“ Great Sermon! ” This message points to Christ as our answer to know God. It is Biblical, clear and passionate. Very helpful that I may seek God in Christ. Amen
“ A Peace That Surpasses Understanding ” What a powerful Gospel and testimony we find in the account of Ruth and Naomi. It’s interesting to note Naomi never abandoned her faith, despite her embittered complaints against the hand that was dealt her in losing her husband and sons and livelihood. She acknowledges clearly that this was by the Sovereign working of God, which is true enough but the sinner’s heart is still missing that Christ-centered perspective, ie it’s not all about us but about God’s grand design/plan to benefit all His people. We shouldn’t judge Naomi too harshly for how many of us have foresight or able to peer down the corridors of time to see that despite our current struggles and heartaches there is a hope for brighter future and fulfillment for our children and future families? Not many of us can especially when faced with present hardship or difficulty but mature believers must transcend to that divine peace that Paul describes as surpassing human understanding (Philippians 4:7), which is what Naomi may have demonstrated albeit not perfectly but well enough for Ruth to cleave unto. Ps- if you are ever charged chief of sinners, dear Tom, I’d be next to you in line if not ahead, yet prepared and happy to cast my crown at the feet of our risen and Sovereign LORD to whom all our salvation belongs.
“ Great Sermon! ” Dear Brother Mahan, think you for this message of God's sovereign grace. It has been encouraging food for my soul. May the Lord continue to use you for His glory.
God Bless
“ I Throw Myself at the Mercy of God’s Court! Amen ” Powerful sermon dear Tom. Man naturally presumes and pleads his innocence, that is his self righteousness, in defiance of God’s testimony. We base our sense of justice and morality on our finite limitations as carnal beings. But what happens when a sinner is convicted under God’s holiness? It is the same as the criminal who recognizes his hopelessness at being vindicated who cries “I throw myself at the mercy of the court!” This too is the sinner’s prayer in God’s highest court, like that tax collector, “Have mercy on me the sinner!” Only a truly converted sinner can make such a heartfelt cry that God will hear for a converted sinner is a convicted sinner. This is also why faith and repentance are gifts of God and 2 sides of the same coin; the same moment you CAN see your hopeless and sinful state is the same moment you CAN and MUST call on Christ to turn from the self righteousness you previously and foolishly maintained. Until God flips that lightswitch we remain lost and falsely convinced we have the ability to tip the scales of holy justice in our favor, never seeing the massive counterweight of God’s just demands that remains immovable against us without the intervention and power of Christ.
“ 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.
9/3/2023 9:31 PM
