Excerpts from a Jonathan Edwards sermon

In 1734 Jonathan Edwards preached a sermon to his congregation at Northampton titled, A Divine And Supernatural Light, Immediately Imparted To The Soul By The Spirit Of God, Shown To Be Both A Scriptural And Rational Doctrine.


His text was Mat. 16:17; And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.


There are three excerpts that I would like to share with you in this blog, they are somewhat lengthy and if you are like me you will need to read them more than once in order to fully digest them.


This first excerpt is from the introduction portion of the sermon;

What had passed in the preceding discourse naturally occasioned Christ to observe this; because the disciples had been telling how others did not know him, but were generally mistaken about him, divided and confounded in their opinions of him: but Peter had declared his assured faith, that he was the Son of God. Now it was natural to observe, how it was not flesh and blood that had revealed it to him, but God; for if this knowledge were dependent on natural causes or means, how came it to pass that they, a company of poor fishermen, illiterate men, and persons of low education, attained to the knowledge of the truth; while the scribes and Pharisees, men of vastly higher advantages, and greater knowledge and sagacity in other matters, remained in ignorance? This could be owing only to the gracious, distinguishing influence and revelation of the Spirit of God. Hence, what I would make the subject of my present discourse from these words, is this DOCTRINE, That there is such a thing as a spiritual and divine light, immediately imparted to the soul by God, of a different nature from any that is obtained by natural means.


The second reading comes from his first point;

...He (Spirit of God) acts in the mind of a saint as an indwelling principle...he unites himself with the mind of a saint, takes him for his temple, actuates and influences him as a new supernatural principle of life and action. There is this difference, that the Spirit of God, in acting in the soul of a godly man, exerts and communicates himself there in his own proper nature. Holiness is the proper nature of the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit operates in the minds of the godly, by uniting himself to them, and living in them, exerting His own nature in the exercise of their faculties.

The third and final excerpt comes from Mr. Edwards closing words of the sermon;

 This light, and this only, has its fruit in an universal holiness of life...It shows God as worthy to be obeyed and served. It draws forth the heart in a sincere love to God, which is the only principle of a true, gracious and universal obedience; and it convinces of the reality of those glorious rewards that God has promised to them that obey him.


Some supporting scriptures that came to my mind as I read this message; 

But as many as received him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name:  Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.    John 1:12-13

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.  Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?  Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.                             John 3:3-7

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. Rom 8:9
 
Of His own will begat He us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.                           James 1:18

Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
1 Pet 1:22-23

My own observations:

I could not help but ask myself ; do I have this supernatural light imparted in my soul? Am I born from above? Am I born of God? Is this indwelling principle of life in me? Has He united Himself to me? Has Christ been revealed in me, has He been formed in me? These are fair questions for each of us.

Paul exhorted the Corinthian church; "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?"

Peter said in his letter to "give diligence to make your calling and election sure". 


These apostles, under the influence of the Holy Spirit,  were writing to the people in the church. They took none of their hearers/readers soul condition for granted. They assumed nothing. You and I know that no one can examine ourselves except ourselves(and we're pretty poor at that). In the last day we must not be found lacking the very thing we profess to have!



 

But How Shall I Know That I Am Born Again? Closing Remarks

But How Shall I Know That I Am Born Again?

By John Bunyan

Closing Remarks 

(As a reminder, this whole section on being born again was lifted out of the middle of Mr. Bunyan's first publication Some Gospel Truths Opened. This last paragraph is both the end of this section and it serves as an introduction to his next section but we will stop here.)


Well then, seeing this is a truth of so great concern, I beseech you, seek to be thoroughly rooted into it by faith. And that you may so be, examine your heart; yes, beg of God to help you to examine it, and to throw out all fancy that you take instead of faith; also throw away all your own wisdom; yes, your own righteousness also, and come to God in the name of the Son of Mary, which is the Son of God, and beg faith of Him, true faith, the faith of the operation of God; such a faith as He gives to His own elect, which will show you clearly of these things; so that you shall not deceive yourself with a fancy of them; and the advantages will be many.

But How Shall I Know That I Am Born Again? part 8 of 8

But How Shall I Know That I Am Born Again?

By John Bunyan

Examination 8

And in the last place, if you are a Christian, then you look for that very Jesus again, whom the Jews did crucify (John 19), whom God raised again, (1 Th 1:10).

I say, you look, you wait, you hasten after the coming of this Lord Jesus, which does deliver you from the wrath to come (2 Pet 3:10-12, He 9:26-28, 1 Th 1:10). Yes you know, that this very man shall so come in like manner, as His disciples did see Him go into heaven, which was a very man (Lu 24:39 & Lu 24:50-51). Yes in a cloud He went away from His disciples, and in the clouds He shall come again (Re 1:7) to judge all that are in their graves (Jn 5:28-29, Dan 12:2) and shall receive all that look for, and love His second coming, to Himself (He 9:27-28), and they shall be for ever with Him (1 Th 4:16-17).

But the wicked shall be cast into eternal damnation (Mat 25:46). These things I say, if you be a Christian indeed, you believe and own, and the faith of them does purify your heart (1 Jn 3:3) and wean you from this world, and the things of it. And if it is not from this principle; that is, if your obedience does not flow from this faith, which is the faith of God's elect, as I have proved at large, your obedience, your zeal, your self denial, your holiness, righteousness; yes all that you can do, is but sin in the sight of the great God of heaven and earth (He 11:6, Rom 14:23). For all true sanctification comes through the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, by the operation of the Spirit of God (1 Cor 6:11), "But ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." And in (Song of So 1:3), "Thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee."

Scripture Summary

And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. 1 Th 1:10

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.  Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,  Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 2 Pet 3:10-12

For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.  And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:  So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
He 9:26-28

Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. Lu 24:39

And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.  And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.
Lu 24:50-51

 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. Rev 1:7

Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,  And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. Jn 5:28-29

And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. Dan 12:2

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:  So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. He 9:27-28

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.1 Th 4:16-17

And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. Mat 25:46

And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.1 Jn 3:3

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. He 11:6

And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Rom 14:23

And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Co 6:11

Because of the savor of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee. Song of Sol 1:3

But How Shall I Know That I Am Born Again? part 6 of 8

How Shall I Know That I Am Born Again?

By John Bunyan

Examination 6

Are you born again? Then you know that God has given you your faith that you have in His Son.
Then you are to say through grace, there was a time in which I had no faith; there was a time in which I could not believe in the Son of God for eternal life. But God, who in His rich mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins (and unbelief; which is the greatest) hath quickened us together with Christ, by grace ye are saved (Eph 2:4-5) "through faith" (verse 8).

Scripture Support

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,  even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;). Eph 2:4-5

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Eph 2:8

But how shall I know that I am born again? part 3 of 8

But How Shall I know that I am Born Again? 

By John Bunyan

Examination 3

Are you born again? Then you see that your great sin was lack of faith in the Son of Mary. 

Then you see that it is He that was sent of God to die for the sins of the world (Jn 1:29, Jn 3:16-19, & Acts 13:38-39), and that you are complete in Him, without any works of the law (Ro 4:5). 

Then you rejoice in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh (Phil 3:3), yet you rejoice in the flesh and blood of the Son of Mary, knowing that His flesh is meat indeed, and His blood is drink indeed (Jn 6:55),  out of which you would very willingly make your life all your days; out of His birth, obedience, death, resurrection, ascension and glorious intercession, now at the right hand of His Father (Heb 7:24-25). 

But if you are wavering in these things, know that you are but a babe at best, and for all you know, God may cut you off in your unbelief, and cast you into utter darkness, where there shall be weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Scripture support

The next day John sees Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world. Jn 1:29

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.  He that believes on Him is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.  Jn 3:16-19


Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:  And by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.  Acts 13:38-39


But to him that works not, but believes on Him that justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.  Rom 4:5


For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. Phil 3:3



For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.    Jn 6:55


 But this man, because He continues ever, has an unchangeable priesthood.  Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever lives to make intercession for them.  Heb 7:24-25

But how shall I know that I am born again? part 2 of 8

But how shall I know that I am born again?

by John Bunyan

Tonight, I have converted the old english to new, hopefully this will smooth the reading out.

Examination 2

You think that you have been born again, (it is well if you have) but unless you should deceive your poor soul, I pray you consider, when did the Spirit of the Lord Jesus show you, that you have no faith in you by nature? And when did the Spirit of Christ convince you of sin, because you did not believe in Him? It may be you have been convinced of sins against the law, by the law, and your own conscience, as the Pharisees were. 
Jn 8:9, Rom 3:20

Ay, but when did you see yourself a lost creature for lack of faith in the son of Mary? If not, you have not yet been savingly convinced by the Spirit of Christ; for that, when He convinces effectually of sin, He convinces of unbelief; though you have been never so much convinced of sins against the law, if you have not seen yourself under the power and dominion, guilt and punishment of sin, because you did not believe in Christ, you have not yet been savingly convinced! Because that's one work of the Spirit to convince of sin, "Because they believe not on Me," says Jesus the Son of Mary, who was espoused to Joseph the carpenter. 

But on the contrary, do you not say in your heart, you never had your faith to seek, but have always believed with as good a faith as any one alive? If so, then know for certain that you have no faith of the operation of God in you, according to God's ordinary working; and if so, then know, that if the Son of Man should come to judge the world at this moment of time, that you with all your faith (you think you have) would fall in the judgment. 2 Thess 2:12


Supporting scriptures


"And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst."    Jn 8:9


"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin."  Rom 3:20


"That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." 2 Thess 2:12

But how shall I know that I am born again?

These days I am reading in John Bunyan's works. It is something that seems very beneficial to my soul at this particular time. I'd like, if you do not mind, to share some excerpts from his articles using this blog. 

Mr. Bunyan's writings are simple but sharp and his thoughts are brief but penetrating. They are full of Christ and so they are full of truth. Since he wrote in the 1600's the language is the Elizabethan style, keep that in mind as you read. I recognize that he is only flesh and blood and therefore subject to error, so read it as you would any man, with one eye on the scriptures.

Right now I'm reading his article titled Some Gospel Truths Opened. This gem was his first publication.  We will jump into the middle of this book where he asks and answers the question "But how shall I know that I am born again?". He gives 8 examinations.

Examination 1. 

 Thou thinkest that thou art a Christian; thou shouldest be sorry else: well, but when did God shew thee that thou wert no Christian? When didst thou see that: and in the light of the Spirit of Christ, see that thou wert under the wrath of God because of original sin? Rom 5:12

Nay, dost thou know what original sin means? Is it not the least in thy thoughts? And dost thou not rejoice in secret, that thou art the same that thou ever wert? 

If so, then know for certain that the wrath of God to this very day abideth on thee. Jn 3:36. 
And if so then thou art one of those that will fall in the judgement, except thou art born again, and made a new creature, 2 Cor. 5:17.




Supporting scriptures:
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: Rom 5:12


He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. Jn 3:36


Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Cor. 5:17

But how shall I know that I am born again?

an excerpt from a John Bunyan article titled Some Gospel Truths Opened.
It was written in the 1600's, I chose to leave it in the old english, but I'm sure you will get his point.

But how shall I know that I am born again?

1) Why, if thou art born again, then thou knowest that thou wast not born a Christian at first.

Eph 2:1-3 "You hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others."



2) Thou knowest that once thou hadst no faith in the Lord Jesus; and wert convinced of sin because thou didst not believe in the Son of Mary.

John 16:9 "Of sin, because they believe not on me."



3) Thou seest all true joy through the blood and righteousness of the Son of Mary.

1 Cor. 15:57 "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Ro. 7:25a "I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. "



4) Art thou born again? Then thou canst not be quiet till thou seest God smile, and lift up the light of His countenance upon thee, and that through the face of the Son of Mary, the Son of God.

2 Cor. 4:6 "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."

Ps. 4:6 "There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of Thy countenance upon us."



5) Thou knowest that God hath given thee thy faith.

Phil. 1:29 "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake."

Eph. 2:8 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."



6) Art thou born again? Then thou knowest that the doctrine of the Son of Mary the Virgin, is a right doctrine.

2 Jn 9 "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son."



7) Then also thou lookest for the personal appearing of the Son of Mary from heaven in the clouds, the second time.

He 9:28 "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation."

Rev 1:7 "Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Even so, Amen."