But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. 1 Peter 3: 14-16
The Providence of God After the Pattern of Christ Featured
Written by john_hendryx
by Thomas Boston
Observe the providence of God in the dispensations of it, about the man Christ, the most noble and august object of it, more valuable than a thousand worlds. Did not Providence keep this course with Him, first humbling Him, then exalting Him, and lifting Him up? First bringing Him...
How We Ought to Respond to Difficult Providences Featured
Written by john_hendryx
by Thomas Boston
In your sufferings,"Consider His holiness and justice, showing he wrongs you not;His mercy and goodness, that it is not worse;His sovereignty, that it may silence you:His infinite wisdom and love, that may satisfy you in it."
A spirit brought down to their lot.
Their lot is a low...
Question: Does a person have a choice when God deals with their heart?
Response: All people without exception are called to repent and believe the gospel. God holds no one back from believing. However, due to a corruption of nature all people who hear the gospel reject it. But those whom he inwardly...
"In studying divine covenants in general, one is treading through understanding God's Redemptive Plan throughout history. This is a matter of Eternal Salvation. It answers the question: How may a sinful man approach God (Exodus 3:5)?"Herman Witsius
Free aBooks
Quicken me, O Lord, according unto thy word Featured
Written by john_hendryx
by Thomas Manton
1. What is quickening?
2. Why asked of God?
First, What is this quickening? Quickening in scripture is put for two things:—
1. For regeneration, or the first infusion of the life of grace; as Eph. 2:5, 'And you that were dead in trespasses and sins hath he quickened;' that is,...
by John Newton“By the grace of God I am what I am!” - 1 Corinthians 15:10
The true Christian is sensible and mindful of indwelling sin. He confesses that in everything he comes exceedingly short, and that his best services are not only defective — but defiled.
He accounts...
Some Important Works (We Publish) by Scottish Presbyterians
Written by john_hendryxRecently I have been spending a lot of time reading the Scottish Presbyterians. I cannot get over how clear and helpful some of their works are. I especially have enjoyed the works of Thomas Boston and James Durham. For anyone who wants get a taste for their writting, below I am...
The Difference Between the Faith of Demons and Saving Faith
Written by john_hendryxThe Bible declares that there are some people whose "faith" is on an equal level (or worse) than that of demons. "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder." (James 2:19)
The faith of demons is but a mere belief in God's...
Christ as the Sole Foundation, as Beginner and Perfecter
Written by john_hendryx
by John Calvin
If these matters had in bygone ages been treated and dealt with in proper order, so many tumults and dissensions would never have arisen. Paul says that in the upbuilding of Christian teaching we must keep the foundation that he had laid among the Corinthians [cf. 1 Cor. 3:10],...
VisitorChristians are bigots. They tell gay people that their very identity is unnatural and that they should not live their lives based on their sexuality.
ResponseChristians believe all people without exception are under the wrath of God for their sin, not just homosexuals. So no one is being...
Does Christ require the sinner to "stop sinning and you'll be pardoned"?, or something else?
When you trust in Christ for the first time, you are trusting in Him as a Savior FROM SIN, both its guilt and power. No one "just believes" in Christ's existence to be saved; we come to him, rather, to be...
7 Reasons Grace Will Never Be Overthrown in the Believer
Written by john_hendryx
by Jonathan Edwards
Where [grace] does truly exist in the heart, all its enemies cannot destroy it, and all the opposition made against it cannot crush it. It endures all things, and stands all shocks, and remains notwithstanding all opposers. And the reason of this may be seen in these two things:
A...
It is a myth that Christians think they are good people, entitled to sit in judgment over others because they are morally superior. On the contrary, a true Christian knows with certainty they are NOT good, that they are no better than anyone else... that they are rebel sinners who justly deserve...
by Tim Keller & Charles Garland
About every other week, I confront popular pluralist notions that have become a large part of the way Americans think. For example, pluralists contend that no one religion can know the fullness of spiritual truth, therefore all religions are valid. But while it is...
The following are some expositons on Paul's Epistle to the Romans that we highly recommend.
Exposition of Romans(MP3 Series)by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Exposition of Romans (MP3 Series)by Sinclair B. Ferguson
Exposition of Romans, 6-16 (MP3 Sermon Series)by Voddie Baucham
Modern society tends to be deeply incoherent. On the one hand our culture demands justice for the oppressed and impartial benevolence toward all. On the other hand it teaches that no one has the right to declare right and wrong to anyone else, as secularism asserts that every person must determine...
Do not replace Christ with political tribalism or the state. These are false christs which cannot save you.
Authors: john_hendryx...
Can someone receive Jesus as Savior, but not as Lord?
Written by john_hendryx
Question: Can someone receive Jesus as Savior, but not as Lord?
Answer: When God opens someone's eyes to recognize and trust Jesus as Savior, they already affirm Him as Lord. The concepts are so interrelated that cannot really be separated. Here's why:
If, by grace, you want Jesus to save you from...
- Adoptionism The belief Jesus is not eternally God but became God sometime after His birth
- Antinomianism The belief that Christians are not bound by God’s law and are free to sin as they please. That Jesus' rescues from the guilt of sin but not its power..
- Anti-Paulism The belief...
Is Covenant Theology the Same as Replacement Theology?
Written by john_hendryx
Israel in the Plan of God
Replacement theology is understood to be the view that the Church has replaced God's chosen people, the Jews, entirely, and that God wants nothing more to do with them as a people. It says that since Israel rejected their Messiah, they forfeit all of their God-given...
The Nature of the Fruits of Repentance: Piety Toward God Charity Toward Men
Written by john_hendryx
by John Calvin
From Calvin's Institutes 3.3.15-21, pg 607-617
15. Repentance according to 2 Cor. 7:11
It is for a very good reason that the apostle enumerates seven causes, effects, or parts in his description of repentance. They are earnestness or carefulness, excuse, indignation, fear, longing,...
The Doctrines of Election and Final Perseverance
Written by john_hendryx
by John Newton
Dear Sir,
Your letter breathes the spirit of a Christian, though you say you are not a Calvinist. I would have still confined myself, in my letters, to the great truths in which we are agreed, if you had not invited me to touch upon the points wherein we differ. If you were insistent...
by F. W. Krummacher (1796-1868)
Once, when a voice spoke from heaven to the people who were assembled around Jesus, the evangelist relates, that "some said it thundered; others, that an angel spoke to him." No one exactly knew what to make of the wondrous sound, although all were affected, amazed,...
Four Things that Belong to the Nature of Sincerity
Written by john_hendryx
by Jonathan Edwards
There are many that make a profession and show of religion, and some that do many of the outward things which it requires, and possibly they may think that they have done and suffered much for God and his service. But the great inquiry is, has the heart been sincere in it all,...
Since we cannot pry into the secret will of God, we do not know who the elect are. From our standpoint, we have the good news and we see our friends perishing. What are we going to do with that? Hopefully it is to love our neighbor. God had such great mercy on us ... so we ought to be filled with...
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