J. Gresham Machen

BY J. GRESHAM MACHEN

"There are congregations, even in the present age of conflict, that are really gathered around the table of the crucified Lord; there are pastors that are pastors indeed. But such congregations, in many cities, are difficult to find. Weary with the conflicts of the world, one goes into the Church to seek refreshment for the soul. And what does one find? Alas, too often, one finds only the turmoil of the world. The preacher comes forward, not out of a secret place of meditation and power, not with the authority of God's Word permeating his message, not with human wisdom pushed far into the background by the glory of the Cross, but with human opinions about the social problems of the hour or easy solutions of the vast problem of sin. Such is the sermon...

 

Thus the warfare of the world has entered even into the house of God, And sad indeed is the heart of the man who has come seeking peace. Is there no refuge from strife? Is there no place of refreshing where a man can prepare for the battle of life? Is there no place where two or three can gather in Jesus' name, to forget for the moment all those things that divide nation from nation and race from race, to forget human pride, to forget the passions of war, to forget the puzzling problems of industrial strife, and to unite in overflowing gratitude at the foot of the Cross? If there be such a place, then that is the house of God and that the gate of heaven. And from under the threshold of that house will go forth a river that will revive the weary world."

 

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Excerpt Christianity and Liberalism by J. Gresham Machen (Free ebook)

NO GREATER INSULT

"We cannot offer to God a greater insult than not to believe the Gospel; for he cannot be deprived of his truth without taking away all his glory and majesty"- John Calvin

MORE READY TO FORGIVE ME

"I believe that as often as I transgress, God is more ready to forgive me than I am ready to offend." (Charles Haddon Spurgeon)

Sam Cooke

The Soul Stirrers:  Sam Cooke

Well, my Lord done just what he said
Yes, Jesus done just what he said
Said he'd heal the sick
Said he'd raise the dead
Jesus done just what he said

You know he done just what he said
Jesus done just what he said
Said he'd heal the sick
Said he'd raise up the dead
And he done what he said

Well you know he done just what he said
Jesus done just what he said
Said he'd heal the sick
Said he would a-raise the dead
And he done what he said

Well, he said he'd be a doctor
He'd heal the rich and poor
Said he'd be a healer
He'd heal the meek and low
Said he'd be a mother
He'd give the poor and needy bread
And he done what he said

Tell you

He done just what he said
Jesus done just what he said
said he'd heal the sick
Said he'd raise the dead
Jesus done what he said

Well, he said he'd be a teacher
He'd teach his children right
Said he'd be a warrior
He'd help his children fight
Sure been a burden barer
He'd raise the bowed down head
And he done, Lord, what he said

Well, you know he done just what he said
Whoa, Jesus done just what he said
Said he'd heal the sick
Said he'd raise the dead
Jesus done just what he said
Joy, Joy to My Soul:  Sam Cooke

I can tell the world about this
I can tell the nation that I'm blessed
Tell them what my Jesus has done
Tell them that the comforter has come
And he brought joy, great joy unto my soul

Well my Lord done just what he said
(Yes he did, yes he did)
He healed the sick and he raised the dead
(Yes he did, yes he did)

Now I can tell the world about this
I can tell the nation that I'm blessed
Tell them what my Jesus has done
Tell them that the comforter has come
And he brought joy, great joy unto my soul

GREEN PASTURE

Jesus makes us to lie down in green pastures, and then we find out that Jesus is the green pasture. He is the living bread who laid down His life and by the breaking of His body He gives us eternal life.

VANITY OF TIME INTO RICHES OF ETERNITY

Saving grace draws us out of the vanity of time--into the riches of eternity! --- William Law

The most brazen lie of all

“The most brazen lie of all is the lie people tell themselves: "I have nothing to worry about from the wrath of God. My God is a God of love.” If that is your thought, your god is an idol.” 
- R. C. Sproul

PREOCCUPIED

GOD AS MORE WORTHY

GOD AS MORE WORTHY

There are two ways in which a person may attempt to displace from the human heart its love of the world—either by a demonstration of the world’s vanity, so that the heart shall be prevailed upon simply to withdraw its regards from an object that is not worthy of it;

or, by setting forth another object, even God, as more worthy of its attachment, so that the heart shall be prevailed upon not to resign an old affection, which shall have nothing to succeed it, but to exchange an old affection for a new one.

My purpose is to show that from the constitution of our nature, the former method is altogether incompetent and ineffectual, and that the latter method will alone suffice for the rescue and recovery of the heart from the wrong affection that domineers over it. --  Thomas Chalmers

DEALING WITH DEATH, DAVID MURRAY

(from David Murray: Tabletalk Magazine) The Heidelberg Catechism asks the same question: “Since Christ has died for us, why do we still have to die?” (Q. 42). Its answer: “Our death does not pay the debt of our sins. Rather it puts an end to our sinning and is our entrance into life.”

I want to expand upon that answer by demonstrating that although Christians do not have to die, God wisely allows the vast majority of believers to pass through death because of the immense spiritual benefits of the experience.

Dying brings us into communion with Christ’s sufferings. Christ’s death is different from the believer’s “penalty-free” death because Christ’s death was a penalty for sin—not His sin but our sin. However, dying reminds us of what Christ did for us. Like nothing else, it helps us understand the death Christ experienced for us, and so death brings us into closer communion with Him, increasing our love for Him (Phil. 3:10).

Dying gives us a unique experience of Christ’s all-sufficient grace. Bodily death is still a painful evil to believers. They will fear it and feel it. As the last moments approach, there is often great physical pain and, sometimes, spiritual fear. There is also the emotional distress of seeing loved ones’ weeping. At such times, dying believers can experience tremendous help from Christ. His grace is found to be more than sufficient at this time of greatest need (Heb. 4:16).

Dying transforms us into Christ’s image. One of the blessings of dying is the rapid ripening of the believer’s character and the acceleration of his sanctification. The outer person is growing weaker, but the inner is growing stronger and stronger (2 Cor. 4:16). Though death can take an ugly toll on the body of a Christian, his soul is swiftly beautified. I’m sure many pastors have seen how the approach of death can result in a believer’s “shining” in a way he never has before.

Dying is our last and perhaps greatest opportunity to witness for Christ’s glory. Death, in many ways, is the supreme test of faith. What an opportunity to speak of how faith in Christ helps us to die and gives victory over the greatest enemy (1 Cor. 15:55). How many unbelievers have been converted by the dying words of godly fathers or mothers? When the victory of faith is seen by the world and other Christians, it brings great glory to Christ, especially if the believer can speak of and commend Christ in these last moments (Phil. 1:20). The dying witness of believers is even celebrated in heaven (Rev. 12:11).

Dying brings us into Christ’s presence. Death hastens us into the presence of Christ and our coronation as His precious people. Death temporarily separates us from our bodies, but it unites our souls to Christ in a new and wonderful way. We will see Him as He is (1 John 3:2). No longer will we see Him through a dark lens, but we will see Him face-to-face (1 Cor. 13:12).

In summary, Christians do not have to die, but they do die in order to have communion with Christ’s sufferings, to experience Christ’s grace, to be made into Christ’s image, to witness for Christ’s glory, and to bring them into Christ’s presence. The Christian’s death may on the surface look like the death of the non-Christian, but it is essentially and wonderfully different.

PRAYER IS THE OPEN ADMISSION

"Prayer is the open admission that without Christ we can do nothing." -- John Piper.

SEE HIM - JOHN PIPER

See him on his knees,
Hear his constant pleas:
Heart of ev’ry aim:
“Hallowed be Your name.”

See him in the Word,
Helpless, cool, unstirred,
Heaping on the pyre
Heed until the fire.

See him with his books:
Tree beside the brooks,
Drinking at the root
Till the branch bear fruit.

See him with his pen:
Written line, and then,
Better thought preferred,
Deep from in the Word.

See him in the square,
Kept from subtle snare:
Unrelenting sleuth
On the scent of truth.

See him on the street,
Seeking to entreat,
Meek and treasuring:
“Do you know my King?”

See him in dispute,
Firm and resolute,
Driven by the fame
Of his Father’s name.

See him at his trade.
Done. The plan is made.
Men will have his skills,
If the Father wills.

See him at his meal,
Praying now to feel
Thanks and, be it graced,
God in ev’ry taste.

See him with his child:
Has he ever smiled
Such a smile before,
Playing on the floor?

See him with his wife,
Parable for life:
In this sacred scene
She is heaven’s queen.

See him stray. He groans.
“One is true,” he owns.
“What is left to me?
Fallibility.”

See him in lament
“Should I now repent?”
“Yes. And then proclaim:
All is for my fame.”

See him worshipping.
Watch the sinner sing,
Spared the burning flood
Only by the blood.

See him on the shore:
“Whence this ocean store?”
“From your God above,
Thimbleful of love.”

See him now asleep.
Watch the helpless reap,
But no credit take,
Just as when awake.

See him nearing death.
Listen to his breath,
Through the ebbing pain:
Final whisper: “Gain!”

UTTER DESPAIR

For when man through repentance has come to the knowledge of himself, he finds nothing but utter despair. Hence, wholly distrusting himself, he is forced to take refuge in the mercy of God. But when he has begun to do that, justice makes him afraid. Then Christ appears, who has satisfied the divine justice for our trespasses. When once there is faith in Him, then salvation is found; for He is the infallible pledge of God’s mercy.

– Ulrich Zwingli

A HOLY MAN KNOWS

A holy man knows that all sin strikes at the holiness of God, the glory of God, the nature of God, the being of God, and the law of God: and therefore his heart rises against all; he looks upon every sin as the Scribes and Pharisees that accused Christ; and as that Judas that betrayed Christ; and as that Pilate that condemned Christ; and as those soldiers that scourged Christ; and as those spears that pierced Christ. -- Thomas Brooks

Reference:   A Puritan Golden Treasury, compiled by I.D.E. Thomas, by permission of Banner of Truth, Carlisle, PA. 2000, p. 261.

IT IS GOD WHO GIVES THE WILL AND POWER

"We can do nothing but by a supernatural grace of God.  It is God who gives the will.  It is God who gives the power."  -- Calvin.

This is not only true before conversion, but also true of every facet of the Christian life after conversion.  This is not only true for matters of "earthly providence and labor"  but also especially true of every spiritual matter. (witnessing, preaching, loving, walking by faith, serving, laboring, praying, reading, and all)

GOD IS MORE ATTENTIVE AND ACTIVE THAN WE ARE

SANCTIFICATION

'We often become discouraged because of our lack of progress in the Christian life. When we are discouraged about that, we need to remember that God cares more about that progress in the Christian life than we do." - Ligon Duncan


I want to make the same point about "making an impact"

EVANGELISM

We often become discouraged that we are not "making an impact" to see souls saved.

Yet, we need to remember that God is more focused, attentive, and active in saving sinners than we are.

DISCIPLESHIP

We often become discouraged that we are not "making an impact" to see saints mature.

Yet, we need to remember that God is more focused, attentive, and active in maturing saints than we are.  (also, to see the purity of His church, than we are.)

MUST READ EIGHT GREAT QUOTES

You called, You cried, You shattered my deafness, You sparkled, You blazed, You drove away my blindness, You shed Your fragrance, and I drew in my breath, and I pant for You.
-- Augustine

“To delight in the glory of Jesus Christ as He is revealed in the Gospel...that is the heart of the Christian's new sense. Although the new convert may have known the truths of the Gospel for many years, now they shine with a fresh light and beauty. Once they were dull doctrines which he was required to believe; now they illuminate all of life and bring joy to his heart. The unconverted professor of religion generally wants to talk about his experiences, but the new man in Christ wants to talk about the Savior who has captured his mind and heart.”

-- John K. LaShell, "Jonathan Edwards and the New Sense"

He will have the supreme affection of His saints; they shall find their all in Him; and to this end He sends afflictions, crosses, and disappointments, but to wean them from their idols and draw them to Himself.
-- Octavius Winslow

Sicknesses, losses, crosses, anxieties and disappointments seem absolutely needful to keep us humble, watchful and spiritual–minded. They are as needful as the pruning knife to the vine and the refiner’s furnace to the gold.
-- J.C. Ryle

Clear conviction of sin if the only true origin of dependence on another's righteousness, and, therefore of the Christian's peace of mind and cheerfulness.

-- Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Some may engage in reading with alacrity for a time, and afterwards feel it a burden, grievous to be borne. They may find conscience dragging them through the appointed task without any relish of the heavenly food. If this be the case with any, throw aside the fetter, and feed at liberty in the sweet garden of God. My desire is not to cast a snare upon you, but to be a helper of your joy.

-- Robert Murray M'Cheyne, regarding his Bible reading plan

As furnaces burn with ancient coal and not with the leaves that fall from today’s trees, so my heart is kindled with the fiery substance I find in the old Scripture-steeped sermons of Puritan pastors.
-- John Piper

Delighting in God always produces resignation and holy contentment. Whatever they have — they enjoy it as the undeserved gift of God; and they feel obligated and thankful for all. They would rather be conformed to God's will — than have their own will. They know that His appointments are best — because they are infinitely wise, holy, and gracious.
-- John MacDuff

Excellency of the Treasure

Quote, "The earthen-ness of the vessel does not take away from the excellency of the treasure."

WOULD YOU STARVE YOUR KIDS

If you do not worship God in your family, you are living in positive sin; you may be quite sure you do not care for the souls of your family. If you neglect to spread a meal for your children to eat, would it not be said that you did not care for their bodies? And if you do not lead your children and servants to the green pastures of God’s Word, and to seek the living water, how plain is it that you do not care for their souls? Do it regularly, morning and evening. It is more needful than your daily food – more needful than your work. Robert Murray Mchenye

The Enjoying of Knowing and The Enjoying of Obeying

God is glorified most not merely by being known, nor by merely being dutifully obeyed, but by being enjoyed in the knowing and the obeying. The Enjoying of Knowing God. The Enjoying of Obeying God. The Enjoying of Knowing about God. If you did not "know about" a Car's Radio, then you would not "Know the Car" fully, nor "Enjoy the Car fully." If you did not "know about" the "Speed Limit sign", then you would not "Know the Law" fully, nor "Enjoy the Road fully." You remained driving 35 mph when you could have driven 65 mph, because you did not "know about freedom" (loss) You remained driving 65 mph when you crashed off the road in a curvy 35 mph zone, because you did not "know about the law which is designed for your good and safety." (loss)