Always Ready

by John MacArthur

For many reasons, faithful and full proclamation of the Word is the only right way to preach. First of all, such preaching lets God speak rather than man, because it declares God’s own Word. And it is an incredibly thrilling privilege to give voice to God!

Second, preaching the Word is the only right way to preach because it brings the preacher into direct contact with the mind of the Holy Spirit, the author of Scripture. It is for that reason that the preacher of the Word finds the process of study and discovery to be even more rewarding than the preaching that results from it, gratifying as that can be.

It is tragic and puzzling that so many preachers who recognize Scripture to be God’s own Word spend more time investigating and interacting with the limited and imperfect minds of other men than delving into the infinite and holy mind of God. Part of the reason, of course, is that many hearers do not really want to delve into the depths of God’s righteousness and truth, because it exposes their own shallowness and sin. In his second letter to Timothy, Paul warned his son in the faith about the danger of those who hold “to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power” (2 Tim. 3:5). Later in that same epistle he would warn again that “the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine;. . . and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths” (2 Tim. 4:3–4; cf. Acts 20:29–30).

Third, preaching the Word is the only right way to preach because it forces the preacher to proclaim all of God’s revelation, including those truths that even many believers find hard to learn or accept.

Fourth, preaching the Word is the only right way to preach because it promotes biblical literacy in a congregation, not only through what is learned from the sermon itself but also through the increased desire to study Scripture more carefully and consistently on their own. The faithful pastor, and all other faithful believers, love to learn God’s Word because they love the God of the Word.

Fifth, preaching the Word is the only right way to preach because it carries ultimate authority. It is the complete and perfect self-revelation of God Himself and of His divine will for mankind, which He has created in His own image.

Sixth, preaching the Word is the only right way to preach because only that kind of preaching can transform both the preacher and the congregation.

Seventh, the final and most compelling reason that preaching the Word is the only right way to preach is simply that it is His own Word, and only His own Word, that the Lord calls and commissions His preachers to proclaim.

Today’s post adapted from John’s commentary on 2 Timothy (Moody Press).

Copyright 2007, Grace to You. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

While discussing a revival of the doctrines of grace in the Southern Baptist Convention, Dr. Alan Cairns, host of Let the Bible Speak, gives a very helpful description and explanation of the five points of Calvinism. He dispels the notion that Calvinists are not concerned with evangelism; an erroneous claim that many opponents bring forward. If you have questions or doubts about Calvanism, this brief explanation, while being far from an exhaustive explanation, may be helpful to you.

I would like to take a moment and tell you about a new online video ministry from VCY America. VCY TV is a video site similar to YouTube, with the difference being that users are not allowed to upload videos. Users can suggest videos, however. If you would like a resource for viewing and sharing biblically sound videos, check out VCY TV. More videos will be added regularly. Tell your friends!

VCY TV is a video website designed to encourage, edify and inform those who are seeking biblical truth. At a time of great spiritual confusion and man-centered teaching in the evangelical church, VCY TV presents biblically-sound videos on such topics such as evangelism, apologetics, creation and evolution, home and family, and biblical preaching. Submit links for our consideration here. We pray that this website will be a clear biblical voice to the glory of God.

When I hear this hymn, I cannot help but think of Moses beholding God’s glory while sheltered in a cleft of the rock. What a beautiful picture that is of Christ’s work. It is only through Jesus Christ, God’s sheltering provision, that we can approach God in His holiness. We who were once seperated from God are “made nigh through His blood”. Are you covered in Christ today?

But He said, “You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live.” And the Lord said, “Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock. So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by. Exodus 33:21-22

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure;
Save from wrath and make me pure.

Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to the cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath,
When mine eyes shall close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown,
See Thee on Thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.

“Give yourself to the Church. You that are members of the Church have not found it perfect and I hope that you feel almost glad that you have not. If I had never joined a Church till I had found one that was perfect, I would never have joined one at all! And the moment I did join it, if I had found one, I should have spoiled it, for it would not have been a perfect Church after I had become a member of it. Still, imperfect as it is, it is the dearest place on earth to us… All who have first given themselves to the Lord, should, as speedily as possible, also give themselves to the Lord’s people. How else is there to be a Church on the earth? If it is right for anyone to refrain from membership in the Church, it is right for everyone, and then the testimony for God would be lost to the world!

As I have already said, the Church is faulty, but that is no excuse for your not joining it, if you are the Lord’s. Nor need your own faults keep you back, for the Church is not an institution for perfect people, but a sanctuary for sinners saved by Grace, who, though they are saved, are still sinners and need all the help they can derive from the sympathy and guidance of their fellow Believers. The Church is the nursery for God’s weak children where they are nourished and grow strong. It is the fold for Christ’s sheep—the home for Christ’s family.”

Charles Spurgeon
From the sermon “The Best Donation,” (No. 2234)

Often times it is discouraging to look at the state of the church today. How far we have come from biblical Christianity. And yet God is working; that is sure. This verse reminded me of that great truth. I look forward to the great things God will do.

Behold ye among the nations, and look, and wonder marvellously; for I am working a work in your days, which ye will not believe though it be told you. Habakukk 1:5

Jeff Noblit on the mission of the church.

“If you believe what you like in the gospels, and reject what you don’t like, it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself.”
St. Augustine

The following is a comprehensive definition of salvation as written by Dr. Alan Cairns in his Dictionary of Theological terms. It is one of the clearest and best I have found.

Salvation: The comprehensive term to describe the complete deliverance that God, through the person and work of Christ, and by the operation of the Holy Spirit, gives to His people.

The Scriptures show fallen man in a dead and desperate state (Eph2:1-3). He needs to be saved (Acts 4:12) , or he must perish (John 3:3). But, being depraved and dead in sins, he cannot do a thing to effect his own salvation (Eph. 2:9, Titus 3:5). Only Jesus Christ can save (Matt. 1:21; Acts 4:12; 15:11; Eph. 2:8-10). His whole purpose in coming into the world was slvation (1 Tim. 1:15), and this He purchased by the sacrifice of Himself on the cross (Heb. 5:8, 9; 9:12). The only merit upon which a sinner may be saved is Christ’s merit (Rom. 5:18, 19). Even the act of faith (Acts 16:31; Rom. 5:1), by which a man reaches out and receives Christ, is a divine gift, given on the ground of His righteousness (Eph. 2:8; Phil. 1:29; 2 Pet. 1:1).

The salvation which Christ imparts to his people is all embracing. As to time, it deals with the past, the present, and the future (1 Cor. 1:18; Rom. 5:9). As to the entire man, it deals with spirit, soul, and body (1 Thess. 5:23). It gives us a new legal standing (Rom. 5:1; Gal. 4:5), makes us partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4), renewing us after the image of God (Eph. 4:24; Col. 3:10), and assures us of ternity with Christ in the heaven He has gone to prepares (John 14:1-3). It is an irreversible work- the Scipture speaks of the lost being saved, but never of the saved being lost.

The following is a transcript of a sermon preached by Paris Reidhead, entitled “So Great Salavation.”  The audio can be found at SermonAudio.com

Will you turn please to Hebrews, the first chapter. I want you to notice then carefully, the first two verses of Hebrews chapter one, and without delay, without comment; we’ll begin reading the first verse of the second chapter. Now, there’s a reason, and I’ll explain that. The balance of the chapter from verse three on exalts the Lord Jesus above angels; sets Him forth in His character, and in His office above angels. Now, we recognize this and we receive it, but, we are desirous of knowing why. God has, through the book and writer of the book of Hebrews, made this emphasis: that Christ is above angels; and we’ll see that in the second chapter.

“God, Who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets. Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; THEREFORE, and whenever you find a “therefore” in the scripture, don’t leave it, until you find out what it’s there for, and it’s extremely important here. We ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward. How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him.”

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