Piper: Gifts are for the glory of God and the good of the church

“To each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” —1 Corinthians 12 John Piper, in a sermon, “Living in the Spirit and in the Body for the Common Good” I think the main point of this passage is verse 7: “But to each one is given the manifestation of the … More Piper: Gifts are for the glory of God and the good of the church

J. C. Ryle: Why take our bodies to church, if we leave our hearts at home?

And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of … More J. C. Ryle: Why take our bodies to church, if we leave our hearts at home?

Strong God highlighted in weak vessels, like Samson, like us

From a Study in Judges, Samson Part 3, from Back Free Church of Scotland: What did Samson have to work with, in his exploits and in his offensive against the Philistines? The answer is — not very much. The first time he attacks, it is with three hundred foxes whom he binds tail to tail, … More Strong God highlighted in weak vessels, like Samson, like us

Piper: Express the value of Christ by “remembering,” by “proclaiming,” and by “nourishing.”

John Piper, in a sermon, “The Lord’s Supper as Worship”, says that we express the value of Christ by “remembering,” by “proclaiming,” and by “nourishing.” Reminding First, the Lord’s Supper expresses the value of Christ by reminding us of him. Notice the word “remembrance” twice. Once in relation to the bread in verse 24 and … More Piper: Express the value of Christ by “remembering,” by “proclaiming,” and by “nourishing.”

The one who had previously commanded the sea, now walks on it.

Mark 6:45-56, our passage for today, contains the section telling of Jesus walking on water: Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. … More The one who had previously commanded the sea, now walks on it.

Spurgeon: Come Thou Fount

 Singers and dancers alike say,  “All my springs are in you.” —Psalm 87:7 In his commentary on Psalm 87, in The Treasury of David, Spurgeon says that this verse reminds him of the hymn, “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” by Robert Robinson: Come, Thou Fount of every blessing, Tune my heart to sing Thy … More Spurgeon: Come Thou Fount

Misery and Mercy

Judges 10-12 is our Bible reading passage for today.  In Judges 10:10-16 we read: And the people of Israel cried out to the Lord, saying, “We have sinned against you, because we have forsaken our God and have served the Baals.” 11 And the Lord said to the people of Israel, “Did I not save you … More Misery and Mercy

J. C. Ryle:This Jesus still lives, never changes, and is on our side

J. C. Ryle on Mark 6:35-46  Of all our Lord Jesus Christ’s miracles, none is so frequently described in the Gospels, as that which we have now read. Each of the four Evangelists was inspired to record it. It is evident that it demands a more than ordinary attention from every reader of God’s word. … More J. C. Ryle:This Jesus still lives, never changes, and is on our side