Monday, December 31, 2012

Happy New Year 2013

What shall I wish you?
   Treasures of earth?
Songs in the springtime,
   Pleasure and mirth?
Flowers on your pathway,
   Skies ever clear?
Would this assure you
   A HAPPY NEW YEAR?

What shall I wish you?
   What can be found
Bringing you sunshine
   All the year 'round?
Where is the treasure,
   Lasting and dear,
That shall assure you
   A HAPPY NEW YEAR?

Faith that increaseth,
   Walking in light;
Hope that aboundeth,
   Happy and bright;
Love that is perfect,
   Casting out fear;
These shall assure you
   A HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Peace in the Saviour,
   Rest at His feet,
Smile of His countenance
   Radiant and sweet,
Joy in His presence!
   Christ ever near!
This will assure you
   A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

—F.R. Havergal

Saturday, December 29, 2012

I am Not Ashamed of the Scandal


Watch, listen or download the full message by Paul Washer here.

Monday, December 24, 2012

What did you get for Christmas?


Watch, listen or download the full message by Michael Brackett here.

Saturday, December 22, 2012

A Great Transformation

I sometimes meet with persons who claim to be Christians and Believers and all that, but they have never experienced any change that they can remember from their babyhood. Well, dear Friend, there must have been such a change if you are a Christian! I will not say that you ought to know the day and the hour, but, depend upon it, if you are now what you were when you were born, you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity! If there has not been a turning, you are going the wrong way! Every man must be turned from the way in which father Adam set his face, for our face is towards sin and destruction, and we must be turned right round so as to have our faces towards holiness and everlasting life.

Where there is not such a turning, there is the most solemn cause for heart-searching, humiliation and for the seeking of salvation! Have you undergone a great transformation? The necessity for it is no fantasy of mine, remember. It is that most solemn word of the New Testament—“You must be born again.” There must be a complete and total change in you, so that the things you once loved you come to hate and the things you hated you are made to love—as great a change as there was in Ephraim who was formerly glued to his idols and then came to abhor them!

I pray you all search and see whether such a difference has been made in your hearts by the Holy Spirit—for a mistake here will be fatal. If you have never undergone such a renewing, let the prayer be breathed that the Holy Spirit may now renew you in the spirit of your mind. And if you hope that such a change has taken place upon you, then may God grant it may be a real abiding conversion, so that you may remain in Grace and go from strength to strength till the idols are utterly abolished and your whole nature shall become the temple of the living God! Thus, we have two remarks—a sovereign prediction and a marvelous change.

Read the full message "IDOLS ABOLISHED" DELIVERED BY C. H. SPURGEON, AT THE METROPOLITAN TABERNACLE, NEWINGTON.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

The Next Great Christmas


Watch, listen or download the full message by Jake Klassen here.

Monday, December 17, 2012

Marching Orders for a Backslidden Church

The text I have chosen for this morning is 1 Corinthians 16:13.  It is a short but really potent verse near the end of Paul's letter to that troubled church. And this is a verse that outlines itself. Four simple imperatives: be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.  And there you have my outline in the exact words of the text itself. Four points, separated by commas.

I chose that text not merely because it sort of preaches itself, but mainly because this year I wanted to bring a word of encouragement and support to beleaguered pastors who are trying to minister faithfully in these troubled, difficult times.  It is hard to be biblical and faithful.  It is not at all easy.

The church of our generation is shot through with deep seated problems. The evangelical movement in particular is hopelessly confused, divided, frivolous, fleshly, man centered. Even some of today's best known and largest evangelical churches deliberately seem to cultivate irreverence, superficiality, worldliness, compromise, carnal behavior, infidelity, and sometimes even the rankest kinds of heresy. In a hundred different ways the contemporary evangelical movement is exactly like the church at Corinth. Every problem that plagued Corinth is a hallmark of the culture in which you and I are called to serve Christ.

And I don't know about you, but for me, it's actually a great encouragement to know that every major problem we have to deal with in the church of the 21st century, Paul likewise dealt with in Corinth. His epistles to that church are full of wise counsel and sound ministry philosophy for you and for me and the ministries in which we serve. And we need to pay close attention to Paul because, frankly, what he says about church leadership and ministry runs contrary to our natural instincts. And Paul’s advice to this church is certainly in conflict with the wisdom of this world, the fashions of our culture and even the self styled gurus of evangelical church growth.

Continue reading, download or listen to the full message by Phil Johnson here.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

The People Who Missed Christmas: The Innkeeper

by John MacArthur
No room.” Those shameful words describe more than the inn in Bethlehem. They apply just as aptly to today’s world. Sadly, in all the busyness of our Christmas celebrations, people still make no room for Jesus. Without even realizing it, they miss Christmas, just like most of the people in and around Bethlehem on the night Jesus was born.
Did you know most people miss Christmas every year? That may sound rather silly, especially in North America, where we drown during the holidays in a sea of Christmas advertising. Still, I’m convinced that most people miss Christmas. They observe the season because culture says it’s the thing to do, but the masses are utterly oblivious to the reality of what they are celebrating. So much fantasy and myth have been imposed on the holiday that people are numb to the real miracle of Christ’s birth. The legitimate emotion of the holiday has given way to a maudlin and insincere self-indulgence.
A newspaper I saw had a two-page spread featuring some man-on-the-street interviews where people offered their opinions of the real meaning of Christmas. The views ranged from mawkish to irreverent. Some were sentimental, saying Christmas is a family time, a time for children, and so on. Others were humanistic, seeing Christmas as a time to celebrate love for one’s fellow man, the spirit of giving, and that sort of thing. Others were crassly hedonistic, viewing Christmas as just another excuse to party. Not one person made mention of the incomprehensible miracle of God’s birth as a human baby.
What a mess Christmas is! We have compounded the holiday with so many traditions and so much hype and hysteria that we miss the utter simplicity of Christ's birth. It is ironic that of all holidays, this one has become the most complex. It is no wonder so many people miss Christmas.
Yet one thing hasn’t changed since the time of Joseph and Mary: nearly everyone missed that first Christmas, too. Like people today, they were busy, consumed with all kinds of things—some important, some not—but nearly everyone missed Christ. The similarities between their world and ours are striking. Every one of these people has a counterpart in modern society.

Continue reading here.

Monday, December 10, 2012

Has Christmas Lost Its Meaning?


Watch, listen or download the full message: "You Cannot Save Yourself" by Don White here.

Sunday, December 9, 2012

A Quiet Christmas

The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places. (Isaiah 32:17-18)

Have you ever longed for peace and quiet? As I write workmen are ripping shingles off the church walls and hammering in all the nails that held them there to the accompaniment of some VERY HEAVY METAL. I am finding it hard to concentrate and wish I had some ear plugs. Interlude. Well, I went home and now have ear plugs which are snugly in place. I also have a CD of Old English melodies which is softly playing in the background and together they make an effective defense against the assault on my sensibilities. A pretty radical course of action? You might say so, but a very necessary one if I am going to survive the day!

We live in a noisy world, but it is not just the decibel level we have to be concerned about, it is the type of noise. In many parts of the world it is the noise of war, the shooting, the explosions and the cries of the wounded, dying and displaced. In our cities it is the noise of crime. Everywhere it is the noise of commerce, of making, transporting, buying, advertising, selling and all that goes with it, especially at this time of year – the great holiday rush. All mankind is caught up in this worldly noise in one way or another, and while some, such as the Amish, seek to escape by fostering a simpler lifestyle, and those who live in tents in Outer Mongolia are naturally insulated from it, all people are, in one degree or another, captive to it because the spirit of the age is a noisy, restless spirit (Isa. 17:12,13a).

The fact is that the loudest noise we have to deal with is the noise of our own hearts. Augustine famously said: Thou hast made us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless until we find our rest in Thee. Too often, Christians, who should have found rest in Christ are filled with the same noise as the world. We are to be in the world but not consumed with the things, concerns and worries of the world. In the midst of the restless, roaring and sinful sea of human uncertainty we must stand as a beacon, a lighthouse of stability and peace pointing the way to quietness of spirit that is found in Christ alone.

So, do we have a noisy or a quiet spirit? The answer to that will determine how we keep Christmas. A Christian Christmas should be a quiet Christmas. What do I mean? I don't mean that we should not have fun and fellowship, laughter and singing. I mean we should have the quietness of heart and mind that comes from reflecting on what Christ has done for us in becoming incarnate. By His life, death and resurrection we are made righteous, and as Isaiah says: The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places. Are you caught up in the noise of the season – or about to be? Perhaps it is time for some radical action to distance yourself and protect your heart and mind from the world's noisy assault.

May you have a quiet and blessed Christmas.
Pastor Ron Bridge of Rehoboth Baptist Church

Saturday, December 8, 2012

A Christmas Question (Excerpt)

Delivered December 25th, 1859, by C. H. Spurgeon on Isaiah 9:6

This morning, however, the principal object of my discourse, and, indeed, the sole one, is to bring out the force of those two little words, "unto us." For you will perceive that here the full force of the passage lies. "For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given." The divisions of my discourse are very simple ones. First, is it so? Secondly, if it is so, what then? Thirdly, if it is not so, what then?

I. In the first place, IS IT SO? Is it true that unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given? It is a fact that a child is born. Upon that I use no argument. We receive it as a fact, more fully established than any other fact in history, that the Son of God became man, was born at Bethlehem, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger. It is a fact, too, that a Son is given. About that we have no question. The infidel may dispute, but we, professing to be believers in Scripture, receive it as an undeniable truth, that God has given his only begotten Son to be the Savior of men. But the matter of question is this: Is this child born to us? Is he given to us? This is the matter of anxious enquiry. Have we a personal interest in the child that was born at Bethlehem? Do we know that he is our Savior?—that he has brought glad tidings to us?—that to us he belongs? and that we belong to him? I say this is matter of very grave and solemn investigation.

It is a very observable fact, that the very best of men are sometimes troubled with questions with regard to their own interest in Christ, while men who never are troubled at all about the matter are very frequently presumptuous deceivers, who have no part in this matter. I have often observed that some of the people about whom I felt most sure, were the very persons who were the least sure of themselves. It reminds me of the history of a godly man named Simon Brown, a minister in the olden times in the City of London. He became so extremely sad in heart, so depressed in spirit, that at last he conceived the idea that his soul was annihilated. It was all in vain to talk to the good man, you could not persuade him that he had a soul; but all the time he was preaching, and praying, and working, more like a man that had two souls than none. When he preached, his eyes poured forth plenteous floods of tears, and when he prayed, there was a divine fervor and heavenly prevalence in every petition. Now so it is with many Christians. They seem to be the very picture of godliness; their life is admirable, and their conversation heavenly, but yet they are always crying,—

"'Tis a point I long to know,
Oft it causes anxious thought,
Do I love the Lord or no?
Am I his or am I not?

So does it happen, that the best of men will question while the worst of men will presume.

Read the full sermon here or, listen here.

Friday, December 7, 2012

Eight Christmas Contrasts (Re-post)

1. Jesus underwent a human birth so that we who believe on Him might have a heavenly birth. (Luke 2:11; John 1:12)

2. Jesus took His place in a manger in a stable, so that we might have heavenly mansions. (Luke 2:7; John 14:2)

3. Jesus became a member of a human family so that we might become members of the family of God. (Matthew 2:11; Galatians 3:26)

4. Jesus made Himself subject to others so that we, through the power of His Spirit at work through us, might be made free. (Luke 2:51; Galatians 5:1)

5. Jesus laid His glory aside so that we might receive glory. (Philippians 2:6,7; 1 Peter 5:4)

6. Jesus became poor so that we might become spiritually rich. (Matthew 8:20; 2 Corinthians 8:9)

7. Jesus was born, to the praise of angels, so that we can we born again, to the praise of angels. (Luke 2:13,14; Luke 15:10)

8. Jesus, who was pursued by an evil and dangerous ruler, went to the cross to destroy a far more evil and dangerous ruler. (Matthew 2:13; Hebrews 2:14)

--Adapted from "The Contrasts of Christmas" by Donald Grey Barnhouse.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Unless you repent—you too will all perish!


Read the transcript here.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

His Way or the Highway (Trailer)


Watch, listen or download the full message by Randy Wages here.

Monday, December 3, 2012

Can Dead Bones Live?


Watch, listen or download the full message by Maarten Kuivenhoven here.

Saturday, December 1, 2012

God's Way of Peace

The Verdict

God knows us; He knows what we are, He knows what He meant us to be, and He sees the vast difference between these two things. God’s testimony concerning man is that he is a sinner: “there is none righteous, no, not one…. There is none that doeth good, no, not one” (Romans 3:10-12). God declares man to be a lost one, a stray one, a rebel, a hater of God. Man is not a sinner occasionally, but a sinner always; not a sinner in part, with many good things about him, but wholly a sinner, with no compensating goodness. He is evil in heart as well as life, “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1).
When the Holy Spirit opens the eyes of the soul it sees this judgment is true. Conviction of sin is just the sinner seeing himself as he is—the way that God has seen him all along. Then every fond idea of self-goodness vanishes away. The things in him that once seemed good appear empty, and the bad things so very bad, that every hope of being saved because of something in his own character is taken away. He sees that he cannot save himself, nor even help God to save him. He is lost, and he is helpless.
Doings, feelings, strivings, prayings, givings, abstainings, and the like, are found to be no relief from a sense of guilt, and, therefore, no resting-place for a troubled heart. If sin was just a disease or a misfortune, religious deeds might be seen as favorable symptoms of returning health. But sin is more than a disease, and the sinner is not merely sick, but condemned by the righteous Judge. None of these goodnesses can give him peace, for they cannot assure him of a complete and righteous pardon.

The Remedy

The question, “How can I be made fit to come before the Lord?” cannot be answered with an appeal to personal character, or goodness of life, or prayers, or performances of religion. The sinner’s peace with God does not come from within. No grounds of peace or elements of reconciliation can be extracted from himself. His one qualification for peace is that he needs it.
A sinner’s peace can only come from God, and it is in knowing God that he gets it: “Acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace” (Job 22:21). God Himself is the fountainhead of our peace. His revealed truth in the Bible is the channel through which this peace finds its way into us, and His Holy Spirit is the great interpreter of that truth to us.
God has declared Himself to be gracious, and has told us that this grace is for the ungodly, the unholy, the unfit, the dead in sin. He has embodied this grace in the person and work of His beloved Son. Turn your eye to the cross and see these two things: the crucifiers and the Crucified. The crucifiers, the haters of God and His Son, represent us. The Crucified is God Himself—incarnate love. It is the God who made you, suffering and dying for the ungodly.
Hear the word of the Lord concerning this finished work:
  • “Christ died for our sins” (1 Corinthians 15:3).
  • “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities” (Isaiah 53:5).
  • “Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many” (Hebrews 9:28).
  • “Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18).
  • “His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:24).
These expressions speak of something more than love. The deep, true, real love of God is in each of them, but so are justice and holiness. If we were going to be saved from eternal death, there was the need of a death; righteousness demands this. To meet this terrible necessity, the Son of God became a man and died! Love led Him down to the cradle; love led Him up to the cross! He died as the sinner’s substitute. He died to make it a righteous thing for God to cancel the sinner’s guilt and annul the penalty of his everlasting death.
Had it not been for His death, grace and guilt could not have looked each other in the face. God and the sinner could not have been brought together; righteousness would have forbidden reconciliation. As we know, righteousness is as divine and real a thing as love. Without this perfect sacrifice, it would not have been right for God to receive the sinner, nor safe for the sinner to come.
What peace there is for the stricken conscience in the truth that Christ died for the ungodly! The cross is the payment of the sinner’s penalty, the extinction of his debt, and the tearing up of the charges which were against us. Just as the cross is the payment, so is the resurrection God’s receipt—for the full amount—signed with His own hand.


The Response

The sinner may well ask: “How can I come before God, and stand in His presence, with happy confidence on my part, and gracious acceptance on His?” He wants you to come to Him exactly as you are, without even one vain thought that by a little waiting, or working, or praying, you can make yourself ready, or persuade Him to make you fit to receive salvation.
Faith is the link, the one link, between the sinner and the Sin-bearer. Faith is not a work or exercise of our minds, which must be properly performed in order to qualify or fit us for pardon. Faith is not a religious duty, which must be gone through according to certain rules, in order to induce Christ to give us the benefits of his work. Faith is simply receiving the divine record concerning the Son of God, recognizing the completeness of His great sacrifice for sin, and the trueness of the Father’s testimony to that completeness.
Here are just a few examples of what God has spoken about faith: 
  • “Without faith it is impossible to please [God]” (Hebrews 11:6).
  • “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36).
  • “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31).
  • “To him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness” (Romans 4:5).
  • “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9).
  • “This is His commandment, That we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 3:23).
These are some of the many texts which show that it is our belief of God’s testimony concerning His own free love, and the work of his Son, that makes us partakers of the blessings which that testimony reveals. They show us that it is the object of faith—the person, or thing, or truth of which faith lays hold—that is the soul’s peace and consolation. They also announce most solemnly the necessity of believing, and the greatness of the sin of unbelief.
God can never be satisfied with you on account of any goodness about you, so why should you attempt to be satisfied with anything which will not satisfy Him? There is just one thing with which He is entirely satisfied—the person and work of His only begotten Son. It is with Him that He wants you to be satisfied. How much better would it be to take God’s way at once, and be satisfied with Christ? Then pardon and peace will be given without delay.
“This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).
—Condensed from God’s Way of Peace by Horatius Bonar.
Source: http://www.mwtb.org

Friday, November 30, 2012

An Impenitent Heart

Well, the first thing we need to do is to describe what is an impenitent heart. And everything I have read here [Isaiah 57:4-14] with regard to these charges brought against the people of Israel was in the way that they worshipped, the false worship, coming in some other way than what God had ordained. That is important, because we need to deal with a society today where everywhere there are professing Christians who would tell you I have repented and I am believing God. And yet when you weigh their profession of faith and... against the Scriptures and you listen to them talk about what is their righteousness and their works, I have to conclude based on the Scriptures that we are dealing with an impenitent, religious generation. That is who Isaiah faced and that is who we face. There is nothing new under the sun.

Now we could go to a dictionary, a Bible dictionary if we want and so-called and look up what it is to be unrepentant or impenitent, but I believe the Scriptures themselves are their own best interpreter. And so I want to look at a couple of verses with regard to what is an impenitent heart. And we will begin, there is a lot we could cite, but we will begin in Proverbs chapter 27 and verse 22. I love the language of Scripture. It is picturesque. It is designed to give us a visual of some of these things. And God by his Spirit has so written this Word to give us these pictures. And here is one right here in verse 22 in Proverbs 27. We read:

“Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him.”

That word bray it means to literally pound or grind. How hardened is the heart of a sinner in its impenitence? Well, here it is describe as a fool that if you were to take and put that fool in a mortar along with wheat... of course, when you take wheat and put it in a mortar and beat it with a pestle, it is designed to separate the wheat from the chaff. But such is the hardness of the sinner’s heart that with all of the evidences, even with all of the warnings of God’s providence and his Word, all the declarations of the gospel, left to himself that one will never change. That one will remain what he is in his blindness and ignorance and never sense the urgency of even the desperate state of their own soul. That describes an impenitent heart.

Continue reading or listen to the full sermon by Ken Wimer here.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Worldliness (Trailer)


Worldliness: something to keep in mind during this Christmas season. Watch, listen or download the full message by Dr. Peter Masters here.

Monday, November 26, 2012

How Being Unthankful Can Send You To Hell


For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. -Romans 1:21

Watch, listen or download the full message by Dr. Liam Goligher here.

Saturday, November 24, 2012

A Shocking Christmas Message


Watch the full message by Shane Idleman here.

Friday, November 23, 2012

“Born Again” — What Does That Mean?

These days, almost everyone talks about being born again; but virtually no one knows what the Word of God teaches about the new birth. Therefore, I want to address the subject in simple, clear, unmistakable terms. When you leave here today, I want you to understand what the new birth is and how it is accomplished. More importantly, I want you to leave here born again. May God be pleased to make it so for Christ’s sake.

The religious world around us, in its apostate rejection of the truth of God, has made the new birth to be nothing more than making a decision, walking an aisle, and saying a prayer. Because of their abuse and error regarding the doctrine of the new birth, our tendency is to shy away from using the term “born again,” lest we be identified with those who deny the gospel of Christ. But, no matter how much men may pervert the language and the doctrine of Christ, our Lord’s admonition to Nicodemus still stands. It is as necessary and urgent today as it was when he first made it more than two thousand years ago. — “Ye must be born again!”

Some of you have never made any profession of faith in Christ. I want you to hear this message. — “Ye must be born again!” Perhaps, some of you have been in the church for years who are yet without Christ. You made a profession of faith a long time ago; but you are yet without life before God. May God the Holy Spirit cause you to hear this message and grant you his grace this very hour. — “Ye must be born again!”

Continue reading or listen to the full message by Don Fortner here.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Thanksgiving

Thank You for wonderful things from above.
Thank You for life, Father; thank You for love.

Thank You for laughter, thank You for tears.
Thank You for happiness down through the years.

Thank You for peace, Father; thank You for joy.
Thank You for gifts that earth cannot destroy.

Thank You for friends, Father; thank You for foes.
Thank You for secrets no earth-child knows.

Thank You for songs in the darkest night.
Thank You for turning despair into light.

Thank You for dying, Lord, on Calvary's tree.
Thank You for saving a lost lamb like me.

Thank You for keeping me day after day.
Thank You for keeping me straight on the way.

Lord, when in glory, I see Your dear face,
I'll thank You again for undying grace!

—Selected

Source: http://www.mwtb.org

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

America Revival Or Ruin

by E. A. Johnston
When I was a little boy in the 1950s, things were different in America back then. I remember this country when Hollywood had censors, politicians had a conscience and America had a moral compass. Hemlines were lower and morals were higher and sin was called sin and not social disorders. Of course, we didn’t have the technology that we have today. Back then if you said Microsoft they thought you were referring to your mattress. And we didn’t have wifi. We had hifi. It was a time when only women wore earrings and only sailors had tattoos.

I remember America when it still had a strong work ethic and business abounded in honesty and integrity and a man’s word and handshake was as good as gold. And I remember in America when a parent did not have to worry about what their children saw on TV and marriage was between a man and a woman. There was such a thing as shame in society back then.

I remember America when the Church still had authority and there was still a fear of God in the land. I remember a nation that stood on biblical principles and looked to God for guidance and to the Church for direction. It was ok to pray in public school back then and the 10 Commandments were publicly displayed. And if any Atheist cried out against it, there were more than enough Christians to shout that person down because God had the majority in the nation back then.

And I remember an America that was looked up to by other nations and we were a country that held on to the principles of our founding fathers and old glory was never stomped on and set fire to because we respected too much what it stood for. Back then there was such a thing as a weekly prayer meeting in the church and people actually came to pray. And they weren’t embarrassed to cry when they prayed and they prayed loud and long and did so until they grabbed hold of God and the fire fell and consumed the sacrifice. The Church back then didn’t operate on money and manpower, but by God and Holy Ghost power. Back then the Church influenced society instead of society influencing the Church.

And I remember preachers who preached about the blood and the cross and they warned that hell was hot and a future judgment awaited all mankind. Those kind of preachers weren’t afraid of men, but they sure feared the almighty.

I keep using the word remember because all I have is my memory of these former things. Today America is facing ruin and only a heaven sent revival will save this nation from complete destruction.

Continue reading or listen to the full message here.

Monday, November 19, 2012

Seven Ways to Show Gratitude (Trailer)


Watch, listen or download the full message by Dr. A. T. Stewart here.

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Hated by the World (Trailer)


Watch or download the full message by Russ Sukhia here.

Friday, November 16, 2012

A Biblical Perspective on the Recent Election (Trailer)


Watch or download the full message by Steve Lawson here.
Watch part 2, part 3, part 4.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Endless Thanksgiving (Trailer)


Watch, listen or download the full message by Dr. Philip Ryken here.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Being Born Again (Trailer)


Watch, listen or download the full message by Dr. Peter Masters here.

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Thanksgiving or Thanksliving


Watch, listen or download the full message: "Sweet, Savory Thanksgiving" by Joel Beeke here.

Friday, November 9, 2012

Why You Must Be Born Again


Listen or download the full message by Don Green here.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

The Only Hope For America


Watch, listen or download the full message by Dr. Steven J. Lawson here.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

But I Don't Feel Thankful

by Jim Elliff

"But I don't feel thankful." I can hear this perfectly logical complaint coming from my kids when I make them say "Thank you" for some act of kindness done toward them. Should we really act grateful when we are not?

But perhaps the better question is, "How could we be so blind to all that God has done that we would ever be ungrateful?"

When the Pilgrims ate the first Thanksgiving meal in 1621, they were being thankful even though they had seen horrific tragedies from the very beginning of their experiment in this new land.

"The Mayflower remained in New England with the colonists throughout the terrible first winter. Although the ship was cold, damp and unheated, it did provide a defense against the rigorous New England winter until houses could be completed ashore. Nevertheless, exposure, malnutrition and illness led to the death of half the group, both passengers and crewmen. There were four deaths (and one birth - Peregrine White) during the month they spent at the tip of Cape Cod. The remainder of the winter saw the deaths of another 40 or 41 colonists. At the lowest ebb, only seven people were healthy enough to tend the sick. On January 14, a fire destroyed the thatched roof on their first structure or "rendezvous" but fortunately none of the sick people that lay within were hurt. A second fire a month later was put out without incident." (Plimoth Plantation web site, www.Plimoth.org).

Experiencing the loss of loved ones and all normal conveniences and even basic necessities has a way of heightening one's appreciation for God's most mundane mercies.

It all has to do with our starting place. What do you think you deserve? If you deserve to be six feet under with your soul writhing in hell, then you're bound to have an elevated motivation to be thankful for any mercy at all. Even a few drops of water on the tip of the rich man's tongue, as in Jesus' Luke 16 story, could elicit thanks, if you felt what you really deserve.

The problem with being thankful is not so much one of manners as it is of alertness to the facts, that is, simply having open eyes to what is true. And it is true that you and I deserve nothing good. No, more than that, we deserve everything bad—an eternity in hell.

Sure, it makes sense to teach our kids to say "thanks" even when they don't feel like it. It is a reasonable service to others and makes our world much more pleasant to live in.

But we could probably nip ungratefulness in the bud if we could ever learn well what we deserve because of our sins.

Try this mental exercise this Thanksgiving when you are feasting on turkey and dressing and enjoying a warm and comfortable home or apartment. Stop for a moment and look around you at the abundance, the family, the nice clothes you have and all you enjoy, and then say to yourself, "I deserve hell." Repeat it several times and believe it because it is true.

Then thank God for even the next breath you are given. Because it is only "in Him" that we "live and move, and have our being." (Acts 17:26)

Friday, November 2, 2012

How Will You Vote?

The Issues:

There is a God. He is holy, just, righteous, true, all-powerful, all-knowing, full of love, light, mercy, and compassion (Psalm 22:3; 116:5; Genesis 17:1; 1 John 1:5; 4:16). Everyone must personally deal with Him (Romans 14:11,12).

You have a never-dying soul which is going to be either eternally saved in heaven or eternally lost in hell (Matthew 25:46).

You are a sinner. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).

God, being holy, cannot allow you into heaven until your sins are removed. You cannot work enough, give enough, or be good enough to remove even one sin from yourself (Ephesians 2:8,9). But God, in His great love, has reached out to you—"For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved" (John 3:16,17). You see, God's love and mercy has provided a way for you to be saved (Romans 5:8). But if you reject His free offer of salvation through Jesus Christ, your sins remain on you, and God has no choice but to send you to hell. "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?" (Hebrews 2:3).

The Promises:

God, who can never lie, has promised many wonderful things to those who accept His offer of salvation. Here are a few:

Cleansing. "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin" (1 John 1:7).

Eternal Life. "The Gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23).

Peace. "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1).

Freedom. "Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death" (Romans 8:2). "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed" (John 8:36).

An Inheritance. "An inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you" (1 Peter 1:4).

Power. God the Holy Spirit lives in all believers to help, guide, and empower them (Ephesians 1:13; Romans 8:9; John 14:16,17).

The Decision:

You know the issues. You know what's been promised. Now you must either cast your vote for Jesus, by repenting of your sins to God and placing your trust in Jesus for salvation (Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9), or you cast your vote against God's provision and reject His salvation. It is either one or the other (John 3:36). Don't be deceived into thinking that there is a third choice. There is no other way. Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me" (John 14:6).

Face this vital matter right now. "Now is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2). Read and carefully consider the issues stated before. Look up the Scriptures—they are God's Word. Weigh the facts carefully and soberly. Then cast your vote below. You must choose one or the other.

I admit that I am a sinner in God's sight, and accept Christ who died for my sins and rose again to be my Saviour. I will therefore live with Him forever in heaven.

I do not accept Christ as my Saviour. I reject the loving payment He has made for my sins, and choose instead to bear the punishment myself. I will therefore spend eternity apart from God in the torment of hell.

Source: mwtb.org

Thursday, November 1, 2012

What is Salvation?


Watch, listen or download the full message: "A Demoniac Transformed - Part 1" by Richard Caldwell Jr. here.

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Who is the Master Illusionist? #Halloween

Illusions are fun because they challenge our sense of reality. We see them everywhere, from tricks in magic shows to special effects in movies, and can usually tell the difference between what is real and what is not.

But did you know that there are some deceptions which millions of people fall for every day? They are the work of the master illusionist, Satan, who is called “the father of lies” in the Bible (John 8:44). He has been tricking people into disobeying God since the beginning of time, and is an experienced deceiver. Have you fallen for any of Satan’s illusions?

Illusion #1:  This life is all that matters

We can get so caught up in this life that we pay no attention to eternal realities. God says that is foolish: “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36).

Illusion #2:  If it feels good, do it

Should we care about what we do? Is there such a thing as right and wrong? God says we will reap what we sow: “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7).

Illusion #3:  There is no Hell

If you start to ponder what comes after this life, Satan may try to convince you that there is nothing to worry about. God says otherwise: “Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).

Illusion #4:  Everyone goes to Heaven

Another much-believed lie is that no people will ever have to go to Hell. While it’s true that Hell was created for Satan and his angels, the Bible says that those who fall under Satan’s deceptions will go there as well: “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41).

Illusion #5:  You’re not that bad

Every time we answer one of Satan’s lies, you can be sure that he has another one ready to go. Are we really bad enough to go to Hell? God’s Word says: “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

Illusion #6:  You can earn Heaven

Once we admit that we have sinned, the next lie we often fall for is that we have probably done enough good to overcome our faults. However, in God’s eyes “we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses [good works] are as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). 

Illusion #7:  You’re too bad

Sadly, lots of people fall for this one, too. Yes, it’s true that we have all messed up. But it’s also true that God stands ready to help us: “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37).

Why does God want us to come to Him? Because He loves us. He loves you, and He loves me—not because we have earned it, but because He chooses to. God proved His love for us when He sent His only Son, Jesus, into the world because of our sins (Romans 5:8).

When Jesus died on the cross, He made the way for sinners like you and me to be brought back to God. Our sin was like a debt that needed to be paid; Jesus paid it. Our sin was like a sentence that needed to be served; Jesus served it. Our sin was like a burden that needed to be lifted; Jesus lifted it.

Now He is using messages like this to awaken people to their need of Him, to “turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins” (Acts 26:18). Don’t fall for Satan’s illusions any more. Turn to God and put your faith in someone you can trust—Jesus Christ—TODAY!

Source: mwtb.org

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

40 reasons to be part of a local church

by Jesse Johnson
Is it possible to live a faithful Christian life without being a faithful part of a local church? I’ve heard many people make the argument that it is indeed possible—especially if there are no good churches around. I disagree.

Continue reading here.

Monday, October 29, 2012

The Gospel Driven Church


Watch, listen or download the full message by Dr. Harry Reeder, III here.

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Friday, October 26, 2012

The Miracle of the New Birth


Watch, listen or download the full message: "With God Nothing Shall Be Impossible" by Dr. Mark Allison here.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Repentance and the New Birth


Watch, listen or download the full message: "The Two Ingredients of Salvation" by Roland Hammett here.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

No New Birth, No Heaven. No Heaven, Only Hell.


Watch, listen or download the full message: "Necessity and Nature of the New Birth" by Albert N. Martin here.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Being Born Again (Excerpt)


Watch, listen or download the full message by Ian Brown here.

Monday, October 22, 2012

Are You Afraid of the Dark?

Lots of people are afraid of the dark. Why is that? Why are we afraid of the dark? Some people think that when we can't see what is around us, we begin to imagine all kinds of scary things that might be out there. Plus, if something really was there, we wouldn't be able to see it.

But there is another kind of darkness which is even more scary than anything we can imagine, and just as real as anything we can see. It's the kind of darkness that the Bible talks about: the spiritual darkness that comes from ignoring or rejecting God.

Are You "In the Dark?"

Many people spend their lives "in the dark" about important spiritual things. They have not read much of God's Word, the Bible, and nobody has ever taught them what it says. Just like it's easy for us to trip over things when we walk in the dark, if someone doesn't know what the Bible teaches, their view of life "is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble." 1

The Darkness of Evil

When the Bible talks about darkness, it is usually telling us about evil. Evil is the opposite of good. Every time we do something that we shouldn't do, the Bible calls it sin. Sin, which is a kind of evil, is called the "unfruitful works of darkness2 in the Bible.

It is important for us to remember that God is not the only spiritual being trying to get our attention and loyalty. Satan, the enemy of God, is the ultimate example of evil and darkness. The Bible warns that our greatest enemies are Satan and "the rulers of the [spiritual] darkness of this world." 3

Eternal Darkness

Any time I get scared of the dark, I think about how much worse it will be for the people "to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever." 4 The Bible says that because of our sin, we all deserve an eternity of darkness apart from God in hell. Some day He will say about many: "Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." 5

Where Can We Find Light?

We all know that turning on a light makes the darkness go away. This is why we need to turn to God, who "is light." 6 Let's find out how from the Bible, which is "a lamp unto my feet, and alight unto my path." 7

The first thing we learn is that God is so perfectly holy that sinners cannot be with Him. 8 Next, it teaches us that we are all sinners. 9 Finally, it shows that none of the good things we try to do can take our sins away. 10 Does this mean that we are all doomed? Yes, but it's not the end of the story. Read on for the good news!

The Bible also tells us about Jesus Christ, God's only Son, who came to earth to show us the way to God, and also to make the way to God by dying as a sacrifice for sin. Jesus taught that we must all "repent … and believe the gospel." 11 To repent is to tell God that you have been doing the wrong things, thinking the wrong things, and going the wrong way in your life. The Gospel is the good news that Jesus Christ died for your sins and rose again from the dead. 12Believing the Gospel means not only accepting it as true, but also trusting Jesus Christ completely as your Saviour.

The message of the Bible is that we can only be saved from hell, rescued from darkness, and given a home in heaven some day 13 because of what Jesus Christ has done. Salvation is a gift purchased by Jesus Christ and given by God to sinners like you and me who see their need of it and receive it by faith. 14

Walking in the Light

Spiritual darkness like evil, Satan, and eternal separation from God are all scary things. But when we are saved and begin to follow Jesus, we don't have to be afraid of them anymore. Jesus said, "I am the Light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." 15

Bible references: 1 Proverbs 4:19  2 Ephesians 5:11  3 Ephesians 6:12  4 Jude 1:13  5 Matthew 22:13  6 1 John 1:5  7 Psalm 119:105  8 Isaiah 59:2  9 Romans 3:23  10 Isaiah 64:6; Ephesians 2:8,9  11 Mark 1:15  12 1 Corinthians 15:1-4  13 Acts 26:18  14 Romans 5:6-18; 6:23; Ephesians 2:8,9  15 John 8:12

Source: mwtb.org

Saturday, October 20, 2012

You Must Be Born Again


Watch, listen or download the full message on John 3:7 by Roger Higginson here.

Friday, October 19, 2012

How Can a Loving God Send Anyone to Hell?


Watch, listen or download the full message: "God's Plan to Save You From Unquenchable Hell Fire" by Sean Harris here.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Your Assurance Does Not Lie In Yourself


See the full message by John Piper here.

Adapting to the Culture...Or Not (Excerpt)


Watch the full sermon by Dr. Voddie Baucham speaking on Paul's interaction with the Athenian culture in Acts 17 here.

Monday, October 15, 2012

No Fear of God


Watch, listen or download the full message, "Life, Death, and Eternity" by Colin Mercer here.

Friday, October 12, 2012

A Sissified, Needy Jesus - Voddie Baucham

The Wrath of God Against Sin


Watch, listen or download the full message "The Apostle Paul's Explanation of Saving Grace" by David Chanski here.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Is There a Faith That Doesn't Save?


Watch, listen or download the full message on Luke 8:11-15 by Richard Caldwell here.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

The Word and Gospel Reception


Watch, listen or download the full message on Luke 8:11-15 by Richard Caldwell Jr. here.

Sunday, October 7, 2012

What Does a Genuine Conversion Look Like?


Watch, listen or download the full message on Luke 23:42-43 by Jerry Bilkes here.

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Am I Really Saved?


Watch the full message "The Church and The End Times Apostasy" by Steve Gallagher here.