Arthur W. Pink

JESUS! In Word and Song

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WEEK 49

THE NARROW GATE

 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few”(Matt 7:13-14 ESV).

One way to conclude whether our conversion-to-salvation experience is GOD-pleasing or not is to review our love for Him. Are our affections increasing or have they stopped now that we are satisfied we are Christians in good standing?

“The Scriptures everywhere represent the seeking, striving, and labour of a Christian, as being chiefly after his conversion, and his conversion as being but the beginning of his work.”1 “[M]any have all their striving and wrestling over before they are converted; and so having an easy time of it afterwards, to sit down and enjoy their sloth and indolence.”2

[T]hese false affections make him confident. [T]here are no more earnest longings. The man now is far from appearing to himself a poor empty creature. [H]e is rich and hardly conceives of anything more excellent than what he has already attained to. [T]here is an end to their crying and striving after God and grace.3

They have embraced “[c]heap grace that emphasizes emotional wholeness over spiritual maturity, self-esteem over self-denial, peace of mind over peace with God. It is a false gospel that presumes upon God to accept them on their terms and obligates him to reward them for their sincerity and good intentions.”4

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Matt 7:21 ESV).

So, our “spirit-check” is to ask ourselves if we are content with our interaction with GOD. True Christians are never content. They labor to cast out selfishness in order to please their heavenly FATHER—“Nothing short of the complete denying of self is what He claims from every one who would have communion with Himself.”5

The more a true saint loves God the more he hates sin, the more he desires to hate it, and laments that he has so much remaining love to it; the more he mourns for sin, the more he longs to mourn for sin; the more his heart is broke, the more he desires it should be broke: the more he thirsts and longs after God and holiness, the more he longs to long.6

“We are to come constantly to the Throne of Grace, that we may there find grace to help us repudiate and turn away with loathing from everything which is abhorred by God.”7

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ENDNOTES

(49) The Narrow Gate

            1. Jonathan Edwards, The Religious Affections (Carlisle, PA: THE BANNER OF TRUTH TRUST, 2004) 306.

            2. Edwards, 307.

            3. Edwards, 306.

            4. Denny Johnson, “Sermon on the Mount, Part B,” New Hope Church sermon notes, 14 November 2021: 7-8.

            5. Arthur W. Pink, “The Narrow Way,” Studies in the Scriptures XI (January 1932) : 22.

            6. Jonathan Edwards, The Religious Affections (Carlisle, PA: THE BANNER OF TRUTH TRUST, 2004) 303.

            7. Arthur W. Pink, “The Narrow Way,” Studies in the Scriptures XI (January 1932) : 24.

            8. Denny Johnson, “Sermon on the Mount, Part B,” New Hope Church sermon notes, 14 November 2021: 7-8.

            9. Johnson, 3.

            10. “Draw me after you; let us run” (Song of Solomon 1:4 ESV).

            11. “Behold, you are beautiful, my love” (Song of Solomon 1:15 ESV).

            12. “We will exult and rejoice in you” (Song of Solomon 1:4 ESV).

            13. “[W]e will extol your love more than wine” (Song of Solomon 1:4 ESV).

JESUS! In Word and Song

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WEEK 48

THIS JESUS—

WHAT HE DID FOR ME_2

  • JESUS pities my weaknesses: (Heb 4:15).

“Jesus is able to identify with his people because of his human experience and the sufferings he endured while being tempted.”1

  • My sin was assigned to CHRIST and His righteousness to me: (2 Cor 5:21).

“God has imputed the believer’s sin to Christ and likewise imputes Christ’s righteousness to the believer.”2

  • In CHRIST I am blessed with every spiritual blessing: (Eph 1:3).

“God hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in which life and immortality are brought to light by the Gospel,”3 “in things suited to prepare us for heaven.”4

  • JESUS gave me the HOLY SPIRIT: (Titus 3:5-7).

“I tell you the truth, it is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you’ (John 15:5-7).”5

  • I have fellowship with the FATHER and the SON: (1 Cor 1:9).

Only upon the broad basis of His Law honored, His holiness secured, and His justice satisfied, can God, in the way of mercy, have communication with the sinner. Here we see the great glory of Jesus as the God-Man Mediator. His atoning work opens a channel through which God, without compromising a single perfection of His nature, can communicate the saving and sanctifying power of His grace to the soul.6

  • He saved me from GOD’s wrath: (1 Thes 1:10).

“Christians go beyond avoiding God’s wrath and actually rejoice in the same God who would pour our wrath on them were it not for Christ.”7

  • CHRIST gives me eternal life: (Heb 9:12).

“[T]he Lord Jesus obtained eternal redemption for His people, and, by rising as the Representative, gave pledge that they too should rise after His example, through His merits and power.”8

  • The believer’s participation in the divine nature of Christ: (2 Pet 1:4).

“From Christ as from a fountain sanctification flows into the souls of the saints.”9

As was the Master, so must the servant be. On His way to the cross, He looked round and said, ‘Follow me’ (Joh 12:26). On his way to the throne, after He had passed the cross, He said the same (Joh 21:22). To the cross and to the crown alike, then, we are to follow Him. It is one way to both.10

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ENDNOTES

(48) JESUS Is the Mediator

            1. ESV Study Bible, English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2001, ESV Text Edition: 2011) 2367.

            2. ESV Study Bible, 2231.

            3. Adam Clarke, “Commentary on Ephesians 1:3,” 1832, Adam Clarke Commentary, 2 March 2021 https://www.studylight.org/commentary/ephesians/1-3.html#verse-acc.

            4. Albert Barnes, “Commentary on Ephesians 1:3,” 1870, Barnes’ Notes on the Whole Bible, 2 March 2021 https://www.studylight.org/commentary/ephesians/1-3.html#verse-bnb.

            5. Arthur W. Pink, “The Exaltation of Christ,” Studies in the Scriptures XI (August 1932) : 2.

            6. Octavius Winslow, “Christ and Sanctification,” Free Grace Broadcaster 215 (2011) : 15.

            7. ESV Study Bible, English Standard Version, (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2001, ESV Text Edition: 2011) 2166.

            8. Arthur W. Pink, “The Exaltation of Christ,” Studies in the Scriptures XI (August 1932) : 1.

            9. Dane C. Ortlund, Deeper (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2021) 51.

            10. Horativus Bonar, “Let Us Then Shine!,” Free Grace Broadcaster 215 (2011) : 42.

            11. “Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant . . .” (Hebrews 9:15 ESV).

            12. “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,” (1 Timothy 2:5 ESV).

            13. “Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant . . .” (Hebrews 9:15 ESV).

            14. “For it is witnessed of him, ‘You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.’” (Hebrews 7:17 ESV).

            15. “This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant” (Hebrews 7:22 ESV).

            16. “If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it” (John 14:14 ESV).

            17. “ . . . the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” (John 14:26 ESV).

            18. “. . . the Lamb . . . is Lord of lords and King of kings . . .” (Revelations 17:14 ESV).

            19. “ . . . Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen” (Romans 9:5 ESV).

            20. “ . . . To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18 ESV).

CREATION

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PROVIDENCE

“In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind” (Job 12:10 ESV).

FATHER, It is so good to remind myself of who is in control of all the situations that I face.  I have such a tendency to forget the greatness of You.  You make Yourself so approachable I forget Your eminence.

FATHER, remind me of Your eminence.  You sit above the circle of the earth and all us inhabitants are like grasshoppers to You.

You bring anyone easily to nothing.  You blow on us and we wither, and the tempest carries us off like stubble (Isa 40:22-24). Yet, for those who wait for You, though we be faint, weary, and exhausted You renew our strength (Isa 40:30-31).

“’Providence is that continued exercise of the divine energy whereby the Creator upholds all His creatures, is operative in all that transpires in the world, and directs all things to their appointed end’” David Martyn Lloyd-Jones (ref#189, Aug 25th).

“…the plan of God comprehends and determines all things and events of every kind that comes to pass….A little sparrow drops dead and falls to the ground.  Accident…Chance.  Not at all!…There are events that appear to be quite accidental, but they are controlled by God” David Martyn Lloyd-Jones (ref#233, p 11-12).

“What are God’s works of providence?  A: God’s works of providence are His most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing all His creatures and all their actions. (Spurgeon’s Catechism, Q. 11) Arthur W. Pink (ref#231, p2).

“…even the hairs of your head are all numbered”(Matt 10:30 ESV).

PRELUDE TO PRAYER

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Prayer Facts:

“Real prayer is communion with God, so that there will be common thoughts between His mind and ours. What is needed is for Him to fill our hearts with His thoughts, and then His desires will become our desires flowing back to Him” Arthur W. Pink (ref#152, p140).

Reasons for Waiting for GOD:

Because the HOLY SPIRIT imparts grace—that unmerited favor and blessings of You, FATHER (Heb 10:29), I will wait for You.

Because the SPIRIT writes Your law on my heart (Isa 59:21), I will wait for You.

Because the SPIRIT is the down payment of my heritage (Eph 1:14), I will wait for You.

Because the HOLY SPIRIT examines everything even the divine counsels and things hidden beyond my scrutiny (1 Cor 2:10), I will wait for You.

Read Through the Bible in a Year: Dec 2nd – 8th

Dec 2   Ps 86-87; Rev 16

Dec 3   Ps 88-89; Rev 17

Dec 4   Ps 91-92; Rev 18

Dec 5   Ps 93-94; Rev 19

Dec 6   Ps 95-96; Rev 20

Dec 7   Ps 97-98; Rev 21

Dec 8   Ps 99-100; Rev 22

PRELUDE TO PRAYER

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Prayer Facts:

“Prayer is an act of worship inasmuch as it is the prostrating of the soul before Him; inasmuch as it is a calling upon His great and holy name; inasmuch as it is the owning of His goodness, His power, His immutability, His grace, and inasmuch as it is the recognition of His sovereignty, owned by a submission to His will” Arthur W. Pink (ref#152, p136).

 

Reasons for Waiting for GOD:

Because You know the secrets of the heart (Ps 44:21), I will wait for You.

Because You do not regard the rich more than the poor (Job 34:19), I will wait for You.

Because You are a shield to those who put their trust in You (Prov 30:5), I will wait for You.

Because You will not abandon Your heritage (Ps 94:14), I will wait for You.

 

Read Through the Bible in a Year: July 1st – 7th

July 1  Song 5-8; Matt 27

July 2  1 Kings 12; 2 Chron 10-11; Matt 28

July 3  1 Kings 13-14; 2 Chron 12: 1 Thes 1

July 4  1 Kings 15; 2 Chron 13-14; 1 Thes 2

July 5 1 Kings 16; 2 Chron 15-16; Ps 40

July 6 1 Kings 17-19; 1 Thes 3

July 7 1 Kings 20-21; 2 Chron 17; 1 Thes 4

PRELUDE TO PRAYER

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Prayer Facts:

“Prayer is not so much an act as it is an attitude—an attitude of dependency, dependency upon God. Prayer is a confession of creature weakness, yea, of helplessness. Prayer is the acknowledgment of our need and the spreading of it before God” Arthur Pink (ref#152, p141).

Reasons for Waiting for GOD:

Because You are high yet have respect to the lowly, bringing them into fellowship with You, but the proud and haughty You know and recognize only at a distance (Ps 138:6), I will wait for you.

Because You take thought and plans for me when I am poor and needy (Ps 40:17), I will wait for You.

Because if I call on You, You will show me great and mighty things (Jer 33:3), I will wait for you.

Because You will bless those who reverently and worshipfully fear You (Ps 115:13), I will wait for You.

Read Through the Bible in a Year: April 8th – 14th

Apr 8              1 Sam 6-7; 1 Cor 2

Apr 9              1 Sam 8-10; 1 Cor 3

Apr 10            1 Sam 11-12; 1 Chron 1

Apr 11            1 Sam 13; 1 Chron 2-3; 1 Cor 4

Apr 12            1 Sam 14; 1 Chron 4; 1 Cor 5

Apr 13            1 Sam 15-16; 1 Chron 5; 1 Cor 6

Apr 14            1 Sam 17; Ps 9

ADORATION

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REGENERATION

screen-shot-2016-10-20-at-4-13-20-pm “Ever-flowing Fountain of love,

words fail me;

I cannot forget You,

You who promised

to remember me;

when I teetered on the edge of destruction,

You rescued me and

relieved me beyond my fondest hopes…” Thomas a’Kempis (ref#147, p140).

Your rescue, FATHER, You call “regeneration”—the part where You act alone to bring me my spiritual new birth (Titus 3:4-7). “This new birth is viewed by Scripture as something that God does within us in order to enable us to believe” Wayne Grudem (ref#63, p703).

You work in my heart in ways I could not comprehend but the result was that You enabled me to believe You, to seek You, and to trust You (ref#63, p708).

“The new birth is no mere turning over a new leaf, but is the inception and reception of a new life. It is no mere reformation but a Complete transformation. In short, the new birth is a miracle, the result of the supernatural operation of God. It is radical, revolutionary, lasting” Arthur W. Pink (ref#152, p91).

FATHER, Your Son enables me to live a new life. I now can identify myself completely with Him. “…My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress…” You, FATHER (Gal 2:20 MSG). With joy I throw away my needs for fame to proclaim Your excellencies (1 Pet 2:9).

SABBATH

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RESTING ON THE LORD’S DAY IN HOPES OF THE GREAT REST TO COME

“I will cause you to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed you with the heritage of Jacob” (Isa 58:13-14). In that way is the Sabbath to be sanctified — withdrawing the mind from temporal things, abstaining from all secular work and fleshly gratification, not allowing ourselves that liberty of speech as on other days, but setting our affections on things above, performing holy duties, and rejoicing in what that day celebrates (Psalm 118:22-24). Then shall we be lifted above this world, anticipate Heaven, and be favored with blessed foretastes thereof. The saint should be most in his element when he is wholly at leisure to joy in the Lord” Arthur W. Pink (ref#216).

“There remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God” (Heb. 4:9). In our glorification, we will finally and fully rest from our sin and the weariness of laboring in a creation that is suffering the effects of the Lord’s curse. Resting on the Lord’s Day is an anticipation of that glorious reality and a means by which we can live in the present that life we will enjoy fully in the future” (ref#215).

“…the new-born heart lives habitually above. Its whole employ flows in a holy course. But when the Sabbath comes, God is not only mixed in every thought, but God and His work alone are present. The Scripture is the only Book. Things heavenly are the only converse. God’s service is the one concern” William Law (ref#214).

“The Sabbath…provides leisure to gain grace” William Law (ref#214). Sabbath, in the end, isn’t something to be observed but something to be celebrated” R.C. Sproul, Jr. (ref#213).

ADORATION

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SCRIPTURE AND THE SPIRIT

Screen Shot 2016-03-15 at 4.42.33 PM…FATHER, the words You have set in Your Bible are encased in human language but they are not limited to what the human mind can perceive (ref#79, p150). I recognize biblical writings as informative, intriguing, or entertaining but my mind can do nothing to connect me with the words—nothing to change the condition of my heart. Only by the SPIRIT does the words become personal.

“God’s language in his book is alive and full of power. Sharper than a two-edged sword, it cuts open the very thought life of people. It exposes and interprets what they think and feel” Will Metzger (ref#79, p150).

The SPIRIT’s witness to Scripture is not revealing new information but shedding light on what is already written. With the SPIRIT present to interpret the precious words for me my whole being is impressed upon. I am able to react to the words in the same way I sense taste and color (ref#56, p1677, “The Authentication of Scripture”). “As I saturate my life with the Word, I give the Spirit a vocabulary to personalize the Word to me” Paul E. Miller (ref#62, p246). Surely the inward work of the HOLY SPIRIT persuades and assures me that what I’m reading is written for me.

“We read the Scriptures in vain unless we come to them earnestly desiring a better knowledge of God’s will for us…” Arthur W. Pink (ref#152, p173).

SABBATH

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IS THE SEVENTH DAY SATURDAY, SUNDAY, OR ANY DAY?

“…Genesis 2 contains nothing whatever that enables us to determine which day of our week this primal “seventh day” was….All we do know—and it is all that is necessary for us to know—is that the seventh day was the day that followed six days of manual work…” Arthur W. Pink (ref#177).

“…the holy rest day should be one out of every seven….The command is simply work six, rest one. Every seventh day should be a Sabbath” John Piper (ref#169). So to keep the Sabbath means that one day a week we do not do our normal work. Since some people have jobs that include working on Sunday, they are free to choose another day, however every effort should be made to make their Sabbath the day their local Christian fellowship meets to gain the benefit of corporate worship.

“The Lord Jesus kept the Sabbath day. The change from the seventh to the first day of the week rather confirms than abolishes this divine institution. Call it the Lord’s day in preference to the Sabbath, if you so desire. The term “Lord’s day” rather enforces than diminishes our obligation to its proper observance” C. E. Hunter (ref#171).

“…the apostles were divinely inspired to make that change, and at the same time wisely directed to make no public decree about it. The decree would only have raised a ferment in the Jewish mind and caused needless offence; the change was one that it was better to effect gradually, and not to force on the consciences of weak brethren. The change did not interfere with the spirit of the Fourth Commandment in the smallest degree: the Lord’s Day, on the first day of the week, was just as much a day of rest after six days’ labor, as the seventh-day Sabbath had been” J. C. Ryle (ref#178).

The Old Testament saints looked forward to CHRIST, while we look back to CHRIST. GOD rested after completing creation. (It is the Jewish Sabbath.) CHRIST rested after completing redemption. (It is the Christian LORD’s Day.) And CHRIST’s return (second coming) is heaven—our final rest (ref#169)!