“ GOD HAS SPOKEN LOUD AND CLEAR !! ” God says that marriage is binding until DEATH. It is a violation of HIS WORD to divorce and remarry. The Jews had the custom of betrothal. During that period, the man was called the husband and the woman was called his wife, though no marriage covenant had yet been established. To end a prospective marriage, a legal divorce was required. This is why the exception clause is only found in Matthew's gospel as it does not apply to Gentiles who had no such custom. The "exception" spoken of by Jesus in Matthew 19:9 means what it says--divorce is only permitted for the cause of porneia (fornication) during the betrothal as that is not putting asunder what God has joined together. After a marriage has been entered into, the ONLY ACTION that dissolves that covenant is DEATH. God makes that crystal clear through the writings of the Apostle Paul in Romans 7:2-3. Those who divorce and remarry are denying that their first marriage is still binding in God's sight. And, He has further said--"...adulterers...shall NOT inherit the kingdom of God." 1 Cor. 6:9-10. If the act of "fornication" severs the marriage covenant and frees a person to marry another (as Pastor Gables states is the case), what is he going to do (?!) with Romans 7:2-3.
“ BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU BELIEVE !! ” I support Pastor Gables in his taking a stand against what Arminians believe and teach. Their doctrine is NOT the true gospel (found in scripture), but it is a different gospel (of man's devising...a man by the name of Jacobus Arminius who was born in 1560). Arminianism is a FALSE teaching that has been accepted by many key figures in church history, including John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, and Billy Graham. I thank God that He has raised up some ministers, like Pastor Gables, who are willing to shine a light on this heretical theology. It is disturbing to me to think of the untold numbers of people who have been deceived into believing that their walking an aisle at the call of a man and their making a decision to be "born again" on a whim makes them a believer in Jesus Christ and that they're on their way to heaven. There was a time that I was one among them. At age 12, I responded to such a call. I believed the lie that was being preached to me--"You can choose to be saved." It wasn't until age 50 that I was "quickened" to life (made a new creature) in Jesus Christ. I have the same testimony as the chinese man in the story that Pastor Gables tells in this sermon. Take a listen!
“ A Word Of Consolation !! ” Thanks Pastor Gables for bringing this message. It is so reassuring to know that things do not just happpen to us...they are planned by God's own hand...molded and shaped and timed by His clock.
“ A TREASURE CHEST !! ” How gracious of God to provide, through Pastor Gables, this sermon series entitled, The Whole Counsel of God. May many avail themselves to this ministry of God's Word that offers understanding to those "who have ears to hear." It is as C. H. Spurgeon said, "The Word of God will repay searching." Thank you, Pastor Gables, for your faithfulness to your calling to feed Christ's sheep.
“ GOD IN CONTROL !! ” I am glad for predestination and to know that things are NOT happening helter-skelter. This is a wonderful sermon that reveals that life is not a series of random circumstances and chance happenings. God is orchestrating ALL THINGS and that is a comfort to me. I recommend the entire Joseph sermon series. It so much speaks to Romans 8:28.
“ SIN HAS ITS PRICE !! ” What should we do with sin? In short, Pastor Gables makes it clear that we should "nip it in the bud" because it is so much easier to do that than to get rid of it once it has spread. This is such a helpful sermon and my prayer is that many will hear it and walk it out.
“ THINK ON THIS !! ” I agree with Pastor Gables that the figurative interpretation (re: Battle of Armageddon) makes more sense than the literal. God never intended that every prophecy of the Scripture be interpreted literally. For example, Isaiah 40:3-5 prophesied, "The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it." This passage is quoted in Luke 3:4-6 and applied to the ministry of John the Baptist. It is a fulfilled prophecy, but was it fulfilled literally? Did John literally prepare a highway for Christ to walk upon during His ministry? Did he literally lower every hill and raise every valley in order to make a smooth, straight road for our Lord? Of course not! Yet, if we are going to demand that prophecy be literally interpreted, this is what the ministry of John would have demanded.
“ PRAISE HIM !! PRAISE HIM !! ” To God be the glory for sending this instructive word through His faithful servant, Pastor Gables. Blessed are those who have "ears to hear it."
“ OUR BUSINESS IN THE EARTH !! ” I love this message! Thank you, Pastor Gables, for this word of encouragement to the people of God to stay the course. We each have a job assigned by Our Father to accomplish in this earth that will bring glory and honor to Him and His Kingdom. Let us be found giving our all to it.
“ Great Sermon! But... ” ...where is the _coda_ for this series on Eschatology? I'm really looking forward to hearing your summary sermon on the four views of last things.
“ HELL--THE HOPELESS PLACE !! ” Pastor Gables reveals from Scripture the truth of what hell is like--a place of HEAVY DARKNESS with NO RELIEF--a place where a person will crave to satisfy their sinful desires and not ever be able to do it (an unremoval torment, like having a terrible itch and not ever being able to scratch it). For example, the unrepentant drunkard will still crave his drink, but there will be no alcohol in hell for him to embrace.
“ TAKE A LISTEN ! ” I love the story that Pastor Gables tells in this sermon of his two kittens.
What a wonderful illustration to use to get across a spiritual truth..."we can run to Jesus!"
“ POWERFUL MEDICINE !! ” So many times God has brought me to a "Red Sea Crossing" experience in my life...where I could not go forward and I could not go backward...all that I could do was stand still and SEE THE SALVATION OF THE LORD. Even now, I have been brought BY HIM to such a place. Every morning, I am faced with the decision of whether or not I am going to spend the day worrying and trying to come up with a plan to extricate myself from my dire circumstances or trust in God and wait on Him. I choose to "delight myself in Him" by staying in His Word and in Prayer and "He works in me" the calmness to wait on the seashore and allow Him to part the waters and to get the Glory! I am grateful to God for having Pastor Gables preach this wonderful message--A CALMING PSALM. It is powerful medicine (if not left in the spoon, but swallowed).
11/23/12 8:39 AM
