The Gospel Offense

“And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? Then is the offence of the cross ceased” (Gal. 5:11).

Do not try to make the gospel of God's grace accept­able to carnal minds. Destroying human merit, self-righteousness, and shutting men up to the sovereign mercy of God in Christ is the strength of the gospel.

To tone it down or try to make it less offensive is to deprive it of its power. Take grace out of the gospel and the gospel is gone! If people object to the free grace of God, preach it even more.

A great general, came in before his king, stumbled over his own sword. "I see," said the king, "Your sword is in the way." The general replied, "Your majesty's enemies have often felt the same." The fact that our gospel offends the king's enemies is no regret to me.

C.H. Spurgeon

When I Am Weak, Then Am I Strong

I suppose that the most difficult thing any believer has to learn is that "without Him we can do nothing." (John 15:5). This is our creed but not our experience! We will never be effectually used for God's true glory until it becomes our experience. God will never use means that are proud enough to think themselves necessary or capable. He will throw away the vessel that begins to boast in itself or allows others to boast in it. Whatever is our strength in the flesh is sure to become our weakness in the spirit ­whether it be our intelligence, our morality, our length of service, our doctrine, our courage or whatever. Gideon feared the Midianites because of the small number of his soldiers, but the Lord said, "Your soldiers are yet too many for me." I wonder if we will ever become weak enough, empty enough, and ignorant enough for God to use us for His glory.

The logic of the Lord is strange to the natural mind. "For when I am weak, then am I strong." (2 Cor. 12:10) "Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Cor. 12:9) The Lord must go back to the seashore and raise up some fishermen; we've all become masters and doctors, wise men in theology and great counsellors. I disqualify myself for God's use when I become qualified. My fine talents and lofty credentials become hindrances rather than helps. I thought to prepare myself for great things only to learn that it was the rough voice in the wilderness He planned to use not the polished preacher; it was the weak, impulsive shepherd with the sling He planned to use not the mighty warr­ior with his armor of wit and arsenal of facts, doctrines, and learning. It may not be too late for some, but most are too proud to become expendable. If we don't pour contempt on ourselves, God will! Pastor Henry T. Mahan (bulletin Article 1979)

THE EFFECTUAL WORKING OF THE WORD

“For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe”(1Thes.2:13).

God works by and with His Word to the salvation of sinners (Psa. 19:7-8; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23-25). When the gospel comes to the heart of the sinner with the Almighty hands of God it will effectually accomplish His sovereign purpose in our soul (Isa. 55:11; 1Thes.1:4-5). The Word effectually works to the:

1). Quickening of dead sinners to life in Christ Jesus.

“Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures” (James 1:18; Eph. 2:1).

2). Enlightening of the darkened and depraved mind.

“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2Cor.4:6).

3). Softening of hard hearts.

“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh” (Ezk.36:26; 2 Cor. 5:17).

4). Granting and giving faith.

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17).

5). Delivering from the bondage of sin.

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32; Gal. 5:1).

6). Establishing the believer in time of trial.

“Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1Peter 1:6-7; Rom.8:28).

7). Comforting of the heart of the believer.