This Sanctuary Sunday Open Thread, with full respect to those who worship God on the Sabbath, is a place to reaffirm our worship of our Creator, our Father, our King Eternal.
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Faith Of Our Fathers
You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you. Deut 4:2
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 2 Tim 4:3
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel – not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are confusing you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should proclaim to you a gospel contrary to what we proclaimed to you, let that one be accursed! As we have said before, so now I repeat, if anyone proclaims to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let that one be accursed! Gal 1:6-9
Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time. 1 Cor 15:1–6
I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book; if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away that person’s share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. Rev 2:18-19
Safety and peace: it’s for those we plead,
But when all’s said and done, it’s revival we need.
Away with such an old-time Christianity!
Charles Ebert Orr – 1844-1913
Satan has robed a harlot, named her ‘Christianity’, and succeeded in imposing her upon many. They are fondling with her. She indulges them in sensuality, while encouraging them to hope for a blissful immortality. The kings of the earth have committed fornication with her. They are reveling, feasting and banqueting with her–crazed by her seductive charms. She has neither purity, peace, nor power. Her robes are defiled by sin. She scoffs at pure Christianity, and calls her old-fashioned.
This strange young woman is using every device to allure souls into her wanton chamber. She is most subtle of heart. She “flatters with her words. In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night–she walks in the streets, and lies in wait at every corner, that she might catch and kiss him who is void of understanding.” With a beguiling, impudent face, she says to him: “I have peace offerings with me; I have decked my bed with tapestry and fine linen of Egypt. I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. Come let us take our fill of love until the morning; let us enjoy each other’s caresses.”
Such is the mirthful, shallow, frivolous Christianity of the popular present-day religions! The generality of professors (we speak in love) desire a Christianity which will go with them to the halls of pleasure; which will dine with them at their rich banquets; which will smile on them as they walk in the ways of sin and worldliness–calming their fears with her flattering words of ‘peace, peace’.
Primitive Christianity, they consider, was good enough for primitive days–but she would be a horrid old maid in these days of progress. In this fast-moving age, the Christianity that crowned the life of Christ and the holy apostles is altogether too antiquated.
Primitive Christianity drew men from the world; she crucified their lusts; she taught them to practice self-denial; she brought them in humility to her feet; she led them in the paths of virtue and holiness; she upbraided them for sin; she told them of the vengeance and wrath of God against every evil.
The Christian world today, in general, is saying, “Away with such an old-time Christianity! She has no charms for us! She is too common and plain–too grave and sober! We will not walk with her! Give us the mirthful and dashing young harlot–that we may walk with her amid the pleasures of the world, and with her gratify our lusts! She never chides us for sin, nor troubles us about the anger of God nor the torments of Hell. She invites us into her bosom and gives us a sweet opiate drink of ‘stolen waters’, and bids us take our fill of love.
We desire to tear off the sacrilegious robes of the harlot of false Christianity–and expose her shame to the gaze of every honest soul.
Dear reader, “Do not go after her! Do not let your heart incline to her ways! Do not go astray in her paths. For she has cast down many wounded–yes, many strong men have been slain by her. Her house is the way to Hell, going down to the chambers of death!”
Seek the LORD while He may be found;
call on Him while He is near.
Let the wicked man forsake his own way
and the unrighteous man his own thoughts;
let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion,
and to our God, for He will freely pardon.
*https://www.puritanboard.com/threads/away-with-such-an-old-time-christianity.70718/
Faith of our fathers, living still,
In spite of dungeon, fire and sword;
O how our hearts beat high with joy
Whenever we hear that glorious Word!
Faith of our fathers, holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death.
Faith of our fathers, we will strive
To win all nations unto Thee;
And through the truth that comes from God,
We all shall then be truly free.
Faith of our fathers, holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death.
Faith of our fathers, we will love
Both friend and foe in all our strife;
And preach Thee, too, as love knows how
By kindly words and virtuous life.
Faith of our fathers, holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death…
On this day and every day –
God is in Control
. . . and His Grace is Sufficient, so . . .
Keep Looking Up
Hopefully, every Sunday, we can find something here that will build us up a little . . . give us a smile . . . and add some joy or peace, very much needed in all our lives.
“This day is holy to the Lord your God;
do not mourn nor weep.” . . .
“Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet,
and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared;
for this day is holy to our Lord.
Do not sorrow,
for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
