Today, I will finish the series of sermons I have preached over the last 10 weeks on THE VIRTUES OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH. These sermons have demonstrated the manner, by which we are to give testimony to our faith through the way we live it. These virtues have been:

• Love
• Honesty
• Morality
• Trust
• Kindness
• Faith
• Hope
• Charity
• Responsibility

 
Jesus told us that our salvation requires more than the initial act of professing faith in Him as savior and Lord. Salvation is living for Jesus every day while practicing the attributes of character and discipline that show others how Jesus has made a difference in the way we live our lives. The Bible says:
 
“Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
 
I am excited to announce that Brother Edward Grant is going to begin a series of Wednesday Night Bible Studies on the Spiritual Gifts as they are presented in the book of Galatians:
 
“But the fruit of the Spirit is, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

 
Brother Edward’s study will include a spiritual gifts inventory by which you will led by the Holy Spirit to determine how God has gifted you to be a contributor to His kingdom’s work here at Grace. Do not miss this opportunity, beginning this coming Wednesday night, July 18 at 6:30 pm, to learn more about the ways God can use you to be a blessing to others.
 
The day of my shoulder surgery has come. I am scheduled for rotator cuff surgery this Tuesday, July 17th at 7:30 am. The surgery will be done by Dr. Stephen Fisher whose children have attended several of our Student Ministry events. The surgery will be at the Gwinnett Medical Outpatient Center in Duluth. I will be recovering for several days which will include Sundays. Three friends and co-workers will be preaching during my recovery:

• Mr. Terry Weatherford, President of the local chapter of Gideon's International – July 22nd
• Dr. Jojo Thomas, Associational Missionary, Chattahoochee Baptist Association – July 29th
• Reverend Earl Pirkle, Respected Pastor, Experienced Preacher and Friend of Grace – August 4th

 
Pray for me and Robbie during these days and please pray for these good men who will be preaching the gospel in my absence. I hope to be able to attend every service and worship with you shortly after surgery. I just will not be up to preaching in my normal active manner until the healing process is well under way. I look forward to hearing these good men preach the gospel as God uses them to encourage us all.

 
Our church family begins its Independence Day celebration today on a high note. We have completed an amazing week of Vacation Bible School led by Caroldean Childers and Susan Dominicali. Let me share just some of the things God did:

• 50 Children Enrolled
• 30 Workers and Support Leaders
• 45 Average Attendance
• 30 Children Memorized the Theme Verse
• 3 Professions of Faith in Jesus

 
The Constitution of the United States guarantees the right for every person, no matter his religious preference, to open the Bible and glean from it the truth according to his own conscience. The First Amendment (Amendment 1) reads:
 
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress or grievances.”  
 
Thomas Jefferson wrote of this First Amendment right in 1802 saying,
 
“Believing with you that religion is a matter that lies solely between Man and his God, that he owes account to no other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only and not options, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should “make no law respecting the establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof”, thus building a wall of separation between church and state. Adhering to this expression to the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duty.”
 
It is because of this right of social duty to practice our faith according to the dictates of conscience that we were free to teach our children this week from the Bible God’s truth about Jesus and His glorious work of salvation. It is because of this right that parents brought their children every night to study God’s word and be taught by dedicated leaders what the Bible says. It was because of this right that children memorized the theme verse. It was because of this right that children raised their hands when asked if they wanted to receive Jesus as their Savior and Lord.
 
I rejoice today in the right to preach God’s worship as the Holy Spirit leads me. I will wave the flag and watch the fireworks this coming Wednesday, July 4th, praying for my nation and petitioning my God for revival. America needs a spiritual awakening that only God Himself can grant us. Listen to God’s promise:
 
“If my people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, them I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)