Monthly Archives: January 2021
“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” (Hebrews 11:13) Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, and a multitude of their descendents all died in this blessed faith. God had wrought a work in them, quickening them to life, blessing them with a hallowed view of spiritual… Read More
“Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.” (Ecclesiastes 10.1) As we review this text there seems to be an obvious division; the first part being the results of dead flies in the ointment of the apothecary, and the second part being the application, the folly of him in reputation for wisdom… Read More
“It shall be well with them that fear God.” (Ecclesiastes 8:12) Usually as the New Year approaches and eventually begins, that which is uppermost in the minds of many people would be couched in a simple sentence “what are the prospects?” All business people must consult together to consider what are the prospects that their business may be advanced, that profits may be made and so on. All these prospects may be marred… Read More
Preached by L.S.B. Hyde at Providence Chapel, West Street, Croydon, 1st January 1987. As the LORD may help me this morning I would draw your attention to the 8th chapter in the book of Ecclesiastes, and a few words in the 12th verse“It shall be well with them that fear God.” (Ecclesiastes 8:12) Usually as the New Year approaches and eventually begins, that which is uppermost in the minds of many people… Read More
“But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.” (Hebrews 6:9) Paul the apostle, we strongly assume, wrote the book of Hebrews, as well as thirteen other books of the New Testament. His chief premise in this book clearly seemed to be regarding things “better”. Besides the above text, he spoke of Christ being made so much better than the angels, Hebrews 1:4;… Read More
“They have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt-offerings unto Baal, which I commanded not, nor spake it, neither came it into my mind.” (Jeremiah 19:5) A large portion of Limited Predestinarian Primi-tive Baptists appear to believe they have been predestinated to bring up Jeremiah 19:5 and kindred texts to prove God does not predestinate all things. “See the text?” say they. “Here is… Read More
The covenant of promise belongs to the heirs of promise; and that the ministration of the Spirit is sent with power to none but to the heirs of eternal life; and that the gospel reveals the righteousness of God to all those that are predestinated to be called, justified, and glorified. Therefore, to preach a pure gospel, that reveals God’s righteousness, and no other, a gospel that sets forth the Saviour as… Read More
“Holding fast, and having a good conscience; which some having put away concerning the faith have made shipwreck.” (1st Timothy 1:19) I believe, that the reason of so many persons making shipwreck of their confession of faith, and apostatizing from their profession of it, is, because they had no other bond to hold them to it but the bondage of the law; nor any other rule to walk by but the commandments…. Read More
We confidently believe no quickened child of God can hate or resist this doctrine of salvation by grace. Some may fail to understand it; but so far as it is opened to their understanding they are obliged to love it, and to rejoice in it. But the trouble is with many, if not all, to know that they are embraced in this great salvation. That assurance and consolation they can only receive… Read More
“And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things today. And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. And he left all, rose up, and followed him.” (Luke 5:26-28) The call of Matthew, or Levi as he is named by Luke, was one… Read More
The absoluteness, or comprehensiveness of predestination is necessary for God to bring all the necessary elements together to fulfill His eternal purpose in the salvation of His elect. “All things work together for good to them that love God, to them that are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28) We will ignore those blind religionists that do not believe so. But it is absolutely certain that your mother and father could… Read More
“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Colossians 3:2) Naturally we have no affection for anything else. There is no such thing as a spiritual desire or a heavenly affection in our soul, when we are in a state of unregeneracy. So fallen are we that we love, and cannot but love the world, and the things of the world. We have no heart for anything but… Read More
The grace of faith is the Spirit’s fruit: He produces it under hHis operation, and testifies of, and exhibits to the mind, the object to be believed in. The Spirit persuades the mind of interest in that object, and produces the appropriating act of faith to make the application. Faith, the act of it, and the exercise of it, is wholly depending on, and owing to, the Spirit of God, who is… Read More
“To the strangers scattered.” (1st Peter 1:1) Strangers! What makes the children of God so strange? The grace of God which calls them out of this wretched world. Every man who carries the grace of God in his bosom is necessarily, as regards the world, a stranger in heart, as well as in profession, and life. As Abraham was a stranger in the land of Canaan; as Joseph was a stranger in… Read More
All religion that is not received from the fullness of Christ is nothing but a show, a form of godliness without the power; which renders the performer in the sight of God no more than a hypocrite, or a wolf in sheep’s clothing. For as God appointed the union between the two natures of Christ in eternity, and likewise the union between Christ and His seed, so from eternity He predestinated them… Read More
“Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself,” (Luke 24:25-27) The Lord after His resurrection drew near to two on the road to Emmaus. Their eyes were… Read More
When a shepherd is going to leave the holy commandment delivered unto him, and to turn aside to vain jangling, he generally circulates his new leaven in a private way, and biases the minds of all he can, before he brings the dregs of his heart out: and, if the majority seems against him, the assembly door is often thrown open a little wider than common, and numbers are admitted who come… Read More
“He will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail.” (Isaiah 32:6) The drink of the thirsty soul is the efficacy of the Saviour’s blood, or the atonement of Christ received and enjoyed under the operations of the Spirit of grace. The water of life is the quickening energy of the Spirit; and the river of God’s pleasure is the love of God in Christ Jesus, which is felt under the influence… Read More
“And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: And the king spake and said unto Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?” (Daniel 6:20) The story of Daniel in the den of lions has been one which has delighted the saints of God for centuries. The LORD’s chosen have rejoiced… Read More
“When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” (I Corinthians 13:11) Paul, the Apostle, communicated much like our Lord did before him. He often illustrated a point with things easy to be understood. The point Paul made was itself often difficult to follow, but those things he used for… Read More
“And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not.” (Genesis 28:16) Jacob was fleeing from the presence of Esau, his twin brother. He had gotten both the birthright and their father’s blessing in what had to be at least suspicious means. No matter, however, his, Esau’s, or his parent’s direct involvement in the matter; God had from eternity purposed the events… Read More
“Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder cam and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou… Read More
Driving down a main boulevard here in our religious community, we observed a billboard above a building with a short message which caught our eye. It read, “God loves ya.” We could only conclude that the sign was intended for any that might read it. There were no specifics appended. Simply, “God loves ya,” was the message for whosoever would read. Thus, the author of the message must have wanted not only… Read More
“He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.” (Psalm 18:16) The unhumbled Arminian would brashly tell us in exciting tones to rise up and engage in the business of saving ourselves when calamities arise, despite this and countless other texts like it to the contrary. David’s clear account here of the LORD’s dealings with us, however, seems so very much more suited to our spiritual needs… Read More
“What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.” (Romans 11:7) If there is any one doctrine the Arminians would delight in tearing from the Bible the action of grace is that which they would rip out first. Simply put, the natural man hates the thought that God chooses some and damns others. That is to be expected. God’s… Read More
“And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” (John 1:5) Upon review it will be observed that the light of John 1:5 shined in the darkness, not simply on or upon it. For lack of a better way of stating it, I suggest John attributed to this darkness the quality of personification. The darkness must have been moved upon much in the same way, if not altogether, as is found… Read More
“Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.” (Mark 5:19) This text concludes the record of the Lord restoring a sound mind to the Gadarene who dwelt in the tombs. This has always been an intriguing account for those who have read it with a Spiritual eye. It… Read More
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4) The 23rd Psalm, probably the loveliest of all the Psalms of David, has been without doubt utilized for the comfort of God’s children everywhere for so long as they have had the privilege of knowing it. Even many of those… Read More
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” (Proverbs 11.30) Soul-winning, also known as soul-saving, is a big business among the daughters of Mother Babylon, loosely described as “churches”. On this one enterprise hangs most of the success or failure of their whole institutions. From the day the simple convert is brought into their dark secret he is admonished to “win souls”. “You… Read More
“A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.” (Proverbs 18:19) It is cause for much gloom and sadness that in the church of the living God there are such things as offenses. We know that our Lord has informed us that it is impossible but that offenses will come. He also said, “But woe be to him by… Read More
“He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.” (Proverbs 12:9) In the above text we find two characters who take on various forms throughout the Bible, and yet they always remain the same. The first of these is one who is despised. The other is that self-righteous person who honoureth himself. In many ways we might say that all the human race… Read More
Grace in the heart of one child of God will ever unite with grace in the heart of another. If there be jars and divisions, if there be dispute and contention in congregations and among individuals, let not these be fathered on religion. It is not grace but lack of it that gives them birth and maintains them in being. So far as grace rules and reigns, so far as the life… Read More
“An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.” (Proverbs 29:27) As can be seen from every portion of the Bible, the world is divided into two categories of people – the unjust and the upright; God’s sheep and the goats; the wicked and the righteous, etc. To the just, the unjust man is an abomination. He always has… Read More
“I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.” (Romans 7.21) The perplexing conflict between good and evil in the Apostle Paul was not an aberration; he said he had discovered a law to that effect. Paul was no religious wastrel, nor was he given to exaggeration. Simply put, this poor man, like all others called by grace, found his life to be swayed by these two… Read More
“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” (Colossians 2:8) Philosophy and vain deceit. These are tools of man Paul warns may spoil you. His explicit instruction is to beware of them. Shun them like they were leprosy or a plague. Condensed down to its rawest form, philosophy is little more than theories couched… Read More
“And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for their’s is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness:… Read More
Preached by brother J.E.Hazelton on Sunday morning, April 21st, 1907. “And thou shalt set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the testimony.” (Exodus 4:5) Dear friends, we invite your attention to this study on the Golden Incense Altar, to the position it occupied, and to Him of whom it so beautifully and sweetly speaks. The incense altar stood in the Holy Place, that place which is called:… Read More
“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) Whatever is man’s duty is God’s claim; and whatever is man’s duty is demanded to be of him; and consequently if faith unto salvation be the natural man’s duty, then faith is accordingly demanded of man, and should be of him, and a… Read More
God promised that He would “persuade Japhet, and he should dwell in the tents of Shem,” (Genesis 9:27), and this work of persuading seems to be His working Faith in the minds of men by the power of the Holy Ghost. Hence God is said to send the gospel to the souls of men with “power, in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance” (1 Thessalonians 1:5). And the operation of this… Read More
“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.” (Ephesians 1:4-5) In this heaven-inspired language the apostle implies three characters: First, The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us… Read More
If thou aim at holiness by the law, remember thou must be perfect in the flesh as well as in spirit. The law is perfect; it will allow of no infirmities, no evil thoughts, no adulterous looks, no anger nor evil tempers, no fire to be kindled on the Sabbath day; not speaking thy own words, nor thinking thy own thoughts on that day; thy neighbor must be loved as thyself; half… Read More
You will never know much of your ruined condition till God has slaughtered you, and made you as dead as a sinner at the borders of hell, entirely dead, to have no help or hope in yourself of obeying the LORD in His way, or bringing anything like peace or salvation to you by it. Perhaps the poor soul, when brought to this point, may be under the painful situation of listening… Read More
Preached by Mr. J.E. Hazelton on 15th Dec 1901. “And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying, Take Aaron and his sons with him, and the garments and the anointing oil, and a bullock for the sin offering, and two rams, and a basket of unleavened bread.” (Leviticus 8:1-2) There is a Divine reason for the order in which the opening books of the Bible are placed, – Genesis, Exodus and Leviticus:To gain… Read More
On the day before he died, he exclaimed, “Is there not an appointed time to man? Sweet Jesus, thou art my strength, my support, my salvation, my salvation. Tell my dear friends I am going: Jesus is with me, and I am not dejected. I am full of comfort and consolation, and able yet to recollect God’s precious word. I never saw so much of my own unworthiness, or so much of… Read More
“Keep yourselves in the love of God. Looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” (Jude 1:21) The apostle does not here suppose that believers are their own keepers, for, he says, they are “preserved in Christ Jesus” (Jude 1:1). But having described a certain sort of men who creep in unawares among God’s saints, and turn the grace of God into lasciviousness, or charge the grace of… Read More
The grace of God that bringeth salvation cannot be known or enjoyed, but by supernatural and divine manifestation. It cannot be apprehended but by the faith of God’s elect. It cannot be sweet or precious, but when bitterness and soul-trouble have been felt, and the face has been turned to the wall. As in the case of Josiah, sooner or later, the book must be found and opened, read and felt in the… Read More
“But we see Jesus.” (Hebrews 2:9) First, let us endeavour to describe the characters who see Jesus. In the first place, we have to take notice of the characters who see Jesus spiritually. Observe the term used, “We see Jesus.” He is to be seen only by the eye of living faith. No man can see Jesus spiritually without he is made a partaker of the Spirit and grace of God. “The natural… Read More
“The religious professor receives doctrines because he sees them in the Bible. The believer not only sees them in the Book, but he feels them in his heart, put there by the Holy Spirit. The believer gets at truth through trouble. He arrives at the banquet of mercy through sharp pangs of hunger. He lays hold of the robe of righteousness, chilled by nakedness. He comes to the cross because he is… Read More
“These that have turned the world upside down are come hither.” (Acts 17:6) What an unwitting testimony did the unbelieving Jews of Thessalonica give to the power of the gospel, when they complained thus! “These that have turned the world upside down are come hither” (Acts 17:6). There were those at Thessalonica of whom it could be truly said that their lives had been turned upside down. Paul writes to them in… Read More
“This Man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.” (Luke 15:2) This was spoken by the Pharisees, in a derogatory way, as they despised and hated Christ, for they were attempting to earn salvation by their own works. Their sneering statement was a tremendous truth. What a wonder of wonders we have here! An infinite, holy and sin-hating God, receiveth poor, sinful rebels in the Person of the lovely Lord Jesus Christ, God’s… Read More
As soon as our first parents had sinned in the Garden of Eden, at its very gates, the LORD God showed the way of reconciliation was not to be in the fig leaves of men’s sin-stained efforts, but in the shedding of blood. This was set forth when a beast, almost certainly a lamb, was taken and slain before the guilty eyes of Adam and Eve, that they might be properly clothed… Read More
I shall never forget one memorable season of trouble that I was in many years ago. I cannot tell the depths of distress I was plunged into. I wished to have done with time and sense, weary of life, longing to be gone, feeling I could not bear it. I was in such a way I cannot describe it, and all at once this passage dropped upon my heart: “Fear thou not;… Read More
“And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence” (Isaiah 4:5) There is an allusion here to the cloudy pillar which rested upon the tabernacle. It was as a cloud by day, but as a pillar of fire by night. The… Read More
“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3) The Saviour carefully describes the case and inward state of those gracious souls upon whom His blessings are pronounced. No random arrows are discharged from His bow, nor is any uncertain artillery taken from His quiver, nor discharged by His valiant men of Israel. For though they fight, they never beat the air. He first discovers the… Read More
However low Jonah sank in trouble, he lost not his acquaintance with divine teachings. Did he go to Joppa? He did not lose them there. Did he fall asleep in the sides of the ship? He did not lose them there. Did the storm rage, the winds blow, and was Jonah cast into the billows? He did not lose his faith there; yea, when he was come into the very “belly of… Read More
“Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.” Now this is rather striking language, isn’t it? It almost startles us. Five words spoken with the understanding or five words received in the heart with the understanding better than ten thousand words that are not understood and that are in an… Read More
It is one of the condescending attributes of the Saviour that joined to the incomparable name of Jesus, should have been joined the name of lowly Nazareth. Nazareth was a place of no consequence in the eyes of many in Israel. Its isolated geographic position, the unpolished Galilean accent of its inhabitants, along with a reputation for loose morals and religion, made it a by-word in the eyes of many, especially among… Read More
”Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6) And why did Paul think so? Because they were partakers of his grace and his disgrace: “Inasmuch as both in my bonds and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ya all are partakers of my grace.” (Philippians 1:7) I find when I talk… Read More
“And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness. And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.” (Exodus 5:1-2) Moses and Aaron went in to king Pharaoh, the ruler… Read More
“And David said, Is there yet any that us left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake? And there was of the house of Saul a servant who’s name was Ziba. And when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant is he. And the king said, Is there not yet any of the… Read More
“The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee; send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion.” (Psalm 20:1-2) ——————– This salvation God appoints “for walls and bulwarks” (Isaiah 26:1); and I feel it’s power when I draw nigh to Him with many fears and confessions, and He assures me that He is my Friend and will never leave me nor forsake… Read More
“Who can understand his errors? Cleanse Thou me from secret faults.” (Psalm 19:12) ——————– The Spirit is grieved by self-will, pride, conceit, and any tendency to a self-righteous spirit; and if these are not quelled, we shall have a furnace ten times hotter then we have had. In the furnace we are brought to feel we need mercy; and nothing will subdue these things but a sense of God’s mercy. This will make… Read More
“The word of the LORD that came unto Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel. The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great… Read More
“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” (Psalm 116:15) This is one of those Psalms that ought to be required reading. We need to read it very often.David didn’t find these words in a “church” prayer book. He didn’t find these words in a “church” creed or catechism or even a confession of faith. He didn’t find these words in a book of systematic theology. These… Read More
“For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.” (Leviticus 17:11) Leviticus chapter 17 contains the very heart of the gospel. This is a Scripture that ought to be marked and studied. It declares the means and way of salvation; “For the… Read More
“And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” (1st Corinthians 10:14) If the Lord Jesus is pleased to give you an understanding of the words that this verse here relates to in 1st Corinthians found in the seventeenth chapter of Exodus, it may be that it will open up many other Old Testament passages of Scripture and… Read More
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