Sermons and Biblical Studies

Love and faith are at home in the mystery of the Godhead. Let reason kneel in reverence outside. Romans 1:19–20; Romans 3:4; Colossians 2:8–9 The Knowledge of the Holy, 32.

“God hath called you to Christ’s side,” wrote the saintly Rutherford, “and the wind is now in Christ’s face in this land; and seeing ye are with Him, ye cannot expect the leeside or the sunny side of the brae.” With that beautiful feeling for words that characterized Samuel Rutherford’s most casual utterance he here … Continue reading “TRIALS:
STORMS; JESUS CHRIST: HIS SUSTAINING POWER; CHRISTIAN LIFE”

When the winter temperature is 50 degrees below zero, it is brave, bold talk to say, “I do not want to hide from the cold. I want to face it, whether I have the proper clothing or not!” When we face abrasive storms of life, it is ridiculous to say, “I do not want a … Continue reading “TRIALS:
STORMS; JESUS CHRIST: HIS SUSTAINING POWER”

We are in the midst of the storm of life. The believing saints of God are on board the ship. Someone looks to the horizon and warns, “We are directly in the path of the typhoon! We are as good as dead. We will surely be dashed to pieces on the rocks!” But calmly someone … Continue reading “TRIALS:
STORMS; ANCHOR; JESUS CHRIST: HIS SUSTAINING POWER”

It is amazing to me! There are people within the ranks of Christianity who have been taught and who believe that Christ will shield His followers from wounds of every kind. If the truth were known, the saints of God in every age were only effective after they had been wounded. They experienced the humbling … Continue reading “TRIALS:
NECESSITY OF; WOUNDS”

If God has singled you out to be a special object of His grace you may expect Him to honor you with stricter discipline and greater suffering than less favored ones are called upon to endure.… If God sets out to make you an unusual Christian He is not likely to be as gentle as … Continue reading “TRIALS:
NECESSITY OF; TRIALS: GOD’S PRESENCE IN; DISCIPLINE: CORRECTIVE”

Another way in which we may have to learn this lesson from God is with harsh scourgings. Perhaps this makes me appear to belong to the 17th century for it does not have a popular sound in our day. We are more likely to bring in the cow bells and try to give everyone a … Continue reading “TRIALS:
NECESSITY OF; DISCIPLINE: CORRECTIVE; SCOURGING”

The fallow field is smug, contented, protected from the shock of the plow and the agitation of the harrow. Such a field, as it lies year after year, becomes a familiar landmark to the crow and the blue jay. Had it intelligence, it might take a lot of satisfaction in its reputation; it has stability; … Continue reading “TRIALS:
NECESSITY OF; COMPLACENCY; SPIRITUAL GROWTH”

Religious contentment is the enemy of the spiritual life always. The biographies of the saints teach that the way to spiritual greatness has always been through much suffering and inward pain.… The value of the stripping experience lies in its power to detach us from life’s passing interests and to throw us back upon eternity. … Continue reading “TRIALS:
NECESSITY OF”

Let us not be shocked by the suggestion that there are disadvantages to the life in Christ.… Everyone who has lived for Christ in a Christless world has suffered some losses and endured some pains that he could have avoided by the simple expedient of laying down his cross. However, the pains are short and … Continue reading “TRIALS:
INEVITABILITY OF”