REFLECTION QUOTES

“If you are to go to Christ, do not put on your good doings and feelings, or you will get nothing; go in your sins, they are your livery. Your ruin is your argument for mercy; your poverty is your plea for heavenly alms; and your need is the motive for heavenly goodness. Go as you are, and let your miseries plead for you.”

~C.H. Spurgeon (1834-1893), famed London preacher

“The preaching of Christ is the preaching of Christ crucified. Christ is not truly preached unless there is the offense that is to Jews a stumbling block and to Greeks foolishness. This offense that inheres in the cross lays evangelism open to the temptation to eliminate or tone down that which appears to imperil the success of evangelistic effort, the temptation to withhold, at least at the outset, the very kernel of the gospel of grace. This is fatal dishonor to Christ and nothing more successfully insures that the gospel we preach is not the gospel but the wisdom of man. It is the cross of Christ as the exalted Lord that embodies the supreme revelation of the justice, love, and grace of God, and to eliminate or tone down the offense of the cross is to preach another than the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…”

~John Murray (1898-1975), Scottish-born theologian, professor at both Princeton and Westminster Theological Seminaries

“The Bible isn’t about people trying to discover God, but about God reaching out to find us.”

~John Stott (1921-2011), English Christian leader

“The doctrine of the cross is the sun in the system of truth. It is seen by its own light, and throws light upon every other subject. This will soften hearts that withstand threatenings. This opens a door of hope to the vilest—to the despairing sinners. The strictness and sanction of the law must be preached, to show sinners their danger; but the gospel is the only remedy and suggests those motives, which are alone able to break off the sinner from the love of his sins, and to enable him to overcome the world.”

~John Newton (1725-1807), Anglican clergyman and author of the hymn “Amazing Grace”

SERMON PASSAGE

Acts 28:23-31 (ESV)

23 When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. 24 And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. 25 And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:

26 “‘Go to this people, and say,
“You will indeed hear but never understand,
and you will indeed see but never perceive.”
27 For this people’s heart has grown dull,
and with their ears they can barely hear,
and their eyes they have closed;
lest they should see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart
and turn, and I would heal them.’
28 Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”

30 He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.