Posts
He Came to a World at War: O King of Nations
4 hours ago
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
Sunday, September 25, 2011
You Can't Scare People Into Heaven
"A Passion for God's Supremacy and Compassion for Man's Soul"
John Piper, February 19, 2007
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Saturday, September 17, 2011
"An Iron Pen and Lead"
These words are found in the 19th chapter of the book of Job. Let me tell you about them. Job lived 5,000 years ago, long, long before the coming of Christ Jesus into the world to save sinners, yet by faith of that Anointed One of God, the promised Saviour of men, Job staked his soul's salvation for time and for eternity. Just as we can look back to the historic days of our Lord's earthly life, death, resurrection and exaltation, so Job looked forward into time to when the promised Saviour should appear on earth. Job knew, as every honest man knows, that there is a price to pay for sin, that even the best of men (an Job was exemplary) are sinful. But Job rested for salvation on the Christ which should surely come from heaven in God's perfect time and who would accomplish the work of redemption, sacrificially laying down His precious life as the sinner's Substitute. Moreover, Job foresaw that the One who would come to die for sinful men must live again. Assurance is required that the price paid has been accepted!Being enlightened by the Spirit of God, Job exulted in his discovery of a divine Redeemer. Of Him he speaks in fervent words, "Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book! For I know that MY REDEEMER LIVETH." These last three words Job desired to be indelibly written to endure to the ages of ages. First of all he would jot down his great discovery in normal writing. But no, not good enough. The words must be inscribed on a parchment scroll which would, perhaps, last for centuries. Still not good enough—so glorious a message must be engraved in perpetuity—but how! "By iron pen and lead upon the rock." "Come," says he, "Bring a sculptor's chisel and engrave deeply the letters of the wondrous words, then take molten lead and fill the graven letters cut deeply upon the rock." Now there they shine in silvery hue to the eternal ages! "MY REDEEMER LIVES."
No preacher ever chose a better text, nor ever did so few words convey so great a volume of a meaningful truth. Now if that is the gospel witness of the ancient patriarch, what endorsement can we find in an Apostle's words?
"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel . . . how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures" (1 Cor. 15:1,3,4).
These are the great apostle Paul's inspired words, spoken in the light and fact of our Lord Jesus Christ's actual advent, death and glorious resurrection.
My Redeemer Lives!
The writer of this article can say it with great joy. Can you do the same?
—Selected
Source: www.mwtb.org
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Truth-Telling in a Time of Tragedy: September 11, 2001
[This message was preached on September 13, 2001--two days after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2011. It is republished in commemoration of the tenth anniversary of those attacks. An extended reflection on these events from the perspective of 2011 will follow.]
Preachers are expected to speak when no one else has any idea what to say. This is not an enviable position. Standing at the graveside, the dying bedside, the scene of the accident, the preacher is supposed to know what to say, when nothing seems right to say.
Sometimes, saying nothing is best. We can be too hasty to speak, too eager to explain, too superficial in our answer, or too arrogant in our presumption. At other times, silence would be mere cowardice and the abdication of calling and responsibility. To fail to speak in these moments is to deny one’s calling and to fail the supreme test of authentic ministry.
Continue reading at www.albertmohler.com.
Preachers are expected to speak when no one else has any idea what to say. This is not an enviable position. Standing at the graveside, the dying bedside, the scene of the accident, the preacher is supposed to know what to say, when nothing seems right to say.Sometimes, saying nothing is best. We can be too hasty to speak, too eager to explain, too superficial in our answer, or too arrogant in our presumption. At other times, silence would be mere cowardice and the abdication of calling and responsibility. To fail to speak in these moments is to deny one’s calling and to fail the supreme test of authentic ministry.
Continue reading at www.albertmohler.com.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Be a Boaz
by Pastor Ron Bridge of Rehoboth Baptist Church
I am reading through the Old Testament again and have recently finished the book of Ruth. It is, as you know, a wonderful story of love, devotion and faithfulness (I plan to preach through it on the conclusion of Romans, DV). The thing that stood out to me this time was the manly honor and integrity of Boaz.
It is clear from the very first time that Boaz noticed Ruth gleaning in the fields that he took an interest in her – more than ordinary interest. He took pains to find out who she was and knew of her reputation and her faithfulness to Naomi. He also knew that she was a widow and therefore eligible and available for marriage (the text does not say this explicitly but it is not too hard to discern “between the lines.” This is made pretty clear by the way he treated her, gave her special privileges, protected her, and gave her extra measures of grain. Yet, he made no improper moves toward her.
Boaz was considerably older than Ruth (cf. 3:10) and even though there is little doubt he had feelings for her did not allow himself to be carried away by them or entertain false hopes. For all he knew, Ruth was content to stay with Naomi, or be expected to seek out someone younger, Naomi however, had other ideas and developed a plan (rather daring) by which she would seal the deal. I chuckle every time I read the part where Boaz wakes up at night to find a woman lying at his feet and under his covers, but does not tell her to leave at once – she must have kept his feet warm. In the early morning he assists her to get away before anybody knew of it, which certainly would have caused tongues to wag.
Ruth returned to Naomi and told her all that transpired and then said: Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day (3:18). This is the verse that really caught my attention. Boaz was clearly smitten with Ruth (3:10) but also knew that there was one who, according to the law, had a prior claim (3:12). The honor and integrity of Boaz is seen in chapter 4 in that he does what is right, even though it would, no doubt have caused him pain to lose Ruth to another man. As it turned out, the close relative refused to exercise his right and Boaz married Ruth and they became the great-grandparents of David.
How we need to see that kind of honor and integrity displayed in our world today – it is in very short supply. How many men today are truly of their word who will do what is right even though it may not be in their own best interest? Very few, I think. Where are the politicians who will do what is right even at the cost of their re-election? Where are the businessmen who will do what is right even at the cost of their bottom line? Even in the church we see compromise in order to not jeopardize a large ministry. In a world where honor and integrity are in short supply Christian men (women too) have an opportunity to demonstrate honor and integrity in their daily lives. The world will not fail to notice it, even though they will not really understand it, and may even think it foolish, but it will bring honor to the Lord and he will bless it (1 Peter 3:15-16). So, be a Boaz today.
I am reading through the Old Testament again and have recently finished the book of Ruth. It is, as you know, a wonderful story of love, devotion and faithfulness (I plan to preach through it on the conclusion of Romans, DV). The thing that stood out to me this time was the manly honor and integrity of Boaz.
It is clear from the very first time that Boaz noticed Ruth gleaning in the fields that he took an interest in her – more than ordinary interest. He took pains to find out who she was and knew of her reputation and her faithfulness to Naomi. He also knew that she was a widow and therefore eligible and available for marriage (the text does not say this explicitly but it is not too hard to discern “between the lines.” This is made pretty clear by the way he treated her, gave her special privileges, protected her, and gave her extra measures of grain. Yet, he made no improper moves toward her.
Boaz was considerably older than Ruth (cf. 3:10) and even though there is little doubt he had feelings for her did not allow himself to be carried away by them or entertain false hopes. For all he knew, Ruth was content to stay with Naomi, or be expected to seek out someone younger, Naomi however, had other ideas and developed a plan (rather daring) by which she would seal the deal. I chuckle every time I read the part where Boaz wakes up at night to find a woman lying at his feet and under his covers, but does not tell her to leave at once – she must have kept his feet warm. In the early morning he assists her to get away before anybody knew of it, which certainly would have caused tongues to wag.
Ruth returned to Naomi and told her all that transpired and then said: Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day (3:18). This is the verse that really caught my attention. Boaz was clearly smitten with Ruth (3:10) but also knew that there was one who, according to the law, had a prior claim (3:12). The honor and integrity of Boaz is seen in chapter 4 in that he does what is right, even though it would, no doubt have caused him pain to lose Ruth to another man. As it turned out, the close relative refused to exercise his right and Boaz married Ruth and they became the great-grandparents of David.
How we need to see that kind of honor and integrity displayed in our world today – it is in very short supply. How many men today are truly of their word who will do what is right even though it may not be in their own best interest? Very few, I think. Where are the politicians who will do what is right even at the cost of their re-election? Where are the businessmen who will do what is right even at the cost of their bottom line? Even in the church we see compromise in order to not jeopardize a large ministry. In a world where honor and integrity are in short supply Christian men (women too) have an opportunity to demonstrate honor and integrity in their daily lives. The world will not fail to notice it, even though they will not really understand it, and may even think it foolish, but it will bring honor to the Lord and he will bless it (1 Peter 3:15-16). So, be a Boaz today.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Monday, September 5, 2011
Friday, September 2, 2011
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