Into the Ark

This sermon explores the final chapter of Joel, highlighting three key aspects of God's character: His foretold faithfulness to covenant promises, His revealed retribution against enemies, and His performed promises of restoration. Using John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress as an illustration, the message emphasizes that believers possess a key called Promise to overcome doubt and despair. The exposition details the Valley of Jehoshaphat as the place of divine judgment where God avenges His people and defeats wicked nations. Ultimately, the text points to the certainty of God's faithfulness, encouraging listeners to anchor their hope in Christ and cling to the unchangeable nature of His word.

Dear Grace Baptist, September 13, 2026 To make the most of the Lord's Day, I encourage you to read Ephesians 4:17-5:21 enough times to grasp the pastoral flow of thought. Read Ephesians 5:15-21 several times slowly and carefully. Read and pray through the outline. Look up the verses I've listed using various forms of the word "to prove" or "proven." Think about them in relation to Ephesians 5:8-21. For our opening illustration, I'll be summarizing a scene from the Delectable Mountains in "The Pilgrim's Progress." One of the four shepherd's is named Experience, and we will use Bunyan's own character description of the shepherd "Experience" who truly is "A pastor after God's own heart" (Ezekiel 3:15). I encourage you to read this section of "The Pilgrim's Progress." Its book 1, part 2, stage eight. In the Banner of Truth edition, its on pages 135-140. I'm well pleased with the graphic ChatGPT generated using my introduction. Study it; it will also help. Seeking to walk carefully together with you to build Christ's church, Murray The Life that Characterizes the Experimental (Experiential) Christian in Building Christ's Church

In John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress, few figures offer a more sobering warning to the traveling soul than the character Temporary. Living in the town of Grace-less, right next door to Turn-back, Temporary begins his journey with intense zeal—weeping over his sins, seeking godly counsel, and setting his face resolutely toward the Celestial City. Yet, despite his bright start and genuine emotional stirrings, his zeal quickly cools, he aligns himself with a man named Save-self, and he slides back into total spiritual ruin. Through this tragic figure, Bunyan illustrates what Puritan theologians like Thomas Goodwin, John Owen, Jonathan Edwards, and A. W. Pink identified as the "common influences" of the Holy Spirit—a work that can enlighten the mind, stir the emotions, and reform outward behavior without ever regenerating the heart. Temporary's story is not a tale of open hypocrisy, but a compelling, cautionary study in the vital difference between a temporary emotional reaction to the truth and a permanent, heart-transforming union with Jesus Christ.

When we look at the pace of our modern world, with its relentless noise and constant distractions, it is easy for our spiritual lives to become shallow and reactive. But if we turn to the Puritans—masters of the soul like John Owen, Richard Baxter, and William Gurnall—we discover a timeless truth: the mind is the primary battleground of the faith. They understood that whatever captures our thoughts will ultimately capture our desires, shape our character, and govern our worship. Far from being a passive space, the mind must be actively guarded against the subtle intrusions of worldliness, the sluggishness of mental ease, and the intrusive noise of unwanted distractions. Tonight, we are going to explore this rich Puritan tradition of spiritual psychology, discovering how taking control of our inner thought-life is the essential key to cultivating a heart that truly loves God and finds lasting peace.

This study explores the delicate balance between solemn warning and ultimate triumph in Reformed theology by contrasting John Bunyan's scene at the Delectable Mountains—where the Shepherds soberly observe that "few show their face on these mountains"—with the historic debate over the total number of the redeemed. By examining the rigorous pastoral warnings of Puritans like John Owen, Thomas Shepard, and Jonathan Edwards alongside the expansive, victorious vision of B. B. Warfield, R. L. Dabney, and C. H. Spurgeon, this investigation harmonizes the local, searching reality of Matthew 7 ("narrow is the gate") with the global, eschatological promise of Revelation 7 ("an innumerable multitude"). Ultimately, it demonstrates how classic Reformed theology maintains both a rigorous call to self-examination against false assurance—as embodied in Bunyan's tragic character Ignorance—and an unshakeable confidence in the cosmic, vast scope of Christ's saving victory.

This study explores one of the most sobering and psychologically intense scenes in John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress: the character of the Man in the Iron Cage. By taking a deeply casuistic and pastoral approach, we examine the critical distinction between objective judicial hardening (true apostasy) and subjective spiritual desertion—the tragic state in which an anxious, tender conscience falsely fears it has committed the unpardonable sin against the Holy Spirit. Drawing upon a rich array of historic Reformed and Puritan theology—including the classic diagnostic criteria of William Gouge, William Guthrie, and William Gurnall, the exegetical insights of John Brown of Edinburgh, Thomas Chalmers' analysis of spiritual light and moral insensibility, Archibald Alexander's dual diagnosis of physical melancholy versus spiritual trial, and John Bunyan's own autobiographical struggle in Grace Abounding—this session provides a compassionate, biblically grounded framework designed to help troubled souls dismantle the false iron cages constructed in their minds and anchor their hope solely in the external sufficiency of Jesus Christ.

'How now, good fellow * Whither away after this burdened manner? What a contrast those two men were to one another in the midst of that plain that day! Our pilgrim was full of the most laborious going; sighs and groans rose out of his heart at every step; and then his burden on his back, and his filthy, slimy rags all made him a picture such that it was to any man's credit and praise that he should stop to speak to him. And then, when our pilgrim looked up, he saw a gentleman standing beside him to whom he was ashamed to speak. Whyte, Alexander. Bunyan Characters in the Pilgrim's Progress

God refers to Noah as "just". Why? Not because of some- thing Noah had achieved. Noah is called to do what God called him to do because God has regenerated him. God has done a saving work in Noah that God has also done in us and all believers although each of our earthly roles and functions are different. Here is Kevin Pulliam's continuation of the Genesis series.

What if young leaders in your church could command the same respect as seasoned veterans? Join us as we uncover the profound spiritual and practical duties of a pastor through an in-depth exposition of 1 Timothy 4:12-16. We promise you'll gain valuable insights into what makes a faithful pastor by examining Paul's letter to Timothy and drawing parallels to John Bunyan's "The Pilgrim's Progress." This episode aims to help congregations understand and support their pastors, ultimately enhancing the spiritual health of the entire church community. Next, we shift our focus to the formidable challenges faced by young leaders in ministry. Timothy's experiences in leading the early Christian church at Ephesus, despite his youth and physical frailty, offer a powerful lens for understanding the struggles of gaining respect from older believers. By comparing Timothy's situation to biblical figures like David, and historical examples such as Herbert Palmer and George Winfield, we emphasize the necessity of respecting young leaders and address the broader issue of generational tensions. Lastly, we reflect on the exemplary character required for effective ministry, drawing inspiration from the early life of Charles Spurgeon. From his first impromptu sermon at age 15 to becoming a respected pastor by 16, Spurgeon's story exemplifies unwavering zeal and commitment. We also delve into the steadfastness of Martin Luther during challenging times, illustrating the power of consistent commitment and faith. Tune in for a rich discussion that blends scriptural insights with historical examples to provide a comprehensive understanding of pastoral leadership.