Communicating Like Ezekiel

Posted on 12 October 2026 by Seth Meyers

God told Ezekiel directly how to speak. What did this prophet repeat in different sermons and over the course of years?

1. Ezekiel used object and visual lessons.

      He drew Jerusalem on a brick. 4:1-3

      He lay on his side. 4:4-8

      He cooked with dung. 4:12-15

      He shaved his head. 5:1-2

      He dramatized enslavement. 12:3-7

      He ignored his wife’s death. 24:15-18

      2. Ezekiel told parables and riddles.

      He gave a new meaning to an old proverb. 12:21-24

      He retold Israel’s history as the story of a girl. 16

      He offered a riddle about two eagles. 17:3-10

      3. Ezekiel related visions and personal experiences.

      He told his vision of the angels and the throne in the clouds. 1

      He told how the Spirit moved him to different places and talked with him. 3

      He told how he saw both glory and evil in Jerusalem. 8-9

      He saw sights and sounds in the heavens. 10

      4. Ezekiel mixed negative and positive truths.

      He gives very harsh rebukes, and then offers hope for the future. 6, 9, 11, 14, 16, 17

      5. Ezekiel kept one great idea throughout all his preaching.

      Dozens of time, from the beginning to the end of his ministry, he writes, “They shall know that I am the Lord.” All his preaching has a single direction, and a unified purpose. He is God-centered, logical, and driven without change or novelty over the years of his service.

      Sermons ought to be focused, clear, and definable. Our teaching should have a single thesis, and our entire ministries should too.

      These marks formed a lively style inspired by God for this prophet, but as each situation allows, it would be wise for sermons today to have such elements.

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      “The Midnight Cry” by John Mason 1690

      Posted on 7 October 2026 by Seth Meyers

      I read this sermon and have edited it down to some highlights. Here is a man from the Puritans pleading with sinners based on Christ’ Return. I have a few observations at the end.

      Then shall the Kingdom of Heaven be likened to ten Virgins… Matthew 25:1

      HERE is an awful Parable, and it is Christ’s Parable; and surely you should very much desire, that none of you, nor yours, should be of these foolish Virgins. The Door is shut, some shut in, and some shut out; either you will be shut in or out. …

      Watch therefore, for you know neither the Day nor the Hour when the Son of Man cometh. But of what sort of Coming of the Son of Man is it? You must compare Text with Text, and Place with Place. …

      This must be in this World: for in the End of the World, the Son gives up the Kingdom to the Father, 1 Cor. 15. 24. Christ has a Kingdom in this World.… The Kingdoms of the World, are not in this special sense the Kingdoms of Christ now. When the Times of the Gentiles shall be fulfilled, Christ will have a Kingdom in this World: As the Lord lives, he will reign here upon the Earth, and his Enemies shall be slain before him: He will cut his way through to his Kingdom, by slaying Millions of Blasphemers, Swearers, Sabbath-breakers, etc.

      Repent quickly, or thou art in Hell quickly; for Christ is coming, the Earthquake is begun.

      I beseech you to submit your selves to the Word: Daniel saith, Christ comes in the Clouds to take a Kingdom. Our Saviour saith the same, Mat. 24.—He will come in the Clouds, and then the Tribes of the Earth shall mourn; i.e. The Jews shall penitently mourn, and then Christ enters upon his Kingdom. … Christ appears in the Clouds, and the first thing done, is the Call of the Jews. …

      Beg, that you, your Friends, and Children, may be taken, and not left. Here will be a World of People destroyed: Who shall live when God does this? Who may abide the Day of his coming? These things are at the Door. … (I speak not these things to amuse you, but for the Good of your Souls, and Honour of our Redeemer) …

      I should be loath to speak what is a little abstruse, but who can hold his Peace? Christ’s Coming is to set up his Kingdom amongst Jews and Gentiles, which will be a glorious time; but dreadful Tribulations make way for it; which in part is come to pass, as to what is come upon the Turks. …

      Surely I come quickly: The Lord will be here in a short time; and every Eye shall see him. Happy they that can say, This is our God, we have waited for him. … Watch in a way of Expectation, and in a way Preparation, that he may come to you as a Friend in the Day, not as a Thief in the Night.

      …by the Bride therefore we understand the Church of the Jews. There is a great deal Scripture for this… In the Parable the Bride doth not appear; for therein is represented the State of the Gentiles, and something that will happen to them before the Conversion of the Jews. The Jews are now in their Synagogues blaspheming: but the Lord is coming to call them; and here is an Alarm to awaken the Virgins; The Lord is coming.

      Quest. Who are these Virgins?

      Answer 1. They are Gentiles.

      Answer 2. They are Christian Gentiles, They go forth to meet the Bridegroom; they have respect to Christ.

      Doctrine: The virgins are asleep.

      It were well if it were not so, but it is so; go where you will, and you will find it so: Congregations, Towns, Villages, particular Persons, they are all asleep: People should be watching and praying, and they are asleep. You’ll say, we are not asleep. Ay, but your Hearts are asleep; and ’tis a Midnight-Sleep, which is the fastest; the World is in a deep Sleep. These Days are compared by Christ himself to the Days of Noah and Lot, Luke 17. … They minded these things and nothing else: People are eating and drinking, etc. i.e. carnally secure; they mind their worldly Business, but where is the Sabbath-keeping, and Sense of a God? They pay respect to others, but where is their respect to God and his Worship? O what a dead Sleep is on the Hearts of poor Creatures! …

      We cannot say, Christ comes this Night, or Next: The Day and Hour knoweth no Man; but it is near, when you see such things come to pass: [He then lists historical events]. …The Lord will be here wonderful quickly; he comes with infinite speed; as he lives, he loves; as he loves, he comes; as he comes, he comes quickly: All the World will be convinc’d, that he comes wonderful quickly. …

      They all have [at that time when Christ comes] an high esteem for Oil; All the World for a little Oil! Gold and Silver is nothing. We have provided for such a Child, and laid up such an Estate: worldly Projects took up our Thoughts; these kept out Christ and the Spirit: now these are all cut off, Lands, and Stocks, and Flocks, there is an end of all these. Oh! A thousand Worlds for Oil; Union with Christ, Communion with Christ: Oh! for Christ and Grace.

      …Thou hast been baptized outwardly, but hast thou been baptized inwardly? Thou hast been called by the Minister: dost know what it is to be inwardly called? It must be something within that must stick by you. … I adjure you by the Lord, tell me what God has done for your Souls? Tell your selves; Are you converted? Are you justified and sanctified? Are you not yet in your Sins? You please your selves with coming to Church, but you must not rest in the outward Work, it will not do without Oil within.

      Are there any unjustified, unsanctified ones here, Swearers, Sabbath breakers, Drunkards, Enemies to the Spirit, Prayerless, Graceless? You are in a miserable condition: Repent quickly, or you’ll perish quickly. You’ll say, I am young, I may live-many Years: I tell you, you have but a little time to be out of Hell, if you do not repent. … Conscience is now gagged, but then it will roar; they that were in presumption, are now in Desperation; Sinners, will you sell your Souls? Have you a mind to be damned?

      …I am afraid that there are many here that are but foolish Virgins; you must be changed or damned. … Oh! cry Day and Night for Oil; for the Blood of Sprinkling, the Spirit of Sanctification. Your time is short, and your work great. …

      Use to my Friends out of Christ

      I wish you in Christ; you have been desired to get into Christ, but you have not minded these things; nothing but the Lamp; I tell you again and again, that will not do; stay till the loud Cry comes, and you are ruined for ever: There may be a little time, but like a Man in a Storm, you’ll reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken Man; and what, work for your souls when you are at your wits’ end?

      …You lose all if you stay a little while longer: Get Christ and Oil: Husbands, pray for your Wives; Wives, pray for your Husbands: try what a praying Life will do. You’ll say, I cannot pray. Why, do as well as you can, that God would save your Life, and the Life of your little ones, before it be too late.

      Use to my precious Friends in Christ

      See that you have Oil in the Lamp, i. e. Grace in Act; If you live in the Spirit, walk in the Spirit; if you have Faith, use it; if you have Love, use it: as Luther said, Let them pray that can pray. Many a poor Creature cannot pray, they have hard Hearts, and cannot pray: But you do pray; ay, but not enough. When we expect a dear Friend, we would have something extraordinary: why, here is Christ a coming; What, nothing extraordinary! nothing but what is for the family! Get your hearts into a more lively frame; you have spoken to one another, now speak often one to another: whereas you prayed before, double the file. Do it seven times more, and watch; What I say unto you, I say unto all, Watch. It is but a little time, cannot you watch? As Christ said to Peter, Cannot you watch with me one Hour? …

      Be less in the World; your Hearts out of the World, and your Hands less in it: contract your Business; do not regard the Stuff so much: Did we ever say so much to you before? … “Watch you therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

      Full text https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebo/A52172.0001.001/1:4?rgn=div1&view=fulltext

      My Observations

      1. This sermon is premillennial, and was found long before John Darby.
      2. This sermon sticks close to the text, exalts Christ, and breathes a lively spirit.

      Posted in Orthopathy | Tagged | Leave a comment

      Transporting the Tabernacle

      Posted on 28 September 2026 by Seth Meyers

      Levi’s sons, Kohath, Gershon, and Merari had families who were given jobs concerning the tabernacle. In Numbers 4, a lengthy chapter describes the transport of the tabernacle. The sons of Kohath must carry the Ark of the Covenant and the instruments of the tabernacle. The sons of Gershon must carry the curtains for the tabernacle. The sons of Merari must carry the boards for the rooms of the tabernacle.

      A Christian might learn at least 6 lessons from this.

      1. Everyone has a job.
        All believers have been divinely placed in some place of service. They must be entirely devoted to that religious end, or else their lives are being wasted. The jobs are given by God, and so they must be taken very seriously.
      2. All the jobs make the worship and sacrifice possible.
        The jobs in this chapter include wrapping up candlesticks and carrying them while they are bundled in badgers’ skins. But without the successful execution of this task, they would not be able to worship God according to His pleasure at their next camp. Many practical actions are necessary to sing as a group or to remember the Lord’s death or to study the Bible verse by verse.
      3. Each man must stay in his family role–there is no place for ambition.
        No good Levite could anticipate “moving up.” He should have no other controlling motive than faithfulness to his calling. While there is a place for ambition in godly manhood and missions, there is also a vital place for quiet, day-by-day, contented, repetitive, unnoticed obedience. To reach the unreached of the world a great many people must throw away all worldly ambitions, being happy without an increase in salary, living in relatively poorer conditions, and staying in such unglamorous and even uncomfortable situations for the sake of bringing the sheep to the fold by faithful obedience.
      4. Some jobs are more dangerous, and some are more demanding.
        To Kohath God said twice, “Lest they die” (vs. 15 and 20). The other two families did not have such danger because they did not deal with such sacred instruments as the Ark of the Covenant. Merari’s sons must carry the heaviest burdens as they transport the planks and boards. The works were unequal in their responsibilities, stress, and physical demands, but no one could complain about his calling, or change callings.
      5. All the jobs were given to men.
        At least 25 times, God specifically designated that sons and fathers do this work. Thus, the men did the jobs in civil and religious life while the women were devoted to the home.
      6. Men served in their mental and physical prime.
        From 30 years old to 50 years old was the age requirements that God gave seven times (vs. 3, 23, 30, 35, 39, 43, 47). Before 30, he might not have experience or good judgment, but after 50 it might be too difficult on his body to carry the loads. From this believers learn to improve their judgment, patiently waiting until their maturity is evident, and then to serve God with all their might since their window of time is very small in light of eternity.
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      Cultural Marxism in the Pittsburgh Science Center

      Posted on 30 July 2026 by Seth Meyers

      After our family had finished a visit to the Kamin Science Center (formerly the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh) in June 2026, two of my sons and I approached the manager regarding posters and movies promoting homosexuality that had been published in the museum. 

      This discussion took place between us. 

      Manager: “What is the complaint?” 

      Seth: “The Science Center promoted certain things that are philosophical, theological, and cultural, but that are certainly not scientific.” 

      Manager: “What are you referring to?” 

      Seth: “These posters and movies about pride month.” 

      Manager: “We feel strongly about this because it represents our values.” 

      Seth: “How interesting that you feel strongly because I also feel very strongly about my values. But that does not change the fact that changing the culture is not science, and yet this is a museum.” 

      Manager: “We are trying to expose the children to new ideas.” 

      Seth: “The ideas you have advertised are scientific, but then you snuck in these other ideas that I do not want my children to be exposed to. When I was young, I did not know what these words and terms meant, but I think you are trying to change that so that a new generation has different categories.” 

      Manager: “Yes, we are tolerant to all views, and we want the children to learn about all the different things in life.” 

      Seth: “So are you trying to change the culture from what it had been when I was young.” 

      Manager: “Yes, because today is 2026 and not 1976.” 

      Seth: “In other words, you are trying to support a cultural revolution?” 

      Manager: “Yes, you could say that.” 

      Seth: “So I would see that as cultural Marxism whereby, having failed militarily, communism is attempting to take over the cultural means of production such as movies, music, schools, colleges, and even museums. Is that what is happening here?” 

      Manager: “Well, you can call it whatever you want. That’s your choice.” 

      Seth: “No, no, I am not interested in my self expression, but actually understanding what you are doing here. Would the board of directors agree with changing the values of our children from what I knew as a boy to the kinds of things that are promoted by these posters and movies?” 

      Manager: “Oh, yes, the board of directors decides what goes on in the museum.” 

      Seth: “So you can say confidently that they agree with what you have been telling me?” 

      Manager: “Definitely.” 

      Worker nearby who had sold us the tickets: “Oh, I don’t know if I would agree with that.” 

      Seth: “Well, I can appreciate your opinion, but I am much more interested in the manager and the board of directors than your particular views. So, could I post on a review that cultural Marxism describes what the museum is doing right now?” 

      Manager: “Yes.” 

      Seth: “I will certainly do that. Please tell your superiors that parents are angry when their role is stolen by men who want to erase the Christian heritage of America.” 

      _____________________

      If every man who entered the doors spoke to the manager, how long would it take for the posters to disappear? Godly anger produces a confrontation with sin. 

      “When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle.” Edmund Burke

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      True Christians Are Few

      Posted on 24 July 2026 by Seth Meyers

      A glorious future of true believers and earthly prosperity is promised in the OT over 90 times. Since all the nations are not now flowing to Jerusalem to worship Jehovah, these promises must be in the future. Some doctrines die in the OT.

      But a terrible present reality with very few believers is promised repeatedly in the NT—few Christians, many false prophets, and constant persecution. These conditions hold until the Second Coming. 

      The OT promises a real, thrilling future hope, and the NT predicts a hard time with a small church. Here are some of those verses that predict there will be very few true Christians until the Second Coming. 

      1. Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
        The lost are many, and the saved are few. 
      2. Luke 12:30-32 For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things. 31 But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. 32 Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.
        Jesus sees two groups throughout all his teaching.
        He proportions one of these groups as “the nations” and the other a “little flock.” 
      3. Luke 13:24 Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
        Jesus prophesied that a great number will try to be saved, but they will fail at their attempt. He clarifies in the next verse that this will be seen at the final judgment. 
      4. Luke 14:16-24 “They all alike began to make excuses…” 
        When men were invited to the feast, “they all” rejected. The feast itself is in a house compared with the streets, lanes, highways, and hedges of the world. A few accepted, and the majority rejected. 
      5. Luke 17:26-29 “And just as it happened in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: 27 they were eating, they were drinking, they were marrying, they were being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. 28 It was the same as happened in the days of Lot: they were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building; 29 but on the day that Lot went out from Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all.” 
        In Noah’s time, only 8 were saved. In Lot’s time, only 3 were saved from Sodom. The Second Coming will see them all destroyed. 
      6. Luke 18:8 I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?
        At the Second Coming, true faith will be rare. 
      7. Luke 19:12-27 “And he called ten of his slaves… But his citizens hated him…” 
        In the parable, the citizens hate the Lord when he comes, and only a few slaves are faithful. 
      8. Luke 21:17 [Before the Second Coming,] you will be hated by all because of My name. 
        Sinners will be “all” and believers will be persecuted and hated by the larger group. Persecution is promised in many passages of the NT. Persecution by the government is only possible when a super majority of the population is lost. 
      9. Luke 21:35 for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth.
        [That day] of judgment when all will be destroyed will surprise a group described as all who dwell on the earth. 
      10. John 16:33 In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
        Men will always dominate and force true believers which they could only do if they were a super majority in society. 
      11. John 17:9 I ask on their behalf; I do not ask on behalf of the world, but of those whom You have given Me; for they are Yours;
        True Christians are placed throughout the NT in opposition to the world. This must mean that the majority are lost and are therefore given a title that immediately brings that to our minds.
      12. 2 Timothy. 3:1 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 
        The last days will be full of sin.
      13. 1 John 2:18 Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour.
        There are many antichrists in the last days. There are many false prophets (1 John 4:1; 2 John 7; Matt. 24:5; Titus 1:10). There are many false converts (Matt. 7:22; 25:1-13; 2 Pet. 2:2). 
      14. 1 John 5:19 We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. 
        A group called “the whole world” is empowered by Satan. 
      15. Revelation 16:14 for they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them together for the war of the great day of God, the Almighty.
        At the great day of God prophesied in the last book of the Bible, demons will gather all the kings of the earth for a tremendous war against God. 

      Conclusions

      1. We should emphasize evangelism in our religious labors rather than political action or societal change or entertainment because the majority are lost. 
      2. We should place the Second Coming as our real Blessed Hope and thus pray for Him to come so that Christianity will win through Him as the OT promises. 
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      Ranking the Least-reached People Groups

      Posted on 13 April 2026 by Seth Meyers

      The website Joshua Project and the prayer resource Operation World are very helpful tools to think clearly about the state of missions around the world. These works try to answer the question, “Who is unreached with the gospel of Jesus?” Please go click on these links and read carefully. Missions is the most important bias for any Christian to train himself in. You know someone who has a theological theme that he always raises and discusses. Missions deserves to be that repeated theme.

      But I offer here an improvement on the ranking of the Joshua Project and Operation World because these two works rest heavily on the percentage of the population that claim to be Christian. Certainly, if a Muslim claims not to believer in Jesus, we know that he is lost. But what about those in Brazil or Tanzania or the Philippines who claim to be Christian?

      Joshua Project Criterion WeightingOpportunity-Based Criterion Weighting
      Ministry tools                                       15%Literature Availability                           20%
      Economy / Education                             9%Poverty                                                15%
       Literacy rate                                        15%
      Population                                            25%Population                                            15%
      Percentage Evangelical                         43%Percentage Evangelical                         15%
       Geography                                           10%
      Persecution / Danger                             8%Danger                                                10%
      TOTAL                                             100%TOTAL                                             100%

      The Joshua Project emphasizes % evangelical and population while an opportunity-based scale emphasizes poverty and literature.

      How to score a 100

      This scale is ranked on the amount of potential a given group has to hear the Gospel and follow Jesus Christ. Opportunity is assumed to be almost infallibly connected to poverty. There is a large gap by design between a people group living beyond cement’s reach and a group that has very few professing believers. The inclusion of the “population” and “danger” categories adds significant weight to the priority not just the potential. Thus, this scale has a dual aim: least-reached and most urgent need.

      1. Literature Availability (20 points)
        The access to a Bible translation as well as distribution of Christian literature and recordings is weighted the most heavily because this generally indicates the amount of church planting activity in a culture as well as the amount of potential a given group has had.

      2. Poverty (15 points)
        Poverty affects the unreached status in two categories: the government’s wealth, the group’s per capita income, and the number of missionaries. The government’s wealth affects the unreached status by infrastructure. Roads, electricity, phone and internet access, schools, and availability of jobs are the major categories where wealth affects the unreached status.

        Secondly, the economy also controls the number of shops where Bibles, literature, and petrol could be purchased. The lack of jobs in a society means the people will have less chance to purchase Bibles, books, and education.

        Thirdly, the less money, the less modern comforts to attract missionaries to that area. More developed areas almost always have more missionaries than poor people groups. Money makes the potential higher for any people group to hear the Gospel.

        Roads were chosen as a gauge of the region’s economy because they are typically proportionate to infrastructure and job availability.

      3. Literacy (15 points)
        Christianity’s strength is in its book. The level of literacy is directly proportional to a group’s maximum potential to glorify God. Literacy rates run synonymously with level of schools and schools are typically proportionate to poverty. Therefore, this category runs parallel with poverty.

      4. Percentage Evangelical (15 points)
        While the Joshua Project ranks 43% of their grade almost entirely from this factor, this is a relatively small factor in estimating the potential to hear that a certain group has. However, the more evangelicals a people group has, presumably the greater opportunity that others have to learn what they believe.

      5. Population (15 points)
        “The rationale of this weighting is that the larger a people group, the more likely it will have an influence on the smaller groups around it.” (Joshua Project) Also, smaller groups are more likely to speak two languages or to be overlapped by another group that could raise their potential. Logically, the group should get some priority over the individual. This factor distinguishes between two categories of equally ranked people groups.

      6. Geography (10 points)
        This factor estimates the opportunity a group has based on proximity to an evangelical church. Geography will usually run tandem with poverty, danger, and/or percentage evangelical.

      7. Danger (10 points)
        Government hostility discourages missionary presence, printing and distribution materials, and persecution of those who do follow Christ. Government also sets the cultural tone that permeates society and greatly influences the potential of the spread of the Gospel.
      CriteriaValuePoints
      Literature Availability
      Maximum points: 20      		No Bible portions, no recordings20
      Bible portions only, recordings18
      New Testament only completed after 198015
      New Testament only completed before 198012
      Whole Bible before 19809
      Dictionary, audio recordings, Bible6
      Bible plus internet cafes3
      Bible, Christian books, and residential internet0
      Poverty
      Maximum points: 15      		No roads, Canoe and air only15
      Dirt roads only and limited petrol10
      Some tar roads, mainly public transportation5
      Most or all roads are tar0
      Literacy
      Maximum points: 15      		< 10% literate15
      > 10 – 50% literate10
      > 50-75% literate5
      > 75-100% literate0
      Percentage Evangelical
      Maximum points: 15      		0-2% evangelical15
      2-5% evangelical10
      5-10% evangelical5
      > 10% evangelical0
      Population[1]
      Maximum points: 15        		> 1,000,00015
      500,000-999,99912
      100,000-499,9999
      50,000-99,9996
      0-49,9993
      Geography
      Maximum points: 10      		Closest evangelical church +200 kilometers10
      Closest evangelical church 100-2008
      Closest evangelical church 20-1006
      Closest evangelical church 10-204
      Closest evangelical church under 100
      Danger
      Maximum points: 10      		Government actively hostile10
      Government unfriendly, random hostility7
      Government ambivalent or friendly0

      When Ranked on This Scale

      Tsongas of South Africa               36-40%
      Tsongas of Mozambique                   62%
      Village in Hindu India (estimate)      66%
      Afrikaaners                                        0%
      Muslim country                                58%
      Chicago                                             0%
      Auca Indians (1940’s)                      91%          (Population was the only factor stopping a 100)
      Ndzawani of Comoros                       76%

      [1] If a people group only scores because of this factor, then their total score is zero. America receives a zero. 

      Posted in Missions | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

      In Memory of Robert Van Wingerden

      Posted on 11 April 2026 by Seth Meyers

      There was a David and a Paul,
      A Jeremiah and a James.
      These greater men received their call
      And walked by faith: we know their names.

      Yet to His praise, He loves to choose
      Forgotten men who serve their time.
      It was His pattern with the Jews:
      “Humble” and “Great” to His ears rhyme.

      Who knew Robert Van Wingerden?
      His wife and four, plus sev’ral score
      Of workers in the greenhouse when
      He saw in Heav’n an open door.

      A large extended family
      Compete in growing through the week.
      Yet larger still at Calvary
      Will miss his presence and his cheek.

      A box of books he passed to me
      That showed the Son in His right place.
      Bob aided my theology
      And helped turn Tsongas to His grace.

      Of mission work we often spoke
      Our fellowship here was greatest.
      When Jesus called, he surely woke
      To receive a Double Harvest.

      He has no faith left, only sight.
      Now he desires one last thing;
      I’ll labor then both day and night
      For other souls to help us sing.

      It is not death to die, ‘tis sleep—
      To die is gain, not pain nor loss
      For so our Lord has taught His sheep.
      We do not sorrow with the Cross.

      Unknown on earth, he now above
      Cleansed from corruption and all sin
      May kiss the Son in peace and love
      The highest joy in earth or Heav’n.

      Posted in Biography | Tagged | 3 Comments

      23 Works of the Son of God

      Posted on 8 April 2026 by Seth Meyers

      I do always those things that please Him.
      Jesus of Nazareth

      Do we love Him if we do not thank Him for what He has done? How can we thank Him if we do not know the works He has done?

      When He was with God

      1. The Son of God reflects the Father. Hebrews 1:3
      2. He covenants with the Father and the Spirit to bring all things to pass. Psalm 40:7-8; Hebrews 10:5-10; John 15:16; 17:4-6; Ephesians 1:11; Hebrews 12:24
      3. He creates all things. John 1:3; Hebrews 1:2
      4. He upholds all things. Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 1:3

      When He came to earth

      1. He takes a body. John 1:14; Hebrews 2:14
      2. He keeps the Mosaic Law. Matthew 5:17; John 8:29
      3. He teaches a new Law. Matthew 5:22, 28, 32, 34; 17:5; John 1:17; 15:3; Hebrews 1:2

      When He offered Himself

      1. He dies for the sins of the world. John 1:29
      2. He absorbs the wrath of God. Isaiah 53:10; Matthew 27:46
      3. He conquers death. John 10:17-18; 11:25, 43; Hebrews 2:14
      4. He overthrows Satan and the demons. Matthew 12:29; Colossians 2:15; 1 John 3:8

      When He built His church

      1. He sends His Spirit to the church. John 15:26
      2. He gives life to each believer. John 5:21; Hebrews 2:10; 12:2
      3. He reveals the Father to each believer. Matthew 11:27; John 1:18; 14:9
      4. He unites the believer to Himself. Ephesians 2:14-16; Hebrews 13:5
      5. He prays for each believer. John 17:9; Hebrews 7:24-25
      6. He answers the prayers of His people. John 14:13-14
      7. He builds the church. Matthew 16:18; John 10:16; Ephesians 4:8-11

      When He ends this age

      1. He returns to earth. John 14:3; Hebrews 9:28
      2. He judges the wicked. John 5:27; Acts 17:31
      3. He rewards His servants. Revelation 22:12
      4. He saves the world. 1 Corinthians 15:25; 2 Corinthians 5:19; Colossians 1:20; Hebrews 8:11; Revelation 21:24
      5. He makes new heavens and a new earth. John 14:2-3; Revelation 21:5

      Any one of these is more than we deserve or could afford, and yet taken together do you not feel a joy unspeakable and full of glory? Is He not altogether lovely?

      Posted in Lists, Orthopathy | Tagged | Leave a comment

      Why You Should Read Richard Baxter’s The Reformed Pastor

      Posted on 2 April 2026 by Seth Meyers

      This morning, I finished reading, for the third time in 15 years, The Reformed Pastor by Richard Baxter. This book comes from Acts 20:28, “Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock.” He was supposed to speak at a pastor’s conference where they would all repent for not evangelizing. But the day of the conference he was sick, so he decided to add to it, and publish the book.

      It has 3 chapters: First, take heed to yourself. Second, take to the flock of God. Third, applications.

      His focus is on pastors to wake up and stop “slubbering” (his word) through their duties. But 80-90% of the book would apply equally to any serious Christian. Moms who read this would love their churches more and would be much more effective in leading their children to Christ. A woman’s Bible study led by a woman who had read this book would be lively!

      Why should you read this book?

      1. He places Heaven, Hell, God, and salvation in such a bright light, that all these things are very real.
        When you read him, you think this is the way preaching must have been during the time of Acts. You want the sermon to go on. You feel the truths about which he speaks. You wish you could talk like him.
      2. He gives specific questions, even sample speeches, that you could use in evangelism and prayer.
        Do you know the experience of trying to pray and then becoming distracted? Do you know what it is like to confess, but do so coldly? Do you try to talk to someone about Christ, and then sputter out something like an engine out of gas? Baxter will help you as he has me.
      3. He fills the pages with lists.
        A list shows that he has thought about his subject from all angles. What sins should we confess? He will give you a list. What objections might you make? He will list them and then give a list of answers to each objection. He offers 17 methods for evangelizing at the end of the book. Five sins that every pastor [and most Christians] should repent of.
      4. He will stir you to learn and read your Bible.
        He strings phrases or clauses from numerous Bible verses into one long sentence that becomes so powerful because of the effect of well-chosen lines. You will feel the power of a quote, and then another will press down on your conscience, and then another, until you must agree with the Word of God. And I have found that when I am most cut, it is the most spiritually pleasing, almost as if I can sensibly tell when my flesh is losing to the Spirit of Christ which is in me.
      5. He sets a pattern, a habit, and a taste for the kinds of books that will get us safely to Heaven.
        Most books that are published are bad because they will not necessarily help you to enter at the narrow gate, and many will actively distract you from any efforts in that direction. This book will not distract you. It will focus you. Though Baxter never went to college, he quotes from classics, the ancient Romans, and the church fathers, and yet his writing will make you long for more lively, Puritan publications.

      If you ever choose to read this book, I would be glad if you let me know. Watch out for yourself and for the church of God!

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      7 Reasons a Christian’s Enemies Are Sins

      Posted on 31 March 2026 by Seth Meyers

      Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! Many are they that rise up against me. Psalm 3:1

      The psalms speak constantly of enemies because David was chased by Saul for close to 10 years before attacking and being attacked by numerous nations and even his own son, Absalom. David’s enemies were people. The Jews enemies in Exodus and again in Esther were people.

      Who are the enemies of a Christian?

      1. The enemies of a Christian are spiritual.
        For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12

      2. Our problem is sin.
        …let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12:1

      3. Sin alone stirs God’s anger.
        For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, Colossians 3:6

        For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, Romans 1:18

      4. Good men see sin as the enemy.
        For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. … Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from athe body of this death?  Romans 7:15, 24

      5. Christians are commanded to kill sin.
        …if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:13

        Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Colossians 3:5

      6. Christians are commanded to love the people who treat them badly.
        But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, Matthew 5:44

        But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34

      7. Christians who were treated badly rarely mention the injustices done to them, nor do they expect to be saved from the politicians and neighbors who persecute them, nor do they focus their prayers and heart on earthly justice.
        Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. 2 Timothy 4:14

        But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, partly by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations, and partly by becoming sharers with those who were so treated. For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and a lasting one. Hebrews 10:32-34

      8. The Psalms promise protection from “enemies” and victory over enemies, but the Christians are promised pain, persecution, and death from their enemies.
        “I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich [spiritually]), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Revelation 2:9-10

      9. The Son of God died by the hands of those who hated Him.
        He neither spoke about them nor did to them what David spoke about and did to the Philistines.

      When we preach from the OT, we should apply the verses about enemies to the sins of those who are listening to us. When the Jews in Esther slew their enemies (Esther 9:16), this should be applied to a Christian killing his sin. John Bunyan does this in The Holy War. Charles Spurgeon does this in his comments on The Treasury of David. Evil men simply do not take much space in the writing or the hearts of the apostles. There are a few references to earthly enemies in the NT, but the focus is the great danger and terrible calamity of sin.

      The change of enemies is another great change between the Old and New Covenants. There is a change of law (Heb. 7:18; 8:13; 9:10; 10:9; 11:40; 12:25; et. al.). There is a change of people from the circumcised to the baptized. There is a change of access where each believer comes boldly to the throne of grace. And there is a change of the enemies. Those who love word-for-word exposition and a literal hermeneutic and an earthly kingdom ruled by Christ should loudly teach that the enemies have changed from people to sins, just like so many other things changed from the Old to the New.

      Hate your sins! Kill your sins! Wage war on these evil enemies and demons. Pray the imprecatory prayers Sunday morning from the pulpit against this army that is at the gates. Spend very little time and energy on evil politicians. That is what they did in the times of the shadow. Pray with power until the Heavens answer that God’s people will kill their enemies and win in the long war against their sins. The Psalms teach this to the church today.

      Posted in Pastoral, Politics | Tagged , , | Leave a comment