Sol pt 31-A Garden Inclosed By The 2nd Gardener -Kevin Williams (video+mp3)

Continuing our verse-by-verse Christ-centered exposition of the Song of Solomon

-The believer compared to a beautiful garden, that Christ has put much labour in to enjoy and delight in.

Play or download mp3:
Sol 4:12-16 - Song of Sol pt 31-A Garden Inclosed By The 2nd Gardener-Kevin Williams -56 min

Subscribe/listen to podcast feed for our sermons on itunes and alike is:
http://sermon.net/PuritanFellowship/rss/

Oh the Wonder of Wonders by Melissa Yakes

You can listen to some more songs by Melissa on her Youtube Channel HERE.

2 Thess 2 - The Man of Sin Revealed by Kevin Williams

Fri Bible Study

-Who or what is the man of sin?

-What is the anti-Christ?

-When is or was the apostasy/falling away?

Play or download mp3:

2 Thess 2 - 2 Thess pt 2-The Man of Sin Revealed-Kevin Williams -67 min

Subscribe/listen to podcast feed for our sermons on itunes and alike is:
http://sermon.net/PuritanFellowship/rss/

SEE ALSO: Mat 24 - Bible Study-2nd Coming-Kevin Williams(mp3) - 83 min (what is mark of beast etc)

Violent For Humility (Batle With Sin pt 2) - Tim Conway

May God help us be violent to kill pride and sin and be filled with humility.

DOWNLOAD MP3.

SEE ALSO: Manifestations of Pride & Humility by Stuart Scott
&: Defensive People Are Prideful ~Mack Tomlinson
&: Pride-Practice What You Preach-Richard Baxter.
&: MUST READ- Ambition Hinders Christian Life & Ministry‏ - E. M. Bounds
&: Prideful Men will go to Hell - Tim Conway

What to Pray For ~Mack Tomlinson

More than once I have heard Christians say that they can't pray long until they feel like they have run out of things to pray. They don't know what else to pray about. Certainly, learning experientially to pray is a process and takes the aid and help of the Holy Spirit. One must be taught of God to really pray.

But there are great helps in the Bible about what to pray for and what to ask. Paul's prayers are a great example for us in that regard. Paul, from the very beginning of his conversion, was praying. Luke, in the book of Acts, says of Paul, "Behold, he prays."

In Colossians 1, we see an example of what he prayed specifically for the Colossian Christians. No doubt, he prayed these specific requests for himself regularly, as well as praying the same for the churches he loved and nurtured.

When you examine Paul's prayer in Colossians 1:12, you are being allowed into Paul's prayer closet, seeing what God put in his heart to pray. What did Paul pray for others? What kind of things did Paul ask for in prayer?

1. "that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding" - vs. 9

2. "to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him" - vs. 10

3. "bearing fruit in every good work" - vs. 10

4. "increasing in the knowledge of God" - vs. 11

5. "may you be strengthened with all power according to his glorious might" - vs. 11

6. "all endurance and patience with joy" - vs. 11

Paul's praying was not-- "Lord, bless the Corinthians; meet their needs; lead them, guide them, help them, encourage them" -- there is nothing wrong with praying that way for others, when your heart is serious and clear about what those things mean. But we get in a rut in prayer with our words, saying the same things often over and over again, without really being fresh and in tune with the Lord.

I remember the first year after my conversion, there were 2 men in our church who always led morning prayer and evening prayer in church before the offering plate was passed. They both always parroted the same prayer week after week--

"Lord, we thank You for thy blessings; we pray that You would bless the gift and the giver; forgive all our sins-- lead, guide and direct us, in Your name we pray-amen."

Now these were nice men who seemed sincere. But it became obvious that they did not have a clue about the reality of prayer and what it meant to lay hold on God and plead His promises.

When you look at that content in Paul's praying, it is amazing what he prayed for. Do we pray that way for ourselves and for others regularly?

- I want to be filled with the knowledge of your will

- I want to grow in spiritual understanding and wisdom

- I would have a worthy walk

- Strengthen me with all power

- Let me increase in truly knowing You

- Make me fruitful in every work

- Cause me to have real endurance and patience and lasting joy

Let's get meatier in our praying; increasingly pray the Word, pray the Psalms, and the prayers of the saints found in the Scriptures, and Paul's prayers found in his epistles. We ought never to read Paul's letters without praying those prayers for ourselves and the saints we walk with.

When we do, we are praying the perfect mind and will of God. We are praying for the greatest possible reality and we are growing in our understanding and capacity in relation to pray.

Lord, teach us to pray, as you did Paul.

- Mack Tomlinson

Being Over Critical By James Jennings (vblog to Battle With Sin Series)

Testifying to God using Tim Conway to rebuke me for being to judgmental and proud.

"For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." Matt 7:2

DOWNLOAD MP3.

More Reflections On The Lake (Photos)

A few more pics I took on Monday (no artist can paint as well as my God):

Click on each pic to enlarge:




Kevin Williams.

The Battle With Sin -Tim Conway (part 1 - PRIDE)

DOWNLOAD MP3.

DOWNLOAD MP3.

Clothed In Esau's Garments ~Kevin Williams (short exhortation)

"And his mother said unto him, Upon me be thy curse, my son: only obey my voice, and go fetch me them" Genesis 27:12

"And Rebekah took goodly raiment of her eldest son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them upon Jacob her younger son" Genesis 27:15

When Jacob went to his father for the blessing, his father Isaac, did not recognize him as Jacob the conniver, because his mother had clothed him in his elder brothers garments. Just like God clothes the believer in the righteousness - the merit of the obedient life - of our elder brother Jesus Christ who in all things was made like His brethren. And so God our Father is always ready to and has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.

Rebekah, Jacobs mother said to him v.12, "upon me be thy curse, my son: only obey my voice," In order that we can be blessed by God the Father, Christ declared "upon me be thy curse". And the wrath of God for the guilt and penalty of our sin was placed upon Him. He now commands us to "obey my voice." and follow Him.

-Kevin Williams

Reflections on the Lake (photos)

Kevin Williams www.PuritanFellowship.com

Watch Sun Meeting Live 11AM.UK via Ustream: Sol pt 31-A Garden Inclosed By The 2nd Gardener-Kevin Williams

You can watch Sun meeting LIVE via ustream from 11AM UK time on this link:
On this link: (also Bible Study Fri 7pm U.K. time)
www.ustream.tv/channel/puritan-fellowship

This mornings sermon:
Sol 4:12-16 - Song of Sol pt 31-A Garden Inclosed By The 2nd Gardener-Kevin Williams

Continuing our verse-by-verse Christ-centered exposition of the Song of Solomon

-The believer compare to a beautiful garden, that Christ has put much labour in to enjoy and delight in.

Watch Live: On this link:
www.ustream.tv/channel/puritan-fellowship

Sol pt 30-The Sympathy & Sweet Fellowship In Christ-Kevin Williams

Continuing our Christ-centered verse-by-verse study through the Song of Solomon:
-The humanity of Christ
-His love and sympathy for His bride-His church
-Christ delights in the believers love for Him & loves to hear their voice
-The Heavenly talk of the believer

Play or download mp3:
Sol 4:10-11 - Song of Sol pt 30-The Sympathy & Sweet Fellowship In Christ-Kevin Williams -52 min

Subscribe/listen to podcast feed for our sermons on itunes and alike is:
http://sermon.net/PuritanFellowship/rss/

2 Thess Pt 1-Being Counted Worthy Or Terror At His Coming -Kevin Williams

Part 1 of our Friday night Bible Study through 2nd Thessalonians.

--The fierce trials that each believer faces that test their faith, and to make the believer more like Christ

--The contrast of the 2nd Coming, when those in Christ will be filled with joy, but all those who will not obey the Gospel will be in terror.

Play or download mp3:

2 Thess 1 - 2 Thess Pt 1-Being Counted Worthy Or Terror At His Coming-Kevin Williams -67 min

Subscribe/listen to podcast feed for our sermons on itunes and alike is:
http://sermon.net/PuritanFellowship/rss/

God Always Provides by Paul Washer

Paul Washer reads from a journal of how God provided every need HeartCry had. God is so good indeed.

DOWNLOAD MP3.

Parts 1&2 Abraham & Lot: Rescuing The Struggling Believer -Kevin Williams

Part 1.
Play or download mp3:
Gen 13:-14 - Abraham & Lot: Rescuing The Struggling Believer pt1-Kevin Williams -67 min


Part 2.
Play or download mp3:
Gen 18-19 - Abraham & Lot: Rescuing The Struggling Believer pt2-Kevin Williams - 83 min
(sorry no full sermon video for pt 2)

Subscribe/listen to podcast feed for our sermons on itunes and alike is:
http://sermon.net/PuritanFellowship/rss/

Subscribe to/watch our Youtube Channel: www.youutube.com/puritanfellowship

Will You Turn A Deaf Ear To God's Message of Mercy? -James Smith

The door of hope Shut Forever.

"As Paul reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment, Felix trembled and replied: Go away for now. When it is more convenient, I will send for you!" Acts 24:25

Here is Felix listening to the apostle Paul. He is attentive. He is interested. He is affected. He trembles. He realizes something of the solemnity of eternity. He feels concern--but it is not deep enough, therefore he says, "Go away for now. When it is more convenient, I will send for you!" He does not positively refuse--but he postpones the matter. He thought there would be a more convenient time--but there never was! Felix has had some eighteen hundred years in Hell to rue his folly! He is regretting it at this moment--and he will regret it forever!

Many have imitated his foolish conduct. They say to God's ministers, "Go away for now. When it is more convenient, I will send for you!"
What they are really saying is, "I love sin. It is my element. It is my delight. I cannot give it up just now. The dance--the jovial party--the customs of the present world--these are things that I like. I am not prepared to part with them, and embrace the gospel you preach. Go away for now. I had rather remain as I am--at least a little longer. I do not wish to be saved at present. By and bye, when I am too old to enjoy sin, or when sickness has made me too weak to follow any carnal pleasures--then, at this convenient season, I will send for you."

Oh, sinner, sinner! Will you spurn God's gracious invitation--will you turn a deaf ear to the message of mercy?

Will you persevere in sin--until you lie down in black despair?

Will you go to Hell--when so near the gates of Heaven?

Will you perish in your own deceivings?

Have you no fear of God?

Have you no dread of eternal torments?

Have you no wish to escape from the wrath to come?

What will you do in that dread day . . .
when death arrests you,
when the just Judge passes sentence upon you,
when Satan seizes you,
when Hell opens to engulf you, and
when the gates of the infernal pit close upon you forever?

What will you do?

What can you do?

To whom will you flee for help?

How will you, how can you, escape?

Alas! escape then, will be impossible!

Then the door of hope will be forever shut!


"Procrastination" by James Smith, 1865

Early Fruits Of A Faithful Pastor - William Still

Addressed to Pastors:
"...God has caused you [the Pastor] to become Pastor to some souls here who are as valuable to Him as any in the world - your quiet persistence will be a sign that you believe God has a purpose of grace for this people, and that this purpose of grace will be promoted, not by gimmicks, or stunts, or new ideas, but by the Word of God released in preaching by prayer.

There will soon be evidence that God is at work - and the devil will rouse himself too! The first sign will be that believing folk who may have grown cold and worldly, will begin to loosen their purse strings out of thankfulness to God for His living Word, and the finances will improve. This is the least of the signs, but it is almost always the first to appear in the reviving of a church.

Then this becomes a witness to the nominal in the midst, the materially minded, that a faithful ministry pays financial as well as spiritual dividends. There will be opposition, and you may be surprised at where it comes from - .... Those whose daily lives do not match up to their profession will begin to be disturbed. Those who maintain class distinctions, social or intellectual, in the congregation, and all who put up with the fulminations of a young minister as long as he does not seriously interfere with their status quo, will begin to panic. Amidst all this, consciences will be stirred and lives will be searched, home life, business, church activities examined. People will begin to take sides, objections to you and what you preach, and how you preach it, will become increasingly plausible (but quite irrational when you consider them). Your manner, length and style of preaching, etc. will be torn to pieces.

Withal, there will be a nucleus of responsive souls all very imperfect; some perhaps quite objectionable, and possibly, alas, without a good witness in the church and community; some toadying to the new man [minister] and to the new found livingness of his message in the hope that, siding with you, they may escape the searchingness of the Word, and put themselves in your good books. But a nucleus will appear, of whom several will be seen to be truly devoted to God, and bound together by ties of holy love. These will honour you for your faithfulness to God. God will even provide you a suitable comforter, someone to care for you in the upheaval, and you will begin to see the church taking apostolic shape before your eyes. You will see the Word changing and exposing lives, and you will marvel and tremble and rejoice and fear all in one. You will be bowed in profoundest humility before God when you see that He has called you to follow in the train, however far behind, of the first Apostles, and the prophets, teachers and martyrs of the centuries.

In this work we must not be afraid of upset. We must not go out of our way to create it; we don't look for trouble, but seek peace. But if we are going to be faithful to God and to men, there will be upset. The great thing to know is that God is at work creatively, through His Word, in answer to the prayers of His people. There is not a greater task a man can perform in the whole world than this, that he is being used to release the all-searching Word of God upon a company of needy souls. It is the most amazing thing. It works! God works. His Word works. Prayer works. The Spirit works.

William Still from The Work Of A Pastor

Our Words ~Mack Tomlinson

Many people do not take their words serious enough. Everyone who hears anything we say will be influenced and affected by our words, whether for good or bad. Often young people or foolish adults will saying cutting, hurtful things in jest, only to justify it by saying, "I was only teasing--man, can't anybody take a joke?"

Whether or not the person was joking is another issue; the thing about words is that, regardless what our motives are in speaking, the words themselves have a direct influence upon those who hear us.

How important are words? When words are spoken, they immediately do their work. It doesn't matter if it was intentional or not, if it was a joke or not, if it was well-thought out or rashly spoken without thought--none of that matters; what matters is that when words leave a person's mouth, the effect happensand the influence occurs; blessing and edification are accomplished by the words themselves if the words are right, truthful and good; likewise, damage, hurt, and sin immediately occurs if the words are harmful.

Words and their effects cannot be drawn back in like a fishing line. Once out of the mouth, they are permanent and cannot be reversed.

How important are words? Only a few reminders from Proverbs cause us to remember:

Preserving or destroying one's very life - "Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin." - Prov. 13:3

Toil or talk - "In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty." - 14:23

Anger or peace - "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." - 15:1

Thoughts themselves can be sin, and words can be acts of righteousness - "The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord, but gracious words are pure." - 15:26

Words have influence with those who are in authority - "Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right." - 16:13

Words are a real means of comfort and healing - "Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body." - 16:24

For those talkative ones who always have to express their views - "A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion." - 18:2

Words are what get most people in trouble - "A fool's lips walk into a fight and his mouth invites a beating." - 18:6 (Advice to young people--if you don't want to get in trouble or get your teeth knocked down your throat by a mad jerk, keep your mouth shut--be quick to listen and very slow to speak.)

Words totally ruin some people's lives - "A fool's mouth is his ruin and his lips are a snare to his soul." - 18:7

Gossip is enjoyable to the gossip and the listener - "The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels." - 18:8

Premature words bring shame - "If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame." - 18:13

Words always reap a harvest - "From the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips." - 18:20

Words reflects outright evil and wickedness - "A worthless witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity." - 19:28

The main life preserver - "Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble." - 21:23

Telling others is wrong - "Argue your case with your neighbor himself and do not reveal another's secrets." - 25:9

Good, timely words - "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver." - 25:11

Lying about others is destructive - "A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, a sword, or a sharp arrow." - 25:18

Quarreling - "It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife." - 25:24

Quarreling - "For lack of wood the fire goes out and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases." - 26:20

There's a time to answer a fool and there's a time to not answer a fool - "Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes." - 26:4-5

Words are often meant to directly deceive - "Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart; when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart." - 26:24-25

How many more warnings could we find, just in Proverbs? Many more.

In an age of information overload, tweeting, face-booking, emailing, texting, and all the rest, the amount of words that are used have been multiplied by the millions; and everyone one of us are storing up more and more accountability to God on judgment day, when we will give account of our words.

- Mack Tomlinson

Be on Guard - Charles Spurgeon

"And it came to pass, at the evening time, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house." - 2 Samuel 11:2

At that hour, David saw Bathsheba. We are never out of the reach of temptation. Both at home and abroad, we are liable to meet with allurements to evil; the morning opens with peril and the shades of evening find us still in jeopardy. They are well kept whom God keeps, but woe unto those who go forth into the world or even dare to walk their own house unarmed. Those who think themselves secure are more exposed to dangers than any others. The armor-bearer of sin is self-confidence.

David should have been engaged in fighting the Lord's battles; instead he tarried at Jerusalem and gave himself up to luxurious repose, for he arose from his bed at time of evening. Idleness and luxury are the devil's jackals, and find him abundant prey. In stagnant waters noxious creatures swarm and neglected soil soon yields a dense tangle of weeds and briars.

Oh, for the constraining love of Jesus to keep us active and useful! When I see the king of Israel sluggishly leaving his couch at the close of the day and falling at once into temptation, let me take warning and set holy watchfulness to guard the door.

Is it possible that the king had mounted his housetop for retirement and devotion? If so, what a caution is given us to count no place, however secret, a sanctuary from sin! While our hearts are so like dry wood and spark so plentiful, we must use all diligence in all places to prevent a blaze. Satan can climb housetops and enters closets, and even if we could shut out that foul fiend, our own corruptions are enough to work our ruin unless grace prevents it.

Let us beware of evening temptations. Be not secure. The sun is down, but sin is up. We need a watchman for the night as well as a guardian for the day. O blessed Spirit, keep us from all evil this night.

-- C. H. Spurgeon

HT: Mack T.

Believe the Promises of God By Paul Washer-5 min (You Can Have Victory)

Believe in God, trust in the promises that the Lord has in the Word of God, pray and seek God to be delivered from any sin that is besetting you.

DOWNLOAD mp3.

Abraham & Lot: Rescuuing The Struggling Believer pt2 -Kevin Williams

Part 2 of looking at God's merciful interaction with Abraham and Lot (See Part 1 HERE).
-Praying for family members.
-God's great mercy to a stubborn believer
(1st 15 min video, FULL SERMON AUDIO BELOW)


Play or download mp3:
Gen 18-19 - Abraham & Lot: Rescuing The Struggling Believer pt2-Kevin Williams - 83 min

Our podcast feed for our sermons on itunes and alike is:
http://sermon.net/PuritanFellowship/rss/

Abraham Started With The Faith Of A Mustard Seed ~Kevin Williams

"And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father's house, that I said unto her, This is thy kindness which thou shalt shew unto me; at every place whither we shall come, say of me, He is my brother." (Gen 20:13)

The context of the above verse is that Abraham seems to have feared that one of the kings, he would meet along his pilgrimage would kill him to take his beautiful wife. So in giving the impression that Sarah is only his sister, not only would he preserve his life, but the king would show favour to Abraham for Sarah's sake. So for the second time, Abraham in fear of man and lack of faith in God to protect him, deceived Abimelech into thinking that Sarah was only his sister, but not his wife.

But here we are told that this plan was devised by Abraham when God first called him. "when God caused me to wander from my father's house, that I said unto her, This is thy kindness which thou shalt shew unto me; at every place whither we shall come, say of me, He is my brother" (Gen. 20:13).

And so when "the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee" (Gen. 12:1) Abraham left there in faith in God, whilst at the same time distrusting in God, in this area.

Yet in Hebrews 11:8, Abraham obeying this first call of God is given as an example of saving faith: "By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went." (Heb 11:8)

This shows that it is not the amount of faith that saves a person, but faith in the Word of God-Jesus Christ. Having faith as small "as a grain of mustard seed" (Lk 17:6) is enough to save someone if it is in the Almighty Christ.

But like Abraham, however weakly you first step out in faith and trust Christ, there must be a departure from your old self and idols, and a stepping out and following the Word of God, who is Jesus Christ.

Kevin Williams.

Your duty to assure him that he is not saved ~Spurgeon

"If the professed convert distinctly and deliberately declares that he knows the Lord's will but does not mean to attend to it, you are not to pamper his presumption, but it is your duty to assure him that he is not saved. Do you imagine that the Gospel is magnified or God glorified by going to the worldlings and telling them that they may be saved at this moment by simply accepting Christ as their Saviour, while they are wedded to their idols and their hearts are still in love with sin? If I do so, I tell them a lie, pervert the Gospel, insult Christ, and turn the grace of God into lasciviousness." ~Charles Spurgeon

Assurance Test: How Do You Know You Are Saved?-Kevin Williams

Jesus said many who profess to know Christ are deceived. How do you know for sure that your faith in Christ is real? 1st John gives us the Biblical test.

Play or download mp3:

1 John 1-5 - Assurance Test: How Do You Know You Are Saved?-Kevin Williams - 62 min

Our podcast feed for our sermons on itunes and alike is:
http://sermon.net/PuritanFellowship/rss/

Events that will Happen on the Second Coming of Christ, the Day of the Lord ~Bob Jennings

HT: Bob Jennings Journal.

No one knows when the great day will be, not the angels, not even the Son, at least in the days of His incarnation, Matthew 24.36, Acts 1.7, but we do know two things:

• what will happen, and
• how to be ready.

What will happen? There are a lot of schedules taught in Christendom about the last things. So, to simplify the matter, let’s only take the one Greek word parousia, translated “coming.”

At the parousia, Christ will be revealed – the revelation.

• 2Thes 2:1 Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord
• 2Thes 1:7 … when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire

At the parousia, Christ will raise the dead – the resurrection.

• 1Thes 4:15 … we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.
• 1Thes 4:16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
• See also: 1Cor 15.22,23

At the parousia, Christ will “catch up” the believers who are then alive – the rapture.

• 1Thes 4:15 … we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.
• 1Thes 4:17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.
• See also: 1Cor 15.52

At the parousia, Christ will gather to Himself all believers of all times.

• 2Thes 2:1 Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him
• 1Thes 4:17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.

At the parousia, Christ will judge – it will be the judgment day.

• 2Thes 2:1 Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him,
• 2Thes 1:8, 9 dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power

At the parousia, Christ will destroy everything – souls and bodies of unbelievers will be thrown into hell, Matt 10.28, and it will be the end of heaven and earth.

• 2Thes 2:1 Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him,
• 2Thes 1:8, 9 dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power
• 2Peter 3:12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat

At the parousia, Christ will end it all.

• Mat 24:3 … what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?
• 1Cor 15:23, 24 But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming, then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God

At the parousia, Christ will make all things new.

• 2Pet 3:12, 13 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.

To put it another way, when will the resurrection and the ‘rapture’ occur? At the last trumpet.

• 1Cor 15:52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
• 1Thes 4:16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
• Mat 24:31 And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.

To put it another way, when will the end of the world occur? At the last trumpet, the 7^th and last.

• Rev 11:15 Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.”

To put it another way, when will the resurrection occur? On the last day.

• John 6:39 This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day.
• Repeated three more times in John 6
• Also: John 11.24

To put it another way, when will the judgment day occur? On the last day.

• John 12:48 … the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.

To put it another way, will the resurrection of the righteous and the wicked be simultaneous? Yes, it will be in a coming hour – the last hour.

• John 5:28, 29 Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.

Conclusion? It will all happen on that one day. What a day it will be! Man has had his days – birthday, graduation day, wedding day, Independence Day, Ground Hog Day, etc. The Lord will have His.

How can I be ready for the great day of the Lord? A person might be fouled up on the above, and still make it to heaven if he knows how to be ready. If you repent of sin, giving your life to the living God unconditionally and believe on the Lord Jesus – truly, sincerely, totally, that He died to pay your sin-debt – you will be rescued from the wrath to come.

• 1Thes 1:9, 10 … you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.

Most folks will be sleeping when their house burns, many with a false confession of Christ.

• 1Thes 5:6 so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober.
• Matt 7:22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’

Sin is contraband. You don’t want to be under its guilt or power.

• Rom 13:11,12 Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

The day will come; it is fixed by God. No bomb or cataclysm can stop it.

• Acts 17:30, 31 … God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.

Rev 22:20 …Come, Lord Jesus.

Bob Jennings

See also: Matt 24 - Bible Study -2nd Coming -Kevin Williams

-Is the rapture Biblical?
-Will there be a literal 1000 year reign of Christ or is this speaking of now?
-Was the great tribulation in 70AD or is it future?
-Is the prince in Daniel 9 Christ or the anti-Christ?
-Does the fig tree in Matthew 24 predict the return of Israel to the land in the 20th century or the destruction of Israel in the 1st century?
-What is the mark of the beast? (download mp3)

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork (Psalm 19:1)

What about Cremation? - Mack Tomlinson

Should a Christian be buried or cremated?
Read Mack Tomlinson's short article on why it matters: http://providencechapel.blogspot.com/2011/01/what-about-cremation.html

Was Righteous Lot A Carnal Christian? (14 min excerpt) Kevin Williams

Excerpt take from sermon (play or download mp3):
Gen 13:-14 - Abraham & Lot: Rescuing The Struggling Believer pt1-Kevin Williams -67 min

FULL SERMON:

What Doth Hinder Me To Be Baptized? -Kevin Williams (Tue Chapel Bible Study)

Beginning with an account of the many Anabaptists, being persecuted, tortured and put to death for being baptized, we look at many Scriptures to show:

-The importance of baptism

-Its meaning

-That normally baptism should be soon after conversion

-Who should and should not be baptized?

-The outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts

Play or download mp3:

Acts 8:36-37+var - What Doth Hinder Me To Be Baptized? -Kevin Williams -58 min (Chapel Bible Study)

Our new podcast feed for our sermons on itunes and alike is:
http://sermon.net/PuritanFellowship/rss/

Abram's Christlikeness In Rescuing His Struggling Brethren (7 min excerpt) Kevin Williams

Excerpt take from sermon (play or download mp3):
Gen 13:-14 - Abraham & Lot: Rescuing The Struggling Believer pt1-Kevin Williams -67 min

2011 Fellowship Conference, Denton, Texas

April 21-24 2011, Denton, Texas.


You can register for the conference & also watch last years sermons HERE: http://illbehonest.com/fellowship/

Six Hours Out Of Every Twenty-Four Upon My Knees ~James McKendrick

"[In praying and fasting for the souls of 'special cases']... for six weeks now I only ate what would keep me alive, and spent six hours out of every twenty-four upon my knees in prayer, confident that victory was coming. And oh the joy of my soul when God saved the chief of sinners in Gourdon!

The most unlikely man in the place was the first convert. He did not know the letter "a" from "b" - a perfect slave to drink and tobacco, with no sense of honesty and no idea of morality. His oaths were enough to pollute the air. He could have stood as a good subject character for Harold Begbie's Broken Earthenware.

But when God saved him he became just as out-and-out for God as he had been for the Devil, and the news of his conversion was the talk of the whole village. It was an event without precedent in the place. I gave him opportunity both in the open air and in the hall to speak to the people. The effect was wonderful. Many present would break down and weep as "Sautie" (his nickname) proceeded to tell of God's love and grace in saving him, and tears of gratitude would roll down his own weather-beaten face.

Many predicted that a few good shots of fish and a few extra shillings would end "Sautie's" Christianity. But "Sautie" was a new creature. Old things had past away and all things had become new, for he soon appeared in public decently dressed; and his wife and family also showed a change for the better. His conversion and changed life proved a real witness for God in and around Gourdon.

He was anxious to be able to read. I bought him a large-print Bible, and spent half an hour daily teaching him to read. Ere two months had past he could read the 3rd chapter of John's Gospel, and had also committed it to memory. Almost nightly, when he came in from sea and had completed the work on his lines, he would go down to the monument, where the people assembled in the evenings, and there speak to them on his much loved 3rd chapter of John. In public and private he earnestly sought the salvation of the people. Shortly after his conversion he was talking to some of his fellow-fishermen, and one said, "Oh, yes, you have stopped drinking and swearing, but if you are a true Christian, why have you not stopped smoking?" He replied, "Should Christians not smoke?" They all declared no Christian should smoke. He immediately took his pipe and tobacco and threw them into the harbour and never smoked again." ~James McKendrick

A Man Going Down To Hell With The Way To Heaven In His Head ~ James McKendrick

"One sad case I must mention, that of old C.K. I visited him often, and as sure as I would begin to repeat a Gospel text he would finish it. He seemed to know almost all the Gospel texts of the Bible, but was dying in the dark. I was very anxious about him, the more so as it was evident the end was nearing. I called one day. He was sitting pillowed up in bed, but I seemed unable to speak. At last he raised his eyes, and as he saw me he shook his head, saying, "I'm dying, I'm dying." I began to tell him of God's love and free salvation. He cried, "I'm dying, I'm dying, and there's sixty years' sins betwixt me and God, an' I maun jist be daein."

His hopeless wail seems to ring in my ears as I now write. I have never known a case more sad - a man going down to Hell with the way to Heaven in his head. Most of his relatives were true Christians, and he had often been anxious about his soul; but had again and again resisted the Holy Spirit, and passed into eternity, another proof of the solemn fact - "My Spirit will not always strive with man" (Gen. 6:3.)" ~James McKendrick

Abraham & Lot: Rescuing The Struggling Believer pt1-Kevin Williams

Part 1of 2 looking at God's merciful interaction with Abraham and Lot.

Often when Abraham is being spoken of, there is a tendency to highlight his short-comings, but what is often missed is Abraham's Christ-like character.

Here we see real-life examples of how Abraham (and how other Christians) should act towards a struggling believer. And also take much comfort and confidence in God, in the mercy and care he showed to Lot.
Play or download mp3:
Gen 13:-14 - Abraham & Lot: Rescuing The Struggling Believer pt1-Kevin Williams -67 min

Listen this and other Puritan Fellowship Sermons on itunes here:

http://sermon.net/PuritanFellowship/rss/

What Is Christmas About? Paul Washer

MUST LISTEN - Order & Argument in Prayer - Tim Conway

Do you mumble when you pray or do you come prepared to lay your case before the Lord as the Old Testament saints did?

Order and Arguement in Prayer listen or download mp3 here (pop-out).

You can read the Spurgeon sermon than influenced Pastor Tim HERE.

Gen 1 -Let There Be Christ -Kevin Williams (Bible Study)

Tue night Bible Study, a Christ centred look at Genesis 1, looking at pictures of Christ in the first chapter of the Bible.

Play or download mp3:

Gen 1 - Let There Be Christ-Kevin Williams (Tue Bible Study) - 68 min

Listen this and other Puritan Fellowship Sermons on itunes here:

http://sermon.net/PuritanFellowship/rss/

MUST READ - Worship and Prayer by Mack Tomlinson

Article at: thoughts on the way blog.

Justification by Martyn Lloyd-Jones

THE next term for our consideration* is "Justified." This, as we have seen, is always associated with belief and faith. The term Thas become familiar--"Justification by faith only." That they are in a state of justification, or justified, is true of all who believe, who exercise faith. Christian people are often troubled and confused about "foreknowledge" and about the "calling"' but no Christian should ever be in trouble concerning justification, for it is the foundation of our whole position and standing with God. The first four chapters of this Epistle to the Romans are devoted to this subject of "justification by faith only." The apostle introduced it in the 17th verse of the let chapter; but because of the failure of the Jews to see it, and a corresponding failure on the part of the Gentiles, he had to argue it out in detail and demonstrate it with a multiplicity of proofs in those four chapters.

Justification in its essence is a legal or forensic term, a term that belongs to the realm of the Law Court. It means "to declare just," and "to declare righteous." It is the opposite ofcondemnation. The Christian has moved from a state of "condemnation" to one of "justification." For this reason the Apostle starts this 8th chapter by saying, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus." He is taking up again the argument he had left off at the end of chapter 5, where he had been working out some of the consequences of justification. His constant emphasis concerning this is that it is something which is done by God, "Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified." In other words we do not justify ourselves before God. God justifies us, and He does it--and this is the argument of the first four chapters--entirely apart from us and our works. It is not the result of any merit that is in us. One verse that states this clearly and beyond any doubt is the 5th verse in the 4th chapter: "But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." God justifies the "ungodly"; not the "righteous," but the "ungodly."

He argues the same point in chapter 5, verses 6-8: "When we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." It is the action of God, and exclusively the action of God. This is the central argument of this Epistle. It is the declaration made by God concerning those who believe in Christ. We are justified in Christ, but through faith and belief. The belief is the instrument.

Let us emphasize again certain other aspects of this doctrine. Justification does not merely mean forgiveness. It includes forgiveness, but it is much bigger than forgiveness. It means in addition that God declares us to be entirely guiltless; He regards us as if we had never sinned at all. He pronounces us to be just and to be righteous. In doing so He is answering any declaration that the Law may make with respect to us. It is the judge upon the bench not merely saying that the prisoner at the Bar is forgiven, but that he pronounces him to be a just and righteous person.

In justifying us God tells us that He has taken our sins and our guilt, and has "imputed" them to, "put them to the account of," the Lord Jesus Christ and punished them in Him. He announces also that, having done that, He now puts to our account, or "imputes" to us, the perfect righteousness of His own dear Son. The Lord Jesus Christ obeyed the Law perfectly; He never broke it in any respect. He gave a full and a perfect satisfaction to all its demands. That full obedience constitutes His righteousness. What God does is to put to our account, to put upon us, the righteousness of Jesus Christ. In declaring us to be justified, God proclaims that He now looks on us, not as we are, but as clothed with the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ. A hymn by the Moravian Count Zinzendorf, and translated by John Wesley, expresses it thus:

Jesus, Thy robe of righteousness
My beauty is, my glorious dress;
'Midst flaming worlds, in this arrayed,
With joy shall I lift up my head.

The Count proceeds in the hymn to defy anyone and anything to bring a charge against us, because we are clothed and robed with this "righteousness" of the Lord Jesus Christ. Such, then, is the meaning of justification, and it is entirely the action of God. It is, I repeat, the forensic, legal declaration of God that we are not only forgiven but guiltless, and that as we are clothed with the righteousness of Christ we shall continue in that condition. In other words, we are given a new standing and a new status in the presence of God.

Martyn Lloyd-Jones

God said, Let there be Christ

"And God said, Let there be light, and there was light." Genesis 1:3

At the creation of the world, when Jesus Christ the eternal Son of the living God, the Word of God who was with God and was God, declared how this world will be:
"Let there be light".

What is light to a world, to a soul, that was without form, and void, without purpose, and darkness (evil), was upon it, and "deep" was its depravity?

"Then Jesus spake again unto them saying, I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD: he that followeth me shall not walk darkness, but shall have the light of life." (John 8:32)

God has declared, He has said it: LET THERE BE CHRIST. Everything made is to reflect His glory, His Name, His attributes, His character of who He is.

If you feel like you are a soul in confusion, like you are a land in darkness, then, Let there be Christ. Let Him shine in your heart and say "not my will but thy will".

But believer, look, behold, this glorious truth here: God has declared, Let there be Christ, and there was Christ. Does it not fill you with joy that Christ will be exalted in this world, because God has said it? Does it not comfort your soul that though you may struggle now believer, when we see Him we shall be like Him, because God has said it?

Heaven is a world of light, a world of Christ.

Kevin Williams.

Sol pt 29-Ravishing The Heart Of God-Kevin Williams

When the believer looks towards Christ then the heart of God beats faster and is ravished by him.

There has never been a moment in eternity past when God did not think intense thoughts of love for the believer.

Knowing this love should constrain you to do His will, and seek Him, and commune with Him

Play or download mp3:

Sol 4:7-9 - Song of Sol pt 29-Ravishing The Heart Of God-Kevin Williams -56 min

Listen this and other Puritan Fellowship Sermons on itunes here:

http://sermon.net/PuritanFellowship/rss/

You Must Overcome -Don Johnson (2 min)

Revelation 3:21 says him who overcomes will sit with the Lord on the throne. Are you overcoming through Christ?

DOWNLOAD mp3.