Following Jesus Son of God …

A sermon by Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758). 
Delivered at the 2nd Meeting House in Enfield, Massachusetts, July 8, 1741.

• No, I never intended to come here: I had laid out matters otherwise in my mind …
  But the foolish children of men miserably delude themselves in their own schemes, and in confidence in their own strength and wisdom; they trust to nothing but a shadow. The greater part of those who heretofore have lived under the same means of grace, and are now dead, are undoubtedly gone to hell; and it was not because they were not as wise as those who are now alive: it was not because they did not lay out matters as well for themselves to secure their own escape. If we could speak with them, and inquire of them, one by one, whether they expected, when alive, and when they used to hear about hell, ever to be the subjects of misery: we doubtless, should hear one and another reply, “No, I never intended to come here: I had laid out matters otherwise in my mind; I thought I should contrive well for myself — I thought my scheme good. I intended to take effectual care; but it came upon me unexpected; I did not look for it at that time, and in that manner; it came as a thief — Death outwitted me: God’s wrath was too quick for me. Oh, my cursed foolishness! I was flattering myself, and pleasing myself with vain dreams of what I would do hereafter; and when I was saying, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction came upon me.

A sermon by Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758). 
Delivered at the 2nd Meeting House in Enfield, Massachusetts, July 8, 1741.

• However unconvinced you may now be of the truth …
  However you may have reformed your life in many things, and may have had religious affections, and may keep up a form of religion in your families and closets, and in the house of God, it is nothing but his mere pleasure that keeps you from being this moment swallowed up in everlasting destruction. However unconvinced you may now be of the truth of what you hear, by and by you will be fully convinced of it. Those that are gone from being in the like circumstances with you, see that it was so with them; for destruction came suddenly upon most of them; when they expected nothing of it, and while they were saying, Peace and safety: now they see, that those things on which they depended for peace and safety, were nothing but thin air and empty shadows.

I maybe shouldn’t admit it but I had never read Jonathan Edwards’ famous sermon. But now I have and can confirm first-hand the brilliance of the man, both intellectually and biblically. Anyway, not that JE needs my attaboy but the sermon is pretty excellent and if you haven’t read it, you probably should.

I will share some excerpts.

Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.
A sermon by Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758).
Delivered at the 2nd Meeting House in Enfield, Massachusetts, July 8, 1741.

• Promising themselves that they shall escape …
  It may be they are now at ease, and hear all these things without much disturbance, and are now flattering themselves that they are not the persons, promising themselves that they shall escape. If we knew that there was one person, and but one, in the whole congregation, that was to be the subject of this misery, what an awful thing would it be to think of! If we knew who it was, what an awful sight would it be to see such a person! How might all the rest of the congregation lift up a lamentable and bitter cry over him! But, alas! instead of one, how many is it likely will remember this discourse in hell? And it would be a wonder, if some that are now present should not be in hell in a very short time, even before this year is out. And it would be no wonder if some persons, that now sit here, in some seats of this meeting-house, in health, quiet and secure, should be there before tomorrow morning. Those of you that finally continue in a natural condition, that shall keep out of hell longest will be there in a little time! your damnation does not slumber; it will come swiftly, and, in all probability, very suddenly upon many of you. You have reason to wonder that you are not already in hell. It is doubtless the case of some whom you have seen and known, that never deserved hell more than you, and that heretofore appeared as likely to have been now alive as you. Their case is past all hope; they are crying in extreme misery and perfect despair; but here you are in the land of the living and in the house of God, and have an opportunity to obtain salvation. What would not those poor damned hopeless souls give for one day’s opportunity such as you now enjoy!

10 Questions with Rick Warren
The preacher, AIDS activist and author talks about his diet book, his son’s suicide and Christmas parties

A new year is coming up. If you could get people to change one thing, what would it be?
I’d get them to stop believing everything they think. We lie to ourselves more than anybody else. Jesus said the truth will set you free — but first it makes you miserable.

Here’s the link:
http://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,2160966,00.html

Good!

Kerry and I are going to read the Bible through this year using a plan from the Discipleship Journal. We are going to be reading in the New American Standard Bible.

Discipleship Journal’s Book-at-a-Time Reading Plan

• An easy-to-follow guide to reading the Bible one book at a time. From Discipleship Journal, this book-at-a-time Bible reading plan gives you what you need to read the Bible in one year.
• https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/234-discipleship-journals-book-at-a-time

I have ordered 25 copies of this so anyone who wants one, let me know. If you are in the church I will hand deliver. If you are not in the area, I will mail it to you. I am not able to copy and post this as a PDF as NavPress does not allow the free distribution of this plan. I don’t really understand that, but I try not to judge. I mean that sincerely. I am glad for access to the plan. I chose this particular plan after looking at many different approaches. For years Kerry and I have used the Discipleship Journal Bible Reading Plan. This is a different plan via the title “Book-at-a-Time.”

• If you have a mobile device, you can get the Bible app via YouVersion and read and daily track (and check off) your reading via the app. This is what I did for 2013. I really liked being able to do this. With a free account your reading will sync no matter what computer or mobile device that you use. Excellent.
• Syncing works very well.

Psalm 1:1–2 (NASB95)

¹ How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! ² But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.

Dave

Taken this morning. Kerry sent me down to the post office – by foot – to mail our daughter’s birthday present.

Brought my camera along and took pics on the way back.

Groovy!

DSCF0715

DSCF0720

DSCF0725

DSCF0727 – Version 2

The last two weeks we have seen how Joseph has stepped up to the plate and fulfilled his calling through faith and obedience.

Now it’s Mary’s turn as she has an angel appear and tell her that God is going to get her pregnant, and that the child will be the Son of God. Fear, bewilderment, awe, confusion, amazement … All that and more.

But Mary “shows up” for her big moment. You have heard that expression possible used for an athlete who excels in the big game. The sports announcers might say something like “he showed up big-time.” Or if he flounders in the big moment, they may say that he was a “no show.”

But not Mary. She believes God and his angel messengers and obediently receives her calling. She shows up “big time” as she exalts in the blessing God has brought to her. She even composes a song and sings about what God has done.

And we know “the rest of the Story.”

Message Title: The First Coming of Christ – Mary Exults in Her Calling!
Message Text: Luke 1:26-56

• PDF First Coming of Christ- Mary Exults in Her Calling Luke 1-26-56 FFC Dave Scott 121513 HANDOUT ONE
• PDF First Coming of Christ- Mary Exults in Her Calling Luke 1-26-56 FFC Dave Scott 121513 HANDOUT TWO

http://blog.faithfellowship.info/?p=529

A new friend … Kathleen gave me permission to use this for Sunday’s handout/worksheet.

“Showing Up for Christmas” by Kathleen McElwaine

Be sure to check out her web site. Beautiful.

http://www.kmcelwaine.com/

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/showing-up-for-christmas-kathleen-mcelwaine.html

Can we really believe this story?

Message Title: The First Coming of Christ – The Young Child Lives & Herod Dies!
Message Text: Matthew 2:1-23

• PDF First coming of Christ – the Child Lives and Herod dies Matthew 2-1-23 120813 HANDOUT ONE
• PDF First coming of Christ – the Child Lives and Herod dies Matthew 2-1-23 120813 HANDOUT TWO

Only God could or would do this:

• He decided to come to Earth as a human infant.
• He chose a time when a pagan emperor ruled the world, a troubled king ruled the region of his birth and the dominant religious body of the day was opposed to him.

What was God thinking?

In God’s plan …

• Every powerful political and religious force was being directed and prepared by the rulers of the darkness of this age to stop at all costs the young Child – Jesus Christ – from being born and carrying out his mission on the planet.
• God’s team to carry out his plan consisted of a teenage virgin named Mary and a young carpenter named Joseph.
• Per the divine plan Mary would become pregnant by the Holy Spirit and give birth to the Christ Child.
• However the evil king had inside information by which he planned to use to find and kill the young Christ Child.

The only way we can believe this story is to understand that God is God. Sovereign Lord, God Most High of the universe. All he needed to defeat the forces of darkness both heavenly and earthly were a faithful, believing young woman and a good, just man to stand by her.

What was God thinking? Love. For God so loved … Remember? God was going to bring salvation to humankind as only God can.

The evil king plotted to kill the young Child and everything possible was on his side. Except God. For Mary and Joseph, everything was stacked against them. Except God.

The end of this part of the saga?
The young Child lives and goes on to fulfill his mission. And Herod, the big, bad wolf, evil king, puppet for the devil, is dead.

http://bible.com/59/JUD1.17.ESV But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.
Bible.com/app

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