March 18^th . 2018

9:30 am ---------------------------------------------------------Imputation – Romans 4

10:00 am -----------------------------------Children, Have Ye Any Meat? – John 21

Gospel-Hardened – by Charles Spurgeon

Before I dismiss you, I would like to press home to each one the question, “Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ? Has the gospel become a glorious gospel to you?” I do not know you as I know my own people; but when I look along my galleries, I mourn over those who have been hearing the word ten years and are the same as if they never heard it. I suppose there are some of you in the like case; and my esteemed brother, Mr. Tucker, must cast his eye around the gallery and the area and see many who have grown GOSPEL-HARDENED. It is a horrible thing to think of! The same sun that melts wax, hardens clay; and to some hearts the gospel becomes the savour of death unto death. If nothing comes of this morning’s service but making everyone inquire how it is with his own soul, if it shall only constrain you to go to your solitary chamber and shut the door and ask, “O Lord, let me know this glorious gospel; I have not understood it up till now, for it has not been glorious to me. Do make it so to me this day, that I may be saved!” My heart will be very glad if such shall be the case.

“Take Heed To Yourselves” - Words of Warning From The Lord

“ Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.” – Luke21:34-35

The Lord cautions His disciples against security and sensuality, by which they would unfit themselves for the trying times that were coming on, and make them to be a great surprise and terror to them (v. 34, 35): Take heed to yourselves. This is the word of command given to all Christ's disciples: "Take heed to yourselves, that you be not overpowered by temptations, nor betrayed by your own corruptions." Note, We cannot be safe if we be secure. It concerns us at all times, but especially at some times, to be very cautious. See here, 1. What our danger is: that the day of death and judgment should come upon us unawares, when we do not expect it, and are not prepared for it,—lest, when we are called to meet our Lord, that be found the furthest thing from our thoughts which ought always to be laid nearest our hearts, lest it come upon us as a snare; for so it will come upon the most of men, who dwell upon the earth, and mind earthly things only, and have no converse with heaven; to them it will be as a snare (See Eccl. 9:12). It will be a terror and a destruction to them; it will put them into an inexpressible fright, and hold them fast for a doom yet more frightful. 2. What our duty is, in consideration of this danger: we must take heed lest our hearts be overcharged, lest they be burdened and overloaded, and so unfitted and disabled to do what must be done in preparation for death and judgment. Two things we must watch against, lest our hearts be overcharged with them

(1.) The indulging of the appetites of the body, and allowing of ourselves in the gratifications of sense to an excess: Take heed lest you be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness, the immoderate use of meat and drink, which burden the heart, not only with the guilt thereby contracted, but by the ill influence which such disorders of the body have upon the mind; they make men dull and lifeless to their duty, dead and listless in their duty; they stupefy the conscience, and cause the mind to be unaffected with those things that are most affecting.

(2.) The inordinate pursuit of the good things of this world. The heart is overcharged with the cares of this life. The former is the snare of those that are given to their pleasures: this is the snare of the men of business, that will be rich. We have need to guard on both hands, not only lest at the time when death comes, but lest at any time our hearts should be thus overcharged. Our caution against sin, and our care of our own souls, must be constant. – Matthew Henry’s Commentaries

“Love as brethren”– 1 Peter 3:8

David and Jonathan were not blood kin, but were closer than brothers. They were two men saved by grace, with true grace in their hearts; with the love of God shed abroad in their hearts, which made them love one another. They were totally devoted to one another, loyal and faithful. Jonathan wouldn’t tolerate any slander of his brother David, not even from his father, Saul. He knew David, loved David, thought the best of David, and defended his brother at all times.