OK, so I know this is a little late and I actually resisted writing anything about the "king of pop". However, as I read more and thought about his life, I began to feel that I was to write something. Bear with me, I am by no means an expert on Michael Jackson or even a fan. The only times I can remember seeing him were on the Free Willy movie and on the news stations occasionally.
That being said, I wanted to share some thoughts that I keep thinking about this whole topic:
1. You are a Mist
It has become a cliche in Christian circles, but life truly is a mist or vapor. Take a look at James 4:14, James 1:10, and 1 Peter 1:24. None of us knows when we'll pass from this life to the next. Those who repented (turned a 180 from their sin) and trusted Christ as Savior, will find eternal life. Those who rejected Christ Jesus and lead their own life, partaking in whatever pleasures they wanted to, will find eternal damnation.
2. The Power of Sin
Michael Jackson's life was ravaged by sin. It had taken an obvious, physical toll and in the end, sin ended it. Consider the following quote by Charles Spurgeon:
"If you will not have death unto sin, you shall have sin unto death. There is no alternative. If you do not die to sin, you shall die for sin. If you do not slay sin, sin will slay you."
Sin takes a terrible toll. It will always cost you more than you think it will. Other peoples' sins effect us and our sin effects them. Mr. Jackson lead a life of sin and it had an impact on many people.
3. Our Culture Glorifies Evil and Sin
I have been very surprised by how people, including some Christians, have responded to Michael Jackson's death. Some truly idolizing him and others having a profound respect towards him. Some have even said he meant more to them then Jesus Christ.
This world glorified a man who was depraved and totally given over to sin. But it mocks those who try to live godly, peaceable lives. It has a totally different standard than God does. God doesn't look to see if the person was a gifted singer or movie star, He looks at the condition of the heart. Is it washed by the cleansing blood of Jesus or not?
In closing, I would encourage you to pray for the family that Michael left behind. It is not too late for them to turn to the Lord. Pray that they would turn to Christ in their grief and surrender their lives to Him.
Showing posts with label Spurgeon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spurgeon. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Saturday, November 15, 2008
The Quotable Spurgeon
“If sinners will be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies. And if the will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go there unwarned and unsprayed for.”
“Gratitude is the only fountain of acceptable service; without it, the streams are far to defiled to flow in the paradise of God.”
“If God has called you to be a missionary, your Father would be grieved for you to shrivel down into a king.”
“The gate of Heaven, though it is so wide that the greatest sinner may enter, is nevertheless so low that pride can never pass through it.”
“You and I must continue to drive at men’s hearts till they are broken. Then we must keep on preaching Christ crucified until their hearts are bound up.”
“I do not believe that any man can preach the gospel who does not preach the Law. The Law is the needle, and you cannot draw the silken thread of the gospel through a man’s heart unless you first send the needle of the Law to make way for it.”
“If you wish to know God, you must know His Word. If you wish to perceive His power, you must see how He works by His Word. If you wish to know His purpose before it comes to pass, you can only discover it by His Word.”
“Let eloquence be flung to the dogs rather than souls be lost. What we want is to win souls. They are not won by flowery speeches.”
“Some have used the terrors of the Lord to terrify, but Paul used them to persuade.”
“Men have been helped to live by remembering that they must die.”
“I am told that Christians do not love each other. I am very sorry if that be true, but I rather doubt it, for I suspect that those who do not love each other are not Christians.”
“Defend the Bible? I would as soon defend a lion! Unchain it and it will defend itself!”
“Preach with this object, that men may quit their sins and fly to Christ for pardon, that by His blessed Spirit they may be renovated and become as much in love with everything that is holy as they are now in love with everything that is sinful.”
“Gratitude is the only fountain of acceptable service; without it, the streams are far to defiled to flow in the paradise of God.”
“If God has called you to be a missionary, your Father would be grieved for you to shrivel down into a king.”
“The gate of Heaven, though it is so wide that the greatest sinner may enter, is nevertheless so low that pride can never pass through it.”
“You and I must continue to drive at men’s hearts till they are broken. Then we must keep on preaching Christ crucified until their hearts are bound up.”
“I do not believe that any man can preach the gospel who does not preach the Law. The Law is the needle, and you cannot draw the silken thread of the gospel through a man’s heart unless you first send the needle of the Law to make way for it.”
“If you wish to know God, you must know His Word. If you wish to perceive His power, you must see how He works by His Word. If you wish to know His purpose before it comes to pass, you can only discover it by His Word.”
“Let eloquence be flung to the dogs rather than souls be lost. What we want is to win souls. They are not won by flowery speeches.”
“Some have used the terrors of the Lord to terrify, but Paul used them to persuade.”
“Men have been helped to live by remembering that they must die.”
“I am told that Christians do not love each other. I am very sorry if that be true, but I rather doubt it, for I suspect that those who do not love each other are not Christians.”
“Defend the Bible? I would as soon defend a lion! Unchain it and it will defend itself!”
“Preach with this object, that men may quit their sins and fly to Christ for pardon, that by His blessed Spirit they may be renovated and become as much in love with everything that is holy as they are now in love with everything that is sinful.”
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