“ Our Life is Hid in Christ Jesus, Amen ” Great word spoken, dear Brother Tom. And I felt God speaking to me thru your sermon when you expounded on the precious promises of eternal life for the believer. Whether we live or whether we die, we belong to the LORD (Romans 14:8). But He also pressed this verse on my heart and I share it with you: âHe is not God of the dead but of the living.â (Mark 12:27a), which Christ used to combat the heresy of Sadducees who denied the resurrection. This gave me a vision of how we believers who may fall asleep before Christ returns may resemble plants, who without roper water or sunlight eventually fade away and expire under natural conditions. But once refreshment comes and the dawns breaks, see how even plants can revive: https://youtu.be/bAAdkDLGz0M?si=fHxlDfB7-UKb5eKU. The vid author proclaims at the end once the plant has seemingly come back from the dead âpure water, itâs a lifesaverâ which may be true enough in this physical realm, but we boldly proclaim Christâs Living Water which grows in the believer into a spring of everlasting life (John 4:14). When Christ returns, we shall behold those sleeping believers like weary plants now renewed by the sunâs rays or fresh rain stretch forth from the graves and arise to greet the Brightest Star with overwhelming joy! Hallelujah!
“ Amen, Federal Headship is Biblical Truth! ” Excellent summation and exegetical study of the teaching clearly described in 1 Cor. 15:21-23 and Paulâs own broader exegetical writing in Romans 5:12-19 on the 2 kinds of imputation in the Bible: one of sin, and the other of righteousness. The first imputation of sin came from our first father Adam and federal head of the carnal nature, and the second imputation by Godâs Sovereign choice and grace came through His Son unto salvation, righteousness and holiness that fallen man otherwise could not partake. Some even ponder why Adamâs fall meant no person born after could qualify of themselves being holy or righteous, despite whatever personal effort or religious works they might accomplish. This is because of the Federal Headship of Adam and recall Genesis 1:31 where God declared all He had made in the beginning was âvery goodâ. This was our first estate as human beings in Adam, who was the first and eminent being of goodness in Godâs universe. For Adam to fall meant that the being who was âvery goodâ failed to maintain that goodness and, like copies we run thru a printer of the original document, future generations of man could only lessen in quality and authentic âgoodnessâ. But praise to the Lord Jesus Christ who has become our righteousness and perfection from sin!
“ Amen, Jesus Calls Sinners not the Self-Righteous ” Such a powerful and sobering truth preached Brother Tom, it is not the self-righteous whom the Lord Jesus Christ calls to repentance but the broken and contrite sinner seeking mercy. This word you preached reminded me also of why Jesus declared in Matt. 5:17-48 the extreme perfection demanded by Godâs holy justice and that we are not to relax the commandments but uphold and revere them firstly as self-examination, and ultimately exposure as unworthy sinners incapable of fulfilling the Law in ourselves. In Matt. 5:20, Jesus challenges the disciples to be more righteous than even the Pharisees. The self righteous hear this and determine âok challenge acceptedâ and consider themselves capable of meriting holiness and blessing. Yet this is contrary to the Gospel, for if righteousness come by the Law then for what miserable end was Christ sacrificed? No, we preach and teach Godâs commandments to silence all self righteous mouths and like a mirror reveal the filth and sin staining menâs hearts so that they desperately cry out for the only just and worthy Savior, who alone can cleanse us from all sin and has fulfilled and done all things well and pleases the Father. Glory to the Lamb of God!
“ Amen, Only God is Too Big to Fail ” Thank you for these Gospel truths and the sure refuge that is found in Christ Jesus. Not sure why but I started hearing that old business slogan âtoo big to failâ, but my heart immediately knew it was in contrast against where this lost world places its shallow and foolish confidence: in the manmade banking and monetary systems that often do fail. But it is in Godâs promises alone where we find utmost assurance, satisfaction and peace: He is the only entity and Being too big to ever fail! I am reminded of that lesson Christ gave in Matt. 10:29-31 that Godâs people can rest confidently in His provision, care and grace for He who watches over sparrows surely and jealously watches over and guards the souls of His saints from cradle to grave and beyond. Praise His holy name!
“ Have Mercy On Me O God, the Sinner ” Amen. Foolish men who consider their morality worthy of securing a spot in heaven fail to heed Christâs immediate command: âBE YE PERFECTâŚâ (Matt. 5:48). But only perfect according to human standards relative to the next sinner? No, it is utter holy and divine perfection: âBe ye perfect even as your Heavenly Father is perfect.â This is impossible thru our innate faculties: âFor all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.â (Romans 3:23). Where can this perfection be found? Only in Christ Jesus âwho of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.â (1 Cor. 1:30). So let us not be like Pharisees, who were skilled at appearing moral and righteous but often vainly prayed âGod, I thank you that I am not like other menâ (Luke 18:11-14). We cannot look to ourselves because we have a handful of moral boundaries we carefully observe and yet lack the perfection God requires. Only Christ can complete us, perfect us and sustain us in His righteousness, perfection and holiness.
“ EXCEEDING GREAT AND PRECIOUS PROMISES ” Recently heard a message on 2 Peter 1 (Partakers of the Divine Nature), which confounded my (as well as others) understanding, is absent of simplicity & confused everything taught here, and offered no comfort of the Scriptures declared here in this blessed message by brother Henry. Add to this the message of brother Don, Marvin, and Tate preached on (Partakers of the Divine Nature) ⌠bless God He has calmed my soul and spoke peace to my heart, as well as "Will God Indeed Dwell Upon the Earth - DF (2013). Also, I refer to brother Don's message: Partakers:Delighting in the Obvious, where he made the point (he has made it before) and I quote: "I cannot think of a poorer way to study Scripture than by doing "word studies" in which you look up the meaning and interpret every passage that uses that word without considering the context God the Holy Spirit uses that word". Amen ... that clears up the confusion, and also confirms to me that all and only God called and sent men declare the clear same message. God is faithful!
“ Great Sermon! ” In this message, brother Henry is not exhorting the hearer as to How to attain conversion, or How a sinner is made righteous before our Holy God. Rather, he is stating the obvious reality (that is, obvious as revealed in the Word of God) as to the power of the quickening of the Holy Spirit in the experience of the sinner-saint, who is in union with His Representative (our Lord Jesus Christ), and which is made sure by the obedience, successful and effective accomplished work of the Lord Jesus Christ for His Bride. Our Lord Jesus has not put "lipstick on a pig" but as He was made sin for her, she. has been made the righteousness of God in Him. His Bride is as He is in the world. And thought she does not yet have her glorified resurrected body, the Shulamite (Gamer) is now made acceptable to the Father and the Son; she is as holy as she will ever be and that is a glorious work performed for her, on her and in her. She heartily confesses not a hand in this grand Divne work and rejoices in it.
“ 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. Itâs 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 sinnerâs heart is still missing that Christ-centered perspective, ie itâs not all about us but about Godâs grand design/plan to benefit all His people. We shouldnât 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, Iâd 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 Godâs Court! Amen ” Powerful sermon dear Tom. Man naturally presumes and pleads his innocence, that is his self righteousness, in defiance of Godâs 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 Godâs holiness? It is the same as the criminal who recognizes his hopelessness at being vindicated who cries âI throw myself at the mercy of the court!â This too is the sinnerâs prayer in Godâs highest court, like that tax collector, âHave mercy on me the sinner!â 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 Godâs just demands that remains immovable against us without the intervention and power of Christ.
9/3/2024 6:30 PM
6/26/2024 11:22 PM
