SOVEREIGN GRACE AND EVANGELISM<\/p>\n
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!<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
A sovereign Christ is almost unheard of in church circles today \u2013 a
\nChrist 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, \u201cWhat will you do with Jesus?\u201d Bible or true evangelism poses the question, \u201cWhat will the sovereign Christ do with me?\u201d Present-day evangelism says to men, \u201cBelieve and be born again.\u201d Bible evangelism says to men, \u201cBe born again so you can believe.\u201d The one makes the new birth depend on an act of man, the other an act of God.<\/p>\n
Present-day evangelism takes for granted God\u2019s mercy and grace, rather than marveling at them in adoration and worship. Hear Paul say, \u201cI obtained mercy.\u201d Hear Peter say, \u201cto all who have obtained like precious faith.\u201d How I long to hear this note in the churches today! Rolfe Barnard<\/p>\n
A GOOD HOPE<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. Gal 6:4<\/p>\n
The apostle Paul gives this exhortation to the believer in contrast with the will-worker who \u201cdesire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.\u201d (Gal 6: 13)
\n 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\u2014the law of faith and love\u2014written on his heart. The power of Christ constrains him like no carnal restraint can.
\n 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
The Good Shepherd
\nby James Smith, 1861<\/p>\n
This title Jesus claims for himself. Other shepherds may be good comparatively \u2014 but he is good absolutely. A good shepherd is one thing, the good shepherd is another. All that a shepherd should be \u2014 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
\nThe OFFICE. A shepherd.
\nThis implies trust \u2014 for he undertakes the charge of the flock, he is entrusted with the sheep.
\nIt includes care \u2014 for he is required to watch over, take care of, and provide for all the needs of the sheep.
\nIt requires attention \u2014 for the sheep have many needs, are liable to many diseases, and in the east were exposed to many foes.
\nIt is a situation of great responsibility \u2014 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.
\nJust so is Jesus \u2014 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.
\nThe 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.”
\nHe was the true shepherd, not a mere hireling. He knew His work. He loved His flock. He cared more for His sheep \u2014 than for himself.
\nHe 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.
\nHe was the watchful shepherd, who dwells in the midst of His flock, and lest any should hurt it \u2014 keeps it night and day. His eye rests on the whole, and follows every one.
\nHe 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.
\nHe was as self-denying as He was wise. His flock was ever first \u2014 Himself last.
\nFor His flock \u2014 He suffered,
\nfor His flock \u2014 He labored,
\nfor His flock \u2014 He died; in consequence of which he could say, “Not one of them is lost!”
\nBlessed Jesus, help me in all seasons of weakness, want, and woe \u2014 to remember that I have a good shepherd \u2014 one true of heart, infinitely kind, ever watchful, inconceivably wise, and full of self-denying love!
\nThe PROOF. “The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.” His object was to preserve his sheep; rather than part with them \u2014 He would die for them.
\nIt was to ransom them \u2014 for they had strayed, they had trespassed \u2014 and an infinite ransom was demanded, and that ransom He laid down his life to pay.
\nIt was to rescue them. To rescue them . . .
\nfrom the grasp of divine justice,
\nfrom the jaws of the great destroyer,
\nfrom the present evil world, and
\nfrom all the penal consequences of their transgressions.
\nIt 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 \u2014 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.
\nDid not the conduct of Jesus as a shepherd, show special love? Did he not do for his flock \u2014 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.”
\nWhat 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 \u2014 he is honored, exalted, has a name above every name \u2014 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 \u2014 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 \u2014 where is his love? If he would have saved \u2014 but could not, where is his power? But the good shepherd can and will save every member of his flock with an everlasting salvation!<\/p>\n
“The God who once to Israel spoke
\nFrom Sinai’s top, in fire and smoke,
\nIn gentler strains of gospel grace,
\nInvites us now to seek his face.
\nHe wears no terrors on his brow,
\nHe speaks in love, from Zion, now,
\nIt is the voice of Jesus’ blood,
\nCalling poor wanderers home to God.
\nThe holy Moses quaked and feared
\nWhen Sinai’s thundering law he heard;
\nBut reigning grace, with accent mild,
\nSpeaks to the sinner as a child.
\nHark! how from Calvary it sounds;
\nFrom the Redeemer’s bleeding wounds;
\nPardon and grace I freely give,
\nPoor sinner, look to me and live.
\nWhat other arguments can move
\nThe heart that slights a Savior’s love!
\nYet till Almighty power constrain,
\nThis matchless love is preached in vain.
\nO Savior, let the power be felt,
\nAnd cause each stony heart to melt!
\nDeeply impress upon our youth,
\nThe light and force of gospel truth.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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