Has God Burned My Barley Field?

Q: What does the Bible say about God's sovereignty over our lives?

The Bible teaches that God is sovereign over all creation and He governs all things according to His will, as shown in scriptures like Ephesians 1:11. God's sovereignty is central to understanding how He interacts with the world. Scripture reveals that He has predestined all events and governs the affairs of men for His glory and purpose. Ephesians 1:11 states that God 'works all things according to the counsel of His will,' indicating His control over both the macro and micro events of history. This sovereignty offers comfort to believers, assuring them that God is in control even in times of hardship or uncertainty when it appears that life is out of control.

Q: How do we know that salvation relies solely on God's grace?

Salvation is a gift of God's grace, not based on our works, as emphasized in Ephesians 2:8-9. The doctrine of salvation by grace alone is rooted in multiple biblical texts, with Ephesians 2:8-9 summarizing this truth effectively. It states, 'For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.' This emphasizes that salvation is not achieved through human effort or merit; it is God's gracious gift to those who believe in Christ. Furthermore, historic Reformed theology, affirmed by the Five Solas, emphasizes that grace is unmerited favor from God, grounding all of salvation in His work rather than ours.

Q: Why is repentance important for Christians?

Repentance is crucial for Christians as it signifies a turning away from sin and a turn towards God, foundational to the faith life. Repentance is an essential doctrine in the Christian faith, interwoven with the concept of salvation. It reflects a believers' recognition of their sinful state and their need for God's mercy. In Luke 5:32, Jesus states, 'I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.' This indicates that repentance is required for experiencing the grace of God. Further, in the Reformed tradition, we understand that true repentance involves not merely a change of mind but a transformation that leads to a renewed commitment to follow Christ. Much like the prodigal son returning home, true repentance restores our relationship with God.

Q: What is the significance of faith in Christ for salvation?

Faith in Christ is the means by which we receive salvation, as demonstrated in Romans 10:9-10. Faith in Christ holds a central role in salvation according to biblical teaching. Romans 10:9-10 states that 'if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.' This highlights that faith is not merely intellectual assent but a deep-seated trust in Jesus as one’s Lord and Savior. It’s through faith that we access God's grace, and it's the means by which we are justified before Him. In the Reformed understanding, this faith itself is also a gift from God, underscoring the complete dependence of believers on God’s grace throughout the process of salvation.

Turn with me, if you would, to the book of 1 Chronicles. 1 Chronicles chapter 16. 1 Chronicles chapter 16, starting in verse 7. Then on that day, David delivered this first psalm to thank the Lord into the hand of Asaph and his brethren. Give thanks unto the Lord.

Call upon his name. Make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him. Sing songs unto him. Talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name. Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. Seek the Lord and his strength. Seek his face continually.

Remember his marvelous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth, O ye seed of Israel, his servant, ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones. He is the Lord our God. His judgments are in all the earth. Be mindful always of his covenant, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations. even of the covenant which he made with Abraham and of his oath unto Isaac and hath confirmed the same to Jacob for a law and to Israel for an everlasting covenant saying unto thee will I give the land of Canaan the lot of your inheritance when you were but few, even a few and strangers in it. And when they went from, from nation to nation and from one kingdom to another people, he suffered no man to do them wrong. Yay. He reproved Kings for their sakes saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm. Sing unto the Lord, all the earth. Show forth from day to day his salvation.

Declare his glory among the heathen, his marvelous works among all nations. For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised. He also is to be feared among all gods. For all the gods of the people are idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Glory and honor are in his presence. Strength and gladness are in his place. Give unto the Lord, ye kindreds of the people. Give unto the Lord glory and strength. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name. Bring an offering and come before him. Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

Fear before him all the earth. The world also shall be stable that it be not moved. Let the heavens be glad and let the earth rejoice. And let men say among the nations, the Lord reigneth. Let the sea roar in the fullness thereof. Let the fields rejoice in all that is therein. Then shall the trees of the woods sing out at the presence of the Lord, because he cometh to judge the earth.

O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good, and his mercy endureth forever. And save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to the holy name and glory in thy praise. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel forever and ever.

And all the people said Amen. And praise the Lord. Will end our reading there. Let's pray together. Our Holy Heavenly Father. By your grace. We we would praise your Holy Name. We thank you for drawing us here this evening together. worship. Not that our worship is so insufficient and not that you need our worship.

You raise up the rocks to worship you, but but rather because you're worthy, because your holy good name is worthy. As we just heard, how great thou art. Great is your name for who you are. Great is your Sovereignty. Great is your power. Great is your mercy and grace to sinners in Christ. Because of who you are.

So insufficient is our is our praise. We thank you for for giving us a heart to praise for giving us life and heart and ears and eyes to see. We pray that you'd be with us this evening that we may truly worship for for great is your name. We pray for these these men who have come as they who's sufficient for these things as they stand to declare the wonders of who you are. We pray together that you be with them and strengthen them for the task that give them a message, give them recollection of their studies and give them a message from you. Bless the word and bless our time together that it be fruitful.

We pray these things thankfully in Christ's name and for his sake, amen. Okay, if you would turn in your hymnals to song number 209 and we'll sing grace greater than our sin. 209. Marvelous grace of our loving Lord. Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt. Yonder on Calvary's mount outpoured. There where the blood of the lamb was spilled.

Grace, grace. God's grace, grace that will pardon and cleanse within. Grace, grace, God's grace, Grace that is greater than all our sin. Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold, threaten the soul with infinite loss. Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold, points to the refuge, the mighty cross. Grace, grace. God's grace, grace that will pardon and cleanse within. Grace, grace, God's grace, Grace that is greater than all our sins. Dark is the stain that we cannot hide. What can avail to wash it away? Look, there is flowing a crimson tide. Whiter than snow you may be today.

Grace, grace, God's grace. Grace that will pardon and cleanse within. God's grace, grace that is greater than all our sin. Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace. freely bestowed on all who believe. You that are longing to see his face, will you this moment his grace receive? God's grace, grace that will pardon and cleanse within. Grace, grace, God's grace, grace that is greater than all our sin.

Our next speaker, Pastor Walter Pendleton of the Sovereign Grace Chapel in Beaver, West Virginia. Walter has quickly become one of our very favorite guest preachers here. The first time Walter came here to preach, I was on vacation, I believe, and we were driving back home and one of our ladies texted, and asked me, how come this is the first time I've met this man? So I try to have him back often. So Walter, I hope you feel at home when you come bring to us what the Lord's given you.

Good evening, everyone. Pardon me just a moment while I get some stuff together here. I do bring you greetings. from your brothers and sisters who gather at Sovereign Grace Chapel. And also specifically, Paul Pendleton, he's been here and preached for you all. He says to send you his love. And of course, my wife, Penny, says to send you her love. Hopefully, she will be here tomorrow. She had plans, but the government interfered.

And I'll explain that to you later if you want to know. She hadn't done anything wrong. Not that I could tell you publicly, anyway. I wouldn't dare do that, anyway. Let me give you this before I start on my message. This is a quote by Spurgeon, and it's very short, but I like this. If any man thinks ill of you, do not be angry with him, for you are much worse than he thinks you to be. That fits me. That fits me. Someone wonders, what are you doing setting your timer? If I was, it wouldn't do me any good or you any good either. All right, if you wish, turn to 2 Samuel chapter 14. And while you're turning to 2 Samuel chapter 14, I want to give you a background to the few verses that I will read as my text tonight.

King David's third son, Absalom, because he had killed his half-brother Amnon for the sexual assault of their sister Tamar. Absalom is in exile in Gesher. Joab, King David's military captain, has finally worked to get David to allow Absalom to return to Jerusalem. But Absalom was not permitted to see David. Now our text, 2 Samuel 14 verse 28. So Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem and saw not the king's face. So remember, he'd been waiting, wanting to get back to Jerusalem to see his father.

And things just weren't working out. Joab had been trying to work things out. It just hadn't worked. Finally, it works out. Joab gets Absalom back to Jerusalem, but now he's been there two full years. Therefore, Absalom sent for Joab to have sent him to the king, but he would not come to him, and when he sent again the second time, he would not come. Therefore he said unto his servants, that is, Absalom did, see, Joab's field is near mine, and he hath barley there.

Go and set it on fire. What do you think he's doing? I'm going to get his attention. Yeah. And Absalom's servants set the field on fire. Then Joab arose. Of course, I guess I would have too, wouldn't you? Then Joab arose and came to Absalom unto his house and said unto him, wherefore have thy servants set my field on fire? And Absalom answered, Joab, behold, I sent unto thee, saying, come hither. that I may send thee to the king to say, wherefore am I come from Gesher? It had been good for me to have been there still.

Now, therefore, let me see the king's face. And if there be any iniquity in him, let him kill me. So Joab came to the king and told him. And when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king. And he bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king. And the king kissed Absalom. Now if you're like me, and I suppose in some respects I'm sure you are, you're probably wondering, I wonder where in the world he's going with this. Well, we're going to change gears. Because I'm now not going to talk about the context that I just read at all, but there's a phrase here. There's this thought here.

Absalom had his servants burn Joab's barley field to the ground. He was getting his attention. Here's my subject. Here's my title, if you wish. Now I'm asking this as a question to me. I read this a few months ago. This thought here about Absalom having his servants burn Joab's barley field to the ground to get his attention And I thought about this question in my mind and heart. And I pray God as I preach this message, may it be that he causes this question to burn in your heart as well. This is my title.

This is my subject. Has God burned my barley field? Has God burned my barley field? Briefly, religion today tries to make it so easy to be saved. They think it's appropriate. The salvation is impossible apart from an act of God. Let's consider a few things.

Let's consider, first of all, just to have in your mind's eye a picture, let's consider Babylon. Today it's the place where Babylon used to be is approximately 50 miles south of modern-day Baghdad, Iraq. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 605 to 562 BC, Babylon was the site of the blue-glazed brick Ishtar Gate.

Now that may not mean anything to anybody here, but if you like archaeology and you've studied some of those things, this thing was evidently magnificent. It was a splendid metropolis. It had the hanging gardens, or some say fabled hanging gardens, that really doesn't matter, a double-lined city wall, and the Issigal temple complex.

Now what I want you to do is listen to the founder of that city in those years. This is what he said. The king spake and said, is not this great Babylon that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power and for the honor of my majesty? That's the man that did this, one of these things there. You know what God did? God burnt his barley field to the ground. To the ground. But now his barley field was not Babylon. He didn't burn Babylon to the ground. Now it's gone now, but he didn't burn Babylon, the city. There was nothing wrong with the splendor itself of the city. He burned that man's pride. over the city to the ground.

And when God restored this man's mind, and I say he restored his mind because God drove him to a state of madness. He literally became what we would call insane and was on all fours eating grass like an ox for what? Seven years. But then, when God restored his mind to it, he said, now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the king of heaven, all whose works are truth and his ways judgment.

And here it is. Here's after God burned his barley field of pride to the ground. And those that walk in pride, he is able to abase. but notice he is able, which means if you're still, if I was still walking in my pride, if I am walking in my pride, it's not because God doesn't have the ability, it's because he just chose not to do so, and to leave my barley field of pride intact.

Listen to it, pride. But let's consider two ancient temporaries. We're talking about, has God ever burned my barley field to the ground? Look at Luke chapter 18. Now all of these are familiar to you. Listen to these two ancient contemporaries, and I want us to consider, here there's two barley fields. This is the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican.

And that Pharisee had a barley field that would make any fundamental Bible-believing, put that in quotes, fundamental Bible-believing Baptist proud. Wouldn't it? Look at it. I'm not, what? I'm not an extortioner, I'm not unjust, I'm not an adulterer, I'm not like this old publican.

He just exposed how the publican lived. I fast twice in a week, I gave tithes of all that I possessed, but listen, God left his barley field intact. He went down to his house not justified. His barley field was still just like that. But now here's this other fella. It says he went down to his house just to fight.

Why? Because God had burnt his barley field to the ground. You see it? You see it? Two different barley fields, but God left one intact. God burned the other to the ground. Somebody says, well, preacher, where are you going? Where are you going with this? Well, consider a vile profligate, Luke chapter 15. Turn back just a few pages. And I will not read all of this. I don't have time tonight. I don't want to keep you late this evening. But let's consider this vile profligate.

What people have called, it's even in the title letter in my Bible, the prodigal son. Think about this. He evidently was given half of the inheritance. He had another brother, and he asked that the inheritance be divided, so the father gave it to him, right? And it was evidently a substantial amount of some kind of goods.

I wonder how often we truly remember that everything, our brothers already said it, everything we have, God owns it. And even in our unregenerate state, God blessed us far beyond what we deserve, especially in this country. And I must rebuke, if I feel rebuke's necessary, and I think we all have to be rebuked every once in a while, and yet I sit back and I murmur and complain. God, brother, gave me this wonder.

But we know what the prodigal did. He wasted his, what does it say here, verse 13, the last phrase, and there wasted his substance on riotous living. When he went home, the older brother said he what, verse 30, last part, which hath devoured thy living with harlots. His life could be summed up with the way many people enjoy living today. Wine, women, and salt. That's what he liked. And he was enjoying it.

Until God burned his barley field down. Until God burned his barley field down. But there's a problem here. Before God ever saved me, I can look back now and recollect, he burnt two or three barley fields down on me. Yeah, he burnt two or three barley fields down on me. And I'd go right back to where I was. Now let's consider a twist to this issue. Turn to Mark chapter 10. Mark chapter 10. I'm not going to read through all of this. Because by God's grace, we're going somewhere.

We are still, remember, has God burned down my barley field? And remember, he can Everybody's got some kind of barley field. Whether it's the, whether that person is like kind of Luke described, one of the certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, or whether they're some self-righteous Pharisee. Everybody's got a barley field, and some of us have several of them. Remember, God can burn your barley field to the ground, or he can leave your barley field intact. But we are so proud and so sinful that we think if God did burn a barley field down, that we must have somehow deserved for him to do that, such a thing for us.

Now think about it. Mark chapter 10, just look at one verse. Verse 22. Now, I'm gonna read it in just a moment, but here's the background. Here comes this rich young ruler who was a religious man. who believed in the one God of Israel, whom it doesn't say here, but I would suppose that he even had some messianic hope of some kind.

And he said, good master, what good thing might I do that I might inherit eternal life? Christ said, keep the commandments. And he said, I'm phrasing it right now, he said this, God burnt that barley field down in his mind, what lack I yet? When he said, I've done all this from my youth up, then he said what? What lack I yet? God had burnt that barley field down right there in that experience. But he had no idea what it was. Then our Lord told him, he said, you go and sell everything you've got. You give it to the poor. I'm paraphrasing now. You give it to the poor. You take up your cross and you follow me.

And verse 22 says, and he was sad at that saying. Christ had burned his barley field to the ground. And he was sad at that saying and went away. What? What did we just read? He went away. You would think a man or a woman with a burned barley field would stay at the feet of the master, but he didn't. He went away grieved for he had great possessions. Now I must confess that I did not read one part in this. I did so on purpose, but it says Jesus looking at him loved him. So I know Christ wasn't done with him yet. even though he let him go away grieved. But there's another illustration of this. Turn to John chapter 8. John chapter 8.

Remember, has God burned down my barley field? God can burn our barley field if he so chooses. And if he chooses to burn it down to where it's nothing but ash, he'll do it. But just burning our barley field is not enough. He can leave your barley field. He can burn it to the ground and you still go away sorrowful.

Right? Here's another illustration of that. John chapter 8, and of course you know this is the account, the first part of John 8 is the account of the woman who was taken in adultery. I'm not going to deal with her other than to say this, God burnt her barley field down. She got caught in the act and then was being threatened with stoning before a mob, right? So God burned her barley field down and the Lord Jesus Christ was gracious to that sinner.

Wasn't it? But I'm not talking about her. Remember the people who said, well, the law says to do this, she ought to be stoned, but what do you say? What do you say? And of course he stooped down once and they asked another, then he stood up again. And of course he said this, And they, verse nine, and they which heard it, what was it? That he that is without sin, let him cast the first stone. He shut them up.

He burnt their barley field down. Not a one of them, from the oldest to the youngest, picked up a rock, did they? when they were the ones that said Moses commanded such to be stoned, but they wouldn't do it. He burned their barley field down, didn't he? What was the problem? They were doing this not because they really loved the law of Moses, but because they despised Jesus Christ.

And we're trying to catch him in his words. But look at what it says, verse nine, and they which heard it being convicted in their own conscience. There's a barley field. I remember as a wee little fella, pardon me. I'd get in trouble. And I'd start feeling guilty, you know. And then I would have that conscientious pity party for myself. You ever do that? Ah, not really that bad. I'm talking about a little fella. Huh? Oh, we like the barley field of our conscience. We can soothe it with just about anything.

But look at what it says, and they, which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, bowed down before Christ and cried for forgiveness too. Is that what these, is this what they did? They should have. Since they were convicted of sin, should they not have cried out for mercy? Their barley field had been burnt before them. But what happened? They went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even into the last. Here's the glorious thing, Jesus was left alone and the woman standing in the midst.

Why do I point those, that twist in this out? Because it's not just about, well I had this experience. Ever been there? Well this happened to me. I used to believe this, now I believe that. We see this in two or three of these people we've seen there. Had their barley fields, what? Burnt to the ground. Yet they went away, right? They went away. So now, let's consider a final example of God burning down a barley field.

Consider Saul of Tarsus. Turn to Philippians chapter three. Philippians chapter 3. Consider Saul of Tarsus. Now you're talking about a man who had a barley field. Look at what he said. Philippians 3 verse 4. And he even, now listen to me now. He even had the gall to say it. To write it down. Though I might also have confidence in the flesh, if any man, any other man, thinketh that he hath whereof, he might trust in the flesh. What does he say? I more. Do you see that? Paul knew what he had by nature in the flesh. And it was far above most everybody else's. He had a barley field. I, Moher, circumcised the eighth day of the stock of Israel. Well, he's got me beat.

Of the tribe of Benjamin, he's got me beat. and Hebrew of Hebrews as touching the law of Pharisee, concerning Seal persecuting the church. How could that seem like a good thing? In his day, if you were a Orthodox Jew, they thought that was the right thing to do because they thought Jesus of Nazareth was an imposter. But look, The Hebrew of Hebrews, as touching the law of Pharisee, concerning zeal, persecuting the church. And here's the kicker, touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

Now you talk about a barley field. But now seesaw of Tarsus confessed this, but what things were gained to me, my barley field. You see it? Matter of fact, I guess we might could say, Frank, several good barley fields there. But what things were gained to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

What made the real difference in this true, boldified, undeniable example of God burning a barley field, a man's barley field down. It's not the burning of the barley field itself. It's getting a glimpse of the glory of the person and work of Jesus Christ, and then God begins to burn the barley fields down. Because even if God burns your barley field down, even if He burns my barley field down, if I don't see Jesus Christ, it's nothing. It's nothing.

Years ago, and not long after, at least in my understanding, when God first converted me, or maybe I should better say God began to convert me, And if someone says, well, exactly what day was that? I can't pinpoint that. I don't know for sure. If I do look at a certain event, there are times, Mike, when I think, well, I don't really know if I knew God then or not.

But I know this, God began burning my barley fields down. But it never really mattered until he gave me a glimpse of the person and the work of Jesus Christ, the Lord. That's when it really matters. I mean, I work in the prison system, and a lot of men have had a lot of barley fields burnt down. And because they've had these changes in life, and some for the better. I'm not denying it's far better for them to have a change of life and be released back amongst us. You don't want them released back like they once was. but they hold on to that barley field being burnt down.

But when I talk to them, they have no idea who Jesus Christ is. You see what I'm saying? I've been there. I've been there. But think about it. See Paul confess to God continually burning down his barley fields. You see it? Continually burning down his barley fields. Chapter 3 of Philippians, verse 8. Yea, doubtless, and I count. That's present tense, right? Not counted.

You see, when I was in religion, I was always looking back to that time that I thought I was saved. When I did something for the Lord. But look at what Paul says. Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss. I count, present tense, but lost for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I've suffered the loss of all things. That's past tense, but look, and do count them but dumb. See, God don't save us so that we can then start bragging. on his grace.

Boy, look how good I am now. Let's think about Nebuchadnezzar's barley field of pride. I think about, I know a little bit about that pride. I've never been over a Babylon, Mike, but I know some of that pride. But I'll tell you this, when God burned it to the ground, every particle of ash dust still reeks with that pride. and you count them but done.

What made the difference? Jesus Christ. Is who made the difference? And look at how Paul puts it. Again, verse eight, let me read it. yea doubtless and I count all things but lost for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord for whom I've suffered the loss of all things and do present tense and do count them but dumb that I may win Christ and be found in him. All that other stuff doesn't matter.

Because the truth is When God burns down our barley field, whatever, pride, self-righteousness, unrighteousness, whatever, it will begin to grow back. As a matter of fact, the scripture puts it quite more bluntly than that. Our old man is still corrupt according to deceitful lust. It hasn't gotten any better whatsoever. And the longer I live, the more I see that in myself, and I despise it. I despise it, but my flesh still loves that barley field.

Here it is, and be found in him, and our brother quoted this, be found in him not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, Somebody says, preacher, are you really saying we should just throw away our legal righteousness? No, count it but done. You see it? That's what he said. Preacher, that can't be so. It is so. When you see the glory, or at least begin to see the glory and the majesty of Jesus Christ, the barley fields mean nothing My brother talked about having cancer, and he wasn't flipping, you weren't flipping about it, was you?

It concerned you, didn't it? But I tell you what, when you know Christ, you think, I've got everything. And if God heals me, the best way he could do it would be take me out of this world. And the older you get, the more that becomes a reality to you. When I was young, I used to say it and preach it. I didn't know it, though. That's right. Getting a little older now and starting to know it a little more is around. God, if you just take me home, I'll give you just a personal thing. Our God called myself and my mom and dad and a few others all right around the same time by his gospel.

My mom was called by the grace of God through the preaching of the gospel, and she's now laying in a nursing home. and most of the time just barely remembers who we are. And I love her very much, but Todd, it's hard to go visit her. It hurts. There are times when I just assume, stay away, because she's just laying there, and today on the way up here, I just, and she remembered who I was, and it was like, And within five minutes she, and I haven't seen her for a couple weeks, been away preaching.

But within a couple minutes, she's ready to go. And she was talking about, I'm glad you're preaching, and preaching Christ. But within five minutes, she's ready to go back to sleep. Huh? It's tough, because I think, and I'm just pouring out my heart to you, I think, God, why are you leaving me here? I don't know why. For the life of me, Tom, I can't figure it out. But he's all wise, and he knows. He knows, and what he's doing is best, even though it burns down my barley field. Think about it, look at what he said, let me go on.

And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith Of Christ, brief Greek lesson. This is of Christ is one Greek word. It is in the possessive sense. It is Christ's own personal faith. You see, it's not we muster up a faith that God says, I like that, they'll be okay. Jesus Christ is the faithful servant. He's the only man that ever had faith intrinsically. As a matter of fact, faith resides only in God intrinsically. The faith that we have is a measure, Paul calls it, given to us. We're not mustering up. God don't even create faith in us. He gives us a little piece of his faith. Now think about the faith of Christ. Let's sum this up.

What was it that caught Paul's view that caused him to say, and do count it but a burnt barley field? What was it? Think about this, now he doesn't say it here, but it's said throughout all this book. Did you know our Lord Jesus, at least it's recorded, only twice, he may have said it many more times, but for us the testimony of scripture is sufficient and it's enough. Twice he used the word finished, did you know that? Twice.

Once was when he prayed in the garden, and he said, Father, I have finished the work you gave me to do. Well, he hadn't died on the cross yet, No, but that is what some have called his preceptive, obedient faith. He had obeyed everything he had done, everything God the Father sent him to do. He said, I have finished the work you gave me to do. That was his faith in its preceptive form. He worked out a righteousness that God loves. And he gives it to us who believe. Think about that. I finished it. You ever felt like, well, I just didn't do enough for the Lord? When did we ever? When did we really ever? But he did. One of the things they mocked him for when he hung on that cursed tree was what? He trusted in the Lord. They mocked him for his faith. But you know this? Think about it.

Had he only finished the work that God gave him to do in that sense, we'd have still went to hell. Because there is that penal, obedient faith. That's the second time he used that word finished. When he hung on that accursed tree being made sin for us, he said, it is finished. There it is. He suffered the penalty of sin. So God has dealt with the sin problem through the faith of Jesus Christ. And God has dealt with our lack of righteousness problem through the faith of Jesus Christ. Now whose faith you gonna trust in? Yours or his? Yours or his?

I used to hear preachers, people like Henry Mahan, probably maybe some of these fellas, No, I'm not that old. That was tongue-in-cheek. I used to hear them say this, you don't have faith in your own faith, that's not where it's at. And I really didn't understand that. It took a while until God burnt that barley field down. Our faith is in Him. not in the faith itself. But yet that faith that he gave us, my brothers and sisters, though it be but a tiny bit, whatever it is, and it may be more for one than another, that's God's business. But you know what that faith is?

Absolute perfection. Absolute perfection. And I used to say when I was a young preacher, even a grace preacher, well, and I know we sing some songs, please don't get mad at me, but I'm just trying to tell you the truth. We sing songs like, well, my faith is cold and weak. Yeah, if we're talking about our faith, yes. But even that little bit of faith he gave, it's not cold and weak. And I used to think, well, my faith is perfect, but my believing in that faith is not. But wait a minute, my believing is perfect. The imperfection's not called an imperfect faith, it's called unbelief. Unbelief.

Let me sum all this up. And I asked myself this question. I'm still asking that. When I first read 2 Samuel 14, and I've read it before who knows how many times, but all of a sudden I realized here's Absalom sending out his servants what to burn Joab's barley field to the ground. And I thought, has God really burned my barley field to the ground? I began to think about that, but then I thought, well, is he still burning my barley fields to the ground? All praise goes to him. Yes, he is. Yes, he is. So I asked myself this question, and it's not up to me to ask you that in any meaningful way. I can ask it, but only God the Spirit can make it real to you this night.

Has God, and remember I said my title was, Has God Burned Down My Barley Field? That's true, but is he still yet burning them down? Has God, is God so burning my barley fields that I am shut up unto Jesus Christ and to Jesus Christ only? And I must confess that I do. But I find that barley field starting to grow back here and there. But thank God, you know what God does? He comes along and lights the flame to it again. But you know how he does that?

Not through chastening. Now, yes, he chastens us, but he doesn't do that through chastening. It's not the experience, it's through the preaching of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. And that's why when I come to any place, when I gather at Sovereign Grace Chapel, Paul or Joe is preaching. And I get this, I don't even know how to describe it correctly. It makes me ashamed to even have to say it, but I feel this nonchalantness. It scares me out of my wits. Because every time I've heard the gospel, I've not always been happy.

But thank God he keeps still burning that barley field down, doesn't he? All right, brother. Having our barley fields burnt down is painful, isn't it? But I thank God. We couldn't trust Christ any other way until He takes away all hope in the flesh. I'm thankful for His grace, aren't you?

Let's bow together. Our Father, we bow before You. How we thank You for Your wisdom in dealing with your people in such mercy and grace, and that you continue dealing with us in such mercy and grace, in constantly burning down our barley field, burning down those things that we would trust in in the flesh, that you would force us to have no option but to trust Christ and Christ alone. Father, I pray that you would, through the preaching of your word tonight, that you would reveal your son and his glory to each heart here. Father, cause us to trust him and him alone. Father, I know I ask a great, great blessing, but as we heard earlier tonight, you're rich in mercy. You're great in grace. Father, would you be pleased to be merciful to us?

Father, bless us this evening, and return us back tomorrow to have another blessing from your word. Father, it's in Christ's name, for his sake we pray, amen. All right, tomorrow morning, 10 o'clock, we'll meet again, and I'm already looking forward to it.

Sean's gonna lead us in the closing hymn, and then we'll be dismissed. Okay, if you would, turn in your hymnals to song number 118, and stand as we sing, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross. 118. ♫ When I survey the wondrous cross On which the Prince of Glory died.

My richest gain I count but loss. And pour contempt on all my pride. Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast. Save in the death of Christ my God, all the vain things that charm me most. I sacrifice them to his blood. See from his head, his hands, his feet. Sorrow and love flow mingled down. Did e'er such love and sorrow meet? O'er thorns composed so rich a crown, Were the whole realm of nature mine. That were a present far too small. Love so amazing, so divine. Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Has God Burned My Barley Field?

Key Quotes

What does the Bible say about God's sovereignty over our lives?

How do we know that salvation relies solely on God's grace?

Why is repentance important for Christians?

What is the significance of faith in Christ for salvation?

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Has God Burned My Barley Field?

Key Quotes

What does the Bible say about God's sovereignty over our lives?

How do we know that salvation relies solely on God's grace?

Why is repentance important for Christians?

What is the significance of faith in Christ for salvation?

Sermon Transcript

Comments

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