Under our discussion of the fifth commandment, we have been dealing with broader questions of authority, with an emphasis on “secular” authority. In this portion, we come to questions of religious authority, both legitimate and illegitimate. “The priests the Levites, and all the tribe of Levi, shall have no part nor inheritance with Israel . …
The Need to Banish Lying Tongues
Minister: Lift up your hearts! Congregation: We lift them up to the Lord! Of mercy and judgment I will sing; Unto You O Lord, I will always sing. I will walk in wisdom, in a perfect way. When will You come down to me? Within my house I will walk the same way, With a …
The Wrong Line of Work
After a brief introduction and greetings, Paul raises the issue that is troubling him, and that is the fact that someone is troubling the Galatians. Not only this, but they are not being troubled on some secondary issue. The gospel itself is at stake. I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that …
Weapons, Women, Wealth
When we understand the nature of ministerial and delegated authority, and we understand how to submit to it, we have found the root of all civil liberty. Remember that this fifth commandment is the command with a promise. Thou shalt not sacrifice unto the Lord thy God any bullock, or sheep, wherein is blemish . …
Entering the Regeneration
This Lord’s Day we are commemorating the beginning of the great Reformation of the 16th century. It is fitting, therefore, that we take this opportunity to begin our study of the book of Galatians, that great charter of Christian freedom. We need to stand fast in the liberty Christ brought to us, and we must …
Suicidal Syncretism
As Deuteronomy provides commentary on the ten commandments, the fifth commandment is next. We see here the teaching of the law on all questions of human authority. And we should notice first that the common Puritan practice of ordering all questions of law under the heading of the ten commandments is here supported (e.g. the …
A Second Battle of Tours (7)
Introduction: The Bible teaches us that God’s ways are not ours, and that God’s wisdom is folly to man, and that man’s wisdom is folly to God. Worldliness is therefore not to be thought of as shot full of vice (although in the long run it always is), but rather as something shot full of …
The Leaven of Joy
We now come to the conclusion of the Mosaic exposition on the fourth commandment. We see that the sabbath principle runs throughout the year, and is not limited to a weekly cycle. And of course we see the fulfillment of these festivals is found in Christ. “Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover …
A Second Battle of Tours (3)
Introduction: One of the things we must learn how to do is make careful distinctions. Islam arose in a world that was far more similar to the world in which Christ was born than either of those worlds is to our own. It therefore easy for us to react to certain “outlandish” things in both …
If Your Eye Be Evil . . .
We are continuing to learn about the sabbath mind as it is exhibited in rest, open-handed generosity, and joy. We are seeing that the sabbath principle is a helm which directs how the entire ship will go. “At the end of every seven years thou shalt make a release . . .” (Deuteronomy 15:1-23). In …