Sermon Tone Analysis

Pardon, Purity, Power (Ballee Mission Hall 27/9/2009)

Col. 2:13-15, Matt.

5:8, Acts 1:8

In the worldly order of things, there are certain things, which follow closely behind each other.

Like the seed sown, growth then fruit.

With these three “Pardon, Purity, Power” it is certainly true.

They belong to each other.

Many times they almost merge.

They cannot be changed around.

There can never be Power without Purity and certainly no Purity without Pardon!

“Pardon”

What a beautiful sound to those who have sought it and got it.

“My sin ----oh the bliss of this glorious

thought.

My sin ---- not in part but the whole.

Is nailed to His cross and I bear it no more

Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord O my soul.”

“Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth”

The Gospel is simple they say.

In a certain Church, one man said to me all we want is the simple Gospel!

There is no simple Gospel!

Rom 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness: Foolish to the unsaved.

The very nature of the natural birth is mysterious! and do you think that a spiritual birth is any less mysterious?

To come to an understanding (that’s when it becomes simple) demands a Divine revelation.

Jesus said on one occasion Matt.

13:11.

Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

I remember a R.C. schoolteacher who had stayed behind to enquire in a mission.

Some time was spent trying to enlighten her but getting nowhere.

I finally turned to Rom. 5. 1. Therefore being justified by faith.

and as I was expounding it, she suddenly blurted out “I see it, yes I see it”

If it hadn’t been the Holy Spirit revealing the truth to her she never would have seen it by her own mental powers.

I tell you the prerequisite for the Spiritual birth are the Holy Spirit’s workings, bringing the sharp pangs of conviction of sin.

People are frightened by deteriorating world conditions--escalating wars, collapsing economies, rising terrorism, widespread crime, rampant immorality and perversion—the future is so unsure for them.

So they are living in a troubled state of mind.

But this is not conviction of sin!

The reason why these things have come upon the people of the world is of course, that people are living by their own laws and not God’s.

Isa.

57:20-21

And God says of them, “the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.

21 There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked”.

I have often sat down in my chair and with great relish, thought, “Isn’t great to know that that it is well with my soul” No matter if the world should fall in around me, I have this blessed assurance that “it is well with my soul”

Can you say the same?

Is it well with you?

Do you know the pardon of God and a peace that endureth and assurance that it is well with your soul?

God’s way for a person to obtain Pardon is found in His Word.

“Repent” is the operative word.

Without it, there is no Pardon.

Repentance is not sorrow for sin (it’s implied).

Many are sorry but never repent.

It’s not the fear of Hell because many fear it, but still rush headlong into it, although again it’s implied.

It’s not chastising oneself because of sin (penance)

Repentance is a change of mind regarding God and sin.

It always implies a hatred for sin, forsaking sin and restitution.

Acts 17:30

God now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained.

He says this repentance is because of the Day of Judgement which is coming.

You will one day stand before Him to be judged.

And what you do with Jesus now, will stand with you on the Judgement Day.

On that day there will be no hiding place in lies, deceit, friends nor property.

Take these words to heart and ask this question!

WHEN rising from the bed of death,

O'erwhelm'd with guilt and fear,

I see my Maker face to face,

O how shall I appear?

If yet while pardon may be found.

And mercy may be sought,

My heart with inward horror shrinks,

And trembles at the thought;

When thou, O Lord! shalt stand ,

disclos'd In majesty severe,

And sit in judgment on my soul,

O how shall I appear!

Ps 90:11-12

Who knoweth the power of thine anger?

even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath.

12 So teach us to number our days, that we may applyb our hearts unto wisdom.

The word of Peter in Acts is this Repent and be converted that your sins may be blotted out.

The Law of God says, “The soul that sinneth it shall die!”

This law of God is the thing that condemns you.

This is God’s warning shot across your bow

You have sinned and have come short of the glory of God.

There is a time (a period in your personal life) if you’re to be saved, that the law which condemns, has to pass through you; searching your heart, condemning your guilty spirit and shutting you into deep repentance.

I remember listening to a brother tell how “the law” passed through him.

He saw himself condemned already.

Murray Mc.Shane put it like this.

When free Grace awoke me,

By light from on high.

Then legal fears shook me

I trembled to die.

No refuge, no safety,

In self could I see.

Jehovah Tsidkenu

My saviour must be.

But that’s not enough!

The fears of God’s wrath could shake you, make you tremble, but that is not salvation!

As G.D. Watson put it

“You must accept the day of vicarious atonement, and have the Day of Atonement pass through you, releasing you from all guilt, reconciling you to God, and making you an heir of heaven” Or as the words of the hymn.

Wash me, 0 Lamb of God,

Wash me from sin!

By Thine atoning blood,

Oh, make me clean!