Sovereign Grace Missionary Baptist Church "Where The Truths Of God’s Word Have Been Taught For More Than Fifty-Five Years” 1217 Dillon Texarkana, Texas 75501 September 17, 2017            Newsletter Number 637 Brother Randy Johnson, Pastor                   Brother James Thomas, Song Leader Pastor E-Mail: pastor@sgmbaptist.com                                          Web Site: www.sgmbaptist.com “A Church Seeking To Please God In Prayer, Song, Preaching, And Worship.”

Please Join Us As We 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,  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, Tyrell Loyd, Bonnie, Ted O'Bonion, Larry Mollette II & Family, Kerry Adcock, Kim Poole, Danny & Nita Mollette, The Muncy Family, Lee & Mary Mollette, 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, Vickie Adkins, Archie Griffin, Donna Johnson, James and Luann Reynolds, Timothy Fails, Nathan Fails, Jacob Ramsey, Jerry Hughes, Pastor G. L. Burr, Melody Carr, Janie Capps, Linda Hughes, Donna Jones, Gina, Brother Kelley and Sister Hinson, The Harris Family, Teresa Bookout, Little Titan Thomas (Trent and Tiffane Thomas child), James – Diane and Brooke Thomas, Jace Fails, Steve Sparks, Sister Ann McSwain, Elaine Sparks, James daughter’s mother-in-law, David Leman, Danny Hammond,  Brother Curtis Pugh, Brother Dan Sullivan the work in Thailand, Brother Raul and the work in Romania, Bro. Sergey Mochalov and the Churches in Russia.

A Thought From our Pastor: The Everlasting Father. Isaiah 9:6 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Here in this wonderful passage of scripture God gives us some most wonderful and exciting news about our Saviour Jesus The Christ. First notice the words “For unto us a child is born” God speaks here as a thing already done, God did not say this Child would be born but as though He already had been. So how is this The Saviour of mankind, Jesus The Christ? We must understand that we are speaking of God, Who is eternal. There is a reason that God never changes, that reason is because He is eternal. John Gill described this word “eternal” this way “God is eternal, from everlasting to everlasting; the Ancient of days, before all things, and all time; which is, and was, and is to come:” since God is “before all things, and all time; which is, and was, and is to come” He can describe things as though they have already happened, because to God they have. This is the reason God cannot change, He has already predestinated, or ordained all that is going to be. Therefore, before the creation of the world, before sin entered the world God had already ordained our Saviour, Jesus The Christ, therefore it was as sure as though it had already happened. Another example of this is found in Romans 8:29-30 “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (30.) Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. God foreknew them (His Elect) before creation and had predestinated them to be called, justified, and glorified and it is as certain as though it had already happened. If you are saved you have experienced all of these except one, being glorified has yet to happen, this completion of our salvation will not take place until Jesus raptures us in His return glorifying our bodies completing the trifecta of our salvation soul, spirit, and body. So, while we can ascribe all these other names to Jesus Christ, some have an issue with the words “The everlasting Father” Their argument is, how can the Son of God also be described as “The everlasting Father”? I must ask, of whom are the scriptures describing, Jesus is not just a Son, He is the Son of God. Jesus declared in John 10:30 “I and my Father are one.” Now understand, they are not one as the churches are unified as one, but they are absolutely one single being. Jesus also said in John 14:9 “...he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?” Also remember in John chapter one verse one where John wrote about Jesus “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” This is proof that Jesus Christ was not “just” Gods Son, but God Himself in the likeness of sinful flesh. In Verse 14 of John 1 it says, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us…” If Jesus Christ is God, then He is God in the flesh. The words “everlasting Father” recognizes His as creator of all things. Which is verified in Colossians 1:16 "For by him were all things created..." and in verse 17 it says, “And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” Again, speaking of Jesus Christ. This is telling us that Jesus Christ is “the Father of eternity”, which identifies Him as the creator of all things, before all things He was. One thing about Jesus Christ people forget is, He is God, very God. While He was born as a child, He came from eternity which is proved out in all the above scriptures.

Four Things About The ElectBy Elder Curtis Pugh The Bible teaches election. Some people are called “the elect.” Paul wrote of these saying, “Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory,” (2 Timothy 2:10). Election is not salvation. Election is unto salvation. God uses means such as Paul's example and his preaching during sufferings in bringing the elect to salvation. First: the elect were chosen before the world began. Paul wrote: “According as he [God] hath chosen us [those He planned to save] in him [Christ] before the foundation of the world, that we [the elect] should be holy and without blame before him in love,” (Ephesians 1:4). God does not choose sinners because they first chose Him. Election does not mean that God votes for you, the devil votes for you and you cast the deciding vote. This is totally contrary to the Bible! In the first place you were not around when the election was held and, secondly, the devil did not vote. God chose! Second: election is not based upon any foreseen faith or action of the individuals chosen in order “...that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth,” (Romans 9:11). Again, Paul writing about “...the election of grace,” continued saying, “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,” (Romans 11:5-6). Election is entirely by grace: a bestowal completely free and unobtainable by any works, deed or act of the sinner. Third: God's elect cannot be charged with sin. The elect do sin, but, “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth,” (Romans 8:33). God justifies, i.e. He declares His elect to be righteous in His sight based upon Christ's finished work. Paul goes on to explain: “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us [children of god],” (Romans 8:34). The only person that ever had a right to cast stones at sinners was the sinless Christ. But instead of condemning, He died, rose from the grave and is presently enthroned at God's right hand as Priest and Advocate for God's elect. Fourth: false teachers cannot permanently deceive the elect. Jesus prophesied of a time period filled with false religion, saying, “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” (Matthew 24:24). “If it were possible” means that it is not possible to deceive the elect! Christ's sheep may be taught error for a time, but they will eventually come to the truth of the Gospel. They were chosen to be saved and shall be saved!

We had a wonderful conference, all audio is now uploaded to the churches web site. Thank you all!!