Required reading
The Works (Vol 4) of John Newton (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Sermon XXXI (The gospel message, glad tidings).
My summary
This week Newton preaches on: 'How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! (Rom 10:15)'
Newton observes that:
(i) the message of the gospel is 'glad tidings' of 'peace' and 'good things';
(ii) the messengers, or preachers, find ample reward in their success and acceptance;
What grabbed me
I thoroughly enjoyed the second point about the joys of the ministry: 'To see his name made precious to the hearts of sinners ; to see those who were blind admiring his excellency ; to see those who were so far off from God brought so nigh ; to see those who were wretched rejoicing in his goodness ; to hear those whose lips were filled with folly, falsehood, or blasphemy, proclaiming his praise ; such salutary effects of their ministry fill them likewise with praise and joy : and when their hearers express the power and spirit of the Gospel in their tempers and conduct, they can say, 'Now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.'
It is a privilege to be a minister of the gospel.
Next week's reading
Read Sermon XXXII (The progress of the gospel).
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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