CONTENTED OR DISCONTENTED?---THOMAS WATSON

Okay, Okay, by now, if you are reading my blogs, my other writings, or listening to my sermons at Sermon Audio, you realize that I am very fond of the Puritans. There have been many bad things said about them, mostly untrue. You see, they were not perfect but most genuinely strived to follow God's word. I won't say I agree with every one of them on everything. If you know anything about them, you know that there were differences among them. Some were Anglicans, some Presbyterians, some Baptists, while most were Congregationalists. One common thing among them. They had a love for the word, they were diligent students, gifted teachers, and passionate preachers. We would do well in our apostate day to read them more often. Now, I wouldn't want to live in their day. I like modern conveniences like electricity, automobiles, airplanes, central heat and air, refrigeration and many other things the 16th and 17th century Puritans could not have dreamed of. But they definitely had us on the word of God, brothers and sisters. If we could focus our attention on that; the word of God, we could yet see great things for God. On two out of my three blogs currently are my favorite Puritans; Thomas Brooks, and here, Thomas Watson. Give these short excerpts a careful read, will you please?

"The discontented person thinks everything he doth for God too much, and everything God doth for him too little. The way for a man to be contented is not by raising his estate, but by bringing his heart lower. Whatever trouble a child of God meets with,it is all the hell he shall have. Death begins a wicked man's hell, but it puts an end to a Godly man's hell. A contented spirit is never angry, unless it is with himself for having hard thoughts of God. Shoulds't thou have no evil about thee, who hast so much evil in thee? Thou art not fully sanctified in this life,how then thinkest thou to be fully satisfied? If we have not what we desire, we have more than we deserve."

"The torments of hell abide for ever.... If all the earth and sea were sand, and every thousandth year a bird should come, and take away one grain of this sand, it would be a long time ere that vast heap of sand were emptied; yet, if after all that time the damned may come out of hell, there were some hope; but this word EVER breaks the heart."

"If mercy is not a magnet to draw us nearer to God, it will be a millstone to sink us deeper into hell."
(Thomas Watson lived between 1620-1686, but being dead yet speaketh).

CHARLES SPURGEON ON JOHN 19:16:

"Let us muse upon the fact that Jesus was [brought outside] the gates of the city. It was the common place of death. That little rising ground, which perhaps was called Golgotha, the place of a skull, from its somewhat resembling the crown of a man's skull, was the common place of execution. It was one of Death's castles; here he stored his gloomiest trophies; he was the grim lord of that stronghold. Our great hero, the destroyer of Death, bearded the lion in his den, slew the monster in his own castle, and dragged the dragon captive from his own den. Methinks Death thought it a splendid triumph when he saw the Master impaled and bleeding in the dominions of destruction; little did he know that the grave was to be rifled, and himself destroyed, by that crucified Son of man."
— from "The Procession of Sorrow," delivered on March 1, 1863, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington

WALK WITHOUT STUMBLING---CHARLES SPURGEON

"He will not suffer thy foot to be moved" (Psalm 121:3).

If the LORD will not suffer it, neither men nor devils can do it. How greatly would they rejoice if they could give us a disgraceful fall, drive us from our position, and bury us out of memory! They could do this to their heart's content were it not for one hindrance, and only one: the LORD will not suffer it; and if He does not suffer it, we shall not suffer it. The way of life is like traveling among the Alps. Along the mountain path one is constantly exposed to the slipping of the foot. Where the way is high the head is apt to swim, and then the feet soon slide; there are spots which are smooth as glass and others that are rough with loose stones, and in either of these a fall is hard to avoid. He who throughout life is enabled to keep himself upright and to walk without stumbling has the best of reasons for gratitude. What with pitfalls and snares, weak knees, weary feet, and subtle enemies, no child of God would stand fast for an hour were it not for the faithful love which will not suffer his foot to be moved.

Amidst a thousand snares I stand
Upheld and guarded by thy hand;
That hand unseen shall hold me still,
And lead me to thy holy hill.

(From Faith's Checkbook for November 10th)

STILL MORE REFLECTIONS ON MY FRIEND AND BROTHER SIMION MOTZ---BY CHARLES WOODRUFF

(The author with Brother Simion Motz about 1988)

“At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (2 Timothy 4:16-18).

The apostle Paul praised God that he was delivered out of the mouth of the lion, really more than once. He was the greatest preacher of the gospel other than our Lord Jesus Christ. He had absolute confidence in his redeemer who met him on the Damascus road and changed his life forever. He is near the end of his earthly life as he writes to Timothy, and to us, under inspiration of the Holy Ghost. For 2000 years these words have served the people of God. They are timeless.

I’ve had the great privilege in my life to meet and have fellowship with a number of Christians who were delivered out of the “lion’s mouth”. Some I met in the USSR and Eastern Europe, and some I met when they got to the west. There was Georgi Vins from Ukraine, Richard Wurmbrand from Romania, Janis Smits from Latvia, Haralan Popov from Bulgaria, John Noble from the USA (via Germany and Russia), and Simion Motz from Romania. One thing all these had in common; they suffered imprisonment for their Christian faith. Their families also suffered very much while they were imprisoned.

We in America can never really grasp what a price they paid there. We have lost some freedoms here in recent years that we have perhaps taken for granted. Two examples: the “right to die” advocates have gained ground, as well as the recent ruling on “eminent domain”, which can be, and is, in some cases, used to take America’s private property away without just and constitutional cause. Yet with these disturbing trends, and remembering that “eternal vigilance is the price of liberty,” we still have far more freedom than they had under communism.

A Missionary Pastor friend I have known for many years reminded me of something Brother Simion often said to me and others. After visiting a prison gospel service with a church group in Kentucky ( or maybe Ohio, I can’t remember), Simion was astonished that the prisoners had a game room, TV and radio, a lounge, a gym, a library and even a swimming pool! He said “In prisons of America you have more luxury and freedom than they have outside the prisons in Romania”! I never forgot that, nor how amazed he was at our supermarkets. In communist countries usually you bought bread in one store, meat in another, vegetables in markets, other goods other places, assuming you could find the available goods! When you did there were often long lines.

I remember trying to buy a railway ticket in Budapest, Hungary to Arad, Romania right on the Hungarian border (Simion’s home town). I had to traverse three different long lines just to buy a ticket! Probably realizing I was an American (not savvy about the Hungarian system), people kept breaking in front of me very boldly. They did that until I “fought back” by crowding close to the person ahead of me. Otherwise, I would have likely been there all day!

Living in a system like that had much worse problems than just waiting in line. Simion often told me of how difficult it was to provide for his family. He was an accountant and the salary was fairly good, but goods were scarce, and the more he got involved in preaching in various churches, the more difficult his life became.

Our pastor was reflecting tonight in our church meeting on the value of good Christian biographies. It was a stimulating meeting and he asked for input from the congregation on biographies recently read. There were a number of responses. One had read the story of John G. Paton, the faithful Scottish missionary to the New Hebrides Islands (now Vanuatu in the South Pacific). These islands were inhabited by cannibals. He was warned by one cheerful soul” These people will probably eat you”! His answer was “Well, our bodies will ALL be eaten of worms one day. Better to be eaten of cannibals while serving God than to die disobedient and be eaten of worms anyway”. Not an EXACT quote- can’t find my copy of his autobiography.

In print in hardback, Banner of Truth, http://www.banneroftruth.org/pages/home.php ).

Another spoke of Corrie ten Boom and her biographical story, The Hiding Place, and what a wonderful testimony she gave during the Nazi occupation of Holland. (Amazon.com has it).

Another spoke of Pilgrim’s Progress and John Bunyan’s Autobiography

(Several editions in print, even a free online edition; search at google.com).

Another spoke of Charles Spurgeon’s Autobiography. The two volumes are fascinating reading. (Also Banner of Truth). I highly recommend it if you are a good reader. Excerpts also available online at spurgeon.org

I mentioned that some years again I read the complete two volume biography of George Whitefield by Arnold Dalimore. Over 1200 pages but well worth the reading. (Still in print at Banner of Truth).

Also, what a blessing to read Tortured for His Faith by Haralan Popov. (Published by Zondervan). When I first obtained it I was looking for Tortured for Christ by Richard Wurmbrand (also excellent and soul stirring, can be obtained from several sources including persecution.com website). The lady at the local bookstore said “We are out of Mr. Wurmbrand’s book, but we have Mr. Popov’s book.” So I bought it. Little did I know that his biographical account of 13 years and 2 months in Bulgarian communist prison would change my direction and that within two years I would be working with him for nearly ten years.

Of course, in Popov’s ministry, ECL/Door of Hope I later met Brother Simion Motz. When the mission published Simion’s book On the Way of the Cross in the King’s Service, it also was added to my list of favorite biographical accounts. We hope his book will be back in print before long. I only have two personal copies. You can find used copies online.

It was a real joy in my life to travel frequently with these two soldiers of the cross, Haralan Popov, and Simion Motz. There is much I could recount of both men and will from time to time, D.V... I was a little part of their lives, their continuing biographies, and I am much the richer for it. You see, they came from a place that caused them to appreciate freedom (perhaps much more than we native born Americans do. They valued the things that really count. Their faith had been tried by fire!

“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:7-9).

Originally written December 14, 2005 A.D... In Memory of my son Chuck (December14, 1962- February 13, 2004), whom we still miss very much. He loved Bro. Popov and Bro. Motz. I am confident these three are in heaven now together waiting for the resurrection of the body

A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY OF WITNESSING TO THE WORLD

David Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981)

The Apostle reminds us that at a time of apostasy, at a time of gross godlessness and irreligion, when the very foundations are shaking, one of the most striking manifestations of the lawlessness is "disobedient to parents" (2Ti 3:2)...When will the civil authorities learn and realize that there is an indissoluble connection between godlessness and a lack of morality and decent behavior?...The tragedy is that the civil authorities—irrespective of which political party is in power—all seem to be governed by modern psychology rather than by the Scriptures. They all are convinced that they can deal with unrighteousness directly, in and by itself. But that is impossible. Unrighteousness is always the result of ungodliness, and the only hope of getting back any measure of righteousness into life is to have a revival of godliness. That is precisely what the Apostle is saying to the Ephesians and to ourselves (Eph 6:1-4). The best and the most moral periods in the history of this country, and every other country, have always been those periods that have followed mighty religious awakenings. This problem of lawlessness and lack of discipline, the problem of children and of youth, was just not present fifty years ago as it is today. Why? Because the great tradition of the Evangelical Awakening of the 18th century was still operating. But as that has gone, these terrible moral and social problems are coming back, as the Apostle teaches us, and as they have always come back throughout the running centuries.

Present conditions therefore demand that we should look at the Apostle's statement. I believe that Christian parents and children, Christian families, have a unique opportunity of witnessing to the world at this present time by just being different. We can be true evangelists by showing this discipline, this law and order, this true relationship between parents and children. We may be the means under God's hand of bringing many to a knowledge of the Truth. Let us therefore think of it in that way.

Free Grace Broadcaster; Summer 2008. Originally from Life in the Spirit in Marriage, Home & Work: An Exposition of Ephesians 5:18 to 6:9: Baker Book House, 1975

CALVIN ON PHILIPPIANS 1:21

It is John Calvin's 500th birthday year, so we will give the great commentator a viewing. I chose a Philippian passage because I am preparing to preach a series on the book. At least we can say that Calvin on this passage will make us think. He has a view that is different here, but he backs it up with scholarship. So we have to at least be thorough if we take an opposing view. Calvin, born 1509, was like that. He worked diligently for Christ, and he will make you work also.

Philippians 1:21: "For to me to live." Interpreters have hitherto, in my opinion, given a wrong rendering and exposition to this passage; for they make this distinction, that Christ was life to Paul, and death was gain. I, on the other hand, make Christ the subject of discourse in both clauses, so that he is declared to be gain in him both in life and in death; for it is customary with the Greeks to leave the word pros to be understood. Besides that this meaning is less forced, it also corresponds better with the foregoing statement, and contains more complete doctrine. He declares that it is indifferent to him, and is all one, whether he lives or dies, because, having Christ, he reckons both to be gain. And assuredly it is Christ alone that makes us happy both in death and in life; otherwise, if death is miserable, life is in no degree happier; so that it is difficult to determine whether it is more advantageous to live or to die out of Christ. On the other hand, let Christ be with us, and he will bless our life as well as our death, so that both will be happy and desirable for us. (From Calvin on Ephesians-Jude; AP&A Edition, 1972).

WALKING WITH GOD- GEORGE WHITEFIELD

How we need men like the blessed Whitefield today in our wretched day of apostasy! I would like to write about him, but I feel unworthy. Besides, if you are a good reader, one of the greatest biographies of a Christian ever written (IMHO), is the late Arnold Dallimore's two volume set George Whitefield; published by Banner of Truth, and also Crossway. You can find it at Christian booksellers online such as Monergism, ChristianBook.com and even at Amazon.com. If you feel you can't possibly read 1200 plus pages just now, or cannot find a reasonable price on the set, try Dallimore's own condensation of 224 pages also published by Crossway. I think it will whet your appetite for more. As Principal G.A. Adams of Toronto Baptist Seminary said: "This condensation of the author's classic two-volume edition contains 23 fast-moving chapters of highly interesting material. A powerful rendering of a life wholly consecrated to God."

Here are two pleading paragraphs from one of George Whitefield's sermons:

Genesis 5:24, "And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him."
"And now, what shall I, or, indeed, what can I well say more to excite you, even you that are yet strangers to Christ, to come and walk with God? If you love honor, pleasure, and a crown of glory, come, seek it where alone it can be found. Come, put ye on the Lord Jesus. Come, haste ye away and walk with God, and make no longer provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lust thereof. Stop, stop, O sinner! Turn ye, turn ye, O ye unconverted men, for the end of that way you are now walking in, however right it may seem in your blinded eyes, will be death, even eternal destruction both of body and soul. Make no longer tarrying, I say: at your peril I charge you, step not one step further on in your present walk. For how knowest thou, O man, but the next step thou takest may be into hell? Death may seize thee, judgment find thee, and then the great gulf will be fixed between thee and endless glory for ever and ever. O think of these things, all ye that are unwilling to walk with God. Lay them to heart. Show yourselves men, and in the strength of Jesus say, Farewell, lust of the flesh, I will no more walk with thee! Farewell, lust of the eye, and pride of life! Farewell, carnal acquaintance and enemies of the cross, I will no more walk and be intimate with you! Welcome Jesus, welcome thy word, welcome thy ordinances, welcome thy Spirit, welcome thy people, I will henceforth walk with you. O that there may be in you such a mind! God will set his almighty fiat to it, and seal it with the broad seal of heaven, even the signet of his holy Spirit. Yes, he will, though you have been walking with, and following after, the devices and desires of your desperately wicked hearts ever since you have been born. 'I, the high and lofty One', says the great Jehovah, 'that inhabiteth eternity, will dwell with the humble and contrite heart, even with the man that trembleth at my word.' The blood, even the precious blood of Jesus Christ, if you come to the Father in and through him, shall cleanse you from all sin.

But the text leads me to speak to you that are saints as well as to you that are open and unconverted sinners. I need not tell you, that walking with God is not honorable, but pleasant and profitable also; for ye know it by happy experience, and will find it more and more so every day. Only give me leave to stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance, and to beseech you by the mercies of God in Christ Jesus, to take heed to yourselves, and walk closer with your God than you have in days past: for the nearer you walk with God, the more you will enjoy of him whose presence is life, and be the better prepared for being placed at his right hand, where are pleasures for evermore. O do not follow Jesus afar off! O be not so formal, so dead and stupid in your attendance on holy ordinances! Do not so shamefully forsake the assembling yourselves together, or be so niggardly or indifferent about the things of God. Remember what Jesus says of the church of Laodicea, 'Because thou art neither hot nor cold, I will spew thee out of my mouth'. Think of the love of Jesus, and let that love constrain you to keep near unto him; and though you die for him, do not deny him, do not keep at a distance from him in any wise."
(from Walking With God.) This, and other Whitefield sermons can be found online, in their entirety, at: http://www.reformed.org/documents/index.html?mainframe=http://www.reformed.org/documents/Whitefield.html