GOSPEL ECHO

This is from the conclusion of one of Spurgeon's sermons: "When, last Friday, I had the honour of preaching to many thousand persons in the open air, such an assembly as I never dreamed of seeing and such a vast number as I could scarcely have fancied would have met for any religious purpose, I noticed a most singularly powerful echo, constantly taking up the last words of my sentences and sending them back, as if some great giant voice had spoken to confirm what I had said. When I had repeated the words, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved," echo said, "Saved!" and when I proceeded, "He that believeth not shall be damned," I heard the echo gently say "Damned!" Methinks this morning I hear that echo: "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved;" and the saints above cry, "Saved!" Hark! how they sing before the throne! Hark! how your glorified parents and your immortalized relatives, cry, "Saved!" Hear ye not the echo, as it echoes from the blue sky of heavens—"Saved!" And, oh! doleful thought, when I utter those words, "He that believeth not shall be damned," there comes up that dread word—"Damned!" from the place where there are "hollow groans, and sullen moans, and shrieks of tortured ghosts." God grant that you may never know what it is to be damned! God give you to believe now; for, "today, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts."

WASHINGTON MONUMENT - LAUS DEO!

On the aluminum cap atop the Washington Monument in Washington, DC are two words: Laus Deo. No one can see these words. In fact ... most visitors to the monument have no idea they are even there and ... for that matter ...probably could care less!

But there they are ... 555 feet, 5.125 inches high ... perched atop the monument to the father of our nation. Overlooking the 69 square miles which comprise the District of Columbia. capital of the United States of America.

Laus Deo! Two seemingly insignificant, unnoticed words ... out of sight and, one might think, out of mind ... but very meaningfully placed at the highest point over what is the most powerful city in the world.

And what might those two words ... comprised of just four syllables and only seven letters ... mean? Very simply ... "Praise be to God!"

Though construction of this giant obelisk began in 1848 when James Polk was President of the United States, it was not until 1888 that the monument was inaugurated and opened to the public. It took twenty-five years to finally cap the memorial with the tribute Laus Deo! "Praise be to God!"

From atop this magnificent granite and marble structure ... a visitor can take in the beautiful panoramic view of the city with its division into four major segments. And from that vantage point one can also easily see the original plan of the designer, Pierre Charles l'Enfant ... a perfect cross imposed upon the landscape ... with the White House to the North. the Jefferson Memorial to the South ... the Capitol to the East ... and the Lincoln Memorial to the West. A cross ... you say?

How interesting! And ... no doubt ... intended to carry a meaning for those who bother to notice. "Praise be to God!"

(Note: Some have argued that this couldn't have happened by Pierre's intent because he proposed the original design in 1791, which was long before it was decided that the Lincoln and Jefferson memorials would be built and where (1911 and 1934). But it could have happened by the sovereign design of Another).

Within the monument itself are 898 steps and 50 landings. As one climbs the steps and pauses at the landings the memorial stones share a message. On the 12th Landing is a prayer offered by the City of Baltimore; on the 20th is a memorial presented by some Chinese Christians; on the 24th a presentation made by Sunday School children from New York and Philadelphia. It says "A preached Gospel" and "A free press" then closes with "Washington, we revere his memory." The inscriptions include the Bible reference Proverbs 10:7. "Praise be to God!"

When the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid on July 4th, 1848 deposited within it were many items including the Holy Bible presented by the Bible Society. Praise be to God! Such was the discipline, the moral direction, the spiritual mood given by the founder and first President of our unique democracy ... "one nation, under God."

I am awed by Washington's prayer for America. Have you never read it? Well, now is your opportunity ... read on!

"Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United states at large." "And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

Laus Deo!

It is clear when one studies the history of our great nation that Washington's America was one of the few countries in all the world established under the guidance, direction and banner of Almighty God, to whom was given all praise, honor and worship by the great men who formed and fashioned her pivotal foundations. And when one stops to observe the inscriptions found in public places all over our nation's capitol ... one will easily find the signature of God. Laus Deo! "Praise be to God!" Author Unknown

Pastor Jerry (I added a few comments)

BOOK REVIEW: "GEORGE WHITEFIELD: GOD’S ANOINTED SERVANT IN THE GREAT REVIVAL OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY" by ARNOLD A. DALLIMORE

This is a wonderful easy-reading biography of one of the most influential Pastors in the 1700s--a man who played a large role in the Great Awakening that transformed the American colonies.

The life of George Whitefield was anything but typical. While at Oxford and attending "The Holy Club" under the influence John Wesley, Whitefield was convinced by a book that he was not born again. Fearful of being eternally lost he determined to find his way. Over a period of months he fasted, prayed, and humbled himself before God. His studies and his health suffered. He became so weak that a physician confined him to bed for seven weeks. When there was nothing else that he could do, God revealed Himself in grace and granted to Whitefield that which he could not earn. He was born again.

Having first preached some in England, in December of 1737 Whitefield boarded a vessel bound for Georgia to preach the gospel. His visit to Georgia impressed upon him the need to provide for an Orphan house for the numerous orphans of settlers who had died. He returned to England to secure a charter and money for that purpose. His efforts to minister to the orphans continued for the rest of his life.

Because of the nature of his preaching Whitefield was shut out of many churches in England. His preaching was unique, from that found in many of the established churches, in that he spoke of the need to be born again through faith in Christ. He spoke plainly and simply such that the common people could understand. He possessed a voice of unusual clarity. Through the influence of another man he began "Open Air" meetings. During one period he was holding 30 some meetings a week. These meetings drew huge crowds. It was not unusual for him to speak to six or seven thousand and on some occasions tens of thousands. On one occasion following his return to America, Benjamin Franklin--a friend of Whitefields--measured the distance at which Whitefield’s voice could be heard, and stated, "I computed he might well be heard by more than thirty thousand."

Though he had been influenced much by John Wesley, doctrinal divisions worked to separate the two. Whitefield favored Predestination, Wesley opposed it and even preached a sermon against Whitefield’s view. Wesley’s evangelistic work was sometimes accompanied by "convulsion-like attacks," Whitefield expressed his dislike of that. Wesley began to declare his doctrine of "Christian Perfection," Whitefield argued against it. He summed up his attitude in saying, "Every grace that is in the blessed Jesus is to be transplanted into our hearts; we are to be delivered by the power of sin but not from the indwelling and being of sin in this life. HEREAFTER we are to be preserved blameless, without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing."

In 1740 Whitefield again visited America. He preached repeatedly throughout the thirteen colonies. This period, the Great Awakening, was undoubtedly the richest time of spiritual blessing in the nation’s history. His presence was not without controversy. He wrote a letter condemning the harsh treatment of slaves. In those days it was frequently asked, "Does the Negro have a soul?" and Whitefield gave the first widely heard positive reply that the black man was basically no different than the white man. Notably, his preaching to the blacks also led to the creation of the "Negro Spiritual." These matters, combined with his supposed "un-Anglican" actions led an Anglican leader to attempt to expel him from the ministry.

Whitefield and other Pastors in England determined to take the gospel message to the "Mobs." These were the "wildest and most brutal of men" unreached by the "Religious Societies" of the day. The Mob responded to preaching of the gospel with fists and clubs and beating of Pastors, but still the ministers of the gospel returned. Whitefield himself experienced some of that kind of treatment. The efforts of Whitefield and others bore fruit over time as many ultimately trusted in Christ for salvation.

He continued his ministry in England, Scotland, and America with fruitfulness. He literally preached himself to death. On one occasion he was warned by a doctor to allow himself a period of rest. His reply? "I intend to preach till I drop." On September 29, 1770 Whitefield preached a final sermon. It was given with such clearness and eloquence that many hearers stated it was the greatest sermon they had ever heard from him. It was from the text, "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith." One gentleman wrote of the occasion, "Mr. Whitefield rose and stood erect, and his appearance alone was a powerful sermon. He remained several minutes unable to speak, and then said, "I will wait for the gracious assistance of god..." "I go," he cried, "I go to a rest prepared; my sun has arisen and by aid from Heaven has given light to many. It is now about to set--no, it is about to rise to the zenith of eternal glory. Many may outlive me on earth, but they cannot outlive me in Heaven. Oh thought divine! I shall soon be in a world where time, age, pain, and sorrow are unknown. My body fails, my spirit expands. How willingly would I live to preach Christ! But I die to be with Him!" George Whitefield died the next morning.

George Whitefield preached some 30,000 sermons. He preached to the poor and uneducated and to English aristocrats and American statesmen. He was considered in his day to be "the most brilliant and popular preacher the modern world has ever known." You will be encouraged and inspired by this book.

Pastor Jerry

CALVARY IN FOCUS

Quote from "Worship Matters," by Bob Kauflin...

"Because of our sin and negligence, we lose sight of the glories of Calvary. That's why pastors and worship leaders must make sure Calvary is always in our view. One of the most important aspects of biblical worship we desperately need to recover today is passionate, scripturally informed exaltation of Jesus Christ and His redemptive work. Every time we step up to lead our congregation, we should present a clear picture of "the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (2 Cor. 4:6). We come together to retell, remember, and respond to the gospel and all it has accomplished. We have been saved to trust in, love, desire, and obey the matchless One who is the only Savior of the world and the radiance of the Father's glory..."

REACHING TOWARDS THE SON

We have a tree on our property that is most unusual. It is just a small hemlock tree, but its peculiar appearance speaks to its most recent history. The strong winds of the December 2007 storm blew down a number of trees, some of which crashed down across our pond and onto the brush and trees below. That small hemlock lay hidden under its broad and weightier cousins for months. It was only after I began to move those downed trees that I discovered it and was then able to rescue it. I wondered whether the 25-foot tall tree would survive--it had been brought to the ground by all of the weight--but it bounced back up. Once released, it continued to grow in its awkward position, trying its best to regain its vertical bearing. Over a period of months it found its way. If you look at it now you can still see how it was once bent over, but now it has compensated for that misdirection with another bend towards the sun.

Jesus invites the "heavy-laden" to come to Him. He alone can lift the sin burden from our souls. The sin debt that weighed us down was "nailed to the cross" (Colossians 2:14). Through His work on the cross the believer has been relieved of sin's burden and released from sin's power.

Matthew 11:28-29, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest."

Over time that little tree reoriented itself to a heavenward direction. An innate force redirected the tree top to reach for the sky. The Holy Spirit works in the believer to orient him in a Christward direction. He is always and patiently working to do that. "Earthly pleasures vainly call us," still He directs us Christward. Trials and troubles threaten us, still He directs us Christward. Sin failures discourage us, still He directs us Christward. We are burdened by a myriad of infirmities--He pulls us up, props us up, and points us towards Christ.

And sometimes God uses fellow believers to assist burden-laden souls. We are exhorted to "bear one another burdens" (Galatians 6:2). The burdens of life--sin failures, injuries, sickness, death, and sorrow--can weigh us down. Too often we see a discouraged soul only to ignore them or condemn them in their plight. How much better it is to do all that we can to help. God privileges us to come alongside a discouraged brother to give comfort and encouragement. True encouragement is the kind that looks to Christ as the ultimate source of help.

Galatians 6:2, "Bear one another burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ."

That little tree has a profound lesson for us. In spite of its history it has reoriented itself to stand straight and tall. It has joined its cousins in their upward climb to the sun. Likewise we are all "to reach for the Son." Encumbrances work to weigh us down and sin works to entangle us, but by faith we are to be "fixing our eyes on Jesus," that we may "not grow weary and lose heart" (Hebrews 12:1-3).

We all bear evidence of past storms that have burdened our souls. Praise God for Christ's work on the cross that has saved us. Praise God for how He continually works to redirect us to Himself. Past triumphs over sin burdens speak to the majesty of God's amazing grace.

Pastor Jerry

INCREDIBLE STORY OF FORGIVENESS

The following account is from Randy Alcorn's book "If God is Good" p. 436-437:

"Graham Staines left his home in Australia to minister to lepers in India for 34 years. He and his wife, Gladys, served Christ by serving the poorest of poor.

At midnight on January 23, 1999 a mob of militant Hindus murdered Graham and his two sons, Phillip, age 11, and Timothy, age 6. The killers invaded a Christian camp in the jungle, were Graham had ministered, and set fire to the Jeep in which Graham and his sons slept. When the fire finally cooled, believers found the charred body of Graham Stines with his arms wrapped around the bodies of his sons.

In the most appalling way, Gladys and Esther (their only remaining child) found themselves alone. Their response to the tragedy appeared on the front page of every newspaper in India. "I have only one message for the people of India," Gladys said, "I'm not bitter. Neither am I angry. But I have one great desire: That each citizen of this country should establish a personal relationship with Jesus Christ who gave his life for their sins...Let us burn hatred and spread the flame of Christ's love."

When asked about how she felt about the murder of her dad, 13 year old Esther said, "I praise the Lord that He found my father worthy to die for Him."

Gladys then stunned the nation by saying that God had called her and Esther to stay in India for that season. "My husband and my children have sacrificed their lives for this nation; India is my home. I hope to be here and continue to serve the needy."

At the funeral, masses of people filled the streets--Hindus, Muslims, and Christians. They came to show respect for the Staines family and demonstrate solidarity against the killers."

What a great example of forgiveness! God only knows how far reaching were the effects of Glady's forgiving response.

Pastor Jerry

"WORTHY IS THE LAMB" EASTER CANTATA 4/4/10

Here is a link to the recent Easter Cantata:

http://sermon.net/lcbc/sermonid/2390975