I've got a message on my heart
that's about to burst to get out. You may or may not be aware of
the fact that I get written up periodically in religious papers
here and in England, pretty regular. I don't usually tell anybody
anything about it. Usually I don't know about it until long after
the event. Brother Dan Parks usually keeps
me informed, but I get written up fairly often. And wherever
I go preaching, especially in large cities, there will be two
groups of preachers there. folks who really love what you
hear here all the time, and folks who are really looking for some
reason to cuss me. That's just common. And I always
like to give both of them something good. And now Shelby will tell
you this is so. I told them in back in the office,
one night while I was preaching in England, they asked me what
I'd like for them to read, if I'd like them to read a text.
And I asked the preacher to read a specific passage of scripture.
And in the course of my message, he was sitting just about where
Shelby's sitting, and I looked down at him. I quoted the text,
one of the texts he had read, just quoted it. All I did was
quote exactly what he'd read. I looked at him, I said, that's
what you read just now, wasn't it? You know what his response was? He turned
red as a beet and did this. Because there were preachers
there who were watching. And he didn't want to be identified
with what he had read. And my message tonight is a call
to dogmatism. I'm sick to death of mealy-mouthed,
pussy-footing preachers who dare not stand up and tell men the
truth because they fear men or because they seek the approval
of men. I'm sick to death of them, men who claim to be God's
servants, claimed to believe the gospel of God's grace. People
use the term Calvinism. They say, yes, but a strict Calvinist. There's one in Ireland, well-known
all over the world, well-known all over the world, claimed to
be a strict Calvinist. But he compromises the message
every time he gets a chance, and has for the last 40 years.
Goes down to Bob Jones University. At Bob Jones University? For
as long as I've known of the school, and I've known of them
since 1966, you get kicked out of school if you claim to believe
in limited atonement. You don't have to claim to believe
it. Just have a book in your room and somebody tells them
that it says they believe in limited atonement. Puts you out
of the school. Puts you out of it. But this
fellow goes, well, you know, we're all brethren. We just,
we don't, we'll blaspheme God to get along with you. I'm sick
to death of it. a call to dogmatism. Turn to
Isaiah chapter 8. Isaiah chapter 8. My text will be verses 11 through
16. I've been working on this now
for several weeks, and I believe God's given me something for
you. In the sixth chapter, Isaiah saw the Lord Jesus Christ, Christ
crucified. He saw Christ crucified. Well, how could that be? You
figure it out any way you want to. But John chapter 12, our
Lord Jesus said this is what he saw. He saw me. He saw me
in my glory. He saw Christ crucified, ascended,
and sitting on the throne with all power given to him because
he had earned the right to rule over and dispose of all flesh.
And then Isaiah tells us how he experienced free forgiveness
of all sin through Christ crucified. He said, one of the seraphim
came and took a live coal from off the altar. And he touched
my lips and said, lo, thine iniquity is taken away. Thy sin is purged. by the sacrifice of the crucified
Christ who sits in glory. Crucified, yes, but risen again. Crucified, yes, but exalted on
high, given all power by His authority and by His death, your
sin has been put away. And Isaiah received a commission
commissioned to go and tell the message. What message? The message
of redemption accomplished, a free forgiveness of sin through the
effectual sin-atoning blood of Jesus Christ the Lord. And he
told him exactly how long to preach it. He told him, Isaiah,
you go preach this message until there be a great forsaking in
the midst of the land. Keep on preaching it until folks
won't hear you anymore. And then he said, yet, verse
13, yet, in it, God promises, shall be a tenth, a remnant,
a chosen people whose substance is in them. So the holy seed
shall be the substance thereof. Then in chapter 7, we read about
a confederacy. a confederacy made between two
kings, a fellow by the name of Rezan, the king of Assyria, and
Pekah, the king of Israel. Now Israel is used here with
reference to the ten northern tribes of the nation of Israel.
The 10 tribes who went a-whoring after other gods. The 10 tribes
who tried to figure out a way to fit into the world. The 10
tribes who decided to compromise the worship of God and mix the
worship of God with the worship of idols, while yet claiming
to be worshipers of Jehovah. And Israel and Syria. Israel and Syria. Imagine those two getting together. Israel and Syria made a confederacy. Do you know what they made a
confederacy of? Read the seventh chapter. They came up against
Judah and Jerusalem. They made a confederacy. Israel
joined arms with a bunch of idolatrous pagans. These sons of Abraham,
they were by physical lineage. Israelites and Israelites joined
together to destroy Judah and Jerusalem, to destroy all those
who refused to join their confederacy. Wow. Wow. Well, Brother Don,
that's That's a terrible thing, but this is talking about things
that happened years and years ago. Read this seventh chapter
real carefully. The Lord God said to his chosen
in verse four, take heed and be quiet. I could hear it in your voice
while you were praying a little bit ago, Rex, with regard to our
nation. It's so hard to be quiet. It doesn't mean keep your mouth
shut. It means quit fretting. Quit worrying. Take heed and
be quiet. Be at ease. Everything's all
right. Everything's all right. Everything's
all right. Take heed and be quiet. Fear not. Neither be fainthearted. He says concerning the reprobate
confederacy and its determination to destroy God and his people,
verse 7 of chapter 7. Thus saith the Lord God, it shall
not stand. Go ahead and make your confederacy. Go ahead and do what you want.
It ain't going to matter nothing. It shall not stand, neither shall
it come to pass. Now without question, I agree
these things have reference to historic things recorded in this
chapter. I understand that. I understand
that. But if you read this book and
only understand historic connections, you don't understand anything
written in this book. These things were written for
us. They address issues facing us, facing us just as they faced
Abel in his day, just as they faced Noah in his day, just as
they faced Moses in his day, just as they faced Paul in his
day, facing us today. in this day of swarming infidelity
and apostasy, when those who profess to be worshipers and
followers of God join in hellish confederacy to destroy God's
church and God's truth. These things speak to us. Multitudes
who claim to be unflinching defenders of the truth are very quick to
compromise the gospel of God's glory. in order to be accepted
by people who hate God. Brother John, do you really believe
that's what folks do who just won't stand up and declare the
truth? I know that's what they're doing. I know that's what they're
doing. And I intend to make life uncomfortable for them as much
as I possibly can. Multitudes who claim to be defenders
of the truth. form a confederacy with will-worshipping
idolaters of the world, and make war against God's Christ, his
people, and his gospel. I'm observing men in my day,
some of whom I thought I would never see it happen, adjusting
their doctrine to be accepted of men. I'm angry. And I'm saddened,
and I grieve. The war is not between men and
men. It's a war of men against God,
against Him whose name is Immanuel. Look at it. Verse 14. Verse 14
speaks of the virgin giving birth to one whose name is Immanuel.
And we read in verse 5 of chapter 9, every battle of the warrior
is with confused noise and garments rolled in blood. But this, this
one's different. This shall be with burning and
with fuel of fire. This battle's going to end with
everyone who opposes Immanuel cast into hell. Look at chapter
8, verse 9. The Lord God speaks, and he says,
associate yourselves, O ye people. Oh, we've got, what can we do? Little old Grace Baptist Church.
What can we do? Let's associate ourselves. Associate
ourselves with who? Well, do you know, we can't be
too strict. Associate yourselves, O ye people,
and you shall be broken in pieces. And give ear, all ye of far countries,
gird yourselves, and you shall be broken in pieces. Gird yourselves,
and you shall be broken in pieces. My, so what's he saying? He's,
you're not going to succeed. You set yourself against God,
you're not going to succeed. Take counsel together. Go ahead
and form your league. Make your confederacy. And it
shall come to naught. Speak the word, and it shall
not stand. For Emmanuel. God is with us. God is with us. Look at chapter
9, verse 6. For unto us a child is born.
Unto us a son is given. In chapter 8, Isaiah went into
the prophetess. That is, he went into his wife.
That's a good name for prophet's wife, the prophetess. She's married
to the prophet. And God gave her a son by the
name of Meir Shalahashbaz. And this Meir Shalahashbaz is
that one who runs speedy to the prey. He represented the Lord
Jesus who's spoken of in the prophecy. In chapter 9 verse
6, unto us a child is born. This is not Isaiah's son, this
is another. Unto us a son is given. He's born a child. He's given the son. A child who
is a man. The son who is God. And the government
shall be on his shoulder. What government? All of it. Where does Christ draw? Everywhere. Everywhere. He rules in Washington,
D.C., and he rules in London, England, and he rules in Moscow,
and he rules in Jerusalem. He rules everywhere. He rules
in New Guinea. He rules in Africa. The government,
all government is on his shoulders, and they're broad shoulders.
Read on. And his name shall be called
Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, The everlasting father,
the prince of peace, and of the increase of his government and
peace, there shall be no end. Now, let's look at our text,
Isaiah chapter 8, verse 11. Here is a call for dogmatism
written by the finger of God himself. For the Lord spake thus
to me with a strong hand. When you were growing up and
you were being instructed, your daddy started to tell you something
and you didn't pay attention. You know, your daddy got something
serious on his mind and he's wanting to tell you something.
And you're just, he realized you're not paying attention.
You know what he'd do? He'd grab you by the shoulder.
and get you to pay attention. Or He'd take you by the hand
and get you to pay attention. The Lord God spoke to me, Isaiah
said, with a strong hand. That is, He spoke to me by His
Spirit accompanying His Word. He spoke to me by omnipotent
power causing His Word to reach my heart. He spoke to me in such
a way as making me get the lesson He spoke to me in loving efficacy,
pulling me back from the road traveled by the multitude, pulling
me back from that hellish confederacy to which I would willingly join
myself. His purpose in doing so was that I should not walk
in the way of this people. Oh, my God, thank you for your
grace. It's God alone who keeps me from
howling with those ravenous works wolves and those roaring legal
lions who seek to destroy the souls of men with their free
will works religion. I don't tune my fiddle to the
pitch of their tune. And I don't do so only because
God's spoken to me. And spoken in such a way that
he wouldn't let me refuse to hear his voice. Read on. Verse 12. Say ye not, say ye not a confederacy
to all them to whom this people shall say a confederacy? Neither
fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. In other words, the Lord said
to me, don't you participate in this nonsense. Sanctify the
Lord of hosts himself. Our Father, which art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name. That's how our Lord taught us
to pray. But God had been teaching us this all along. Sanctify the
Lord. Sanctify him. Set him apart. Honor him. Sanctify the Lord
of hosts himself, and let him be your fear. If God is my fear, Larry Brown
won't be. Just that simple. If God is my
fear, the President of the United States won't be. If God is my
fear and a man should take possession of the entire world and rule
it, that man won't be. If man's your fear, God is not. Just that simple. Just that simple.
Go ask Pharaoh. Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself
and let him be your fear. Let him be your dread, and he
shall be for a sanctuary. You sanctify God, you fear him,
he'll be your sanctuary. But for a stone of stumbling
and a rock of offense." Who's he talking about? This
same God who was spoken of back in chapter 6 that Isaiah saw. This same God, represented in
Isaiah's son, Meoshael HaShpaz, this same God who is born by
the Virgin, Emmanuel, the God-man, our Savior, sanctify Him, honor
Him, worship Him. If He's your fear, He will be
to you a sanctuary, a hiding place, a safe refuge. But this
same God and Savior for others, shall be for a stone of stumbling
and for a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel. He
shall be for a gin and a snare." What language is that, Bill Raleigh?
A gin and a snare. Christ crucified? The gospel
of God's free grace, a jinn and a snare by which the souls of
men are destroyed? Well, that's what he says. He
shall be for a jinn and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem,
to those who don't sanctify God, to those who don't trust him,
to those who don't fear him. And many among them shall stumble
and fall and be broken, and be snared, and be taken. Now, look
at verse 16. Here Isaiah gives every prophet
and preacher the instructions God gave him. Standing in this
pulpit as I do now to speak to you, in God's name, as God's
ambassador, it is my responsibility to faithfully deliver to you
the word of God without addition, without subtraction. But the
lad read in the office a little bit ago Revelation 22 and spoke
of God's curse upon any who should take away from this book and
any who should add to this book. With simplicity and plainness
of speech, I am responsible under God to give you his word and
only his word. In verse 10, now verse 16, we
read God's commandment to every preacher. Bind up the testimony. Seal the law among my disciples. The testimony is the word of
God. It is the word that God gave
to his prophet Isaiah, particularly the word he had just spoken concerning
the person and work of our Lord Jesus. The testimony of God is
the gospel of Christ, the gospel that we are sent to proclaim
to men. The testimony is God's testimony concerning his son.
The preacher is responsible to bind up the testimony. As you
would take something that's indescribably valuable, something that is of
great, great worth, something that you just don't want to lose
any of it, and you bind it up so that no particle is lost.
So the preacher is responsible to take the Word of God and bind
it up in the preaching of the Word so that nothing is lost.
And then he must, in his preaching, seal the law among my disciples. The law here, of course, doesn't
refer to the Ten Commandments. It doesn't refer to the ceremonial
law God gave Israel. It refers to the whole of God's
word, to the whole revelation of God. It is that which God
reveals in his word in which we take delight, the whole revelation
of God. It is the responsibility of gospel
preachers to establish God's saints in the doctrine of Christ. It's my responsibility. as your
pastor, to see to it that you are well established in that
which God reveals in this book. It's my responsibility. And if
I don't do it, I need to sit down and shut up and let somebody
else stand up here and preach. It's my responsibility to establish
folks in the doctrine of Christ so that you'd be not tossed to
and fro with every wind of doctrine, so that you are fixed, firm in
the faith. standing before you, speaking
in God's name as I now do, responsible to deliver to you the word of
God, that in itself gives me the right to be heard. I claim
the right to be heard. And I'm going to be heard. I'm
not going to let anything keep you from hearing me. Folks sometimes
get upset because we insist that crying babies be taken downstairs.
Well, just get upset. I'm not going to let a crying
baby keep you from hearing me. They get upset because I won't
have folks running in and out, distracting services. Well, just
get upset. It ain't going to change. This is too important. I'm not going to not be heard.
But I don't have the right to be believed. I don't have the
right to be blindly followed. I don't have the right to expect
blind allegiance, neither I nor any other man. Rather, it is
your responsibility to hear what I say to you. To hear what I
declare is the Word of God. To compare it with Scripture. You have a copy in your lap.
Compare what I say with what you've got in your lap. Well,
Brother Don, I just don't have time to read the Bible. You're
going to have time one of these days. I believe I'd find out
time now. Read it and see if what I'm telling
you is truth. If it is, believe it and take
heed. If it's not, go find you somebody
who's telling the truth. Go find you somebody who's telling
the truth. Well, brother Don, that's kind of cut and dry, isn't
it? Well, it's cut plain, but it's not dry at all. Either I'm
telling you the truth as God's servant or I'm a liar. There's
no in-between ground. Either I seek your soul's good
or I'm seeking something from you. There's no in-between ground. There's no in-between ground.
Try the spirits. See if they're of God. Isaiah
says, if they speak not according to this word, it's because there
is no light in them. If they speak not according to
this word, it's not because they're a little confused. It's not because,
well, you know, they were just raised in a different church.
Well, brother Don, you have to understand they're just new to
these things. If any man stands where I'm standing
and he doesn't tell you, Phil Simpson, exactly what this word
tells you, It's because he doesn't have any light. Is that what
the text says? Isaiah 8 verse 20. If they speak
not according to this word, it's because there's no light in them.
None whatever. I'm here this hour to bind up
the testimony and seal the law. I'm going to do it by making
10 dogmatic declarations. 10 dogmatic statements. Statements
that go right to the heart of Christianity. And I'm not going
to be long making them. 10 statements that simply cannot
be denied. 10 statements that you will understand
with perfect clarity. And I'm going to show them to
you from the word of God. Number one, either this book. I know you've got all kinds of
translations, and you go to the bookstore, and you have a hard
time finding Copy of scriptures in the in the King James and
I recognize the King James's translation, but you know what
I've discovered I've discovered folks. They keep buying new translations
if they come out with 25 new translations this year Somebody
about 25 copies because they're trying their best to translate
the word right out of the word They're trying trying their best
to translate what God says right out of the word, but here it
stands Either this book right here There's a book right here.
Either this is God's word or it is not God's word. Is that
plain enough? All scripture, Genesis 1, right
through to Revelation 22, all scripture is given by inspiration
of God. Is that what the book says? Either
that's so or it's a lie, one of the two. Holy men of old. spake as they were moved by the
Holy Ghost." Wow. Peter gave us that statement
in 1 Peter 1, after declaring how that he and
John were with the Lord Jesus in the mount. He and James and
John saw the Lord Jesus transfigured in the mount to transfiguration.
And he said, now, boys, that was something to see. That was
something to see. Wouldn't you like to have been
there? Oh, I'd sure believe it if I was there, if I could see
the Lord Jesus glorified right in front of me. And Peter said,
no, you wouldn't. We have a more sure word of prophecy,
something more sure. than a revelation, a physical,
visible revelation of Christ standing right here in his glory
talking to Moses and Elijah. This is the word of God. It's a more sure word of prophecy.
Number two, either God Almighty is absolutely sovereign. in total
control of everything. Thank God our rulers don't rule. He does. Either he's in total control
of everything all the time, an absolute sovereign, or you may
as well worship a good luck charm. The God of this age, the God
your mamas and daddies worship, The God your sons and daughters
worship, the God your neighbors and friends worship, for the
most part, is nothing but a rabbit foot God. Just a rabbit foot
God. Remember the old Andy Griffith
show, Marty Fife had to go out for a shooting competition or
proving qualification. And he was scared to death he
wouldn't qualify, so he had all kinds of good luck charms. And
finally, he got everybody convinced he had given up his good luck
charms and went out and he qualified. And he reached the pocket ball
out of his handkerchief and a rabbit foot fell out. He's still rubbing
his rabbit foot. That's how most folks are with
religion. God's their rabbit's foot, just in case this don't
work out. Just in case, now I don't really
believe in this nonsense. Oh, no. I don't really believe
God's on his throne and God rules everything. But just in case,
let's rub this rabbit's tail, this rabbit's foot. Let's rub
it a little bit. Either God rules or he's just
the idolatrous figment of man's imagination. What's that mean? That means, truly, either all
things work together for good To them that love God, are these
whole things just a roll of the dice? It's just a crapshoot. Nothing else. Either all things
are of God or nothing's really of God. There's no in-between
crap. The book says all things are
of God. Nothing in between. Of Him, through
Him, to Him are all things to whom be glory forever. We're
hurting for your dad and your husband. Hurting for y'all. Hurting
for you. But this is the message by which
God will be pleased to reveal Himself to you. Either this is of God, or just
kiss it all goodbye. Either this is of God, or God's
not to be trusted. Either the sickness and the pain
and the sorrow is of God, or nothing else is of God. All things
are of God. Number three, either man is totally depraved,
dead in trespasses and in sins, or there's really nothing wrong
with him. And he really doesn't need a savior. That's just the way things are.
Either he's dead or he's not. Either he's totally depraved
or he's not. Here, fellas, I've been listening
to this stupidity. I've been listening to fellas
all my life as a believer, all my life. I've been listening
to fellas try to back up. They say something and back up.
No, I don't mean to offend you. Oh, I wouldn't hurt your feelings
for anything in the world. When we talk about depravity
now, I don't mean you're as bad as you could be. I do. You're
just as bad as you can be. You couldn't be any worse. Now
you don't act as bad as you could act. No, thank God you don't
act as bad as you could. Me either. But you're just as
corrupt as you can be. For out of the heart, Is this
the language of the book? Proceed evil thoughts. There's
not an evil thought in the world. Annie is one of the sweetest
girls I ever knew in my life. There's not a corrupt thing in
this world, not in your heart. Not a corrupt thing in this world.
No perversity. no indecency, no vileness, no
evil, out of the heart proceed all these things. How often we, in our arrogance
and pride, read something, hear something. Well, I don't see
how any man could do that. And I'm guilty. I'm guilty. Because this stupid,
senseless thing called self-righteousness is so much part of me. Oh, how
could a man do that? You know what I'm really saying,
Bobby? I wouldn't do that. Oh, yes, I would. All it takes
is for God to just let me breathe once on my own. That's all it
takes. You hath he quickened who were Dead. It trespasses heaven and sin.
Dead. What part does man contribute
to salvation? What part does man have in salvation?
The part that a dead man would have if he were raised to life.
The same part Lazarus had when he came out of the tomb. Dead. The heart is deceitful above
all things. Nobody's got a clue. Number four,
either God Almighty chose to save some of Adam's fallen race,
chose some to eternal life and salvation in Christ, before ever
the world began, as this book says he did, are no salvations
possible for anyone. You see, salvation is God's prerogative. The salvation of the righteous
is of the Lord. That's what the book says. Salvation
belongs to God. The very first time the word
is used, Jacob said, I have waited for thy salvation. It's God's
salvation. He can give it to whom he will,
and he always does. He has mercy on whom he will
have mercy, and whom he will he harden. Number five, either
the Lord Jesus, the Son of God, is altogether and alone the effectual
redeemer of his people. Or his death doesn't mean anything.
What does the book say? People say, well, you don't want
to talk about limited atonement. That's just not, that offends
people. I know it does. It offends folks
who hate God. That's all. What does the book
say? For the transgression of my people was he stricken, Isaiah
53. For the transgression of my people
was he stricken. He has by his blood obtained
eternal redemption for us, for those people for whom he died,
called my people. Well, Brother Don, I just don't
like that. That's because you're not his
people. It's just plain as it can be. Well, you can't say that
I wouldn't you go home and read it for yourself John chapter
10. I Am the Good Shepherd the Good
Shepherd giveth his life for the sheep Well, we don't like that the
Pharisee said and the Lord Jesus how we're talking to you I You're
not of my sheep. You believe not because you're
not of my sheep. As I said to you, my sheep hear my voice.
If you were my sheep, you'd love what I said to you. My sheep
hear my voice, and I give unto them eternal life, and they shall
never perish. Number six, either we are regenerated
and called to life, given faith in Christ by the
irresistible power and grace of God the Holy Spirit, There's
no such thing as the new birth. Thy people shall be willing in
the day of thy power. Blessed is the man whom thou
choosest and causest to approach unto thee. Brother Don, do you
really believe that God the Holy Spirit forces sinners to come
to Christ? Well, of course I do. Aren't
you glad he forced you? Oh, thank God, there are some
people in this world from whom he won't take no for an answer.
Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power. It is the
spirit that quickeneth, the flesh profiteth nothing. Number seven. Turn to Romans chapter six. I don't really care whether you
folks here turn to it or not, but anybody listens to this thing
on tape or CD or DVD, or on the computer. Anybody in the world
who listens to it, turn to Romans chapter 6. I want you to read
this. Either God's people are entirely free from the law. Now, if you take your notes,
write entirely in all capital letters and underscore it about
six times. Entirely free from the law, as
the scriptures declare. Are we are yet under the bondage
of the law? and entirely obligated to do
it all. There's no in-between grant.
What does the book say? Romans chapter 6, verse 14. Paul is here talking about the
believer's life in the resurrection of the new birth. He's talking
about believers living now after the baptism. We confess Christ
in the water of the baptism. We've risen now to walk with
him in the newness of life. And now he's describing for us
how we're to live. How we're to live. If there was
any place in this book, any place in this book, where he might
be inclined to say, now I've told y'all that you're not under
the law. I've taught y'all that you're not obliged to keep the
law, but now don't misunderstand me. I'm just talking about you're
not under the law for justification, but still under the law for sanctification.
I don't mean for you to understand that you don't have the law as
a rule of life. If he were going to say that,
he'd say it right here in Romans chapter 6. But let's see what
it says. Verse 14, ye are, what a strange word, not. Not. Well, I wonder what that
means. It means you're not. You are
not under the law, but under grace. And you can't possibly
be under both. Not possible. Not possible. Look
at chapter 6, verse 50. We are not under the law, but
under grace. Well, how far do you carry that?
Just run as far as you can run with it. Romans chapter 7, verse
4. Wherefore, my brethren, ye also
are become dead to the law. Dead to the law? How? Because you died with Christ.
You're dead to the law. Chapter 10, verse 4. Christ is
the end of the law to everyone that believeth. The end. Do you
know what that word is? David, it's the very same word
our Lord used in John 19 30 when he said, it is finished. The end. Christ finished the
law. When He finished the transgression
and made an end of sin and brought in everlasting righteousness,
He finished the law. Well, but Brother Don, if you
don't teach folks to tithe... Tithing is what we do every April
15th. It's what we do every April 15th. How many of you voluntarily decide
that you're going to sit down and Just bump your taxes up a
little bit come April 15th. How many of you, now I won't
ask for a show of hands for that, just don't pay your taxes? Oh,
you wouldn't dare show your hands. Somebody find out who you were
and come arrest you, because the law demands that you pay
your tax. And the law was, the tithe was
a Levitical tax placed upon the children of Israel and never
placed upon anybody else. All. That's all. God's people
give. Give. Well, how do you get folks
to live like they ought to? The love of Christ constrains
us. Sherman, I was talking about this yesterday, driving down
the road here. I know people, they say, well,
Brother Fortin, he doesn't preach the practical side of things.
He doesn't tell folks what they ought to do. I'm not going to
start telling you what you ought to do. I'm not about to start telling
you. If this book doesn't say it, I'm not going to invent something
for you. I'm not going to do it. But Brother Don, if you don't
threaten people, boy, if you don't come to church now at least
once a week, At least once a week, most fathers are having three
services, at least once a week. Well, you're going to lose a
star in your crown. You're going to lose your place on Main Street
in the New Jerusalem. And if you don't at least tithe,
God's going to get it from you. Boy, if you don't do this, watch
out what's going to happen. Oh, well, I believe I better
straighten up. Man, I better quit watching so
much TV and start reading my Bible more. I better do something. Let me tell you something. Let
me tell you something. If the fear of God punishing
me or the hope of God blessing me will get me to do something
that gratitude and love for Christ won't get me to do, I don't know
God from a billy goat, and you don't either. God doesn't have
folks serving him because they are conscripted against their
will. Everything God requires of me and he requires it to be
a willing sacrifice. And God's people are made willing,
willing by the experience of his grace. Number eight, either all believers are sanctified
in Christ, or nobody's sanctified. Now, I thought about this a good
bit before I put it in here, and I've got a lot written down
here, but I can't say any more than just what the book says. Every child of God is holy. Every child of God is made a
partaker of the divine nature. Every child of God is a new creature
in Jesus Christ. All of them. Chris Cunningham
once wrote, he said, I guess men will argue about the new
birth and the new creation and the dual nature of the believer
as long as they don't have a new nature. If you're not sanctified,
you're not saved. If Christ isn't in you, you're
not in Christ. If his righteous nature has not
been imparted to you, his grace hasn't been bestowed on you.
Number nine, either every sinner who comes
to Christ is saved by Christ, or none are. All that the Father giveth me
shall come to me, and him that cometh unto Him that cometh unto me. I'm
coming, Lindsay, right now. Him that cometh unto me. I'll
let no wise cast out. I'll let no wise cast out. Come
unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I'll give
you rest. Mother of God, what does it mean
to be saved by Christ? It means I'm completely forgiven.
fully justified, perfectly holy, utterly secure, completely whole
in Christ Jesus. Come humble sinner in whose breast
a thousand thoughts revolve. Come with your guilt and fear
oppressed and make this last resolve. I'll go to Jesus, though
my sin hath like a mountain rose, I know His courts I'll enter
in whatever may oppose. Prostrate I'll lie before His
throne, and there my guilt confess. I'll tell Him I'm a wretch undone
without His sovereign grace. I'll to the gracious King approach
whose scepter pardon gives. Perhaps He may command my touch,
and then this sinner lives. Perhaps He will admit my plea.
Perhaps you'll hear my prayer, but if I perish, I will pray
and perish only there. I can but perish if I go. I am resolved to try, for if
I stay away, I know I must forever die. But if I die with mercy
sought, when I, the king, have tried, this were to die, delightful
thought, a sinner never dies. You see, salvation is altogether
the work of God's grace, free, sovereign, effectual grace. It's
all of grace. And that means this tenth thing
is so. Either every sinner saved by grace will persevere to the
end, being preserved and kept by God's immutable, infallible
grace, or none will. I'm confident of this very thing. I'm quoting scripture to you.
I'm not giving you my confidence, though it's my confidence too.
You come to Christ right now. Oh, God help you to come to Christ.
I'm confident. Right where you sit, you come
to Christ right now. I'm confident of this very thing. He which hath begun a good work
in you, will perform it unto the day of Jesus Christ, and
then he'll present you holy and unblameable and spotless and
unreprovable before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy. To the praise of the glory of
his grace forever.