Maidenbower Baptist Church

The atoning death of Jesus Christ is the climax of history, an event at the end of the ages which marked the absolute shift from shadow to substance, from promise to fulfilment. Here the salvation long expected was brought about. What did our Lord do? He himself appeared. Why did he come? It was to put away sin. How did he do this? By nothing less than the sacrifice of himself, a sacrifice unrepeated and unrepeatable, suitable and sufficient for sinners like us.

A godly husband is, in essence, a man who has learned Christ sufficiently to follow the Lord in his sacrificial love, loving his own wife just as Christ loved the church. Such love has a purposeful quality, is anchored in union, and actively nourishes and cherishes its object. It rises above both abdication (a cowardly stepping back) and tyranny (a bullying disposition) to do real good by God's own standards, regardless of the cost. It sends those who wish to serve Christ as husbands back to the Lord, for only in him and from him do we find cleansing for our sins and strength for his service.

Though Spurgeon typically preaches from fairly brief texts, he occasionally takes longer sections, and sometimes—as on this occasion—hangs his thoughts on a single phrase. This is not an easy mode of preaching, as it can lead to strained exegesis, shallow substance, or repetitive or tortured structure. While it helps that the phrase in question is the loaded one, "through faith," Spurgeon also avoids these traps by setting his phrase in its context, connecting grace and faith. He then proceeds in a manner both systematic and pastoral, drawing on his rich theological heritage and his concern for troubled men and women. First he asks what faith is, and gives some standard answers in a lively fashion. In particular, he weaves in a number of illustrations to take account of the heat and heaviness of the morning in which he preaches, a good example of a preacher responding to his circumstances. Next Spurgeon answers the question why faith is selected as the channel of salvation. Finally, he asks how we can obtain and increase our faith, closing his sermon with some very down-to-earth counsels. This is, then, a sermon in which theological care and practical counsel is closely bound throughout, all intended to bring sinners to the Saviour and assure them of their security in him.

We are working through a book of systematic theology called "Daily Doctrine" by Kevin DeYoung (Crossway). We hope that you will join us and engage with the book as we seek to learn more about the God of heaven, and what the knowledge of him means for his pilgrim people upon earth. The whole video series can be found here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLydzd6kZnPWdDUP1Dj9CIV_hSp42WEeMb&si=ACvRi4lPPuAH1jqx If you are in the UK you can get the book here: https://amzn.to/3ZX4ICu or https://www.icmbooks.co.uk/product/38356/Daily-Doctrine-A-One-Year-Guide-to-Systematic-Theology or https://uk.10ofthose.com/product/9781433572852/daily-doctrine-hardback. If you are in the US you can get the book here: https://amzn.to/3VSrTNq or https://www.heritagebooks.org/products/daily-doctrine-deyoung.html. Direct from Crossway: https://www.crossway.org/books/daily-doctrine-hcj/ Logos users: https://www.logos.com/product/299143/daily-doctrine-a-one-year-guide-to-systematic-theology

We begin with a consideration of marriage more generally, looking at God's union of one man with one woman in a relationship of genuine correspondence, profound cleaving or clinging, total commitment, and a joint commission. From there we move on to begin considering the role of the husband, emphasising first that the keynote for a godly husband, lost in Adam but restored in Christ, is that of love. Love's character is that it is fundamentally Christlike, for we are to love our wives "just as Christ" loved the church. This gives us reason to repent, much to repair, somewhere to return, and something to remember.

While Spurgeon usually preaches on single texts he does not invariably preach isolated sermons. On Sunday 5th June, 1881, he preached from 1 Corinthians 3:6–9 about God's co-labourers. On Sunday 12th June he took up the same theme of labourers on God's farm, this time from Mark 4:26–29, explicitly linking the two sermons together. If the first sermon showed how far human agency is required in the work of the gospel, and how dependent all results are upon the Lord, the second sermon emphasises how far a holy labourer can go, and how far he cannot go: "the measure and limit of human instrumentality in the kingdom of grace." As so often, Spurgeon's structure is fairly simple and repetitive: what we can and cannot do, what we can and cannot know, what we may and may not expect if we work for God, and what sleep workers may and may not take. It is an intensely practical sermon of particular encouragement and instruction to Christian workers—and which Christian ought not also to be a worker on God's farm?

We are working through a book of systematic theology called "Daily Doctrine" by Kevin DeYoung (Crossway). We hope that you will join us and engage with the book as we seek to learn more about the God of heaven, and what the knowledge of him means for his pilgrim people upon earth. The whole video series can be found here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLydzd6kZnPWdDUP1Dj9CIV_hSp42WEeMb&si=ACvRi4lPPuAH1jqx If you are in the UK you can get the book here: https://amzn.to/3ZX4ICu or https://www.icmbooks.co.uk/product/38356/Daily-Doctrine-A-One-Year-Guide-to-Systematic-Theology or https://uk.10ofthose.com/product/9781433572852/daily-doctrine-hardback. If you are in the US you can get the book here: https://amzn.to/3VSrTNq or https://www.heritagebooks.org/products/daily-doctrine-deyoung.html. Direct from Crossway: https://www.crossway.org/books/daily-doctrine-hcj/ Logos users: https://www.logos.com/product/299143/daily-doctrine-a-one-year-guide-to-systematic-theology

Looking to Jesus is the way to run the race of faith, a looking away from all else to Jesus Christ alone as he is presented in the Scriptures. This might first be a look of inquiry, then become a look of understanding. It must be a look of contrition, a look of confidence, a look of dependence, a look of desire, and a look of hope. In all this, it cannot be anything but a look of love to the suffering Saviour who has given himself for our lives.

Timothy was exhorted to let no one despise his youth, but rather to show himself an example to all believers. What Timothy must be as a younger pastor, every Christian should be. So we must identify the season of which Paul speaks, 'youth', which extends further than we might imagine. There are two audiences implied for this season of life, the world at large, and the church in particular. There is a contrast established between the effect of this display, either despite and disdain, or potent example. Paul also identifies the spheres in which this example ought to be set.

Spurgeon regularly throws a little exegetical advice into his sermons, often at the beginning, and he does so here, encouraging his hearers to interpret each portion of Scripture in its context, which he immediately applies to his text, in which Job claims that "the root of the matter is found in me." Spurgeon first examines this root and defines it in terms of confidence in a living Redeemer. Next, he digs deeper into the matter of something which lies at the root—something which is essential, vital, comprehensive of all the rest. Thirdly, Spurgeon addresses the fact that we can personally discern our possession of this root, not always easily but carefully and comfortingly. Finally, he presses some practical lessons upon our souls, especially considering the way in which we can—in various ways and to various degrees—be guilty of persecuting someone in whom is the root of the matter. It is another example of the remarkable number of directions in which Spurgeon can turn the truth in a single sermon.

We are working through a book of systematic theology called "Daily Doctrine" by Kevin DeYoung (Crossway). We hope that you will join us and engage with the book as we seek to learn more about the God of heaven, and what the knowledge of him means for his pilgrim people upon earth.The whole video series can be found here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLydzd6kZnPWdDUP1Dj9CIV_hSp42WEeMb&si=ACvRi4lPPuAH1jqxIf you are in the UK you can get the book here: https://amzn.to/3ZX4ICu or https://www.icmbooks.co.uk/product/38356/Daily-Doctrine-A-One-Year-Guide-to-Systematic-Theology or https://uk.10ofthose.com/product/9781433572852/daily-doctrine-hardback.If you are in the US you can get the book here: https://amzn.to/3VSrTNq or https://www.heritagebooks.org/products/daily-doctrine-deyoung.html.Direct from Crossway: https://www.crossway.org/books/daily-doctrine-hcj/Logos users: https://www.logos.com/product/299143/daily-doctrine-a-one-year-guide-to-systematic-theology

The last great watershed in the record of the Acts has arrived. There have been drops and trickles but now the dam is about to burst. God has put the players in their places and all is being prepared. A Roman named Cornelius is introduced, a devout man who desires God's blessing. Cornelius is instructed by an angel of God to send for a gospel preacher. Cornelius is invested in this prospect, and does all he can as quickly as he can to obey the command of the Lord.Are we hungry for divine favour? Are we thankful for gospel clarity? Are we conscious of God's mercy? Are we grateful for Christ's preachers?

A man's heart-longings provide an accurate index of his present and future character. Put simply, "Tell me what a man really wants and I will tell you what he is really like and what he will one day be." Grace gives a man a new and heavenly set of desires for the judgments of God, what Spurgeon calls the saint's absorbing object. Then he considers the saint's ardent longing for those judgments. Finally, he points to the saint's cheering reflections drawn from such desires of the heart. The structure is simple, with that happy repetition which helps both to follow the argument and to fix it in the mind. As so often, Spurgeon moves without fanfare from David's experience to ours, unpacking the inner life of the believer in every age, giving preachers an example of what it means to enter into the mind and heart of his hearers. Spurgeon also excels in encouragements, which he offers both with regard to what a Christian is now and what he will one day be, so closing the loop of his sermon. And, of course, he wants us to be sure that such longing after God's judgments makes Christ himself most precious to the saints.

We are working through a book of systematic theology called "Daily Doctrine" by Kevin DeYoung (Crossway). We hope that you will join us and engage with the book as we seek to learn more about the God of heaven, and what the knowledge of him means for his pilgrim people upon earth.The whole video series can be found here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLydzd6kZnPWdDUP1Dj9CIV_hSp42WEeMb&si=ACvRi4lPPuAH1jqxIf you are in the UK you can get the book here: https://amzn.to/3ZX4ICu or https://www.icmbooks.co.uk/product/38356/Daily-Doctrine-A-One-Year-Guide-to-Systematic-Theology or https://uk.10ofthose.com/product/9781433572852/daily-doctrine-hardback.If you are in the US you can get the book here: https://amzn.to/3VSrTNq or https://www.heritagebooks.org/products/daily-doctrine-deyoung.html.Direct from Crossway: https://www.crossway.org/books/daily-doctrine-hcj/Logos users: https://www.logos.com/product/299143/daily-doctrine-a-one-year-guide-to-systematic-theology

How much is joy a feature of your life as a Christian? While he recognizes that the fruit of the Spirit is one cluster, nevertheless Spurgeon wants us to focus in this sermon on joy as part of the believer's spiritual experience. Some have a melancholy disposition which needs to be overcome; others seem to be committed to gloom as a religious essential. Spurgeon would have us understand that joy is a legitimate and inevitable element of the fruit of the Spirit (though varied in the experience of different believers), and also wants us to grasp the singular character of this joy as well as the various forms and circumstances in which a Christian may enjoy it. However, he also includes warnings about the way in which the growth of this spiritual fruit may be hindered, as well as encouraging us to cultivate what he considers to be the obligation of spiritual joy, giving us various reasons why joy is such a blessing which incite us to seek and keep this happy fruit. And there is a practical conclusion, as he calls his congregation to "rise as one man, and sing, 'Then let our songs abound, / And every tear be dry: / We're marching thro' Immanuel's ground / To fairer worlds on high.'"

We are working through a book of systematic theology called "Daily Doctrine" by Kevin DeYoung (Crossway). We hope that you will join us and engage with the book as we seek to learn more about the God of heaven, and what the knowledge of him means for his pilgrim people upon earth.The whole video series can be found here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLydzd6kZnPWdDUP1Dj9CIV_hSp42WEeMb&si=ACvRi4lPPuAH1jqxIf you are in the UK you can get the book here: https://amzn.to/3ZX4ICu or https://www.icmbooks.co.uk/product/38356/Daily-Doctrine-A-One-Year-Guide-to-Systematic-Theology or https://uk.10ofthose.com/product/9781433572852/daily-doctrine-hardback.If you are in the US you can get the book here: https://amzn.to/3VSrTNq or https://www.heritagebooks.org/products/daily-doctrine-deyoung.html.Direct from Crossway: https://www.crossway.org/books/daily-doctrine-hcj/Logos users: https://www.logos.com/product/299143/daily-doctrine-a-one-year-guide-to-systematic-theology

The Lord continues to orchestrate all things for the glory of his name and the good of his chosen ones, and that brings us back to Peter's ministry.First, we see grace in Lydda, where a man called Aeneas is healed of eight years of sickness, and the gospel goes out. Next, we see grace in Joppa, where a woman of good character named Tabitha (Dorcas) is raised from the dead, and the gospel goes out. Then, we note that grace goes to many, as Peter is clearly established as an authenticated representative of the Lord Jesus, which helps to establish the coming spread of the gospel to the Gentiles.

God's people are not immune to anxiety, but they possess a true remedy for the disease of troubling thoughts. What causes anxiety to God's people? Such things as their salvation, their trials, their decisions, their service, their death, and the state of the church. Only God's comforts can swallow up our anxious thoughts, because those comforts are divine, true, fitting, stable, enduring, and effective. Therefore we need to know them, believe them, embrace them, consider them, and enjoy them.

This is the last sermon in Volume 26 of the Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit. After a fairly extended introduction in which the preacher sets out to demonstrate that "true penitents do not seek to extenuate or diminish the sin which has been forgiven them, but they own how great it is, and set it forth in all its enormity as it appears before their enlightened eyes," Spurgeon launches into his main substance. Although it has no publication date, it may be selected for the last sermon of the year because of its retrospective emphasis. Look back, says Spurgeon, to excite adoring gratitude; look back to sustain deep humility; look back to renew genuine repentance; look back to kindle fervent love; look back to arouse ardent zeal; look back to make you hopeful for the salvation of others; look back to confirm your confidence for yourselves. Of course, you need not wait until year's end for such a retrospective. Every child of God can consider what they were before, and be stirred up to such deep affections.

We are working through a book of systematic theology called "Daily Doctrine" by Kevin DeYoung (Crossway). We hope that you will join us and engage with the book as we seek to learn more about the God of heaven, and what the knowledge of him means for his pilgrim people upon earth.The whole video series can be found here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLydzd6kZnPWdDUP1Dj9CIV_hSp42WEeMb&si=ACvRi4lPPuAH1jqxIf you are in the UK you can get the book here: https://amzn.to/3ZX4ICu or https://www.icmbooks.co.uk/product/38356/Daily-Doctrine-A-One-Year-Guide-to-Systematic-Theology or https://uk.10ofthose.com/product/9781433572852/daily-doctrine-hardback.If you are in the US you can get the book here: https://amzn.to/3VSrTNq or https://www.heritagebooks.org/products/daily-doctrine-deyoung.html.Direct from Crossway: https://www.crossway.org/books/daily-doctrine-hcj/Logos users: https://www.logos.com/product/299143/daily-doctrine-a-one-year-guide-to-systematic-theology

The God who saves is the God who keeps his people for the glory to come. The everlasting life he bestows cannot be conquered even by death. The Lord Christ fully understands and entirely embraces the Father's will—it is his delight to glorify God and to bless men.Here we see the Father's will acknowledged, that salvation is in accordance with the divine purpose from before the foundation of the world. Then we trace the Father's will expressed, described both in terms of divine purpose and human experience—the Father's purposeful gift to the Son, and the beholding of and believing in the Son on the part of those who are given. Finally, we notice the Father's will accomplished, for the Father intends that the Son should raise up those given to him at the last day, and the Son intends that he will raise up all who trust in him. All this leads to great confidence and willing service to the Lord who saves and keeps, who is to be trusted with the beginning, the continuing, and the completing of our salvation.

God draws near in the gospel, revealing himself in Jesus Christ, the Son. Thus God makes a gospel promise, that "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved" (Rom 10:13). We should see the person in the promise, the Lord Jesus Christ. We should understand the condition of the promise, which is calling on the name of the Lord. We should rejoice at the hope of the promise, which is certain salvation in all its fulness. We should marvel at the breadth of the promise, for whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

In this sermon Spurgeon seeks to plumb something of the depths of Christ's grief over sin. (Interestingly, the following week, and the following printed sermon, is an effort properly to record the joy of our Lord.) The preacher begins with a brief survey of the three occasions on which our Lord wept, revealing his grief over domestic sorrow, national troubles, and human guilt. It is the second of these to which he turns his attention. Spurgeon first of all assesses the Lord's inward grief, looking at the heart from which poured forth such tears. While this might horrify some (and please others), Spurgeon also offers a fairly bold rejection of divine impassibility (which he does a few times over the course of the next few sermons, so it is no passing thought). He is not at his clearest at this point in the sermon, both with regard to Christ's two natures and the nature of God himself, perhaps seeking to communicate something of the depths of the Mediator's sorrow. But the heart which produced these tears of distress also produced words of sorrow, and these allow the preacher to trace something more of the cause of our Saviour's anguish of heart. All this leads to a pointed conclusion, in which the Spurgeon holds out not only the horror of condemnation, but also the opportunity to enter into the new Jerusalem through faith in this same Jesus who wept over the earthly city.

We are working through a book of systematic theology called "Daily Doctrine" by Kevin DeYoung (Crossway). We hope that you will join us and engage with the book as we seek to learn more about the God of heaven, and what the knowledge of him means for his pilgrim people upon earth.The whole video series can be found here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLydzd6kZnPWdDUP1Dj9CIV_hSp42WEeMb&si=ACvRi4lPPuAH1jqxIf you are in the UK you can get the book here: https://amzn.to/3ZX4ICu or https://www.icmbooks.co.uk/product/38356/Daily-Doctrine-A-One-Year-Guide-to-Systematic-Theology or https://uk.10ofthose.com/product/9781433572852/daily-doctrine-hardback.If you are in the US you can get the book here: https://amzn.to/3VSrTNq or https://www.heritagebooks.org/products/daily-doctrine-deyoung.html.Direct from Crossway: https://www.crossway.org/books/daily-doctrine-hcj/Logos users: https://www.logos.com/product/299143/daily-doctrine-a-one-year-guide-to-systematic-theology

This is one of those sermons which seems to bubble over in a torrent from the preacher's soul. Rather than broadening out, it narrows down, perhaps a reflection of pressure of time in the preaching, coming to an ever more narrow focus. The sermon begins with the excellence of a humble walk, considering what that means. It moves on to the humble walk as an evidence of salvation, with Christ in his proper place in your heart. This humble walk is also a symptom of spiritual health, calling us to self-examination, including in our response to providences which we may not appreciate. It is also a cause for very great anxiety, by which Spurgeon means that we must take it seriously, because it is too easy to presume upon. Finally, a humble walk is the source of the deepest conceivable pleasure, for "the man that leaves everything to God finds joy in everything." The sermon is a great example of unpacking a very brief phrase in a thoroughly Christian fashion, pressing it into the conscience in a way that both brings us low and lifts us up.

We are working through a book of systematic theology called "Daily Doctrine" by Kevin DeYoung (Crossway). We hope that you will join us and engage with the book as we seek to learn more about the God of heaven, and what the knowledge of him means for his pilgrim people upon earth.The whole video series can be found here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLydzd6kZnPWdDUP1Dj9CIV_hSp42WEeMb&si=ACvRi4lPPuAH1jqxIf you are in the UK you can get the book here: https://amzn.to/3ZX4ICu or https://www.icmbooks.co.uk/product/38356/Daily-Doctrine-A-One-Year-Guide-to-Systematic-Theology or https://uk.10ofthose.com/product/9781433572852/daily-doctrine-hardback.If you are in the US you can get the book here: https://amzn.to/3VSrTNq or https://www.heritagebooks.org/products/daily-doctrine-deyoung.html.Direct from Crossway: https://www.crossway.org/books/daily-doctrine-hcj/Logos users: https://www.logos.com/product/299143/daily-doctrine-a-one-year-guide-to-systematic-theology

There is little more heartbreaking than pleading with a deceived heart, led astray by ignorance, unbelief, custom, pride, or some particular sin. Isaiah warns those who are deceived into choosing idols over the living God. He tells them of the food the deceived heart eats, the path the deceived heart takes, the soul the deceived heart fails, and the truth the deceived heart spurns. What a blessing to have such a warning! What a joy to have a true Saviour, the Bread of heaven, who can satisfy the hungry soul!

How do we respond to reigning grace? How do we respond to remaining sin? Paul's answer centres on Christ's crucifixion. He reminds us of certain things we know doctrinally, practically, and experimentally. He leads us through the logic of a man crucified, leading to a power broken, resulting in a slave liberated. Faith leads us back to the cross of Christ, and there we find freedom not only from the pollution and punishment of sin, but also from its power.

This very sweet sermon takes a seminal declaration of gracious forgiveness as the starting point of a very simple treatment of this central theme. After an introduction in which he presses home the need to believe what God says concerning forgiveness, Spurgeon launches into a warm treatment of the measure, manner, and manifestations of forgiving grace. In the first he emphasises the divine largesse, the greatness of God's heart in putting away sin, the riches of divine grace. In the second, which is much like the first in tone, he calls us to reckon with God acting in accordance with those divine riches. In the third, his emphasis turns to the fact that it is through the redemption in Christ's blood that these riches of grace are revealed and bestowed. As he concludes, he returns to the thrust of his introduction, asking us whether or not it is right for believers to speak of themselves using the same language as unbelievers, to pray or praise as if we had not received the forgiveness of sins. The preacher calls us to feel the love that arises from forgiven sin, the only proper response to such wonders of grace.

We are working through a book of systematic theology called "Daily Doctrine" by Kevin DeYoung (Crossway). We hope that you will join us and engage with the book as we seek to learn more about the God of heaven, and what the knowledge of him means for his pilgrim people upon earth.The whole video series can be found here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLydzd6kZnPWdDUP1Dj9CIV_hSp42WEeMb&si=ACvRi4lPPuAH1jqxIf you are in the UK you can get the book here: https://amzn.to/3ZX4ICu or https://www.icmbooks.co.uk/product/38356/Daily-Doctrine-A-One-Year-Guide-to-Systematic-Theology or https://uk.10ofthose.com/product/9781433572852/daily-doctrine-hardback.If you are in the US you can get the book here: https://amzn.to/3VSrTNq or https://www.heritagebooks.org/products/daily-doctrine-deyoung.html.Direct from Crossway: https://www.crossway.org/books/daily-doctrine-hcj/Logos users: https://www.logos.com/product/299143/daily-doctrine-a-one-year-guide-to-systematic-theology

A typically probing sermon from Spurgeon, who is as tenacious in calling for self-examination as he is earnest in pleading the cause of Jesus Christ. Though he gives a little time to John, it is really only to set up the Baptist as the foil for Herod. At first, Spurgeon speaks charitably of all that Herod did which was "so far, so good." Then, he speaks honestly of all that Herod lacked, and how—despite some fair appearances—he ultimately had no faith in or attachment to the Jesus whom John preached. Finally, he speaks sadly of Herod's end, pleading with his hearers not to fall into Herod's trap. With characteristic precision, Spurgeon probes our souls, forcing us to ask whether or not we are dallying with faithful preachers or truly embracing the Jesus whom they preach. We cannot afford to be merely impressed; we must be converted indeed.

We are working through a book of systematic theology called "Daily Doctrine" by Kevin DeYoung (Crossway). We hope that you will join us and engage with the book as we seek to learn more about the God of heaven, and what the knowledge of him means for his pilgrim people upon earth.The whole video series can be found here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLydzd6kZnPWdDUP1Dj9CIV_hSp42WEeMb&si=ACvRi4lPPuAH1jqxIf you are in the UK you can get the book here: https://amzn.to/3ZX4ICu or https://www.icmbooks.co.uk/product/38356/Daily-Doctrine-A-One-Year-Guide-to-Systematic-Theology or https://uk.10ofthose.com/product/9781433572852/daily-doctrine-hardback.If you are in the US you can get the book here: https://amzn.to/3VSrTNq or https://www.heritagebooks.org/products/daily-doctrine-deyoung.html.Direct from Crossway: https://www.crossway.org/books/daily-doctrine-hcj/Logos users: https://www.logos.com/product/299143/daily-doctrine-a-one-year-guide-to-systematic-theology

The Lord continues to watch over and guide his church, putting in place all the proper pieces and players for the progress of his kingdom.Here Saul of Tarsus returns from Damascus to Jerusalem, seeking the company of the saints. We follow the history, seeing a cool reception, a good friend, a warm embrace, a bold testimony, and a second escape, all followed by a sweet summary of kingdom progress.The fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Spirit produce a spiritual vitality which glorifies God as the believers are multiplied, with a foundation laid for the next stage of gospel progress.

A single saint can face some problems and challenges in what may be a season of desire, drifting, distress, desperation, or even despair. But the Scriptures give good examples of happy, healthy, holy men and women of faith who serve the Lord well despite occasional pains and problems.So, what are the principles and practices which should govern the single state? It should or could be a season of purpose, of prayer, of purity, of preparation, of possibilities, of prospects, and of pursuit. The great things is to glorify God in whatever state you have been called.

Here Spurgeon considers two offices of Christ, those of Judge and Saviour, as they are found in him as Mediator. Both, he suggests, have reference to mankind as sinners, and then he unpacks what that means, and the relationship which they have to each other, and how the one leads us to the other. It is, on some levels, a very simple sermon, and yet the tracing out of the two offices—without being overly clever and showy—enables the preacher to press home the realities of both sin and grace, concluding with an earnest plea to come to the Saviour who forgives in order that you might not be judged as you deserve. It is a good example of a sermon which seems quite straightforward on the surface (albeit Spurgeon's headings require a little more careful thought than is sometimes the case) while having and drawing out depths of understanding beneath it and behind it.

We are working through a book of systematic theology called "Daily Doctrine" by Kevin DeYoung (Crossway). We hope that you will join us and engage with the book as we seek to learn more about the God of heaven, and what the knowledge of him means for his pilgrim people upon earth.The whole video series can be found here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLydzd6kZnPWdDUP1Dj9CIV_hSp42WEeMb&si=ACvRi4lPPuAH1jqxIf you are in the UK you can get the book here: https://amzn.to/3ZX4ICu or https://www.icmbooks.co.uk/product/38356/Daily-Doctrine-A-One-Year-Guide-to-Systematic-Theology or https://uk.10ofthose.com/product/9781433572852/daily-doctrine-hardback.If you are in the US you can get the book here: https://amzn.to/3VSrTNq or https://www.heritagebooks.org/products/daily-doctrine-deyoung.html.Direct from Crossway: https://www.crossway.org/books/daily-doctrine-hcj/Logos users: https://www.logos.com/product/299143/daily-doctrine-a-one-year-guide-to-systematic-theology

Though Paul's life is distinctive, it is also imitable. Here we see the early days of his life as a disciple: the people he was with; the proclamation he proved from Scripture; the progress he made; the persecution he endured; and, the preservation he enjoyed. In these respects, we all have something to learn.

What is a Christian? Are you a Christian? When Paul celebrates God's grace toward the Thessalonians, and the reception of his gospel, he identifies their penitent faith (turning to God from idols), their lively love (serving the living and true God), and their eager hope (waiting for the return of the risen Jesus, their Redeemer). Here are the marks of real spiritual life, and here are lives which are sounding boards for gospel truth.

This rallying-cry is drawn from Moses' question to Israel when sin was rampant among the people, and the sermon is preached shortly after a general election when men had been choosing a side. Spurgeon uses the political and social climate to impress upon our souls spiritual truth. After drawing attention to the character of Moses, Spurgeon looks at the question and command which issues from him, in terms of decision, avowal, and consecration. He elevates it to the very question of salvation and extends it to every consequent decision which a believer makes in the service of Christ. With characteristic intensity, the preacher calls for an entire commitment to the Lord based on our relationship to him as our Creator, Redeemer, and Preserver, and applies it closely to his own society, and—by extension—to ours, asking about our modes of worship, our casual superstitions, our sinful amusements, and our general tampering with principle. As so often, we are called to repentance and to correction, stirred and drawn by the King whom we serve and the matters which are at stake.

We are working through a book of systematic theology called "Daily Doctrine" by Kevin DeYoung (Crossway). We hope that you will join us and engage with the book as we seek to learn more about the God of heaven, and what the knowledge of him means for his pilgrim people upon earth.The whole video series can be found here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLydzd6kZnPWdDUP1Dj9CIV_hSp42WEeMb&si=ACvRi4lPPuAH1jqxIf you are in the UK you can get the book here: https://amzn.to/3ZX4ICu or https://www.icmbooks.co.uk/product/38356/Daily-Doctrine-A-One-Year-Guide-to-Systematic-Theology or https://uk.10ofthose.com/product/9781433572852/daily-doctrine-hardback.If you are in the US you can get the book here: https://amzn.to/3VSrTNq or https://www.heritagebooks.org/products/daily-doctrine-deyoung.html.Direct from Crossway: https://www.crossway.org/books/daily-doctrine-hcj/Logos users: https://www.logos.com/product/299143/daily-doctrine-a-one-year-guide-to-systematic-theology