Grace and Law I: Our One Portion

In the coming weeks, we will be exploring the topic of the Christian’s relationship to the law. For the next two weeks, John will be visiting Psalm 119:57-61 to help us get a right approach to this question.

The primary question for the believer is to ask if Christ is my only portion? Do I look to other things for fulfillment, for security, for peace? Or do I look to Christ alone? Charles Bridges, in his commentary on Psalm 119, says, “He that chooses God in Christ for his delight and portion, may conclude confidently, that God has chosen him to enjoy Him, and be happy in Him forever.”

After John lays the foundation for this topic from Psalm 119, he will be joined by Steve Crampton for the remainder of the series. You may remember Steve from a previous series on revival.

Steve is a constitutional lawyer and has spent much of his life defending religious liberty in America. His life experience and knowledge will be a great asset as he and John Snyder discuss the relationship between God’s Law and God’s Grace in the life of a believer. This topic has caused much confusion and controversy over the years.

For now, may we pursue Christ as our only portion as we lay a biblical foundation for our discussion of the Christian’s relationship to the law.

Exposition of Psalm 119 by Charles Bridges:

https://www.grace-ebooks.com/library/CharlesBridges/CBr_Exposition of Psalm 119.pdf 

Physical Book: https://www.amazon.com/Exposition-Psalms-119-Charles-Bridges/dp/1479242381/ref=sr_1_1?crid=HOP2QYZBFYUD&keywords=exposition+of+psalm+119&qid=1646843189&s=books&sprefix=exposition+of+psalm+119%2Cstripbooks%2C139&sr=1-1

The Grace of Law: A Study of Puritan Theology: https://www.amazon.com/Grace-Law-Puritan-Theology-Puritanism/dp/1877611638

Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts

You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

Servants of Righteousness II

Since the beginning of this podcast, we have often pointed you to the Banner of Truth Trust for very careful, helpful books. That book publisher was started by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, a pastor in London in early-mid 1900s.

While we have pointed you to Lloyd-Jones, we have never truly shared one of his sermons. This week in our conclusion of his sermon from Romans 6:18 titled “Servants of Righteousness.” We pray it is a blessing to you.

You can learn more about the life, legacy, and teachings of Martyn Lloyd-Jones in Logic on Fire: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/products/logic-on-fire?variant=39481137332358

Learn more about the MLJ Trust here: https://www.mljtrust.org/

Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts

You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app 

Servants of Rightousness I

Since the beginning of this podcast, we have often pointed you to the Banner of Truth Trust for very careful, helpful books. That book publisher was started by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, a pastor in London in early-mid 1900s. While we have pointed you to Lloyd-Jones, we have never shared one of his sermons.

So for the next two episodes, we want to share one of John’s favorite sermons from Lloyd-Jones. It is from Romans 6:18 and is titled “Servants of Righteousness.”

You can learn more about the life, legacy, and teachings of Martyn Lloyd-Jones in Logic on Fire: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/products/logic-on-fire?variant=39481137332358

If you don’t want to wait until next week for the rest of the sermon, click here to visit the MLJ Trust and see the other resources available through the ministry:

https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons-online/romans-6-18/servants-of-righteousness/

Learn more about the MLJ Trust here:

https://www.mljtrust.org/

iOS app: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mlj-sermons/id819555751

Android App: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mljsermons.mljsermonsappnew&hl=en

Want to watch the Whole Counsel podcast videos?
https://youtu.be/gdeF_JN45ho 

You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

Psalm 119 VIII: Six Pictures of Real Liberty

This is our final episode focusing on Psalm 119. This week, John hones in on Psalm 119:44-45 with an emphasis on the liberty presented in these two verses. Liberty is a word Americans love to consider, but the cultural definition of that word is often not influenced by Scripture. John gives us six pictures of biblical liberty this week.

For us to be truly free, truly at liberty, we must have safety, provision, inner peace, clarity, freedom to fulfill a purpose, and the ability to do what we most desire to do.

Show notes:

https://www.mediagratiae.org/blog/psalm-119-viii-six-pictures-of-real-liberty

The Golden Alphabet by Charles Spurgeon: (PDF) https://www.spurgeongems.org/chs_golden-alphabet.pdf

Physical Book: https://www.amazon.com/Golden-Alphabet-Charles-H-Spurgeon/dp/1683072804

Exposition of Psalm 119 by Charles Bridges:

https://www.grace-ebooks.com/library/Charles Bridges/CBr_Exposition of Psalm 119.pdf

Physical Book: https://www.amazon.com/Exposition-Psalms-119-Charles-Bridges/dp/1479242381/ref=sr_1_1?crid=HOP2QYZBFYUD&keywords=exposition+of+psalm+119&qid=1646843189&s=books&sprefix=exposition+of+psalm+119%2Cstripbooks%2C139&sr=1-1

Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts

You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

Psalm 119 VII: The Meaning of True Liberty

Freedom is a precious thing. Throughout history, cultures have valued it and gone to war over it, while many individuals have sacrificed their lives for it. But there is a freedom that is more precious.

In today’s episode of The Whole Counsel, John Snyder discusses the meaning of the true spiritual freedom that is given to believers through Christ.

Psalm 119:44-45

So I will keep Your law continually, Forever and ever. And I will walk at liberty, For I seek Your precepts.

Show Notes:

https://www.mediagratiae.org/blog/psalm-119-vii-the-meaning-of-true-freedom

The Golden Alphabet by Charles Spurgeon: (PDF) https://www.spurgeongems.org/chs_golden-alphabet.pdf Physical Book: https://www.amazon.com/Golden-Alphabet-Charles-H-Spurgeon/dp/1683072804

Exposition of Psalm 119 by Charles Bridges:

https://www.grace-ebooks.com/library/Charles Bridges/CBr_Exposition of Psalm 119.pdf

Physical Book: https://www.amazon.com/Exposition-Psalms-119-Charles-Bridges/dp/1479242381/ref=sr_1_1?crid=HOP2QYZBFYUD&keywords=exposition+of+psalm+119&qid=1646843189&s=books&sprefix=exposition+of+psalm+119%2Cstripbooks%2C139&sr=1-1

Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts

You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

Psalm 119 VI: A Prayer for Dark Seasons

We don’t know when Psalm 119 was written, but we do know it was written after man’s fall. This means the writer knew what it was to experience different seasons of the soul. He knew the warm joy of springtime, and the dreary darkness of winter. The prolonged dark seasons are particularly dangerous for the Christian. But God has given us all that we need in His Word to walk near to Him, even in the darkest of days.

In this week’s episode, John Snyder focuses on Psalm 119:41-42 and discusses how we can pray Scripture in these dark nights of the soul.

May Your lovingkindnesses also come to me, O Lord,

Your salvation according to Your word;

So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me,

For I trust in Your word.

Psalm 119:41-42

Show Notes:

mediagratiae.org/blog/psalm-119-vi-a-prayer-for-dark-seasons

The Golden Alphabet by Charles Spurgeon: (PDF) https://www.spurgeongems.org/chs_golden-alphabet.pdf Physical Book: https://www.amazon.com/Golden-Alphabet-Charles-H-Spurgeon/dp/1683072804

Exposition of Psalm 119 by Charles Bridges:

https://www.grace-ebooks.com/library/Charles Bridges/CBr_Exposition of Psalm 119.pdf

Physical Book: https://www.amazon.com/Exposition-Psalms-119-Charles-Bridges/dp/1479242381/ref=sr_1_1?crid=HOP2QYZBFYUD&keywords=exposition+of+psalm+119&qid=1646843189&s=books&sprefix=exposition+of+psalm+119%2Cstripbooks%2C139&sr=1-1

Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts

You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

Psalm 119 V: The Peril of Half-heartedness

The Christian life must be one of balance. In this particular verse of Psalm 119, we see that balance exemplified between heart and will; between the weight of our desires and emotions versus our duties as children of a King.

This protects us from sentimentalism and legalism. in other words, there is the head aspect of Christianity and the heart aspect. As John Flavel says, the distance between the head and the heart is great, but the distance between the heart and action is short. Psalm 119:10 gives us fuel for prayer to shorten that distance between the head, the heart, and the life.

With all my heart I have sought You;

Do not let me wander from Your commandments.

Psalm 119:10

Show Notes:

https://www.mediagratiae.org/blog/psalm-119-v-the-peril-of-half-heartedness

The Golden Alphabet by Charles Spurgeon: (PDF) https://www.spurgeongems.org/chs_golden-alphabet.pdf Physical Book: https://www.amazon.com/Golden-Alphabet-Charles-H-Spurgeon/dp/1683072804

Exposition of Psalm 119 by Charles Bridges:

https://www.grace-ebooks.com/library/Charles Bridges/CBr_Exposition of Psalm 119.pdf

Physical Book: https://www.amazon.com/Exposition-Psalms-119-Charles-Bridges/dp/1479242381/ref=sr_1_1?crid=HOP2QYZBFYUD&keywords=exposition+of+psalm+119&qid=1646843189&s=books&sprefix=exposition+of+psalm+119%2Cstripbooks%2C139&sr=1-1

Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts

You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

Psalm 119 IV: The Practical Balance of Dependence and Duty

We often speak of balance in the Christian life on our podcast. That is especially true this week as we discuss the balance of dependence and action, heart and will. We are called to live holy lives, but we can only do that by leaning wholly on Christ. But there is danger in this reality because the enemy is always present with a lie. He whispers that we shouldn’t pursue holiness because it is impossible for us to do anything that pleases God. But to answer this question, and to pray that God will establish our way, we must look to Scripture alone.

Oh that my ways may be established

To keep Your statutes!

Psalm 119:5

The Golden Alphabet by Charles Spurgeon: (PDF) https://www.spurgeongems.org/chs_golden-alphabet.pdf Physical Book: https://www.amazon.com/Golden-Alphabet-Charles-H-Spurgeon/dp/1683072804

Exposition of Psalm 119 by Charles Bridges:

https://www.grace-ebooks.com/library/Charles Bridges/CBr_Exposition of Psalm 119.pdf

Physical Book: https://www.amazon.com/Exposition-Psalms-119-Charles-Bridges/dp/1479242381/ref=sr_1_1?crid=HOP2QYZBFYUD&keywords=exposition+of+psalm+119&qid=1646843189&s=books&sprefix=exposition+of+psalm+119%2Cstripbooks%2C139&sr=1-1

Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts

You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

Psalm 119 III: Into the Psalmist’s Prayer Closet

Today on the Whole Counsel Podcast, John turns from the introductory observations in the early verses of Psalm 119 to the Godward cries of the Psalmist’s heart that begin in Psalm 119:4-5. Beginning in these verses, we get the chance to follow the Psalmist into his prayer closet; verses 4-5 show us how the Psalmist cries out to God in light of the truths He observed in the opening verses, and they provide a spiritual thermometer for how we ourselves are responding to God.

You have ordained Your precepts, That we are to keep them diligently. Oh that my ways may be established To keep your statutes!

Psalm 119:4-5

Show Notes: www.mediagratiae.org/blog/psalm-119-iii-into-the-psalmists-prayer-closet 

The Golden Alphabet by Charles Spurgeon: (PDF) https://www.spurgeongems.org/chs_golden-alphabet.pdf Physical Book: https://www.amazon.com/Golden-Alphabet-Charles-H-Spurgeon/dp/1683072804

Exposition of Psalm 119 by Charles Bridges:

https://www.grace-ebooks.com/library/Charles Bridges/CBr_Exposition of Psalm 119.pdf

Physical Book: https://www.amazon.com/Exposition-Psalms-119-Charles-Bridges/dp/1479242381/ref=sr_1_1?crid=HOP2QYZBFYUD&keywords=exposition+of+psalm+119&qid=1646843189&s=books&sprefix=exposition+of+psalm+119%2Cstripbooks%2C139&sr=1-1

Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts

You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

Psalm 119 II: The Happiest Life

What does an appropriate balance between heart, mind, and life look like for the Christian? What role does the law play in the Christian’s life? How should we approach Psalm 119? In today’s episode of the Whole Counsel, John discusses these topics and addresses an important issue that is foundational to understanding this Psalm as we continue our new series with a look at Psalm 119:1-4.

How blessed are those whose way is blameless,

Who walk in the law of the Lord.

How blessed are those who observe His testimonies,

Who seek Him with all their **heart.

They also do no unrighteousness;

They walk in His ways.

You have ordained Your precepts,

That we should keep them diligently (Psalm 119:1-4).

The Golden Alphabet by Charles Spurgeon: (PDF) https://www.spurgeongems.org/chs_golden-alphabet.pdf Physical Book: https://www.amazon.com/Golden-Alphabet-Charles-H-Spurgeon/dp/1683072804

Exposition of Psalm 119 by Charles Bridges:

https://www.grace-ebooks.com/library/Charles Bridges/CBr_Exposition of Psalm 119.pdf

Physical Book: https://www.amazon.com/Exposition-Psalms-119-Charles-Bridges/dp/1479242381/ref=sr_1_1?crid=HOP2QYZBFYUD&keywords=exposition+of+psalm+119&qid=1646843189&s=books&sprefix=exposition+of+psalm+119%2Cstripbooks%2C139&sr=1-1

Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts

You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app