Dear EBC Family,

Pastor William Still once said, "The whole world wants Christian fruits, but not Christian roots - cut flowers only!" The fruits of the Spirit are the qualities of a Christlike character that every believer hopes to have displayed in their life. But when Paul teaches about the fruits of the Spirit and the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-23, we need to understand that these are more than simply moral choices that we make. The Christian life is more than choosing to be humble, choosing to cause division, choosing to have joy, or choosing to get drunk.

Rather, these sinful or godly choices are the fruit of our Biblical convictions. In context, Paul has spent almost five chapters correcting the false teaching that salvation is by works. He has made it clear that "a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Christ Jesus" (Gal. 2:16). Paul wants us to dig deep gospel roots. He wants us to be firmly established in the gospel of grace because he knows that believing the gospel not only determines where we will spend eternity, but it also determines how we will live the Christian life.

The Christian who continually rests in the gospel of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in the finished work of Christ alone will have deep Christian roots, and as a result, they will bear real Christian fruits – the fruits of the Spirit. But the Christian who returns to a works-based mindset will be continually relying on their flesh rather than the Spirit, and as a result, while they may try hard to imitate the fruit of the Spirit, they will only sprout weeds – the works of the flesh.

So today I want to encourage you to remember the gospel. Rest in the gospel. The pathway to a godly life is resting in the free grace of God that we have received in Christ Jesus. No more works are required for salvation. Christ has done all the work for us, and He said, "It is finished." So rest today in His finished work.

"We must live every moment by faith; and as we live, we shall love – overcome the world – crucify sin – delight in the service of God." ––Charles Bridges

Sunday Worship Guide

Sunday morning worship is a Saturday night decision! One of the best ways to get the most out of our time together in corporate worship is to come prepared, going to bed early on Saturday night, and by reviewing the sermon text, our song list, and our responsive readings. To help you prepare for Sunday worship, I've provided each element of our worship below for your review prior to Sunday.
Sermon Text – Matthew 18:15-20
Song List
Rock of Ages (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKRdhBK_fts)
Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pco0Y7nIHSQ)
Gratitude (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoHrBNTfzIs)
There is a Higher Throne (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hfUQBgfptM)
My Heart is Filled with Thankfulness (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qntf2Y_VNok)
Responsive Reading
Confession of Sin
Leader: "I spread out my hands all the day to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, following their own devices; a people who provoke me to my face continually" (Isaiah 65:2-3)
All: Father, we have followed our own devices and we provoke you continually by our sins. Forgive us!
Assurance of Pardon
Leader: “and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:6-7)
All: Father, you raised us up from darkness into the kingdom of your beloved Son. Thank you for your great kindness!

Announcements
Wednesday Nights – Please join us next week as we finish our study on the beatitudes. We will be looking at Matthew 5:10-12.
5th Sunday Fellowship – Our next 5th Sunday Fellowship will be on August 31 at 9 AM in the fellowship hall.
Evangelism Training Event –– Adam Moma, who spoke once at our church, is hosting a Gospel Conversations Training night on August 29 from 6-8:30 PM at 445 Warfield Blvd, Clarksville, TN. You may sign up HERE.
Theology for Breakfast – This is a men's discipleship group that meets on the 1st & 3rd Fridays of the month at 6:30 AM at The Coffee House South. We spend time sharing our struggles and prayer needs with one another, and then we spend the rest of our time discussing a book that we are reading together. If you are interested in joining, please let me know.
Trail Life/American Heritage Girls – Trail Life and AHG meet at the church each Thursday night at 6:30 PM. If you are interesting in serving as mentor/volunteer, please contact Tom or Michelle Ridley. Trail Life and AHG will also have a movie night at the church on September 12. Everyone is invited to attend.
Classical Conversations – The homeschool group, Classical Conversations, has begun meeting at our church. They will be consistently meeting at our church on Tuesdays from 8:00 AM–3:30 PM beginning in September.
Bible Study Fellowship – The women's BSF group meets at our church on Tuesday evenings at 6:30 PM. Their next study will begin in September. If you would like to join the fall study, visit bsfinternational.org, click "Find a Group," locate the Excell Baptist Church group, and click "Request to Join."

Upcoming Events
August 31 – 5th Sunday Fellowship during the Sunday School hour (9:00 AM)
September 12 – Trail Life/AHG Movie Night
October 24 – Lottie Moon Chili Cook Off & Missions Auction
November 30 – 5th Sunday Fellowship during the Sunday School hour (9:00 AM)
December 5 – International Missions Meal
December 14 – Holiday Meal

In Christ,

Hunter Hanson