HONORING GOD

“He that honoreth not the Son honoreth not the Father which hath sent him." (John 5:23)

Faith in Christ honors God. Those who truly believe on Christ honor God in His character, His attributes, His purpose, His holiness, His justice and His faithfulness. That which does not honor God will not save. All men are commanded to honor God by believing on His Son. True faith follows Christ and serves Him and all who believe shall be honored of God. "If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor." (John 12:26) But Christ said, "How can ye believe, which receive honor one of another and seek not the honor that cometh from God only?" (John 5:44) Men by nature seek the approval and honor of men more than of God. Therefore they can be satisfied with any Gospel that is generally accepted rather than the Gospel of God's grace in Christ that enables God to be both just and the Justifier, thus honoring Him. Salvation by the imputed righteousness of Christ honors God because it is God that gives it, approves it, and accepts it. Salvation by the blood of Christ honors God because it pleased God to shed it, to honor His justice by it and to pay the sin debt of His elect. Salvation by the Spirit of Christ honors God because He effectually calls His people and successfully applies it in them. Salvation by the risen Christ honors God because He lives and makes intercession for the redeemed at the right hand of God, eternally securing this salvation on behalf of every believer. God has placed His honor in the mediatorial work of the Lord Jesus Christ and in His accomplished work God is honored. A person who does not know how Christ honored God in His death on the cross under God's justice cannot believe on Christ. Believing not, he honors not the Son. Honoring not the Son he honors not the Father. Universal redemption, freewill, conditional election, works salvation and all beliefs that render Christ's work to be less than a success or partially dependent on man are not honoring to the Son but dishonoring. True faith is in Christ who obtained eternal redemption. That is His honor and glory!

Gary Shepard

Oh! If the love of Christ were but in us, as the love of the world is in base worldlings, it would make us wholly despise this world, it would make us to forget it, as worldly love makes a man forget God.

Isaac Ambrose

God hath, in Himself, all power to defend you, all wisdom to direct you, all mercy to pardon you, all grace to enrich you, all righteousness to clothe you, all goodness to supply you, and all happiness to crown you.

Thomas Brooks

I see no reason why, this day, if God willed it, I should not stand up here and preach a sermon which should be the means of converting every person who hears it. THE WORD OF GOD is able to convict, convince of sin, and reveal Christ just as extensively as God the Spirit is pleased to apply it. If God is able to call one or two, he is just as able to call a hundred. The same sermon which God blesses to ten, if He pleased, He could bless to a thousand. I am sure that the Holy Spirit is able to make the word successful and effectual; and the reason why it is hidden from so many and revealed to some is still, "Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Thy sight." My brethren, if we had the Holy Spirit on our ministry, it would matter very little about our talent. Men might be poor and uneducated; their words might be broken and ungrammatical; but if there were the might of the Holy Spirit attending their words, the most humble preacher would be as successful as Peter at Pentecost. It is the Spirit of grace, not talent, that wins the day. Mental power may fill a building, but only spiritual power can give a new heart. Spirit of the living God, we need Thee. Without Thee, we can do nothing. Make Thy word to be effectual this day to every heart, for the glory of our Lord Jesus.

C. H. Spurgeon, 1856

FUN OR HAPPINESS?

One of Satan's most subtle deceptions, particularly with the young, is that fun and happiness are the same thing. I haven't a thing to say against fun. But it is a very dangerous thing to confuse fun with happiness or to think that fun necessarily leads to happiness. Fun is something we DO; happy is something we ARE. All men seek happiness, and there is nothing wrong with that; in fact, salvation ends in perfect happiness. But Satan deceives us by confusing fun with happiness; and by that lie he has kept many busy all their lives pursuing happiness by fun and preventing them from finding happiness in Christ. But, if when the fun is over, you are not still happy, you never were; and you will never be happy until you are made happy in Christ. Many in hell will be able to truthfully say, "I had fun." But only those in glory will be able to say, "I am happy!"

Joe Terrell

HIGH TREASON

Not to believe the Gospel is high treason against the Lord of glory. It is not merely, as some would have it, a free exercise of opinion concerning religion. According to Scripture, unbelief is refusal to obey the command of the God who made us, I John 3:23. According to Scripture, unbelief is a capital crime, carrying with it the sentence of death, John 3:18; 8:24. According to Scripture, unbelief is calling God a liar, I John 5:10. According to Scripture, we all are born in unbelief and will remain in that wretched state unless God grants us both life and faith by His Sovereign will. If you are in unbelief, do not deceive yourself; you are a traitor against your Maker. Death, eternal death, is the only fit punishment for this crime.

Tim James

THE GOSPEL- AN OFFER OR A GIFT? John Hazelton