Friday Round Up

(1) Ligonier has some SUPER deals today on some excellent material in this week’s $5 Friday sale starting at 8 am EST. Check it out here.

Remember, if you decide to purchase material, you can claim a further 10% discount on these and on ALL Ligonier products as a reader of this blog by using the coupon code: EGRACE10

(2) I love this quote: “In the very beginning, when this great universe lay in the mind of God, like unborn forests in the acorn cup; long ere the echoes awoke the solitudes; before the mountains were brought forth; and long ere the light flashed through the sky, God loved His chosen creatures. Before there was any created being—when the ether was not fanned by an angel’s wing, when space itself had not an existence, when there was nothing save God alone—even then, in that loneliness of Deity, and in that deep quiet and profundity, His bowels moved with love for His chosen. Their names were written on His heart, and then were they dear to His soul. Jesus loved His people before the foundation of the world—even from eternity! and when He called me by His grace, He said to me, “I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.”

Then, in the fulness of time, He purchased me with His blood; He let His heart run out in one deep gaping wound for me long ere I loved Him. Yea, when He first came to me, did I not spurn Him? When He knocked at the door, and asked for entrance, did I not drive Him away, and do despite to His grace? Ah, I can remember that I full often did so until, at last, by the power of His effectual grace, He said, “I must, I will come in;” and then He turned my heart, and made me love Him. But even till now I should have resisted Him, had it not been for His grace. Well, then since He purchased me when I was dead in sins, does it not follow, as a consequence necessary and logical, that He must have loved me first? Did my Saviour die for me because I believed on Him? No; I was not then in existence; I had then no being. Could the Saviour, therefore, have died because I had faith, when I myself was not yet born? Could that have been possible? Could that have been the origin of the Saviour’s love towards me? Oh! no; my Saviour died for me long before I believed. “But,” says someone, “He foresaw that you would have faith; and, therefore, He loved you.” What did He foresee about my faith? Did He foresee that I should get that faith myself, and that I should believe on Him of myself? No; Christ could not foresee that, because no Christian man will ever say that faith came of itself without the gift and without the working of the Holy Spirit. I have met with a great many believers, and talked with them about this matter; but I never knew one who could put his hand on his heart, and say, “I believed in Jesus without the assistance of the Holy Spirit.”” – C. H. Spurgeon (Sermon – A Defense of Calvinism)

(3) India Outreach:

You may remember we provided 10,000 copies of the Gospel tract I wrote “The Thief on the Cross” in the Malayalam language which were handed out to people in the state of Kerala at Easter time. The response and feedback to this very clear gospel presentation has been so encouraging that we made a tentative inquiry to find out how much it would cost for 100,000 tracts to be printed.

Whereas the cost for 10,000 tracts was approximately $400 USA Dollars, the cost for 100,000 tracts will be $2,600.00. This is the full cost, which includes paper, printing, shipping and distribution handling costs. As you can see, there is a substantial savings (per tract) when there is a larger quantity being printed.

Perhaps this Gospel outreach is something you or your church might like to get behind and support. If so, just write to me and I will give you further details.

Goal: $2,600.00

Amount received (as of 8/5/11): $330.00

(4) From the archives here: This is what happens when a gentleman with a sincere question about election approaches Paul Washer (unannounced) and someone else has a video camera standing by ready to record. In spite of the sound quality issues (thankfully the entire conversation is readable in subtitles on the screen), I am sure the explanation given here can be helpful for many people:

(5) Ever Notice How God Always Fails In “Free-Will” Theology? by AllforHisgloryalone

#1 He desires all men (their meaning = every individual) to be saved, but does not accomplish this. Fail.

#2 If He is lifted up, He will draw all men (their meaning = every individual) , but yet all men do not come, another fail.

#3 He paid in full all the sins of all men and died to save them, (their meaning = every individual) yet some go to hell and still have to pay, another fail.

#4 John 6:39-40 John 10 27-29 God fails again, because their theology says true believers can become lost.

#5 Sovereign Lord and King of kings, another fail, for He must submit to and cannot violate or impose upon their free will.

I could go on, but no.

The God of the Bible does not fail, Ever! (Isaiah 46:8-11). He is mighty to save, sanctify, to keep, to persevere, & to glorify.

If He died for you, you will be saved.
If He gives you eternal life, its eternal.
If He draws you, you will come.
If He changes you, you are truly changed
If you are His and go astray, He will come get you and restore you.
If He is Sovereign King of kings, He will not bow the knee to man’s will.

(6) This is very funny and there are so many applications for this:

Intro to Reformed Theology: A Calvinist Survival Guide (eBook)

If you enjoy in depth Bible study and the eBook experience, Historical, and Christ-Centered by Nathan Pitchford
The Reformed Faith by Loraine Boettner
God Glorified in Man’s Dependence by Jonathan Edwards
The Plan of Salvation by B. B. Warfield

Part II: Calvinism in General

A Defence of Calvinism by C. H. Spurgeon
The Five Points of Calvinism by R. L. Dabney
Calvinism Today by B. B. Warfield
More Than a Calvinist by John Newton

Part III: The Sovereignty of God

God’s Sovereignty in the Salvation of Men by Jonathan Edwards
The Sole Consideration, that God Is God by Jonathan Edwards
The Sovereignty of God by John Murray
The Doctrine of the Sovereignty of God John Macleod
God’s Sovereignty Defined and Objections Answered by A. W. Pink
A Testimony to God’s Free and Sovereign Grace by C. H. Spurgeon
Continue reading

Christmas in July!

Proverbs 23:23 “Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.”

As the saying goes, “if you think education is expensive, try ignorance!”

Ligonier Ministries is offering a very limited time offer this weekend (July 9th and 10th) of 30% off all material sitewide!

Start date: July 9, 2011

End date: July 10, 2011

With over 5,000 resources to guide the growing Christian, including the Reformation Study Bible, books, CD’s, DVD’s, mp3’s – help spread the word.

Just click on the green Ligonier Ministries icon on this page (top right) which will take you directly to the Ligonier store, and when you come to order products, use the Promo code: SAVE30