HB Newsletter V12N04

8/9/2019 HB Newsletter V12N04

1/16

Volume 12 Homeward Bound Number 04For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (I Corinthians 3:11)

Homeward Bound Ministries P. O. Box 3351 Milford Connecticut 06460(203) 449-6190 [email protected]

Gods Love and Coming WrathJohn Payne

For God so loved the world , I know we have heard it a guhzillion times but I am asking you tothink about it again for just a moment. We are living in a time of luxurious love. Two thousand yearsago the Almighty Son of God voluntarily sur-rendered His life here onthe Earth for each of us inexchange for the wrath that we were supposed to havereceived from His Father. All we have to do in return

is enter into covenant withHim. Surrender ourselvescompletely. Enter into a yoke relationship and letHim lead us here for theremainder of our days. Yield to His Lordship.Repent of our sins. Follow Him wherever He directsus. Plain and simple. Andif we choose not to do so then the wrath of God falls upon us in the end and we spend an eternity in

the Lake of Fire apart from Him and His Father. What then is there really to choose? When you look at both options in the plain light of day itis such an easy choice that any man or woman would be out of their mind not to pick the right one. Atleast in retrospect it was indeed such an easy choice for many of us. But by and large most will opt forthe wrong one and spend forever apart from Him in a place originally created for Satan and the fallenangels. Why? Because they, as was I until I made my choice only after my life here on this planet wascompletely destroyed and I had nowhere else to go, nobody else to turn to for help, are willfully ignorant of the Truth (II Peter 3:5). They have been blinded by Satan (II Corinthians 4:4) and wouldrather enjoy the pleasure of sin for a very, very short season rather than choose the course of holy living that leads to peace with God.

In the end God will have these who have made the wrong choice in

derision (Psalm 2:4). It is not that they werent warned. They hadtheir whole lives to repent, to change their minds and hearts andturn towards God and live for Him. He is patient and

longsuffering towards men (Romans 2:4), not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (II Peter3:9, 15). In the end He will loose His terrible wrath upon all who have not been found cleansed by the blood of His Son andthey will all be destroyed eternally. Have you ever really

thought about it in these terms? (continued on page two)


2/16

Homeward Bound Ministries Volume 12 Number 04.


2

Gods Love and Coming Wrath (continued)

The other day during the visit of Pope Benedict in Washington the United States Army Chorusperformed one of the most stirring renditions of the Battle Hymn of the Republic I have ever heard.This, along with other musical selections, was supposed to impress upon the Pope Americas great

tradition of faith, according to Anita McBride, the First Ladys Chief of Staff who advised the faith- based media present at the event. Instead of trying to impress the Pope, a man who is steeped inerror, a man who is leading hundreds on millions of people on this Earthaway from the truth of the Gospel, we here in these United States oughtto be trying to impress Almighty God with repentant hearts in order toassuage His wrath which could descend upon us with little notice.

Have you ever read or meditated upon the lyrics of that greathymn? Julia Ward Howe penned those words in November of 1861 andif you were to spend just a moment you might tremble in fear when yousee just what she was writing about. It was no simple war song, as shespoke of a day coming, and now is a preparing. In just the very first verse she wrote, Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of theLord; He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath arestored; He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword;His truth is marching on. Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory!Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His truth is marching on. Well written Mrs. Howe. At this very hour the Lord Jesus Christ is tramplingout the vintage of those grapes of wrath. They are stored up againstunrepentant sinners who have chosen not to submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Do you think, even for a moment, that the Lord Christ looks forward to this vengeance,this wrath with joy? You are mistaken if you do. It will be a day of great sorrow but great righteous judgment when that wrath is finally poured out upon mankind. I have printed the full lyrics of thishymn elsewhere in this Newsletter, please take the time to read it at your leisure.

Sister Howe wrote of the experience of writing this poem on the banks of the Potomac River: Iawoke in the grey of the morning, and as I lay waiting for dawn, the long lines of the desired poem began to entwine themselves in my mind, and I said to myself, I must get up and write these verses,lest I fall asleep and forget them! So I sprang out of bed and in the dimness found an old stump of apen, which I remembered using the day before. I scrawled the verses almost without looking at thepaper. And lest you think that her writing of this hymn was not founded upon scripture, her vision was based upon the very Word of God founded in Revelation 19:15 where we read, And out of his

mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it heshould smite the nations: and he shall rule themwith a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepressof the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. His wrath is real and the saints of God, those of us whohave been washed by the blood of Jesus Christ, having been filled by the Spirit of God, know the truth of thismatter and take it very seriously. Brethren, this wrath iscoming and coming sooner than any of us think!

Brethren, not enough of our time is given topreparing for that awe-full day, preparing to avoid it, preparing to tell others how they too can avoidit. If we were to read His Word earnestly and understand the charge given to us, (continued on page three)


3/16



3


each and every one of us, before He departed this Earth sending us out to go and preach the Gospel, we would understand better this wrath of God that is seldom if ever preached from the pulpits in America today. I need not spend much time here speaking of His great love for us, we are bathed

continuously in it, we experience it moment by moment and exist in this wonderful relationship withHim as a result of that great love. Dear brothers and sisters, times a wasting, we have much work todo. He is returning at a time we know not when. The Bible says, But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not theangels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watchand pray: for ye know not when the timeis. (Mark 13:32-33)

There are souls in need of redemption, in need of delivering from

Gods wrath. Let us use the time wisely.The Bible speaks much of Gods impending wrath. From Genesis through Revelation itspeaks of what will happen in the end forthose who will not repent. Some mock andlaugh, thinking it all a fairy tale. Were youto read this great Book with the Holy Spiritsguidance you will see that this wrath of Godis no joke. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth,that shall he also reap. For he that sowethto his flesh shall of the flesh reap

corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. (Galatians 6:7-8)

Know well what the Word of God speaks of His wrath. The Bible says, Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty. Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt: and they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames. Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierceanger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it. (Isaiah 13:6-9)

Ezekiel 7:17-19 tells us, All hands shall be feeble, and all knees shall be weak as water. Theyshall also gird themselves with sackcloth, and horror shall cover them; and shame shall be upon all faces, and baldness upon all their heads. They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrathof the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is thestumblingblock of their iniquity. Go back and read the entire chapter if you want its full flavor, it isnot a pretty sight.

Zephaniah 1:14-18 describes for us, The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hastethgreatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly. That day is aday of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darknessand gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, a day of the trumpet and (continued on page four)


4/16



4


alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers. And I will bring distress upon men,that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung. Neither their silver nor their gold shall be

able to deliver them in the day of the LORD's wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fireof his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land. And further, And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great

earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; and thestars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the richmen, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and everybondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and inthe rocks of the mountains; and said to the mountains and rocks,

Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on thethrone, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of hiswrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? This we findin Revelation 6:12-17.

Again I tell you dear brethren, let us go forward inservice to our great Lord and Savior and soon coming King, the wonderful Jesus Christ preparing for that great and terrible day.Let us do our part in spreading the Gospel to those around us, warning them of the wrath to come and of the blessedness of peace with God through Christ the Son. Amen?

Battle Hymn of the RepublicJulia Ward Howe

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword;His truth is marching on.Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His truth is marching on.

I have seen Him in the watch fires of a hundred circling campsThey have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps;I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps;His day is marching on.Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His day is marching on.

I have read a fiery Gospel writ in burnished rows of steel;As ye deal with My contemners, so with you My grace shall deal; (continued on page five)


5/16



5

Battle Hymn of the Republic (continued)

Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent withHis heel,Since God is marching on.

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Since God is marching on.

He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never callretreat;He is sifting out the hearts of men before His

judgment seat;Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! be jubilant, myfeet;Our God is marching on.Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Our God is marching on.

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me:As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free;While God is marching on.Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! While God is marching on.

He is coming like the glory of the morning on the wave,He is wisdom to the mighty, He is honor to the brave;

So the world shall be His footstool, and the soul of wrong His slave,Our God is marching on.Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Our God is marching on.


6/16



6

Just How Wrong is Rev. Jeremiah Wright?John Payne

This evening on C-SPAN I watched a replay of Rev. Jeremiah Wrights National Press ClubSpeech, entitled Faith, Social Justice and Public Service, in Washington, D. C., followed by questionsprovided by reporters. Rev. Wright is the former Pastor of Senator and Democratic PresidentialCandidate Barack Obama. He Pastors Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, Illinois. He has, of late, been in the news for many comments he has made. I am sure you have seen and or heard themin outtakes in the media used to attack candidate Obama during the current presidential electioncycle. You can find a copy of this address at:

http://www.c-spanarchives.org/library/index.php?main_page=product_video_info&products_id=205074-1 . At 46:22 into the above referenced copy of the broadcast, Rev. Wright is asked a question by a

host, NPC member Donna Leinwand, on behalf of one of the reporters who submitted questions priorto his talk. Leinwand asked Rev. Wright, Jesussaid, I am the way, the truth, and the life, noman cometh unto the Father, but through me.Do you believe this and do you think Islam is a way to salvation? Rev. Wrights reply wasquick, short and singular: Jesus also said othersheep have I who are not of this fold. Applause, agreement and seeming pleasurefrom those in attendance followed.

I was not surprised by his comment orthe follow up at the conference at all. As far as Iam concerned, this one sentence answer sumsup the fact that Rev. Wright is in grave error,only the tip of the iceberg, an apostate and adangerous man to be in fellowship with. To claim him as your Pastor, for any reason whatsoever,

indicates your extreme lack of Biblical knowledge. One visit to this churchs website will demonstratetheir nonconformity with orthodox Christianity. To claim to have been a member of this church fortwenty years and maintain such a close relationship with its Pastor, as did Senator Obama, and notknow of the positions and theology of this supposed man of God, is an out and out fabrication.

Rev. Wright here is allowing for Islam to be an authentic way of salvation, another way to theFather, when Jesus has stated that He Himself is the only Way (John 14:6). Rev. Wright has setHimself up as an authority in direct opposition to the Word of God. He is preaching another Gospel. What does the apostle Paul tell us about men like this? He says, . . . such are false apostles,deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satanhimself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also betransformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. (II

Corinthians 11:13-15) Paul also says, I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called youinto the grace of Christ unto another gospel: which is not another; but there be some that troubleyou, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach anyother gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received,let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:6-9) So, we are to look upon men who pervert the teaching of Jesus Christ and the apostles as accursed. Seems harsh? No, not at all. This is Gods call, not ours.This is just how seriously we are to take this.


7/16



7

CircumspectJohn Payne

Circumspect. Certainly an odd sounding word and one that we do not use conversationally these days. I surely cannot remember the last time that I used it, if ever. In my King James Version

Bible the word occurs but once,and that in Exodus 23:13. And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect. Itsuse here is as an adjective,modifying the noun you. Theonly other time in my KJV aform of this word appears in thepassage Ephesians 5:15-16.See then that ye walkcircumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time,because the days are evil, thistime as an adverb, modifyingthe verb walk. It appears only once or twice in all othermodern English translations of the Bible, the New King James and 21 st Century King James Versionsexcepted.

This entire grammar discussion aside, do you know what the word means? I thought that I did.I have read these passages of scripture many times, taught on them and even preached on them but tocome up with a concise definition, I could not do that until this past Sunday without probably likemost of you having to run to a desktop dictionary. Listening to a sermon at Greater BridgeportChristian Fellowship in Bridgeport, Connecticut, where Rev. Michael Hawkins is Pastor, he came

across with a concise definition that caused me to think deeply. In his sermon entitled The Slavery of Unforgiveness he described circumspect as being careful toconsider all circumstances and possible consequences.

Wow! That said it all in a way that was powerful andleft me with something to go back into the Word of God andmeditate upon. Now well equipped with this definition, if we look back to what God is telling us in Exodus chapter 23,referenced above, we see that He has commanded us tolook upon all He has told us to do and consider allcircumstances and possible consequences. Reflect upon

His commandments and apply them to all of lifesexperiences and future possibilities, making sure that weare prepared to obey Him in all things, knowing He has setin order the way before us and laid out for us the route forevery possible combination of events. Look with Holy Spirit vision ahead, down the road so to speak, not lettinglifes future events sneak up on us and take us by surprise,or allowing our common enemy, Satan, to (contined on page eight)


8/16



8

Circumspect (continued)take advantage of us due to lying in wait along the route with a sudden calamity, especially since weare not supposed to be ignorant of his devices.

In looking at the passage from Ephesians we can see that we are to walk wisely, looking at

every possible combination of events and possibilities that might lie ahead of us since the Lord givesus vision to see them clearly so that we might be prepared. This is because only a fool will run off down that path blindly not knowing where he is going. Further, we are told to redeem the time", theGreek here implying to purchase back by payment of a price or recovering from the power of another,in order that we might make wise use of every opportunity for doing good, so that by the zeal andpassion of our obedience we exhibit that we truly belong to Him and make the time that we haveredeemed back our very own and put to good us in the Kingdom. This passage warns us as well thatthe days are evil. They were evil in Pauls day and they are just as much and even more so today. Allthe more reason to be circumspect.

I have learned something wonderful this past weekend in the word circumspect, somethingthat I plan to both live and share with others. I hope that you have too! Let us walk the rest of ourdays circumspectly before our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

What is the Bible?An Excerpt from The Journey byBilly Graham

For three years Billy Graham worked to distill into one book his lifetime of experience and learning about how to live theChristian life. The result of this effort is The Journey. This book summarizes everything I have tried to say in the course of my

ministry over the last 65 years, says Mr. Graham. The followingexcerpt from The Journey emphasizes the power of the Word of God.

What is the Bible?What makes the Bible so different from other books? At first

glance it looks like any other book (although you may beintimidated by its size). You also might wonder if its of any use tous today, since it mostly tells about events that happened thousandsof years ago. And yet people in every generation have found its message indispensable, and its influence onindividuals and society over the centuries has been enormous. Why? What is the Bible?

For one thing, the Bible is a collection of books, written by dozens of authors over many hundreds of years. Some are very briefless than a pagewhile others are much longer. But in spite of their diversity,when you examine them, you discover they all have a common theme: Gods relationship with the human race.

This is one reason why the books of the Bible are just as relevant today as when they were written. TheBible deals with timeless questions: Who are we? Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where are wegoing? How should we live?

Can you think of any questions more important than these? How can we ignore them?(continued on page nine)


9/16



9

What is the Bible? (continued)

The Word of God.But the Bible is important for a much greater reason: The Bible is the Word of God. Yes, various human

authors wrote itbut behind them was another Author: the Spirit of God. Even when they werent fully aware

of it, God was guiding them so that what they wrote wasnt just their own words, but Gods Word. The apostlePeter wrote, No prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophets own interpretation. For prophecy never hadits origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God asthey were carried along by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:20-21). God wanted to speak to us in words we couldunderstandand the Bible contains those words.

The Bible isnt just a collection of mens ideasabout God, nor is it a guidebook for living that peopledeveloped over the centuries. It is the Word of Godandthat makes all the difference. This means the Bible is our authority in everything it touches. This means the Bible is

our guide to show us how to live. Most of all, this meansthe Bible is our instructor, teaching us about God and His plan of salvation in Christ. The Old Testament pointstoward Christs coming; the New Testament tells of Hisarrival. From Genesis to Revelation we see Gods great

plan unfoldHis plan to win a lost humanity back toHimself. The central theme of the Bible is salvation, andthe central personality of the Bible is Christ.

The Bible is Gods gift to us. It came from God, and it points us to God. The Bible says of itself, AllScripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitablefor doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in

righteousness, that the man of God may be complete,thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy3:16-17 NKJV).

Can We Trust It?Since the Bible is Gods Word, we shouldnt be

surprised if Satan tries to convince us otherwise. The veryfirst question in the Bible came from Satans lips, castingdoubt on what God had told Adam and Eve: Did Godreally say ...? (Genesis 3:1). Then he became bolder, flatlydenying what God had said: You will not surely die

(Genesis 3:4). Ever since that dark day in the Garden of Eden, one of Satans most persistent strategies has been tomake us doubt the truthfulness and authority of GodsWord.

In the summer of 1949, my team and I were preparing for the most intensive evangelistic mission wehad ever attempted, a citywide outreach in Los Angeles,California. Although the press had ignored (continued on page ten)


10/16



10

What is the Bible? (continued)

it, several hundred churches had come together to prepare and pray for the planned three-week-long event. We believed God had led us there, and many were praying He would use the meetings to bring many to Christ.

Just weeks before the mission was to start, however, I experienced a major crisis of faiththe most

intense of my life. Some months before, a fellowevangelist whom I respected greatly had begun toexpress doubts about the Bible, urging me to face factsand change my belief that the Bible was the inspiredWord of God. Billy, he said, youre fifty years out-of-date. People no longer accept the Bible as being inspiredthe way you do. Your faith is too simple. I knew frommy own reading that some modern theologians sharedhis views.

For months doubts about the Bible swirledthrough my mind, finally coming to a boil during a

conference at which I was speaking in the mountainseast of Los Angeles. One night, alone in my cabin at theconference, I studied carefully what the Bible said aboutits divine origin. I recalled that the prophets clearly

believed they were speaking Gods Word; they used the phrase Thus says the Lord (or similar words) hundredsof times. I also knew that archaeological discoveries hadrepeatedly confirmed the Bibles historical accuracy.

Especially significant to me, however, was Jesusown view of Scripture. He not only quoted it frequently,

but also accepted it as the Word of God. While prayingfor His disciples, He said, Sanctify them by the truth;your word is truth (John 17:17). He also told them, Itell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will byany means disappear from the Law (Matthew 5:18). Shouldnt I have the same view of Scripture as my Lord?

Finally I went for a walk in the moonlit forest. I knelt down with my Bible on a tree stump in front of meand began praying. I dont recall my exact words, but my prayer went something like this: O Lord, there aremany things in this book I dont understand. There are many problems in it for which I have no solution. ... But,Father, by faith I am going to accept this as Thy Word. From this moment on I am going to trust the Bible as theWord of God.

When I got up from my knees, I sensed Gods presence in a way that I hadnt felt for months. Not all myquestions were answered, but I knew a major spiritual battle had been foughtand won. I never doubted theBibles divine inspiration again, and immediately my preaching took on a new confidence. This was, I believe,one reason why our Los Angeles meetings had to be extended from three weeks to eight.

Dont let anyone shake your confidence in the Bible as Gods Word. If you have questions about it,dont use them as an excuse to turn your back on God. Instead, face your doubts and seek answers; you arentthe first person to ask them. (Your local Christian bookstore can help you.) In addition, read the Bible for yourself with an open heart and mind. Ask God to show you if it truly is His Wordand He will.

Your life will never be the same once you trust the Bible as Gods Word. God will begin to use it tochange your life.


11/16



11

REASONS WHY FEW ARE SAVED

God has set a Savior against sin,a heaven against a hell,

light against darkness,good against evil,

and the breadth and length and depth and height of grace that is in Himself for my good,against all the power and strength and subtlety of every enemy.

I will show you some reasons of the point, besides those five that I showed you before. And, First, I will show you why the poor, carnal, ignorant world miss of heaven; and then, Second, why theknowing professors (Editors Note: those who profess to be saved) miss of it also.

[First, Why the poor, carnal, ignorant world miss heaven.]

1. The poor, carnal, ignorant world miss of heaven even because they love their sins, and cannot part with them. "Men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." (John 3:19) Thepoor ignorant world miss of heaven, because they are enemies in their minds to God, his Word,and holiness; they must be all damned who take pleasure in unrighteousness. (II Thessalonians2:10-12) The poor ignorant world miss of heaven, because they stoptheir ears against convictions, and refuse to come when God calls."Because I have called, and ye refused, I have stretched out my hand,and no man regarded, but ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof; I also will laugh at your calamity; I willmock when your fear cometh - as desolation, and your destruction -as a whirlwind, when distress and anguish cometh upon you; thenshall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek meearly, but they shall not find me." (Proverbs 1:24-29)

2. The poor ignorant world miss of heaven, because the god of this world hath blinded their eyes, that they can neither see the evil anddamnable state they are in at present, nor the way to get out of it;

neither do they see the beauty of Jesus Christ, nor how willing he isto save poor sinners. (II Corinthians 4:2-3)

3. The poor ignorant world miss of heaven, because they put off and defer coming to Christ, until thetime of Gods patience and grace is over. Some, indeed, are resolved never to come; but some,again, say, We will come hereafter; and so it comes to pass, that because God called, and they didnot hear; so they shall cry, and I will not hear, saith the Lord. (Zechariah 7:11-13)

(continued on page twelve)


12/16



12

REASONS WHY FEW ARE SAVED (continued)4. The poor ignorant world miss of

heaven, because they have falseapprehensions of God's mercy. They say in their hearts, We shall havepeace, though we walk in theimagination of our heart, to adddrunkenness to thirst. But whatsaith the Word? "The Lord will notspare him; but then the anger of theLord, and his jealousy, shall smokeagainst that man, and all the cursesthat are written in this book shall lieupon him, and the Lord shall blotout his name from under heaven."(Deuteronomy 29:19-21)

5. The poor ignorant world miss of heaven, because they make light of the gospel that offereth mercy to them freely, and because they lean upon their own goodmeanings, and thinkings, and doings. (Matthew 22:1-5, Romans 9:30,31)

6. The poor carnal world miss of heaven because by unbelief, which reigns in them, they are kept forever from being clothed with Christ's righteousness, and from washing in his blood, without whichthere is neither remission of sin, nor justification. But to pass these till anon.

[Second, I come, in the next place, to show you some reasons why the professor (EditorsNote those who profess to be Christians but indeed are not) falls short of heaven.]

First. In the general, they rest in things below special grace; as in awakenings that are not special, infaith that is not special, etc.; and, a little to run a parallel betwixt the one and the other, that, if God will, you may see and escape.

1. Have they that shall be saved, awakenings about their state by nature? So have they that shall bedamned. They that never go to heaven may see much of sin, and of the wrath of God due thereto.This had Cain and Judas, and yet they came short of the kingdom. (Genesis 4, Matthew 27:4) Thesaved have convictions, in order to their eternal life; but the others convictions are not so. Theconvictions of the one doth drive them sincerely to Christ; the convictions of the other doth drive

them to the law, and the law to desperation at last.

2. There is a repentance that will not save, a repentance to be repented of; and a repentance tosalvation, not to be repented of. (II Corinthians 7:10) Yet so great a similitude and likeness there is betwixt the one and the other, that most times the wrong is taken for the right, and through thismistake professors perish. As, (1.) In saving repentance there will be an acknowledgment of sin;and one that hath the other repentance may acknowledge his sins also. (Matthew 27:4) (2.) Insaving repentance there is a crying out under sin; but one that hath the other repentance may cry out under sin also. (Gen 4:13) (3.) In saving repentance there will be (continued on page thirteen)


13/16



13

REASONS WHY FEW ARE SAVED (continued)

humiliation for sin; and one that hath the other repentance may humble himself also. (I Kings 21:29)(4.) Saving repentance is attended with self-loathing; but he that hath the other repentance may haveloathing of sin too; a loathing of sin, because it is sin, that he cannot have; but a loathing of sin, because it is offensive to him, that he may have. The dog doth not loath that which troubleth hisstomach because it is there, but because it troubleth him; when it has done troubling of him, he canturn to it again, and lick it up as before it troubled him. (II Peter 2:22) (5.) Saving repentance isattended with prayers and tears; but he that hath none but the other repentance, may have prayersand tears also. (Genesis 27:34-35, Hebrews 12:16-17) (6.) In saving repentance there is fear andreverence of the Word and ministers that bring it; but this may be also where there is none but therepentance that is not saving; for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and holy, andobserved him; when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly. (Mark 6:20) (7.) Saving

repentance makes a man's heart very tenderof doing anything against the Word of God.But Balaam could say, "If Balak would giveme his house full of silver and gold, I cannotgo beyond the commandment of the Lord."(Numbers 24:13)

Behold, then, how far a man may go inrepentance, and yet be short of that which iscalled, "Repentance unto salvation, not to berepented of." (a.) He may be awakened; (b.)He may acknowledge his sin; (c.) He may cry out under the burden of sin; (d.) He may have humility for it; (e.) He may loath it; (f.)May have prayers and tears against it; (g.)may delight to do many things of God; (h.)May be afraid of sinning against himand,after all this, may perish, for want of savingrepentance.

Second. Have they that shall be saved, faith? Why, they that shall not be saved may havefaith also; yea, a faith in many things so like

the faith that saveth, that they can hardly be distinguished, though they differ both in root and branch. To come to particulars:

1. Saving faith hath Christ for its object, and so may the faith have that is not saving. Those very Jewsof whom it is said they believed on Christ, Christ tells them, and that after their believing, "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do." (John 8:30-44) 2. Saving faith is wrought by the Word of God, and so may the faith be that is not saving. (Luke 8:13) 3. Saving faith looks for justification without works, and so may a faith do that is not saving. (James 2:18) 4. Saving faith willsanctify and purify the heart, and the faith that is not saving may work a man off from the pollutionsof the world, as it did Judas, Demas, and others. (II Peter 2) 5. Saving faith will give a man tastes of the world to come, and also joy by those tastes, and so will the faith do that is not saving. (Hebrews6:4-5, Luke 8:13) 6. Saving faith will help a man, if called thereto, to give his (continued on page fourteen)


14/16



14


body to be burned for his religion, and so will the faith do that is not saving. (I Corinthians 13:1-5) 7.Saving faith will help a man to look for an inheritance in the world to come, and that may the faith dothat is not saving. All those virgins "took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom."(Matthew 25:1) 8. Saving faith will not only make a man look for, but prepare to meet the bridegroom,and so may the faith do that is not saving. "Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps."

(Matthew 25:7) 9. Saving faith will make a manlook for an interest in the kingdom of heaven with confidence, and the faith that is not saving will even demand entrance of the Lord. "Lord,Lord, open to us." (Matthew 25:11) 10. Savingfaith will have good works follow it into heaven,and the faith that is not saving may have great works follow it, as far as to heaven gates. "Lord,have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy namedone many wonderful works?" (Matthew 7:22)

Now, then, if the faith that is not saving may have Christ for its object, be wrought by the Word, look for justification without works, work men off from the pollutions of the world, andgive men tastes of, and joy in the things of another worldI say again, if it will help a manto burn for his judgment, and to look for aninheritance in another world; yea, if it will help aman to prepare for it, claim interest in it; and if it can carry great works, many great andglorious works, as far as heaven gates, then nomarvel if abundance of people take this faith for

the saving faith, and so fall short of heaven thereby. Alas, friends! There are but few that can producesuch [works] for repentance; and such faith, as yet you see I have proved even reprobates have had inseveral ages of the church.

But,

Third. They that go to heaven are a praying people; but a man may pray that shall not be saved. Pray!He may pray, pray daily; yea, he may ask of God the ordinances of justice, and may take delight in

approaching to God; nay, further, such souls may, as it were, cover the altar of the Lord with tears, with weeping and crying out. (Isaiah 28:2, Malachi 2:13)

Fourth. Do God's people keep holy fasts? They that are not his people may keep fasts alsomay keepfasts ofteneven twice a week. "The Pharisee stood, and prayed thus with himself: God, I thank theethat I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice inthe week, I give tithes of all that I possess." (Luke 18:11-12) I might enlarge upon things, but I intend but a little book. I do not question but many Balaamites will appear before the judgment-seat tocondemnation; men that have had visions of God, and that knew the knowledge (continued on page fifteen)


15/16



15


knowledge of the Most High; men that have had the Spirit of God come upon them, and that have by that been made other men; yet these shall go to the generations of their fathers, they shall never seelight. (Numbers 24:2,4,16, I Samuel 10:6,10, Psalm 49:19)

I read of some men whose excellency in religion mounts up to the heavens, and their headsreach unto the clouds, who yet shall perish for ever like their own dung; and he that in

this world hath seen them, shall say at the judgment, Where are they? (Job 20:5-7)

There will be many a one, that weregallant professors in this world, be

wanting among the saved in the day of Christ's coming; yea, many whose damnation was never dreamed of. Which of the twelve everthought that Judas would have proved a devil? Nay, when Christ suggested that one among them wasnaught, they each were more afraid of themselves than of him. (Matthew 26:21-23) Who questionedthe salvation of the foolish virgins? The wise ones did not; they gave them the privilege of communion with themselves. (Matthew 25) The discerning of the heart, and the infallible proof of the truth of saving grace, is reserved to the judgment of Jesus Christ at his coming. The church and best of saintssometimes hit, and sometimes miss in their judgments about this matter; and the cause of ourmissing in our judgment is, 1. Partly because we cannot infallibly, at all times, distinguish grace thatsaveth from that which doth but appear to do so. 2. Partly also because some men have the art to giveright names to wrong things. 3. And partly because we, being commanded to receive him that is weak,are afraid to exclude the least Christian. By a hid means hypocrites creep into the churches. But whatsaith the Scripture? "I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins." And again, "All the churches shallknow that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts; and I will give unto every one of youaccording to your works." (Jeremiah 11:20, 17:10, Revelation 2:23) To this Searcher of hearts is thetime of infallible discerning reserved, and then you shall see how far grace that is not saving hathgone; and also how few will be saved indeed. The Lord awaken poor sinners by my little book.

Bible Literacy Project NewsBiblical ignoranceChicago Tribune EditorialMay 12, 2005

The Case for Teaching The BibleBy DAVID VAN BIEMA

When American novelists gave their books titles like "East of Eden,""Absalom, Absalom!" and "Song of Solomon," they assumed their audiencewould immediately understand the biblical allusions. With today's readers, thatmay be a mistake. In a recent survey, only 1 out of every 3 American teenagerscould identify who asked, "Am I my brother's keeper?" (It was Cain, in the

book of Genesis.)

(continued on page sixteen)


16/16



16

Bible Literacy Project News (continued)

It's every person's decision whether to believe or practice what is taught in the Bible. But noone can deny its influence. Trying to understand American literature and history without someknowledge of the Bible is like trying to make sense of the ocean despite a complete ignorance of fish.

Religion, particularly Christianity, has played a large role in our culture since the Puritans arrivedintent on "advancing the Gospel of the kingdom of Christ," in the words of William Bradford,governor of Plymouth Colony. Yet many American high schools choose not to teach their studentsabout what is undoubtedly the most influential book in Western history.

The survey, sponsored by the Bible Literacy Project, yielded other distressingnews. Only 34 percent of teens know what happened on the road to Damascus-- where the Apostle Paul was stunned into conversion by the appearance of God.

Twenty-eight percent didn't know who Moses was. Anyone unfamiliar with these stories would be puzzled by countless biblicalreferences in poems, novels and speeches. That's why, when college Englishprofessors were asked in 1986 what book they wished incoming freshmenhad read, the Bible ranked first. Some 90 percent of high school English

teachers in the new survey said it's important for all high school students to beacquainted with it. But they said most of their pupils are not.

That ignorance acts as a hindrance to learning. "I'll make comparisons, youknow, I'll say, `You know, like Noah and the ark or like Moses,'" one teacher

reported, "and I'll have kids kind of look at me: `Who's Noah?' or `Who'sMoses?'" One teacher gave up using Charles Portis' novel "True Grit" because "the kids were so stumped" by its many biblical allusions.

But many high schools don't offer courses or even units of courses about the Bible. Some teachersand administrators fear that any such instruction is constitutionally forbidden or that it wouldsomehow be inappropriate. In fact, the Supreme Court has made it clear that public schools are free toteach about the Bible just as they would any other work of literature or history. The U.S. EducationDepartment has issued guidelines stressing that religion is an appropriate subject for study.

Public schools have no business using Bible instruction to advance a religious agenda. But whenthey decline to impart knowledge about such an important subject, they are not doing anything topreserve the separation of church and state. They are merely failing their students.

Homeward Bound is published by Homeward Bound Ministries, Post Office Box 3351, Milford, Connecticut,USA, 06460. Homeward Bound is a teaching ministry attempting to edify the body of Christ, prepare men andwomen to serve in the Great Commission and furnish articles of timely interest and content relevant to our dayand the issues we face in our daily walk with Christ. We invite you to write to us and ask questions regarding

the Bible and matters of faith, and submit articles, testimonies or other pieces for publication that glorify God.Thank you for taking the time to read this issue of Homeward Bound!

2008 Homeward Bound Ministries

HB Newsletter V12N04

Documents

Transcript of HB Newsletter V12N04