Bethel Community Church

Reformed Baptist Congregation Exaltation | Edification | Evangelism

A REFORMED BAPTIST CONGREGATION
EXALTATION  |  EDIFICATION  |  EVANGELISM
Sarasota, Florida
941-922-6007

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Spiritual Light

Jonathan Edwards distinguishes so clearly in his little sermon “The Reality of Spiritual Light” between real enlightenment for the believer and (any) light that might be given to the unbeliever. He says,

“In this spiritual light…(there is) a true sense of the divine and superlative excellency of the things of religion; a real sense of the excellency of God and Jesus Christ, and of the work of redemption, and the ways and works of God revealed in the Gospel. There is a divine and superlative glory in these things; an excellency that is of a vastly higher kind and more sublime nature, than in other things…He that is spiritually enlightened truly apprehends and sees it or has a sense of it. He does not merely rationally believe that God is glorious, but he has a sense of the gloriousness of God in his heart. There is not only a rational belief that God is holy, but there is a sense of the loveliness of God’s holiness.”

(Works, Vol. 2, p. 14)

Such a sense can only come as a result of the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. The reality of it is sweet indeed.

The Milk Diet

“for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child” (Hebrews 5:13).

This verse is set in the context of apostasy, which makes it all the more serious. The writer to the Hebrews gives six warnings to his readers (2:1–4; 3:7–14; 5:11–6:20; 10:26–39; 12:15–17; 12:25–29). These warnings are exhortations to encourage the believer to continue in his or her faith. They are not merely hypothetical warnings (imaginary) but real warnings. This means we must listen to them and respond correctly. To ignore the warnings is perilous. The danger sign at the edge of a cliff is there for a reason. If you respond to it correctly, you would save your life, but if not, you would fall and die.

This is what the warnings mean in Hebrews. They are designed to prevent destruction. Ultimately, then, the warning passages in Hebrews have to do with salvation. Those who are truly saved will persevere and heed the warnings, and those who are not, either need to be saved or cannot be saved due to apostasy. They are also about the danger of profession. Just because we say we are Christians does not make us Christians. Lip service saves no one. The real evidence, at least outwardly, is fruit—”you will recognize them by their fruits” (Matt. 7:16, 20). [Read more…]

The Law of Worship

The book of Deuteronomy written by Moses is one of those books that are often neglected by Christians for a number of reasons. There is constant repetition of important truths and there is the length of the book – it requires hard work to read, understand and digest, but the benefits are worth it. In our English Bibles we refer to this book as “Deuteronomy” because of a mistranslation of Deut. 17:18 where that verse speaks of the future king of Israel sitting on this throne over his kingdom, writing for himself in a book “a copy of this law”. This is often referred to as “second law”,hence the name Deuteronomy. The Hebrew title begins with the opening words of the book in Deut. 1:1 – “these are the words.”

The book of Deuteronomy generally follows the structural pattern of an ancient vassal treaty, but this should not be pushed too far. It is preferable to see the book as the last words of Moses to the nation prior to their preparations to enter the land under Joshua. Ancient kings often entered into treaties or pacts with vassal countries, and those treaties contained a certain structure. There was an introduction, a historical overview (the king’s dealings with the vassal), a general call to allegiance, a specific call to allegiance, the witnessing of the treaty by divine gods, blessings and cursings for obedience or disobedience. [Read more…]

The Ships Were Wrecked

Jehoshaphat (ca. 873 – 848 B.C.) of Judah was one of the few good kings in the Old Testament, but he made mistakes. He decided to go into the shipbuilding business. He probably sought to emulate the great fleet of King Solomon, but the results were not good. In fact, all of his ships were destroyed at Ezion-geber situated in Edomite territory. The reason his ships were destroyed was because he entered into a partnership with Ahaziah, king of Israel. This was probably also due to some marriage alliance. Ahaziah was the son of wicked Ahab, and as such was no better than his father. In addition, Jehoshaphat had given his son in marriage to Ahab’s daughter named Athaliah. She nearly destroyed the Davidic line due to her wickedness (2 Chron. 22:10). Jehoshaphat’s problem apart from his excellent strengths and spiritual life was that he tended to make alliances with wicked partners. It was these alliances that caused him so much trouble.  [Read more…]

Made in God’s Image

The first three chapters of Genesis are absolutely foundational to the Christian faith. But for the past 160 years or so they have been under increasing attack and denial. These chapters are so critical and important that every Christian should make a serious study of them in order to be fully convinced in his or her mind. But convinced of what is the question. Convinced of the truth. Genesis 1 posits the belief that God made all things—everything that exists came from God. The entire universe was made by God. All animals, all plant life, and all humanity find their origin in God as their Creator and Sustainer. On Day 6, God created man (Gen. 1:26–29). He is called Adam. God also created Eve and gave her to Adam; she became his wife (Gen 2:23–25). Adam was given dominion over all animal and plant life (1:29, 30; 2:19, 20). He was to work the garden in which he was placed and was forbidden to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, upon pain of death (2:15, 16). When God had completed his creation he exclaimed that it was very good (1:31). These are the bare facts of the Genesis record (1:1–2:25). [Read more…]

Desirable & Beautiful (Song of Solomon 5 & 6) November 10, 2024

The Great Provider (Genesis 45:9 – 23) November 10, 2024

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