Saturday, January 07, 2023
What's so big about Sin?
Saturday, August 06, 2022
A message from the Titanic.........
Titanic and the Marconi men:
"...
send S O S, it's the new signal..."
John 'Jack' Philips and his assistant Harold McBride, boarded the Titanic at
Belfast. Both of them had a specialized role aboard the ship. Jack Philips was
a skilled operator on the Marconi wireless system, having served on several
notable vessels, including the Lusitania and the Mauretania. Now he would be
sailing on the vessel designed abd built to outshine these rival ships: the
mighty and more luxurious Titanic!
Both men had been present for the sea trials that took place on 2nd April 1912.
While sailing past the Copelsnd Islands and Donaghadee, they were testing and
fine tuning their equipment as they contacted the Titanic's home port of
Liverpool - a place, ironically, the Titanic would never reach! That very same
night, at 8pm they set sail for Southampton, which was the official starting
point for the transatlantic maiden voyage.
Philips received an ice warning before the voyage had even begun - to him it
seemed strange, almost comical. The Titanic left Southampton for Cherbourg at
12 noon on 10th April. After a near miss with the New York, which was sucked in
by the powerful wash of displaced water, caused by the sheer size of the
Titanic, they were on their way to Cherbourg. They were met there there by
Traffic and Nomadic, which ferried passengers into the deeper water where the
great ship lay at anchor. At 8pm the ship departed for its last port of call
near Cobh (Quernstown), Ireland. On 11th April at 11 30am they arrived two
miles offshore, taking on their final passengers and mail. It would be their
last sight of land.
The Empress of Britain sent the first ice warning of the day on Friday 12th
April; another came later from La Touraine. At least ten warnings were received
that day concerning ice in an area they were due to cross by Sunday night.
Towards the end of the day, their wireless broke down. After a stressful six
hours, tracing and repairing the fault (two leads had burnt out from the second
secondart of the transformer), the problem was over come. A very major backlog
if messages had now piled up! Ice warnings would would get pushed down the list
of priorities in favour of private and commercial radio traffic; these made
money and often brought tips from passengers - ice warnings brought neither.
Messages to the captain's bridge had to be hand delivered; ultimately some were
never delivered. Those that reached the bridge, were at best, read casually.
An increasing volume of warnings was received on Saturday morning the first at
9am from the Coronia; it was specific, highlighting an area in the region 42 N.
from 49 to 51 W. Noordam signaled "much ice" at 11 40am. The Baltic
mentioned ""icebergs and large quantities of field ice" by
1.42pm, followed almost immediately by one from the Amerika. The temperature
was falling rapidly as they pressed on. There was a flurry of other messages.
McBride carried a message from the Californian directly to the bridge at
7.30pm: 'latitude 42 3⁰ N. longitude 49 9⁰ W.... three large icebergs" but
it was never given to Captain Smith. In two hours' time they would enter the
ice field 70 miles long, with many icebergs lurking on their north, south, and
west. They now had 50 miles to run!
Meanwhile, Jack Philips was hammering through the backlog of messages that had
built up during his repairs - he was stressed and overtired, but McBride would
relieve him early. McBride was still sleeping when the message came from Mesaba
to the Titanic, warning of a great number of icebergs directly in their course.
Phillips was too busy to take it to the bridge so he placed a weight upon it,
intending to see to it later. At 10.30pm a message was flashed to the crew by
signal lamp by a passing ship, Rappahannock - they told of passing through a
huge ice field but omitted to tell them they had been damaged in the process.
Five minutes later, the Parisian warned of icebergs and shut down fir the night
as many other operators would. Unlike the Titanic, most ships had only one
operator. While these operators slept no messages would be heard.
Twenty minutes later, as Phillips was transmitting messages through Cape Race,
the land relay station, Cyril Evans of the Californian crashed in without
waiting for him to finish his message, "Captain, Titanic. We are stopped
and surrounded by ice." He had prefixed his message with more official and
formal tital to indicate its importance, rather than the "old man"
greeting Philips snapped back before the message was finished, "Keep out!
Shut up! You're jamming my signal. I'm working Cape Rice." Having been
rejected, Evans listened for another 40 minutes but made no attempt to reply
and closed down for the night at 11.35pm. It was now five and a half minutes to
impact! At that moment, high in the crows nest, Fleet and Lee noticed a slight
slimmer on the horizon. Haze is deceiving; more so in darkness! They peered
into the dark . "Iceberg right ahead" screamed Fleet into his phone.
He gave them only 30 seconds to react.
McBride was taking over at midnight, as promised, when the Captain stuck his
head around the door, "We've struck an ice berg.... get ready to
send." He was back in a few minutes. "Send a call for assistance.....
the regulation international call for help. McBribe later recalled"
"We joked while he did so.... Then the Captain came back, "What are
you sending?" CQD,' replied Phillips, I cut in, "Send S O S. It's the
new signal; it may be your last chance to send it." That made us all laugh
including the Captain"
Philips remained heroic at his post till the end, transmitting for assistance. He later died in a lifeboat; McBride survived to tell the story.
Jack Philips was paid very poor wages considering the responsibility that was upon him. He meagre income was slightly less than a stoker's on the Titanic. Naturally, he sought to supplement his income by sending a many private messages as possible. Likewise. in tough economic times we could lose sight of eternal realities and the danger of being lost in our sins. "The things which are seen are temporal; but the things that are not seen are eternal " (2nd Corinthians 4v18). We all are bound for eternity and have a precious soul that will exist forever in Heaven or in Hell. 'Philips' gains would have been comparatively small, but even if we risk our soul to gain the ultimate goal it would be a colossal mistake. "For whall shall it profit a man, if he should gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Mark 8v36-37).
Philips was a man trying to cope with an extremely demanding workload. Life can become a rat race with little time upon the choices we make and the consequences that will follow . We know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour that appeareth for a little time, and then vanishes away" (James 4v14). Don't be like the Bible character who, when Paul reasoned with him of righteousness, self control and coming judgement, replied; "Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee" (Acts 25v24). We need to address the fact of our own personal sin and our need of salvation, found solely in the Lord Jesus, the Christ. We need to do this now! Tomorrow belongs to no one! The Saviour could say, "If ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins" (John 8v24).
There was a staggering volume of messages sent to the Titanic directly, apart from others overheard by her.
Similarly, on the 'journey of life' God is desperately trying to get our attention! "God speaketh once.... twice man perceived it not" (Job 33v14). God can use the circumstances of life to awaken up to our own vulnerability and the need of salvation: disappointment, dreams, sickness, feath, terrorism and disasters. "All these things worketh God oftentimes with man, to bring his soul from the pit (Hell) (Job 33v29-30). Be careful of 'turning out' God's warnings. God desires
that you would read the guidance and warnings He has left for you in His word - the Bible. "He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned and perverted that which is right.... He will deliver his soul from going into the pit and hi ssd's life shall see the light" (Job 3v27,28). The lives of many were lost through the unfortunate errors and oversights of many crew-members. In contrast, the unfailing Lord Jesus died on the Cross because of our sins; by His sin atoning sacrifice He can provide a rescue plan to those willing to personally trust him. "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (1st Timothy 1v15). Unlike the inadequate measures of the Titanic, God's rescue plan is mighty. He is "longsuffering.... not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2nd Peter 3v8).
Harold Cattan was the only wireless man on the Carpathia. Many had switched off for the night but he was still waiting and responded to the Titanic's distress call. God has a promise for you: Call upon Me in the day of trouble. I will deliver thee and thou shalt glorify Me" (Psalm 50v15). Christ will not turn you away. "Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out" (6v37).
Due to the tragic loss of life on the Titanic, while wireless operators slept on ships nearby, the US Eadio Act 1912 thereafter demanded that no ship's radio would ever again be unmanned day or night.
Saturday, April 10, 2021
II Timothy and the Significance of the Doctrines of Grace Angus Stewart
The enemies of the doctrines of grace are Pelagianism, Semi-Pelagianism, Synergism, Arminianism, Amyraldianism, etc. But there is another enemy … apathy. There are those who may grant that these doctrines are true but they have no heart for them. The doctrines of grace are not essential, they say, and their importance in preaching and catechizing is questioned. Can we not just preach the “simple” gospel?
The Westminster Confession and Catechisms are, of course, of a different mind, as are the Three Forms of Unity, especially the Canons of Dordt. God’s sovereign grace was the reason the Reformers seceded from the apostate Roman Church. The pre-Reformers, Wycliffe and Hus, proclaimed God as the sovereign Saviour. In the ninth century, Gottschalk rotted in prison for nearly twenty years for the truth of double predestination. Before this, Augustine in the fifth century steadfastly taught the mighty grace of God.
This teaching of God’s sovereignty is taken, of course, from the Holy Scriptures. It is taught from Genesis to Revelation, with the apostle Paul being preeminently, as Augustine puts it, “the preacher of grace.”1 In his letters, he inculcates these doctrines in the churches (particularly Romans, Ephesians and I Thessalonians) and Paul’s second canonical epistle to Timothy is also instructive in this regard.
The apostle is imprisoned in a Roman cell (1:8) and fettered as a criminal (1:16; 2:9). Evidently he is cold and short of good reading material (4:13). He is under no illusions; he knows he will be executed: “I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand” (4:6). He has no soul-torturing regrets: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (4:7). For him, to live had been Christ and so now to die would be gain: “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day” (4:8).
Paul was a man of foresight and vision. He, the apostle and teacher of the Gentiles (1:12), was to pass into another world. As a wise master builder, he would use his last letters to guard against the intrusion of wood, hay and stubble upon the foundation of Jesus Christ (I Cor. 3:11-12). At stake was the preservation of the church of Christ and the continuation of the gospel in this wicked world. There had already been apostasy in Asia (present day Turkey) and heretics had arisen (II Tim. 1:15; 2:17-18). Paul knew that the messianic kingdom did not preclude the power of evil in this present age (3:1-13). In Christian congregations, the time will come, he told Timothy, when they will no longer endure sound doctrine but will, after their own lusts, heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears (4:3-4).
Paul wrote to Timothy, to gird him with strength for the battle (2:3) and urge him to steadfast perseverance in the gospel (1:13-14; 3:14). The struggle would be great, the truth would be assailed and all the godly would be persecuted (3:12). There would be temptation to “trim” the gospel, to knock off its rough edges, in order to gain it more acceptance but “the form of sound words” must be held fast (1:13). Timothy had spent much time with Paul, and Paul, of course, knew that Timothy was convicted of the truth of the gospel. In his last letter, the inspired apostle would underscore these things to Timothy and the whole Christian church.
Paul greets his younger brother in the faith with great affection in Christ, assuring him of his prayers and desire to see him (1:1-5). He stirs him up to zeal for the gospel (1:6f.). God’s salvation has its fountain in His eternal purpose (1:9), is manifested in the incarnation and victorious resurrection of Christ (1:10), and is preached to the nations (1:11). Christ’s atonement and the church’s preaching are efficacious and powerful (1:8) to those eternally loved in Him. Our salvation and calling are according to God’s gracious purpose “before the world began” (1:9). God’s decree to save is effected by means of Christ’s cross (1:9-10). This was the message the apostle preached and taught the Gentiles (1:11). The elect heard the preaching and were saved “through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (3:15). This salvation was wholly of God, who “saved us, and called us with a holy calling.” To make all misconception impossible, Paul added, “not according to our works” (1:9). It is no wonder that the apostle was not ashamed (1:12) and Timothy must not be either (1:8). To those eternally chosen in Christ, God gives His grace and Holy Spirit (1:6-7, 9).
This gospel, “the form of sound words,” in all its riches and in all its parts, must be held fast (1:13). However, this gospel also brings affliction and can only be kept in faith and love, by the Holy Ghost, the power of God, who dwells in us (1:7, 13-14).2 He is the One who works Christ’s salvation in us, and He is the One who must preserve His word in our hearts. Phygellus and Hermogenes were (inwardly) strangers to this grace and apostatized (1:15), but God had been faithful in Timothy’s covenant line (1:5) and has always preserved His church (1:3).
This gospel was to be maintained by Timothy: “Therefore, my son, be strong in the grace which is in Christ Jesus” (2:1). Paul was also concerned for the future church. The generations to come must hear the pure gospel: “the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2:2). This is the true apostolic succession!
The apostle preached his “Calvinism” (to use an anachronism); he did not merely say that he held these truths.3 Moreover, his “Calvinism” influenced and governed how he worked. Thus, in his suffering, he was comforted in the knowledge that His gracious Father, who was sovereign over all things, had ordained them as a means of saving His elect (2:8-10).
Likewise, God’s sovereignty in salvation was his consolation and anchor when professing Christians erred in doctrine. Hymenaeus and Philetus taught a heretical view of the resurrection and some had followed them (2:17-18). The apostle knew that in all this God would preserve His people for “the foundation of the Lord standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his” (2:19).
This, of course, did not lead to a sinful slackness in Paul, for he immediately exhorts, “Let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity” (2:19), before giving several other commands (2:20-23) and explaining how to instruct those entrenched in error (2:24-26). The apostle urges the Christian minister, as “the servant of the Lord,” to gentleness, patience and meekness, in keeping with the doctrines of grace (2:24-25). The “opponent” is to be viewed as primarily opposing himself rather than the pastor (2:25), for he is ensnared by the devil (2:26). His “repentance to the knowledge of the truth” is totally dependent upon the will of the Almighty (2:25).
The doctrines of the bondage of the will (2:26) and God’s sovereignty in salvation (2:25), instead of being a hindrance to true evangelism, are rather its crucial presuppositions.4 God’s sovereign grace and man’s accountability and responsibility to obey the living and true God are interwoven in II Timothy. The truth of God’s grace must be maintained, confessed and preached in the church.5 Paul commanded Timothy and, indeed, all Christian ministers: “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (4:1-2).
Just as he opened his letter to Timothy with grace (1:2), Paul closed by writing, “The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen” (4:22).
_______________________________
1 Augustine,The Enchiridion on Faith, Hope and Love (Chicago, IL: Henry Regnery Company, 1961), xxxii; p. 39.
2 Interestingly, the three occurrences of the word, “gospel,” in II Timothy, are all linked to suffering: “be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God” (1:8); “the gospel: whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For the which cause I also suffer these things” (1:10-12); “according to my gospel: wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds” (2:8-9).
3 Herein, the apostle is an example of all gospel ministers. Augustine, that faithful follower of Christ, “was often charged with preaching the doctrine of predestination too freely” (John Calvin, Institutes 3.21.4).
4 Looking at the depravity of man, outside the grace of God, in the next chapter (3:1-9, 13), we see that, but for efficacious grace, none would ever be saved.
5 1:6-8, 13-14; 2:1-3, 14-16, 23-26; 3:14-17; 4:1-5.
Sunday, March 14, 2021
The Sovereignty of God. Gise Van Baren
Many people in our day deny God and His control over all things. These insist upon walking in their ignorance—for they refuse any testimony from the Bible. Many Christians, however, also appear to be unsure of the extent of the power and control of God. They are willing to concede that God tries to save sinners—but they are not certain whether God can really and fully accomplish His purpose. They agree that God sends all good things—but are loath to maintain that God sends wars and sickness. They are ready to say that God guides good men—but hesitate to confess that wicked men are also under His direction and control.
One of the truths which has been historically and emphatically confessed by Reformed, Calvinistic churches is that of the Sovereignty of our God. Sovereignty refers to absolute, total rule and control over all things, a rule which God alone possesses. God’s Sovereignty is not limited. Nor is it given to Him. But it is without limit and it is God’s personal right. God is not the Ruler of some sort of democracy in which He rules by the will of the people. His rule and authority belong exclusively to Himself—and God fully exercises this rule in His creation. He is the Sovereign One. Nothing and no one escapes His rule.
This is a vital truth. Without it, or in distorting it, one cannot but propose doctrines or beliefs contrary to God’s Word. Consider this once in the light of what the Bible itself teaches.
First of all, the Sovereignty of God includes the fact that He has formed by His powerful Word the whole of the universe—and He preserves its existence. This fact staggers the imagination! The universe itself is so vast that man knows not how to describe its beginning or its end. The number of stars is so large as to be uncountable. The energy expended by all these heavenly bodies in the universe cannot be measured by man. There are those who claim to be ignorant concerning the origin of this universe. Some suggest that perhaps it is eternal. But the Bible tells us simply, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Gen. 1:1). And Hebrews 11:3 states, “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” Imagine! God created the vast universe—and He Himself is far above it, nor is He limited by it. So also did Solomon pray in dedicating the temple at Jerusalem, “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens can not contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?” (I Kings 8:27).
But the Sovereignty of God is not limited to the formation of all things by His powerful Word. He is Sovereign in that He directs and governs all things that take place. God places the sea within its bounds: Job 38:8, “Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?” Or again, He causes the rain to fall and the grass to grow: “Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains” (Ps. 147:8). Striking, is it not, that the Sovereign God causes each drop of rain to fall where He wills; He causes each flake of snow to descend according to His good-pleasure. This is not the extent of His power, however. God’s power extends over the birds of the heavens and even over the hairs which fall from one’s head. Jesus said, “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered” (Matt. 10:29-30).
But still more amazing, though disputed by many, is the fact that God’s power directs wars, pestilence, disease and winds which come upon the earth. Not only does He as God send peace but He also causes war. He not only gives health but He also sends sickness and death. God says in Isaiah 45:7, “I form the light, and create darkness; I make peace and create evil; I the Lord do all these things.” Again we read in Psalm 46:8, “Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth.” When Christians, then, hear of or encounter terrible hurricanes or tornadoes, when they behold the destruction of disease, when they see the devastation of wars—let them confess: “The hand of the Lord directs all these things!”
There is a yet more amazing wonder in this fact of God’s Sovereignty. He rule extends even over evil men—yes, and over the devil himself. Many deny this. It is often suggested that God influences and directs good men—but that evil men and the devil are minor forces outside of the rule of God. It is conceded that God can frustrate the evil designs of these forces of darkness, but the claim is that these are nevertheless independent forces. If this view were correct, there would be a serious limit to, or abridgment of, the Sovereignty of God. Fact is, however, that God is also sovereign with respect to wicked men. They cannot lift up one little finger, they cannot perform one evil act, but this too is under the absolute control of God.
That this is true can also be shown clearly from Scripture. We read in Exodus 3-4, that Moses, who earlier had fled from Egypt, was caring for the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro. This had been his occupation during the past 40 years. Suddenly, God changed the life of Moses. God met him at the burning, but unconsumed, bush in the wilderness, and instructed him to go to Pharaoh with the command to let God’s people go. But then God told Moses, “When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all these wonders before Pharaoh which I have put in thy hand; but I will harden his heart that he shall not let the people go.” It is not true that Pharaoh first hardened his heart—and then God further hardened it. Before Pharaoh was even aware of the existence of Moses, God emphasizes: “I will harden Pharaoh’s heart” (Ex. 4:21). As a result of this act of God, Pharaoh hardens his heart. Though God hardened Pharaoh’s heart, yet Pharaoh himself is held responsible and is terribly punished, through the ten plagues, for his sin.
And why should God harden Pharaoh’s heart? The apostle Paul answers with the words of Romans 9:17, “For the Scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might show my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.”
Other instances are mentioned in Scripture. There is the account of I Kings 22, where Ahab sought advice through his false prophets concerning his plan to fight against Syria. These false prophets unanimously urged him to go to battle—with the assurance of victory. But then Ahab called God’s prophet Micaiah. Micaiah explained to Ahab that it was God who placed a lying spirit in the mouths of Ahab’s false prophets—in order to lead Ahab to his destruction in this battle. God was Sovereign even over those false prophets.
But there is more too, for even the devil himself is under the direct control of God. Possibly the clearest evidence of this is found in the book of Job. In the first chapter, we read that Satan appeared before God. God reminded Satan of Job who was “a perfect and upright man, one that feareth God and escheweth evil.” “Ah,” says Satan, “but does Job serve God for nothing? Touch what he has and he shall curse Thee.” God then tells Satan in verse 12, “Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand.” Thus did God give Satan specific but limited power to carry out the evil design of trying to cause Job to curse God.
But there is a yet more wonderful, amazing evidence of the Sovereignty of God revealed in Scripture. This Almighty God, through His own power alone, saves His people from sin and death and brings them to heavenly glory. Many mistaken preachers will claim that Jesus stands outside the sinner’s heart and insistently knocks upon the door. The decisive action leading unto salvation must be taken by man. But that is not the presentation of Scripture. In Jeremiah 31:18-19 we read, “Turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the Lord my God. Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh; I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, but I did bear the reproach of my youth.” And we read concerning the preaching of the missionaries Paul and Barnabas, “And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the Word of the Lord; and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed” (Acts 13:48). And on another missionary journey, Paul spoke to women worshipping at a riverside near Philippi. One of these women, Lydia, believed. Concerning her, we read, “Whose heart the Lord opened that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul” (Acts 16:14).
Further, it was the Sovereignty of God which was evident at the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. When one views what happened at the cross, one might be inclined to suggest that matters had gotten out of hand. It almost seemed as though God had lost control. It appeared as though Satan was about to have the victory. Yet that is exactly what did not happen. God had all things under control at the cross. What took place, took place in harmony with His grand purpose. So also did Peter explain to the audience at Pentecost when he told them, “Jesus, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken and by wicked hands have crucified and slain” (Acts 2:23). God had determined that the cross must come—but wicked men took and crucified the Christ. Thus did God use the evil action of wicked men to accomplish His glorious purpose.
It is also this same sovereign, almighty power of God whereby He preserves His people in the salvation He gives unto them. We read in Philippians 1:6, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
The Sovereign God has revealed His absolute control over all things in saving a people from sin and bringing them to heaven with all of its glories.
Is it important that the faithful Christian maintain this scriptural presentation of God’s Sovereignty? Most definitely! The very reason that the whole of the universe exists is that God’s Name might be highly exalted. All that has taken place, all that shall yet occur, must serve the purpose of glorifying God. No one or nothing may attempt to take away from the Sovereignty of our God.
It is the characteristic mark of all heresy that the truth of God’s Sovereignty is compromised. Man would introduce that which exalts man, that which exalts man’s power or ability, that which claims that man has a certain ability to earn or merit something of God. Or man deliberately attempts to detract from God’s absolute rule by suggesting that others, outside of God, possess an independent power.
But it is the mark of a faithful Christian and of the true church that these believe and confess the scriptural truth of the absolute Sovereignty of God. All doctrine, every confession, must be founded upon the truth of God’s Sovereignty. Whatever detracts in any way from this truth must be rejected. True doctrine must follow out of and reveal the truth that God is the Sovereign One.
The Christian must live and walk in the consciousness of this truth too. All too often one would think of himself as independent—free from the power and authority of God. He does not seek God’s face in prayer as he ought. He does not support the cause of God’s kingdom as a faithful child of God is called to do. He finds pleasure in this world with all of its lusts. Such an one lives as though God is not the Sovereign One.
What a wonderful truth is this confession of God’s Sovereignty! My God is He who hears and can answer my prayer. My God directs all things for my good (Rom. 8:28). Because my God is absolutely sovereign, there are no real accidents which befall me. And I shall surely dwell in the house of the Lord forever—my Sovereign God sees to this through His Son Jesus Christ.
What comfort, what assurance, it is for the Christian to know and confess God’s Sovereignty. There is nothing, then, that can ever separate me from the love of God. “For,” says God’s Word, “I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:38-39). That is true because God is the sovereign God. Thank God that He is!
Saturday, October 31, 2020
WHERE WILL YOU SPEND ETERNITY? By DR. R. A. TORREY '
Our subject is, Where Will You Spend Eternity? You willfind the
text in John 16 : 5, “Whither goest thou?” Jesus Christ was about
to leave this world. He told the disciples that he was going, but
none of them asked Him whither He was going. He reproved them
for not asking. Well He might, for the most important question
that can face any man when he comes to leave this present world is
“Whither goest thou?"
First of all, REMEMBER THAT THERE IS AN ETERNITY.
That is certain. We may try to shut our eyes to the fact, but the fact
stands. Look ahead tonight. You may live five years, ten years,
twenty years, thirty, forty, fifty years. But then what? The fifty
years will soon be gone. Then what? ETERNITY! On it stretches
before us, on and on and on. Never ending centuries will roll on,
ages roll on, but still eternity stretches on and on. It will ever stretch
on, never any nearer an end.
Oh, thank God for eternity! If I knew I were to live a thousand
years it would not satisfy me. I would always be thinking of the end
that would come some time. I am glad that as I look out into the
future I see an eternity that has absolutely no end. There is an
eternity.
In the second place, REMEMBER YOU MUST SPEND THAT
ETERNITY SOMEWHERE. The time will never come when you
cease to be. You will be somewhere throughout all eternity.
Remember in the third place that THE QUESTION WHERE
YOU WILL SPEND ETERNITY IS VASTLY MORE
IMPORTANT THAN THE QUESTION WHERE YOU WILL
SPEND YOUR PRESENT LIFE.‘ Suppose I am taking a day‘s
journey to a place where I shall spend forty years. Which is the
more important, the accommodations I shall have on the cars or
the accommodations I shall have when I get there? This life is a
day’s journey to an endless eternity. '
The next point to consider is that IT IS POSSIBLE FOR US TO KNOW
WE WHERE WE SHALL ETERNITY. Jesus knew where He would spend eternity.
He said, ‘I -go to Him that sent me.” Paul knew where he would spend
eternity. "He said, “For me to die is gain.” And again, “I depart to
be with Christ which is far better”.
The fifth fact -to bear in mind is that .WILL SPEND
ETERNITY IN ONE OF TWO PLACES - IN HEAVEN OR IN
HELL. Heaven is a place of holiness, happiness and love. Hell is a
place of violence, misery and hate. In one or the other you and I
shall spend eternity. ‘With Christ or with the Devil. With the holy
and pure, or with the profane, the blasphemous, the vile. Which
will it be for all eternity? -
Just one point more. WHERE YOU SPEND ETERNITY WILL
BE DETERMINED BY WHAT YOU DO WITH JESUS
CHRIST. lf you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour you
will spend eternity with Him. If you reject Jesus Christ you will
spend. eternity away from Him. Listen to the sure Word of God
“He that believeth on" the Son hath everlasting life: and he that
believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God
abideth on Him." (John 3 : 36).
Listen again. “Tl1e Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire, rendering vengeance to them
that know not God,'and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord
Jesus Christ: who shall suffer punishment even everlasting
destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of His
night”. Where we spend eternity will be determined by what we
do with Jesus Christ in the life that now is.
There is an eternity; we must spend that eternity somewhere; the
question where you will spend eternity is vastly more important
than the question of where you will spend your present life; it is
possible for us to know where we shall spend eternity; weshall
spend. eternity in one of two places, where We spend eternity will be
settled in the life that now is; where you spend etemtiy will be
determined by what you do with Jesus Christ. My friend whither
goest thou? Where wilt you spend eternity?