“The work of preaching is the highest and the greatest and the most glorious calling to which anyone can ever be called. If you want something in addition to that I would say without any hesitation that the most urgent need in the Christian Church today is true preaching” (Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Preaching and Preachers, p. …
Two Ways of Justification
The lines of descent from Sarah and Hagar are fluid. In other words, physical sons of Sarah can become Ishmaelites through unbelief. Physical sons of Hagar can come in faith to Christ and be adopted into Israel. That which God uses to determine which way it goes is faith which He imparts as a sovereign …
All Spiritual Wisdom
The meaning of the two sons in this passage is absolutely basic to all spiritual wisdom. If we listen to carnal whispers will get this all tangled up—and we must not. Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? For it is written, that Abraham had two …
Inescapable Fear
INTRODUCTION: This message on Inescapable Fear could just as easily been entitled as Freedom from Fear. And, without any contradiction, it could also be entitled The Christian Grace of Fear. But all this will take some unpacking. THE TEXT: “And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, …
Christ Formed in You
The outline of Paul’s appeal is now plain. He then turns to make a personal appeal to the Galatians. Their potential apostasy involves much more than simply following an argument—although it includes that. That “much more” has to do with their personal relationship with Paul himself. Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for …
The Old Elements and the New Christian Aeon
In this epistle to the Galatians, not only do we have a contrast between the old Israel and the new, we also have a contrast between the old world and the new, between the old heavens and old earth, and the new heavens and the new earth. Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye …
A Billionaire in the High Chair
We continue our discussion of the relationship of the old Israel and the new Israel. And in making the obvious comparisons, Paul changes the figure slightly. Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; But is under tutors and …
More on Promise and Law
If our salvation is based on promise, not upon law, then what is the law for then? What is based on the law? What role does it have? Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by …
Confession of Sin
INTRODUCTION: Confession of sin is a basic activity that all Christians need to understand and practice. It is the most fundamental form of spiritual housekeeping. THE TEXT: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just …
Promise Before Law
We have learned that those who are under the law are under a curse. This is because being under the law does not mean that one keeps the law; rather, it means that one does not keep it, and is therefore under condemnation. How can sinful men be delivered from this state of condemnation? And …