Comforting Covenant Theology

Covenant Theology is not just for theologians, it is for every single Christian. For it reveals the God of the covenants as the covenant keeping, faithful God. Pastors would do well in learning to apply covenant theology to their sermons, to not only show how the whole counsel of God hangs together, but also to bring forth the comfort of knowing the God of the covenants. Concerning the comfort of covenant theology, here is a brilliant excerpt from the Prince of preachers, Charles Spurgeon, who applied the truths of Covenant theology on his text from Genesis 7:16: 

The great door of Covenant faithfulness is shut behind the Believer and he is surrounded by the power and Grace of God, even as Noah was housed within the strong timbers of the ark. There is no crack nor cranny through which the floods of wrath can penetrate—Omnipotent Love has shut us in! And the Lord did this not only necessarily, but graciously. I call your attention to the change of the names in the text, a very significant change indeed—“They that went in, went in male and female of all flesh: as God had commanded him: and the Lord”—that is, Jehovah—“shut him in.” Elohim, as the Creator and Preserver, takes care of living things to preserve them, but the Lord, even Jehovah, the covenanting God, interposes in great mercy to protect His chosen servant!

It was Jehovah who entered into solemn league and Covenant with His servant, Noah, that He would preserve him in the ark and float him into the new world in it. And as Jehovah, the Covenanting One, He shut Noah in.There is no security like that which is given us by the Covenant of Grace. The hand which was lifted to swear our safety has also been outstretched to effect it! The everlasting Covenant, ordered in all things and sure, guarantees salvation to all who are represented by the great Head and Surety of that Covenant, even our Lord Jesus. Love and power cooperate with faithfulness and truth to keep the chosen from all danger. Dwell much upon the Covenant and note the immutable pledges by which it is secured and the immortal principles upon which it is founded! Try to suck out the delicious sweetness which is to be found in the hive of the Covenant, for if you are an advanced child of God, no form of the Truth of God can be more nourishing or refreshing to your mind.

The doctrines which spring out of the Covenant are peculiarly comforting to believing minds. The promises of God are yes and amen in Christ Jesus and can never fail nor change, since the Covenant stands fast forever and ever. Its tenure is free and Sovereign Grace and it cannot be disannulled. Here is a line of it, “I will put My fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from Me.” With such a promise does Jehovah shut us in with Christ Jesus in matchless kindness and unspeakable love. [1]

Footnotes  

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[1]  C.H Spurgeon, Shut In Or Shut Out, Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, August 14, 1881.

Penned Thoughts

Reflecting on the Word of God and looking at the world around them through that lens of the Word, has always been an indispensable mark of thoughtful Christians. It is indeed a sad and disastrous reality that today, at least in certain quarters of Christianity, thoughtlessness and lack of sobriety is considered as normative of being a Christian. However it is crucial that Christians be serious-minded in all their thinking and reflection of the Word. For it is such reflection that makes our understanding of truth profound. Only when one possesses a profound understanding of the truth of the Word, one is able to understand the world around him and explain the world in terms of the truth of the Word. Such a Word-centered and Word-saturated understanding of all realities of life, what some call Christian worldview, is very much needed to live a Word-centered and Word-saturated life. For one’s worldview always determines one’s priorities in life.

This collection of quotes penned by Holly Dye, a Particular Baptist believer from Ohio, is a wonderful example of such deep reflections on the Word of God. The author however applies her reflections to understand the present state of the church much more than the culture around us. Collected from over a period of years, these quotes are thoughtful reflections, concisely presented to make the reader think, ponder and wonder. Covering a wide range of topics from doctrine to suffering, containing prayers to testimonies, the book gifts a delightful treat for the reader. Though not all quotes require deep meditation, this book ought to be read slowly and carefully, while contemplating on each quote.

May these quotes bless the reader with a thoughtful appreciation of and a passionate embracing of the truth of God. May every word be tested against the Holy Writ which unfolds the matchless glory of our great God and King. To Him alone be glory in the Church.

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God's New Year Resolution

The new year is here and it is a time when people make lots of new resolutions. Well, what is God’s new year resolution concerning us? This is the pertinent question that we should be asking concerning the new year. Mark Redfern, pastor of  Heritage Baptist Church, Owensboro, Kentucky, seeks to answer this question in his sermon, “God’s New Year’s Resolution”.  The text under consideration for the sermon is Jeremiah 32:40-41. Redfern’s exposition basically asks three questions to the text. First he asks, what is God’s resolution in this text. Secondly, he asks for whom is this resolution made by God and finally how can a resolution like that be even possible.  

Redfern clearly expounds from the text that God’s resolution concerning His people this year is to rejoice in doing good to them, with all of His heart and His soul. God is determined to rejoice in doing His people good, with all of His heart and all of His soul, for all the days of their life. That is God’s resolution and He is certain to accomplish it.

Regarding the second question, Redfern expounds from earlier verses of this chapter and explains that the subjects of this resolution made by God, are not good people but sinners. His answer thus for whom is the resolution made by God is, every sinner who is in covenant relationship with God through covenant blood.

The third question deals with the justice of God in being so gracious to wrath-deserving sinners. The answer is found in Jeremiah 33:14-16, where God speaks of the righteous Branch which He shall bring to save His people and which would also be called “The Lord is our righteousness”. Redfern expounds the truth of imputed righteousness in the gospel of Jesus Christ and how through our Lord, we have a right standing before God. Thus Jesus and He alone is the ground upon which we can enjoy such inexpressible and undeserving gifts of God.

Finally, pastor Mark makes some concluding applications of knowing these truths for our lives in this new year. He makes some very helpful applications to live a God-centered and joyful life in Christ. This message is simply brilliant in its presentation, beautiful in its exposition and pastorally wise in its application.

Very highly recommended for all Christians.

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