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The Sun Returned Ten Degrees
Once again we have an embarrassment of riches in this passage. It is like a Russian doll of miracles; miracle within miracle, wonder within wonder. Yet the miracles are only the start. ‘The writing of Hezekiah’, this confession of the king in his sickness and upon his recovery, is full of spiritual wisdom and the earnest wrestling of a child of God. In facing his own mortality this dying man opened his heart and his mouth to the Saviour whom he loved and bequeathed to the church a blessed testimony of God’s grace, faithfulness and mercy. A lesson for all time Because the phrase ‘in those days’ is somewhat imprecise it is not clear exactly when this sickness afflicted Hezekiah, or indeed the order of…
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Spread It Before The LORD
FOR A COMPLETE ORDER OF WORSHIP, INCLUDING BIBLE READING, HYMNS AND SERMON...
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My Prototype Of The Sovereign Grace Framework
I use for the backdrop of my teaching ministry something called the Framework of Sovereign Grace. It is a diagram designed to illustrate the masterplan of God for the ages. This diagram emerged around ten years ago while expounding the ninth chapter of Paul's letter to the Romans. Initially, it served as an aid to my own understanding of sovereign grace and the biblical covenants. However, it wasn't long before I incorporated it into my teaching ministry. Visual aids have always been an essential tool for my learning, and while not everyone may be a fan, I am encouraged by men such as William Perkins and John Bunyan, both of whom illustrated their framework of teachings with a diagram. My framework differs from theirs, but…
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Joshua’s Three Point Sermon
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Spread It Before The LORD
Our passage begins a section of four historical chapters (Isaiah 36-39) that supply a link between the first and second parts of Isaiah’s prophecy. These chapters are almost identical to passages in 2 Kings 18-20 and rather than being prophetic relate to incidents in the life of Hezekiah, king of Judah. The first two chapters conclude Isaiah’s references to Assyria which had long been the dominant military power in the region. The latter two signal the beginning of a new series of prophecies concerning the Babylonian Empire. These prophecies provide Isaiah’s readers with still grander views of the coming Messiah and the glory and power of God in salvation.
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Book 3: Chapter 19, Of Christian Liberty
We are now to treat of Christian Liberty, the explanation of which certainly ought not to be omitted by any one proposing to give a compendious summary of Gospel doctrine. For it is a matter of primary necessity, one without the knowledge of which the conscience can scarcely attempt any thing without hesitation, in many must demur and fluctuate, and in all proceed with fickleness and trepidation. In particular, it forms a proper appendix to Justification, and is of no little service in understanding its force. Nay, those who seriously fear God will hence perceive the incomparable advantages of a doctrine which wicked scoffers are constantly assailing with their jibes; the intoxication of mind under which they labour leaving their petulance without restraint. This, therefore,…