“ Not Yellow Stripes But Sealed in Our Foreheads ” Reminded me of Charles Spurgeonâs famous quote about preachers foolishly supposing they had any right, let alone ability, to judge a sinnerâs standing before God based on outward appearances: âIf God would have painted a yellow stripe on the backs of the elect I would go around lifting shirts. But since He didnât I must preach âwhosoever willâ and when âwhatsoeverâ believes I know that he is one of the elect.â And Amen, this is so. Let everyone who thirsts and hungers for mercy, righteousness and life everlasting Come. But let it also be known that this divine and Sovereign Grace of which we speak and rejoice is not a license unto sin. For we may not be able to definitively say who is elect simply by appearance, but as a church we submit to the authority of Godâs word, and must encourage one another against stumbling into sin. If that person refuses, then the church must discipline or cast them out, and if they still do not repent then it is manifest as 1 John 2:19 describes they were not regenerate.
“ Profound Spiritual Truth for Introspection ” Always blessed by your sermons brother Tom. God moved me by your words and, after considering the wicked servant with 1 talent, drew my heart to reflect on His words in Luke 9:23-26. Recall the servant in Matt. 25:25 specifically state he was âafraidââfearful of failure, ridicule, commitment etc. Luke 9:26 tells us the fate of them who are similarly âashamedâ of Christ and His words in this sinful world. God then drew me to reflect on Hebrews 10:23-31. The wicked servant buried his Lordâs talent, so as to appease the world, his own selfish pursuits and not be bothered with or reminded of his proper duties, which as followers of Christ we should naturally pursue good works (not to merit salvation but because Godâs Spirit of charity guides us to desire those things regularly and share them with others). Hebrews 10:24-26 is practically an outline of the fate of those who forsake Godâs grace, appease sin, and left to fear judgment, like the lazy servant, who would even bury and âtrample underfootâ Godâs gifts.
“ The Manchild ” The Manchild (Rev. 12:5) is the 1st fruit bride and body of Christ
(Ephesians 5:30-32) and will be with Jesus when he opens the seals in Revelation chapter 6. (Luke 21:36)
Rev 2:26 And HE THAT OVERCOMES, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations and he shall rule them with a ROD OF IRON; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
The 10 virgins are not the Bride. They are bridesmaids and the 5 wise ones will be taken when Jesus and his bride come from the wedding (Luke 12:36)
We see a picture of the Bride of Christ in Genesis 24. Abraham is a picture of God the Father. Isaac is a picture of God the Son (Jesus). Abraham's servant is a picture of the Holy Spirit. Rebekah is a picture of the bride of Christ. The Canaanites are a picture of the world. When Abraham says my country and kindred in Genesis 24:4, it refers to the church as a whole.
“ Grateful for this teaching! ” Listened to this with my teenage son tonight as we studied the Scriptures together. Pastor Mahan taught from many passages clearly pointing us to Who this is all about, The Lord Jesus Christ. Have been trying to learn more about this subject and this teaching blessed and helped us both! Praise and thanks be to God!
“ 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!
4/3/2025 8:54 AM
6/26/2024 11:22 PM
