The other day I was thinking about Hebrews 4:16 by vague recollection not by direct reading of it or study. I knew what it said roughly, and here is what it says exactly...."Hebrews 4:16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
I was thinking with sorrow, "Yea, but my old nature is so vile, corrupt, and unclean, it seems extremely audacious for me to approach the throne in prayer, knowing how miserable my mind, heart, and actions are each day; and though I am a new creation, how even more appauling that I nonetheless fall so short of maturity in Christ...." and so I continued to mope.
Tonight, a thought hit me, and it was this, "Ok, yea, but which is more audacious to approach the throne of grace knowing your spiritual poverty...OR...viewing the life, work, perfection, purity, obedience, death, blood, resurrection of Jesus as unsufficient to bring you to the throne of grace?" I then realized that my thoughts the first night were more foolish in overlooking the accomplishment of Jesus as the grounds for my access to the throne. I could not think of the exact verse, but I was thinking about something in Romans 3, and now I know it was this: Romans 3:26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
God is JUST towards Jesus, that it is proper and right to accept and honor His blood redemption of sinners. Hence, it is also JUST for me to approach the throne on the basis of Jesus' work. Not that I am in a position to judge Jesus, but that I surely must not....."trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing,"
Then as these thoughts blessed me, I decided to look at the original context of Hebrews 4, and this great introduction was made by the writer...the same point I needed to know concerning approaching the throne of grace.
Hebrews 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. [15] For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
1. We have a high priest.
2. We have a great high priest.
3. The writer goes at length in this letter to explain the superiority of Jesus as our High Priest.
4. This short kernel sums it up: He was in all points tempted like as we are, YET WITHOUT SIN.
And this introduces verse 16, which I was rembering out of context.
Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
We come boldly, but NEVER on the basis of our past, present, future--- performance, purity, ability. The word "therefore" points us back to the Great High Priest who is WITHOUT SIN, and that is the basis for us approaching the throne. We come boldy, and ALWAYS on the basis of our High Priest who is without sin. He is the Priest, He is the Lamb, He is the Door, He is the Mediator of a Better Covenant.established on Better Promises;
Hebrews 7:19 (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
Did I catch that?-- a better hope is introduced, THROUGH WHICH we draw near to God.
Praise God for Grace, Jesus is Grace.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
EAGER PRAYER
How do we view prayer/praying? How eager are we to pray? Do we view it as:
-something we "have to do", just like paying taxes? But we murmur that we hope we "grace" will lower the tax, and increase our "free time" for ourself.
-something we need to do, like changing the car's oil every 4 months? That we want it done and over with on one day, knowing it disrupts our normal day and week?
-something we need to do, like a house chore? Let's get the laundry done, vacuum, and pray, and quicker we get it done, the shorter our murmuring will be.
-something we "ought" to do, but begrudgingly like spending a day with in-laws? But you give a plastic smile, and a cheerful remark, still wondering when you can leave this irksome obligation.
-something that is just unavoidable, like seeing commericals interrupt our TV show, or sports show, or movie? But hopefully we can move on back to our normal programming of earthly attention.
-something that God requires, so we better do it? But in the deepest level of our veiled conscience we are thinking....'It is vain to serve God. What is the profit of our keeping his charge or of walking as in mourning before the Lord of hosts?: (Malachi 3:14)
-something that we will do if it has a drive through window? There are days I am hungry but due to driving a long distance will not go sit for a steak, and since they do not have a drive through window, I'll go find a place which can get me a meal and get me moving on to my personal destination.
Is prayer, praying, prayer time....seen, pursued, with a sincere joyful eagerness as one who loves God?
If Jesus rang your doorbell, would you talk to him for 5 minutes like he was proslyetizing with the local cult, but then be glad to shut the conversation down and send him on His way?
I've conciously turned my phone ringer off to ensure that I get a good nap with no interruptions, do I think about making preparations for a good prayer time?
May God grant us a new heart to have a eager desire to pray and fellowship with Him. As Peter jumped from the boat and swam with joy to see the resurrected Christ, may we jump away from our temporal mindedness and pray with joy to rejoice in the greatness and goodness of God.
-something we "have to do", just like paying taxes? But we murmur that we hope we "grace" will lower the tax, and increase our "free time" for ourself.
-something we need to do, like changing the car's oil every 4 months? That we want it done and over with on one day, knowing it disrupts our normal day and week?
-something we need to do, like a house chore? Let's get the laundry done, vacuum, and pray, and quicker we get it done, the shorter our murmuring will be.
-something we "ought" to do, but begrudgingly like spending a day with in-laws? But you give a plastic smile, and a cheerful remark, still wondering when you can leave this irksome obligation.
-something that is just unavoidable, like seeing commericals interrupt our TV show, or sports show, or movie? But hopefully we can move on back to our normal programming of earthly attention.
-something that God requires, so we better do it? But in the deepest level of our veiled conscience we are thinking....'It is vain to serve God. What is the profit of our keeping his charge or of walking as in mourning before the Lord of hosts?: (Malachi 3:14)
-something that we will do if it has a drive through window? There are days I am hungry but due to driving a long distance will not go sit for a steak, and since they do not have a drive through window, I'll go find a place which can get me a meal and get me moving on to my personal destination.
Is prayer, praying, prayer time....seen, pursued, with a sincere joyful eagerness as one who loves God?
If Jesus rang your doorbell, would you talk to him for 5 minutes like he was proslyetizing with the local cult, but then be glad to shut the conversation down and send him on His way?
I've conciously turned my phone ringer off to ensure that I get a good nap with no interruptions, do I think about making preparations for a good prayer time?
May God grant us a new heart to have a eager desire to pray and fellowship with Him. As Peter jumped from the boat and swam with joy to see the resurrected Christ, may we jump away from our temporal mindedness and pray with joy to rejoice in the greatness and goodness of God.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
FAMILY WORSHIP
The commander of Columbia shuttle that disintegrated in mid-air was so devoted to family worship that he recorded eighteen videos for his family, one for each day that he was supposed to be gone. How valuable do you think those videos are to his family now? What a legacy he has left. - Joel Beeke
Sunday, February 20, 2011
FOCUS ON GOD
Focus on the God of the labor, not the fruit of the labor.
The Issue is not where we meet at, but Whom we meet with; Focus on the glory of God, not the glory of the facilities.
When we say narrow is the way, our conception is still too broad of away; the way is narrow, even narrower than we presume.
The Issue is not where we meet at, but Whom we meet with; Focus on the glory of God, not the glory of the facilities.
When we say narrow is the way, our conception is still too broad of away; the way is narrow, even narrower than we presume.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
TO KNOW GOD
To know God is to love God
To know God is to enjoy God
To know God is to trust God
To know God is to obey God
To know God is to pray to God..
To know God is to sing to God.
To know God is to rejoice.
To know God is to hope.
To know God is to persevere.
To know God is to endure.
To know God is to proclaim God
15 Minute Devotional on these phrases via Youtube
http://www.youtube.com/user/118min?feature=mhum#p/u/6/MiVUPf8ZSvY
To know God is to enjoy God
To know God is to trust God
To know God is to obey God
To know God is to pray to God..
To know God is to sing to God.
To know God is to rejoice.
To know God is to hope.
To know God is to persevere.
To know God is to endure.
To know God is to proclaim God
15 Minute Devotional on these phrases via Youtube
http://www.youtube.com/user/118min?feature=mhum#p/u/6/MiVUPf8ZSvY
Monday, February 14, 2011
CHRIST EVIDENT
Boast not of Christ's work "for you", unless you can show the Spirit's work "in you." Think not that Christ and the Spirit can ever be divided. I doubt not that many believers know these things, but I think it good for us to be put in remembrance of them. Let us prove that we know them by our lives. ~Ryle
Sunday, February 13, 2011
CANNOT FAIL
What is God's remedy for dejection at apparent failure in our labours? This—the assurance that God's purpose cannot fail, that God's plans cannot miscarry, that God's will must be done. Our labours are not intended to bring about that which God has not decreed. —Arthur W. Pink
WHATEVER GOD ORDAINS IS RIGHT
Nice Song, Nice Video. Great Lyrics, Great Raw Guitar..
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1745360386611#!/video/video.php?v=1676219978144..
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1745360386611#!/video/video.php?v=1676219978144..
Friday, February 11, 2011
INWARD CONFLICT
This inward conflict
(Philpot, "The Knowledge of Good and Evil" 1845)
"I know that nothing good lives in me—that is, in
my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what
is good—but I cannot carry it out." Romans 7:18
Now it is this which makes the Lord's people such a
burdened people—that makes them so oppressed in
their souls as to cry out against themselves daily,
and sometimes hourly—that they are what they are
—that they would be spiritual, yet are carnal—that
they would be holy, yet are unholy—that they would
have sweet communion with Jesus, yet have such
sensual alliance with the things of time and sense—
that they would be Christians in word, thought, and
deed; yet, in spite of all, they feel their carnal mind,
their wretched depravity intertwining, interlacing,
gushing forth—contaminating with its polluted stream
everything without and within—so as to make them
sigh, groan, and cry being burdened, "What a wretched
man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?"
Romans 7:24
He would not be entangled in these snares for ten thousand
worlds—he hates the evils of his heart, and mourns over the
corruptions of his nature. They make the tear fall from his
eye, and the sob to heave from his bosom—they make him
a wretched man—and fill him day after day with sorrow,
bitterness, and anguish.
None but a saved soul, under divine teaching, can see
this evil—and mourn and sigh under the depravity, the
corruption, the unbelief, the carnality, the wickedness,
and the deceitfulness of his evil heart.
This inward conflict, this sore grief, this internal burden,
that all the family of God are afflicted with—is an evidence
that the life and grace of God are in their bosoms.
"Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord!
So you see how it is—in my mind I really want to obey
God's law, but because of my sinful nature I am a
slave to sin." Rom. 7:25
(Philpot, "The Knowledge of Good and Evil" 1845)
"I know that nothing good lives in me—that is, in
my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what
is good—but I cannot carry it out." Romans 7:18
Now it is this which makes the Lord's people such a
burdened people—that makes them so oppressed in
their souls as to cry out against themselves daily,
and sometimes hourly—that they are what they are
—that they would be spiritual, yet are carnal—that
they would be holy, yet are unholy—that they would
have sweet communion with Jesus, yet have such
sensual alliance with the things of time and sense—
that they would be Christians in word, thought, and
deed; yet, in spite of all, they feel their carnal mind,
their wretched depravity intertwining, interlacing,
gushing forth—contaminating with its polluted stream
everything without and within—so as to make them
sigh, groan, and cry being burdened, "What a wretched
man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?"
Romans 7:24
He would not be entangled in these snares for ten thousand
worlds—he hates the evils of his heart, and mourns over the
corruptions of his nature. They make the tear fall from his
eye, and the sob to heave from his bosom—they make him
a wretched man—and fill him day after day with sorrow,
bitterness, and anguish.
None but a saved soul, under divine teaching, can see
this evil—and mourn and sigh under the depravity, the
corruption, the unbelief, the carnality, the wickedness,
and the deceitfulness of his evil heart.
This inward conflict, this sore grief, this internal burden,
that all the family of God are afflicted with—is an evidence
that the life and grace of God are in their bosoms.
"Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord!
So you see how it is—in my mind I really want to obey
God's law, but because of my sinful nature I am a
slave to sin." Rom. 7:25
A KING REJECTED
A KING REJECTED, FORESHADOWING A KING REJECTED.
2 Samuel 2:11 And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.
Matthew Henry:
Here is, I. A rivalship between two kings - David, whom God made king, and Ishbosheth, whom Abner made king. One would have thought, when Saul was slain, and all his sons that had sense and spirit enough to take the field with him, David would come to the throne without any opposition, since all Israel knew, not only how he had signalized himself, but how manifestly God had designated him to it; but such a spirit of contradiction is there, in the devices of men, to the counsels of God, that such a weak and silly thing as Ishbosheth, who was not thought fit to go with his father to the battle, shall yet be thought fit to succeed him in the government, rather than David shall come peaceably to it. Herein David's kingdom was typical of the Messiah's, against which the heathens rage and the rulers take counsel, Psa_2:1, Psa_2:2.
AND his concise commentary:
The nation in general refused David. By this the Lord trained up his servant for future honour and usefulness; and the tendency of true godliness was shown in his behaviour while passing through various difficulties. David was herein a type of Christ, whom Israel would not submit to, though anointed of the Father to be a Prince and a Saviour to them
2 Samuel 2:11 And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.
Matthew Henry:
Here is, I. A rivalship between two kings - David, whom God made king, and Ishbosheth, whom Abner made king. One would have thought, when Saul was slain, and all his sons that had sense and spirit enough to take the field with him, David would come to the throne without any opposition, since all Israel knew, not only how he had signalized himself, but how manifestly God had designated him to it; but such a spirit of contradiction is there, in the devices of men, to the counsels of God, that such a weak and silly thing as Ishbosheth, who was not thought fit to go with his father to the battle, shall yet be thought fit to succeed him in the government, rather than David shall come peaceably to it. Herein David's kingdom was typical of the Messiah's, against which the heathens rage and the rulers take counsel, Psa_2:1, Psa_2:2.
AND his concise commentary:
The nation in general refused David. By this the Lord trained up his servant for future honour and usefulness; and the tendency of true godliness was shown in his behaviour while passing through various difficulties. David was herein a type of Christ, whom Israel would not submit to, though anointed of the Father to be a Prince and a Saviour to them
Thursday, February 10, 2011
HOW MANY WAYS CAN I SAY THIS
I've read both passages before, but this is the first time I've seem them as two bookends. It is like Paul is stuttering, and repeating himself as many as he can to help us snap out of it and wake up.
AS IF...."HOW MANY WAYS CAN I SAY THIS GUYS???"
1 Cor. 1:17-18 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. [18] For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Cor. 2:1-5 And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. [2] For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. [3] And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, [4] and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, [5] that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
Despite 1:18 being True, and in fact PRECISELY because it is true, does Paul insist on 1:17...which is repeated in chapter 2.
AS IF...."HOW MANY WAYS CAN I SAY THIS GUYS???"
1 Cor. 1:17-18 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. [18] For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Cor. 2:1-5 And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. [2] For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. [3] And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, [4] and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, [5] that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
Despite 1:18 being True, and in fact PRECISELY because it is true, does Paul insist on 1:17...which is repeated in chapter 2.
ARE YOU BUILDING SOMETHING
Are you building something that will condemn the world?
Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righ teousness that comes by faith.
Is your life building something that will condemn the world, who is condemned already. John 3. If Noah built something that condemned the world, which was already condemned being a son of Adam, how much more did the works and work of Jesus build something that will condemn the world.
Matthew 10:15 Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
Matthew 11:22 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. Matthew 11:24 But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.
Luke 10:12 But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city. Luke 10:14 But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you.
Are you building something that will condemn the world, which is condemned already? The message and life of the disciples did. Are you His disciple too?
Mark 6:11 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
I have a lot to learn from Hebrews 11 that Jesus might ask of me..... Mark 8:21, How is it that ye do not understand?
Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righ teousness that comes by faith.
Is your life building something that will condemn the world, who is condemned already. John 3. If Noah built something that condemned the world, which was already condemned being a son of Adam, how much more did the works and work of Jesus build something that will condemn the world.
Matthew 10:15 Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
Matthew 11:22 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. Matthew 11:24 But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.
Luke 10:12 But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city. Luke 10:14 But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you.
Are you building something that will condemn the world, which is condemned already? The message and life of the disciples did. Are you His disciple too?
Mark 6:11 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
I have a lot to learn from Hebrews 11 that Jesus might ask of me..... Mark 8:21, How is it that ye do not understand?
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
OBJECTIVE IN LEARNING
The objective in all learning, even to learn the alphabet as a 2 year old...is to aid in knowing Jesus, loving Jesus, trusting Jesus, serving Jesus, obeying Jesus, resting in Jesus, valuing Jesus, honoring Jesus, proclaiming Jesus, exalting Jesus, glorifying Jesus. If this is not the objective in your learning, then you have learned all, even your alphabet, in vain; and therefore, in the final analysis have learned nothing at all.
EFFECTS OF HIS GRACE
God ... as he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead, actually worketh faith and repentance to us, gives them unto us, bestows them on us; so that they are mere effects of his grace in us. And his working in us infallibly produceth the effect intended, because it is actual faith that he works, and not only a power to believe."
- John Owen
- John Owen
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
THE MATERIAL CAUSE
The efficient cause of our eternal salvation the Scripture uniformly proclaims to be the mercy and free love of the Heavenly Father toward us; the material cause to be Christ...and what can be the formal or instrumental cause but faith?
(John Calvin: Inst. 3.14.17)
(John Calvin: Inst. 3.14.17)
REST FOR THE WEARY
Rest in Prospect: by James Smith, 1861
Time is thickly sown with the seeds of trouble, and the soil appears most prolific. Every day, almost, brings something new to try us, and our trials are not often single, they come in troops. When we are most prosperous — we are often nearest some great trial.
Poor Job found it so. His troubles came unexpectedly, nevertheless he received them as from God, and blessed the Lord's name. But he was flesh as well as spirit, and when in addition to poverty and reproach, he was filled with pain — his heart failed him, and he cursed his day of his birth. He gave up all hope of comfort in this life, and looked forward to the grave, not only with hope — but with a longing desire. How pathetic, how touching are his words, as he looked to the tomb, or the place of graves. "There the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary are at rest." Job 3:17.
The Lord's People Are Often a Weary People. They weary — for they have but little strength, either physical, mental, or spiritual — they have a rough up-hill road to travel — and they have a heavy burden to carry.
They are weary of SIN, which is a constant plague and cause of discomfort.
They are weary of SELF, from which they cannot by any means be freed in the present world.
They are weary of the WORLD, to which they are crucified.
They are weary of SATAN, who is incessantly trying to disgrace, distress, and perplex them.
They are weary of the vain PROFESSORS of religion; whose inconsistencies grieve and wound them.
They are weary of OLD MAN, the body of death, the law in the members, which they have constantly to carry about with them, and which often presses them down to the earth.
Weary! O how weary is the believer often — in body and in mind — of almost everything within, and everything without! How is he ready to wish for the wings of a dove, that he may flee away and be at rest; or for his Lord's messenger of death to come, and set him eternally free. Weary one, look up — there is a hope laid up for you in Heaven; and look forward — there is a good, a glorious time coming!
There is a place and time — when the Lord's wearied ones will be at rest. The poor body — wearied and worn out with pain and labor, will find rest in the silent tomb. The soul — wearied with conflicts and disappointments, will find rest in the presence of Christ, with the spirits of God's elect. The body and soul at the resurrection, will find rest in eternal blessedness. The whole church, comprising all God's wearied ones, will find perfect rest in ultimate glory, when the Son shall deliver up the kingdom to the Father, and God shall be all in all.
Rest! Sweet word. Rest! Delightful prospect!
We shall rest from the voice of an accusing conscience, which often causes pain.
We shall rest from all our doubts and fears, which often becloud the mind.
We shall rest from all the temptations, used by Satan to lead us astray — or arising from our inbred lusts, turning us aside from the right way — or employed by the world to allure or alarm, in order to divert us from the right path.
We shall rest from persecution, arising from the malice and hatred of men.
We shall rest from all our toils and labors.
We shall rest from the evil designs of professors of religion.
We shall rest from all our pains and sufferings.
We shall rest in full and holy satisfaction, possessing all we can wish for in the presence of Jesus, the highest object of our desire.
We shall rest in the most delightful employment, for the honor and glory of God.
We shall rest in the sweetest composure of spirit, forever freed from all fear of a change.
We shall rest in the full enjoyment of perfect and perpetual fellowship with God.
We shall rest in the most complete state of perfection, to which such beings can be raised.
Reader, are you one of God's weary ones? Are you weary of earth, of yourself, and especially of sin? Are you looking forward to the rest of the grave, for the poor body; and to the rest of Heavenly paradise, for the emancipated soul? Are you in the midst of your exhausting troubles and trials, taking encouragement from the prospect of the rest that remains for the people of God? If so, cheer up, "There is rest, there is rest!" And you will soon reach it, and that rest shall be glorious.
Weary sinner, there is rest for you in Jesus — but no where else. Unless you find rest in Jesus now, you will find no rest at the end of life — but yours will be a restless spirit to all eternity. There is no peace, no rest, says my God, to the wicked!
Time is thickly sown with the seeds of trouble, and the soil appears most prolific. Every day, almost, brings something new to try us, and our trials are not often single, they come in troops. When we are most prosperous — we are often nearest some great trial.
Poor Job found it so. His troubles came unexpectedly, nevertheless he received them as from God, and blessed the Lord's name. But he was flesh as well as spirit, and when in addition to poverty and reproach, he was filled with pain — his heart failed him, and he cursed his day of his birth. He gave up all hope of comfort in this life, and looked forward to the grave, not only with hope — but with a longing desire. How pathetic, how touching are his words, as he looked to the tomb, or the place of graves. "There the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary are at rest." Job 3:17.
The Lord's People Are Often a Weary People. They weary — for they have but little strength, either physical, mental, or spiritual — they have a rough up-hill road to travel — and they have a heavy burden to carry.
They are weary of SIN, which is a constant plague and cause of discomfort.
They are weary of SELF, from which they cannot by any means be freed in the present world.
They are weary of the WORLD, to which they are crucified.
They are weary of SATAN, who is incessantly trying to disgrace, distress, and perplex them.
They are weary of the vain PROFESSORS of religion; whose inconsistencies grieve and wound them.
They are weary of OLD MAN, the body of death, the law in the members, which they have constantly to carry about with them, and which often presses them down to the earth.
Weary! O how weary is the believer often — in body and in mind — of almost everything within, and everything without! How is he ready to wish for the wings of a dove, that he may flee away and be at rest; or for his Lord's messenger of death to come, and set him eternally free. Weary one, look up — there is a hope laid up for you in Heaven; and look forward — there is a good, a glorious time coming!
There is a place and time — when the Lord's wearied ones will be at rest. The poor body — wearied and worn out with pain and labor, will find rest in the silent tomb. The soul — wearied with conflicts and disappointments, will find rest in the presence of Christ, with the spirits of God's elect. The body and soul at the resurrection, will find rest in eternal blessedness. The whole church, comprising all God's wearied ones, will find perfect rest in ultimate glory, when the Son shall deliver up the kingdom to the Father, and God shall be all in all.
Rest! Sweet word. Rest! Delightful prospect!
We shall rest from the voice of an accusing conscience, which often causes pain.
We shall rest from all our doubts and fears, which often becloud the mind.
We shall rest from all the temptations, used by Satan to lead us astray — or arising from our inbred lusts, turning us aside from the right way — or employed by the world to allure or alarm, in order to divert us from the right path.
We shall rest from persecution, arising from the malice and hatred of men.
We shall rest from all our toils and labors.
We shall rest from the evil designs of professors of religion.
We shall rest from all our pains and sufferings.
We shall rest in full and holy satisfaction, possessing all we can wish for in the presence of Jesus, the highest object of our desire.
We shall rest in the most delightful employment, for the honor and glory of God.
We shall rest in the sweetest composure of spirit, forever freed from all fear of a change.
We shall rest in the full enjoyment of perfect and perpetual fellowship with God.
We shall rest in the most complete state of perfection, to which such beings can be raised.
Reader, are you one of God's weary ones? Are you weary of earth, of yourself, and especially of sin? Are you looking forward to the rest of the grave, for the poor body; and to the rest of Heavenly paradise, for the emancipated soul? Are you in the midst of your exhausting troubles and trials, taking encouragement from the prospect of the rest that remains for the people of God? If so, cheer up, "There is rest, there is rest!" And you will soon reach it, and that rest shall be glorious.
Weary sinner, there is rest for you in Jesus — but no where else. Unless you find rest in Jesus now, you will find no rest at the end of life — but yours will be a restless spirit to all eternity. There is no peace, no rest, says my God, to the wicked!
TO KNOW CHRIST IS TO LOVE CHRIST
Can you hear Christ week after week and day after day and the life that is found in Him from God Almighty set forth, and you're still here and you're utterly unfeeling. You say "Well...there is life." You may be a stagnant pool, its not living water, there's nothing that flows, and every so often from the rotting leaves at the bottom of that pool some bubble of marsh gas comes up and burps on the surface. That's not life, if you're dead we can only plead with the Spirit of God to open your eyes to give you a desire that God would give you life. Is there anyone here this evening who has at least begun to consider themselves to be dead, begun to reckon accurately with themselves, to go to the root of the matter and to discern....(your deadness, dullness, emptiness)--Pastor Jeremy Walker, Trinity Baptist Church, Montville, New Jeresy, January 21, 2007. "A Plea for Life. Psalm 119:25" at minute 41:20.
Monday, February 7, 2011
TENDATIO
Martin Luther noted 3 primary rules from Psalm 119 for knowing God and understanding his Word:
a) Oratio = prayer
b) Meditatio = meditation
c) Tendatio = trial, affliction, or temptation.
He reasoned that one of the greatest hermeneutical keys in life is pain. See Psalm 119:67 -- “Before I was afflicted, I went astray,” and again from v. 71 -- “It was good for me to be afflicted, so that I might learn your decrees.”
Luther concluded: “These afflictions teach you not only to know and understand but to experience how right and how true and how sweet and how lovely are the mighty comforting Words of God. It is wisdom supreme. As soon as God’s Word comes to be known through you, the Devil will afflict you with great affliction and make a doctor out of you! And will teach you by his temptations to seek and to love God’s Word...”
a) Oratio = prayer
b) Meditatio = meditation
c) Tendatio = trial, affliction, or temptation.
He reasoned that one of the greatest hermeneutical keys in life is pain. See Psalm 119:67 -- “Before I was afflicted, I went astray,” and again from v. 71 -- “It was good for me to be afflicted, so that I might learn your decrees.”
Luther concluded: “These afflictions teach you not only to know and understand but to experience how right and how true and how sweet and how lovely are the mighty comforting Words of God. It is wisdom supreme. As soon as God’s Word comes to be known through you, the Devil will afflict you with great affliction and make a doctor out of you! And will teach you by his temptations to seek and to love God’s Word...”
Sunday, February 6, 2011
JOHN 17 BY THE SAINTS
Maybe our prayers should resemble John 17, though Jesus has been glorified on the cross, even so.
The prayer of John 17 from the perspective of the saints:
John 17:1
The Saints lift up our eyes to heaven, and pray, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, [2] since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. [3] And this is eternal life, that we know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. [4] He has glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave Him to do. [5] And now, Father, glorify Him in your own presence with the glory that He had with you before the world existed."
[6] "He has manifested your name to the people whom you gave to Christ out of the world. Yours we were, and you gave us to Christ, and we have kept your word. [7] Now we know that everything that you have given Him is from You. [8] For He has given us the words that You gave Him, and we have received them and have come to know in truth that He has came from you; and we have believed that you sent Him.
[9] We are praying for the saints. We are not praying for the world but for those whom you have given Him, for we are yours. [10] All Christ's are Thine, and Thine are Christ's, and Jesus is glorified in us.
[11] And Jesus is no longer in the world, but we are in the world, and He has gone to you. Holy Father, keep us in your name, which you have given to Christ, that we may be one, even as you and the Son are one. [12] While Jesus was with us, He kept us in your name, which you have given Him. He has guarded us, and not one of us have been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
[13] But now Jesus is with you, and these things Jesus spoke in the world, that we may have His joy fulfilled in us. [14] He has given us your word, and the world has hated us because we are not of the world, just as Jesus is not of the world. [15] we do not ask that you take us out of the world, but that you keep us from the evil one. [16] We are not of the world, just as Jesus is not of the world.
[17] Sanctify us in the truth; your word is truth. [18] As you sent Jesus into the world, so has He sent us into the world. [19] And for our sakes He consecrated himself, that we also may be sanctified in truth.
[20] "We do not ask for the saints only, but also for those who will believe in Christ through our word, [21] that we may all be one, just as you, Father, are in Christ, and Christ in you, that we also may be in the Father and the Son, so that the world may believe that you have sent Christ. [22] The glory that you have given Christ, He has given to us, that we may be one even as You and the Son are one,
[23] Christ in us, and You in Christ, that we may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent Jesus and loved us even as you loved Jesus. [24] Father, we desire that we also, whom you have given to Christ, may be with Christ where He is, to see His glory that You have given Him because you loved Him before the foundation of the world. [25] O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, Jesus knows you, and we know that you have sent Him. [26] He has made known to us your name, and He will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved Christ may be in us, and He in us."
The Saints lift up this prayer for the glory of the Father and the Son, and for the good of His People.
The prayer of John 17 from the perspective of the saints:
John 17:1
The Saints lift up our eyes to heaven, and pray, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, [2] since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. [3] And this is eternal life, that we know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. [4] He has glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave Him to do. [5] And now, Father, glorify Him in your own presence with the glory that He had with you before the world existed."
[6] "He has manifested your name to the people whom you gave to Christ out of the world. Yours we were, and you gave us to Christ, and we have kept your word. [7] Now we know that everything that you have given Him is from You. [8] For He has given us the words that You gave Him, and we have received them and have come to know in truth that He has came from you; and we have believed that you sent Him.
[9] We are praying for the saints. We are not praying for the world but for those whom you have given Him, for we are yours. [10] All Christ's are Thine, and Thine are Christ's, and Jesus is glorified in us.
[11] And Jesus is no longer in the world, but we are in the world, and He has gone to you. Holy Father, keep us in your name, which you have given to Christ, that we may be one, even as you and the Son are one. [12] While Jesus was with us, He kept us in your name, which you have given Him. He has guarded us, and not one of us have been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
[13] But now Jesus is with you, and these things Jesus spoke in the world, that we may have His joy fulfilled in us. [14] He has given us your word, and the world has hated us because we are not of the world, just as Jesus is not of the world. [15] we do not ask that you take us out of the world, but that you keep us from the evil one. [16] We are not of the world, just as Jesus is not of the world.
[17] Sanctify us in the truth; your word is truth. [18] As you sent Jesus into the world, so has He sent us into the world. [19] And for our sakes He consecrated himself, that we also may be sanctified in truth.
[20] "We do not ask for the saints only, but also for those who will believe in Christ through our word, [21] that we may all be one, just as you, Father, are in Christ, and Christ in you, that we also may be in the Father and the Son, so that the world may believe that you have sent Christ. [22] The glory that you have given Christ, He has given to us, that we may be one even as You and the Son are one,
[23] Christ in us, and You in Christ, that we may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent Jesus and loved us even as you loved Jesus. [24] Father, we desire that we also, whom you have given to Christ, may be with Christ where He is, to see His glory that You have given Him because you loved Him before the foundation of the world. [25] O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, Jesus knows you, and we know that you have sent Him. [26] He has made known to us your name, and He will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved Christ may be in us, and He in us."
The Saints lift up this prayer for the glory of the Father and the Son, and for the good of His People.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
ONLY COMFORT IN LIFE AND DEATH
Question 1. What is thy only comfort in life and death?
Answer: That I with body and soul, both in life and death, (a) am not my own, (b) but belong unto my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ; (c) who, with his precious blood, has fully satisfied for all my sins, (d) and delivered me from all the power of the devil; (e) and so preserves me (f) that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; (g) yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, (h) and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, (i) and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him. (j)
Answer: That I with body and soul, both in life and death, (a) am not my own, (b) but belong unto my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ; (c) who, with his precious blood, has fully satisfied for all my sins, (d) and delivered me from all the power of the devil; (e) and so preserves me (f) that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; (g) yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, (h) and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, (i) and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him. (j)
SOBER WORDS
So forever will I tell
In three hours, Christ suffered more than any sinner ever will in hell (4x)
It’s where we see Your holiness- at the cross
We see that You’re controlling this- at the cross
We see how You feel about sin- at the cross
Your unfathomable love for men- at the cross
It’s where we see Your sovereignty- at the cross
We see our idolatry- at the cross
We know that there’s a judgment day- from the cross
May we never take our eyes away- from the cross
We’re now in the realm of the sublime and profound
With God at the helm it’s about to go down
The Father’s wrath precise will blast and slice
The priceless Master Christ as a sacrifice
Willingly, He’s under the curse
To be treated as if the Son was the worst scum of the earth
The scene is the craziest
Jesus being treated as if He is the shadiest atheist
How is it the Messiah is in the fiery pit
As if He was a wicked liar with twisted desires?
The One who’s sinless and just
Punished as if He was promiscuous and mischievous with vicious lust
The source of all godly pleasure
Tormented as if He was a foul investor or child molestor
How could He be bruised like He was a goodie two-shoes
who doesn’t think that she needs the good news?
He’s perfect in love and wisdom
But He’s suffering as if He constructed the corrupt justice system
We should mourn at the backdrop
Jesus torn like He’s on the corner with crack rock with porn on His laptop
What is this, kid? His gifts are infinite
But He’s hit with licks for religious hypocrites
He’s the Light, but being treated like
He’s the seedy type who likes to beat His wife
He’s treated like a rapist, treated like a slanderer
Treated like a racist or maybe a philanderer
Jesus being penalized like He had sin inside
Filled with inner pride while committing genocide
I could write for a billion years and still can’t name
All of the sins placed on the Lamb slain
But know this: the main thing the cross demonstrated
The glory and the holiness of God vindicated;
So forever will I tell
In three hours, Christ suffered more than any sinner ever will in hell (4x)
It’s where we see Your holiness- at the cross
We see that You’re controlling this- at the cross
We see how You feel about sin- at the cross
Your unfathomable love for men- at the cross
It’s where we see Your sovereignty- at the cross
We see our idolatry- at the cross
We know that there’s a judgment day- from the cross
May we never take our eyes away- from the cross
In three hours, Christ suffered more than any sinner ever will in hell (4x)
It’s where we see Your holiness- at the cross
We see that You’re controlling this- at the cross
We see how You feel about sin- at the cross
Your unfathomable love for men- at the cross
It’s where we see Your sovereignty- at the cross
We see our idolatry- at the cross
We know that there’s a judgment day- from the cross
May we never take our eyes away- from the cross
We’re now in the realm of the sublime and profound
With God at the helm it’s about to go down
The Father’s wrath precise will blast and slice
The priceless Master Christ as a sacrifice
Willingly, He’s under the curse
To be treated as if the Son was the worst scum of the earth
The scene is the craziest
Jesus being treated as if He is the shadiest atheist
How is it the Messiah is in the fiery pit
As if He was a wicked liar with twisted desires?
The One who’s sinless and just
Punished as if He was promiscuous and mischievous with vicious lust
The source of all godly pleasure
Tormented as if He was a foul investor or child molestor
How could He be bruised like He was a goodie two-shoes
who doesn’t think that she needs the good news?
He’s perfect in love and wisdom
But He’s suffering as if He constructed the corrupt justice system
We should mourn at the backdrop
Jesus torn like He’s on the corner with crack rock with porn on His laptop
What is this, kid? His gifts are infinite
But He’s hit with licks for religious hypocrites
He’s the Light, but being treated like
He’s the seedy type who likes to beat His wife
He’s treated like a rapist, treated like a slanderer
Treated like a racist or maybe a philanderer
Jesus being penalized like He had sin inside
Filled with inner pride while committing genocide
I could write for a billion years and still can’t name
All of the sins placed on the Lamb slain
But know this: the main thing the cross demonstrated
The glory and the holiness of God vindicated;
So forever will I tell
In three hours, Christ suffered more than any sinner ever will in hell (4x)
It’s where we see Your holiness- at the cross
We see that You’re controlling this- at the cross
We see how You feel about sin- at the cross
Your unfathomable love for men- at the cross
It’s where we see Your sovereignty- at the cross
We see our idolatry- at the cross
We know that there’s a judgment day- from the cross
May we never take our eyes away- from the cross
SECURING THE ACTUAL SALVATION
"The sin of Adam did not make the condemnation of all men merely possible; it was the ground of their actual condemnation. So the righteousness of Christ did not make the salvation of men merely possible, it secured the actual salvation of thos for whom he wrought."
Charles Hodge
Charles Hodge
THE WORD WIELDS
I will preach, speak, write, but I will force no one; for faith must be voluntary. Take me as an example. I stood up against the Pope, indulgences, and all papists, but without violence or uproar. I only urged, preached, and declared God's Word, nothing else.
And yet while I was asleep, or drinking Wittenberg beer with my Philip Melanchthon and Amsdorf, the Word inflicted greater injury on popery than prince or emperor ever did. I did nothing, the Word did every thing. Had I appealed to force, all Germany might have been deluged with blood; yea, I might have kindled a conflict at Worms, so that the Emperor would not have been safe.
But what would have been the result? Ruin and desolation of body and soul. I therefore kept quiet, and gave the Word free course through the world. Do you know what the Devil thinks when he sees men use violence to propagate the gospel? He sits with folded arms behind the fire of hell, and says with malignant looks and frightful grin: 'Ah, how wise these madmen are to play my game!
Let them go on; I shall reap the benefit. I delight in it.' But when he sees the Word running and contending alone on the battle-field, then he shudders and shakes for fear. The Word is almighty, and takes captive the hearts."
- Martin Luther
And yet while I was asleep, or drinking Wittenberg beer with my Philip Melanchthon and Amsdorf, the Word inflicted greater injury on popery than prince or emperor ever did. I did nothing, the Word did every thing. Had I appealed to force, all Germany might have been deluged with blood; yea, I might have kindled a conflict at Worms, so that the Emperor would not have been safe.
But what would have been the result? Ruin and desolation of body and soul. I therefore kept quiet, and gave the Word free course through the world. Do you know what the Devil thinks when he sees men use violence to propagate the gospel? He sits with folded arms behind the fire of hell, and says with malignant looks and frightful grin: 'Ah, how wise these madmen are to play my game!
Let them go on; I shall reap the benefit. I delight in it.' But when he sees the Word running and contending alone on the battle-field, then he shudders and shakes for fear. The Word is almighty, and takes captive the hearts."
- Martin Luther
Friday, February 4, 2011
BURN OUR HOUSES
JOHN ROGERS PREACHING:
he personates God to the people, telling them, 'Well, I have trusted you so long with my Bible; you have slighted it; it lies in such and such houses all covered with dust and cobwebs. You care not to look into it. Do you use my Bible so? W...ell, you shall have my Bible no longer'.
And he takes up the Bible from his cushion, and seemed as if he were going away with it, and carrying it from them;
but immediately turns again and personates the people to God, falls down on his knees, cries and pleads most earnestly,
'Lord, whatsoever thou cost to us, take not thy Bible from us; kill our children, burn our houses, destroy our goods; only spare us thy Bible, only take not away thy Bible'.
(Context: It is plain that scenes like this were far from rare in East Anglia in the first half of the seventeenth century. Samuel Fairclough's own father, Lawrence Fairclough, had seen spiritual prosperity in his ministry at Haverhill, Suffolk, before his death in 1603. The successor to his work in Haverhill was one of the most 'awakening' of all Puritan preachers and one whose ministry was attended with a power which was still being spoken of in the mid-eighteenth century. This was John Rogers, nephew of Richard Rogers of Wethersfield, by whose financial support he studied at Emmanuel from 1588 until 1592. In 1605 he was called from Haverhill to be 'lecturer' in the beautiful vale of Dedham, later to be known throughout the world by the paintings of John Constable but famous in the seventeenth century for the great spiritual harvest which took place under Rogers' ministry. 'Let us go to Dedham to get a little fire' became a common saying among his contemporaries. One who went was Thomas Goodwin, while a student at Cambridge, and many years later when he was Dr. Goodwin and President of Magdalen College, Oxford, he reported his memory of it to John Howe. Howe recorded it as follows: 'He told me that being himself, in the time of his youth, a student at Cambridge, and having heard much of Mr. Rogers of Dedham, in Essex, purposely he took a journey from Cambridge to Dedham to hear him preach on his lecture day. And in that sermon he falls into an expostulation with the people about their neglect of the Bible [I am afraid it is more neglected in our days]; )
The Puritans and Revival Christianity by Iain Murray
he personates God to the people, telling them, 'Well, I have trusted you so long with my Bible; you have slighted it; it lies in such and such houses all covered with dust and cobwebs. You care not to look into it. Do you use my Bible so? W...ell, you shall have my Bible no longer'.
And he takes up the Bible from his cushion, and seemed as if he were going away with it, and carrying it from them;
but immediately turns again and personates the people to God, falls down on his knees, cries and pleads most earnestly,
'Lord, whatsoever thou cost to us, take not thy Bible from us; kill our children, burn our houses, destroy our goods; only spare us thy Bible, only take not away thy Bible'.
(Context: It is plain that scenes like this were far from rare in East Anglia in the first half of the seventeenth century. Samuel Fairclough's own father, Lawrence Fairclough, had seen spiritual prosperity in his ministry at Haverhill, Suffolk, before his death in 1603. The successor to his work in Haverhill was one of the most 'awakening' of all Puritan preachers and one whose ministry was attended with a power which was still being spoken of in the mid-eighteenth century. This was John Rogers, nephew of Richard Rogers of Wethersfield, by whose financial support he studied at Emmanuel from 1588 until 1592. In 1605 he was called from Haverhill to be 'lecturer' in the beautiful vale of Dedham, later to be known throughout the world by the paintings of John Constable but famous in the seventeenth century for the great spiritual harvest which took place under Rogers' ministry. 'Let us go to Dedham to get a little fire' became a common saying among his contemporaries. One who went was Thomas Goodwin, while a student at Cambridge, and many years later when he was Dr. Goodwin and President of Magdalen College, Oxford, he reported his memory of it to John Howe. Howe recorded it as follows: 'He told me that being himself, in the time of his youth, a student at Cambridge, and having heard much of Mr. Rogers of Dedham, in Essex, purposely he took a journey from Cambridge to Dedham to hear him preach on his lecture day. And in that sermon he falls into an expostulation with the people about their neglect of the Bible [I am afraid it is more neglected in our days]; )
The Puritans and Revival Christianity by Iain Murray
REAL DAMAGE
What type of ruckus would be raised if you politely asked a local congregation to explain their stance on Conditional Election or Non-applied Atonement? How can such serious topics be brushed aside as harmful discussions, when in fact their use as assumed doctrine is the real damage being inflicted each week.
WHAT ARE THE CHANCES
An American citizen at the age of 35 has the chance of becoming President of the USA; On some level it is 50-50, either you will or you won't; but the odds are much less considering all alternatives.
Did Jesus die merely to have the "chance" of saving sinners? Is it 50-50? or much lower odds knowing how many false gods are out there? Did Jesus even campaign in 1010 in North-South America?
In that Arminian view, He is hardly any different than me running for president of the USA, we both have chances (to lead/save) but neither of us are ensuring our office (as leader/Savior).
Did Jesus die merely to have the "chance" of saving sinners? Is it 50-50? or much lower odds knowing how many false gods are out there? Did Jesus even campaign in 1010 in North-South America?
In that Arminian view, He is hardly any different than me running for president of the USA, we both have chances (to lead/save) but neither of us are ensuring our office (as leader/Savior).
THE DENIAL OF GOD'S BEING
"There is absolutely no difference between the denial of God's sovereignty and the denial of God's being. Arminianism is neither more nor less than religious atheism."
-Don Fortner
-Don Fortner
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Without a Bible
2010 Statistics:
Almost 2,100 ...the number of languages without any of the Bible, but with a possible need of a Bible translation to begin. 340,000,000+ ...the number of people who speak the 2,100 languages where translation projects have not yet begun
Consider what the Statistics were in 1517 across the globe, or in 1010, in Africa, North America, South America, Australia, Asia.
Almost 2,100 ...the number of languages without any of the Bible, but with a possible need of a Bible translation to begin. 340,000,000+ ...the number of people who speak the 2,100 languages where translation projects have not yet begun
Consider what the Statistics were in 1517 across the globe, or in 1010, in Africa, North America, South America, Australia, Asia.
IT IS A LOSS
The only multiplication of the Church of God that is to be desired is that which God sends…If we add to our churches by becoming worldly…if we add to our churches by accommodating the life of the Christian to the life of the worldling, our increase is worth nothing at all; it is a loss rather than a gain.
If we add to our churches by excitement, by making appeals to the passions, rather than by explaining truth to the understanding; if we add to our churches otherwise than by the power of the Spirit of God making men new creatures in Christ Jesus, the increase is of no worth whatever. (from: Harvest Joy, Sermon No. 2265) (RT: Spurgeon.US)
If we add to our churches by excitement, by making appeals to the passions, rather than by explaining truth to the understanding; if we add to our churches otherwise than by the power of the Spirit of God making men new creatures in Christ Jesus, the increase is of no worth whatever. (from: Harvest Joy, Sermon No. 2265) (RT: Spurgeon.US)
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
MERE EMPTINESS
"All our libraries and studies are mere emptiness compared with our closets."
C.H. Spurgeon
C.H. Spurgeon
A THEOLOGY OF THE CROSS. INTRO
2 Corinthians. 4:7-18 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. [8] We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; [9] persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; [10] always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. [11] For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. [12] So death is at work in us, but life in you.
[13] Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, "I believed, and so I spoke," we also believe, and so we also speak, [14] knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. [15] For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
[16] So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. [17] For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, [18] as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
2 Corinthiains. 6:3-10 We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, [4] but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, [5] beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; [6] by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love, [7] by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; [8] through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; [9] as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; [10] as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.
2 Corinthians. 11:23-33 Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. [24] Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. [25] Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; [26] on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; [27] in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. [28] And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. [29] Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant?
[30] If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. [31] The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. [32] At Damascus, the governor under King Aretas was guarding the city of Damascus in order to seize me, [33] but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his hands.
[13] Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, "I believed, and so I spoke," we also believe, and so we also speak, [14] knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. [15] For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
[16] So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. [17] For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, [18] as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
2 Corinthiains. 6:3-10 We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, [4] but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, [5] beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; [6] by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love, [7] by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; [8] through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; [9] as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; [10] as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.
2 Corinthians. 11:23-33 Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. [24] Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. [25] Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; [26] on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; [27] in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. [28] And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. [29] Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant?
[30] If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. [31] The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. [32] At Damascus, the governor under King Aretas was guarding the city of Damascus in order to seize me, [33] but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his hands.
BLINDESS NOW AND THEN
I thought about this last night, in November of 1517 what was happening in Germany? But what was happening in North America, South America, India, Australia, South Africa....countless millions without a Bible or Gospel Witness...no mediums of tv, radio, internet, BarnesnNobles, just people live and dying clueless of who both Jesus Christ is and current American idols like Oprah or Donald Trump or Bill Gates.
Monday, January 31, 2011
IS IT MEAN TO BE INSISTENT
Galatians 5:12 I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!
http://www.opc.org/nh.html?article_id=217
Galatians 5:12 was posted in reflection on a letter John Newton wrote which addresses on how Calvinists should be meek in witnessing. My point is: Being bold against a TOPIC should not be lumped as being rude to a person. We can say Mormonism is heretical without being rude to a Mormon. We can say Freemasonry is a lie without being rude to Freemasons. It is a fact that praying to Mary is wrong, just as drunkenness, lying, drugs, sloth, greed is wrong.
Newton is upfront that haughtiness in Calvinism is wrong, I can't tell Newton, "Now Newton, be meek now." when he is merely being truthful in telling us that haughtiness is wrong. I am sure he is insistent in his point, there is no compromise when he comes to exposing haughtiness. Man's ability is just as wrong as haughtiness. Conditional Election is just as wrong as pride in Calvinism; Unapplied Atonement is just as needful for correction as brash theology; etc. So sometimes people blur a unwavering theology as a sign of being rude, or a public insistency against a doctrine as being mean...yet Newton's own letter has an unwavering positon in what he asserts, and it is now a public insistency for what is asserted; and so likewise I have no problem with being unwavering against Arminianism and being publicly insistent on the errors of the system...Newton has done the same thing, just on a different subject matter.
If that letter is misapplied to Calvinist then Calvinist can return the notion to Newton, which is to silence Newton too. If that letter is properly seen as firm and public in it's purpose, then likewise it supports Calvinist being firm and public in their purpose to adominsh the system of Arminianism. Rick Warren will insist to me that his ministry is fine, and likewise I will insist that his ministry is not fine, both are insistent, both are polite...so I find it unfair to portray plain speech and forthrightness as "fleshly". John called men objectively a brood of vipers, and we can do the same, without being counseled to be a docile, passive wet-noodle.
So I think it is improper to push for more moderation, when the issue is not about delivery, but content, and content must never be in moderation; The blue lights are blue lights, the speeder may get mad and call them mean blue lights, but they are on, and his frustration is not really with the blue light itself as been "delivered" for that is nominal, but he is angry at the "insistent meaning" of that delivery. The cop will not turn off the lights, and finds no reason to tell the lights to "tone it down" when the lights are merely "constant in meaning" never "brash"; Whatever Newton's letter means, it cannot mean that we turn off the blue lights, just to make the speeder happy, but that is how many people seem to apply that letter. Gal 5:12 is an unwavering view, don't accuse Paul of failing to be meek in his adamancy, and many are unwavering in TULIP, and should not be falsely accused of failing to be meek in that adamancy. (yes, there are rude calvinist, but there is still a danger of confusing all insistent theology is thereby innately rude-- which is not true.
So that was the context of me posting this verse.
http://www.opc.org/nh.html?article_id=217
Galatians 5:12 was posted in reflection on a letter John Newton wrote which addresses on how Calvinists should be meek in witnessing. My point is: Being bold against a TOPIC should not be lumped as being rude to a person. We can say Mormonism is heretical without being rude to a Mormon. We can say Freemasonry is a lie without being rude to Freemasons. It is a fact that praying to Mary is wrong, just as drunkenness, lying, drugs, sloth, greed is wrong.
Newton is upfront that haughtiness in Calvinism is wrong, I can't tell Newton, "Now Newton, be meek now." when he is merely being truthful in telling us that haughtiness is wrong. I am sure he is insistent in his point, there is no compromise when he comes to exposing haughtiness. Man's ability is just as wrong as haughtiness. Conditional Election is just as wrong as pride in Calvinism; Unapplied Atonement is just as needful for correction as brash theology; etc. So sometimes people blur a unwavering theology as a sign of being rude, or a public insistency against a doctrine as being mean...yet Newton's own letter has an unwavering positon in what he asserts, and it is now a public insistency for what is asserted; and so likewise I have no problem with being unwavering against Arminianism and being publicly insistent on the errors of the system...Newton has done the same thing, just on a different subject matter.
If that letter is misapplied to Calvinist then Calvinist can return the notion to Newton, which is to silence Newton too. If that letter is properly seen as firm and public in it's purpose, then likewise it supports Calvinist being firm and public in their purpose to adominsh the system of Arminianism. Rick Warren will insist to me that his ministry is fine, and likewise I will insist that his ministry is not fine, both are insistent, both are polite...so I find it unfair to portray plain speech and forthrightness as "fleshly". John called men objectively a brood of vipers, and we can do the same, without being counseled to be a docile, passive wet-noodle.
So I think it is improper to push for more moderation, when the issue is not about delivery, but content, and content must never be in moderation; The blue lights are blue lights, the speeder may get mad and call them mean blue lights, but they are on, and his frustration is not really with the blue light itself as been "delivered" for that is nominal, but he is angry at the "insistent meaning" of that delivery. The cop will not turn off the lights, and finds no reason to tell the lights to "tone it down" when the lights are merely "constant in meaning" never "brash"; Whatever Newton's letter means, it cannot mean that we turn off the blue lights, just to make the speeder happy, but that is how many people seem to apply that letter. Gal 5:12 is an unwavering view, don't accuse Paul of failing to be meek in his adamancy, and many are unwavering in TULIP, and should not be falsely accused of failing to be meek in that adamancy. (yes, there are rude calvinist, but there is still a danger of confusing all insistent theology is thereby innately rude-- which is not true.
So that was the context of me posting this verse.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
FEWER PEOPLE
"If the gospel were more faithfully preached, there would be fewer people professing to believe it."
-- A.W. Pink
-- A.W. Pink
Thursday, January 27, 2011
WHY PRESENT
Are we saying that God did not show the resurrected body of Jesus to all sinners (beyond doubting Thomas) because God knew that evidence would not convince them; If God knows this presentation will not convince the unbeliever, then why give any other presentations at all, which God likewise knows will never convince them?
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
KNOWING CHRIST
Note to Self: Focus on Knowng Christ (Philip 3), not making a difference; (1 Cor 2:1-5); #1. You will never make a difference until you know Christ. (John 15:5) #2. You might find out that they more you are made like Christ, the more the world will scorn you as they did Christ (John 15:18-John 16::4); they crucified Him according to the design of God (Acts 2:23). God just might show you many things you are to suffer for His name's sake.(Acts 9:16);
Monday, January 24, 2011
FROM ROME
I must repeat, what already seems to have given him so much offence, that Arminianism "came from Rome, and leads thither again."
If we sum up the evidence that has been given, we shall find its amount to be, that Arminianism came from the Church of Rome, and leads back again to the pit whence it was digged.
Augustus Toplady
If we sum up the evidence that has been given, we shall find its amount to be, that Arminianism came from the Church of Rome, and leads back again to the pit whence it was digged.
Augustus Toplady
ONLY AXES
"The wickedest of enemies of God are only axes and saws and hammers in his hands, and are ignorantly his instruments for doing his work in the world." - J. C. Ryle
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
WRONG DEFINITION
Ministry Visibility is not synonymous with: Christian Impact, nor God's approval, nor Christ Exalted, nor Scripture Honored.
WHO IS ON THE LORD'S SIDE
Exodus 32:25-29 And when Moses saw that the people had broken loose (for Aaron had let them break loose, to the derision of their enemies), [26] then Moses stood in the gate of the camp and said, "Who is on the Lord's side? Come to me." And all the sons of Levi gathered around him. [27] And he said to them, "Thus says the Lord God of Israel, 'Put your SWORD on your side each of you, and go to and fro from gate to gate throughout the camp, and each of you kill his brother and his companion and his neighbor.' " [28] And the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses. And that day about three thousand men of the people fell. [29] And Moses said, "Today you have been ordained for the service of the Lord, each one at the cost of his son and of his brother, so that he might bestow a blessing upon you this day."
Matthew 10:34 "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a SWORD. [35] For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. [36] And a person's enemies will be those of his own household.
[37] Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. [38] And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. [39] Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
Luke 14:25-33 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, [26] "If anyone comes to me and does not HATE HIS OWN FATHER AND MORTHER AND WIFE AND CHILDREN AND BROTHERS AND SISTERS, YES AND EVEN HIS OWN LIFE, he cannot be my disciple. [27] Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple..... [33] So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.
(Luke has the same material as Matthew) Luke 12:49-53 "I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! [50] I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished! [51] Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. [52] For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. [53] They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."
In Luke and Matthew, Jesus describes who cannot be His disciple, or to state it positively who can be his disciple. The very same question was addressed by Moses, "Who is on the Lord's side?" Jesus answers that question. He is a greater High Priest than any Levite. Jesus will come with His own sword and strike down the Nations. He is Joshua. Yehoshua. Jesus.
Rev. 19:11-21
Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. [12] His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. [13] He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. [14] And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. [15] From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. [16] On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
[17] Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly directly overhead, "Come, gather for the great supper of God, [18] to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great." [19] And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army. [20] And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. [21] And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh.
Matthew 10:34 "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a SWORD. [35] For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. [36] And a person's enemies will be those of his own household.
[37] Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. [38] And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. [39] Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
Luke 14:25-33 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, [26] "If anyone comes to me and does not HATE HIS OWN FATHER AND MORTHER AND WIFE AND CHILDREN AND BROTHERS AND SISTERS, YES AND EVEN HIS OWN LIFE, he cannot be my disciple. [27] Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple..... [33] So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.
(Luke has the same material as Matthew) Luke 12:49-53 "I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! [50] I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished! [51] Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. [52] For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. [53] They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."
In Luke and Matthew, Jesus describes who cannot be His disciple, or to state it positively who can be his disciple. The very same question was addressed by Moses, "Who is on the Lord's side?" Jesus answers that question. He is a greater High Priest than any Levite. Jesus will come with His own sword and strike down the Nations. He is Joshua. Yehoshua. Jesus.
Rev. 19:11-21
Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. [12] His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. [13] He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. [14] And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. [15] From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. [16] On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
[17] Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly directly overhead, "Come, gather for the great supper of God, [18] to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great." [19] And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army. [20] And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. [21] And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
AMONG CHRISTIAN MECHANICS
This devotional is really revolutionary for me, something that has paralyzed me deeply for years. But this helpful observation came to mind today. "Who is the John Owen, Martin Luther, John Gill, Thomas Boston among Christian Auto Mechanics?" The answer? We don't know. The point. We don't have to know.
A self-employed Christian Mechanic may repair over 300 cars a year. That is 300 lives and homes helped. In theory it may be 300 pastors, missionaries, elders, deacons, widows, and blessings for explicit gospel needs or otherwise implicit gospel needs. The Christian mechanic does not look back and think, "but the other mechanics are getting more books written and sold, more initivations to preach, hold conference, and serve as professor; they have 10 locations and 3000 attendees compared to my small 300; everyone knows their brand name, but not mine, woe is me, what is the point."
This can parallel into every occupation that Christians partake. The lowly nurse with 300 patients a year, the mother with 5 kids, the brick mason, the janitor, the truck driver, the chicken farmer, the widget maker. A nurse may bless her patients, but is still anonymous among the pool of a million Christian nurses. A mother may raise a pastor, elder, deacon, author, missionary, but is still anonymous among other Christian mothers.
The brick mason may build church plant facilities, hospitals, and seminaries, but is also anonymous among other Christian brickmasons. How would baptists survive without Chickens to eat, and yet the chicken farmer does not compare himself with other famous Chicken farmers. The truck driver ships books, pews, and supplies for congregations to worship and minister, but is still unknown in his labors.
Do I admire William Carey? Sure, but there are countless servants also sacrificing and laboring in secret who will never be known this side of Glory. Do I admire James White? Sure, but let us name all the unknown pastors and professors and authors and friends that shaped in during his formative years. Monergism.com is a great website, yet they did not author 90% of what they provide.
In conclusion,
#1 It is wrong to divide the "sacred" from the "secular",
#2 Because all labors are to be sacred and offered unto Christ.
#3 All Christian labors are made unto Christ, not in comparison to the publicity of other Christian labors.
#4 All Christian labors find their value and significance by the grace of Christ directing them to the glory of Christ in that labor, not by the attention of men giving attention to the servants.
Think about these things.
A self-employed Christian Mechanic may repair over 300 cars a year. That is 300 lives and homes helped. In theory it may be 300 pastors, missionaries, elders, deacons, widows, and blessings for explicit gospel needs or otherwise implicit gospel needs. The Christian mechanic does not look back and think, "but the other mechanics are getting more books written and sold, more initivations to preach, hold conference, and serve as professor; they have 10 locations and 3000 attendees compared to my small 300; everyone knows their brand name, but not mine, woe is me, what is the point."
This can parallel into every occupation that Christians partake. The lowly nurse with 300 patients a year, the mother with 5 kids, the brick mason, the janitor, the truck driver, the chicken farmer, the widget maker. A nurse may bless her patients, but is still anonymous among the pool of a million Christian nurses. A mother may raise a pastor, elder, deacon, author, missionary, but is still anonymous among other Christian mothers.
The brick mason may build church plant facilities, hospitals, and seminaries, but is also anonymous among other Christian brickmasons. How would baptists survive without Chickens to eat, and yet the chicken farmer does not compare himself with other famous Chicken farmers. The truck driver ships books, pews, and supplies for congregations to worship and minister, but is still unknown in his labors.
Do I admire William Carey? Sure, but there are countless servants also sacrificing and laboring in secret who will never be known this side of Glory. Do I admire James White? Sure, but let us name all the unknown pastors and professors and authors and friends that shaped in during his formative years. Monergism.com is a great website, yet they did not author 90% of what they provide.
In conclusion,
#1 It is wrong to divide the "sacred" from the "secular",
#2 Because all labors are to be sacred and offered unto Christ.
#3 All Christian labors are made unto Christ, not in comparison to the publicity of other Christian labors.
#4 All Christian labors find their value and significance by the grace of Christ directing them to the glory of Christ in that labor, not by the attention of men giving attention to the servants.
Think about these things.
Monday, January 10, 2011
THE LORD SEES THEM
” I can hardly recollect a single plan of mine, of which I have not since seen reason to be satisfied, that had it taken place in season and circumstance just as I proposed, it would, humanly speaking, have proved my ruin; or at least it would have deprived me of the greater good the Lord had designed for me.
We judge of things by their present appearances, but the Lord sees them in their consequences, if we could do so likewise we should be perfectly of His mind; but as we cannot, it is an unspeakable mercy that He will manage for us, whether we are pleased with His management or not; and it is spoken of as one of his heaviest judgments, when He gives any person or people up to the way of their own hearts, and to walk after their own counsels.”
John Newton (1725-1807)
We judge of things by their present appearances, but the Lord sees them in their consequences, if we could do so likewise we should be perfectly of His mind; but as we cannot, it is an unspeakable mercy that He will manage for us, whether we are pleased with His management or not; and it is spoken of as one of his heaviest judgments, when He gives any person or people up to the way of their own hearts, and to walk after their own counsels.”
John Newton (1725-1807)
Sunday, January 9, 2011
STASH OF QUOTES FOUND
GREAT STASH OF QUOTES FOUND ON OSHEA DAVIS' WALL. http://www.osheadavis.com/
"As it is fit that God should love and esteem His own excellence, it is also fit that He should value and esteem the love of His excellency. And if it becomes a being highly to value Himself, it is fit that He should love to have Himself valued and esteemed"(Edwards, Works, 99).
"Another part of God's fulness which He communicates, is His happiness. This happiness consists in enjoying and rejoicing in Himself; and so does also the creature's happiness. It is a participation of what is in God; and God and His glory are the objective ground of it. The happiness of the creature consists in rejoicing in God; by which also God is magnified and exalted"(Edwards, Works, 101).
"Be more afraid of sin than of suffering. A man may be afflicted, and yet have the love of God; but if he sin, immediately God is angry"--Thomas Watson(Sermons of the Great Ejection, 142).
"God's rod is a pencil to draw Christ's image more distinctly upon us"(Watson, Gleanings , 141).
"As it is fit that God should love and esteem His own excellence, it is also fit that He should value and esteem the love of His excellency. And if it becomes a being highly to value Himself, it is fit that He should love to have Himself valued and esteemed"(Edwards, Works, 99).
"Another part of God's fulness which He communicates, is His happiness. This happiness consists in enjoying and rejoicing in Himself; and so does also the creature's happiness. It is a participation of what is in God; and God and His glory are the objective ground of it. The happiness of the creature consists in rejoicing in God; by which also God is magnified and exalted"(Edwards, Works, 101).
"Be more afraid of sin than of suffering. A man may be afflicted, and yet have the love of God; but if he sin, immediately God is angry"--Thomas Watson(Sermons of the Great Ejection, 142).
"God's rod is a pencil to draw Christ's image more distinctly upon us"(Watson, Gleanings , 141).
GOD'S FREEDOM FOR INEQUALITY
Did God look down the corridors of time and see a choice of Abram or Moses or David or John or Saul and determine to make them the father, prophet, king, forerunner...among the 6 million plus peers in their respective generations? What a tremendous blessing not granted to their peers. Apparently God quote fore-knew that the rest were all going to reject his equal offer, attempt, and effort. (tongue-in-cheek)
HE STOOD BETWEEN
Atonement of the Holy Place: a reality from the blood, not from the tent's acceptance and trust in an offer/priest
Leviticus 16:16-19 Thus he shall make atonement for the Holy Place, because of the uncleannesses of the people of Israel and because of their transgressions, all their sins. And so he shall do for the tent of meeting, which dwells with them... in the midst of their uncleannesses. [17] No one may be in the tent of meeting from the time he enters to make atonement in the Holy Place until he comes out and has made atonement for himself and for his house and for all the assembly of Israel. [18] Then he shall go out to the altar that is before the Lord and make atonement for it, and shall take some of the blood of the bull and some of the blood of the goat, and put it on the horns of the altar all around. [19] And he shall sprinkle some of the blood on it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it and consecrate it from the uncleannesses of the people of Israel.
2 Cor. 6:16 For we are the temple of the living God;
Ephes. 2:21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.
1 Cor. 3:16-17 Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? [17] If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.
1 Cor. 6:19 Or do you not know... that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,
Numbers 16:41-50 But on the next day all the congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and against Aaron, saying, "You have killed the people of the Lord." [42] And when the congregation had assembled against Moses and a...gainst Aaron, they turned toward the tent of meeting. And behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the Lord appeared. [43] And Moses and Aaron came to the front of the tent of meeting, [44] and the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, [45] "Get away from the midst of this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment." And they fell on their faces. [46] And Moses said to Aaron, "Take your censer, and put fire on it from off the altar and lay incense on it and carry it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them, for wrath has gone out from the Lord; the plague has begun." [47] So Aaron took it as Moses said and ran into the midst of the assembly. And behold, the plague had already begun among the people. And he put on the incense and made atonement for the people. [48] And he stood between the dead and the living, and the plague was stopped. [49] Now those who died in the plague were 14,700, besides those who died in the affair of Korah. [50] And Aaron returned to Moses at the entrance of the tent of meeting, when the plague was stopped.
The people were GRUMBLING against Moses and were AGAINST MOSES and AGAINST Aaron (priests), not trusting him as God's designated mediator and prophet. The Lord was ready to consume the people in a moment. The wrath of the Lord has gone out, and the plague begun.
Aaron made atonement for the people. ..... AND HE STOOD BETWEEN THE DEAD AND THE LIVING AND THE PLAGUE WAS STOPPED.
Over 14,700 were dead. I find it impossible to suggest the plague stopped on all the inhabitants because every solitary inhabitant paused to forsake their grumbling and begin trusting in Moses and the atonement made>>> as the basis of the plague stopping.
Leviticus 16:16-19 Thus he shall make atonement for the Holy Place, because of the uncleannesses of the people of Israel and because of their transgressions, all their sins. And so he shall do for the tent of meeting, which dwells with them... in the midst of their uncleannesses. [17] No one may be in the tent of meeting from the time he enters to make atonement in the Holy Place until he comes out and has made atonement for himself and for his house and for all the assembly of Israel. [18] Then he shall go out to the altar that is before the Lord and make atonement for it, and shall take some of the blood of the bull and some of the blood of the goat, and put it on the horns of the altar all around. [19] And he shall sprinkle some of the blood on it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it and consecrate it from the uncleannesses of the people of Israel.
2 Cor. 6:16 For we are the temple of the living God;
Ephes. 2:21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.
1 Cor. 3:16-17 Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? [17] If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.
1 Cor. 6:19 Or do you not know... that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,
Numbers 16:41-50 But on the next day all the congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and against Aaron, saying, "You have killed the people of the Lord." [42] And when the congregation had assembled against Moses and a...gainst Aaron, they turned toward the tent of meeting. And behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the Lord appeared. [43] And Moses and Aaron came to the front of the tent of meeting, [44] and the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, [45] "Get away from the midst of this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment." And they fell on their faces. [46] And Moses said to Aaron, "Take your censer, and put fire on it from off the altar and lay incense on it and carry it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them, for wrath has gone out from the Lord; the plague has begun." [47] So Aaron took it as Moses said and ran into the midst of the assembly. And behold, the plague had already begun among the people. And he put on the incense and made atonement for the people. [48] And he stood between the dead and the living, and the plague was stopped. [49] Now those who died in the plague were 14,700, besides those who died in the affair of Korah. [50] And Aaron returned to Moses at the entrance of the tent of meeting, when the plague was stopped.
The people were GRUMBLING against Moses and were AGAINST MOSES and AGAINST Aaron (priests), not trusting him as God's designated mediator and prophet. The Lord was ready to consume the people in a moment. The wrath of the Lord has gone out, and the plague begun.
Aaron made atonement for the people. ..... AND HE STOOD BETWEEN THE DEAD AND THE LIVING AND THE PLAGUE WAS STOPPED.
Over 14,700 were dead. I find it impossible to suggest the plague stopped on all the inhabitants because every solitary inhabitant paused to forsake their grumbling and begin trusting in Moses and the atonement made>>> as the basis of the plague stopping.
BUYING SHEEP
Some would say the Father does not make salvation a reality for sinners on the basis the Jesus' decision (and action), but the Father makes salvation a reality for sinners on the basis of their decision. What was lacking and insufficient in the decision (and action) of the spotless Lamb to deem it unworthy of making salvation a reality in and of itself.
These persons should not say, "The Father sent Jesus to make the salvation of all sinners a reality" nor that " Jesus came to make the salvation of all sinners a reality." When I present a coupon to a cashier, the cashier accepts it and applies it because of the validity of that which is presented. When Jesus presents His life, death, and blood to the Father, the Father accepts it and applies it because of the validity of that which is presented. Jesus purchased sheep. Shepherds do not look to the sheep to wait for them to accept the payment of their Redeemer.
These persons should not say, "The Father sent Jesus to make the salvation of all sinners a reality" nor that " Jesus came to make the salvation of all sinners a reality." When I present a coupon to a cashier, the cashier accepts it and applies it because of the validity of that which is presented. When Jesus presents His life, death, and blood to the Father, the Father accepts it and applies it because of the validity of that which is presented. Jesus purchased sheep. Shepherds do not look to the sheep to wait for them to accept the payment of their Redeemer.
IT WOULD MANIFEST
"Remember this--there is not a worse nature in hell
than that which is in you, and it would manifest itself
accordingly--if the Lord did not restrain it!"
~~Thomas Brooks;
than that which is in you, and it would manifest itself
accordingly--if the Lord did not restrain it!"
~~Thomas Brooks;
Saturday, January 8, 2011
PONDERING WHAT GOD WILLED
1. God willed to make Man. Adam was not free or able to will himself into existence.
2. God willed to make Man mutable. Adam was not free or able to will himself immutable. This was not a trait left up to Adam to determine. If Adam ...could determine himself to be immutable, then he could have eaten of the forbidden tree and then remained alive, contrary to God's warning that Adam would surely die.
3. God willed to make a tree of forbidden food. Man was not free or able to prevent the existence of such a tree.
4. God willed to make a snake with legs that Satan could possess and approach and talk to Eve. Adam was not free or able to prevent Satan's access to the snake, garden or Eve.
5. God willed: to create Adam, when to make Adam, where to make Adam, how to make Adam (two legs not eight), to limit Adam (from flying, creating worlds by speech, absolving sin). Adam was not free or able to determine: if he was going to be made, when he was going to be made, where he was going to be made, how he was going to be made, his capabilities and limitations; Adam did not determine why he was being made. God determined why Adam was being made as well.
6. God willed to make Adam before Eve; Eve could will herself to be made prior to Adam, or vice versa.
7. If Adam had a free will then he could have told God which trees were acceptable and which trees where forbidden, and what consequences (if any) would result from eating of the forbidden tree. But Adam does not set rules and consequences before the eternal God. If Adam had a free-will he could have uncursed the ground which God cursed and un-cursed the snake; or, commanded the angels not to gaurd the tree of life. (Obviously his command would have been ignored by them);
8. Adam had a will, and even while upright, it was limited, not free and not sovereign. The elect angels today have wills, but they are not free nor sovereign, they are limited. If Adam wants a free will then he must first free his will from the Sovereign will of God, until then Adam's will is not free to override God's sovereign will.
9. Did God will to cover Adam's nakedness, or merely make a covering to be possiblity? Did God will to save every son of Adam, or merely make the salvation of every son of Adam to be a possibility? If God made Adam's covering to be only a possibility, then it would be up to Adam to meet a condition for that covering to be a reality.
10. If God made Peter's salvation to be only a possibility, then it would be up to Peter to meet a condition for that salvation to be a reality. If Peter's salvation is contingent on Peter meeting a condition (moreover command) of God before Peter is actually saved, then Peter's salvation is no more of grace, but of a work of Peter. Thus Peter would have reason to glory in himself for meeting the condition of God. Salvation is a work of Grace, because it is a work of God in Jesus Christ presented to the Father as a substitue for the person in need. Christians glory not in themselves, but in Christ who secured and accomplished and guaranteed salvation for all whom he died.
11. Those who reject TULIP cannot proclaim that the death of Jesus ALONE guarantees and assures the salvation of any sinner; However, Christians in contrast profess (without double speak) the wonderful truth surmised by the phrase: Sola Christus, Christ alone.
12. The accomplishment and full satisfaction of Jesus before the Father is the basis of the Holy Spirit regenerating all for whom Christ died. The Holy Spirit will not fail to regenerate all that Christ died for. The accomplishment and full satisfaction of sinners placing faith in Jesus before the Father is NOT THE BASIS (condition met, obedience given) of the Holy Spirit regenerating some for whom Christ died. The Holy Spirit in His work honors the decision and death of Jesus, not the decison of the sinful creature. For the Holy Spirit, Jesus makes all the difference. Thus the sinner cannot say "I made the difference, my faith made the difference." Many will never say this, but yet they believe it, and thereby contradict all Scripture and even God Himself.
2. God willed to make Man mutable. Adam was not free or able to will himself immutable. This was not a trait left up to Adam to determine. If Adam ...could determine himself to be immutable, then he could have eaten of the forbidden tree and then remained alive, contrary to God's warning that Adam would surely die.
3. God willed to make a tree of forbidden food. Man was not free or able to prevent the existence of such a tree.
4. God willed to make a snake with legs that Satan could possess and approach and talk to Eve. Adam was not free or able to prevent Satan's access to the snake, garden or Eve.
5. God willed: to create Adam, when to make Adam, where to make Adam, how to make Adam (two legs not eight), to limit Adam (from flying, creating worlds by speech, absolving sin). Adam was not free or able to determine: if he was going to be made, when he was going to be made, where he was going to be made, how he was going to be made, his capabilities and limitations; Adam did not determine why he was being made. God determined why Adam was being made as well.
6. God willed to make Adam before Eve; Eve could will herself to be made prior to Adam, or vice versa.
7. If Adam had a free will then he could have told God which trees were acceptable and which trees where forbidden, and what consequences (if any) would result from eating of the forbidden tree. But Adam does not set rules and consequences before the eternal God. If Adam had a free-will he could have uncursed the ground which God cursed and un-cursed the snake; or, commanded the angels not to gaurd the tree of life. (Obviously his command would have been ignored by them);
8. Adam had a will, and even while upright, it was limited, not free and not sovereign. The elect angels today have wills, but they are not free nor sovereign, they are limited. If Adam wants a free will then he must first free his will from the Sovereign will of God, until then Adam's will is not free to override God's sovereign will.
9. Did God will to cover Adam's nakedness, or merely make a covering to be possiblity? Did God will to save every son of Adam, or merely make the salvation of every son of Adam to be a possibility? If God made Adam's covering to be only a possibility, then it would be up to Adam to meet a condition for that covering to be a reality.
10. If God made Peter's salvation to be only a possibility, then it would be up to Peter to meet a condition for that salvation to be a reality. If Peter's salvation is contingent on Peter meeting a condition (moreover command) of God before Peter is actually saved, then Peter's salvation is no more of grace, but of a work of Peter. Thus Peter would have reason to glory in himself for meeting the condition of God. Salvation is a work of Grace, because it is a work of God in Jesus Christ presented to the Father as a substitue for the person in need. Christians glory not in themselves, but in Christ who secured and accomplished and guaranteed salvation for all whom he died.
11. Those who reject TULIP cannot proclaim that the death of Jesus ALONE guarantees and assures the salvation of any sinner; However, Christians in contrast profess (without double speak) the wonderful truth surmised by the phrase: Sola Christus, Christ alone.
12. The accomplishment and full satisfaction of Jesus before the Father is the basis of the Holy Spirit regenerating all for whom Christ died. The Holy Spirit will not fail to regenerate all that Christ died for. The accomplishment and full satisfaction of sinners placing faith in Jesus before the Father is NOT THE BASIS (condition met, obedience given) of the Holy Spirit regenerating some for whom Christ died. The Holy Spirit in His work honors the decision and death of Jesus, not the decison of the sinful creature. For the Holy Spirit, Jesus makes all the difference. Thus the sinner cannot say "I made the difference, my faith made the difference." Many will never say this, but yet they believe it, and thereby contradict all Scripture and even God Himself.
EFFICACIOUS
"I may be called Antinomian or Calvinist for preaching a limited atonement; but I had rather believe a limited atonement that is efficacious for all men for whom it was intended, than a universal atonement that is not efficacious for anybody, except the will of man be joined with it."
~CH Spurgeon
~CH Spurgeon
VERY CONFUSING
It doesn't make any sense to say, "Jesus knew from all eternity past, before Adam was created, that Goliath would reject faith in Christ, but yet Jesus went ahead and died for Goliath in an divine but failing attempt to save him".
In sarcasm, but in analogy, I sent a check for $5,000 along with 10 books, 10 videos, and 100 mp3s to Pharaoh's tomb, in an attempt to get him to let the jewish slaves free, and spare himself the coming plagues.
In sarcasm, but in analogy, I sent a check for $5,000 along with 10 books, 10 videos, and 100 mp3s to Pharaoh's tomb, in an attempt to get him to let the jewish slaves free, and spare himself the coming plagues.
Friday, January 7, 2011
JESUS REDEEMS INDEED
Did Jesus intercede for a sinner in life, prayer, blood, and death on a criminal's cross before His Father, and His Father deem His intercession to be insufficient or unacceptable? Did Jesus sprinkle His blood in the heavenly Holy of Holies, and His blood not avail redemption and atonement?
Did Jesus, who is fully God, Thrice Holy, uncreated, eternal, infinite in power and wisdom....intercede for a sinner in life, prayer, blood, and death on a criminal's cross before His Father, and His Father deem His intercession to be insufficient or unacceptable? Did Jesus sprinkle His blood in the heavenly Holy of Holies, and His blood not avail redemption and atonement?
Did Jesus, who is fully God, Thrice Holy, uncreated, eternal, infinite in power and wisdom....intercede for a sinner in life, prayer, blood, and death on a criminal's cross before His Father, and His Father deem His intercession to be insufficient or unacceptable? Did Jesus sprinkle His blood in the heavenly Holy of Holies, and His blood not avail redemption and atonement?
FAR MORE OCCUPIED
"We are far more occupied with our work [in ministry] than we are with our prayer." - Andrew Murray; thanks Craig Ireland. Bracketed note is mine, not Murray's or Craig's.
- - - -
Al Hartman added:
If we would realize that our work, all of it, is ministry, and that ministry, all of it, is performed unto God and not for self, family, home, church, or community, then we would realize our insufficiency to work adequately and would be driven to prayer for His help in it.
As it is, we need to be driven to prayer just for the wisdom to recognize all that we have failed to realize...
- - - -
Pondering: "all is performed unto God"
Consider Luther trembling in his first communion service...the Holiness of God.
- - - -
Al Hartman added:
If we would realize that our work, all of it, is ministry, and that ministry, all of it, is performed unto God and not for self, family, home, church, or community, then we would realize our insufficiency to work adequately and would be driven to prayer for His help in it.
As it is, we need to be driven to prayer just for the wisdom to recognize all that we have failed to realize...
- - - -
Pondering: "all is performed unto God"
Consider Luther trembling in his first communion service...the Holiness of God.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
JOHN OWEN, DDDC, BOOK 1, SECTION 3.
III. Rebuttal against general ransom theory.
A. general ransom-- to pay, redeem for all, every single one of Adam.
If this be the end, if this be the fruit, product thereof.
1. Either God and Christ failed, did not accomplish their intention (the death of Christ being not a fitly proportioned means to the attaining end.-- is blasphemous injurious to the wisdom, power, and perfection of God, likewise derogatory to the worth, value of the death of Christ.
2. or else, that all mean, all the posterity of Adam, must be saved, purged, sanctified, glorified. Which will not maintain the testimony of Scripture and the woeful experience of millions will not allow. (for such a conclusion) {universalism}
These then:
1. Do deny that God or His Son had any such absolute aim or end in the death and blood shedding of Jesus Christ. ---or/and---
2. Do Deny that any such thing was immediately procured and purchased by it. -- that God intended nothing, and Christ effected nothing.
That no benefit arises to any immediately but that which is comes to all and every soul (though never so cursedly unbelieving here and eternally damned hereafter) until some act not procured for them by Christ (for if it were, why have they it all not alike) but to wit- Faith-- does distinguish them from others.
Faith is an effect of the satisfaction and death of Christ, not the basis thereof.
Faith is an product of grace, not a cause of grace.
A. general ransom-- to pay, redeem for all, every single one of Adam.
If this be the end, if this be the fruit, product thereof.
1. Either God and Christ failed, did not accomplish their intention (the death of Christ being not a fitly proportioned means to the attaining end.-- is blasphemous injurious to the wisdom, power, and perfection of God, likewise derogatory to the worth, value of the death of Christ.
2. or else, that all mean, all the posterity of Adam, must be saved, purged, sanctified, glorified. Which will not maintain the testimony of Scripture and the woeful experience of millions will not allow. (for such a conclusion) {universalism}
These then:
1. Do deny that God or His Son had any such absolute aim or end in the death and blood shedding of Jesus Christ. ---or/and---
2. Do Deny that any such thing was immediately procured and purchased by it. -- that God intended nothing, and Christ effected nothing.
That no benefit arises to any immediately but that which is comes to all and every soul (though never so cursedly unbelieving here and eternally damned hereafter) until some act not procured for them by Christ (for if it were, why have they it all not alike) but to wit- Faith-- does distinguish them from others.
Faith is an effect of the satisfaction and death of Christ, not the basis thereof.
Faith is an product of grace, not a cause of grace.
FLAWED PREMISE
(If) "Responsibility denotes capability". Then be perfect.
-- Will Torres [to explose the error of Arminian Philosophy)
-- Will Torres [to explose the error of Arminian Philosophy)
LOVE LESS ERROR
Arminians will say "hated" means "love less". Then they will say, 'God does not hate the sinner, he loves the sinner, but hates the sin." Which then we must tell them, "Oh so, you are saying He does not hate sin, he merely loves the sin less." What a horror. (you cannot have it both ways.)
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
CAN THIS POSSIBLY NOT TAKE PLACE
He who did not spare His own Son, but gave him up for us all---how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring a charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died---more than that, who was raised to life---is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us (Romans 8:32-34).
The Father gave the Son in our place. Who is the "our" of this passage? The text says that it is "those whom God has chosen," that is, the elect of God. Again, the intercessory work of Christ at the right hand of the Father is presented in perfect harmony with the death of Christ---those for whom Christ died are those for whom He intercedes. And, as this passage shows, if Christ intercedes for someone, who can possibly bring a charge against that person and hope to see them condemned? So we see what we have seen before: Christ dies in someone's place, He intercedes for them, and they are infallibly saved. Christ's work is complete and perfect. He is the powerful Savior, and He never fails to accomplish His purpose.
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13).
Are all the friends of Christ? Do all own His name? Do all bow before Him and accept Him as Lord? Do all do His commandments (John 15:14)? Then not all are His friends.
While we wait for the blessed hope---the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good (Titus 2:13-14).
Both the substitutionary element of the cross (gave himself for us) and the purpose thereof (to redeem us...to purify) are forcefully presented to Titus. If it was the purpose of Christ to redeem and purify those for whom He died, can this possibly not take place?
She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).
Christ will save His people from their sins. I ask what Edwin Palmer asked me before: Well, did He? Did He save His people, or did He not?
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20).
This is the common confession of every true believer in Christ. We died with Him, our Substitute, the one who loved us and gave Himself in our behalf.
We have seen, then, that the Word teaches that Christ died for many, for His sheep, for the Church, for the elect of God, for His friends, for a people zealous for good works, for His people, for each and every Christian.
--- James White
http://vintage.aomin.org/Was%20Anyone%20Saved.html
The Father gave the Son in our place. Who is the "our" of this passage? The text says that it is "those whom God has chosen," that is, the elect of God. Again, the intercessory work of Christ at the right hand of the Father is presented in perfect harmony with the death of Christ---those for whom Christ died are those for whom He intercedes. And, as this passage shows, if Christ intercedes for someone, who can possibly bring a charge against that person and hope to see them condemned? So we see what we have seen before: Christ dies in someone's place, He intercedes for them, and they are infallibly saved. Christ's work is complete and perfect. He is the powerful Savior, and He never fails to accomplish His purpose.
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13).
Are all the friends of Christ? Do all own His name? Do all bow before Him and accept Him as Lord? Do all do His commandments (John 15:14)? Then not all are His friends.
While we wait for the blessed hope---the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good (Titus 2:13-14).
Both the substitutionary element of the cross (gave himself for us) and the purpose thereof (to redeem us...to purify) are forcefully presented to Titus. If it was the purpose of Christ to redeem and purify those for whom He died, can this possibly not take place?
She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).
Christ will save His people from their sins. I ask what Edwin Palmer asked me before: Well, did He? Did He save His people, or did He not?
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20).
This is the common confession of every true believer in Christ. We died with Him, our Substitute, the one who loved us and gave Himself in our behalf.
We have seen, then, that the Word teaches that Christ died for many, for His sheep, for the Church, for the elect of God, for His friends, for a people zealous for good works, for His people, for each and every Christian.
--- James White
http://vintage.aomin.org/Was%20Anyone%20Saved.html
WHY CHRIST CAME
The Intention of the Atonement
Why did Christ come to die? Did He come simply to make salvation possible, or did He come to actually obtain eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:12)? Let's consider some passages from Scripture in answer to this question.
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost (Luke 19:10).
Here the Lord Jesus Himself speaks of the reason for His coming. He came to seek and to save the lost. Few have a problem with His seeking; many have a problem with the idea that He actually accomplished all of His mission. Jesus, however, made it clear that He came to actually save the lost. He did this by His death.
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners---of whom I am the worst (1 Timothy 1:15).
Paul asserts that the purpose of Christ's coming into the world was to actually save sinners. Nothing in Paul's words leads us to the conclusion that is so popular today---that Christ's death simply makes salvation a possibility rather than a reality. Christ came to save. So, did He? And how did He? Was it not by His death? Most certainly. The atoning death of Christ provides forgiveness of sins for all those for whom it is made. That is why Christ came.
--James White
http://vintage.aomin.org/Was%20Anyone%20Saved.html
Why did Christ come to die? Did He come simply to make salvation possible, or did He come to actually obtain eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:12)? Let's consider some passages from Scripture in answer to this question.
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost (Luke 19:10).
Here the Lord Jesus Himself speaks of the reason for His coming. He came to seek and to save the lost. Few have a problem with His seeking; many have a problem with the idea that He actually accomplished all of His mission. Jesus, however, made it clear that He came to actually save the lost. He did this by His death.
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners---of whom I am the worst (1 Timothy 1:15).
Paul asserts that the purpose of Christ's coming into the world was to actually save sinners. Nothing in Paul's words leads us to the conclusion that is so popular today---that Christ's death simply makes salvation a possibility rather than a reality. Christ came to save. So, did He? And how did He? Was it not by His death? Most certainly. The atoning death of Christ provides forgiveness of sins for all those for whom it is made. That is why Christ came.
--James White
http://vintage.aomin.org/Was%20Anyone%20Saved.html
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
THROUGH THE LOVE OF GOD
"The love and hate of God towards men is immutable and eternal, existing, not merely before there was any merit or work of ‘free-will,’ but before the world was made; [so] all things take place in us of necessity, according as He has from eternity loved or not loved ... faith and unbelief come to us by no work of our own, but through the love and hatred of God."
~ Martin Luther (1483-1546): (The Bondage of the Will)
~ Martin Luther (1483-1546): (The Bondage of the Will)
FAR BEYOND
"to mortify the lusts of the flesh, to be crucified unto the world, to overcome the Devil, to die daily unto sin and live unto righteousness, to be meek and lowly in heart, trustful and obedient, pious and patient, loving and gentle is a task far, far beyond the poor resources of fallen human nature." - A.W. Pink
THINK
DID CHRIST DIE FOR EVERYONE? You may think that question is absurd. Most people would agree with you. Everybody knows that "God loves all men, Christ died for all men, and the Holy Spirit is striving to save all men?" But could it be that those things are not so? If you will examine the Word of God you will discover that none of those things are so.
God does not love all people (Rom. 9:13). If he did, no one would go to hell! Christ does not pray for all men (John 17:9, 20). If he did, none would perish! Christ did not die for all men (Isa. 53:8). If he did, none would be required to suffer for their sins! The Holy Spirit is not trying to save all sinners (Acts 16:6). If he were, all would be saved!
THINK! Don't blindly accept the traditions and doctrines of men. Your soul is at stake! The glory of God is at stake! If Christ died for the sins of all men, then none shall be lost; all the sins of all men must be forgiven; or Christ is a failure! If the Son of God died for some of the sins of all men, then all men must perish forever, because none can make atonement for sin. BUT IF, as the Scriptures everywhere assert, Christ died for all the sins of some men (God's elect), then all for whom he died must be saved. His blood was not shed in vain. Justice, being satisfied, demands that all for whom atonement has been made must be saved.
"Payment God cannot twice demand, First at my bleeding Surety's hand, And then again at mine!"
Donald S. Fortner, Pastor
GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH OF DANVILLE
2734 Old Stanford Road
Danville, Kentucky 40422
God does not love all people (Rom. 9:13). If he did, no one would go to hell! Christ does not pray for all men (John 17:9, 20). If he did, none would perish! Christ did not die for all men (Isa. 53:8). If he did, none would be required to suffer for their sins! The Holy Spirit is not trying to save all sinners (Acts 16:6). If he were, all would be saved!
THINK! Don't blindly accept the traditions and doctrines of men. Your soul is at stake! The glory of God is at stake! If Christ died for the sins of all men, then none shall be lost; all the sins of all men must be forgiven; or Christ is a failure! If the Son of God died for some of the sins of all men, then all men must perish forever, because none can make atonement for sin. BUT IF, as the Scriptures everywhere assert, Christ died for all the sins of some men (God's elect), then all for whom he died must be saved. His blood was not shed in vain. Justice, being satisfied, demands that all for whom atonement has been made must be saved.
"Payment God cannot twice demand, First at my bleeding Surety's hand, And then again at mine!"
Donald S. Fortner, Pastor
GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH OF DANVILLE
2734 Old Stanford Road
Danville, Kentucky 40422
FREEWILL RELIGION
"Freewillism is that doctrine that says, “God loves you, Christ died for you, and the Holy Spirit is calling you; but it will all be vain unless you choose to be saved.” Freewillism makes the determining factor in salvation to be the will of man. It makes the work of the Triune God and the grace of God to be impotent without the consent of man’s “freewill.” Freewill religion is in direct opposition to the gospel of the free grace of God. The Bible declares that salvation is not accomplished, determined by, or dependent upon the will of man, but by the will of God (John 1:12-13; Rom. 9:16). The word “freewill”, when used with reference to salvation is a blasphemous obscenity!"
- Don Fortner taken from, "Damnable Heresies."
- Don Fortner taken from, "Damnable Heresies."
Friday, December 31, 2010
I SURE CANNOT
The God I worship saves. He does not merely "offer" salvation and leave it up to the "guilty sinner" to make the difference. If Scripture does not convince you of grace, then I sure cannot improve on Scripture; If the Holy Spirit does not give you a humble heart, then I sure cannot do the work of the Holy Spirit.
The God I worship saves; He does not command repentance, leaving it up to the guilty sinner to make the difference. If Scripture does not convince you of grace, then I sure cannot improve on Scripture; If the Holy Spirit does not give you a humble heart, then I sure cannot do the work of the Holy Spirit.
The God I worship saves; He does not command repentance, leaving it up to the guilty sinner to make the difference. If Scripture does not convince you of grace, then I sure cannot improve on Scripture; If the Holy Spirit does not give you a humble heart, then I sure cannot do the work of the Holy Spirit.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
UNITY AND PURITY
"But Jesus does not just pray for the unity of the Church. He prays for the purity of the Church."
--Dr. R.C. Sproul (Quoted from Onward Christian Soldier pg 212)
--Dr. R.C. Sproul (Quoted from Onward Christian Soldier pg 212)
ALL BUT DEMIGODS
2. WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE OF GOD THERE IS NOKNOWLEDGE OF SELF
Again, it is certain that man never achieves a clear knowledge of himself unless he has first looked upon God’s face, and then descends from contemplating him to scrutinize himself. For we always seem too urselves righteous and upright and wise and holy — this pride is innate inall of us — unless by clear proofs we stand convinced of our ownunrighteousness, foulness, folly, and impurity. Moreover, we are not thus convinced if we look merely to ourselves and not also to the Lord, who is the sole standard by which this judgment must be measured. For, because all of us are inclined by nature to hypocrisy, a kind of empty image of righteousness in place of righteousness itself abundantly satisfies us. And because nothing appears within or around us that has not been contaminated by great immorality, what is a little less vile pleases us as a thing most pure — so long as we confine our minds within the limits of human corruption. Just so, an eye to which nothing is shown but black objects judges something dirty white or even rather darkly mottled to be whiteness itself.
Indeed, we can discern still more clearly from the bodily senses how much we are deluded in estimating the powers of the soul. For if in broad daylight we either look down upon the ground or survey whatever meets our view round about, we seem to ourselves endowed with the strongest and keenest sight; yet when we look up to the sun andgaze straight at it, that power of sight which was particularly strong on earth is at once blunted and confused by a great brilliance, and thus we are compelled to admit that our keenness in looking upon things earthly is sheer dullness when it comes to the sun. So it happens in estimating our spiritual goods. As long as we do not look beyond the earth, being quite content with our own righteousness, wisdom, and virtue, we flatter ourselves most sweetly, and fancy ourselves all but demigods.
Suppose we but once begin to raise our thoughts to God, and to ponder his nature, and how completely perfect are his righteousness, wisdom, and power —the straight edge to which we must be shaped. Then, what masquerading earlier as righteousness was pleasing in us will soon grow filthy in its consummate wickedness. What wonderfully impressed us under the name of wisdom will stink in its very foolishness. What wore the face of power will prove itself the most miserable weakness. That is, what in us seems perfection itself corresponds ill to the purity of God.
-- John Calvin, Institutes. B.1. C.1. page 83
Again, it is certain that man never achieves a clear knowledge of himself unless he has first looked upon God’s face, and then descends from contemplating him to scrutinize himself. For we always seem too urselves righteous and upright and wise and holy — this pride is innate inall of us — unless by clear proofs we stand convinced of our ownunrighteousness, foulness, folly, and impurity. Moreover, we are not thus convinced if we look merely to ourselves and not also to the Lord, who is the sole standard by which this judgment must be measured. For, because all of us are inclined by nature to hypocrisy, a kind of empty image of righteousness in place of righteousness itself abundantly satisfies us. And because nothing appears within or around us that has not been contaminated by great immorality, what is a little less vile pleases us as a thing most pure — so long as we confine our minds within the limits of human corruption. Just so, an eye to which nothing is shown but black objects judges something dirty white or even rather darkly mottled to be whiteness itself.
Indeed, we can discern still more clearly from the bodily senses how much we are deluded in estimating the powers of the soul. For if in broad daylight we either look down upon the ground or survey whatever meets our view round about, we seem to ourselves endowed with the strongest and keenest sight; yet when we look up to the sun andgaze straight at it, that power of sight which was particularly strong on earth is at once blunted and confused by a great brilliance, and thus we are compelled to admit that our keenness in looking upon things earthly is sheer dullness when it comes to the sun. So it happens in estimating our spiritual goods. As long as we do not look beyond the earth, being quite content with our own righteousness, wisdom, and virtue, we flatter ourselves most sweetly, and fancy ourselves all but demigods.
Suppose we but once begin to raise our thoughts to God, and to ponder his nature, and how completely perfect are his righteousness, wisdom, and power —the straight edge to which we must be shaped. Then, what masquerading earlier as righteousness was pleasing in us will soon grow filthy in its consummate wickedness. What wonderfully impressed us under the name of wisdom will stink in its very foolishness. What wore the face of power will prove itself the most miserable weakness. That is, what in us seems perfection itself corresponds ill to the purity of God.
-- John Calvin, Institutes. B.1. C.1. page 83
100 PERCENT FIELD GOAL
What would you say of a basketball player who made EVERY SINGLE free throw, three pointer, layup, field goal, point he attempted to make? Wilt Chamberlin has the best yearly field goal of 73%, but that was for only one season. The best lifetime percentage is 60%. What about someone who attempts 1 billion shots and makes all 1 billion without fail.
THE LATTER IS THE GOSPEL
Either your Christianity will focus primarily on what you do and the power of your choices and will or else it will focus on what Christ has already done for you. The former is humanism, the latter is the Gospel. ~ Andrew Taylor
Monday, December 27, 2010
THE CONVINCER
The convincer and convicter of men is the Holy Spirit, who may use us as His vessels, but never as His substitute-- not even men so spiritually advanced as I may think myself to be may presume to do His work for Him. His office, permanently filled, is not to be usurped by even the most righteous of believers-- Al Hartman.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
HEART OF STONE
You may heat a stone if you thrust it into the fire, but for how short a time will it retain its heat; and though it glowed just now, how very soon it loses all its warmth and returns again to its native coldness. Such is the heart of man. You may think you have heated it under a powerful exhortation, or in presence of a solemn judgment, but how soon it returns to its natural state!
C. H. SPURGEON
C. H. SPURGEON
Saturday, December 25, 2010
JOHN NEWTON ON INDWELLING SIN
Quotes from The Letters of John Newton - Indwelling Sin and the Believer
Though sin wars in us — it shall not reign in us. And though it breaks our peace — it cannot separate from his love. Nor is it inconsistent with his holiness, and perfection, to manifest his favor to such poor defiled creatures, or to admit them to communion with himself; for they are not considered as in themselves — but as one with Jesus, to whom they have fled for refuge, and by whom they live a life of faith.
==========
His power is displayed — in maintaining his own work in the midst of so much opposition, like a spark burning in the water, or a bush unconsumed in the flames.
==========
They dare not, they will not ascribe anything to themselves — but are glad to acknowledge, that they must have perished a thousand times over — if Jesus had not been their Savior, their Shepherd, and their Shield!
==========
Whoever is truly humbled — will not be easily angry, nor harsh or critical of others. He will be compassionate and tender to the infirmities of his fellow-sinners, knowing that if there is a difference — it is grace alone which has made it! He knows that he has the seeds of every evil in his own heart. And under all trials and afflictions — he will look to the hand of the Lord, and lay his mouth in the dust, acknowledging that he suffers much less than his iniquities have deserved.
Quotes from The Letters of John Newton - Indwelling Sin and the Believer
Though sin wars in us — it shall not reign in us. And though it breaks our peace — it cannot separate from his love. Nor is it inconsistent with his holiness, and perfection, to manifest his favor to such poor defiled creatures, or to admit them to communion with himself; for they are not considered as in themselves — but as one with Jesus, to whom they have fled for refuge, and by whom they live a life of faith.
==========
His power is displayed — in maintaining his own work in the midst of so much opposition, like a spark burning in the water, or a bush unconsumed in the flames.
==========
They dare not, they will not ascribe anything to themselves — but are glad to acknowledge, that they must have perished a thousand times over — if Jesus had not been their Savior, their Shepherd, and their Shield!
==========
Whoever is truly humbled — will not be easily angry, nor harsh or critical of others. He will be compassionate and tender to the infirmities of his fellow-sinners, knowing that if there is a difference — it is grace alone which has made it! He knows that he has the seeds of every evil in his own heart. And under all trials and afflictions — he will look to the hand of the Lord, and lay his mouth in the dust, acknowledging that he suffers much less than his iniquities have deserved.
Quotes from The Letters of John Newton - Indwelling Sin and the Believer
John Owen Christologia Preface
JOHN OWEN: CHRISTOLOGIA
OR A DECLARATION OF THE GLORIOUS MYSTERY OF THE PERSON OF CHRIST — GOD AND MAN:
In his preface writes....
Unto them that believe unto the saving of the soul, he (Jesus) is, he always has
been, precious — the sun, the rock, the life, the bread of their souls —
every thing that is good, useful, amiable, desirable, here or unto eternity.
In, from, and by him, is all their spiritual and eternal life, light, power,
growth, consolation, and joy here; with everlasting salvation hereafter. By
him alone do they desire, expect, and obtain deliverance from that woeful
apostasy from God, which is accompanied with — which containeth in it
virtually and meritoriously whatever is evil, noxious, and destructive unto
our nature, and which, without relief, will issue in eternal misery. By him
are they brought into the nearest cognation, alliance, and friendship with
God, the firmest union unto him, and the most holy communion with him,
that our finite natures are capable of, and so conducted unto the eternal
enjoyment of him. For in him “shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and
shall glory;” (Isaiah 45:25;) for “Israel shall be saved in the Lord with an
everlasting salvation;” they “shall not be ashamed nor confounded, world
without end:” verse 17.
On these and the like accounts, the principal design of their whole lives
unto whom he is thus precious, is to acquaint themselves with him — the
mystery of the wisdom, grace, and love of God, in his person and
mediation, as revealed unto us in the Scripture, which is “life eternal;”
(John 17:3;) — to trust in him, and unto him, as to all the everlasting
concernments of their souls — to love and honor him with all their hearts
— to endeavor after conformity to him, in all those characters of divine
goodness and holiness which are represented unto them in him. In these
things consist the soul, life, power, beauty, and efficacy of the Christian
religion; without which, whatever outward ornaments may be put upon its
exercise, it is but a useless, lifeless carcass. The whole of this design is
expressed in these heavenly words of the apostle: (Philippians 3:8-12:)
“Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of
the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered
the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win
Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness,
which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ,
the righteousness which is of God by faith: that I may know him,
and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his
sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; if by any means
I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had
already attained, either were already perfect; but I follow after, if
that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of
Christ Jesus.”
This is a divine expression of that frame of heart of that design — which is
predominant and efficacious in them unto whom Christ is precious
OR A DECLARATION OF THE GLORIOUS MYSTERY OF THE PERSON OF CHRIST — GOD AND MAN:
In his preface writes....
Unto them that believe unto the saving of the soul, he (Jesus) is, he always has
been, precious — the sun, the rock, the life, the bread of their souls —
every thing that is good, useful, amiable, desirable, here or unto eternity.
In, from, and by him, is all their spiritual and eternal life, light, power,
growth, consolation, and joy here; with everlasting salvation hereafter. By
him alone do they desire, expect, and obtain deliverance from that woeful
apostasy from God, which is accompanied with — which containeth in it
virtually and meritoriously whatever is evil, noxious, and destructive unto
our nature, and which, without relief, will issue in eternal misery. By him
are they brought into the nearest cognation, alliance, and friendship with
God, the firmest union unto him, and the most holy communion with him,
that our finite natures are capable of, and so conducted unto the eternal
enjoyment of him. For in him “shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and
shall glory;” (Isaiah 45:25;) for “Israel shall be saved in the Lord with an
everlasting salvation;” they “shall not be ashamed nor confounded, world
without end:” verse 17.
On these and the like accounts, the principal design of their whole lives
unto whom he is thus precious, is to acquaint themselves with him — the
mystery of the wisdom, grace, and love of God, in his person and
mediation, as revealed unto us in the Scripture, which is “life eternal;”
(John 17:3;) — to trust in him, and unto him, as to all the everlasting
concernments of their souls — to love and honor him with all their hearts
— to endeavor after conformity to him, in all those characters of divine
goodness and holiness which are represented unto them in him. In these
things consist the soul, life, power, beauty, and efficacy of the Christian
religion; without which, whatever outward ornaments may be put upon its
exercise, it is but a useless, lifeless carcass. The whole of this design is
expressed in these heavenly words of the apostle: (Philippians 3:8-12:)
“Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of
the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered
the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win
Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness,
which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ,
the righteousness which is of God by faith: that I may know him,
and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his
sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; if by any means
I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had
already attained, either were already perfect; but I follow after, if
that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of
Christ Jesus.”
This is a divine expression of that frame of heart of that design — which is
predominant and efficacious in them unto whom Christ is precious
TIED MY REBELLIOUS IGNORANT LEGS TOGETHER
My God is a robust Savior, He is not a weak willed confused being with no real power except that which His subjects willingly surrender. All throughout scripture He is shown majestic and holy, glorious and triumphant able to do all that He wills without limitation. Notice when the angel speaks of Him in Matthew 1:21 he says, "...He WILL save HIS people from their sins."
It isn't Mary's obediance we should herald this day, nor the willingness of any of His creatures.
He busted through the door of my stoney heart and wrestled me to the ground like a lost sheep then tied my rebellious ignorant legs together, ...threw me over His shoulders and will carry me all the way home. This God my friends is mighty to save and worthy of my worship, forever and ever and ever! (emphasis mine, my favorite part, thanks Tim!)
May the Christ child be celebrated today as not the great enabler but King! His last words... "It is finished".
-- Tim Haufler
It isn't Mary's obediance we should herald this day, nor the willingness of any of His creatures.
He busted through the door of my stoney heart and wrestled me to the ground like a lost sheep then tied my rebellious ignorant legs together, ...threw me over His shoulders and will carry me all the way home. This God my friends is mighty to save and worthy of my worship, forever and ever and ever! (emphasis mine, my favorite part, thanks Tim!)
May the Christ child be celebrated today as not the great enabler but King! His last words... "It is finished".
-- Tim Haufler
NOT THY FAITH
"It is not thy hold on Christ that saves thee; it is Christ. It is not thy joy in Christ that saves thee; it is Christ. It is not even thy faith in Christ, though that be the instrument; it is Christ’s blood and merit."
- Charles H. Spurgeon
- Charles H. Spurgeon
Friday, December 24, 2010
DARKER FOULER
Let the Stable Still Astonish
Let the Stable still astonish:
Straw -- dirt floor, dull eyes,
Dusty flanks of donkeys, oxen;
Crumbling, crooked walls;
No bed to carry that pain,
And then, the child,
Rag-wrapped, laid to cry
In a trough.
Who would have chosen this?
Who would have said: “Yes,
Let the God of all the heavens
and earth
Be born here, in this place”?
Who but the same God
Who stands in the darker, fouler
rooms
of our hearts
and says, “Yes,
let the God of Heaven and Earth
be born here --
in this place.”
Leslie Leyland Fields
Let the Stable still astonish:
Straw -- dirt floor, dull eyes,
Dusty flanks of donkeys, oxen;
Crumbling, crooked walls;
No bed to carry that pain,
And then, the child,
Rag-wrapped, laid to cry
In a trough.
Who would have chosen this?
Who would have said: “Yes,
Let the God of all the heavens
and earth
Be born here, in this place”?
Who but the same God
Who stands in the darker, fouler
rooms
of our hearts
and says, “Yes,
let the God of Heaven and Earth
be born here --
in this place.”
Leslie Leyland Fields
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
SECRET TO ACCOMPLISH
the duties God requires of us are not in proportion to the strength we possess in ourselves. Rather, they are proportional to the resources available to us in Christ. We do not have the ability in ourselves to accomplish the least of God’s tasks. This is a law of grace. When we recognize it is impossible to perform a duty in our own strength, we will discover the secret of its accomplishment. But alas, this is a secret we often fail to discover.
--John Owen
--John Owen
Monday, December 20, 2010
DESIGNED FOR GOD
Tomato Sauce was designed for Lasagna, Spaghetti, and Pizza...not for painting walls, staining furniture, or cleaning clothes; Likewise Music was designed for God's Glory and God's Pleasure...not for the secular world to make money, become famous, and entertain themselves; what waste and misuse of a gift.
REJOICE IN THE LORD
My Joy is not based on sinners.
My Joy is not based on sinners, whether it be other sinners, or my old nature considered dead.
It is not based on my performance as it relates to intellectual progress, athletic progress, financial progress, ministry exposure, ministry reception.
My Joy IS based on the Sovereign, the Savior;
My Joy IS based on...
who HE is: Fully God, Fully Man, King, Messiah, Sovereign, Savoir, Lion, Lamb.
what HE has accomplished: incarnate, life, cross, death, burial, resurrection, ascension, enthronement.
what HE has accomplished: redemption, atonement, propitiation, preservation of His Bride.
where HE is: at the right hand of the Father, in glory, with adoration and exultation.
what HE has promised: to return, to rescue, to restore, to reign, to vindicate His Holiness, Righteousness, Glory, Name.
that He is...... who He is......without me, my contribution, my effort, my intentions, my zeal, my tears.
Circumstances change, Christ does not.
Rejoice in the Lord always....and I again I say, Rejoice IN THE LORD.
My Joy is not based on sinners, whether it be other sinners, or my old nature considered dead.
It is not based on my performance as it relates to intellectual progress, athletic progress, financial progress, ministry exposure, ministry reception.
My Joy IS based on the Sovereign, the Savior;
My Joy IS based on...
who HE is: Fully God, Fully Man, King, Messiah, Sovereign, Savoir, Lion, Lamb.
what HE has accomplished: incarnate, life, cross, death, burial, resurrection, ascension, enthronement.
what HE has accomplished: redemption, atonement, propitiation, preservation of His Bride.
where HE is: at the right hand of the Father, in glory, with adoration and exultation.
what HE has promised: to return, to rescue, to restore, to reign, to vindicate His Holiness, Righteousness, Glory, Name.
that He is...... who He is......without me, my contribution, my effort, my intentions, my zeal, my tears.
Circumstances change, Christ does not.
Rejoice in the Lord always....and I again I say, Rejoice IN THE LORD.
Friday, December 17, 2010
THE ONLY WAY
One thinks he could serve God much better if he were more prospered temporally...another if only he could have more society and Christian fellowship. But, my reader, the only way to serve God better is to be content with the place in which He has put you, and therein get a better heart!
~AW Pink
~AW Pink
A TRUE PURITAN
A true Puritan is one whose heart is warmed by the Lord's sweet communion,
whose esteem is bent to the ground, facedown in His awesome presence,
whose mind is captured by the words of the Word Incarnate,
whose will succumbs to the sovereignty of God Almighty,
whose bones burn with the fire of the Holy Spirit,
whose desires are inflamed with the pleasures of the Great I Am,
who knows that he is yet incomplete, wretched, undeserving, unworthy, still persevering, still longing, still in dire need of His tender mercies and steadfast love.
A true Puritan doesn't yet know that indeed he is one.
– A Reformed sister in India, who wishes to remain anonymous.
whose esteem is bent to the ground, facedown in His awesome presence,
whose mind is captured by the words of the Word Incarnate,
whose will succumbs to the sovereignty of God Almighty,
whose bones burn with the fire of the Holy Spirit,
whose desires are inflamed with the pleasures of the Great I Am,
who knows that he is yet incomplete, wretched, undeserving, unworthy, still persevering, still longing, still in dire need of His tender mercies and steadfast love.
A true Puritan doesn't yet know that indeed he is one.
– A Reformed sister in India, who wishes to remain anonymous.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
OBJECT LESSON
When asked to give examples of sin, one little boy raised his hand, when called on, he didnt say a word, he simply slapped the boy next to him on the back of the head. (via Ndivhuwo Rembuluwani)
CONFLICT
"You are but a poor soldier of Christ if you think you can overcome without fighting and suppose you can have the crown without conflict."
- John Chrysostom
(Of course the overcoming and crown are from Christ, not our fighting or conflict)
- John Chrysostom
(Of course the overcoming and crown are from Christ, not our fighting or conflict)
CHRIST HIMSELF
"All promises are either Christ himself, or by Christ, or from Christ, or for Christ. All promises that ever were made to God's people, they were either of Christ Himself, when He was promised, or such as were promised for Christ."
- Richard Sibbes
- Richard Sibbes
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
CONDITIONS MET
For Tulip-Deniers, Regeneration is not an act of God's Grace, but a reaction of God to the sinners who employed their ability to meet the condition/command of placing faith in Christ; Like their mother-Rome, and cousin-Mormon, grace gets them started, but it is up to them to make the most of God's offer, and in the end it is the sinner's ability to make the difference.
2 Nephil 25:23.....for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do. (throw the term grace around, but redefine it)
2 Nephil 25:23.....for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do. (throw the term grace around, but redefine it)
NOT BY FORCE OF WILL
May God's grace grant me to become one who can admit his faults, yet persevere to "press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Ph.3:14), not by force of will, but by faith in the grace of Him who called you, who will also faithfully do it (1Th.5:24).
(based on material from Al. H.)
(based on material from Al. H.)
Monday, December 13, 2010
FAILING TO INTEGRATE
There is SO-O-O much Scripture that I have sorely failed to integrate in my worldview...for example...
The Bible says, "The greatest among you shall be your servant." yet in my mind for 10 years I have still held different standards; The Bible does not say...The greatest among you shall be your: apologists, intellect, writer, published au...thor, speaker, prolific reader, greek scholar" and yet I have in some level coveted these goals more than serving; It is almost like what Jesus told to Nicodemus in paraphrase and new application, "You claim to be a Seminary student and pastor of 10 years, and you do not understand this, how shall you understand heavenly things, if you do not understand the basics?"
The Bible says, "The greatest among you shall be your servant." yet in my mind for 10 years I have still held different standards; The Bible does not say...The greatest among you shall be your: apologists, intellect, writer, published au...thor, speaker, prolific reader, greek scholar" and yet I have in some level coveted these goals more than serving; It is almost like what Jesus told to Nicodemus in paraphrase and new application, "You claim to be a Seminary student and pastor of 10 years, and you do not understand this, how shall you understand heavenly things, if you do not understand the basics?"
BETTER FOR THEM
“How sad is their condition that have a knowledge of Christ, and yet as to themselves it had been better they had never had it! Many there be that content themselves with an unpractical, ineffectual, and merely notional knowledge of him; of whom the apostle saith, “It had been better for them not to have known,” 2 Pet. 2: 21. It serves only to aggravate sin and misery; for though it be not enough to save them, yet it puts some weak restraints upon sin, which their impetuous lusts breaking down, exposes them thereby to a greater damnation.”
~ John Flavel
~ John Flavel
SCRIPTURE SUPPLIES
"The pastor ought to have two voices: one, for gathering the sheep; and another, for warding off and driving away wolves and thieves. The Scripture supplies him with the means of doing both."
~ John Calvin
~ John Calvin
Saturday, December 11, 2010
OUR BEST CANNOT
[The bad news] is that the best efforts of the best Christians, on the best days, in the best frame of heart and mind, with the best motives fall short of that true righteousness and holiness that God requires. Our best efforts cannot satisfy God's justice.
- Michael Horton
- Michael Horton
CONSTANT LOOKING
Let your constant motto be, "looking unto Jesus;" looking to Him just as you are; looking unto Him when faith is feeble; looking unto Him when faith is tried; looking unto Him when faith is declining; yes, looking unto Him when you fear you...... have no faith. Look up, tried and tempted soul! Jesus is the Author, the Sustainer, and He will become the Finisher of your faith. All you need is in Him; one glimpse, dim though it be, of His cross, one touch, trembling though it be, of His garment, will lift you from your lowest depths, lighten your heaviest burden, gild your darkest prospect.
~ Octavius Winslow
~ Octavius Winslow
Friday, December 10, 2010
WE ARE THE ROMAN
We are the Roman Soldier who hurled the whip repeatedly to the bleeding back of Jesus. (Our old nature is; of course in Christ we are a new creation.)
I NEED THEE EVERY HOUR
Scripture is like water and bread. 12 ounces of water/milk and 2 slices of bread at 8 a.m. might last you 2 hours, and your body will be needing more fluid and food (Scripture). The need is based upon the weakness of the body, and meant to picture our constant need of Jesus to be our strength.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
LOOKING UNTO JESUS
- “It is ever the Holy Spirit’s work to turn our eyes away from self to Jesus; but Satan’s work is just the opposite of this, for he is constantly trying to make us regard ourselves instead of Christ. He insinuates, "Your sins are too great for pardon; you have no faith; you do not repent enough; you will never be able to continue to... the end; you have not the joy of his children; you have such a wavering hold of Jesus." All these are thoughts about self, and we shall never find comfort or assurance by looking within.
But the Holy Spirit turns our eyes entirely away from self: he tells us that we are nothing, but that "Christ is all in all." Remember, therefore, it is not thy hold of Christ that saves thee—it is Christ; it is not thy joy in Christ that saves thee—it is Christ; it is not even faith in Christ, though that be the instrument—it is Christ’s blood and merits; therefore, look not so much to thy hand with which thou art grasping Christ, as to Christ; look not to thy hope, but to Jesus, the source of thy hope; look not to thy faith, but to Jesus, the author and finisher of thy faith. We shall never find happiness by looking at our prayers, our doings, or our feelings; it is what Jesus is, not what we are, that gives rest to the soul.
If we would at once overcome Satan and have peace with God, it must be by "looking unto Jesus." Keep thine eye simply on him; let his death, his sufferings, his merits, his glories, his intercession, be fresh upon thy mind; when thou wakest in the morning look to him; when thou liest down at night look to him. Oh! let not thy hopes or fears come between thee and Jesus; follow hard after him, and he will never fail thee.”
~ C.H. Spurgeon
Let your constant motto be, "looking unto Jesus;" looking to Him just as you are; looking unto Him when faith is feeble; looking unto Him when faith is tried; looking unto Him when faith is declining; yes, looking unto Him when you fear you...... have no faith. Look up, tried and tempted soul! Jesus is the Author, the Sustainer, and He will become the Finisher of your faith. All you need is in Him; one glimpse, dim though it be, of His cross, one touch, trembling though it be, of His garment, will lift you from your lowest depths, lighten your heaviest burden, gild your darkest prospect.
~ Octavius Winslow
But the Holy Spirit turns our eyes entirely away from self: he tells us that we are nothing, but that "Christ is all in all." Remember, therefore, it is not thy hold of Christ that saves thee—it is Christ; it is not thy joy in Christ that saves thee—it is Christ; it is not even faith in Christ, though that be the instrument—it is Christ’s blood and merits; therefore, look not so much to thy hand with which thou art grasping Christ, as to Christ; look not to thy hope, but to Jesus, the source of thy hope; look not to thy faith, but to Jesus, the author and finisher of thy faith. We shall never find happiness by looking at our prayers, our doings, or our feelings; it is what Jesus is, not what we are, that gives rest to the soul.
If we would at once overcome Satan and have peace with God, it must be by "looking unto Jesus." Keep thine eye simply on him; let his death, his sufferings, his merits, his glories, his intercession, be fresh upon thy mind; when thou wakest in the morning look to him; when thou liest down at night look to him. Oh! let not thy hopes or fears come between thee and Jesus; follow hard after him, and he will never fail thee.”
~ C.H. Spurgeon
Let your constant motto be, "looking unto Jesus;" looking to Him just as you are; looking unto Him when faith is feeble; looking unto Him when faith is tried; looking unto Him when faith is declining; yes, looking unto Him when you fear you...... have no faith. Look up, tried and tempted soul! Jesus is the Author, the Sustainer, and He will become the Finisher of your faith. All you need is in Him; one glimpse, dim though it be, of His cross, one touch, trembling though it be, of His garment, will lift you from your lowest depths, lighten your heaviest burden, gild your darkest prospect.
~ Octavius Winslow
Saturday, December 4, 2010
DOUBLE IMPUTATION
"Our sins, when laid upon Christ, were yet personally ours, not his; so his righteousness, when put upon us, is yet personally his, not ours."
- John Bunyan
- John Bunyan
Thursday, December 2, 2010
THE VERY ESSENCE
Arminianism is the very essence of Popery. Christopher Ness of St. John's College, Cambridge, a Puritan divine, in his treatise "An Antidote Against Arminianism," recommended by the great Dr. John Owen, writes...
"As blessed Athanasius sighed out in his day, 'The world is overrun with Arianism; so it is the sad sigh of our present times, the Christian world is overrun, yea, overwhelmed with the flood of Arminianism; which cometh as it were, out of the mouth of the serpent, that he might cause the woman (the Church) to be carried away of the flood thereof.' [Rev. 12.15.]
He quotes Mr. Rous, Master of Eton College, as saying, 'Arminianism is the spawn of Popery, which the warmth of favour may easily turn into frogs of the bottomless pit,' and Dr. Alexander Leighton who calls Arminianism 'the Pope's Benjamin, the last and greatest monster of the man of sin: the elixir of Anti-Christianism; the mystery of the mystery of iniquity; the Pope's cabinet; the very quintessence of equivocation.'"
http://www.truecovenanter.com/gospel/arminianism_another_gospel.html
"As blessed Athanasius sighed out in his day, 'The world is overrun with Arianism; so it is the sad sigh of our present times, the Christian world is overrun, yea, overwhelmed with the flood of Arminianism; which cometh as it were, out of the mouth of the serpent, that he might cause the woman (the Church) to be carried away of the flood thereof.' [Rev. 12.15.]
He quotes Mr. Rous, Master of Eton College, as saying, 'Arminianism is the spawn of Popery, which the warmth of favour may easily turn into frogs of the bottomless pit,' and Dr. Alexander Leighton who calls Arminianism 'the Pope's Benjamin, the last and greatest monster of the man of sin: the elixir of Anti-Christianism; the mystery of the mystery of iniquity; the Pope's cabinet; the very quintessence of equivocation.'"
http://www.truecovenanter.com/gospel/arminianism_another_gospel.html
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