Friday, February 08, 2008
Monday, February 04, 2008
YOUR WEEKLY DOSE OF GOSPEL
...the pulpit matters; sound-speech matters; words matter; reverence of God matters
In the midst of speaking out against those who resemble Chris Rock more than Christopher Love while struggling to fulfill their solemn charge from behind the sacred desk, I humbly offer the following about the genuine fruit of gospel preaching for all pastors.
Oh for men of God like Spurgeon again to guard the sanctity and honor of the sacred desk in preaching. And we can thank the Lord for men in our day like John MacArthur, R.C. Sproul, Dr. Al Mohler. Jerry Bridges, Allister Begg, Dr. S. Lance Quinn, Rev. Jerry Wragg, Rev, Greg Withrow, Dr. Rick Holland, and others who still tremble at God's Word while giving "the sense of it"; and who guard the good deposit and follow the pattern of sound words in the Holy Spirit and in the fear of the Lord.
Contra Mundum,
Steve
2 Cor. 4:5-7
PS - You may have noticed the picture to the right as being slightly out of focus. That is intentional. Postmodern, contextualized, culture-driven, emerging, numbers-fixated, pseudo-reformed, scatological preaching can never produce clarity; but only leaves its listeners blurry-eyed as to a right view of all matters concerning life, ministry, and doctrine.
1 Timothy 6:3-4
"If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions,
1 Timothy 4:12-16
12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.
Ephesians 4:29-30
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Colossians 3:8
But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.
2 Timothy 2:15-16
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness,
Ephesians 5:4
Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.
by Spurgeon
I must, however, mention blasphemy and lewd speaking, because these are unhappily far too common. Does a man think that he can go on damning his own body and soul in so many words, and never provoke the Lord to anger? Does he dream that he can use foul and filthy words, and wicked oaths, without incurring sin? I believe that these things bring the blackest guilt on the conscience; for God has expressly said that he will by no means hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. It is true of every sin that God will not hold a man guiltless who does it; but it is especially said about this sin, because men are apt to fancy that words are of no great importance, or that God takes no notice thereof. Even the thoughtless or trifling repetition of the name of the Lord involves great sin, for thus a man taketh the sacred name in vain. Yet men trifle with that name in common conversation, and that with fearful frequency. There is no excuse for this wanton wickedness, because it brings neither profit nor pleasure to the person who so offends. What practical end can it serve? As George Herbert said long ago,
I am unable to frame an excuse for profane language: it is needless willful wickedness. Men talk so as to horrify us: they chill our blood with fear lest God should take them at their word; and all for nothing at all. I would to God that every blasphemer here (if such there be, and I have no doubt that there are), would abandon that vile, inexcusable, useless habit, which lowers men in society, defiles them before God, and ensures their condemnation. Filthy speech puts those who are guilty of it among the chief of sinners, and to them will certainly be meted out a terrible vengeance in that day when God shall solemnly curse those who have so glibly cursed themselves. It will be an awful thing for the man who used profane imprecations to find out at last that his prayers were heard, and that they will be answered. O swearer, beware lest the Lord God hear thy prayers at once to thine everlasting confusion! Sit down at this moment in deep contrition, and weep to think of the many times in which thou hast defied the God of heaven, and uttered words of provocation against the God in whose hand thy breath is. Not yet has he cut thee down. Oh, wonder of mercy! Take heed to thyself. Above all, marvel that there should be mention of mercy for such a one as thou art.
