with Pastor Terrell
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am the worst.”
AMAZING GRACE
John Fischer began his ministry in music, but in recent years his focus has been on teaching. (John’s the one who wrote, “Love him in the morning when you see the sun arising ...”)
Here’s an edited excerpt from one of his blog posts from 2012.
Every believer should be absolutely convinced of being the worst sinner on the face of the earth.And if this is not the case, if there is any inkling of a thought that somebody out there might be worse than I am, then there is reason to believe that I have not yet done adequate business with God about my own sin.
The great hymn writers thought this way. Their salvation continually amazed them. Our hymnals portray their amazement. Consider lines like, “Amazing love! How can it be that Thou, my God, shouldst die for me!” No, this is not merely “die for me,” as in a theological doctrine this is “die for me” as in wonder that out of all the people in the world he would have included me, (in this case, Charles Wesley) the worst of the lot.
Phillip Bliss, another hymn writer, makes it even clearer when he concludes that “Jesus loves even me. ” There’s a wealth of meaning in that one word “even.” Even me, the lowest, the least deserving, the worst. Or as Charles Wesley wrote, “‘Tis mercy all, immense and free, for, O my God, it found out me!” His implication is, “God’s mercy had to look really hard because I was a long way off!”
~ 1 Timothy 1:15 (NIV) ~
These hymn writers placed themselves in a camp with the world. Yes, they were saved out of the world, but they never left it and never forgot who they were without Christ. I believe this is what Paul meant when speaking of sinners, he said, “of whom I am the worst” present tense. He knew himself. He knew one thing separated him from the next guy: Jesus Christ and his death on Paul’s behalf. The next guy either didn’t know yet or didn’t get it. Either way, Jesus was the only difference.
We need to give people a more realistic presentation of ourselves we’ve been scaring them away for too long with self-imposed images of our saintliness. The world has always been more ready to hear the astonished witness of a saved sinner than the calculated piety of a holy saint. I rather like the Catholic way of looking at sainthood. It’s hard to get in you have to die first. Whether you take that figuratively or literally, it’s a good point.
And from my smitten heart with tears, Two wonders I confess The wonder of redeeming love And my unworthiness.
~ Elizabeth C. Clephane ~Blessings on your week. Take some time to honestly evaluate how realistic you are in presenting yourself to the world. Looking forward to seeing you this coming Sunday for In-Person or Online Worship. We will conclude my summer sermon series: The Promises of God (Discover the Life God Desires for You) looking at God’s Cancel-Free Covenant Promise.
Pastor TerrellP.S.
Thanks to the Marshalls for moving our First Southern Library back to our main building. It is once again located in the hall outside of Pastor Bart’s Office and our new Prayer Room: Rooms 205 and 206. There is still a little work to do, but the library is now open for use. Come by on Sunday mornings or anytime the Church Office is open during the week.
ScheduleforSundayJuly30,2023:
Ruth Class @ 9:00 AM in Room #202
The Saints Class @ 9:00 AM in Room #201
Prayer Room open @ 9:00 AM
Morning Worship In-Person & Online
Schedulefortherestoftheweek,July31 August5,2023:
Thursday@ 6:00 PM Bible Study in Fellowship Hall
Immerse Bible: Chronicles available today @ $5/Bible. Sign up on your Connection Card to attend Growth Groups during August & September.
Chronicles is the sixth and final installment of Immerse: The Bible Reading Experience program.
Chronicles contains the remaining First Testament Books: 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, and Daniel.
After joining a Growth Group, you may find this website helpful: https://www.immersebible.com/chronicles-8-week/
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This Sunday, July 30, KID CITY will be closed and we will be worshipping together. VAN FUND
Deacon of the Week: Doug Crow
520-831-0146
Morning Worship at a glance
“Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”
“Shout to the North”
A Life Giving Church … Giving Life
2820 N. Pleasant View Drive
Prescott Valley, AZ 86314 928-772-7218
fsbcpv@firstsouthernpv.org
www.firstsouthernpv.org
Church Office Hours:
Monday - Thursday, 8:30AM - 2:30PM
“
Blessed Be Your Name”
WELCOME HERE
Welcome & Offertory Prayer
“Amazing Grace”
“My Savior, My God”
“He Will Not Remember”
The Promises of God
Discover the Life God Desires for You
God’s Cancel-Free Covenant Promise
Hebrews 8:8-12
“White As Snow”
“Shout to the North”
Senior Pastor Terrell Eldreth: 619-244-6265
PastorTerrell@firstsouthernpv.org
Worship Pastor Bart Young 928-254-8713
PastorBart@firstsouthernpv.org
Advancing the Kingdom of God
one heart at a time.
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