RE: [TruthTalk] On playing chess & On reading/interpreting the Scriptures for living (not for 'A' living)

[Kevin Deegan]

CHRISTMAS EVANS, who was born to this earth on Christmas Day 1766, and after seventeen years in his poor home could neither read nor write. What good could such an ignorant lad do in this wise world? Very little, but for the grace of God, which grace was ministered unto him abundantly in Jesus Christ. He was converted to God soon after his seventeenth birthday, and later was ordained as a Baptist missionary in Wales. Coming into "the fullness of the blessing of the Gospel of Christ," he laboured in such apostolic power, and was owned of God in the salvation of souls and the formation of local churches so marvellously that men called him "The Apostle of Wales." His preaching was in such demonstration of the Spirit and of power that Paxton Hood said, "His are very great sermons; the present writer is almost disposed to be bold enough to describe them as the greatest Gospel sermons of the last 100' years."

 

CHARLES HADDON SPURGEON has been universally granted the title of "THE PRINCE OF PREACHERS." Writers of all Christian denominations arise to call him "Blessed"! Coming to London in 1854, he took the city by storm. Thousands flocked to hear him, and multitudes remained to receive the Saviour. In spite of a veritable bombardment of abuse from the platform, pulpit, press and post, he pressed on with the great Evangel, and at one time he preached to 12,000 persons in the immense building called the "Royal Surrey Gardens." "No preacher since Wesley," said Dr. Carlisle, "had faced such an audience." Then came tragedy. There Was a false alarm of fire, and panic broke out in one of his meetings. Seven people were killed and many injured.

Surely this will sound the death-knell of his London ministry! Not so. In a few months he is drawing the same marvellous congregations and, ere long, he has erected his own great Metropolitan Tabernacle, where, for thirty years he preached the Gospel of the grace of God to a regular congregation of 5,000 people, and could humbly testify that he believed every seat in that vast building had witnessed a conversion to God. In 1890, just before his death, he asked this question, "How many thousands have been converted here?". Then, replying to his own question, he said, "There has not been a single day but what I have heard of two, three or four, having been converted and that not for one, two or three years, but for the last ten years." Surely an unmatched testimony to the power of the Gospel.

Yes, it was Spurgeon's preaching of the Gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit, that challenged London and the English- speaking world, and forced all to admit it was "the power of God unto salvation." At his death he had a membership of well over 5,000 people in the Tabernacle, which, according to Dr. Carlisle, was the largest membership of any English- speaking church in the world, at that time.

What was the secret of this country boy's triumph? Not outstanding scholarship, -- he never passed through a theological college or university. Not academic distinctions, -- he refused all degrees and diplomas. Not playing to the gallery of popular opinion, -- he was a Puritan of the Puritans.

http://www.picknowl.com.au/homepages/rlister/ridley/jrwho1.htm

ShieldsFamily <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

Matthew 11:25

At that time Jesus said, "I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants.

  

-----Original Message-----
Another stepping stone is establishing whether or not maturity

is necessary for understanding the intent of Scripture.  Also, must one

apply himself to diligent study for years, perhaps at a university, in order

to understand the intent of Scripture?  My answer, of course, is no.  God's

purpose, in fact, is to confound the wisdom of the mighty.  Those who apply

themselves to years of study are actually more likely to miss the intended

meaning of Scritpure!  This statement may shock the educated on this list,

but this is my perspective.  We may never be able to fully explore these

questions because interest is lacking among the participants here.  Lance

has asked to drop the subject, and so we will do unless someone else

expresses and interest in pursuing it.  There is a whole lot more to be said

on this subject, some very thrilling concepts of truth, but it is only for

those who have ears to hear.

 

Peace be with you.

David Miller.

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