“Why Has This Happened to Me?”

“God is concerned about our sanctification, and the ultimate goal is glorification, therefore chastisement is necessary in this life. When you ask, ‘Why has this happened to me?’ are you quite sure that you were not allowing that thing to come between you and God? It may be the death of a dear one, it may be financial loss – I do not care what it is – are you sure that that was not not monopolizing the place of God? God so loves us, and is so concerned about us, that sometimes he strikes us with illness, we may even die, in order that the ultimate good may be safeguarded. If we allow these things to come between us and God’s purpose, then we must not be surprised and disappointed if we find God dealing with us. My dear friends, put this first and never lose your hold of it: if you are a child of God, other things will have to go. He is holding on to you, and he will go on working in you, until you have arrived at that state for which he has destined you. If you are convinced of that, you will not murmur and complain, but in the midst of your loss and heartbreak you will rather turn to God and say, ‘God forgive me, I thank you even for this, because I now see your purpose.’”

- D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, from the sermon God’s Special Concern for His People, Philippians 2:14-16a

Filed under: D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, God, The Christian Life

A Few Articles, Links, and Other Thoughts

Below are a few links, articles and few other interesting things for your Tuesday enjoyment.

- Dr. Mohler has a very good article on his site entitled, “Modernity, Madness, and Morals”.

- John Piper asks a very timely question, Why Doesn’t God Fully Explain Pain

- Hear Sinclair Ferguson preach through the book of James

- Charles Spurgeon helps us to Avoid Spiritual Dry Rot

- Sean Michael Lucas quotes from, L. Gregory Jones and Kevin R. Armstrong, Resurrecting Excellence: Shaping Faithful Christian Ministry (2006), 65 on Holy Friendships – A must read quotation!

- Tony Reinke asks the question, Was Jonathan Edwards Cross-Centered?

- Don’t forget my new photography site: Dustin Benge | Photography

I leave you today with a quote from Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on evangelism. The following quote was taken from the new book by Iain Murray, Lloyd-Jones: Messenger of Grace.

“There is a group of people who accept the wrath of God in theory, but they deny it in practice. ‘Oh, yes’, they say, ‘ we believe int he wrath of God, but you have to be careful. You don’t put that first.’ So, in the interstes of evangelism, in the interests of attracting people, they deliberatly do not start, as Paul does with the wrath of God [Rom. 1:18]. The tragedy is that we do not believe in the power of the Holy Ghost as the Apostle Paul did. Paul did not stop to ask, ‘Will the Romans like this doctrine?’ He knew it all depended on the Holy Ghost.”

Filed under: Albert Mohler, Books, D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Evangelism, Friendship, John Piper, Links, Sinclair Ferguson

MP3 Sermons of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Now Online

The weekly radio broadcast from The Martyn Lloyd-Jones Recording Trust is now available online in a podcast at OnePlace.com. That means you can get Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Mp3 sermons downloads automatically each week.

Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899 – 1981) has been described as ‘a great pillar of the 20th century Evangelical Church’. Born in Wales, and educated in London, he was a brilliant student who embarked upon a short, but successful, career as a medical doctor at the famous St Bartholemew’s Hospital. However, the call of Gospel ministry was so strong that he left medicine in order to become minister of a mission hall in Port Talbot, South Wales. Eventually he was called to Westminster Chapel in London, where thousands flocked to hear his ‘full-blooded’ Gospel preaching, described by one hearer as ‘logic on fire’. With some 1600 of his sermons recorded and digitally restored, this has left a legacy which is now available for the blessing of another generation of Christians around the world – ‘Though being dead he still speaks’.

Filed under: Audio Download, D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Top 10 Preachers of 2007

While magazines and newspapers are publishing their top ten “everything” of 2007 I though I would publish my top 10 Preachers of 2007. Those preachers and pastors who have made the list have greatly impacted my life in 2007 by their sermons and writings. These men of God have pointed me to the cross of Christ and the glory of God in 2007 by explaining God’s Word. Thank you to all who made the list. If one of these men has impacted your life in some way in 2007 please let me know.

1. John MacArthur
I suppose John MacArthur would make any top 10 list of preachers. Widely known for his thorough, candid approach to teaching God’s Word, John MacArthur is a fifth-generation pastor, a popular author and conference speaker, and has served as pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California since 1969. I have had in 2007, as a companion, the John MacArthur Study Bible in my daily Bible reading. Dr. MacArthur is a frequent visitor to my mailbox through his mailing list. I am greatly indebted to Dr. MacArthur for showing me how to be a pastor, preacher and man of God, thank you.

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2. Alistair Begg
Alistair Begg has been in pastoral ministry for 32 years. Following graduation from The London School of Theology he served eight years in Scotland at both Charlotte Chapel in Edinburgh and Hamilton Baptist Church. Since 1983, he has been the senior pastor at Parkside Church near Cleveland, Ohio. Upon my morning commute, Alistair Begg comes into my car through my radio showing me, through the Word of God, the beauty, simplicity and sheer grandeur of our great and holy God.

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3. Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892) was England’s best-known preacher for most of the second half of the nineteenth century. In 1854, just four years after his conversion, Spurgeon, then only 20, became pastor of London’s famed New Park Street Church. The congregation quickly outgrew their building, moved to Exeter Hall, then to Surrey Music Hall. In 1861 the congregation moved permanently to the newly constructed Metropolitan Tabernacle. I spoke with Spurgeon every day in 2007 through his timeless and classic devotional, Morning and Evening.

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4. R.C. Sproul
Dr. Sproul is the founder and chairman of Ligonier Ministries and senior pastor of Saint Andrew’s Chapel both based in Orlando, Florida. He is also featured daily on Renewing Your Mind, an international radio broadcast. Dr. Sproul has come into my home 12 times in 2007 through the monthly magazine, Tabletalk, a publication of Ligonier Ministries. I feed on his timely articles and thoroughly enjoy his daily teaching on Renewing Your Mind.

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5. Iain Murray
Iain H. Murray was born (of Scottish parents) in Lancashire, England, April 19, 1931, and educated at King William’s College, Isle of Man, and the University of Durham. He helped found The Banner of Truth Trust, was assistant to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones and pastor for numerous years. Dr. Murray authored several books that were influencial to me in 2007 including, Revival and Revivalism, The Old Evangelicalism and Jonathan Edwards: A New Biography (which I try to read each year). Thank you Iain for your kind letters, pastoral advice and mentorship through the years!

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6. Derek Prime
Derek Prime is an itinerant minister and writer. A former president of the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches, Mr. Prime has served as a pastor for more than 30 years, the last 18 as minister of Charlotte Chapel, Edinburgh. Derek Prime continually filled my mind and heart with 3 sermons I heard him preach at Parkside Church (Alistair Begg’s church) entitled, On Being a Pastor. These three sermons caused me to reflect on my life and future ministry as a pastor. I probably heard these sermons 10 times each in 2007. Thank you Derek.

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7. Eric Alexander
Dr. Alexander was born and educated in Glasgow, where he earned degrees history, philosophy and theology at the University of Glasgow. After 15 years in a rural parish in Ayrshire, Scotland, he spent 20 years at historic St. George’s-Tron Church in the city center of Glasgow, retiring at the end of 1997. Every time I could hear or get my hands on a sermon my Eric Alexander in 2007 I downloaded, purchased, bought or read it. He is a phenomenal preacher and man of God.

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8. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Martyn Lloyd-Jones was possibly the greatest British preacher of the twentieth century. His ministry at Westminster Chapel and his writings earned him respect and affection throughout the world. He had a decisive influence on many individuals and on evangelicalism as a whole. Dr. Lloyd-Jones lifted me often in 2007 into the throne room of grace through his numerous published sermons.

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9. John Piper
John Piper is the Pastor for Preaching at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota. John is the author of more than 30 books and is founder of Desiring God Ministries. Dr. Piper influenced me greatly in 2007 mainly through his writing. He lifts my heart to God in each sentence putting on display the glory of God in a way that is marvelous and joyous. He points me to the joy-giver, the Lord Jesus Christ.

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10. Jonathan Edwards
Jonathan Edwards was born into a Puritan evangelical household on October 5, 1703, in East Windsor, Connecticut. He was the fifth of eleven children born to the Rev. Timothy and Esther Edwards. In 1726, Edwards succeeded his grandfather, Solomon Stoddard, as the pastor of the church in Northampton, Massachusetts, the largest and most influential church outside of Boston. He is the author of numerous works, many of which are spoken of on Pastor and People. I read many of these marvelous works in 2007. In 2007 Edwards taught me how to be a disciplined man of God creating in my heart a desire for holiness in my personal and public life. He continues to be and will always be one of my favorite preachers of all time.

All of these preachers, and many more have made huge impacts in my life in 2007. I owe a great debt of gratitude to all of these men and hope to thank them all in Heaven one day. Again, if any of these men have impacted your life in 2007 I would very much like to hear from you.

Filed under: Charles Spurgeon, D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Derek Prime, Iain Murray, John MacArthur, John Piper, Jonathan Edwards, Pastors, Preaching, R.C. Sproul

Lloyd-Jones on Evangelism and Conviction

I have given much thought, as of late, to the content of the modern evangelistic message. In other words, how we present the gospel of our Lord in our modern church pulpit. It has become common place not to mention sin, the judgment of God on sinners, hell, holiness, conviction, law, the blood of Christ, righteousness, and the list could go on and on. Evangelism, some how, has been down-graded to the simple repetition of a prayer and the signing of a card with no biblical demands. Battling the same issue in his day, D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981), in his series of sermons on The Sermon on the Mount, said in regard to evangelism and conviction of sin,

There is no true evangelism without the doctrine of sin, and without an understanding of what sin is. I do not want to be unfair, but I say that a gospel which merely says “Come to Jesus,” and offers Him as a Friend, and offers a marvelous new life, without convicting of sin, is not New Testament evangelism. The essence of evangelism is to start by preaching the law; and it is because the law has not been preached that we have so much superficial evangelism…evangelism must start with the holiness of God, the sinfulness of man and the eternal consequences of evil and wrong-doing. It is only the man who has been brought to see his guilt in this way who flies to Christ for deliverance and redemption.

False teaching does not emphasize repentance in any real sense. It has a very wide gate leading to salvation and very broad way leading to heaven. You need not feel much of your sinfulness; you need not be aware of the blackness of your own heart. You just “decide for Christ” and you rush in with the crowd, and your name is put down, and is one of the large number of “decisions” reported by the press. It is entirely unlike the evangelism of the Puritans and of John Wesley, George Whitefield and others, which led men to be terrified of the judgment of God, and to have an agony of soul sometimes for days and weeks and months.

Filed under: D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Evangelism, Salvation, Sin