|
The Iron Pen #105
"...graven with an iron pen and lead..." Job
19:24
Pastor David L. Brown, Ph.D. God & CountryPastor David L. Brown, Ph.D. The 1963 Supreme Court banned prayers in public schools. The following prayer by kindergarten children was declared illegal: "We thank you for the flowers so sweet; We thank you for the food we eat; We thank you for the birds that sing; We thank you God for everything." George Washington’s final remarks to the nation in 1796 should have been heeded. He said, "Of all the habits that lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would men claim the tributes of patriotism who would work to destroy these great pillars of happiness." Speak Up Boldly For The LordI am a student of history, particularly of the Reformation era. Two years ago I stood at the exact spot in Oxford, England where Hugh Latimer was burned at the stake with Nicholas Ridley for their faith in Jesus Christ during the reign of bloody Mary (Mary Steward or Mary I). However, before that, Latimer was a solid witness for Christ. He was bold to speak up for the Lord Jesus Christ, even at the peril of his life. Below is one famous account of this man’s boldness. "Hugh Latimer once preached before King Henry VIII. Henry was greatly displeased by the boldness in the sermon and ordered Latimer to preach again on the following Sunday and apologize for the offence he had given. The next Sunday, after reading his text, he thus began his sermon: "Hugh Latimer, dost thou know before whom thou are this day to speak? To the high and mighty monarch, the king's most excellent majesty, who can take away thy life, if thou offendest. Therefore, take heed that thou speakest not a word that may displease. But then consider well, Hugh, dost thou not know from whence thou comest--upon Whose message thou are sent? Even by the great and mighty God, Who is all-present and Who beholdeth all thy ways and Who is able to cast thy soul into hell! Therefore, take care that thou deliverest thy message faithfully." He then preached the same sermon he had preached the preceding Sunday--and with considerably more energy." ALL THINGS ARE THROUGH HIMText: Romans 11:36
Historical Snapshot of George Whitefield(adapted from an article by Sheldon B. Quincer) One of the greatest revivals of American history was the Great Awakening of the 18th century. The beginning of the century saw most of our churches cold and lifeless. A few godly men saw the desperate conditions and were used of God in starting revival fires, but it was not until the arrival of English born George Whitefield 1740 that the fires were flamed into a blaze that swept the eastern seaboard and Georgia. Under God, Whitfield became the leader of the revival. He belonged to all denominations – he was ordained as an Anglican, became a Calvinist Methodist, was buried under the pulpit of the Federal Street Presbyterian Church of Newburyport, Massachusetts and many of the converts of his meetings joined Baptist Churches. In thirty-five years of Gospel ministry in the British Isles, West Indies, and America, Whitfield preached 18,000 sermons to audiences which sometimes numbered 30,000 people. His sermons were both doctrinal and practical. In reading them
one is impressed with his emphasis on the total depravity of man,
the righteousness of Christ, and the Grace of God. To him man is a
sinner in need of Christ’s imputed grace. He firmly held that
"salvation is of the Lord." |