A LIFTING UP FOR THE DOWNCAST FULL

This doesn’t sound like the American “come just as you are,” “try God,” or “raise your hand and pray a prayer,” kind of evangelism that I am used to, says the small God believer. Romans 9:14-18 “What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means! For he says to Moses, 'I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.' So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, 'For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.' So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.” Paul anticipates the response if the person who thinks his God is big. God chose who He would work His promise through not according to any foreknown works but purely because God’s election is based on His good purpose. For not all who are descended from Israel belongs to Israel, and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.' This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. For this is what the promise said: 'About this time next year I will return and Sarah shall have a son.' And not only so, but also when Rebecca had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad-in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of his call-she was told, 'The older will serve the younger.' As it is written, 'Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.' Romans 9:6-13, “But it is not as though the word of God has failed.

In fact he goes so far as to say that God is the one who saves and not man by his choice. In the book of Romans, Paul is arguing for the all-sufficiency of God in salvation. Yet when you begin to ask questions and probe a little, you quickly realize that not only do they have a much smaller God, but they have a greatly inflated view of man. How big is your God? I know that most people would not even hesitate to say that their God is very big. We will begin to meet on Sunday mornings towards the end of summer.Īs for my last post I would like to continue here with just one short thought. If you are in the Chico area, consider yourself invited. We do not have a name yet, and we are already meeting on Sunday nights at my house. Spread a passion for His truth to all peoples, I have written a mission statement, which was much more difficult than I thought it would be. Now I have another job (still delivering produce) which I actually love.

A LIFTING UP FOR THE DOWNCAST FULL

I was able to a lot when I was pastoring full time. Maybe this will actually help to get me writing more. We are starting a new church here in Chico. Now there is a new distraction to draw me away from this. It is only because I am so busy with work and family. Soli Deo Gloria Reprint 1989.It has been a few weeks since I last posted. The Great Gospel Mystery of the Saint's Comfort and Holiness, Opened and Applied from Christ's Priestly Office. And therefore the high priest, in the times of the Old Testament, (who was a type of Christ) he wore a crown upon his head, and the breastplate of Urim and Thummim upon his breast: showing that both the other offices, the kingly and the prophetical office, were planted upon the priestly office of Jesus Christ.” This is the great thing that these words hold forth.Īnd there, upon this account, the apostle Paul, finding the Hebrews laboring under great temptations, doubtings, fears, and much unbelief he does not only here, but all along in this book of the Hebrews, open the priestly office of Christ unto them.Īnd indeed, what comfort can we have in God Himself, but through Christ? And what comfort can we have in Christ Himself, but as He is clothed with His priestly garment, with the office of High Priest? Whatsoever comfort we have in the other offices of Christ, namely His kingly and His prophetical offices, it is all originated and principiated in this: the priestly office of Jesus Christ, it does give a life, and being, and efficacy to both the other offices. “The priestly office of Christ, it is the great magazine and storehouse of all that grace and comfort which we have this side heaven: it is that whereby we are reconciled to God the Father, and relieved against all temptation. 18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.' Heb. “Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

A lifting up for the downcast