Quote of the Day

"Many people...do not want absolutes in doctrine and ethics, simply because absolute truths and standards demand absolute acceptance and obedience." —John MacArthur

Sins of Ignorance

Luke 23:34 "Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."

"Sin is always sin in the sight of God whether we are conscious of it or not. Sins of ignorance need atonement just as truly as do conscious sins. God is holy, and he will not lower his standard of righteousness to the level of our ignorance. Ignorance is not innocence. As a matter of fact, ignorance is more culpable now than it was in the days of Moses. We have no excuse for our ignorance. God has clearly and fully revealed his will. The Bible is in our hands, and we cannot plead ignorance of its contents except to condemn our laziness. God has spoken and by his word we shall be judged.

And yet the fact remains that we are ignorant of many things, and the fault and blame are ours. And this does not minimize the enormity of our guilt. Sins of ignorance need the divine forgiveness as our Lord’s prayer here plainly shows. Learn then how high is God’s standard, how great is our need, and praise him for an atonement of infinite sufficiency, which cleanseth from all sin." —A. W. Pink (1886–1952)

Gatlinburg Pictures

Just got back from Gatlinburg a little bit ago and thought I would share just a few pics. We were a few weeks early for all the spring colors but still a very nice and relaxing time. Most of these pictures were taken in Cades Cove.

Going to the Smokies

My wife and I are headed to the Great Smokey Mountains today for a three night stay at a hidden cabin near Gatlinburg, TN. Pray for our safe journey and protection of our youngest child Joshua and our ten year old black toy poodle "Pebbles" while we are away. We have never been to the Smokey Mountains in the Spring so we are looking forward to it. I hope to post some pictures when we get back. Taking my new book by Thomas Manton on Jude along with my trusty ol' King James Bible. It should be a great time of relaxation and fellowship with my wife.

Doctrine is Practical

John MacArthur posted a great article today at the Pulpit Magazine on the importance of sound doctrine and how practical it really is. It's titled Who Said Doctrine Isn’t Practical? and is a must read for all believers.

"nothing is more practical than sound doctrine.... No ministry activity is more important than rightly understanding and clearly proclaiming sound doctrine." —John MacArthur

Related Articles
The Importance of Doctrine
Beware of the Deception
Ignorance of Doctrine
Quote of the Day
Why Doctrinal Preaching Declines
Spurgeon on False Doctrine

New Books

Sorry for the lack of post lately but I have just been real busy, and have been spending more time reading of late. Here is a list of the latest round of books I have purchased.

Jude by Thomas Manton, I have found this book to be clear, precise and a deep treasure trove of Christian exposition.

The Loveliness of Christ by Samuel Rutherfod, It is said that this book is ‘a small casket stored with many jewels’.

Christ Is All, by Horatius Bonar, This is a book of excerpts from the Scottish Presbyterian preacher with a view into the real Christian life.

A Defence of Calvinism by C. H. Spurgeon, I will most likely end up giving this little gem away at some point to help a fellow brother see the parallel truths.

Ashamed of the Gospel by John MacArthur, I have had this book in digital format for several years I just want to be able to hold a copy.

Palm Sunday

Mark 11: 1-11 "And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples, And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him. And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither. And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him. And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt? And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go. And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him. And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way. And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest. And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve."

Quote of the Day

"You can never magnify Christ enough, and you can never abase yourself enough, and, Christ is most exalted when you are most abased... And if Christ is to be precious to you, you must be vile in your own sight." —Thomas Manton (1620 - 1677)

Believe The Gospel

"Christ crucified" is the burden of the message which God has sent to man. "Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures." The reception of this gospel is eternal life; the rejection of it is everlasting death. "This is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son." The belief of the gospel saves; the belief of the promise annexed to that gospel makes us sure of this salvation personally. It is not the belief of our belief that assures us of pardon, and gives us a good conscience towards God; but our belief of what God has promised to every one who believes His gospel,—that is eternal life. "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and THOU SHALT BE SAVED." —Horatius Bonar (1808-1889)

Being Honest with Muslims

In this short clip John Piper gives a Biblical response to "A Common Word," for those who are unfamiliar with "A Common Word" it's a letter written to Christians by 138 Muslim scholars last October saying that love for God and love for neighbor is common ground between Christianity and Islam. The response from the Christian leaders, which John Piper finds disappointing, was published in November of last year. As someone who is in a constant spiritual battle with some Muslims who are very close to me I truly appreciate Piper's honesty towards this issue.

"Biblical truth is to be proclaimed with authority, not put on the table for discussion as just one possible alternative to other points of view. The conflict between biblical truth and competing beliefs is not a matter to be settled by dialogue. This is spiritual warfare, not a tea party. It should be seen as combat, not a conversation. We are commanded to pull down the strongholds of unbiblical thinking, "casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge fo God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5). —John MacArthur

Excerpt taken from Why One Way? by John MacArthur p.54, W Publishing Group 2002

The Importance of Doctrine

"Both the teaching of God’s Word and the testimony of ecclesiastical history testify clearly to the deep importance and great value of doctrinal instruction, and the lamentable consequences of a prolonged absence of the same. Doctrinal preaching is designed to enlighten the understanding, to instruct the mind, to inform the judgment. It is that which supplies motives to gratitude and furnishes incentives unto good works. There can be no soundness in the Faith if the fundamental articles of the Faith be not known and, in some measure at least, understood. Those fundamental articles are denominated "the first principles of the oracles of God" (Heb. 5:12) or basic truths of Scripture, and are absolutely necessary unto salvation. The Divine inspiration and authority of the Holy Scriptures, the ever-blessed Trinity in unity (John 17:3), the two natures united in the one person of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 John 2:22, and 4:3), His finished work and all-sufficient sacrifice (Heb. 5:14), the fall, resulting in our lost condition (Luke 19:10), regeneration (John 3:3), gratuitous justification (Gal. 5:4)—these are some of the principal pillars which support the temple of Truth, and without which it cannot stand. Of old God complained, "My people are destroyed [cut off] for lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6), and declared, "Therefore My people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honorable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst" (Isaiah 5:13). When He promised "I will give you pastors according to Mine heart," He described the same as those "which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding" (Jer. 3:15), and that knowledge is communicated first and foremost by a setting forth of the glorious doctrines of Divine revelation. Doctrinal Christianity is both the ground and the motive of practical Christianity, for it is principle and not emotion or impulse which is the dynamic of the spiritual life. It is by the Truth that men are illuminated and directed: "O send out Thy light and Thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto Thy holy hill, and to Thy tabernacles" (Ps. 43:3). We are saved by a knowledge of the Truth (John 17:3; 1 Tim. 2:4), and by faith therein (2 Thess. 2:13). We are made free by the Truth (John 8:32). We are sanctified by the Truth (John 17:17). Our growth in grace is determined by our growth in the knowledge of God and the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:2 and 3:18). It is mercy and truth that preserve us (Ps. 61:7, Proverbs 21:28)—"understanding shall keep thee" (Prov. 2:11)." —A. W. Pink (1886–1952)

Excerpt taken from Practical Christianity by A. W. Pink

Quote of the Day

"I believe that one reason why the church of God at this present moment has so little influence over the world is because the world has so much influence over the church." —C. H. Spurgeon (1834-1892)

For Who Am I?

1 Corinthians 4:7a "For who maketh thee to differ from another?"

I was guilty with nothing to say
And they were coming to take me away
But then a voice from Heaven was heard that said
Let him go and take Me instead

And I should have been crucified
I should have suffered and died
I should have hung on the cross in disgrace
But Jesus, God's Son took my place

Who am I that a King would bleed and die for?
Who am I that He should pray not mine will thine for?

The answer I may never know
Why He ever loved me so
That to an old rugged cross He would go
For Who am I?