August 1994
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"People are starving far the greatness of God. "
With these words, John Piper begins the preface to
his book "The Supremacy of God in Preaching." The
theme of this book is that in all of our methodology and philosophy, we have forgotten that the answer to men's problems is the fact of God. Cotton Mather, a New England pastor in the early 1700's made this telling statement: "The great design of a Christian preacher is to restore the throne and dominion of God in the souls of men." As a pastor, I have the privilege and responsibility of teaching folks from the Word of God about the greatness and majesty of God.
Sometimes, the study of Theology can get tedious. The cynical might even call it boring. Yet, it is in the accurate presentation of the Scriptural doctrine of God that conviction, conversion, and comfort are found. Why is man sinful? Because he does not measure up to the unattainable holiness of God. Why can man not save himself? Because no good thing that he could ever do could erase the stain of the sin that he has committed before a just and righteous Lord. Why did Christ die? Because God is love, and in His love He sent the perfect sacrifice that would satisfy the sin debt of wicked humanity. Why can the believer be at peace in difficult times? Because the omniscient, omnipotent Sovereign of the Universe is in control, and He not only knows the end from the beginning, but He knows what is best for me.
The songwriter wrote "My God's a great God, and worthy to be praised. " The psalmist said it this way; "Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of His holiness. " (Psalm 48:1). When we begin to see the awesomeness of God, it will stir our hearts toward Him, and will enhance our service far Him. As we present a loving, yet holy and just God to an unsaved world, it will help them to see their own unworthiness, and His complete sufficiency. May we as Christians ever magnify and exalt the great God to whom we owe our all.
Your Pastor
Mark J. Montgomery
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