John Owen on SermonAudio

John Owen's Works, Volume 3 (Pneumatologia), provides a foundational, Spirit-centered defense of Christian theology that spans the Holy Spirit's distinct personhood, His work in Christ, regeneration, sanctification, and eternal election. Driven by a desire to defend the Spirit's deity against rationalist attacks while rescuing His internal ministry from both formal neglect and fanatical claims, Owen demonstrates that redemption applied by the Spirit is as essential as redemption accomplished by Christ. Through key insights—such as total depravity's darkening of the unregenerate mind (prefiguring presuppositional apologetics over Common Sense realism), the Spirit-wrought use of the means of grace in an awakened sinner without falling into preparationism, the absolute necessity of ongoing actual grace alongside habitual grace for every holy act, and a matured view of mortification—Owen roots all Christian growth in sovereign grace. By grounding these doctrines in both the election of believers unto holiness and the real-world conversion of Augustine, Owen establishes that true Christian living is an unceasing, Spirit-empowered work from initiation to final perseverance.

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Sunday School Hour: studying the John Owen book, Rules for Walking in Fellowship, or The Duties of Christian Fellowship. The current section covers our obligations toward other church members: "Praying for the afflicted."

Please consider how you can be faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ through your financial support to the continued work of His Church in this time. Contributions can be made by PayPal by visiting our website ( faithbiblepres.org ) or by mailing your contribution to: Faith Bible Presbyterian Church 3001 Marian Dr. Trenton Mi 48183 "The Pastor ought to have two voices: one, for gathering the sheep; and another, for warding off and driving away wolves and thieves. The Scripture supplies him with the means of doing both." ~ John Calvin (July 10, 1509 - May 27, 1564). "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." ~ NKJV John 10:27 "Satan's greatest success is in making people think they have plenty of time before they die to consider their eternal welfare" ~ John Owen (1616 - August 1683). "For the word of God and testimony of Jesus Christ." ~ NKJV Rev. 1:9 Fᴀɪᴛʜ Bɪʙʟᴇ Pʀᴇsʙʏᴛᴇʀɪᴀɴ Cʜᴜʀᴄʜ ~ Tʀᴜᴇ Worship & Aᴜᴛʜᴇɴᴛɪᴄ Fᴇʟʟᴏᴡsʜɪᴘ ~ Faith Bible Presbyterian Church is a Bible believing and Christ honoring church that is committed to teaching|preaching the Word of God with diligence and authority. We stand for the historic Christian faith, and we welcome you to our services of worship. Won't you join us? faithbiblepres.org

Please consider how you can be faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ through your financial support to the continued work of His Church in this time. Contributions can be made by PayPal by visiting our website ( faithbiblepres.org ) or by mailing your contribution to: Faith Bible Presbyterian Church 3001 Marian Dr. Trenton Mi 48183 "The Pastor ought to have two voices: one, for gathering the sheep; and another, for warding off and driving away wolves and thieves. The Scripture supplies him with the means of doing both." ~ John Calvin (July 10, 1509 - May 27, 1564). "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." ~ NKJV John 10:27 "Satan's greatest success is in making people think they have plenty of time before they die to consider their eternal welfare" ~ John Owen (1616 - August 1683). "For the word of God and testimony of Jesus Christ." ~ NKJV Rev. 1:9 Fᴀɪᴛʜ Bɪʙʟᴇ Pʀᴇsʙʏᴛᴇʀɪᴀɴ Cʜᴜʀᴄʜ ~ Tʀᴜᴇ Worship & Aᴜᴛʜᴇɴᴛɪᴄ Fᴇʟʟᴏᴡsʜɪᴘ ~ Faith Bible Presbyterian Church is a Bible believing and Christ honoring church that is committed to teaching|preaching the Word of God with diligence and authority. We stand for the historic Christian faith, and we welcome you to our services of worship. Won't you join us? faithbiblepres.org

Mark brings together two desperate situations: Jairus, a respected synagogue ruler whose daughter is dying, and an unnamed woman who has suffered from bleeding for twelve years. Both have reached the end of their own resources, and both are brought to Jesus. Christ receives the desperate, stops for the overlooked, cleanses the unclean, brings hidden faith into the light, governs painful delays, and speaks life into death. The woman discovers that weak faith resting upon a mighty Savior is sufficient. Jairus learns that even when circumstances appear hopeless, Christ has neither lost control nor arrived too late. The raising of Jairus's daughter also points beyond itself to the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the final resurrection of all who belong to Him. Death remains an enemy, but it is not sovereign. Christ is the resurrection and the life. This sermon calls sinners and believers alike not merely to remain outwardly near Christ, but to come personally to Him by faith.

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Heritage Day Series - John Calvin *Ambrose the Pastoral Theologian

Let a man fear it is so, when he finds arguments against it to lose their force. No man is under the power of particular corruption, but will have arguments suggested to his mind from fear, danger, shame, ruin, against continuing under that corruption. When a man begins to find these arguments abate in their force, and have not that prevalency upon his mind they have had, let him fear there is an habitual prevalency of his corruption.

If it be so, that sin doth thus always abide in us, and will upon occasions work to all its fruit, to all manner of concupiscence, then the mortification of sin is a continual duty, that we ought to be exercised in all our days. Col. 3:3, "Ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." A blessed state and condition! I desire no better attainment in this world than this holds out. But what duty does the apostle infer from thence? "Therefore," saith he, "mortify your members which are upon the earth." What, I pray? "Fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry." The mortification of sin is a duty incumbent upon the best of saints.

QUESTION. When our own faith is weakened as to the hearing of our prayers—when we ourselves are hindered within ourselves from believing the answer of our prayers, have no ground to expect we should be heard, or no ground to believe we are heard—what are those things that greatly weaken our faith as to the answer of our prayers; that though we continue to pray, yet our faith is weakened as to the hearing of our prayers? and what are the grounds that weaken men's faith in such a state? ANSWER. If our hearts are not duly prepared to the consideration of the great and glorious properties, presence, and holiness of God, and duly affected with them in our preparation for prayer, it is certain we can have no faith for the hearing of our prayers.

Please consider how you can be faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ through your financial support to the continued work of His Church in this time. Contributions can be made by PayPal by visiting our website ( faithbiblepres.org ) or by mailing your contribution to: Faith Bible Presbyterian Church 3001 Marian Dr. Trenton Mi 48183 "The Pastor ought to have two voices: one, for gathering the sheep; and another, for warding off and driving away wolves and thieves. The Scripture supplies him with the means of doing both." ~ John Calvin (July 10, 1509 - May 27, 1564). "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." ~ NKJV John 10:27 "Satan's greatest success is in making people think they have plenty of time before they die to consider their eternal welfare" ~ John Owen (1616 - August 1683). "For the word of God and testimony of Jesus Christ." ~ NKJV Rev. 1:9 Fᴀɪᴛʜ Bɪʙʟᴇ Pʀᴇsʙʏᴛᴇʀɪᴀɴ Cʜᴜʀᴄʜ ~ Tʀᴜᴇ Worship & Aᴜᴛʜᴇɴᴛɪᴄ Fᴇʟʟᴏᴡsʜɪᴘ ~ Faith Bible Presbyterian Church is a Bible believing and Christ honoring church that is committed to teaching|preaching the Word of God with diligence and authority. We stand for the historic Christian faith, and we welcome you to our services of worship. Won't you join us? faithbiblepres.org

Jesus crosses into the country of the Gerasenes and confronts a man enslaved by a legion of demons, a man whom no human power could restrain or restore. With sovereign authority, Christ delivers him, restores him to his right mind, and sends him home to tell what the Lord has done for him and how He has shown him mercy. Mark 5:1–20 reveals Jesus Christ as the mighty and merciful Savior who enters places of ruin, overcomes the powers of darkness, restores ruined sinners by His grace, and sends the redeemed to bear witness to His mercy. This passage confronts us with four great realities: the ruin of man under sin and Satan, the absolute authority of Jesus Christ, the danger of preferring our idols to the presence of Christ, and the calling of every redeemed sinner to testify to the mercy of God. There is no sinner beyond Christ's reach, no bondage stronger than His saving power, and no legion too great for the Son of God.

Question #5 QUESTION. It was queried by some, how we may make our application unto Christ; not in general, but under what notion and apprehension of the person of Christ? ANSWER. Because some seem to apprehend there might be danger in terminating our worship upon the nature of Christ as a creature, I shall give you my thoughts and directions in it. First. You must observe we are to have no conceptions, in our acting of any duty, towards Christ or about him, but with respect unto his person as he is God and man in one person.

Before I mention how we should approach unto and lie at this well-head of life, let me observe to you this one thing,—that when there is a general contagious disease (the plague, or the like), every man will look to his health and safety with reference to other occasions, but will be most careful in regard to the general contagion. Now, if forsaking this spring of life be the plague of the age, and the plague of the place where we live, and the plague of Christians, we ought to be very careful lest this general contagion should reach us.

When Jesus calms the storm in Mark 4:35–41, He reveals far more than His power over nature. He shows His disciples who He truly is: the eternal Son of God, true God and true man, Lord over creation, and Savior of His people. The disciples entered the storm while obeying Christ, yet His presence did not mean the absence of danger. Their fear exposed their unbelief, but the storm also became the means by which Christ revealed His glory. The One who slept in human weariness commanded the wind and sea with divine authority. This passage calls suffering believers to trust Christ rather than measure His love by their circumstances. The cross has forever answered the fearful question, "Do You not care?" Christ entered the ultimate storm of divine judgment so that His people might have peace with God. The storm is great. The calm is great. The fear is great. But Christ is greater still.

Practical Cases of Conscience #14 First. Whether do you think there are extraordinary calls and warnings of God towards this nation at this time? Secondly. If there be, what is the voice of these calls? Thirdly. Whether any sort of men, believers, or churches, are exempted from attending unto and complying with these calls of God? For there lies a reserve in our hearts. The nation is very wicked (I shall not repeat the sins of the nation), the warning is general to the nation, the body of the people, and God testifies his displeasure against them. Now, the inquiry is, Whether there be any rule that we, who profess ourselves believers, and a church, should count ourselves exempted from a particular compliance with these extraordinary calls of God, -- that they are for others, and not for us? "If the scourge slay suddenly, he will laugh at the trial of the innocent," Job 9:23. And the good figs went first into captivity.

Practical Cases of Conscience - #1 What conviction of a state of sin, and of the guilt of sin, is necessary to cause a soul sincerely to look after Christ? What Jesus Christ doth indispensably call men unto, in order to believing in him, that is indispensably required of them. And this I shall manifest out of two or three places of Scripture:—Mark 2:17, "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Now, this calling them unto repentance, is a calling them unto it by the faith which is in him. The apostle saith, 1 Tim. 1:15, "It is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners." What kind of sinners doth Christ call? Whom he calls to repentance, he calls to faith; and whom he calls to faith, that they may truly believe, they are sinners—opposed unto them that are righteous:

To this great prevalency and predominancy of sin in the whole nation, there is added a strange and unspeakable security. The truth is, men were a little awakened one while in the nation. When the judgments of God—the pestilence, the fire, the sword, and, the year after, another warning from heaven—were upon us, then there was a little awakening, like a man out of a dead sleep, that lifts up his head, and rubs his eyes for a time. But I can say this, that it is now towards forty years since God enabled me to observe something in the world; and, to my knowledge, I never observed this nation in that state of security wherein it is at this day. For, even in former times, there were warnings continually that God had a controversy with the nation; and those that had any fear of God spake one to another about it; and we saw and found their warnings were not in vain. But here is now a general security. Men complain of straits, want, poverty, and the like; but as to any thing wherein God hath to do with the world, either my observation doth greatly deceive me, or I never saw, I think, so general a security as at this day in this nation. And this security hath reached us all,—even the churches of God themselves.

Several Practical Cases of Conscience - #10 What shall a person do who finds himself under the power of a prevailing corruption, sin, or temptation? Answer. I shall premise only this one thing, and then inquire whether it belongs to us or no:-- This prevalency hath many degrees. It may be a prevalency to outward scandal, or to the utter loss of inward peace, or to the disquieting and divesting of us of that tranquillity of mind usually which Christ calleth us unto. Now, pray consider that I speak to it equally and in every degree. And perhaps there may be none of us but, at one time or other, after inquiry, will have had experience in one degree or other, either to disquietment, loss of peace, or scandal. What shall such a person then do, who finds it so with him? I answer, -- First. He should labour to affect his mind with the danger of it. It is not conceivable how subtle sin is to shift off an apprehension of the danger of it.

Please consider how you can be faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ through your financial support to the continued work of His Church in this time. Contributions can be made by PayPal by visiting our website ( faithbiblepres.org ) or by mailing your contribution to: Faith Bible Presbyterian Church 3001 Marian Dr. Trenton Mi 48183 "The Pastor ought to have two voices: one, for gathering the sheep; and another, for warding off and driving away wolves and thieves. The Scripture supplies him with the means of doing both." ~ John Calvin (July 10, 1509 - May 27, 1564). "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." ~ NKJV John 10:27 "Satan's greatest success is in making people think they have plenty of time before they die to consider their eternal welfare" ~ John Owen (1616 - August 1683). "For the word of God and testimony of Jesus Christ." ~ NKJV Rev. 1:9 Fᴀɪᴛʜ Bɪʙʟᴇ Pʀᴇsʙʏᴛᴇʀɪᴀɴ Cʜᴜʀᴄʜ ~ Tʀᴜᴇ Worship & Aᴜᴛʜᴇɴᴛɪᴄ Fᴇʟʟᴏᴡsʜɪᴘ ~ Faith Bible Presbyterian Church is a Bible believing and Christ honoring church that is committed to teaching|preaching the Word of God with diligence and authority. We stand for the historic Christian faith, and we welcome you to our services of worship. Won't you join us? faithbiblepres.org

It would be matter of regret, if the prejudice now entertained against a field of theological discussion cultivated to such an extent by divines of former generations, should prevent any reader from perusing the Discourses of our author which follow. Owen's was not the mind on any subject to be lost in obscure mysticism and refined subtilties, and to disport itself in a species of moral gymnastics, from which no overt and positive advantage could accrue to himself or to his hearers. These Discourses deal with momentous questions of religious experience, and are replete with suggestions and advices, which will be prized in proportion as the religion of the heart prevails, and so long as Christianity is not buried in formalism.

Please consider how you can be faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ through your financial support to the continued work of His Church in this time. Contributions can be made by PayPal by visiting our website ( faithbiblepres.org ) or by mailing your contribution to: Faith Bible Presbyterian Church 3001 Marian Dr. Trenton Mi 48183 "The Pastor ought to have two voices: one, for gathering the sheep; and another, for warding off and driving away wolves and thieves. The Scripture supplies him with the means of doing both." ~ John Calvin (July 10, 1509 - May 27, 1564). "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." ~ NKJV John 10:27 "Satan's greatest success is in making people think they have plenty of time before they die to consider their eternal welfare" ~ John Owen (1616 - August 1683). "For the word of God and testimony of Jesus Christ." ~ NKJV Rev. 1:9 Fᴀɪᴛʜ Bɪʙʟᴇ Pʀᴇsʙʏᴛᴇʀɪᴀɴ Cʜᴜʀᴄʜ ~ Tʀᴜᴇ Worship & Aᴜᴛʜᴇɴᴛɪᴄ Fᴇʟʟᴏᴡsʜɪᴘ ~ Faith Bible Presbyterian Church is a Bible believing and Christ honoring church that is committed to teaching|preaching the Word of God with diligence and authority. We stand for the historic Christian faith, and we welcome you to our services of worship. Won't you join us? faithbiblepres.org

Practical Cases of Conscience #12 The Scripture doth everywhere, upon all such occasions, call expressly unto us for a special preparation, by the exercise of grace, in reformation and holiness: "Judgment must begin at the house of God;" and "what will be the end of them that obey not the gospel?" What, then, is our duty? Why, saith he, "Seeing that all these things shall be dissolved" (all this outward frame of things), "what manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and godliness?" Brethren, we ought at all times to attend unto "all holy conversation and godliness;" but saith the apostle, "The approach of judgment is a peculiar motive thereunto; -- seeing that all these things are to be dissolved.

Practical Cases of Conscience #2 There must be a permanency in our choice of Christ against temptations unto sin, as well as against the charges from sin. Truly, the former—of abiding with Christ against the charges from sin—is our daily work: it is sometimes more high and pressing, but it is our daily work. But there are also temptations unto sin,—it may be to the neglect of our duty, or to a compliance in any evil way (which we are subject unto while in the body); and perhaps great sins. Here Joseph's reply, applied to Christ, is that which doth argue our choice of Christ to be sincere,—"How shall I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" When the soul can draw a prevailing argument from that, "How shall I do this, and relinquish my Lord Christ?"—"I will not do this against him whom I have chosen,"—this is a good argument, if frequently reiterated, that our choice of Christ is sincere.

Several Practical Cases of Conscience - #11 What is our duty with respect to dark and difficult dispensations of God's providence in the world? Answer. In answer unto this question, three things are to be considered:-- First. What are, in a Scripture sense, those things that make a season of providence dark and difficult? Secondly. What are the open signs of the coming and passing of such a season over us? And, Thirdly. What are our special duties in reference to our entering into, and passing through, such a season? First. What are those things that make a season of providence dark and difficult? I find four things in Scripture that make a dark season of providence; and, if I mistake not, they are all upon us:-- 1. The long-continued prosperity of wicked men.

Practical Cases of Conscience #13 The Scripture doth everywhere, upon all such occasions, call expressly unto us for a special preparation, by the exercise of grace, in reformation and holiness: "Judgment must begin at the house of God;" and "what will be the end of them that obey not the gospel?" What, then, is our duty? Why, saith he, "Seeing that all these things shall be dissolved" (all this outward frame of things), "what manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and godliness?" Brethren, we ought at all times to attend unto "all holy conversation and godliness;" but saith the apostle, "The approach of judgment is a peculiar motive thereunto; -- seeing that all these things are to be dissolved.'?"

Chapter 9 It is a matter of praise and glory to God, in a special manner, that he has granted an amplification of this privilege under the gospel. The Spirit is now poured forth from above, and enlarged in his dispensation, both intensively and extensively. Those on whom he is bestowed, receive him in a larger measure than they did formerly under the Old Testament. From there comes that liberty and boldness in their access to the throne of grace, and their crying 'Abba, Father,' which the apostle reckons among the great privileges of the dispensation of the Spirit of Christ, which those of old were not partakers of.

Every man is to pray or call upon God, according as he is able, with respect unto his own condition, relations, occasions, and duties. Certainly there is not a man in the world who hath not forfeited all his reason and understanding unto atheism, or utterly buried all their operations under the fury of brutish affections, but he is convinced that it is his duty to pray to the deity he owns, in words of his own, as well as he is able; for this, and none other, is the genuine and natural notion of prayer. This is implanted in the heart of mankind, which they need not be taught nor directed unto.

1. That the things insisted on are in some degree and measure necessary unto all acceptable prayer. The Scripture assigns them thereunto, and believers find them so by their own experience. For we discourse not about prayer as it is the working of nature in its straits and difficulties towards the God of nature, expressing thereby its dependence on him, with an acknowledgment of his power, in which sense all flesh, in one way or other, under one notion or other, come to God; nor yet upon those cries which legal convictions will wrest from them that fall under their power: but we treat only of prayer as it is required of believers under the gospel, as they have an "access through Christ by one Spirit unto the Father." And, 2. That those in whom this work is wrought by the Holy Spirit in any degree do not, in ordinary cases, want an ability to express themselves in this duty, so far as is needful for them.

The first thing we ascribe unto the Spirit herein is, that he supplies and furnishes the mind with a due comprehension of the matter of prayer, or what ought, both in general and as unto all our particular occasions, to be prayed for. Without this I suppose it will be granted that no man can pray as he ought; for how can any man pray that knows not what to pray for? Where there is not a comprehension hereof, the very nature and being of prayer is destroyed. And herein the testimony of the apostle is express: Rom. viii. 26, "Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."

The Holy Spirit gives the soul of a believer a delight in God as the object of prayer. I shall not insist on his exciting, moving, and acting all other graces that are required in the exercise of this duty, as faith, love, reverence, fear, trust, submission, waiting, hope, and the like. I have proved elsewhere that the exercise of them all, in all duties, and of all other graces in like manner, is from him, and shall not therefore here again confirm the same truth. But this delight in God as the object of prayer hath a peculiar consideration in this matter; for without it ordinarily the duty is not accepted with God, and is a barren, burdensome task unto them by whom it is performed. Now, this delight in God as the object of prayer is, for the substance of it, included in that description of prayer given us by the apostle,—namely, that it is crying "Abba, Father." Herein a filial, holy delight in God is included, such as children have in their parents in their most affectionate addresses unto them, as hath been declared. And we are to inquire wherein this delight in God as the object of prayer doth consist, or what is required thereunto.

In John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress, few figures offer a more sobering warning to the traveling soul than the character Temporary. Living in the town of Grace-less, right next door to Turn-back, Temporary begins his journey with intense zeal—weeping over his sins, seeking godly counsel, and setting his face resolutely toward the Celestial City. Yet, despite his bright start and genuine emotional stirrings, his zeal quickly cools, he aligns himself with a man named Save-self, and he slides back into total spiritual ruin. Through this tragic figure, Bunyan illustrates what Puritan theologians like Thomas Goodwin, John Owen, Jonathan Edwards, and A. W. Pink identified as the "common influences" of the Holy Spirit—a work that can enlighten the mind, stir the emotions, and reform outward behavior without ever regenerating the heart. Temporary's story is not a tale of open hypocrisy, but a compelling, cautionary study in the vital difference between a temporary emotional reaction to the truth and a permanent, heart-transforming union with Jesus Christ.

This study explores Prince Emmanuel's final address to the city of Mansoul in John Bunyan's The Holy War, focusing on why God allows original sin to remain in the regenerate. Guided by Alexander Whyte's commentary, we see that Christ leaves these internal remnants not out of weakness, but in divine wisdom to foster genuine humility, keep faith active, and demonstrate His long-suffering mercy. Classic commentators like George Burder provide essential historical and doctrinal context for translating Bunyan's military metaphors into daily Christian experience, while John Owen's Indwelling Sin supplies the clinical theological framework distinguishing between sin reigning and sin dwelling. Complemented by the intimate, searching prayers of Philip Doddridge, the discussion ultimately encourages weary believers to maintain constant vigilance, refuse any truce with remaining corruption, and take heart in Emmanuel's ultimate command and promise: "Hold fast till I come."

Please consider how you can be faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ through your financial support to the continued work of His Church in this time. Contributions can be made by PayPal by visiting our website ( faithbiblepres.org ) or by mailing your contribution to: Faith Bible Presbyterian Church 3001 Marian Dr. Trenton Mi 48183 "The Pastor ought to have two voices: one, for gathering the sheep; and another, for warding off and driving away wolves and thieves. The Scripture supplies him with the means of doing both." ~ John Calvin (July 10, 1509 - May 27, 1564). "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." ~ NKJV John 10:27 "Satan's greatest success is in making people think they have plenty of time before they die to consider their eternal welfare" ~ John Owen (1616 - August 1683). "For the word of God and testimony of Jesus Christ." ~ NKJV Rev. 1:9 Fᴀɪᴛʜ Bɪʙʟᴇ Pʀᴇsʙʏᴛᴇʀɪᴀɴ Cʜᴜʀᴄʜ ~ Tʀᴜᴇ Worship & Aᴜᴛʜᴇɴᴛɪᴄ Fᴇʟʟᴏᴡsʜɪᴘ ~ Faith Bible Presbyterian Church is a Bible believing and Christ honoring church that is committed to teaching|preaching the Word of God with diligence and authority. We stand for the historic Christian faith, and we welcome you to our services of worship. Won't you join us? faithbiblepres.org

Jesus reveals the character and certainty of His kingdom through the parables of the lamp, the growing seed, and the mustard seed. Christ's kingdom shines through His Word, grows by God's hidden power, begins in apparent weakness, and moves certainly toward a glorious harvest. Therefore, hear the Word carefully, sow it faithfully, and do not despise the small beginnings of Christ's kingdom.

Please consider how you can be faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ through your financial support to the continued work of His Church in this time. Contributions can be made by PayPal by visiting our website ( faithbiblepres.org ) or by mailing your contribution to: Faith Bible Presbyterian Church 3001 Marian Dr. Trenton Mi 48183 "The Pastor ought to have two voices: one, for gathering the sheep; and another, for warding off and driving away wolves and thieves. The Scripture supplies him with the means of doing both." ~ John Calvin (July 10, 1509 - May 27, 1564). "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." ~ NKJV John 10:27 "Satan's greatest success is in making people think they have plenty of time before they die to consider their eternal welfare" ~ John Owen (1616 - August 1683). "For the word of God and testimony of Jesus Christ." ~ NKJV Rev. 1:9 Fᴀɪᴛʜ Bɪʙʟᴇ Pʀᴇsʙʏᴛᴇʀɪᴀɴ Cʜᴜʀᴄʜ ~ Tʀᴜᴇ Worship & Aᴜᴛʜᴇɴᴛɪᴄ Fᴇʟʟᴏᴡsʜɪᴘ ~ Faith Bible Presbyterian Church is a Bible believing and Christ honoring church that is committed to teaching|preaching the Word of God with diligence and authority. We stand for the historic Christian faith, and we welcome you to our services of worship. Won't you join us? faithbiblepres.org

Sunday School Hour: studying the John Owen book, Rules for Walking in Fellowship, or The Duties of Christian Fellowship. The current section covers our obligations toward other church members, Section 2, Rules #11-12: "Sharing in the church's lot, no matter what" and "associating with the lowly."

it must be granted that the things here treated of are in themselves mysterious and abstruse. But yet, the way whereby we may endeavour an acquaintance with them, "according to the measure of the gift of Christ unto every one," is made plain in the Scriptures of truth. If this way be neglected or despised, all other ways of attempting the same end, be they never so vigorous or promising, will prove ineffectual. What belongs unto it as to the inward frame and disposition of mind in them who search after understanding in these things, what unto the outward use of means, what unto the performance of spiritual duties, what unto conformity in the whole soul unto each discovery of truth that is attained, is not my present work to declare, nor shall I divert thereunto. If God give an opportunity to treat concerning the work of the Holy Spirit, enabling us to understand the Scriptures, or the mind of God in them, the whole of this way will be at large declared.

This comprehensive treatise abounds in more than Owen's usual prolixity;—a feature of the work which may, perhaps, be explained by the consciousness under which the author seems always to labour that he is prosecuting an argument with opponents, rather than dealing with the conscience in a treatise on practical religion. He moves heavily, as if he were panoplied for conflict rather than girt for useful work. As he proceeds, however, the interest deepens; weighty questions receive clear elucidation; practical difficulties are judiciously resolved; and momentous distinctions, such as those between gospel holiness and common morality, and between natural and moral inability, are skilfully given.

The Holy Spirit - Prefatory Note - Collected Works Volume 3

This study explores the lethal threat of carnal security and spiritual lethargy as depicted in John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress on the Enchanted Ground, grounding its warning in the slumbering virgins of Matthew 25:1–13. To understand the internal decay behind this condition, the lesson draws upon John Owen's exposition of Hebrews 3:7–19, which details how the deceitfulness of sin gradually hardens the unwatchful heart, alongside Arthur W. Pink's analysis of Hebrews 6:4–6 regarding the danger of separating intellectual knowledge from a living communion with Christ. Furthermore, Richard Baxter's The Reformed Pastor exposes how Satan strategically targets teachers and leaders, exploiting intellectual pride and disguised ease to disarm their vigilance. Together with 19th-century observational insights from Joseph Huntington Jones and Grant Powers—who examined how bodily infirmity, heightened imagination, and physical excitement can simulate or obscure true spiritual life—these sources provide a comprehensive diagnosis of spiritual slumber, equipping believers and leaders alike to cultivate active watchfulness, genuine grace, and abiding fellowship with Christ.

Pastor Paul Takach teaches on Philippians 2:1-4, addressing the ever-present danger of disunity in local churches and the biblical command to preserve unity through humility and selfless love. He outlines the passage in two parts: the motivation for unity (verse 1) and the practice of unity (verses 2-4). The motivation rests on the believer's experience of God's grace—consolation in Christ, comfort of His love, fellowship of the Spirit, and affection and mercy from God—which Paul uses as "if" statements that are actually certainties for Christians. The practice of unity involves being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, and of one mind, which Takach grounds in shared doctrinal confession. He warns against selfish ambition and vain conceit (empty glory), citing Diotrephes in 3 John and the sons of Zebedee in Matthew 20 as negative examples, and calls believers to esteem others as more important than themselves, looking out for others' interests. He references John Owen's rule on maintaining unity and cites Romans 12:10, 1 Corinthians 10:24, and John 13:34-35. The practical application extends to marriages, giving, and daily interactions—listening attentively, deferring on secondary issues, and serving without seeking recognition. Takach emphasizes that true humility cannot be manufactured by self-effort; the resource is Christ Himself, who humbled Himself to death on the cross (Philippians 2:5-11). Believers must meditate on Christ's person and work, flee to Him, and let His mind dwell in them, which alone produces genuine gospel transformation and...

Sunday School Hour: studying the John Owen book, Rules for Walking in Fellowship, or The Duties of Christian Fellowship. The current section covers our obligations toward other church members, Section 2, Rule 10: "Weariness about those those who seek to divide the church."

Please consider how you can be faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ through your financial support to the continued work of His Church in this time. Contributions can be made by PayPal by visiting our website ( faithbiblepres.org ) or by mailing your contribution to: Faith Bible Presbyterian Church 3001 Marian Dr. Trenton Mi 48183 "The Pastor ought to have two voices: one, for gathering the sheep; and another, for warding off and driving away wolves and thieves. The Scripture supplies him with the means of doing both." ~ John Calvin (July 10, 1509 - May 27, 1564). "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." ~ NKJV John 10:27 "Satan's greatest success is in making people think they have plenty of time before they die to consider their eternal welfare" ~ John Owen (1616 - August 1683). "For the word of God and testimony of Jesus Christ." ~ NKJV Rev. 1:9 Fᴀɪᴛʜ Bɪʙʟᴇ Pʀᴇsʙʏᴛᴇʀɪᴀɴ Cʜᴜʀᴄʜ ~ Tʀᴜᴇ Worship & Aᴜᴛʜᴇɴᴛɪᴄ Fᴇʟʟᴏᴡsʜɪᴘ ~ Faith Bible Presbyterian Church is a Bible believing and Christ honoring church that is committed to teaching|preaching the Word of God with diligence and authority. We stand for the historic Christian faith, and we welcome you to our services of worship. Won't you join us? faithbiblepres.org

In Mark 4:1–20, Jesus tells the Parable of the Sower and explains why people respond so differently to the preaching of the Word. The problem is not with the seed. The seed is the Word of God. The difference is found in the soil of the human heart. Some hear with hardened hearts, and Satan quickly snatches away the Word. Others receive it with initial enthusiasm but have no root and fall away when obedience becomes costly. Still others hear the Word, but the cares of the world, the deceitfulness of riches, and other desires choke it until it becomes unfruitful. But there is also good soil. These hear the Word, receive it, and bear fruit thirtyfold, sixtyfold, and a hundredfold. Jesus therefore confronts every hearer with a searching question: How are you hearing the Word of God? Yet this passage is not simply an exhortation to try harder to become good soil. Christ is the faithful Sower and the living Word. He is the obedient and fruitful Son, and through His death and resurrection He brings forth a harvest of redeemed sinners. By His Spirit He softens hardened hearts, roots His people in Himself, frees them from the thorns of this age, and makes them fruitful by grace. Take care how you hear. Receive the Word. Trust Christ. Abide in Him. Bear fruit to the glory of God.