“ A Blessed Man Granted the Light of God ” Amen brother Tom. Jesus came not to destroy but to fulfill that holy law of God. And indeed He came even to magnify the law, meaning to expand, to clarify, to increase in scope. For what purpose? So that those who would seek to establish their own self righteousness under the law, which is rightly condemnable and an impossibility (Galatians 2:16; 3:11), would have their mouths silenced before God who alone is just, righteous and holy. See then how Christ magnified that law to shut all self righteous, self boasting mouths: for He declared adultery is not just a mere physical act, but even looking at others to whom we are not married with lust in our hearts is sinful (Matt. 5:27-28). Christ also said murder is not a mere physical act either, but even when we hate or are angry at others, even reviling them (“you fool!”) are under judgment and in sin’s grip (Matt. 5:21-22). God’s law is not simply about the letter to convict us, but God’s Spirit that exposes the depravity in our souls. I love how you put it Tom, the Blessed Man is he who has been awoken to the true nature of his state and flesh: that all we can produce by our own faculties is sin and sinful. Knowing and swing that should drive us to the throne of grace and cling to the only Savior of sinners, the Lord Jesus Christ
“ Amen, Salvation BELONGS to our Lord Jesus Christ ” Amen! Wonderful Gospel truths. 2 verses I would add for meditation are: Revelation 7:10 and Matt. 7:24. In Rev. 7:10, God’s people rejoice and acknowledge clearly “Salvation BELONGS to our God, who sits on the throne and to the Lamb.” This is 100% acknowledgment of God’s ultimate sovereignty. If salvation belongs to God and is totally determined by Him, then this is just another way off saying salvation is by His will alone, not man’s actions or choices. If something belongs to me, I can dispose of it however I please. Sure, someone may petition me and make their case to try and persuade me, but I alone have the final say-so. Rest assured, if you belong to God in Christ, your salvation is 100% secure for none, not even the devil himself, can dissuade God to revoke what God has mercifully bestowed by His sovereign grace. This leads to Matt. 7:24, which tells of the man who heeds Christ’s teachings and is one who builds his house on the Rock. Contrast this with him who builds on loose sand, which is a picture of a man who relies on himself, who is and was created from mere, weak dust. He who relies instead on the Rock is assured for it is firm, not porous, flaky or blown by the wind. It shall be well with that man’s soul for His Rock shall not be shaken in that Day. Amen.
“ Not in Outward Signs, But That Still Small Voice ” Amen dear Pastor. We are called to worship Him in spirit and truth. A brief warning: 2 Thess. 2:1-4 and Matt. 24:23-26 remind us one day many will seek a messiah and announce him in the wilderness or remote areas, until he arrives in a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem as “god”. But these will all be false christs and antichrist, who place confidence in the flesh. Sadly many today look to vain images of what they think is Christ, often in their preferred ethnicity or race. They are easy prey to Satan’s devices for they seek one who “looks godly” or even beautiful. Recall God’s charge against Samuel for this same foolish thinking by presuming one of Jesse’s more handsome sons would be king. Yet it was small and ruddy David whom God chose: “man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart.” (1 Sam. 16:7). So beware the devil appearing as an angel, even as his ministers (2 Cor. 11:14-15). I also agree during some church services we may not “feel” God’s presence. For me, I presumed strong sense of peace, joy or love were indicative God among His people. And while that may be some of the most obvious signs this side of heaven, I was reminded like Elijah, 1 Kings 19:11-13, it’s not in the fire, earthquake or whirlwind but that small whisper that God makes His presence known.
“ Amen, We Have a Sure Gospel and Blessed Hope ” Amen dear Pastor, amen! I greatly enjoyed your perspective in breaking down why we indeed have the 4 separate accounts from Christ’s Apostles of the Gospel chronicles. I had never heard it explained from those angles but now see them with even greater insight and appreciation. I’m also drawn back to the statement in Deuteronomy 19:15 which has to do with establishing matters of criminality or offense on the basis of 2-3 eyewitnesses. How much more glorious then the witness of 4 men inspired by the Holy Spirit to faithfully record what they saw, touched and heard. Moreover each man was skilled or trained in various professions, so knowing some of that background also helps us observe why certain events or details stood out more to one writer than the other, but all accounts are factually consistent. From fishermen to tax collectors and even a physician (doctor), Christ was well attested by all kinds of men who could not deny Jesus is the promised Messiah, who fulfilled all that was prophesied in His first advent for the salvation of His people.
“ Left Me in Tears of Joy and Praise ” Thank you Brother Tom for this powerful and beautiful sermon of our Savior’s divine estimation of His Bride, the Church, His elect saints whom He chose before the foundation of the world to be His peculiar people, His royal priesthood, His holy heritage. Brought me to tears and humble adoration of Christ, whose own precious blood was applied to our account for salvation and enjoy His eternal fellowship. Something I wanted to share may help others understand just how precious that blood truly is. Think about this: this world’s financiers and trade experts assign values to commodities and materials often and largely based around rarity and quality. Consider how much value is assigned to “precious metals”, jewels, etc. The more rare and higher quality, the more value it is given. Same can be said of certain currencies, this is why inflation soars when there is an excess of paper money flooding economies without a balance of products, materials or goods to back it up. How rare and of what quality should we therefore assign the blood of God’s only begotten Son? The most rare and of the utmost divine quality. What should that tell us then of how God esteems those for whom He gave His Only Son? We love because He first loved us, we are precious because He is most precious.
“ Saved Sinners ” One of the greatest truths a Christian believer will ever come to recognize or truly grasp is that we are nothing more and nothing less than SAVED SINNERS. In other words, we are first Participants by our fallen nature into this sinful humanity deserving just punishment and yet an elect, chosen and undeserving group “set aside”, reserved, kept thru God’s choice, purpose, and grace to be Recipients of His mercy and love. This sermon also brings to mind that wondrous promise in 1 John 3:2 “ Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is. ” Notice John identifies Christians in the Present tense as “children of God”, and Paul elsewhere calls us saints and “heirs with Christ”. But we do not understand what we “will be” (Future tense). There is an old adage often stated many different ways but I’ll rephrase it straightly which says, “It’s not where you start that’s important, but how you finish that counts.” Even as Hebrews 11 confesses OT patrons “died in faith”, finished their course in faith. We can’t fully know our final state from this flesh anymore than a caterpillar knows it will transform into a butterfly, but it is certain to keep growing til that Day come.
“ Rich with many Gospel Truths! ” Definitely one of my favorite sermons on this forum to date. Pastor Tom unpacks so many precious Gospel promises for the believer, it is a small but powerful glimpse of profound soteriological theology in just 30 mins. The passage from Jeremiah 50:20 should point NT scholars straight to Romans 11 which confesses the same message: God is totally sovereign in salvation and it is thru His grace alone any are saved. As Jer. 50:20 describes a “remnant” whose sins are covered, so too does Paul describe 7,000 souls “kept” or reserved by God’s grace from falling away and serving Baal. Hallelujah! The analogy of the care given to the eye was equally edifying dear Pastor. And brought to mind 1 Cor. 12:22, which says “the parts of the body that seem weaker are indispensable” as alluding to the makeup of the Body of Christ. Not one of us who believes on Christ is forgotten, neglected or cast aside, for even those who might consider themselves mere eyes or hairs in this blessed family of God are invaluable and honored for the sake of the Head, which is Christ Jesus our Lord. All glory and honor to the one who sustains us and gives us life in His body to do all His good pleasure. Amen and Thank You.
“ Great Sermon! ” Wonderful Gospel truths to be shared and consumed by our brethren dear brother Tom! As Christ declared in John 19:30 as He hung crucified and broken for our sins before His precious mortal life was extinguished, “It is finished.” Yet many don’t even understand what that means and still work in vain to add to God’s perfect and completed work of atonement for His people. Seeking to add or further perfect Christ’s work as if it were lacking anything is an utter disgrace and proves those who would attempt such folly to be unconverted disbelievers that blaspheme His name and sacrifice. And they indeed shall be rejected of God and commanded to depart the throne of grace and face the fiery torments of self-righteous condemnation, alone and without God for they never surrendered to His righteousness and truth. God be ever praised and glorified in His saints who hope alone in His salvation and meritorious victory on their behalf! How blessed are they whose sins have been washed and covered by the Lamb’s blood and who shall inherit the kingdom and enter His holy city with rejoicing and thanksgiving! Hallelujah!
“ Sobering, Powerful Truth of God’s Preserving Grace ” You spoke straight to this foolish sinner’s heart dear brother Tom. How often do we take for granted some of the basic but essential promises of our God and lover of our souls? If we could stop and consider for a moment that there are hundreds and thousands of people just like us who leave their homes without a care in the world, going about their business, and wind up in awful circumstances, maimed, beaten, dead or forgotten. Just as you described dear Pastor, this sobering thought at the careful protection and eye of our holy Mediator at preserving our going out and coming back home should be a major blessing that causes us to fall on our knees in gratitude, worship and praise, let alone the countless other blessings bestowed on us in abundant grace in Christ. May God be pleased to use each of us according to His wise and Sovereign counsel to fulfill His will and purpose in bringing all our brothers and sisters into His kingdom, and find our ultimate refuge and peace in His steadfast love. Thank you Pastor.
“ You are heaven bound Brother Tom ” Dear Bro Tom, that hurt my heart to hear your testimony of your aunt that would dare condemn you for simply desiring the truth of Christ’s saving Gospel rather than staying puffed up on the pride of our own self righteous works. As you cited “ There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” (Proverbs 14:12). Note the word describes “a way”, and indeed men have many ways who do they each consider in their vanity as the right preferable way. Yet it was Christ Himself who said He is THE WAY, The Truth and The Life. There is only way to heaven and that is in and through the righteous blood and atonement of God’s only begotten Son. All other ways are false, self-deluding distractions that lead to condemnation and are an offense unto the God of heaven. May the Gospel you preach save them for whom it was sent, and may God reassure your heart and their hearts in the face of false accusers under the sway of the devil.
“ Wonderful Word from God ” This is a wonderful word from the LORD, thank you Brother Tom. And when I think of those verses in Ephesians 2:6-7 of our heavenly reality in eternity now, it reminds me of dinner banquet where you have a reserved spot at the table. This is how our place with Christ is described, for our life and treasure are hid in Him and shall be revealed when He returns in glory. Amen, blessed is the King of kings and Lord of lords who has invited us to the marriage supper and made all things ready for us, even dressing us in holy apparel of His righteousness, that we might behold, worship and praise Him who has done all things well. Hallelujah!
“ Amen! Morality does not equal Righteousness ” Powerful and edifying sermon dear brother Tom! Thank you for being such a faithful minister of Christ’s grace and Gospel to a spiritually blind and deaf world. But your statement that “morality does not equal righteousness” is so profound and is indeed a major mistake many people, religious and irreligious alike, foolishly assuming it will be enough to get them past God’s just scrutiny and assessment. The problem is we humans are tainted by sin, not even just physically as our bodies decay from corruption of disease but especially in our natural “moral” instincts and inclinations that are habitually selfward. Therefore as you and other astute theologians have observed, our so-called morality is deceptively biased, subjective and graded on a curve. We are too easy on ourselves and too critical of God and His standards. Just as the exchange between God and Israel in Ezekiel 18 reveals, sinful depraved man wants a free ride even if he chooses to remain in sin, but which God declares must be judged and punished. Man wants to be remembered for the so called good he “has done”; God says it doesn’t matter what you did but what you are still doing. Repentance and becoming like Christ are ongoing, but men want an “overall score” of morality which will never equal out in their favor.
“ Jesus Christ Is To Be Preached ” This message from 1990 is superb and still relevant. The pastor clarified what Acts 2 was really about instead of what the Pentecostal Movement teaches today. The Holy Spirit is to glorify Christ and not to be put above Christ. Today one of the leading "religious" television networks declares itself to be Pentecostal and it presents people who say they have gone to heaven and hell and returned, they say they have had messages and visions from the Holy Spirit in dreams, and this network does not line up accurately with what the Bible teaches but operates on emotionalism. This network does not teach the true gospel. Millions are following these lies and giving them millions of dollars. God Is Not Mocked.
5/27/2023 10:15 AM
