The Hope of the Church # 1
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
"But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so then also which sleep in Jesus will God bring him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, the the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words."
It is a very interesting fact, I think, that this first Letter to the Thessalonians is the earliest of the writings of the Apostle Paul which the Spirit of God has preserved for the edification of the Church; and yet it abounds in reference to the great doctrine of the Second Advent of our Lord Jesus Christ. Then, too, it was written to a very young Church. Some people are inclined to think of the doctrine of the Lord's Return as something so difficult to understand, and as a truth so deep, and so hard for simple men to lay hold of, that it should only be proclaimed to Christians who are well advanced, and who are mature in their experience, and who have a very full understanding of the divine truth. But this Church to whom Paul wrote this Letter was composed of very young Christians. Only a few months before the writing of the Letter, at the most, they had been in the darkness and ignorance of heathendom. A few, perhaps, were Jews who had been brought to a saving knowledge of Christ, but the majority of these people in the Church at Thessalonica were heathen who had been reached by the Gospel, and who were now rejoicing in Christ Jesus. Then you remember that the Apostle Paul was only permitted to spend a very brief period with them. Luke speaks of his preaching in the synagogue for three Sabbath days, but how much longer he was there we are not told, possibly a little longer. Then persecution broke out, and in obedience to the Lord's word, "If they persecute you in one city, flee to another" (the apostle did not then have the ultra-dispensational teacher of today to tell him that the Lord's words did not then apply to him) he left there, and went on to Berea, and then on to Athens; and he left Timothy behind him to care for the young Church, and then to report. As a result of a letter that came to him at Athens he was so exercised that he sent Timothy back, and he could not rest until he returned the second time, and told him how well they were getting on. It was a wonderful report he brought back. Paul was fearful lest these young believers might have been disturbed by the enmity of the unbelieving Jews, and of their former friends in heathenism, who were opposed to the Gospel of Christ. But when Timothy returned he said something like this: "You know, Paul, it is remarkable the way they are going on. They are not only standing steadfast, and holding fast the Word of truth, but they are holding forth the Word of life. They have all turned preachers, and everywhere in Thessalonica they are carrying the message, and not only there but into Macedonia they have gone, and into other parts and into Achaia, and are telling out the story with great assurance." And he must have added, "You know, Paul, they are greatly distressed over one thing. You remember you told them that the Lord Jesus Christ was coming again to reign as King." He did proclaim that truth, and persecution broke out, and the accusation was made against Paul that he was a disturber of the peace. His enemies said of him, "He is preaching another King, one Jesus." And if Paul were preaching another King, one "Jesus" then he was preaching the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. When our Lord Jesus was baptized in the Jordan and anointed with the Spirit He was set apart for three offices - prophet, priest, and King. He exercised His prophetic office here on earth. He is exercising His priestly office yonder in the glory. But His is to reign as King when He comes back again, when the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our God, and of His Christ.
~Harry A. Ironside~
(continued with # 2)
A Proliferation of Christian Devotionals and Sermons
Saturday, April 6, 2019
Antichrist
Antichrist
This name introduces to us one of the most solemn and foreboding subjects in the Word of God. An antichrist - one absolutely opposed to Jesus Christ - we are told, shall come (John 2:18). The spirit of antichrist is already in the world, denying the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh, either in the past (1 John 4:3) or in the future (2 John 7).
This spirit of antichrist, now possessed by many, will culminate in one person, the antichrist, who will deny both the Father and the Son (1 John 2:22).
That he is a single individual is plainly taught in 2 Thess. 2, where he is called "that man of sin ... the son of perdition" _ "that wicked," the lawless one.
As Christ is the express image of God (Heb. 1:3), so it appears that antichrist is the culminating manifestation of satan, "the prince of this world" (John 14:30). His coming is "after the working of satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness..." (2 Thess. 2:9-10).
He will be a "strong delusion," to them who believe not the truth (2 Thess. 2:3-12).
This mystery of lawlessness already worked in the days of the apostle, but there has been a hindering power, which, we believe, is the Holy Spirit, in His present manifestation, or office (as the reprover of the world and gatherer of the Church). When He, the restraining one, is taken out of the way, at the rapture of the Church, then shall the mystery be unveiled, and the lawless one be revealed (2 Thess. 2:7-8).
He will be received, even by the Jews (John 5:43), who, having returned to their own land and rebuilt their temple, will make a treaty with him, called by the prophet a covenant with death and an agreement with hell (Isaiah 28:14-18). And antichrist will exalt himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped, so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God (the rebuilt temple) and sheweth himself that he is God. (2 Thess. 2:4). Doubtless he is the king described in Daniel 11:36), who shall do according to his own will and magnify himself above every god. Again, he is seen as the beast described in Revelation 13:11-18 whose number is the number of man, 666, and who performs "great wonderes...and deceiveth them that dwell upon the earth," by means of his miracles, and has the power to kill those who will not worship the image of the beast. And again he is seen in lucifer, or the day star, of Isaiah 14:12-16) of whom the king of Babylon was a type, and who weakens the nations, exalts his "throne above the stars of God," and sits "upon the mount of the congregation."
Such, in brief, is the awful picture which Scripture gives us of this great opponent of Christ. Many think that he has already been manifested in Antiochus Epiphanes - or the Popes of Rome - or Mohammed and his successors, all of which we regard as erroneous. The Popes have received their exaltation and power, as the pretended vicars of Christ, and not as His opponent. It is a great mistake, therefore, to call them the antichrist, or the opposing one. Antiochus was doubtless a type of antichrist. And in his opposition to the worship of Jehovah, his sacrifice of the hated swine in the temple and his merciless treatment of the Jews, he has given us a miniature picture of what the final antichrist will do. But he passed away long before Paul and John wrote of the antichrist to come. Likewise Mohammed may be in some sense a type, but that is all.
No, antichrist is still in the future, and he will not be manifested until the true Church has been taken away, at the rapture, as described in 1 Thess. 4:16-18). For Paul says "We beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto Him" that is, by this very fact of the rapture, of which he had previously written them, and which must first occur before the apostasy should come to the full, and the man of sin be revealed. This is confirmed by verse 7. (1 Thess. 2:1-2; 7; 1 Thess. 4:16-18). The Holy Spirit who, while He is gathering the Bride (1 Cor. 12:12-13); Eph. 4:30), reproves the world of sin, righteousness and judgment (John 16:8), will, when He is taken out of the way, catch up the Bride to meet the Lord in the air, leaving the apostate church, adulterous Israel and the ungodly world, to believe a lie (2 Thess. 2:11), and then shall the lawless one be revealed. Praise God, that the Church is kept from this awful hour of temptation (Luke 21:36); Rev. 3:10). She shall be with her Lord (1 Thess. 4:17-18; 5:9-10), while the world is ruled by antichrist.
But, though antichrist shall so greatly exalt himself and rule over the world with such power, yet "shall he come to his end, and none shall help him" (Dan. 11:45). The Lord shall destroy him "with the brightness of His coming" (2 Thess. 2:8), when He shall come, with His saints, to execute judgment upon the ungodly (Jude 14:15). Yes, he shall be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit." They that see him shall narrowly look upon him and consider him, saying, "is this the man that made the earth to tremble, and did shake kingdoms, that made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof?" (Isaiah 14:15-17).
We would call special attention to the fact that antichrist denies the Father and the Son and that the Greek words in 2 Thess. 2:7-8 could be rendered "the mystery of lawlessness". This, we think, gives an alarming significance to the atheistic and lawless trio of socialism, nihilism and anarchy, so rapidly spreading in our day, and which seeks to wipe out all law relating to marriage, property, etc.
It may be that these are the immediate precursors of anitchrist. At any rate, he is surely coming, and sad indeed is the thought of a godless world, rushing on to such a culmination of evil.
~W. E. B. Blackstone~
(The End)
This name introduces to us one of the most solemn and foreboding subjects in the Word of God. An antichrist - one absolutely opposed to Jesus Christ - we are told, shall come (John 2:18). The spirit of antichrist is already in the world, denying the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh, either in the past (1 John 4:3) or in the future (2 John 7).
This spirit of antichrist, now possessed by many, will culminate in one person, the antichrist, who will deny both the Father and the Son (1 John 2:22).
That he is a single individual is plainly taught in 2 Thess. 2, where he is called "that man of sin ... the son of perdition" _ "that wicked," the lawless one.
As Christ is the express image of God (Heb. 1:3), so it appears that antichrist is the culminating manifestation of satan, "the prince of this world" (John 14:30). His coming is "after the working of satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness..." (2 Thess. 2:9-10).
He will be a "strong delusion," to them who believe not the truth (2 Thess. 2:3-12).
This mystery of lawlessness already worked in the days of the apostle, but there has been a hindering power, which, we believe, is the Holy Spirit, in His present manifestation, or office (as the reprover of the world and gatherer of the Church). When He, the restraining one, is taken out of the way, at the rapture of the Church, then shall the mystery be unveiled, and the lawless one be revealed (2 Thess. 2:7-8).
He will be received, even by the Jews (John 5:43), who, having returned to their own land and rebuilt their temple, will make a treaty with him, called by the prophet a covenant with death and an agreement with hell (Isaiah 28:14-18). And antichrist will exalt himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped, so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God (the rebuilt temple) and sheweth himself that he is God. (2 Thess. 2:4). Doubtless he is the king described in Daniel 11:36), who shall do according to his own will and magnify himself above every god. Again, he is seen as the beast described in Revelation 13:11-18 whose number is the number of man, 666, and who performs "great wonderes...and deceiveth them that dwell upon the earth," by means of his miracles, and has the power to kill those who will not worship the image of the beast. And again he is seen in lucifer, or the day star, of Isaiah 14:12-16) of whom the king of Babylon was a type, and who weakens the nations, exalts his "throne above the stars of God," and sits "upon the mount of the congregation."
Such, in brief, is the awful picture which Scripture gives us of this great opponent of Christ. Many think that he has already been manifested in Antiochus Epiphanes - or the Popes of Rome - or Mohammed and his successors, all of which we regard as erroneous. The Popes have received their exaltation and power, as the pretended vicars of Christ, and not as His opponent. It is a great mistake, therefore, to call them the antichrist, or the opposing one. Antiochus was doubtless a type of antichrist. And in his opposition to the worship of Jehovah, his sacrifice of the hated swine in the temple and his merciless treatment of the Jews, he has given us a miniature picture of what the final antichrist will do. But he passed away long before Paul and John wrote of the antichrist to come. Likewise Mohammed may be in some sense a type, but that is all.
No, antichrist is still in the future, and he will not be manifested until the true Church has been taken away, at the rapture, as described in 1 Thess. 4:16-18). For Paul says "We beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto Him" that is, by this very fact of the rapture, of which he had previously written them, and which must first occur before the apostasy should come to the full, and the man of sin be revealed. This is confirmed by verse 7. (1 Thess. 2:1-2; 7; 1 Thess. 4:16-18). The Holy Spirit who, while He is gathering the Bride (1 Cor. 12:12-13); Eph. 4:30), reproves the world of sin, righteousness and judgment (John 16:8), will, when He is taken out of the way, catch up the Bride to meet the Lord in the air, leaving the apostate church, adulterous Israel and the ungodly world, to believe a lie (2 Thess. 2:11), and then shall the lawless one be revealed. Praise God, that the Church is kept from this awful hour of temptation (Luke 21:36); Rev. 3:10). She shall be with her Lord (1 Thess. 4:17-18; 5:9-10), while the world is ruled by antichrist.
But, though antichrist shall so greatly exalt himself and rule over the world with such power, yet "shall he come to his end, and none shall help him" (Dan. 11:45). The Lord shall destroy him "with the brightness of His coming" (2 Thess. 2:8), when He shall come, with His saints, to execute judgment upon the ungodly (Jude 14:15). Yes, he shall be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit." They that see him shall narrowly look upon him and consider him, saying, "is this the man that made the earth to tremble, and did shake kingdoms, that made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof?" (Isaiah 14:15-17).
We would call special attention to the fact that antichrist denies the Father and the Son and that the Greek words in 2 Thess. 2:7-8 could be rendered "the mystery of lawlessness". This, we think, gives an alarming significance to the atheistic and lawless trio of socialism, nihilism and anarchy, so rapidly spreading in our day, and which seeks to wipe out all law relating to marriage, property, etc.
It may be that these are the immediate precursors of anitchrist. At any rate, he is surely coming, and sad indeed is the thought of a godless world, rushing on to such a culmination of evil.
~W. E. B. Blackstone~
(The End)
Saturday, March 30, 2019
Show Thyself A Man # 2
Show Thyself A Man # 2
Settle the question in self-control by making timely decisions about what you are going to do about such important matters as temperance, morality and religion. Settle the question very early that your life shall be directed by principles and not by impulse. If you are not willing to deliberately take the risk of becoming a good-for-nothing sot, settle the question at once and finally that you will never take your first drink. Not to do this is to have about half decided that you will yield when the temptation comes. It means that you have concluded that you may yield, and so the probability is great that you will.
If you are not willing to take the risk of becoming a social outcast, decide as Joseph did long before he reached Potiphar's house that you will have a moral life.
To be a man means to be strong in purpose and self-control. If our manhood is buried under doubt, dig it out. There's a Gettysburg in every man's life which he has to fight. To be ready is half the secret of success.
Having oil or no oil in your lamp is the difference between light and darkness, between happiness and despair.
If you are not willing to run the risk of losing your soul take the only step that can make it safe by taking Christ into your heart and life at once.
Decision determines what life is to become for every man in this world, and also decides it for eternity.
The man who lets the devil choose his company for him will soon do anything the devil wants him to do. Strive for self-control by forming good habits before bad ones fasten themselves upon you. A thread can be broken, but a rope will hang you.
Be prudent by learning your own strength and weakness. Get the best training possible. Remember that knowledge is power. There is no excuse for ignorance in this day, when colleges are everywhere, and books seem to almost grow on trees.
The life of an uneducated man is like that of a mole living in the dark, while that of the man with culture is like the eagle, mounting above the clouds and soaring towards the sun.
Take the great men of the Bible and stand before them long enough to realize how great they were, and then ask yourself what there was in them that you ought to have in you, and then spend some time every day in considering the man who had in himself the great and manly qualities of them all in a superlative degree - the divine man - the God man - the man of Galilee.
Learn how to behold Christ's glory and so be changed into His likeness from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord. Let your soul go out to Him and be filled with Him, and you will soon begin to see that everything that is not like Him is unmanly and mean. Spend three months in studying His life on its man-ward side, and you will have a more exalted knowledge of what it means to be a man than you ever before possessed. A knowledge that will quicken you and inspire you to live for God and man as you never lived before.
Study the purpose of Christ and notice that He never swerved from the business for which He came into the world.
Study His prudence and courage and you will also find it true of His self control, faithfulness, charity, unselfishness, benevolence and sympathy.
Surely this man was the Son of God and the most glorious promise for us ever given that when He shall appear we shall be like Him. "Be thou strong, therefore, and show thyself a man."
~Billy Sunday~
(The End)
Settle the question in self-control by making timely decisions about what you are going to do about such important matters as temperance, morality and religion. Settle the question very early that your life shall be directed by principles and not by impulse. If you are not willing to deliberately take the risk of becoming a good-for-nothing sot, settle the question at once and finally that you will never take your first drink. Not to do this is to have about half decided that you will yield when the temptation comes. It means that you have concluded that you may yield, and so the probability is great that you will.
If you are not willing to take the risk of becoming a social outcast, decide as Joseph did long before he reached Potiphar's house that you will have a moral life.
To be a man means to be strong in purpose and self-control. If our manhood is buried under doubt, dig it out. There's a Gettysburg in every man's life which he has to fight. To be ready is half the secret of success.
Having oil or no oil in your lamp is the difference between light and darkness, between happiness and despair.
If you are not willing to run the risk of losing your soul take the only step that can make it safe by taking Christ into your heart and life at once.
Decision determines what life is to become for every man in this world, and also decides it for eternity.
The man who lets the devil choose his company for him will soon do anything the devil wants him to do. Strive for self-control by forming good habits before bad ones fasten themselves upon you. A thread can be broken, but a rope will hang you.
Be prudent by learning your own strength and weakness. Get the best training possible. Remember that knowledge is power. There is no excuse for ignorance in this day, when colleges are everywhere, and books seem to almost grow on trees.
The life of an uneducated man is like that of a mole living in the dark, while that of the man with culture is like the eagle, mounting above the clouds and soaring towards the sun.
Take the great men of the Bible and stand before them long enough to realize how great they were, and then ask yourself what there was in them that you ought to have in you, and then spend some time every day in considering the man who had in himself the great and manly qualities of them all in a superlative degree - the divine man - the God man - the man of Galilee.
Learn how to behold Christ's glory and so be changed into His likeness from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord. Let your soul go out to Him and be filled with Him, and you will soon begin to see that everything that is not like Him is unmanly and mean. Spend three months in studying His life on its man-ward side, and you will have a more exalted knowledge of what it means to be a man than you ever before possessed. A knowledge that will quicken you and inspire you to live for God and man as you never lived before.
Study the purpose of Christ and notice that He never swerved from the business for which He came into the world.
Study His prudence and courage and you will also find it true of His self control, faithfulness, charity, unselfishness, benevolence and sympathy.
Surely this man was the Son of God and the most glorious promise for us ever given that when He shall appear we shall be like Him. "Be thou strong, therefore, and show thyself a man."
~Billy Sunday~
(The End)
A Sermon For Erring Christians # 1
A Sermon For Erring Christians # 1
"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Theme: Plain directions to Christians who are out of the King's highway, telling them how to get back into the way.
This text is God's answer to Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the Temple. That prayer is remarkable for these three things:
1. A distinct recognition of the fact that all of God's people will and do sin.
2. That divine chastisement for purposes of correction will certainly follow every such sin.
3. A petition that God would accept and honor as adequate provision for the forgiveness of such sin.
These three notable characteristics of this famous prayer are very carefully stated because they embody a great deal of doctrine. And doctrinal statements ought never to be loosely and incautiously worded. Let us elaborate somewhat on each characteristic of this prayer.
Observe carefully that the first notable characteristic is not a recognition of the fact that some of God's people will sin nor the mere possibility that all of them may sin, but that all of them will and do sin - all of them, without one exception. If this statement be correct, it forever settles some things. It forever negatives as unscriptural certain modern doctrines touching sanctification. If it be urged as an objection that Solomon in his prayer continually said, "If Thy people sin," the "if" implying contingency only, or mere liability, the answer to such objection is obvious, conclusive, and crushing that he himself carefully guarded against such construction of his language. The possibility expressed by the "if" relates only to the particular form of the sin and never to the fact that sin would come in some form. The "if" was designed to cover any or all forms. It is as if he had said, "If it take this form or that?, whatever form it may take and some form it will take - then hear thou in heaven and forgive."
Would you hear and consider some of this proof? We have two inspired records of this prayer. In both, the "if" is not designed by him to convey the idea of doubt or uncertainty as to the fact of sin.
"If they sin against Thee (for there is no man that sinneth not" (1 Kings 8:46 and 2 Chronicles 6:36).
The full import of this broad negative as to the existence of sinless men is emphasized by its enlarged restatement by Solomon in another and much later connection: "For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not" (Ecclesiastics 7:20). This, for the present, at least, is sufficient proof of the correctness of the first statement, that Solomon's prayer distinctly recognizes the fact, not that some of God's people will sin, nor that all of them may sin, but that all of them will and do sin.
The second characteristic of the prayer is that divine chastisement, for purposes of correction, inevitably follows such sin. There is no doubt here, no ambiguity. Every element of uncertainty is excluded. You, O Christian is not the only inalienable and precious heritage of every child of God, but it is also a distinguishing mark to evidence the fact that he is a child of God. No chastisement, no child. What saith the scripture?
My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, Nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him; For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth. And scourgeth every son whom He recevieth. If you endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not. But if ye be without chastisement whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards and not sons. Furthermore we have had the fathers of our flesh who corrected us, and we gave them reverence. Shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure. But He for our profit that we might be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous but grievous; nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them who are exercised thereby. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; and make straight paths for your feet; let that which is lame be not turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed." Now, do observe how this Scripture corroborates the first proposition that all God's people sin. All His people are partakers of chastisement. Any self-styled child of God who is without chastisement is a bastard and not a son. He chastises to correct come wrong, to heal some lameness. He chastises not willingly, but for love and for profit. Mark this, that the object of chastisement is that "Ye might be partakers of His holiness."
To claim to be holy as God is holy is to claim that you have passed out of the realm of chastisement. The school of discipline for the spirit ends only with death of the body or its glorification without death. Death is the last stroke of discipline. With death all chastening of the spirit ceases. Seen after death they are at last "the spirits of just men made perfect." (Hebrews 12:23).
~B. H. Carroll~
(continued with # 2)
"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Theme: Plain directions to Christians who are out of the King's highway, telling them how to get back into the way.
This text is God's answer to Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the Temple. That prayer is remarkable for these three things:
1. A distinct recognition of the fact that all of God's people will and do sin.
2. That divine chastisement for purposes of correction will certainly follow every such sin.
3. A petition that God would accept and honor as adequate provision for the forgiveness of such sin.
These three notable characteristics of this famous prayer are very carefully stated because they embody a great deal of doctrine. And doctrinal statements ought never to be loosely and incautiously worded. Let us elaborate somewhat on each characteristic of this prayer.
Observe carefully that the first notable characteristic is not a recognition of the fact that some of God's people will sin nor the mere possibility that all of them may sin, but that all of them will and do sin - all of them, without one exception. If this statement be correct, it forever settles some things. It forever negatives as unscriptural certain modern doctrines touching sanctification. If it be urged as an objection that Solomon in his prayer continually said, "If Thy people sin," the "if" implying contingency only, or mere liability, the answer to such objection is obvious, conclusive, and crushing that he himself carefully guarded against such construction of his language. The possibility expressed by the "if" relates only to the particular form of the sin and never to the fact that sin would come in some form. The "if" was designed to cover any or all forms. It is as if he had said, "If it take this form or that?, whatever form it may take and some form it will take - then hear thou in heaven and forgive."
Would you hear and consider some of this proof? We have two inspired records of this prayer. In both, the "if" is not designed by him to convey the idea of doubt or uncertainty as to the fact of sin.
"If they sin against Thee (for there is no man that sinneth not" (1 Kings 8:46 and 2 Chronicles 6:36).
The full import of this broad negative as to the existence of sinless men is emphasized by its enlarged restatement by Solomon in another and much later connection: "For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not" (Ecclesiastics 7:20). This, for the present, at least, is sufficient proof of the correctness of the first statement, that Solomon's prayer distinctly recognizes the fact, not that some of God's people will sin, nor that all of them may sin, but that all of them will and do sin.
The second characteristic of the prayer is that divine chastisement, for purposes of correction, inevitably follows such sin. There is no doubt here, no ambiguity. Every element of uncertainty is excluded. You, O Christian is not the only inalienable and precious heritage of every child of God, but it is also a distinguishing mark to evidence the fact that he is a child of God. No chastisement, no child. What saith the scripture?
My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, Nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him; For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth. And scourgeth every son whom He recevieth. If you endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not. But if ye be without chastisement whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards and not sons. Furthermore we have had the fathers of our flesh who corrected us, and we gave them reverence. Shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure. But He for our profit that we might be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous but grievous; nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them who are exercised thereby. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; and make straight paths for your feet; let that which is lame be not turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed." Now, do observe how this Scripture corroborates the first proposition that all God's people sin. All His people are partakers of chastisement. Any self-styled child of God who is without chastisement is a bastard and not a son. He chastises to correct come wrong, to heal some lameness. He chastises not willingly, but for love and for profit. Mark this, that the object of chastisement is that "Ye might be partakers of His holiness."
To claim to be holy as God is holy is to claim that you have passed out of the realm of chastisement. The school of discipline for the spirit ends only with death of the body or its glorification without death. Death is the last stroke of discipline. With death all chastening of the spirit ceases. Seen after death they are at last "the spirits of just men made perfect." (Hebrews 12:23).
~B. H. Carroll~
(continued with # 2)
Saturday, March 23, 2019
Classic Christian Quotes From Classic Ministers
Classic Christian Quotes From Classic Ministers
The most unpopular, hated and feared teaching in the entire Bible!
(Brian Schwertley, "The Biblical Doctrine of Hell Examined")
"The rich man also died and was buried. In Hell, where he was in torment . . ." Luke 16:22-23
The doctrine of eternal punishment is probably the most unpopular, hated and feared teaching in the entire Bible. The thought of people burning in Hell for eternity is most repugnant to the human mind.
Yet in spite of the terrifying nature of the doctrine, and in spite of the fact that people find the idea of everlasting torment revolting, the strongest support of the doctrine comes from the lips of Jesus Christ. Think of it: the most terrifying imagery and detailed descriptions of Hell are found in the discourses of the Redeemer! Jesus continually warned men and women of the danger of going to Hell. Jesus Christ, who foretold that He would come again to judge the entire human race, spoke more about Hell and its terrors than all the prophets and apostles combined. To ignore and disregard the clear teaching of Jesus, is to deny Christ.
The Bible sets before us many differing aspects of the torments in Hell as a warning. The torments of Hell help us to understand how much God hates sin. Oh what dreadful torments await those who die without Christ!
"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in Hell." Matthew 10:28
"They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth!" Matthew 13:42
"Then He will say to those on His left: Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels!" Matthew 25:41
____________________________
The most unpopular, hated and feared teaching in the entire Bible!
(Brian Schwertley, "The Biblical Doctrine of Hell Examined")
"The rich man also died and was buried. In Hell, where he was in torment . . ." Luke 16:22-23
The doctrine of eternal punishment is probably the most unpopular, hated and feared teaching in the entire Bible. The thought of people burning in Hell for eternity is most repugnant to the human mind.
Yet in spite of the terrifying nature of the doctrine, and in spite of the fact that people find the idea of everlasting torment revolting, the strongest support of the doctrine comes from the lips of Jesus Christ. Think of it: the most terrifying imagery and detailed descriptions of Hell are found in the discourses of the Redeemer! Jesus continually warned men and women of the danger of going to Hell. Jesus Christ, who foretold that He would come again to judge the entire human race, spoke more about Hell and its terrors than all the prophets and apostles combined. To ignore and disregard the clear teaching of Jesus, is to deny Christ.
The Bible sets before us many differing aspects of the torments in Hell as a warning. The torments of Hell help us to understand how much God hates sin. Oh what dreadful torments await those who die without Christ!
"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in Hell." Matthew 10:28
"They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth!" Matthew 13:42
"Then He will say to those on His left: Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels!" Matthew 25:41
____________________________
0-12
(10) And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. (11) "Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, "Lord, Lord, open to us!" (12) But he answered and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you."
New King James Version
New King James Version
The door is shut with finality. The verb tense says the door is shut to stay shut. Therefore, at that point, no one's repentance, prayer, or pleading can change that fact. Noah's ark having its door sealed shut is a similar vivid illustration of its finality (Genesis 7:16) - it was shut to stay shut throughout the Flood. All the pleading in the world would not open the ark's door to others after it was shut. Once Christ has come or we have died, our opportunity to be among the firstfruits of the Kingdom will have been decided. The door's closing is fair because everyone had ample time to prepare for the bridegroom's coming. He does not come early in the evening but late. He is even delayed (verse 5), giving extra time to be ready. We have our whole lives - all the years of Christ's longsuffering and patience with us - to prepare. Therefore, it is just and fair that the door is shut when our last hour comes. Isaiah recognizes man's tendency to procrastinate in his warning, "Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near" (Isaiah 55:6).
The foolish Laodicean attitude dictates that one needs nothing else spiritually, but such a one will be rudely awakened to realize his terrible unpreparedness. This attitude is bankrupt of vision and foresight. It sees no need to prepare for the eventualities of life either physically or, more importantly, spiritually. Opportunities come and go through life, and no opportunity is so greatly lost than that of the foolish virgins. They fail to realize that the bridegroom would probably come later than expected. They lack faithful perseverance in thought and action.
The lesson Christ emphasizes in this parable is to be prepared for the future, namely, the coming of Christ. The prophet Amos expresses this powerfully: "Prepare to meet your God, O Israel!" (Amos 4:12). Human beings have little trouble preparing for everything, except meeting God. The last verse of the parable (verse 13) makes its purpose ring in our ears: "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming."
~Martin G. Collins~
Show Thyself A Man # 1
Show Thyself A Man # 1
"Be thou strong and show thyself a man" (1 Kings 2:2).
No one can read the Bible in a thoughtful way without being impressed with the fact that it makes much of manhood, and holds it up as something that should be sought after with diligence and perseverance.
In fact the Bible exalts and emphasizes manhood in a remarkable way, and shows that real manhood is a great thing in the world. The book of Genesis contains sixty chapters and covers 2,300 years of human history, and yet one half of it is devoted to telling us about the colossal manhood of Abraham, and a third to that of Joseph.
The story of creation is told in 800 words, but a great deal more space is given to the story of Caleb's rugged manhood. A whole book is occupied with the story of Job, and another with that of Daniel, while long chapters here and there tell us of other men who are safe examples to follow.
God has thus shown very plainly what He considered important by where He has put the italics. The Lord is not a respecter of persons, but He is a respecter of character, and a very good respecter of it, too. Indeed, He does more than respect it. He admires it.
Hear His admiration of the character of Job, in the strongest language that even God can use, in declaring, "He is perfect!"
Abraham towers like mountains above molehills when he pushes aside the spoils of the unrighteous king of Sodom, lest he should say that Abraham was depending on him. Look at Daniel keeping himself pure in that pestilential palace. Look at David.
We are also told that the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and that he delighteth in his way; and this, I take it, means in plain English, that God loves to watch a real man go out and grow!
Let me ask you to note, first of all, that David wanted Solomon to be anchored to a noble purpose. He didn't want the young man to drift along in an aimless way, like a log in a whirlpool, but he wanted him to have his eye set on something for which it would be worth his while to spend every energy to reach.
And so with his dying breath he said, "Don't be a mere floater, my son. Don't be a drifter on the stream of time, but stem the current that would carry you down, but be a man."
David himself had been a man of high and lofty purpose. His own life must have been greatly influenced by the character of Moses and the other mighty men of God who had preceded him. That his aim was high and his purpose lofty is clearly evident from his life and his writings.
It is not as accident that he went from the sheep fold to the throne. Success like that never comes about to mere change. One reason why there are so many bones bleaching along the highway of life is those who once started out with bright and shining faces never expect to go anywhere in particular.
David was faithful to all his duties as a shepherd, but he looked higher than that humble calling, and made it a stepping stone. While a shepherd he improved his opportunities, trained his powers and qualified himself to be a king.
David was anxious that Solomon should have a high aim. He wanted him to reach out for the top of the mountain. He didn't want him to be content with a summer house in the valley. He wanted him to own the very best estate in the country where the giants were.
He didn't want him to be an old woman or a sissy sort of a fellow, but a man with knotted muscles on his arms, a big heart in his body and plenty of matter in his head. He wanted him to aim high, as a king's son should, knowing that if his aim was high his endeavor would not be wasted.
He wanted his son to raise his chin high enough to look the sun in the face, and so he said, "Solomon, be a man!"
Manhood - true manhood - princely manhood, like that of David, is one of the grandest things in the world, and it is something that counts as nothing else does.
It does not depend upon the size of the body. There are men of small stature, like Paul and Napoleon, who tower above other men as the mountains above the plain, and there are physical giants who are middle-weights in manhood.
Samson was a giant in stature and a baby in self-control. It was not the Philistines who destroyed Samson. It was Samson himself.
The man who is able to say "no" whenever it should be said is walking in a way that will lead straight to his own good.
Strive to be strong in self-control by making timely decisions about what you are going to do about such important matters as temperance, morality and religion.
~Billy Sunday~
(continued with # 2)
"Be thou strong and show thyself a man" (1 Kings 2:2).
No one can read the Bible in a thoughtful way without being impressed with the fact that it makes much of manhood, and holds it up as something that should be sought after with diligence and perseverance.
In fact the Bible exalts and emphasizes manhood in a remarkable way, and shows that real manhood is a great thing in the world. The book of Genesis contains sixty chapters and covers 2,300 years of human history, and yet one half of it is devoted to telling us about the colossal manhood of Abraham, and a third to that of Joseph.
The story of creation is told in 800 words, but a great deal more space is given to the story of Caleb's rugged manhood. A whole book is occupied with the story of Job, and another with that of Daniel, while long chapters here and there tell us of other men who are safe examples to follow.
God has thus shown very plainly what He considered important by where He has put the italics. The Lord is not a respecter of persons, but He is a respecter of character, and a very good respecter of it, too. Indeed, He does more than respect it. He admires it.
Hear His admiration of the character of Job, in the strongest language that even God can use, in declaring, "He is perfect!"
Abraham towers like mountains above molehills when he pushes aside the spoils of the unrighteous king of Sodom, lest he should say that Abraham was depending on him. Look at Daniel keeping himself pure in that pestilential palace. Look at David.
We are also told that the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and that he delighteth in his way; and this, I take it, means in plain English, that God loves to watch a real man go out and grow!
Let me ask you to note, first of all, that David wanted Solomon to be anchored to a noble purpose. He didn't want the young man to drift along in an aimless way, like a log in a whirlpool, but he wanted him to have his eye set on something for which it would be worth his while to spend every energy to reach.
And so with his dying breath he said, "Don't be a mere floater, my son. Don't be a drifter on the stream of time, but stem the current that would carry you down, but be a man."
David himself had been a man of high and lofty purpose. His own life must have been greatly influenced by the character of Moses and the other mighty men of God who had preceded him. That his aim was high and his purpose lofty is clearly evident from his life and his writings.
It is not as accident that he went from the sheep fold to the throne. Success like that never comes about to mere change. One reason why there are so many bones bleaching along the highway of life is those who once started out with bright and shining faces never expect to go anywhere in particular.
David was faithful to all his duties as a shepherd, but he looked higher than that humble calling, and made it a stepping stone. While a shepherd he improved his opportunities, trained his powers and qualified himself to be a king.
David was anxious that Solomon should have a high aim. He wanted him to reach out for the top of the mountain. He didn't want him to be content with a summer house in the valley. He wanted him to own the very best estate in the country where the giants were.
He didn't want him to be an old woman or a sissy sort of a fellow, but a man with knotted muscles on his arms, a big heart in his body and plenty of matter in his head. He wanted him to aim high, as a king's son should, knowing that if his aim was high his endeavor would not be wasted.
He wanted his son to raise his chin high enough to look the sun in the face, and so he said, "Solomon, be a man!"
Manhood - true manhood - princely manhood, like that of David, is one of the grandest things in the world, and it is something that counts as nothing else does.
It does not depend upon the size of the body. There are men of small stature, like Paul and Napoleon, who tower above other men as the mountains above the plain, and there are physical giants who are middle-weights in manhood.
Samson was a giant in stature and a baby in self-control. It was not the Philistines who destroyed Samson. It was Samson himself.
The man who is able to say "no" whenever it should be said is walking in a way that will lead straight to his own good.
Strive to be strong in self-control by making timely decisions about what you are going to do about such important matters as temperance, morality and religion.
~Billy Sunday~
(continued with # 2)
Saturday, March 16, 2019
The Lord Our Righteousness
The Lord Our Righteousness
Wonderful words! May I use them? May I say this? Will it not be presumption in one like me - so unworthy and sinful? No, there is no presumption in doing what God says we may do. Every believer in Christ may say to Him, "The Lord our righteousness," for this is one of the name given to Christ in the Bible: "This is His name by which He shall be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS" (Jeremiah 23:6).
Reader, do you believe with the heart on the Lord Jesus Christ? Then take to yourself all the comfort of this name of His. He is your righteousness. You are joined to Him, as a branch to the vine ("I am the vine, you are the branches" John 15:5); not for any goodness of yours, but simply through your faith in Him. And because you are thus joined to Him, He is your righteousness: Christ is righteousness to every believer for He "became for us wisdom from God - and righteousness and sanctification and redemption" (1 Corinthians 1:30).
But what does this mean, that Christ is our righteousness? Just this: that the union between Christ and believers is so complete, that His righteousness is accounted theirs - imputed to them, or set to their account. They are not righteous in themselves, far from it; they are still sinful, weak, and imperfect. But being in Christ, they are no longer looked on by God as what they are in themselves - but as what they are in Him. Thus He is their righteousness.
This doctrine is not received by all. To some it seems "foolishness," "a hard saying," a doctrine which is unmeaning, confused, and impossible. But to him who really feels his need - it is full of comfort, for it gives him what he needs. Would anything short of this meet his case? If he was only almost holy - could he stand before God in judgment? Would not the least remnant of sin, be enough to drive him from the presence of Him who is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity? But when a perfect righteousness is imputed or reckoned to him - then and only then he can appear before God with acceptance.
Now this is perfect righteousness, for "the Lord" is our righteousness, the Lord Jesus Christ, Jehovah Himself. What an answer is this to the evil spirit, the accuser, when he sets our sins in array against us and tries to frighten us from our faith! What an answer will this be in that great day when he will hurl his last dart at us and accuse us for the last time before the Judge of the living and dead! What an answer has God Himself put into our mouth: "The Lord our Righteousness!" The Holy Spirit authorizes every believer to make these words his own: "The Lord our righteousness."
Believer, let not weakness of faith or slowness of heart rob you of this comfort. The peace of your soul rests on that great substitution which has been made, a double substitution: Christ standing in your place - and you standing in His. "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us - that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Cor. 5:21). He stood between you and the wrath of God, bore your burden, endured your stripes, paid your debt; and He puts you, as it were, into His place instead of your own. Therefore, though sinful, your are looked upon as holy - yes, perfectly holy, without a spot of guilt, because clad in the robe of Christ's righteousness. Oh, how happy this will make you, and how active in serving God! Happy, for you will walk in the light of God's countenance; active, for you will feel a spring of motive within, constraining you to the service, the loving service, of Him who stood in your stead and has become the Lord your righteousness.
There must be a linking of faith between Christ and the soul. If this is lacking - then there is no union with Christ, and so no righteousness imputed. If there is no faith, no living faith in Jesus, no looking to Him, no resting of the heart on Him - then all is vain; the Lord is not the righteousness of anyone in such a state. And how can you stand before God, unless the Lord Jesus Christ is your righteousness?
Even now, if you could see God as He is, and see yourself also as you are - you would tremble to think of His eye being always upon you, seeing all you that do and think. But ah! What will you do and how will you feel - on that great day when you must stand before the Judge and see Him face to face? When the books are opened; when numbers will be saying "to the mountains and rocks: Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!" (Rev. 6:16). How will you be able to stand in that great day of His wrath, unless the Lord is your righteousness?
No righteousness but His will serve you then; no name but His will avail you. Will you find yourself without a "wedding garment?" "Bind him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth!" (Matt. 22:13). Be wise. Think of that day before it comes. Seek now, and at once, to have the Lord Jesus Christ for your righteousness. Seek a personal interest in Him, a living union. Be content with NO outward religion, but seek to be a branch of the true vine. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31). Then you need fear nothing - for having Christ, you will have all.
~Francis Bourdillon~
(The End)
Wonderful words! May I use them? May I say this? Will it not be presumption in one like me - so unworthy and sinful? No, there is no presumption in doing what God says we may do. Every believer in Christ may say to Him, "The Lord our righteousness," for this is one of the name given to Christ in the Bible: "This is His name by which He shall be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS" (Jeremiah 23:6).
Reader, do you believe with the heart on the Lord Jesus Christ? Then take to yourself all the comfort of this name of His. He is your righteousness. You are joined to Him, as a branch to the vine ("I am the vine, you are the branches" John 15:5); not for any goodness of yours, but simply through your faith in Him. And because you are thus joined to Him, He is your righteousness: Christ is righteousness to every believer for He "became for us wisdom from God - and righteousness and sanctification and redemption" (1 Corinthians 1:30).
But what does this mean, that Christ is our righteousness? Just this: that the union between Christ and believers is so complete, that His righteousness is accounted theirs - imputed to them, or set to their account. They are not righteous in themselves, far from it; they are still sinful, weak, and imperfect. But being in Christ, they are no longer looked on by God as what they are in themselves - but as what they are in Him. Thus He is their righteousness.
This doctrine is not received by all. To some it seems "foolishness," "a hard saying," a doctrine which is unmeaning, confused, and impossible. But to him who really feels his need - it is full of comfort, for it gives him what he needs. Would anything short of this meet his case? If he was only almost holy - could he stand before God in judgment? Would not the least remnant of sin, be enough to drive him from the presence of Him who is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity? But when a perfect righteousness is imputed or reckoned to him - then and only then he can appear before God with acceptance.
Now this is perfect righteousness, for "the Lord" is our righteousness, the Lord Jesus Christ, Jehovah Himself. What an answer is this to the evil spirit, the accuser, when he sets our sins in array against us and tries to frighten us from our faith! What an answer will this be in that great day when he will hurl his last dart at us and accuse us for the last time before the Judge of the living and dead! What an answer has God Himself put into our mouth: "The Lord our Righteousness!" The Holy Spirit authorizes every believer to make these words his own: "The Lord our righteousness."
Believer, let not weakness of faith or slowness of heart rob you of this comfort. The peace of your soul rests on that great substitution which has been made, a double substitution: Christ standing in your place - and you standing in His. "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us - that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Cor. 5:21). He stood between you and the wrath of God, bore your burden, endured your stripes, paid your debt; and He puts you, as it were, into His place instead of your own. Therefore, though sinful, your are looked upon as holy - yes, perfectly holy, without a spot of guilt, because clad in the robe of Christ's righteousness. Oh, how happy this will make you, and how active in serving God! Happy, for you will walk in the light of God's countenance; active, for you will feel a spring of motive within, constraining you to the service, the loving service, of Him who stood in your stead and has become the Lord your righteousness.
There must be a linking of faith between Christ and the soul. If this is lacking - then there is no union with Christ, and so no righteousness imputed. If there is no faith, no living faith in Jesus, no looking to Him, no resting of the heart on Him - then all is vain; the Lord is not the righteousness of anyone in such a state. And how can you stand before God, unless the Lord Jesus Christ is your righteousness?
Even now, if you could see God as He is, and see yourself also as you are - you would tremble to think of His eye being always upon you, seeing all you that do and think. But ah! What will you do and how will you feel - on that great day when you must stand before the Judge and see Him face to face? When the books are opened; when numbers will be saying "to the mountains and rocks: Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!" (Rev. 6:16). How will you be able to stand in that great day of His wrath, unless the Lord is your righteousness?
No righteousness but His will serve you then; no name but His will avail you. Will you find yourself without a "wedding garment?" "Bind him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth!" (Matt. 22:13). Be wise. Think of that day before it comes. Seek now, and at once, to have the Lord Jesus Christ for your righteousness. Seek a personal interest in Him, a living union. Be content with NO outward religion, but seek to be a branch of the true vine. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31). Then you need fear nothing - for having Christ, you will have all.
~Francis Bourdillon~
(The End)
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