Favorite Pastor Quotes 10

Favorite Pastor Quotes 10

Sawing off its corners, or by polishing, varnishing, and adorning it(J.C. Ryle, "Knots Untied")

Ministers do great spiritual harm by departing in the slightest degree from the Scriptural proportions of the gospel, or by trying to win the world by dressing the simple old Evangelical faith in new clothes.

The world is never won by trimming, and compromising, by facing both ways, and trying to please all.

The cross of Christ is never made more acceptable by sawing off its corners, or by polishing, varnishing, and adorning it.

Let us hold on our way, and be jealously sensitive of any departure from the simplicity of the gospel. Popularity obtained by pandering to the senses or the sentiment of our hearers--is not worth anything. Worshipers who are not content with the Bible, the cross of Christ, simple prayers and simple praise--are worshipers of little value. It is useless to try to please them--because their spiritual taste is diseased.
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This stillness and silence befits us!

(Ashton Oxenden, "The Christian Life")

"I was silent; I would not open my mouth--for You are the one who has done this!" Psalm 39:9"Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10This stillness and silence befits us, when God lifts up His arm to afflict us. It is of little use at such times to struggle against His almighty power--to be restless and complaining when His heavy hand is laid upon us. Our wisdom is . . .
  to bear the burden which oppresses us with patience,
  to submit cheerfully to the will of God, and 
  to kiss the painful rod which scourges us.

We should remember that our Father does not afflict His children willingly, that is, for His own pleasure--but for their profit. He loves them; and when He punishes them, it is for their discipline, and to make them what He would have them to be--partakers of His holiness.

We should look at our afflictions in this light--and not let a murmur escape our lips! Our language should be, "It is the Lord--let Him do what seems good to Him!" 1 Samuel 3:18

It is often our duty, in the hour of trial or of difficulty, to be still, to lie passive in God's hands, "to hope, and quietly to wait for the salvation of the Lord."
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Our doctrine is utterly meaningless!

(Don Fortner)

"Adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things." Titus 2:10 

The study of the Bible should always be practical and applicable to our lives day by day. That is to say, we are to set forth in our lives as well as in our doctrine--the beauty, glory, and attractiveness of the gospel of Christ. We must have our lives regulated and governedby the gospel.

Let us take great care to conform our lives to our doctrine. Doctrine and duty cannot be separated. Every truth discovered in the Word of God ought to be applied to our lives. If our character and conduct does not reflect the grace and glory of God revealed in the gospel,our doctrine is utterly meaningless!

Gospel preachers are responsible to pointedly apply the gospel to the daily affairs and responsibilities of men and women in this world. It is every pastor's responsibility to faithfully to teach people how to live in this world for the glory of Christ, applying the Word of God to every area of life. It is the responsibility of God's saints to obey the gospel, applying it personally to every area of their lives.

Always be prepared to give up any doctrine or practice that is not found in holy Scripture and to embrace anything revealed in the Book of God, not matter what the sacrifice, no matter what the consequence.

"Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more." 1 Thessalonians 4:1 
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The flattery of his brethren is distasteful to him!

(Ashton Oxenden, "The Touchstone of Humility")

A humble Christian is one who not only considers himself to be nothing--but is willing to be thought so by others. There is a vast difference between knowing our own faults--and being willing that others should know them. It is very mortifying to be accounted nothing in the eyes of our fellow-men. Now, the really humble man is content to bear this. He has no wish to be more highly esteemed than he deserves--in fact, the flattery of his brethren is distasteful to him!

And yet how utterly contrary is this to our natural feelings! The Drunkard would not wish his neighbors to know that he drinks--he would conceal it if he could. The Dishonest man would wish to appear honest before others.

And why all this desire at concealment? It is because people are anxious to keep up a good image before their fellow creatures--although they may have lost it with Him who knows all. The truth is, they 'love the praise of men, more than the praise of God.'

What a dangerous snare this is! To be thought well of by our brethren, and to stand high in their opinion--is too eagerly sought after by most of us. We have need not only to fight against the fear of man--but also, and still more, against the love and esteem of man. The esteem of godly men is well, as far as it goes; but it is clearly wrong to be always craving after it. We should rather feel that anything like flattering praise would be hurtful to us--and on that account we should shrink from it, and try to put it away from us.

It is hard, I know, to bring ourselves to this. To pray that we may become low in our own eyes--needs some grace. But to pray that we may be content to be lowered in the eyes of those around us--needs a large amount of grace!

Suppose you were to be informed that one, who stood high for his religious attainments, had expressed an unfavorable opinion of you--would not this be very displeasing? But I am inclined to think that a true Christian, though he would feel a little nettled at the time--would be able to thank God for anything which keeps down his pride, and sets him in his proper place!

The day is soon coming, when we shall be taken off the false heights which we often stand upon, and be brought to our true level--when all the esteem of others shall vanish and pass away like smoke--and we shall be just what God finds us to be, neither more nor less!