Required reading
The Works (Vol 4) of John Newton (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Sermon XXXIV (Opposition to Messiah is vain).
My summary
This week Newton preaches on: 'He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.' (Psa 2:4)
Newton offers two points for the consolation of those who love the Messiah and for those who have hitherto disregarded him:
(i) that he sitteth in the heavens;
(ii) the notice he taketh of his enemies.
Thus Newton encourages us to:
(i) not tremble for the ark;
(ii) not think it neither strange nor hard if any of us are called to suffer for the sake of the truth;
(iii) consider seriously, 'Who is on the Lord's side?'.
What grabbed me
I appreciated the encouragement not to tremble: 'Our eyes, indeed, should affect our hearts. It becomes us to be jealous for the Lord of hosts, to be concerned for the contempt and dishonour that is cast upon his government and grace, to be grieved for the abounding abominations of the day, and to pity and pray for obstinate sinners who know not what they do. But we need not fear the failure of his promise. His truth and honour are engaged for the success of his Gospel, and they must stand or fall together. It is a cause dearer to him than it can be to us. The manifestation of his glory in the salvation of sinners by the doctrine of the cross, is the one great concern, for which the succession of day and night, and of the seasons of the year, is continued, and the visible frame of nature is preserved. '
We can find great peace in knowing that God cares more about his honour than we do.
Next week's reading
Read Sermon XXXV (Opposition to Messiah ruinous).
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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