This post contains a biblical critique on the John Newton hymn, I Asked The Lord That I Might Grow. The critique was copied and pasted from, The Berean Test (Vince Wright), which I discovered today as I was looking for lyrics to this hymn, set to music. I’d been listening to the hymn a lot lately and pondering its significance in light of spiritual growth, and was pleased to find a biblical critique of the hymn. Also, in this post is a link to the many contemporary songs Vince Wright has critiqued.
Category: Beatitude life
Poverty of Spirit – Matthew 5:3 – a definition
This post contains one commentary explanation of poverty of spirit from Matthew 5:3; it also contains a brief excerpt from two other posts about Jonathan Edwards, the excerpts are extremely relevant to the Matthew 5:3. One of those posts gave glimpses into his struggle for obedience; the other into his analysis of what constituted a truly born again person as opposed to a false convert.
Dying We Live – Pastor James Boice
In this sermon, Dr. Boice delves into the paradox that as a Christian, we must die in order to live. His sermon text was Romans 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. [Dr. James Boice was a contemporary and a friend of R C Sproul; they were born in the late 1930’s; Boice died of cancer in 2000, 17 years before Sproul.]
A Picture of Biblical Repentance
This post contains a few verses that refer mostly to how sinners ought to view themselves during repentance; furthermore, Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:3, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven;” suggest such attitudes and thoughts about oneself. The beatitudes were Jesus’ description of His true kingdom citizens; the truly regenerate; those truly born-again. Note what the first verse says about how God feels when He is sinned against; and how those who sin against Him should view themselves during repentance (please read the context of the following verses on your own for greater understanding).
NAS Bible:
Hungering and Thirsting for Righteousness: Dr. Nelson Kloosterman
What does it mean to hunger and thirst for righteousness?
Christian Meekness Defined
Dr. Nelson Kloosterman defined Christian meekness via the contrast seen in Christ’s conduct in Matthew 11:20ff
Marks Of True Conversion: by George Whitefield
Whitefield’s sermon thoroughly explains how one grows in grace once he has been converted; his description of this process mirrors the beatitude declarations of Christ.
SIN; TEMPTATION; MEANS OF GRACE: SOME OBSERVATIONS OF JOHN OWEN
The two brief videos below are from the writings of puritan John Owen. They are encouragements to use the means of grace provided by God
Mat 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
This beatitude will be defined and illustrated by a sermon excerpt and two sermons. The following 19 minute excerpt is by Dr. Sinclair Ferguson: The
Mat 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
In this post, two sermon excerpts and one full sermon are used to define and illustrate beatitude peacemaking. For the most meaningful definition, the reader