SPURGEON ON POPERY

“Cursed be the man before the Lord, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho.” — Joshua 6:26

Since he was cursed who rebuilt Jericho, much more the man who labours to restore Popery among us. In our fathers’ days the gigantic walls of Popery fell by the power of their faith, the perseverance of their efforts, and the blast of their gospel trumpets; and now there are some who would rebuild that accursed system upon its old foundation. O Lord, be pleased to thwart their unrighteous endeavours, and pull down every stone which they build. It should be a serious business with us to be thoroughly purged of every error which may have a tendency to foster the spirit of Popery, and when we have made a clean sweep at home we should seek in every way to oppose its all too rapid spread abroad in the church and in the world. This last can be done in secret by fervent prayer, and in public by decided testimony. We must warn with judicious boldness those who are inclined towards the errors of Rome; we must instruct the young in gospel truth, and tell them of the black doings of Popery in the olden times. We must aid in spreading the light more thoroughly through the land, for priests, like owls, hate daylight. Are we doing all we can for Jesus and the gospel? If not, our negligence plays into the hands of the priestcraft. What are we doing to spread the Bible, which is the Pope’s bane and poison? Are we casting abroad good, sound gospel writings? Luther once said, “The devil hates goose quills” and, doubtless, he has good reason, for ready writers, by the Holy Spirit’s blessing, have done his kingdom much damage. If the thousands who will read this short word this night will do all they can to hinder the rebuilding of this accursed Jericho, the Lord’s glory shall speed among the sons of men. Reader, what can you do? What will you do?

AND HIS WORDS ARE NOT HEARD

Ecclesiastes 9:16 Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.

We warn about the false gospel of Roman Catholicism but how many are really listening? False doctrine is often accepted because it is proclaimed by those in “ministry” or a famous man. Truth is often rejected because it is proclaimed by an obscure and unknown man.

Keil and Delitzsch Commentary:

… as a rule his words are unheeded,

… for the crowd estimate the worth of him, whom they willingly hear, according to the outward respect in which he is held.

Cambridge Commentary:

… the highest illustration of the maxim, in the question which asked “Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is he not himself a carpenter?”

TESTIMONIES

YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN

SOUL REFUGE

THE COMMONWEALTH OF ISRAEL, GOD’S CHOSEN PEOPLE, A HOLY NATION

I heard another church sermon on Israel last Sunday. This particular church is known around the world, so even more believers are now being infected with the false teaching of dispensationalism. We really need to be Bereans… Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

THE COMMONWEALTH OF ISRAEL, GOD’S CHOSEN PEOPLE, A HOLY NATION AS DEFINED IN THE BIBLE…

1 Peter 2:9-10 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Galatians 3:7-9 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

Ephesians 2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

GENTILES (ethnos) a race, i.e. a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-Jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan): Gentile, heathen, nation, people.

Ephesians 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

ALIENS (apallotrioo) to estrange away, i.e. (passively and figuratively) to be non-participant: alienate, be alien.

COMMONWEALTH (politeia) citizenship; concretely, a community: commonwealth, freedom.

STRANGERS (xenos) foreign ; by implication, a guest.

Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

Ephesians 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

PARTITION (phragmos) a fence, or inclosing barrier (literally or figuratively): hedge (round about), partition.

Ephesians 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

Ephesians 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

Ephesians 2:17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

Ephesians 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

Ephesians 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

FELLOWCITIZENS (sumpolites) a native of the same town.

HOUSEHOLD (oikeios) domestic, i.e. (as noun), a relative, adherent:–(those) of the (his own) house(-hold).

Ephesians 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

Ephesians 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

FELLOWHEIRS (sugkleronomos) a co-heir, i.e. (by analogy) participant in common: fellow (joint)-heir, heir together, heir with.