Nov 14
22
SOVEREIGN GRACE AND EVANGELISM
The preaching of Sovereign Grace is not an enemy of true evangelism. Let me hasten to say that the preaching of Sovereign Grace will kill, deader than a doornail, the message and method of present-day evangelism! And some of us believe with deadly intensity that the false message and method must be killed before the true message and method can become effective. We further believe that the only way this can be done is by the preaching of the truth about God, the truth about man, and the truth about Christ, who died and lives that God might be just and justifier!
These lines will appeal to no one who is happy about the results of evangelism today; but should you be one of many who mourn here, you will join in the task of raising up again the standard of Sovereign Grace.
A sovereign Christ is almost unheard of in church circles today – a
Christ into whose hands all things have been given, who has all authority, who gives life and quickens whom He will, who decides the destinies of all men, who is Lord over all flesh. Present-day evangelism, for the most part, poses the question, “What will you do with Jesus?” Bible or true evangelism poses the question, “What will the sovereign Christ do with me?” Present-day evangelism says to men, “Believe and be born again.” Bible evangelism says to men, “Be born again so you can believe.” The one makes the new birth depend on an act of man, the other an act of God.
Present-day evangelism takes for granted God’s mercy and grace, rather than marveling at them in adoration and worship. Hear Paul say, “I obtained mercy.” Hear Peter say, “to all who have obtained like precious faith.” How I long to hear this note in the churches today! Rolfe Barnard
A GOOD HOPE
It is only when our Lord in grace and mercy takes away our imaginary strength that we truly look to Him and trust Him. This we do not learn in creeds and confessions of faith. This we are taught by Him in personal relationship in the experience of grace. I only find hope in Him when there is no hope anywhere else. It is easy to learn correct doctrine, but faith, hope, comfort, rest in Christ is a living experience. Justification, redemption, atonement, sanctification and glorification are not only doctrinal truths believed in the heart, they are truths experienced in the heart in regeneration. Our Lord is our life, and all that is in Him is ours. There is no hope in what I know, my only hope is in Him and what He has done. May God in mercy shut us up to Christ alone! – Tommy Robbins
But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. Gal 6:4
The apostle Paul gives this exhortation to the believer in contrast with the will-worker who “desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.” (Gal 6: 13)
Every sinner in whom the Spirit of Christ dwells is given a single eye for Christ. He is given a heart to rejoice in the gospel of Christ. As he hears how Christ bore his burden in his own body on the tree, the believer is constrained to take the burden off his brother and bear it himself. By his own conversion, he knows the power of the Lord Jesus to save through the gospel. So instead of constraining with the heavy bondage of the law, he speaks the comforting word of the gospel of Christ and him crucified to his brother. It is because he has the law of Christ—the law of faith and love—written on his heart. The power of Christ constrains him like no carnal restraint can.
The believer proves his own work in all of this by trusting his Lord’s ability rather than resorting to his own strength and means. By patiently waiting on the Holy Spirit, he proves he knows that the work which the believer has been given is to simply hold forth the word of life and to wait on God to make the word effectual in his brother’s heart. His own heart is settled by the persuasion of grace that Christ alone has redeemed all God’s elect, is able to call them through the gospel and is able to make fallen brethren stand through the same gospel. When he beholds Christ do the work then he has “rejoicing in himself alone”, that is, in Christ in his own heart, rather than glorying in his brother’s flesh. It is the Spirit that mortifies the deeds of the body, not the flesh. (Rom 8: 8-16). May God give us grace to trust God to do what only he can! Clay Curtis.
The Good Shepherd
by James Smith, 1861
This title Jesus claims for himself. Other shepherds may be good comparatively — but he is good absolutely. A good shepherd is one thing, the good shepherd is another. All that a shepherd should be — Jesus is. All that a shepherd should do, Jesus does. He is the Father’s shepherd, and looks after his Father’s sheep. He is our shepherd, and has taken charge of us. We may sing right joyfully, “The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I lack!” because Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd, the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.” John 10:11
The OFFICE. A shepherd.
This implies trust — for he undertakes the charge of the flock, he is entrusted with the sheep.
It includes care — for he is required to watch over, take care of, and provide for all the needs of the sheep.
It requires attention — for the sheep have many needs, are liable to many diseases, and in the east were exposed to many foes.
It is a situation of great responsibility — for the flock is the wealth of the owner. The shepherd becomes answerable for the safety, condition, and prosperity of the flock, up to the amount of his ability.
Just so is Jesus — he is entrusted with the flock of God, all the care of the flock devolves on him, his whole attention is given to it, and he has become responsible for it.
The CHARACTER. I am the good shepherd.” He knew this, and without either vanity, or pride, or boasting, he could say, “I am the good shepherd.”
He was the true shepherd, not a mere hireling. He knew His work. He loved His flock. He cared more for His sheep — than for himself.
He was a kind shepherd. He gathered the lambs with His arm, carried them in His bosom, and gently led those who were burdened. His kindness extended to the whole flock, and to every sheep and lamb in it.
He was the watchful shepherd, who dwells in the midst of His flock, and lest any should hurt it — keeps it night and day. His eye rests on the whole, and follows every one.
He was as wise as He was watchful. He knew the nature, diseases, habits, needs, and dangers of His flock. His wisdom could never be baffled, nor His knowledge be at fault.
He was as self-denying as He was wise. His flock was ever first — Himself last.
For His flock — He suffered,
for His flock — He labored,
for His flock — He died; in consequence of which he could say, “Not one of them is lost!”
Blessed Jesus, help me in all seasons of weakness, want, and woe — to remember that I have a good shepherd — one true of heart, infinitely kind, ever watchful, inconceivably wise, and full of self-denying love!
The PROOF. “The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.” His object was to preserve his sheep; rather than part with them — He would die for them.
It was to ransom them — for they had strayed, they had trespassed — and an infinite ransom was demanded, and that ransom He laid down his life to pay.
It was to rescue them. To rescue them . . .
from the grasp of divine justice,
from the jaws of the great destroyer,
from the present evil world, and
from all the penal consequences of their transgressions.
It was in order to present them faultless before the presence of his glory, with exceeding joy; and to surrender them to his Father worthy of his admiration, delight, and highest love. For this he gave his time, his talents, his labors, and his life! O good shepherd — You have you given your life to preserve me from death, to ransom me from Hell, to rescue me from Satan, and present me all glorious to your Father! I will bless you while I live, and will glorify your name forever and ever.
Did not the conduct of Jesus as a shepherd, show special love? Did he not do for his flock — what he did not do for others? Must he not have died for them in a sense in which he did not die for others? Will Jesus obtain his object? Will his flock, his whole flock, be saved? Will he ever lose a lamb? Never! Never! This is his Father’s will, and he will carry it out: “I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.”
What induced Jesus to act as he did? The sheep were his Father’s property and choice, and such was his love to his Father, that he was willing to lay down his life for them, rather than his Father should lose them. He therefore accepted the sheep at his Father’s hand, and undertook the entire charge of them. They were entrusted to him that he might see to their salvation and everlasting glorification. Thus his own character became involved in their destiny. If they are saved — he is honored, exalted, has a name above every name — for doing what no one else could do, and bringing a glory to God, which no one else could bring. But if any of the sheep are lost — the shepherd must bear the blame forever; for he either undertook what he could not do, or he was not faithful to the trust which was committed to him. If he could save, and did not — where is his love? If he would have saved — but could not, where is his power? But the good shepherd can and will save every member of his flock with an everlasting salvation!
“The God who once to Israel spoke
From Sinai’s top, in fire and smoke,
In gentler strains of gospel grace,
Invites us now to seek his face.
He wears no terrors on his brow,
He speaks in love, from Zion, now,
It is the voice of Jesus’ blood,
Calling poor wanderers home to God.
The holy Moses quaked and feared
When Sinai’s thundering law he heard;
But reigning grace, with accent mild,
Speaks to the sinner as a child.
Hark! how from Calvary it sounds;
From the Redeemer’s bleeding wounds;
Pardon and grace I freely give,
Poor sinner, look to me and live.
What other arguments can move
The heart that slights a Savior’s love!
Yet till Almighty power constrain,
This matchless love is preached in vain.
O Savior, let the power be felt,
And cause each stony heart to melt!
Deeply impress upon our youth,
The light and force of gospel truth.”