JOY FOR THE CAST-OUT--CHARLES SPURGEON

Mr. Spurgeon so often had a timely word in his preaching and writing. Perhaps there are those today who receive comfort on the one hand, and those who will receive Holy Ghost conviction on the other hand from the following meditation. Take heed all ye that claim to serve Christ!

 “Hear the word of the Lord, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name’s sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed” (Isaiah 66:5).

“Possibly this text may not apply to one in a thousand of the readers of this little book of promises; but the Lord cheers that one in such words as these. Let us pray for all such as are cast out wrongfully from the society which they love. May the Lord appear to their joy! The text applies to truly gracious men who tremble at the word of the Lord. These were hated of their brethren, and at length cast out because of their fidelity and their holiness. This must have been very bitter to them; and all the more so because their casting out was done in the name of religion, and professedly with the view of glorifying God. How much is done for the devil in the name of God! The use of the name of Jehovah to add venom to the bite of the old serpent is an instance of his subtlety. The appearing of the Lord for them is the hope of His persecuted people. He appears as the advocate and defender of His elect; and when He does so, it means a clear deliverance for the God-fearing and shame for their oppressors. O Lord, fulfill this word to those whom men are deriding!” 
(From Faith’s Checkbook for March 1^st, emphasis mine)

WILLIAM WILBERFORCE/JOHN NEWTON

“You remember the famous story about William Wilberforce and the woman who went to him at the height of his campaign against slavery and said, Mr. Wilberforce, what about the soul?' And Mr. Wilberforce turned to the woman and said, 'Madam, I had almost forgotten that I had a soul'. . . with all due respect to him, the woman was right. Of course, she may have been a busy-body; but there is no evidence that she was. Probably the woman saw that here was a good and fine Christian man, doing a most excellent work. Yes, but she also saw and realized that the danger confronting such a man was that of being so absorbed in the question of anti-slavery that he might forget his own soul. A man can be so busy preaching in pulpits that he forgets and neglects his own soul. After you have attended all your meetings, and denounced Communism until you can scarcely speak, after you have dealt with your apolo­getics, and displayed your wonderful knowledge of theology and your understanding of the times, and your complete map of the next fifty years, and after you have read all the transla­tions of the Bible, and have shown your proficiency in a knowledge of its mechanics, I still ask you: 'What about your relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ?' You know a great deal more than you did a year ago; but do you know Him better? You denounce many wrong things; but do you love Him more? Your knowledge of the Bible and its translations has become quite astounding, and you are an expert in apologetics; but are you obeying the law of God and of Christ increasingly? Is the fruit of the Spirit more and more manifest and evident in your life? Those are the questions ... to 'know Him', and to 'be like' Him. If anything takes the place of that, we are on the wrong road. All these other things are means to bring us to knowledge of Him, and if we stay with them they are robbing us of Him.” D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones in Studies in the Sermon on the Mount, ii,, pp. 292-3, Eerdmans Publishers, Grand Rapids, MI.

Speaking of Wilberforce, the movie Amazing Grace appears to be an interesting, accurate and wholesome story of his work, and friendship with John Newton, produced by the makers of Narnia. I distrust Hollywood to produce much that a Christian can relate to. This may be an exception. I know, if nothing else, the site has a very important link; the Olney Hymnbook that John Newton put together. It has some great old hymns. Not only Amazing Grace, but also Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken, etc., and most are by John Newton.  Note: they are structured different than hymnbooks today, but they are very good hymns that honor God.

Glorious things of thee are spoken, Zion, city of our God!

He, whose word cannot be broken, Formed thee for his own abode:

On the rock of ages founded, What can shake thy sure repose?

With salvation’s walls surrounded Thou may’st smile at all thy foes.

See! The streams of living waters Springing from eternal love;

Well supply thy sons and daughters, And all fear of want remove.

  The sites are definitely worth a look.

The hymnbook: http://www.amazinggracemovie.com/_pdf/Olney_Hymns.pdf

The web site:  http://www.amazinggracemovie.com/

               

                   SOME THOUGHTS FROM JOHN NEWTON

“I saw One hanging on a tree, in agonies and blood; who fixed His languid eyes on me as near His cross I stood. Sure, never 'til my latest breath, can I forget that look. It seemed to charge me with His death though not a word He spoke.

My conscience owned and felt the guilt, and plunged me in despair; I saw my sins His blood had shed, and helped to nail Him there. Alas, I knew not what I did, but all my tears were vain; where could my trembling soul be hid, for I the Lord had slain! A second look He gave, that said, I freely all forgive. This blood is for thy ransom paid, I died that thou mayest live.”

“Whoever has been truly humbled will not be easily angry, nor harsh or critical of others. He will be compassionate and tender to the infirmities of his fellow-sinners, knowing that if there is a difference – it is grace alone which has made it! He knows that he has the seeds of every evil in his own heart. And under all trials and afflictions he will look to the hand of the Lord, and lay his mouth in the dust, acknowledging that he suffers much less than his iniquities have deserved.”     - John Newton (1725-1807)

NEVER---J.C. RYLE (1816-1900)

Stick to that word “never.” It is worth its weight in gold. Cling to it as a drowning man clings to a rope. Grasp it firmly, as a soldier attacked on all sides grasps his sword. God has said, and will stand to it, “I will never leave you!”

“Never!” Though your heart often faints, and you are sick of self, and your many failures and infirmities; even then the promise will not fail.

“Never!” Though the devil whispers, ‘I shall have you at last! In little while, your faith will fail, and you will be mine!’ Even then, God will keep his Word.

“Never!” Though waves of trouble go over your head, and all hope seems taken away. Even then the Word of God will stand.

“Never!” When the cold chill of death is creeping over you and friends can do no more, and you are starting on that journey from which there is no return. Even then—Christ will not forsake you.

“Never!” When the Day of Judgment comes, and the books are opened, and the dead are rising from their graves and eternity is beginning. Even then the promise will bear all your weight. Christ will not leave his hold on your soul.

HALLELUJAH WHAT A SAVIOUR!!--W.F. BELL

(I wanted to share this article with you that may not have read it. It is outstanding IMHO. One of W.F.'s best writings. May it be used by the Lord to exalt the Lord Jesus Christ in our eyes. Amen!)

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:11).  What glorious words these were, heralded by "the angel of the Lord" to those Judean shepherds some two thousand years ago!  There are many today who can quote this verse about Christ's birth, yet how few there are who really know what it means.  Do you really know the purpose for the Lord Jesus Christ coming into this world?  Well, the text tells us in no uncertain terms just why Jesus was born -- He came as "a Saviour."

WHY WE NEED A SAVIOUR

Most people are totally unaware that they need Christ to save them. "Saved from what?,” many in the world boastfully ask. It is a good question, and needs answering clearly.  We need to be saved because by nature, by choice, and by practice we are sinners in the sight of a holy God.  Scripture repeatedly affirms this:

"They have all turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is none who does good, no, not one" (Psalm 14:3).  "Truly every man at his best state is altogether vanity" (Psalm 39:5).  "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity; and in sin my mother conceived me" (Psalm 51:5).  "For there is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin" (Ecclesiastes 7:20).  "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" (Jeremiah 17:9).

These inspired verses plainly declare man's total depravity (corruption) before the Most High God.  Even though you may think you are essentially good, it is not so.  "There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who seeks after God.  There is none who does good, no, not one" (Romans 3:10-12). We must believe God's verdict against the entire human race, confessing that we are by nature nothing but "wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores" (Isaiah 1:6), and that we deserve only "wrath" and "the righteous judgment of God" (Romans 2:5).  Eternal destruction awaits all the impenitent (Matthew 5:22; 25:41,46).  And for this reason Christ Jesus came, for "Jesus" means "Saviour," for the work of Christ actually does "save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21), thus all of God's elect are saved from God's holy wrath (Romans 5:9).

HOW THE SAVIOUR SAVES US

You are not here being informed what you must do to save yourself.  No such God-dishonoring advice will be given here!  "Salvation is of the Lord" (Jonah 2:9), both in its origin and completion, in its conception and accomplishment.  Men do not do their part to help Jesus save them.   Our Lord Jesus Christ is the only Saviour of sinners!  We do not in any sense add to His substitutionary work (2 Corinthians 5:21).  If He does not save you, you will be eternally lost!  But the blood of Christ shed at Calvary actually redeems every single one of those given to Him in covenant by His Father.  "I have finished the work which you have given me to do," prayed our great Redeemer (John 17:4).  And we are "redeemed" to God "with the precious blood of Christ" (I Peter 1:18-20; 3:18).

Yes, God the Father elected a people (Ephesians 1:4; 2 Thessalonians 2:13), God the Son redeemed that same number (John 10:14-16; 17:2, 9-10, 19-20), and God the Holy Spirit invincibly and effectually calls each one of them (and no more) to experientially partake of this salvation, by His quickening and regenerating power (John 3:3-8; 6:37, 44, 63, 65; Titus 3:5). We willingly and gladly repent of our sins and believe on Christ after regeneration, for then we have a nature capable of performing these spiritual acts, which the natural man does not have. Repentance and faith are both gifts or graces of the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:31; 11:18; Ephesians 2:8-10; Philippians 2:13).  "And how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God" (I Thessalonians 1:9).

Man is fallen and sinful, but God is free and sovereign. No fallen creature can save himself or help save himself.  "Salvation belongs unto the Lord. Your blessing is upon your people" (Psalm 3:8).  Man does not earn salvation, but is simply the recipient of it, by sovereign love, sovereign mercy, and sovereign grace. "So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy" (Romans 9:16).  That spells sovereignty!  God is absolutely sovereign in salvation.

WHAT A SAVIOUR IS KING JESUS

The Lord of life and glory came to this earth as a Babe to Bethlehem's manger. He lived a perfect and sinless life, magnified and honored God's holy law in every detail, then died a substitutionary death for His sheep (Isaiah 53:6), was buried, rose again the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3-4), ascended back to heaven, and now intercedes for His own (Hebrews 7:25). At an appointed day and hour (known only to God, Matthew 24:36), "this same Jesus" (Acts 1:11) will return to this earth "with power and great glory" (Matthew 24:30), for He is even now "King of kings, and Lord of lords" (I Timothy 1:17; 6:15; 19:16).

Truly, the Bible only knows of one Saviour, the One announced to the shepherds long ago (Luke 2:11). Notice that this "Saviour" is "Christ the Lord." The Saviourhood of Christ is never to be separated from His Lordship.  He saves because He has power to save (Isaiah 63:1), and because He is God (Titus 3:4, "God our Saviour," and 3:6, "Jesus Christ our Saviour").  No less than twenty-four times does the New Testament denominate Christ as "Saviour."  If He saves, and He alone, then certainly He is to have all the praise! "Worthy is the Lamb" (Revelation 5:9-14), not "worthy is the will of man," or "worthy is the creature."  Many sing, "Jesus Saves," but really don't believe it!

We were lost, but Christ finds us (Luke 15:3-7). We were dead, but King Jesus gives us life (John 5:21, Ephesians 2:1,5). We were blind, but the Lord gives us sight and light (2 Corinthians 4:4-6).  "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10).  Christ came not "to seek to save" or to save those who "seek" Him, but to actually "seek and save" His people, "lost" in Adam's fall.  Oh poor sinners, trust Him, look to Him, and to Him only, for "None but Jesus, none but Jesus, can do helpless sinners good."

"Man of sorrows," what a name!  For the Son of God who came!  Ruined sinners to reclaim!  Hallelujah!  What a Saviour!

MAKE HIS PRAISE GLORIOUS- CHARLES SPURGEON

“Sing forth the honour of his name, make his praise glorious” Psalm 66:2

IT IS NOT LEFT to our own option whether we shall praise God or not. Praise is God’s most righteous due, and every Christian, as the recipient of his grace, is bound to praise God from day to day. It is true we have no authoritative rubric for daily praise; we have no commandment prescribing certain hours of song and thanksgiving: but the law written upon the heart teaches us that it is right to praise God; and the unwritten mandate comes to us with as much force as if it had been recorded on the tables of stone, or handed to us from the top of thundering Sinai. Yes, it is the Christian’s duty to praise God. It is not only a pleasurable exercise, but it is the absolute obligation of his life.

Think not ye who are always mourning, that ye are guiltless in this respect, or imagine that ye can discharge your duty to your God without songs of praise. You are bound by the bonds of his love to bless his name so long as you live, and his praise should continually be in your mouth, for you are blessed, in order that you may bless him; “this people have I formed for myself, they shall show forth my praise”; and if you do not praise God, you are not bringing forth the fruit which he, as the Divine Husbandman, has a right to expect at your hands. Let not your harp then hang upon the willows, but take it down, and strive, with a grateful heart, to bring forth its loudest music. Arise and chant his praise. With every morning’s dawn, lift up your notes of thanksgiving, and let every setting sun be followed with your song. Girdle the earth with your praises; surround it with an atmosphere of melody, and God himself will hearken from heaven and accept your music.

“E’en so I love thee, and will love,

And in thy praise will sing,

Because thou art my loving God,

And my redeeming King.”

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EVANGELICAL PREACHERS---CHARLES SPURGEON

We have nowadays around us a class of men who preach Christ, and even preach the gospel; but then they preach a great deal else which is not true, and thus they destroy the good of all that they deliver, and lure men to error.

They would be styled “evangelical” and yet be of the school which is really anti-evangelical. Look well to these gentlemen. I have heard that a fox, when close hunted by the dogs, will pretend to be one of them, and run with the pack.

That is what certain are aiming at just now: the foxes would seem to be dogs. But in the case of the fox, his strong scent betrays him, and the dogs soon find him out; and even so, the scent of false doctrine is not easily concealed, and the game does not answer for long.

There are extant ministers of whom we scarce can tell whether they are dogs or foxes; but all men shall know our quality as long as we live, and they shall be in no doubt as to what we believe and teach.

We shall not hesitate to speak in the strongest Saxon words we can find, and in the plainest sentences we can put together, that which we hold as fundamental truth.

BE NEITHER LIBERTINES NOR LEGALISTS---THOMAS BOSTON

As ye will not be libertines in your life and practice, being dead to sin and the world with Christ; so ye will not be legalists in your life and practice neither, being also dead with him to the law as a covenant of works. Your obedience will run in another channel than it did before your union with Christ, even in the channel of the gospel. Ye will serve in newness of spirit, in faith and love. The frowns of a merciful Father will be a terror to you to frighten you from sin; love and gratitude will prompt you to obedience. The grieving of the Spirit of a Saviour will be a spring of sorrow to you; and his atoning blood and perfect righteousness will be the spring-head of all your comfort before the Lord; your good works but streams thereof, as they evidence your saving interest in these, are accepted through them, and glorify God your Saviour.

Ye will not continue to serve in the oldness of the letter, as before; at what time the law was the spring of all the obedience ye performed; fear of the punishment of hell for your sins, and hope of the reward of heaven’s happiness for your duties, being the weights that made you go, though for all them you often stopped; your sorrows springing from your ill works, under the influence of the law allenarly; and your comforts from your good works, under the same influence; ye being alive to the law and dead to Christ. Romans vii. 6, “But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.” If by faith you wholly rely on Christ’s righteousness, the holiness of his nature, the righteousness of his life, and his satisfaction for sin, how is it possible but ye must be dead to the law? for "the law is not of faith" Galatians iii. 12. But if you perform your obedience for life and salvation, looking for acceptance with God on the account of your works, you go in a way directly opposite to the way of faith, and either altogether reject Christ’s satisfying of the law, or else impute imperfection unto his payment of the bond. And “Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace,” Galatians v. 4.
 

—Thomas Boston(1676-1732) “A View of the Covenant of Grace”