J.A. Matteson
The Apostle Peter noted that love covers a multitude of sins. It is by the redemptive work of grace that sinners come under conviction for sin, "I am the least of the Apostles...." (1 Cor. 15:9). God is love, and the sweetness of conviction and the subsequent awareness of forgiveness manifests a profound sense of gratitude. Yet grace is exceedingly abundant in its extent and application, none are beyond its reach. How is it that a persecutor of the Way becomes a champion of it? Does a man, unassisted by grace, come to his senses by considering its claims and evidence, therefore declaring, "Why did I not see it before?" The Pelagian's think so. Yet Paul was not musing the evidences in order to embrace them; rather, he sat upon a beast of burden enroute to Damascus contemplating the misery to befall his first victim. What happened to Paul? God intervened, and when He shows up a man is never the same. Let us give thanks for His grace in calling us into His marvelous light in which we stand.
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
Monday, April 30, 2012
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Which Jesus?
J.A. Matteson
It is fashionable in our day for many within evangelicalism to view doctrine with contempt, "Doctrine divides," they say, "let's just love Jesus." What did Paul say to the church at Corinth?...."By which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you" (1 Cor. 15:2). To Paul the content of his teaching mattered. If we accept the premise of merely "loving Jesus" as the basis of our fellowship we must then ask, which Jesus? The Jesus of the Gnostic's? The Jesus of Islam? The Jesus of the Jehovah's Witnesses? The Jesus of the Mormon's? The Jesus of the New Age movement? The Jesus of the seclarist? Which Jesus are we speaking of? By formulating an answer to the question we are now engaged in doctrine. So doctrine actually unites, serving as the basis of our common faith once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3). Blessed be the Name of the King immortal who protects His sheep from falsehood by leading them into all truth.
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
It is fashionable in our day for many within evangelicalism to view doctrine with contempt, "Doctrine divides," they say, "let's just love Jesus." What did Paul say to the church at Corinth?...."By which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you" (1 Cor. 15:2). To Paul the content of his teaching mattered. If we accept the premise of merely "loving Jesus" as the basis of our fellowship we must then ask, which Jesus? The Jesus of the Gnostic's? The Jesus of Islam? The Jesus of the Jehovah's Witnesses? The Jesus of the Mormon's? The Jesus of the New Age movement? The Jesus of the seclarist? Which Jesus are we speaking of? By formulating an answer to the question we are now engaged in doctrine. So doctrine actually unites, serving as the basis of our common faith once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3). Blessed be the Name of the King immortal who protects His sheep from falsehood by leading them into all truth.
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Telling the Story
J.A. Matteson
In the normal course of time it is not unusual for believers to have their attention diverted away from the simple and beautiful truth of the Gospel by which they were saved in exchange for a fascination with secondary non-salvific issues, "Now I make know to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you...." (1 Cor. 15:1). Western society is influenced by Greek culture in that it tends to reduce truth to propositional statements. The Hebrew culture by contrast assumed a wholistic stance to communicate truth, generally in story form from one generation to the next. How did Paul tell the story of the Man from Galille? He began with the advent of Messiah through the incarnation, Emmanuel, God with us. He related the sinless life of Christ and how He went about doing good and proclaiming the kingdom of God. He spoke of His passion and sufferings on the cross. He boldly declared His triumph over death and resurrection. And He spoke of His Church andits mission in the world until His return and the end of the present age. In short, it is clear the Gospel took a bit of explanation and was not reduced to a few pithy sound bites. If we can relate the message of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation in story form we are close to replicating Paul's approach to preaching. To the praise of His holy Name.
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
In the normal course of time it is not unusual for believers to have their attention diverted away from the simple and beautiful truth of the Gospel by which they were saved in exchange for a fascination with secondary non-salvific issues, "Now I make know to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you...." (1 Cor. 15:1). Western society is influenced by Greek culture in that it tends to reduce truth to propositional statements. The Hebrew culture by contrast assumed a wholistic stance to communicate truth, generally in story form from one generation to the next. How did Paul tell the story of the Man from Galille? He began with the advent of Messiah through the incarnation, Emmanuel, God with us. He related the sinless life of Christ and how He went about doing good and proclaiming the kingdom of God. He spoke of His passion and sufferings on the cross. He boldly declared His triumph over death and resurrection. And He spoke of His Church andits mission in the world until His return and the end of the present age. In short, it is clear the Gospel took a bit of explanation and was not reduced to a few pithy sound bites. If we can relate the message of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation in story form we are close to replicating Paul's approach to preaching. To the praise of His holy Name.
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
Friday, April 20, 2012
God is Able
J.A. Matteson
(Devotional)
"And Jesus said to the centurion, 'Go, it shall be done for you as you have believed" (Matthew 8:13). On what basis was the centurions servant healed, was it the man acknowledging Jesus' authority over sickness and His ability to heal, or did he think of faith as a force whereby Jesus was obligated to heal in response to his request? If the later, who is the sovereign? The centurion by no means presumed Jesus would heal but that He possessed the ability to heal if He chose, "...just say the word, and my servant will be healed." Some today teach that Jesus was obligated to heal in response to the mans request. That position nullifies the sovereignty of God and distorts the object of faith. That God is able to perform that which we request is far different than God being obligated by our asking.Those who hold to the later ultimately place their faith in their faith, not in God, making faith a mighty force and placing God in a subservient position to their desires; they deify man and humanize God. That is not a biblical description of faith, rather it is metaphysics on a par with New Age teaching. Make your requests to God subject to His grace and wisdom, "LORD not my will, but Your will be done." To God alone be the glory.
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
(Devotional)
"And Jesus said to the centurion, 'Go, it shall be done for you as you have believed" (Matthew 8:13). On what basis was the centurions servant healed, was it the man acknowledging Jesus' authority over sickness and His ability to heal, or did he think of faith as a force whereby Jesus was obligated to heal in response to his request? If the later, who is the sovereign? The centurion by no means presumed Jesus would heal but that He possessed the ability to heal if He chose, "...just say the word, and my servant will be healed." Some today teach that Jesus was obligated to heal in response to the mans request. That position nullifies the sovereignty of God and distorts the object of faith. That God is able to perform that which we request is far different than God being obligated by our asking.Those who hold to the later ultimately place their faith in their faith, not in God, making faith a mighty force and placing God in a subservient position to their desires; they deify man and humanize God. That is not a biblical description of faith, rather it is metaphysics on a par with New Age teaching. Make your requests to God subject to His grace and wisdom, "LORD not my will, but Your will be done." To God alone be the glory.
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Trust in Him
J.A. Matteson
(Devotional)
Some trust in government. Some trust in friends. Some trust in family. Some trust in coworkers. Some trust in institutions. Some trust in their good health. Some trust in their abilities. Some trust in advisors. Some trust in their bank account. Some trust in themselves. Some trust in fate. Some trust in an unknown future. Some trust in a spouse. Some trust in the odds favoring them. Some trust in the human spirit. Some trust in hard work. Some trust in optimism. Some trust in the military. Some trust in public servants. Some trust in Jesus Christ, "O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in You!" (Psalm 84:12). At some point all will fall short and disappoint, except Jesus Christ, Who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Those who trust in Him will never be disappointed. Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
(Devotional)
Some trust in government. Some trust in friends. Some trust in family. Some trust in coworkers. Some trust in institutions. Some trust in their good health. Some trust in their abilities. Some trust in advisors. Some trust in their bank account. Some trust in themselves. Some trust in fate. Some trust in an unknown future. Some trust in a spouse. Some trust in the odds favoring them. Some trust in the human spirit. Some trust in hard work. Some trust in optimism. Some trust in the military. Some trust in public servants. Some trust in Jesus Christ, "O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in You!" (Psalm 84:12). At some point all will fall short and disappoint, except Jesus Christ, Who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Those who trust in Him will never be disappointed. Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
Monday, April 16, 2012
The Gospel of Grace
J.A. Matteson
(Devotional)
Religion insists upon prerequisites to establish righteousness before God. The Gospel of grace turns all such arrogance on its head, "...for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham" (Matthew 3:9). Religion dictates terms and conditions for salvation, grace obliterates human striving, replacing it with divine initiative, "And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them. And I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh...." (Ezekiel 11:19). The religious elite where greatly offended at John's assertion that the kingdom of God was open to the Gentiles and that their admission was being initiated by God in response to the unbelief of His covenant people to come to Him by faith and not in their vain efforts of self righteousness in attempting to keep the Law. The work of grace is recognized by humility whereas pride results in judgement.
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
(Devotional)
Religion insists upon prerequisites to establish righteousness before God. The Gospel of grace turns all such arrogance on its head, "...for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham" (Matthew 3:9). Religion dictates terms and conditions for salvation, grace obliterates human striving, replacing it with divine initiative, "And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them. And I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh...." (Ezekiel 11:19). The religious elite where greatly offended at John's assertion that the kingdom of God was open to the Gentiles and that their admission was being initiated by God in response to the unbelief of His covenant people to come to Him by faith and not in their vain efforts of self righteousness in attempting to keep the Law. The work of grace is recognized by humility whereas pride results in judgement.
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Confidently Advance
J.A. Matteson
(Devotional)
Faith perceives the reality of what is unseen by trusting in the promises and character of Him who calls. "Come and let us cross over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; perhaps the LORD will work for us, for the LORD is not restrained to save by many or few" (1 Samuel 14:6). The servant of the LORD may confidently advance when He directs, irrespective of rational indications to the contrary. For the LORD delights in delivering His children when they are weakest, for in those moments His presence is most notably recognized to the praise of His Name. Are you confronted with the impossible according to your resources? Confirm it is the LORD directing you to advance. If it is not stop immediately. If it is He you may continue confidently irrespective of appearances. His deliverance will be self evident. To Him who is able to do exceedingly more than we can imagine, be the glory and honor and majesty for ever and ever. Amen
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
(Devotional)
Faith perceives the reality of what is unseen by trusting in the promises and character of Him who calls. "Come and let us cross over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; perhaps the LORD will work for us, for the LORD is not restrained to save by many or few" (1 Samuel 14:6). The servant of the LORD may confidently advance when He directs, irrespective of rational indications to the contrary. For the LORD delights in delivering His children when they are weakest, for in those moments His presence is most notably recognized to the praise of His Name. Are you confronted with the impossible according to your resources? Confirm it is the LORD directing you to advance. If it is not stop immediately. If it is He you may continue confidently irrespective of appearances. His deliverance will be self evident. To Him who is able to do exceedingly more than we can imagine, be the glory and honor and majesty for ever and ever. Amen
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
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