March 30, 2005

To ye dear souls by George Whitefield

O ye dear souls, though the world sees nothing in you, though there be no outward difference between you and others, yet I look upon you in another light, even as so many kings sons and daughters: all hail! In the name of God, I wish every one of you joy from my soul, ye sons and daughters of the King of kings. Will not you henceforth exercise a child-like temper? Will not such a thought melt down your hearts, when I tell you, that the great God, who might have frowned you to hell for your secret sins, that nobody knew of but God and your own souls, and who might have damned you times without number, hath cast the mantle of his love over you; his voice hath been, Let that man, that woman live, for I have found a ransom. O will ye not cry out, Why me, Lord? Was King George to send for any of your children, and were you to hear they were to be his adopted sons, how highly honored would you think your children to be? What great condescension was it for Pharaoh's daughter to take up Moses, a poor child exposed in an ark of bulrushes, and bred him up for her child? But what is that happiness in comparison of thine, who was the other day a child of the devil, but now by converting grace art become a child of God? by George Whitefield

March 28, 2005

What to publish? By Henry Mahan

Bro. Barnard once said, Henry, be careful what you publish! If you preach and teach unwisely and impulsively you can apologize, retract your statements and make amends for your attitude and spirit, but when you put a matter down on paper, send it to the printer and distribute it – it is there for all time and continues to find its way into the hands of men. It might be wise to wait patiently on the Lord, get a – little experience and wisdom, then burden men with what you feel that you must say, remembering that if your voice is the only voice men hear and your words the only words men read, nothing of any spiritual value will be accomplished. Men must hear Him speak Who speaks from heaven and it is only His Word which finally convicts of sin and reveals Christ."

I suppose that the most difficult thing any believer has to learn is that "Without Him we can do nothing." This is our creed but not our experience! We will never be effectually used for God's true glory until it becomes our experience. God will never use men that are proud enough to think themselves necessary or capable. He will throw away the vessel which begins to boast in itself or allows others to boast in it. Whatever is our strength in the flesh is sure to become our weakness in the spirit – whether it be our intelligence, our morality, our length of service, our doctrine, our courage or whatever. Gideon feared the Midianites because of the small number of his soldiers, but the Lord said, "Your soldiers are yet too many for Me." I wonder if we will ever become weak enough, empty enough, and ignorant enough for God to use us for His glory! The logic of the Lord is strange to the natural mind. "For when I am weak, then am I Strong." (II Cor. 12:10). "Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (II Cor. 12:9). The Lord must go back to the seashore and raise up some fishermen – we've all become masters and doctors, wise men in theology and great counsellors. I disqualify myself for God's use when I become qualified. My fine talents and lofty credentials become hindrances rather then helps. I thought to prepare myself for great things, only to learn that it was the rough voice in the wilderness He planned to use, not the polished preacher; it was the weak, impulsive shepherd with the sling He planned to use, not the mighty warrior with his armor of wit and arsenal of facts. doctrines, and learning. It may not be too late for some, but most are too proud to become expendable. If we don't pour contempt on ourselves – God will! by Henry Mahan

March 23, 2005

What you wont learn from The Passion by Ken Wimer

A Mel Gibson film, 'The Passion,' is being touted by religious leaders and organizations as 'one of the greatest evangelistic tools in modern-day history.' There are, however, some things that I know that you won't learn from it.

1. It won't teach you the GOSPEL. Is not the Bible sufficient to give us the account of Christ's death? Is it not the record that God has given of His Son, 1 John 5:11. Faith does not walk by sight, 2 Cor. 5:7. The truth regarding the Lord Jesus Christ, and how God has redeemed and justified sinners by His sovereign grace, is not revealed through man-made imagery (idolatry), but through the Gospel revealed in God's Word, I Cor. 2:1-5.

2. It can't show you the true SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST. The question is, 'When the Bible speaks of the sufferings of Christ for sinners, was it referring to His physical sufferings?' As painful as His physical sufferings were, that is not what caused Him to cry out, 'My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?' No! The prophet Isaiah wrote of 'the travail of His soul.' The physical sufferings, that wicked men inflicted upon our Lord, were not the cause of Him crying out. Isaiah the prophet declared, "Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin," Isaiah 53:10. His sufferings were about God justly pouring out His wrath upon His Son as the Substitute and Sin-Bearer of His elect. It is the Just One dying for the unjust, that God the Father be just in justifying (declaring righteous) every one for whom Christ died. The Lord Jesus, by His death, satisfied God's perfect righteousness by which God has forever justified chosen sinners, having put away their sin, once for all, Rom. 5:9,10.

3. It doesn't tell WHY the Lord Jesus Christ laid down His life. If it did, there wouldn't be a debate as to whether the Jews or Romans killed him. Acts 2:23- "Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain." God slew His Son, but the wicked hands used are representative of the sins of His people. If Christ laid down His life for me, my SINS nailed Him there. Salvation is conditioned on His righteous life and sacrificial death alone. I could not provide that perfect righteousness, but He did. I was guilty of the wrath of God, but God purposed that wrath on His Son. By His death, God has redeemed, justified, and sanctified every sinner for whom Christ died, I Cor. 1:30.
By Ken Wimer, Pastor

March 21, 2005

God's Way by Don Fortner

Perhaps you think viewing the Passion of the Christ you may see how real His death was or that, "The Lord might use this movie to bring some to faith in Christ." After viewing this movie, I am sure that many will convert to papacy and some may unite with Protestant and Baptist churches; but none will be converted by it. None were even converted by watching the actual event of the crucifixion.

The physical sufferings of Christ, those things inflicted upon him by wicked men, did not accomplish our redemption and satisfy the justice of God. Our redemption was accomplished by our Redeemer's death, when he, by his one sacrifice for sin, satisfied the wrath and justice of God and put away the sins of his people. But it is not by his death alone that we are saved, justified, and declared holy and righteous before God. His death was but the finishing work of his life of obedience as our Representative and Substitute, by which the Son of God brought in everlasting righteousness for us.

Gospel preaching, not drama, is God's ordained means of calling his elect to faith in Christ. Salvation cannot be had without it. And gospel preaching is not reminding people of the historic fact of the cross and the physical agonies of our Redeemer on the cross. Gospel preaching is the declaration of justice satisfied and redemption accomplished by Christ's sin-atoning death. Gospel preaching is not playing on the emotions of people to trick them into religion. Gospel preaching is convincing sinners of sin, and righteousness, and judgment finished by the effectual accomplishments of the omnipotent Lamb of God.

The cross is over. The sufferings of Christ are finished. Redemption is done. It does not need reenactment, but proclamation. The reenactment of the crucifixion is nothing less or more than the observance of the superstitious papal mass served up Hollywood style. by Don Fortner

March 16, 2005

This divine and marvelous Fountain! By Octavius Winslow

"By the grace of God I am what I am!" 1 Cor. 15:10

GRACE is one of the most precious and significant terms of the Bible. Grace tells of God's free and unconditional choice of a people, whom He everlastingly loved. It speaks . . . of His mercy to the miserable, of His pardon to the guilty, of His favor to the lost, of His free and boundless love to poor sinners. None are saved but those who are saved by . . . electing grace, sovereign grace, free grace. Also, all the precious streams of present . . . sanctification, peace, joy, and hope flow from this divine and marvelous Fountain!

What a heart is His! The Lord of all grace . . . all pardoning grace, all accepting grace, all sanctifying grace, all comforting grace . . .
to the ungracious,
to the unworthy,
to the poor,
to the bankrupt,
to the vile,
to the sinful.

"By the grace of God I am what I am!"

Marvelous declaration!

By Octavious Winslow

March 15, 2005

The religion which I want by J.C. Philpot

I am quite sick of modern religion--it is such a mixture, such a medley, such a compromise. I find much, indeed, of this religion in my own heart, for it suits the flesh well--but I would not have it so, and grieve it should be so. The religion which I want is that of the Holy Spirit.

I know nothing but what He teaches me.

I feel nothing but what He works in me.

I believe nothing but what He shows me.

I only mourn when He smites my rocky heart.

I only rejoice when He reveals the Savior.

This religion I am seeking after, though miles and miles from it--but no other will satisfy or content me. When the blessed Spirit is not at work in me, and with me, I fall back into all the . . . darkness, unbelief, earthliness, idleness, carelessness, infidelity, and helplessness of my Adam nature.

True religion is a supernatural and mysterious thing.
By Joseph Philpot

March 14, 2005

He has guided our feet there! By Octaviuos Winslow

Broad is the road to destruction, and many go therein; narrow is the road that leads to glory, and there are few, comparatively, who find it, happy few! And, oh, what a mercy that He has guided our feet there! Our souls and bodies ought to be devoted to Him, to glorify Him for His distinguishing grace! For what are we more than others, that He should fix His everlasting love upon us while we were dead in trespasses and in sins?

Blessed be God, who passes by so many, and who has deigned to look upon us who were lying as others, dead in sin. Infinite in sovereignty, infinite in goodness, infinite in power! Why He passes by some and calls others is only known to Himself. But He will have mercy upon whom He will have mercy. Blessed, forever blessed, be His adored name!
Oh, for grace to serve Him better, and to love Him more!

By Octaviuos Winslow

March 09, 2005

Clanging Symbols

1 Cor. 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

Clanging Symbols
"A penny for your thoughts," he said,
As she remained distant and unsmiling.
"My thoughts aren't worth that much," she said,
And found him greasy and reviling.
Retreating to another world, she dreamed and wondered whether
Hid within the pages of some old or mystic book,
There was hope or mention or promise of something better -
A love to last forever.
He spoke again and praised her pretty face and eyes,
And brought her crashing back from hope and wonder land,
To here and now and him.
He was very nice and trying very hard, and no more lost than she,
But he wanted her to be the answer,
And she knew she wasn't, nor was he.
It occurred to her they both were looking,
And the significance made her tremble and accept him,
Wishing she could help him.
"My thoughts are worth a bit," she said,
And smiled and felt free.
Rumours of unfailing love had not escaped her, she realized,
Though she'd been too occupied with her right and capable
And above all independent self
To notice or take heed.
Indeed, she'd been a symbol of independent living,
But it was a clanging and stupid symbol to her now.
Capability was less becoming than humility,
And though she'd proven herself right
To everyone who mattered,
This too was a clanging symbol,
And she wanted to seek relief and mercy
From someone who had never mattered.
Looking at him again,
She saw the symbol of incertitude and longing,
And heard the clanging in his misspent words of love.
Praying to God for the first time ever,
She said only, "Wrong, wrong, wrong.
Forgive me for my wrong."
The resounding gong and clanging stopped,
And there was wonderful silence for her.

Taken from a post on A form of sound words

March 07, 2005

"IT IS FINISHED" by Tim James

"When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He said, IT IS FINISHED: and He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost" (John 19:30)

When our Lord hung in agonies and blood on the cursed tree, He cried with a loud voice, "IT IS FINISHED." One would think that such a statement made by the very Son of God would carry a reasonable weight. Yet, there are those who proclaim that the work is not truly finished unless they give their nod of faith which miraculously makes the work really effectual. Setting aside that such thinking is utterly foolish, consider, for a moment, the arrogant presumption of such an incredible notion. Apply this convoluted musing to any other finished work. Go to a contractor after he has finished a building and is getting ready to turn the key...stand before him, and in your most audacious voice, say, "Wait a minute, it is not finished unless I believe it is finished!" Go to the composer who has spent his life in pursuit of the classic score. After he has signed his masterpiece and the conductor is about to wave his baton...stand up in the audience and cry in your pompous voice, "I have something to say about this so-called symphony. It is not finished until I believe it is finished!" It's laughable, isn't it? No one in his right mind would do such a patently stupid thing! How utterly foolish. How much more conceited is anyone who, in the most haughty moment of dementia, thinks that anything they believe or do can make the finished work of Almighty God "unfinished" by their lack of affirmative assent.

Finished means finished! Done means done! Our Lord really, freely, fully and forever redeemed His elect by His substitutionary sacrifice on Calvary's tree. "By one offering He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified"(Hebrews 10:14). "By His own blood He entered once into the Holy Place, having obtained eternal redemption for us"(Hebrews 9:12). "But now once in the end of the world hath He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself" (Hebrews 9:26). -by Pastor Tim James

March 02, 2005

Invitation or altar call by Henry Mahan

The "invitation" or "altar call" at the end of a service has become such and accepted tradition in today's religion that those who do not sing an "invitation hymn" and invite people to the front of the church to "get saved" are branded with all sorts of names and charges. It never seems to trouble religious people that this "altar call" is nowhere to be found in God's word; that the great majority of those who "come forward" usually "go back" into indifference and worldliness; that coming to Christ is not a physical move at all but a heart commitment to the Redeemer; that the Scriptures present BAPTISM as our public confession of Christ, no "shaking the preacher's hand;" that the gospel is a COMMAND to repent, believe, and follow the Lord in baptism, not a mere invitation. The King of kings does not invite His subjects to obey and believe Him–He commands them!

I preach to you the Word of the living God! In the preaching of His Word the holiness, justice, and righteousness of God are declared. The truth of our fall, sinfulness, and inability is clearly set forth, as is the grace and mercy of God in the Lord Jesus Christ. Are you a sinner? Confess that fact before God, not before me! Do you need mercy? Tell God you need mercy, not me! Do you believe the Lord Jesus Christ is the only Redeemer and righteousness and sin-offering for one such as you? Then settle that issue before the throne of grace, not at the front of the church! Has God spoken peace to your heart in Christ? Do you now rest in Him alone as your Lord and Saviour, your High Priest, and Mediator? Is the old man crucified with Christ, buried, and you are risen in Him a new creature? Then ask the pastor to assist you in believer's baptism that you may declare publicly what God has done for you personally! by Henry Mahan