Monthly Archives: September 2007
“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. For henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.” (Galatians 6:15-18) I have already… Read More
Thomas Hardy, in one of his excellent letters, makes the following remark, “The best Christians I meet with are generally Huntingtonians.” This witness is true. There is, or as we must now say there was, for so few of them are left, a depth and clearness of experience, a savor and a sweetness, a rich, tender, feeling, unctuous utterance, a discrimination between law and gospel, letter and spirit, form and power, a… Read More
Who that knows anything of the wondrous doings and dealings of the Lord in providence and grace can say that miracles have ceased? It is true that the croaking raven no longer brings bread and flesh, morning and evening to an Elijah by the brook Cherith; nor does the palsied leave his bed, or the dead come out of his grave, as in the days when Jesus walked here below. But wonders… Read More
The righteousness by which we are justified is not our own righteousness, but the righteousness of another, even the righteousness of Christ: That I may be found in Christ, says the apostle, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ. (Philippians 3:9) Now, the righteousness of another cannot be made ours, or we he justified by it, any other way than… Read More
Preached at Zoar Chapel, London, on July 30, 1843, by J. C. Philpot “But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.”(Hebrews 6:9) It appears, from several passages in this Epistle, that the Hebrews, to whom it was written, were suffering under severe persecutions; and not being firmly established in the faith, they manifested under the pressure of these heavy trials a wavering… Read More
“…and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6) – that is, God the Father, against Whom we have sinned, from Whom we have turned, and Whose justice must be satisfied; He has laid on Christ, His own Son, the sins of all His elect ones; which are as it were collected together, and made one bundle and burden of, and therefore expressed in the singular number,… Read More
A Sermon Preached on Tuesday Evening, August 1, 1843, by J. C. Philpot, at Jewry Street Chapel, Aldgate, on behalf of the Aged Pilgrims’ Friend Society —————————— “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32) —————————— There is one feature in the Lord’s… Read More
Preached at Trinity Street Chapel, London, on Tuesday Evening, July 30, 1844, by J. C. Philpot “..having nothing, and yet possessing all things. “ (2 Corinthians 6:10) In the Gospel of Jesus Christ there are many ‘apparent contradictions’. I use the word apparent, for there are no real contradictions. What at first sight appears paradoxical and inconsistent is found, when we see it in the Spirit’s light, to be perfectly consistent and… Read More
Preached at Providence Chapel, London, on Tuesday Evening, July 13, 1847, by J. C. Philpot —————————— “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 15:33) —————————— There is one feature in the discourses of the Lord with his sorrowing disciples (as recorded John 14-16) which has struck my… Read More
Preached at Allington, September 19, 1841, by J. C Philpot. —————————— “Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.” (Hosea 6:3) —————————— Before I enter into the spiritual meaning of these words it will be necessary to see the connection of the… Read More
A sermon preached on June 20, 1841, by J. C. Philpot, at Zoar Chapel, London. —————————— “We see not our signs.” (Psalm 74:9) —————————— This Psalm, from which the text is taken, is clearly not one of those that were written by the pen of David. We gather this, not merely from the title of the Psalm, where it is called “Maschil” which means “giving instruction” “of Asaph,” but also from the… Read More
Here we have the beginnings of an overview of the life & theology of John Calvin. In this lecture, Dr. Nick Needham speaks on the early years of John Calvin up until 1541, including the 3 years spent in Strasbourg. Needham also discusses his ecclesiology and views on the Lord’s supper from the Institutes in comparison with the other views.
The second address in a consideration of the life & theology of John Calvin.
“And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.” (1 Chronicles 4:10) —————————— Here, in the prayer of Jabez, should the Lord the Spirit lead us into the sweet and rich… Read More
Dr. Nick Needham considers the significance of the Life and Theology of John Calvin, and how this important figure in church history impacted upon a greater understanding of the Reformed Faith. Amongst other things, this session considers Calvin as a reformer of worship, the religious life of Geneva in Calvin’s time, the effect that Calvin had on ‘church planting’ across Europe, and how the Geneva Academy became a training centre for the… Read More
Preached at Zoar Chapel, London, on July 30, 1843, by J. C. Philpot —————————— “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” (Galatians 5:17) —————————— If I loved, or courted popularity, I might feel some pleasure in seeing so crowded an assembly this evening. But, on the contrary,… Read More
Preached at Providence Chapel, Oakham, on Tuesday Evening, May 12, 1846, by J. C. Philpot. “The breaker is come up before them: they have broken up, and have passed through the gate, and are gone out by it: and their king shall pass before them, and the LORD on the head of them.” (Micah 2:13) I would not do justice to my conviction of the meaning of the Old Testament Scriptures if… Read More
Preached on August 10th, 1856, at Gower Street Chapel, London, by J. C. Philpot “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of… Read More
Preached at Zoar Chapel, London, on Thursday Evening, July 18, 1844, by J. C. Philpot —————————— “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” (Romans 6:17) —————————— The Holy Spirit foresaw the abuse which the depraved heart of man would make of the doctrines of grace. He foresaw that nature would argue, that because the elect are… Read More
Preached at North Street Chapel, Stamford, on October 25, 1863, by J. C. Philpot —————————— “Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall: The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him: But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence… Read More
Preached at Eden Street Chapel, Hampstead Road, London, on Lord’s Day Evening, August 17, 1845, by Joseph Philpot —————————— “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” (1st Corinthians 1:30-31) —————————— These words, or rather a portion of them, came to my mind… Read More
Preached at Providence Chapel, Cranbrook, on Wednesday evening, August 19, 1846, by Joseph Philpot —————————— “In that time shall the present be brought unto the LORD of hosts of a people scattered and peeled, and from a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden under foot, whose land the rivers have spoiled, to the place of the name of the LORD of hosts, the mount Zion.” (Isaiah… Read More
Preached at Providence Chapel, London, on Tuesday, July 29, 1851, by J. C. Philpot —————————— “O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.” (2 Chronicles 20:12) —————————— It is one thing to read the Bible as a history, and another to read it as a mystery. The… Read More
Preached at North Street Chapel, Stamford, on Thursday Evening, October 28, 1858, by J. C. Philpot “And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem.”(Isaiah 27:13) Ever since the fall, man has… Read More
Preached at Eden Street Chapel, on August 15, 1852, by J. C. Philpot “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” (Romans 5:3-5) What, would you say, was the greatest attainment in religion? If… Read More
“Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye… Read More
Preached at Gower Street Chapel, London, on May 21, 1865, by J. C. Philpot “I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them.” (Hosea 11:4) Let us endeavor to unravel the words before us. First, we see that there was a people to whom the words were applicable… Read More
Preached at North Street Chapel, Stamford, on March 17, 1861, by J. C. Philpot And he said unto me, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9) The servants of God are often much tried by slanders being cast upon their character, or suspicions… Read More
Preached on Thursday Evening, June 10th, 1841, at Zoar Chapel, London, by J. C. Philpot “He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him.” (Psalm 91:15) In the words of the text, we find a promise given in them, or rather a declaration which is sealed with a promise—”He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him.” I. The DECLARATION– “He shall call upon me.” But who is “he?” Unless… Read More
Preached at Zoar Chapel, London, on July 7, 1844, by J. C. Philpot “Look unto Me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” (Isaiah 45:22) When in a solemn moment of spiritual meditation, and such, through mercy, we sometimes have we take a review of what has passed through our hearts, dropped from our lips or occupied our minds, during any… Read More
Preached at North Street Chapel, Stamford, on May 2, 1858, by J. C. Philpot “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:9-10) Multitudes of… Read More
Preached at North Street Chapel, Stamford, on September 22, 1867, by J. C. Philpot “Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity. Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry: And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.” (Psalm 106:43-45) The children of Israel were, as you well know, a… Read More
Preached at Providence Chapel, London, on August 30, 1846, by J. C. Philpot “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” (2 Timothy 3:5) Writing to his beloved son, Timothy, Paul in this Epistle tells him that “in the last days perilous times shall come.” But why should “the last days” be so particularly “perilous?” He says, “For men shall be lovers of their own selves,… Read More
Preached at Providence Chapel, on April 2nd, 1854, by J. C. Philpot. “To appoint unto those who mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.” (Isaiah 61:3) In speaking this morning upon the testimony of Jesus Christ,… Read More
“Ye shall observe to do therefore as the LORD your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.” Deuteronomy 5:32 “Enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise. Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God.” Deuteronomy 12:30-31 “What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt… Read More
1. February 14 was an old celebration to Juno Februata, the Roman goddess of sexual passion. 2. It included pairing adolescents by chance drawings for casual sex and going steady. 3. February 15 was the pagan feast of Lupercalia, celebrated in Rome long before Christ. 4. The pagan feast day Lupercalia was a fertility rite and celebration of superstitious Romans. 5. Lupercus, the Roman god after which the holiday is named, was… Read More
Isaiah 64:7 And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee. These words are an address of the church and people of God unto the Lord in a prayer, which begins in the latter part of the preceding chapter; in which they first expostulate with him, about his love, grace, and mercy, and the sounding of his bowels towards them, which they feared… Read More
1 Corinthians 14:15a What is it then ? I will pray the Spirit, and will pray with the understanding also. The design of this epistle is chiefly to reprove the Church at Corinth for the divisions and contentions, which were there fomented and kept up on account of their ministers; some being for Paul, some for Apollo, and others for Cephas; and to remove some irregular practices from among them, which were… Read More
Acts 10:1 Ver. 1. There was a certain man in Caesarea,…. This was the Caesarea formerly called Strato’s tower, not Caesarea Philippi; for the former, and not the latter, lay near Joppa: called Cornelius; which was a Roman name, and he himself was a Roman or an Italian: a centurion of the band called the Italian band; which consisted of soldiers collected out of Italy, from whence the band took its name,… Read More
“Wesley and Men Who Followed” Author: Ian Murray Banner of Truth, 2003, 263 pp. —————————— Perhaps no figure since Jacobus Arminius has polarized the church as much as the subject of Iain Murray’s recent portrait: John Wesley (1703-1791). Murray introduces Wesley in the spiritually impoverished landscape of 18th century British Anglicanism. Starting from his early days of study at Oxford University, Wesley is portrayed as navigating a hostile terrain of contemporary religious… Read More
Let us suppose a certain doctor of medicine denies that a certain common infirmity is as severe as medical science generally claims. He conducts seminars in which he ignores the medical procedures followed by other physicians and suggests instead his own regimen for treating its symptoms. To those desiring a medicine for it he peddles a placebo he himself has concocted in the place of that which is prescribed by medical science…. Read More
A short study of Luke 24:45 Luke 24:45 “He opened their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures”. Our Lord not only opens the scriptures, He also opens our UNDERSTANDING. In opening the scriptures, He has many workers; but in opening the understanding, HE IS ALONE. Many preachers can bring the scriptures to our minds, but only our Lord can open the mind to receive and believe the scriptures. Other teachers can… Read More
The Authenticity of 1 John 5:7 1 John 5:7 gives full proof of the plurality of Persons in the Godhead. “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one.” This is not only a proof of the Deity of each of these three persons, inasmuch as they, are not only said to be “one”, that is, one God; and… Read More
There is much said at the present day on the subject of a Sabbath day, as being of perpetual obligatory force on all mankind throughout all time. But in what part of the Scriptures they find a precept to that effect we are not informed. They certainly but seldom, if ever, refer us to the fourth commandment of the decalogue; and we have supposed their reasons for not doing so were obvious…. Read More
Revelation 13:18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man (Literal: it is man’s number); and his number is Six hundred threescore and six This is a number that is of great concern to all those in the charismatic movement. They are in great fear for everything that resembles the number 666. In Ecclesiastes 7:27 the preacher gets… Read More
A look At Gnosticism And The NIV By Alfred Chompff This article is titled, “The Gnostics”. One criticism that has been leveled at my sermons is this. They say: People are turned off from listening to my sermons because I dare to mention names of churches and names of denominations. They say: I should not have to mention names. I should just preach the truth, and after a while people will be… Read More
A Body of Doctrinal Divinity Book 6: Chapter 11 Of Regeneration ——————————————————————————– Regeneration follows adoption, being the evidence of it; regeneration describes the persons who have received the power to become the sons of God (John 1:12, 13), and though these are distinct things, yet they are closely connected together; where the one is, the other is also, as to enjoyment and experience; and they bear a similarity to each other. Regeneration… Read More
When it comes to this important life and death issue of justification and eternal life, most religious people rely upon experiences they’ve had and emotions they have felt to convince themselves they are alright. I can write on this issue with a great deal of experience because I know what I relied on as a lost person. I made my first profession of faith at the age of 7 in response to… Read More
As I contemplated this article, my heart was drawn to the blessed comfort every sinner the Lord Jesus Christ justified at Calvary by His obedience unto death is encouraged and commanded to enjoy – “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may KNOW (HAVE CONFIDENCE) that ye have eternal life, and that ye may (continue to) believe on the name… Read More
When the LORD reveals the evil of pagan holy days, there are always questions about informing family and friends about the change in your life. This short document suggests a few approaches to be wise and righteous before God without being unduly antagonistic or offensive to those who do not yet see the truth (Romans 12:18; 1 Corinthians 7:15). It is not wisdom or zeal to blast those that do not understand… Read More
“These be thy gods, O Israel … To morrow is a feast to the LORD.” (Exodus 32:4-5) “Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot.” (Jeremiah 3:6) ——————————- For a Christian to have a Christmas tree and engage in Christmas customs around December 25 is the same betrayal as a woman making… Read More
We Don’t Celebrate Christmas Because … the LORD condemns using pagan religious practices in His worship (Deuteronomy 12:29-31). … the LORD condemns adding to or taking away from His commandments (Deuteronomy 12:32). … the LORD condemns doing anything under green trees in His worship (Deuteronomy 12:1-4). … the LORD condemns the heathen use of decorated trees at a solstice (Jeremiah 10:1-4). … the LORD commands us to separate from and not touch… Read More
Today it is common in religious circles to use the title “Reverend” for Christian ministers. We acknowledge this title is meant to honour a minister or recognize that a man has been ordained. However, the Scriptures clearly prohibit using this title for any man. The word “reverend” occurs only once in the Bible and refers to the LORD himself. “He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever:… Read More
What About the Seventh Day? Seventh-Day Adventists require worship on Saturday. They teach that God’s true saints have kept the seventh day for worshipping God since the days of Adam. They exalt this issue so highly that they claim Sunday worship is the mark of the beast from Revelation. BIBLE CHRISTIANS ONLY CARE WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS 1. God rested the seventh day after creating all things (Genesis 2:1-3), but He did… Read More
Would He, His apostles, or His disciples wear bracelets, necklaces, or t-shirts with this logo? They would condemn this junk! 1. First, Jesus Christ never looked like the weak and sickly, bearded lady in the picture! Long hair on a man is disgusting (1 Corinthians 11:14-15). And He certainly does not look like her now. He is King of kings and Lord of lords, and He is glorious in appearance (Revelation 1:10-18;… Read More
Redemption work belongeth to our anointed Priest, and He only could effect it. The priests under the law required the redemption price to be brought to them by the people, but our Priest, in the similitude of Melchisedec, brings the price to them, and pays it for them; hence the apostle was commissioned to say to the elect of God, “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things,… Read More
The Posionous Flower Of Free-Willism L – Limited Depravity I – I Choose Christ L – Limitless Atonement A – Arrestible Grace C – Carnal Security
In God’s creation the lilac, like the tulip, has a beautiful place. It is not a poisonous plant, but a splendid flower of sweet perfume and purple hue. Its color symbolizes royalty and dominion. As such, the lilac would be a fit emblem of the faith and its key doctrine — the absolute sovereignty of God. But the lilac may be viewed as the emblem of the Arminian heresy, and then it… Read More
“I believe in Bible election. God votes for you, the devil votes against you, and you cast the deciding vote.” The evangelist (?) cackled like he had laid an egg after “refuting” the biblical doctrine of election with the above illustration. Since this is the Arminian’s favorite story, several things should be pointed out. First, this illustration denies that God is even close to Almighty. He desperately wants to accomplish His purpose… Read More
I dare say, that, in such an auditory as this, a number of Arminians are present. I fear, that all our public assemblies have too many of them. Perhaps, however, even these people, idolaters as they are, may be apt to blame, and, indeed, with justice, the absurdity of those who worship idols of silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. But let me ask: If it be so very absurd,… Read More
A Study of Galatians 4:1-7 Galatians 4:1 “Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant…” We know that when we were in the world, we had no motion towards God, but did, as the apostle says, work all uncleannes with greediness. There was no difference between us and others; we were the servants of the devil, led captive by him at his… Read More
TULIP is here used as an acronym for the doctrines of grace commonly called “Five points of Calvinism”: Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints. Each of these five points is here expanded in the context of a foremost premise of Calvinism, “Salvation is of Jehovah” (Jonah 2:9). I. TOTAL DEPRAVITY: SALVATION IS NOT OF MAN (Romans 3:10-18-3). Mankind universally is totally depraved: devoid of any… Read More
Holy Scriptures contain many exhortations and invitations regarding coming to Christ for salvation (e.g. Isaiah 45:22; 55:1; Matthew 11:28; John 7:37; Revelation 22:17). Here is Christ’s doctrine on this subject in John 6. I. “NO ONE CAN COME TO ME UNLESS THE FATHER WHO SENT ME DRAWS HIM” (v.44). Here is a denial of the heresy of man’s free will. Man is unable to come to Christ because he is “dead in… Read More
Sabbath is defined as “rest”. When God created the heavens and the earth, He began on the seventh day a Sabbath, a rest from the work of creation (Genesis 2:1-3). This Sabbath was not observed by man, as he had been created only one day before, and had performed no work from which to rest (Genesis 1:26-31). Indeed, for those thousands of years from the creation until God constituted Israel a nation,… Read More
2 Corinthians 11:4 He who… preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached The Jesus of Free-Willism, unlike the Jesus of gospel preachers, does not possess the love of God. Preachers of Free-Willism aver God loves everyone in exactly the same way. They therefore indiscriminately tell their hearers what no gospel preacher in Scriptures ever said: “Smile, God loves you.” And they preach what no gospel preacher in Scriptures every preached: “God… Read More
A Short Study Of Luke 23:34 The world of christendom would have us to understand that when the Lord said this while He hung on the cross, He intended it to apply to all men without any exceptions, whatever. But consider this. Is there a prayer ever prayed by the Son of God that the Father did not absolutely answer? If God the Father does not forgive all men everywhere of their… Read More
What is justification? Herman Hoeksema defined it as an act of the grace of God, whereby He imputes, puts on the legal account of one who is guilty and condemned but elect His perfect righteousness in Christ, acquitting him of all his guilt and punishment on the grounds of the merit of Christ’s work, and giving to this sinner the right to eternal life. Justification is a part of salvation from sin… Read More
Most people in religion today are confused when it comes to God’s appointed means of salvation. According to them, their god uses a variety of means to encourage those who hear to “accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior”. Some claim they have seen visions that caused them to “seek the Lord.” Some think they have heard voices that called them to salvation. Some who have survived horrific events in their… Read More
What would be your thoughts concerning the following statement? “The best sermon you can preach is the one that you live.” If you agree with this statement, let me assure you there is NO Biblical support for this deadly error. Think about what someone means when they make such a statement! They are saying sinners can live in such a way as to reveal through the “sermon they’re living, everything lost sinners… Read More
What exactly is meant by the question, “Do you really want to know the gospel? Would you consider it a stupid question? Would you be surprised to learn there is a hidden meaning to this question? We live in a day where words have lost their meaning or at best are used incorrectly. Everywhere you look today people use this word “gospel” to describe anything that is religious in nature. We have… Read More
The one characteristic that distinguishes the God of the Bible from the “god” which most people follow is this: The True and Living God requires PERFECT satisfaction to His infinite law and justice. The God of the Bible is so holy, and His justice is so strict that He CAN’T and WON’T overlook the least sin in the ‘best’ of men. Where He finds ONE transgression, He must meet the transgressor with… Read More
Like every sinner who has been justified (MADE LEGALLY RIGHTEOUS OR HOLY) based on Christ’s finished work of redemption at Calvary, I’m forced to admit there are many things I have done and am ashamed of, before and after my regeneration and conversion. I’m not just talking about those things all sinners agree to be sinful and evil before God, i.e., breaking any of God’s commandments. I know I have NEVER loved… Read More
If there is one thing certain about life, it’s the reality of death – “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27) Most of us have already had to face death, or we will face death in the future. I can guarantee you, when we are forced to face it in the death of a friend or a relative, we would never think… Read More
Have you ever asked yourself this heart-searching question: HOW DOES GOD VIEW ME? I’m not talking about how other people view you , or even how you view yourself. The problem is by nature we have too high an opinion of ourselves. We all can find someone who we think is worse than us, therefore we can feel better about ourselves. We have a Biblical example of this in the parable of… Read More
When the Lord Jesus Christ addressed the self-righteous religionists of His day, namely the Scribes and Pharisees, He always used the harshest language. In most cases His words to them always began with the phrase “Woe unto you Scribes and Pharisees, HYPOCRITES”. (See Matthew 23:14-35) Think about it! Our Lord pronounced judgment and condemnation on the most moral, sincere, dedicated religionists of His day, the very ones who tried their dead level… Read More
When Christ said, “Judge not, that you be not judged” Matthew 7:1, was He forbidding us to judge anyone at all who is in error? No! He was giving us guidelines as to how we are to be discerning and not merely judgmental, particularly with regard to whether or not we or others are saved or lost. The standard that the Lord gave is “For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall… Read More
If you ask the nominal professing Christian to give you a Scriptural definition of justification, many of them don’t even know what justification is; much less understand the ABSOLUTE NECESSITY of believing this Biblical truth. The Apostle Paul said: “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved.” (Romans 10:1) These people that Paul declared to be unbelievers, knew the absolute necessity of justification before… Read More
If you ask the nominal professing Christian to give you a Scriptural definition of justification, many of them don’t even know what justification is; much less understand the ABSOLUTE NECESSITY of believing this Biblical truth. The Apostle Paul said: “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved.” (Romans 10:1) These people that Paul declared to be lost, knew the absolute necessity of justification before… Read More
Apart from the Holy Spirit’s work of regeneration and conversion in the heart of God’s elect, man’s natural depravity will always lead him to the conclusion that his justification (his being declared legally righteous) before God is conditioned on what he does or doesn’t do. They think if they can do their best to keep God’s “10 Commandments”, live by the “Golden Rule”, make a profession of religion, be baptized, and join… Read More
Philippians 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. What would it mean to you as a sinner to KNOW you possess eternal life? I know many people live under the false assumption salvation is dependant on a combination of Christ’s death plus their fulfillment of certain conditions. When asked if they know whether or not… Read More
Paul wrote in Hebrews 10:25, “Let us not forsake the assembling of ourselves together.” It is the duty of all believers to meet together for worship, praise, study, and fellowship. BECAUSE OF GOD, Who has appointed worship, Who approves of it, Who is glorified in it, and Who should be worshipped. BECAUSE OF OURSELVES; we need to “draw nigh to God,” to ”seek His face,” to praise, pray, and be refreshed and… Read More
There is a vast difference between the view the self-righteous lost sinner has of himself and the view the saved sinner has of himself. The problem lies in natural man’s depravity which renders him totally incapable of discerning good and evil. For this reason, they judge those people who are moral, sincere, and dedicated to religion to be “good people” in spite of the fact that the Scripture plainly declare: Romans 3:10… Read More
The whole Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, is a book with one distinct message. The message is the good news of God’s purpose and decree to save a multitude of guilty, defiled sinners and give them all the privileges and blessings of eternal life. After man’s rebellion and fall in the garden, when Adam sided with Satan against God by believing Satan’s lie (“ye shall not surely die”), God immediately revealed His… Read More
Lost unregenerate sinners left to their own natural reasoning will always come to the wrong conclusion concerning God’s way of salvation – “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” (Proverbs 16:25) What way seems right to sinful man? The way of morality, sincerity, and religious effort is what “seemeth right” to sinful man. We are taught all our lives by… Read More
If God the Father has predestined only a limited number to be saved, if God the Son died to redeem only those given to Him by the Father, and if God the Spirit quickens only God’s elect, then what is the use of giving the Gospel to the world at large, and where is the warrant for telling sinners that “Whosever believeth in Christ shall not perish but have everlasting life?” First,… Read More
We must have a righteousness in which God Himself cannot find a flaw, a righteousness which Jehovah cannot mend, a righteousness which neither sin nor Satan can mar; and unless we have on a righteousness of this nature, we can never enter into the blessedness of the world to come. Where, then, are we to find it? Eternal praises to the matchless mercy of a covenant God, we have it in the… Read More
Absolutely! There is no other Gospel than the Gospel of Grace. The message of Scripture is clear on this, “For by grace, are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9). There are three reasons why we must preach the Gospel of God’s free and sovereign grace, and make an issue of it. 1. Because… Read More
What distinguishes people from animals is that people have wills. They can think, make choices, and act upon those choices. The problem is that their will is not free. It is bound by the sin nature inherited from Adam. 1. When God first created Adam, he had free-will either to good or evil, Genesis 1:31. 2. When Adam disobeyed, sin entered, and death (physically and spiritually) was passed upon all men in… Read More
There is no certainty as to the origin of the acronym ‘TULIP.’ This is of English origin and is a label for the declaration of faith made by Synod of Dordt, mentioned later in this article. To properly understand the development of what are called the “Five Points of Calvinism,” or “TULIP,” it is important to see its development in the overall history of Europe beginning in the 16th century. The state… Read More
One of the greatest privileges and responsibilities I enjoy as a justified sinner is to get to tell lost sinners of the full, free, eternal salvation worked out for EVERY ELECT SINNER (those sinners chosen before the foundation of the world by God the Father in the everlasting covenant of grace). This salvation is through the perfect life and substitutionary death of the elect sinner’s Mediator, the Lord Jesus Christ at Calvary… Read More
When it comes to the correct understanding of a believer’s responsibility to the law of God, we must first realize that God’s Holy Law (the Ten Commandments) cannot bring ONE LEGAL CHARGE against a justified sinner – “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.” (Romans 8:33) If you’ll notice, Paul clearly stated that God “justifieth”, i.e., God is the One who declared His… Read More
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