The Grand Old Story

Come and hear the grand old story,
Story of the ages past;
All earth's annals far surpassing,
Story that shall ever last.

Christ, the Father's Son eternal,
Once was born, a Son of man;
He who never knew a beginning
Here on earth a life began.

Hear we then the grand old story,
True as God's all-faithful Word,
Best of tidings to the guilty
of a dead and risen Lord.

Hear we then the grand old story,
And in listening learn the love
Flowing through it to the guilty
From our pardoning God above.

Dr. Bonar.

The Authority of the Risen Christ

I wish that I could say something or paint some picture that would cause you to realize that if all the authority of all the armies and all the governments of the world were put in a balance, and on the other side were put the authority of the risen Christ, they would go up like air. All authority on earth and in heaven has been given to Him - all of it. The risen Christ has the authority and the right to tell every man and woman in this room what to do, what to say, and what to feel, and what to think every second of your life, no objections! Absolute authority, for He is God! - and we dare not quibble with Him.

- John Piper, Worship the Risen Christ

Spiritual Adultery

"What ye love besides Jesus, your husband, is an adulterous lover."

Samuel Rutherford

The Gracious Sovereignty of God

"It is now many years since the apostate angles made a question, whether their will or the will of their Creator should be done; and since that time, froward mankind hath always in that same suit of law, compeared to plead with them against God, in daily repining against His will. But the Lord being both party and judge, hath obtained a decreet, and saith, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure' (Isa. xlvi. 10). It is then best for us, in the obedience of faith, and in a holy submission, to give that to God which the law of His almighty and just power will have of us. Therefore, Madam, your Lord willeth you, in all states of life, to say, 'Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven:" and herein shall ye have comfort, that He, who seeth perfectly through all your evils, and knoweth the frame and constitution of your nature, and what is most healthful for your soul, holdeth every cup of affliction to your head, with His own gracious hand.'

From the Letters of Samuel Rutherford

Living for Christ

My Lord and Master is chief of ten thousands of thousands. None is comparable with Him, in heaven or in earth. Dear brethren, do all for Him. Pray for Christ. Preach for Christ. Do all for Christ; beware of men-pleasing. The Chief  Shepherd will shortly appear.

From the Letters of Samuel Rutherford

Longing for Christ

O for eternity's leisure, to look upon Him, to feast upon the sight of His face! O for the long summer day of endless ages to stand beside Him and enjoy Him! O time, O sin, be removed out of the way! O day! O fairest of days, dawn!

From the Letters of Samuel Rutherford

Rutherford Rejoices in the Christian's Eternal Abode in Christ's Blessed Land

O how sweet to be wholly Christ’s, and wholly in Christ; to dwell in Immanuel’s high and blessed land, and live in that sweetest air, where no wind bloweth but the breathings of the Holy Ghost, no sea nor floods flow, but the pure water of life that floweth from under the throne and from the Lamb, no planting, but the tree of life that yieldeth twelve manner of fruits every month! What do we here but sin and suffer? O when shall the night be gone, the shadows flee away, and the morning of the long, long day, without cloud or night, dawn? The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" O when shall the Bridegrooms wife be ready, and the Bridegroom say, "Come?"

From the Letters of Samuel Rutherford

An English Merchant's Description of Samuel Rutherford's Preaching

I came to Irvine, and heard a well-favoured, proper old man (David Dickson), with a long beard, and that man showed me all my heart. Then I went to St. Andrews, where I heard a sweet, majestic looking man (R. Blair), and he showed me the majesty of God. After him I heard a little, fair man (Rutherford), and he showed me the loveliness of Christ.

From the Letters of Samuel Rutherford