Quote for The Week:   "Where there is real holiness, there is a holy hatred, detestation, and indignation—against all ungodliness and wickedness." -Thomas Brooks