Rev. Patrick Vincent
“They came to Him from every quarter.”— Mark 1:45
People of all types came to Jesus from every direction. Their paths were different, but their center was the same.
Still true today.
I refer you to Spurgeon’s wonderful sermon, “Gathering to the centre.”
https://www.spurgeon.org/resource-library/sermons/gathering-to-the-centre
“yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.” – 1 Cor. 8:6
It is through the Lord Jesus Christ that we live.
“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,” – Eph. 3:14
To whom do you bow your knees?
“Come, my people, enter your chambers,
And shut your doors behind you; Hide yourself, as it were, for a little moment, Until the indignation is past.” – Isa. 26:20
The Coronavirus is nothing compared to the Angel of Death appointed by God at the Passover, but the mandate is similar: stay inside for a time.
I am praying for you. I know these are unprecedented times and we are all in unknown territory.
Please do your part: STAY INSIDE.
“that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge,” – 1 Cor. 1:5Everything is enriched by Jesus.
Everything is improved, enhanced, upgraded, sweetened, and adorned by the Son of Man.
Without Him, everything is dulled, decreased, reduced, and lessened.
Do you know Him?
“Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” – 2 Tim. 3:12
This is not an isolated concept found in just one verse.
Also note: Rom. 8:16-18; Eph. 5:11-12; Phil. 1:29; 2 Thes. 1:5; 2 Tim. 2:3; Heb. 13:12-13; 1 Peter 2:19-21; 1 John 3:13; 1 John 3:16-18; Rev. 2:10
Atheist-turned-Apologist, C.S. Lewis’s brilliant answer for why evil exists. If you don’t have time for the whole thing, at least skip to 11:40 for his famous “Trilemma.”
I like things simple. Simple life. Simple truth:
“Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, Than great treasure with trouble.” – Prov. 15:16
KISS: Keep It Simple, Silly.
Read John.
“True love for God must be in the heart–or else there is no grace there whatever. If a man does not love God, then he is not a renewed man. Love for God is a mark which is always set upon Christ’s sheep, and never set upon any others.
I have no right, therefore, to believe that I am a regenerated person–unless my heart truly and sincerely loves God. If I have been regenerated, I will not be perfect, but this one thing I can say: “Lord, You know all things. You know that I love You!” When by believing we receive the privilege to become sons of God–we also receive the nature of sons, and with filial love we cry, “Abba, Father!”
There is no exception to this rule! If a man does not sincerely love God–then he is not born of God. As the sun must give forth its light–so must a soul that has been created anew by divine grace, display its nature by earnest affection toward God. You are not born again, unless you love God. Sincere love to God is indispensable!”
– Charles Spurgeon
“If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed!” – 1 Cor. 16:22
Martin Luther called it the heart of the Bible. Spurgeon called it the soul, head, foundation, and cornerstone of the Gospel. To miss it is to miss the central idea of God’s Word.
Up to now (Romans 1-3:20), Paul has shown the overwhelming evidence in God’s court that Man is hopelessly guilty.
This is the verdict of Man.
“Is the wound forever incurable? No; blessed be God, there is way laid open for us!” – Matthew Henry
This is the scene in the movie; the sudden turn/twist: the last minute intervention; riding into the wedding or execution.
Something unexpected happens that changes everything.
The Righteousness of God comes…
“21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His G.R.A.C.E. through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”
1. Apart from the Law = you can’t be good enough/keep laws/rituals (emphatic position)
2. Justified by His Grace = “made right/innocent” before God by His grace. Scandalous!
3. Through faith in Jesus for all who believe = Too good to be true? Trust in Jesus. It really happened, he died for me! It is finished/done!
This is the BOMB dropped; the ripple effect – the event that changed everything
This is where “Mercy & truth have met together; Righteousness & peace have kissed.” (Psa. 85:10) It’s all because of Jesus on the Cross!
This is our God!
A Verse A Day 