There is one brother's blog that I have been reading for the last couple of years that I have really appreciated. His name is Don Johnson and the church he pastors is Grace Baptist Church in Victoria, BC. I have not previously linked to him because he is not KJVonly. I wanted to pass on links from his site with a disclaimer: I don't agree with every single thing he has posted (nor with the statements here and there differing from the KJV), but there is much I have been blessed by. Read his sermon outlines with discernment and with your King James Bible in front of you, and I think you will find much that you can glean from.
His blog is entitled An Oxgoad, Eh?, and I read him mainly for his sermon outlines - though many times I have found his insights into problems in Fundamentalism or with the Young Fundamentals worth considering. If you add his blog to a Blog reader, you will be notified whenever he posts new sermons and sermon outlines.
All his new outlines are found on his church website: Grace Baptist Church. Currently I am working my way through his series on Romans. Also his series on communion messages from Leviticus has been worthwhile. The entries in this section contain links to audio files for each sermon as well as the sermon outlines (which is what I use - I don't really have the time to listen to many online sermons).
His older sermon outlines (but not audio files) can be found here: Thru NT Sermon Notes (I highly recommend reading through this series. His expository preaching contains many useful illustrations and is much like a commentary. For someone like me looking for additional insight on messages I am working on, I find this source helpful) and Other Sermons (Here you will find an assortment of messages, including the earlier ones in his series on Leviticus, Romans, Prayer, and The Church. His series on Law, Legalism and Life was also good).
The following excerpt is taken from one of his messages on the book of Romans, entitled From Faith To Faith. I have simply chosen the title below in order for others to be able to find this blog entry easily within the Table of Contents. I have also included each verse from the passage below that Bro. Don refers to.
The Life Of Faith
There are several passages that illustrate what a life of faith looks like – the fruit of the Spirit, Gal 5, the wisdom from above, Jas 3 – but the passage that is perhaps most comprehensive is the Beatitudes: Mt 5
a. The poor in spirit
Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
b. They that mourn
Matthew 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
c. The meek
Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
d. They which do hunger and thirst after righteousness
Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
e. The merciful
Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
f. The pure in heart
Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
g. The peacemakers
Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
h. They which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake
Matthew 5:10-12 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Let me ask you some questions. Have you believed in Christ? Is the first part of our text true of you — ‘righteousness … out of faith’? Then answer this:
· Is your righteousness out of faith revealing itself into a humble poverty of spirit that seeks and submits to Christian teaching and way of life?
· Is your righteousness out of faith revealing itself into a sorrowful repentance from sin when you fail to live out God’s will?
· Is your righteousness out of faith revealing itself into a sweet spirit that controls the passions and seeks to serve in meekness instead of pushing for my own way?
· Is your righteousness out of faith revealing itself into a genuine hunger and thirst after righteousness every day of your life? Do you desire to be righteous? Do you desire the things of God?
· Is your righteousness out of faith revealing itself into a merciful demeanor that loves the unlovely, that gives to those who don’t deserve it?
· Is your righteousness out of faith revealing itself into purity of heart, free from the pollution of worldliness and filthiness?
· Is your righteousness out of faith revealing itself into a spirit that seeks to be at peace and make peace with brethren whose desires conflict with your own?
· Is your righteousness out of faith revealing itself into a testimony that provokes the world’s anger – not because of your obnoxiousness, but because of your holiness?
Excerpt taken from From Faith To Faith by Don Johnson.
(Used With Permission)
His blog is entitled An Oxgoad, Eh?, and I read him mainly for his sermon outlines - though many times I have found his insights into problems in Fundamentalism or with the Young Fundamentals worth considering. If you add his blog to a Blog reader, you will be notified whenever he posts new sermons and sermon outlines.
All his new outlines are found on his church website: Grace Baptist Church. Currently I am working my way through his series on Romans. Also his series on communion messages from Leviticus has been worthwhile. The entries in this section contain links to audio files for each sermon as well as the sermon outlines (which is what I use - I don't really have the time to listen to many online sermons).
His older sermon outlines (but not audio files) can be found here: Thru NT Sermon Notes (I highly recommend reading through this series. His expository preaching contains many useful illustrations and is much like a commentary. For someone like me looking for additional insight on messages I am working on, I find this source helpful) and Other Sermons (Here you will find an assortment of messages, including the earlier ones in his series on Leviticus, Romans, Prayer, and The Church. His series on Law, Legalism and Life was also good).
The following excerpt is taken from one of his messages on the book of Romans, entitled From Faith To Faith. I have simply chosen the title below in order for others to be able to find this blog entry easily within the Table of Contents. I have also included each verse from the passage below that Bro. Don refers to.
The Life Of Faith
There are several passages that illustrate what a life of faith looks like – the fruit of the Spirit, Gal 5, the wisdom from above, Jas 3 – but the passage that is perhaps most comprehensive is the Beatitudes: Mt 5
a. The poor in spirit
Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
b. They that mourn
Matthew 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
c. The meek
Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
d. They which do hunger and thirst after righteousness
Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
e. The merciful
Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
f. The pure in heart
Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
g. The peacemakers
Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
h. They which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake
Matthew 5:10-12 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Let me ask you some questions. Have you believed in Christ? Is the first part of our text true of you — ‘righteousness … out of faith’? Then answer this:
· Is your righteousness out of faith revealing itself into a humble poverty of spirit that seeks and submits to Christian teaching and way of life?
· Is your righteousness out of faith revealing itself into a sorrowful repentance from sin when you fail to live out God’s will?
· Is your righteousness out of faith revealing itself into a sweet spirit that controls the passions and seeks to serve in meekness instead of pushing for my own way?
· Is your righteousness out of faith revealing itself into a genuine hunger and thirst after righteousness every day of your life? Do you desire to be righteous? Do you desire the things of God?
· Is your righteousness out of faith revealing itself into a merciful demeanor that loves the unlovely, that gives to those who don’t deserve it?
· Is your righteousness out of faith revealing itself into purity of heart, free from the pollution of worldliness and filthiness?
· Is your righteousness out of faith revealing itself into a spirit that seeks to be at peace and make peace with brethren whose desires conflict with your own?
· Is your righteousness out of faith revealing itself into a testimony that provokes the world’s anger – not because of your obnoxiousness, but because of your holiness?
Excerpt taken from From Faith To Faith by Don Johnson.
(Used With Permission)
Bro. Jerry
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the heads up and you are welcome to use any of my material any way you see fit. The good stuff is from the Lord and the other stuff... well, you know...
As for the versions, I have a great deal of respect for those who hold to the KJV as the best translation in English. There are some strong arguments for the position, so I do not hold you in disdain! As I understand it, there are stronger arguments that persuade me otherwise, but it seems to me that both positions have to base some arguments on presuppositions and not revelation. Therefore, I am charitable towards those of an opposing view and hope they can benefit from my work in the same way.
May the Lord bless you in your ministry. One of these days we will have to get together for a cafe! Hopefully on this side of glory! (I am sure there must be cafe in glory, don't you think?)
God bless!
Maranatha!
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3
Thank you for replying, Bro Don. I have been blessed and exhorted many times by your sermon outlines and blog posts. Because of my blogs and websites being KJVonly, I wanted to include that disclaimer - but I appreciate that even though we don't see exactly eye-to-eye on the Bible version issue, you do not belittle your brethren or tear down the KJV (just quote from other versions). I wanted to give credit where credit is due, and make available to my readers some sites that have challenged and strengthened me in my Christian walk, and at times opened the Bible up to me. God bless.
ReplyDeleteI also wanted to let you know, I used this excerpt from your sermon (plus a few personal comments) as the lunch devotional at the Gospel Mission yesterday. I believe this message will bear more fruit - the clients at the Mission were really listening.
ReplyDelete