WE WILL STAY THE COURSE
Joshua had no confidence in
himself. He was not weakened by proud presumption. Yet, depending entirely upon
the grace of God and for the glory of God, he boldly declared to the children
of Israel -
"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." In a like spirit, I
want you to be assured of one thing - God helping me, so long as I am your
pastor, we will stay the course, we will not be turned
aside from the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. My attitude toward the old, old
story of Christ and him crucified is like David's attitude toward the sword of
Goliath. I say, "There is none like that: give it me." From the very
beginning of our labors together, we have been committed to the one task of
preaching the gospel of God's free, sovereign, eternal, immutable, and
irresistible grace in Christ. I see no need for change. There is nothing like
the gospel of Christ to break the pride of sinful men and humble thee before
God. There is nothing like the gospel of Christ to comfort, encourage, rebuke,
challenge, edify, instruct, and strengthen God's elect. I know not what other
preachers and other churches may do. But, God helping us, we will continue as
we began. From this pulpit we will continue to sound out the old, old message
of God's saving grace, electing love, and sovereign power, the message of
Christ's effectual redemption and glorious exaltation, the message of the
Spirit's irresistible call and eternal preservation. We will stay the course.