Category: The Bible
Devotional Thought for Today – 07/12/2021
Romans 11:33-36
Paul ends chapter 11 with this doxology (short poetic hymn or expression of praise) about God. In this case specifically about His grandeur For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things…
He concludes with a matter-of-fact statement for all believers, saying if all this be true, then give God His due: to whom be glory forever. Amen.
A Mini Q&A on A Few Calvinistic Doctrines
I, along with my co-pastor, are preaching through the Gospel of John. We’re about halfway done. The Fourth Gospel is not merely introductory material on the Christian life, but a deep, theological book that covers many weighty topics. I would argue that John’s Gospel is
Sunday Sermon Series – Immutability
HEBREWS 13
In yesterday’s devotional thought, our main text was Malichai 3:6, but the subject matter the same, God’s immutability.
Our text today Hebrews 13:8 has that same theme. The ESV Study Bible says of this verse:
Heb. 13:8 Jesus the Messiah (Christ) is eternally trustworthy in his position as high priest and as Son of God—yesterday active in creation (e.g., 1:2–4), today offering salvation (e.g., 4:7–10), and forever reigning in heaven (e.g., 10:12). This verse may be a transition from 13:7 (their leaders trusted in this Christ, and Jesus remains trustworthy) to v. 9 (strange teachings are departures from the Jesus who is always the same).
SERMON
THE IMMUTABILITY OF CHRIST
NO. 170
DELIVERED ON SABBATH MORNING, JANUARY 3, 1858,
BY THE REV. C. H. SPURGEON,
AT THE MUSIC HALL, ROYAL SURREY GARDENS.
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8
Other Resources:
Jesus Christ Is Immutable by C H Spurgeon
Devotional Thought for Today – 07/10/2021
Malachi 3
Chapter Context: Malachi is the last of the prophets sent to Israel prior to 400 years of silence. Matthew Henry breaks the chapter down as follows: The coming of Christ. (1-6) The Jews were reproved for their corruptions. (7-12) God’s care of his people; The distinction between the righteous and the wicked. (13-18)
Our text for today comes at the end of the first section of chapter three, it closes the promise of the coming savior. With in this verse, there are two key components, the first being God’s immutability and the second God’s ongoing promise to His chosen.
It is this first component I wish to look at briefly today. God’s immutability in simple terms means that God does not change, For I am the Lord, I change not;. He is not indecisive, wavering in His feelings, plans, or thoughts in any manner. He is the same God today that created the Heavens and Earth Genesis 1 and all that lies between them.
Why is this so important? This is where the second component of our text for today comes into importance, God’s ongoing promise to His chosen, therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. God chose the nation of Israel through Abraham to be His chosen people and because of Christ gentiles are engrafted into that promise Deuteronomy 7:6–8, 1 Peter 2:9.
Let us stop and think (clearly and without emotions) for a minute reading the Old Covenant did Israel deserve to be consumed (destroyed)? What about modern man and their undeniable immorality? The answers are Yes and Amen!
Yet it is God’s immutability, that prevents this wholesale inhalation. Yes God is merciful, Yes God is forgiving, but God is above all IMMUTABLE. If He was not if He was as wishy-washy as every human on the planet why would you worship Him?
OTHER RESOURCES:
Divine Immutability and the Doctrines of Grace – 5 Part series by John MacArthur
The Immutability of God – BY HERMAN BAVINCK
The Immutability of God by A W Pink
The Immutability of God by Thomas Watson
God Unchanging Ligonier Ministries
Barronelle Stutzman’s Long Obedience and the Failure of the Court
I am not an attorney so I have no clue how SCOTUS decides which cases it will hear and which ones it will turn away. One would have thought this case was a clear-cut violation of the owner’s rights. Maybe they deemed they had already settled the argument in MASTERPIECE CAKESHOP, LTD., ET AL. v. COLORADO CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION ET AL. But we all know the state of Colorado is still going after Mr. Phillips.
This is an excellent article on the matter.
On Friday, in an act of what can only be described as dereliction, the Supreme Court of the United States refused to hear the case of Arlene’s Flowers, Inc. vs. Washington. In refusing to hear this case, the Court has failed to bring clarity to a situation it ultimately created.
Source: Barronelle Stutzman’s Long Obedience and the Failure of the Court
A Book So Right, the Left Won’t Touch It
What’s wrong with good old-fashioned “God and Country” patriotism and referencing the Good Book? Apparently, it’s so offensive some won’t stand for it…
Devotional Thought for Today – 07/07/2021
Leviticus 1
There are five major sacrifices in the Old Covenant, the burnt offering, the grain offering, the peace offering, the sin offering, and the trespass offering. Each was a means by which God used sacrifices to point to Christ and the fellowship of His chosen people.
This past Sunday, before my aborted trip, my son-in-law and I were grilling some ribs, burgers, and hotdogs and for some reason, my mind wandered to Old Testament Burnt Offerings. No, not because were “burnt” the food but because without Christ, we would today be making an offering of that food and having it totally consumed (BURNT UP)in atonement as a sweet aroma to God.
Thankfully, today we enjoy our BBQ because Christ made the ultimate sacrifice for all God’s chosen. Yes, we still offer sacrifices, but they are Spiritual, not the ones of the Old Covenant.
1 Peter 2:4-8 – Becoming a Spiritual House and Holy Priesthood by John Piper
Why The Greatest Gift the Church Can Give Us Is Forgiveness
We have all been there and seen them, individuals or churches as a whole who shun ex-inmates or those who do not “conform” to their ideal of the “perfect” Christian. Simply put that is Legalism and has no place in any CHURCH. Basically, they are saying Christ’s atonement was good enough for only those they chose. I want to be careful here and clearly state neither I nor the author is making a case for open widespread forgiveness when church disciple need be applied. That is clearly something different and greatly lacking in evangelical churches today.
The term cancel culture evokes images of screaming undergrads, de-platformed speakers, fired employees, and demanding protesters. However, the cancel culture ethic doesn’t simply exist “out there” in the larger culture; it has infiltrated our homes. Our dinner tables have become personal social media platforms…
SOURCE: Why The Greatest Gift the Church Can Give Us Is Forgiveness
Must I Join a Church to be a Christian?
I’m not sure the proper question is “Do I have to join a church to be a Christian?” Rather, “What is my attitude toward the local church and what does that say about my commitment to Christ?”
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