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Evangelical Repentance
This is God’s method of saving sinners by Jesus Christ. Those who know the preciousness of Christ have a regard to the glory of God, and love for immortal souls, make this the rule of their preaching: for this doctrine, where it is known and experienced in the heart, makes a true Christian. Evangelical repentance flows from a seeing eye, a hearing ear, and an understanding heart; and is an evidence and effect of gospel faith. To see the evil nature and dreadful effects of sin, its punishment in the sufferings of Jesus; to hear the curses and condemnation of the law against sinners, its dreadful thunders and
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The Regenerative Power Of The Holy Spirit
Sin, salvation, death, judgment, eternity, though matters of the highest moment and utmost importance to us, yet we are apt to think of them with little concern, to speak of them with great indifference, and treat the consideration of them as Felix did Paul: ‘Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season I will send for thee.’ Acts 24:25. And yet perhaps such have long sat under a preached gospel, hugely cry up and applaud the preacher, and are ready to condemn others who do not see and admire the excellency of the man. But alas, what are the most excellent words of man without the power of the Spirit? Light as air, ineffectual to soul-saving purposes, as sounding brass or…
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The Mysterious Work Of The Holy Spirit
It is very remarkable to notice that in two successive chapters in John’s Gospel, our Lord preaches a sermon to just one person. In this case it was to a man called Nicodemus, who probably, because of the fear of man, did not want to be known as a follower or a hearer of the Lord Jesus Christ. Nicodemus came to Jesus by night and began to enquire about the things of God. In the next chapter, we have the woman of Samaria. Whereas Nicodemus was a very religious man; a man looked up to, no doubt, as being a guide to others, the woman of Samaria, although cloaked with some form of religion which she professed, had been leading an immoral life for many…
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And The Spirit Of God Moved Upon The Face Of The Waters
Dear friends, you have just sung that “God moves.” (Hymn 320). And when God moves, something is always done. It was so in this chapter. Every time the dear Spirit moved, and God spoke, something came to pass. It is very trying and troubling to God’s people when He does not seem to move and when He seems to be silent. Those periods are very trying to a living child of God. It is then they feel at a loss, and rather like God’s servant Jacob in Isaiah 40: “Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, my way is hid from the LORD, and my judgment is passed over from my God?” But the good prophet, inspired by the Holy Ghost, knowing Genesis…
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Called By A New Name
This is predicted of the church of God; which, according to covenant-transactions of the glorious Trinity, stands in the nearest and dearest relation to Jesus her head. She is here spoken of as a single person, ‘Thou.’ She is called ‘Christ’s body,’ and ‘the bride, the Lamb’s wife.’ (Rev. 21:9) Of whom, saith God the Father, ‘I have loved thee with an everlasting love.’ (Jer. 31:3.) Yea, saith the Son of God to his Father, of all his beloved members, ‘Thou hast loved them as thou hast loved me; and thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.’ (John 17:23,24.) Oh most comforting truths of God’s word: how ancient is the love of God to his church! That God should love us miserable sinners…
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The Dying Thief
Was there ever such a display of the riches of sovereign grace! Nothing but grace reigns here! Man’s merit has no part. Just consider the character of the dying thief. He is described as a malefactor, an evil doer. Whenever I have mentioned the dying thief over the years, and we have had visitors from Holland, they have always been surprised, because they say that the Dutch version speaks of him as the murderer, the dying murderer. He had nothing, not one claim upon the justice of God or the mercy of God. If you look in one of the other gospels, we are told that both the thieves reviled the dying Saviour, casting scorn upon Him, saying, “If Thou be the Son of God,…
