Sermons and Biblical Studies

See also: Optimism We live in an era in which pessimism has become the norm, rather than the exception … Cultural pessimism draws heavily on the philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche and on his sweeping condemnation of the European society of his day as “sick” and “decadent.” Arthur Herman

To see a world in a grain of sand And a heaven in a wild flower: Hold infinity in the palm of your hand, And eternity in an hour. William Blake

The greatest service that one person can do another. William Temple, describing evangelism

The doctrine of the final perseverance of the saints has as its corollary the salutary teaching that the saints are the people who persevere to the end. F.F. Bruce There is no question in the Scripture about the eternal security of those truly regenerated by the Holy Spirit. One should be careful at this point … Continue reading “PERSEVERENCE
OF CHRISTIANS”

Through zeal and envy, the most faithful and righteous pillars of the church have been persecuted even to the most grievous deaths. Clement of Rome They are put to death, and they gain new life. Eusebius The church of Christ has been founded by shedding its own blood, not that of others; by enduring outrage, … Continue reading “PERSECUTION
IN THE EARLY CHURCH”

In perplexities – when we cannot tell what to do, when we cannot understand what is going on around us – let us be calmed and steadied and made patient by the thought that what is hidden from us is not hidden from Him. Frances Ridley Havergal

If God had believed in permissiveness, he would have given us Ten Suggestions. Sign outside a church in Rhode Island

If the Lord himself teaches that the Church will struggle with the burden of countless sinners until the day of judgment, it is obviously futile to look for a Church totally free from faults. John Calvin

See also: Holiness; Mistakes Perfection consists not in doing extraordinary things, but in doing ordinary things extraordinarily well. Neglect nothing; the most trivial action may be performed to God. Angelique Arnauld Perfection does not consist in macerating or killing the body, but in killing our perverse self-will. Catherine of Siena Perfection is achieved, not when … Continue reading “PERFECTION”

Look to the essence of a thing, whether it be a point of doctrine, of practice, or of interpretation. Marcus Aurelius Antoninus When you have first learned God, or His will, you can address yourself cheerfully to the study of His works. If you do not see yourselves and all things as living, moving, and … Continue reading “PERCEPTION”