3 Simple Rules For Listening to a Sermon by J.C. Ryle

It is not enough that we go to church and hear sermons. We may do so for fifty years, and be nothing better, but rather worse. “Take heed,” says our Lord, “how you hear.” Would any one know how to hear properly? Then let them lay to heart three simple rules.

1) We must hear with FAITH, believing implicitly that every word of God is true, and shall stand. The word in old time did not profit the Jews, since it was “not mixed with faith in those who heard it” (Heb. 4:2).

2) We must hear with REVERENCE, remembering constantly that the Bible is the book of God. This was the habit of the Thessalonians. They received Paul’s message, “not as the word of men, but the word of God” (1 Thess. 2:13).

3) We must hear with PRAYER, praying for God’s blessing before the sermon is preached, praying for God’s blessing again when the sermon is over. Here lies the grand defect of the hearing of many. They ask no blessing, and so they have none. The sermon passes through their minds like water through a leaky vessel, and leaves nothing behind.

► Summary:

Let us bear these rules in mind every Sunday morning, before we go to hear the Word of God preached. Let us not rush into God’s presence careless, reckless, and unprepared, as if it mattered not in what way such work was done. Let us carry with us faith, reverence, and prayer. If these three are our companions, we will hear with profit, and return with praise.

Souce: JC Ryle Daily Devotions - Facebook

Did the sons of Israel commit genocide when they conquered Canaan?

Moody Radio Openline Nov 23, 2024 hour 1

Listener:

Did the sons of Israel commit genocide when they conquered Canaan under Joshua's leadership?

Answer from Dr Michael Rydelnik @ 29:37

https://www.moodyradio.org/radioplayer.aspx?episode=623238&hour=1

Summary of answer:

According to Gensis 15:16, the God of Israel gave the Canaanites 400 years to repent, from the beginnings of the calling of Abraham until after He send the descendants of Abraham to Egypt and finally guiding them to Canaan. God is a God of judgement and will repay people for their sins. Joshua and the sons of Israel were used as an instrument to punish the Canaanites for their continuous and complete commitment to sins that stirred the wrath of the God of Israel. The extermination of the Canaanites is an isolated, one time event equivalent to Noah's flood against humanity. All Canaanites perished except Rahab, who feared and believed in the God of Israel. Also, the term genocide is coined after the Nazis slaughtered the Jews during the holocaust.

Genesis 15

16 But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full. -kjv

16 But in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.” -nkjv

16 Then in the fourth generation they will return here, for the wrongdoing of the Amorite is not yet complete.” -nasb

16 In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure.” -niv

The Cross As the Way of Peace by JC Ryle

Look steadily at Jesus on the cross, if you want to feel inward peace. Look to anything of your own, and you will never feel comfortable.

Your own life and doings, your own repentance and amendment, your own morality and regularity, your own church-going, your own Bible-reading and your prayers, your own almsgiving and your charities, – what are they all but a huge mass of imperfection? Rest not upon them for a moment, in the matter of your justification. As evidences of your wishes, feelings, bias, tastes, habits, inclinations, they may be useful helps occasionally. As grounds of acceptance with God they are worthless rubbish. They cannot give you comfort; they cannot bear the weight of your sins; they cannot stand the searching eye of God. Rest on nothing but Christ crucified, and the atonement He made for you on Calvary. This, this alone is the way of peace.

Source: JC Ryle Daily Devotions - Facebook