Grace Audio Treasures

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." Matthew 5:6This beatitude follows naturally from the ones before it: the one who is spiritually poor, who mourns over his sin, and who is meek and humble before God--that one will hunger and thirst for the righteousness he lacks. He knows himself to be sinful, impure, and vile before God--and he longs to be clothed in the perfect holiness of Christ.Hunger and thirst are not mere desires--they are desperate cravings. Jesus speaks here of one who longs, not for worldly gain or fleeting pleasures, but for perfect righteousness--a righteousness he knows that he does not possess in himself. This is not the cry of the self-righteous Pharisee who boasts in his own morality and goodness--but the cry of a person who has learned that he has not one good thing in himself, and now yearns for that perfect righteousness which Jesus wrought out by His perfect life, and credits to the believing sinner.What is this righteousness? It is first

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God!" Matthew 5:8What a staggering promise! The highest blessing ever spoken to man: They shall see God! This is no mere poetic figure--it is the very hope of Heaven, the unveiled beholding of God in all His holiness, beauty, and glory! Yet this privilege is not granted to the mighty, the wise, or the religious--but only to the pure in heart.What does it mean to be "pure in heart"? It does not mean sinless perfection in this life, but rather a heart that has been cleansed by grace, and now sincerely longs for holiness. It is a heart that is no longer fixed on worldly trifles, and no longer pursuing sinful pleasures--but made single in its desire for God. It is a heart purified by the sin-atoning death of Christ, and by the sanctifying work of the Spirit. Such heart purity is not man-made, but it is God-wrought--born in regeneration and nurtured in sanctification.While in this world of sin and temptation, the true Christian grieves over his remaining faults and

"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." Matthew 5:5In a world that prizes self-assertion, self-promotion, pride, and personal rights--the meek are overlooked, even despised. Yet Jesus declares that it is the meek--the lowly, the humble--who are truly blessed.This meekness is not natural to the human heart. It does not come from a gentle personality or a quiet temperament. True meekness is the fruit of the Spirit and springs from a heart humbled before a holy God. It flows from the soul that has been . . . emptied of self-righteousness, broken over sin, and made to bow before the majesty of divine holiness.The meek man sees himself rightly--as a sinner saved by grace alone. He does not fight for his own importance or honor, because he knows he has none in himself. He is content to be little, because Christ is everything. Like Job, he says, "Behold, I am vile!" Job 40:4. And like the publican, he beats his breast, crying, "God, have mercy on me, a sinner!" Luke 18:13Yet far from being weak, me

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Matthew 5:4"Blessed are those who mourn!" This is a strange saying to the worldly-minded and sin-loving! But here again, the Lord Jesus turns the wisdom of this world on its head. He does not speak of earthly grief over loss or pain, but of a deeper, holier sorrow: a mourning over one's sin.This is no superficial sadness, nor is it the regret of one merely caught in wrongdoing. This mourning flows from a heart that has seen the vileness of their sin in the light of God's holiness. It is the sorrow of a soul awakened by sovereign grace, grieved not only by the consequences of sin--but by its very presence. The one who mourns in this way, is crushed by the weight of having offended so good and glorious a God. Like David, he cries, "Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight!" Psalm 51:4This kind of sorrow is a gift from God. The natural man does not grieve over sin in this way. But when the Holy Spirit convicts, He breaks t

Below is a comprehensive list of New Testament verses on divorce and remarriage. The early Church, many Reformers, and faithful expositors have affirmed that the marriage covenant is a life-long bond that only death dissolves, in accordance with God's original design.This view takes seriously the whole counsel of Scripture, and sees the so-called "exception clauses" not as permissions to remarry, but as acknowledgments of sin and concessions to a fallen world—without dissolving the marriage bond.1. Matthew 5:31–32"It has been said, 'Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.'But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery."Explanation:Jesus upholds the permanence of marriage. Divorce leads to adultery, and remarriage while the first spouse lives is always adultery. The "exception clause" refers to the reason why one may separate—not a license to remarry. The unio

"Hold me up--and I shall be safe!" Psalm 119:117The first lesson we have to learn, is that without Divine help we cannot stand; and that with it we cannot fall. We must cultivate a spirit of lowly dependence and conscious weakness.We need a mightier strength than our own, which shall curb all this evil nature of ours, and restrain us from sin's deceits.When God's Spirit comes into a man's heart, He will deaden his desires after the world and forbidden ways. He will make us love and desire blessed and holier objects. He who has been fed on "the hidden manna" will not be likely to hanker after the leeks and onions that grew in the Nile mud in Egypt, however strong their smell and pungent their taste. He who has tasted the higher sweetnesses of God, will have his heart's desires after worldly delights strangely deadened and cooled. My heart, touched by the indwelling Spirit of God, will turn to Him--and I shall find little sweetness in the otherwise tempting delicacies that earth can offer.God desires to cleanse

Happiness is the magic charm that the world is eagerly in search of. But the believer in Christ is its only possessor. He has found it--and found it in Jesus. He has found it in a renunciation of self-righteousness, and in a humble reception of Jesus. There is no true happiness outside of Jesus! What true happiness can the heart feel while . . .   it is spiritually dead,   its sins are unpardoned,   it is under condemnation,   and exposed to the wrath of a holy and just God? Oh reader, do not dream of happiness, until you have gone as a repenting sinner to the cross of Christ!You may be a son or a daughter of affliction. In this furnace you may be chosen, and through this furnace, it may be the Lord's holy will that you should pass all your days. You may be a child of poverty, possessing but little of this world's comforts--and you feel lonely, neglected, and despised.Yet oh, look up Christian! You are precious in God's sight! You are as dear to Him as the pupil of His eye. His heart yearns over you with more

Matthew 5:3, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven."What is poverty of spirit? It is the opposite of that haughty, self-assertive, and self-sufficient disposition that the world so much desires and praises. To be poor in spirit, is to realize that I have nothing, I am nothing, I can do nothing--to please the holy God. Poverty of spirit is evident in a person, when he is brought into the dust before God, to acknowledge his utter helplessness. It is the first experiential evidence of a Divine work of grace within the soul, and corresponds to the initial awakening of the prodigal son in the far country, when he "began to be in need." (Luke 15:14)The world calls the strong, the self-sufficient, and the self-reliant "blessed." But the Lord Jesus Christ, the King of Glory, pronounces a paradox--true blessedness belongs only to the poor in spirit! These are those who see themselves as utterly destitute sinners before God. They have been stripped of all self-righteousness and self-suffi

Colossians 3:1-4, "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory."Christian, you have been raised with Christ! No longer are you bound to the fading, worthless pleasures of this world. Your citizenship is in Heaven, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Lift up your eyes! Your Savior is not here among the dying things of earth--He is enthroned in glory, ruling over all things for the good of His people.Why then, should your heart grovel in the dust of this poor fleeting world? Set your affections upon the risen Christ, who is seated at the right hand of God, ruling in majesty, interceding for you, and preparing a place for you. The world beckons with its empty promises . . . riches that rust, honor that fades, pleasures th

Philippians 1:21, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." The apostle Paul saw his entire existence through the lens of his Savior. If he lived, it was for Christ's glory; if he died, it was for Christ's presence. Either way, he was wholly surrendered to Christ! Christ was the source, the substance, and the goal of his life."To live is Christ." What does this mean? It means that Christ is the purpose of our lives, the joy of our hearts, and the strength of our souls. Whether in trials or triumphs, in sorrows or joys, Christ is the center of all we do. Our lives are not our own--they are His! To a man who lives for Christ, nothing is secular--everything is sacred. To draw nearer to Christ is his life's ambition; to glorify Christ is his daily business; to live for Christ is his greatest joy.But then Paul adds, "to die is gain." How can death--the dreaded enemy of mankind--be gain? To the world, death is the worst possible loss--it is the end of all earthly hopes and dreams. But for the believer, dea

Revelation 7:16–17, "Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their Shepherd; He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."What a sweet and glorious promise this is for the weary pilgrim in this valley of tears! In this fallen world, we are often burdened with trials, afflictions, and sorrows. The scorching heat of life's troubles beats down upon our fainting souls. But here, the Lord lifts our eyes beyond the veil of suffering, to the land where tears are no more.The heat of affliction scorches us here, but it shall never touch us there. The irksome wilderness is left behind, and the weary march is ended. No more scorching trials, no more burning temptations--only the cool, refreshing presence of the Lamb who has loved us and given Himself for us!The Lamb, once slain for our sins, now reigns at the center of Heaven's throne. And He is

"You are . . . a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God,that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9This verse is both a comfort and a challenge. It reminds every genuine Christian of their identity in Christ and the purpose for which they were redeemed.First, Peter declares that believers are a chosen people. Our election is not based on our merit, works, or foreseen faith--but solely on God's sovereign grace! (Ephesians 1:4–5). This humbles us, for we were not chosen because of anything in us--but in spite of our unworthiness. God's love is set upon His people from eternity past, and this should fill us with deep assurance and joy. If God has chosen us, He will surely keep us (John 10:28–29).Next, Peter states that Christians are a royal priesthood. Under the Old Covenant, priests were set apart to intercede before God. Now, in Christ, all believers are priests--we have direct access to God through our Med

John 4:13-14, "Everyone who drinks this water, will be thirsty again; but whoever drinks the water I give him, will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."We see in these words of Jesus, the mirage of worldly satisfaction. The world offers a thousand fleeting pleasures, each promising contentment, but leaving the soul emptier than before. Wealth, success, romance, entertainment--these are the unsatisfying waters of this world, and those who drink them will always thirst again. Many chase after these things, believing that if they only had a little more--more money, more fame, more indulgence--that they would finally be fulfilled. King Solomon testifies that this is a vain pursuit: "Meaningless! Meaningless! Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless!" Ecclesiastes 1:2Sinful pleasures, though they may be sweet in the mouth, are bitter in the belly. They are poisoned wells, that lead only to destruction! Those who seek their satisfaction i

A great hospitalJ.C. Ryle, "The Gospel of Mark" 1857Mark 14:27, "All of you will desert Me!" Jesus told them. We see in this verse, how well our Lord knew the weakness and infirmities of His disciples. He tells them plainly what they were going to do, "All of you will desert Me!" Let us take comfort in the thought that the Lord Jesus does not cast off His believing people because of failures and imperfections. He knows exactly what they are. He takes them, as the husband takes the wife, with all their blemishes and defects; and once joined to Him by faith, He will never leave them. He is a merciful and compassionate Savior. It is His glory to pass over the transgressions of His people, and to cover their many sins. He knew what they were before conversion:   wicked, guilty, and defiled--yet He loved them. He knows what they will be after conversion:  weak, erring, and frail--yet He loves them. He has undertaken to save them, notwithstanding all their deficiencies and failings. And what He has undertaken, He w

absolute sovereignty of God extends to all things, including wars, disasters and plagues. Scripture testifies that these events are neither random nor outside of His control. God ordains all things, including calamities. Nothing happens outside His sovereign decree. Yet, while God decrees and governs all things, He remains perfectly holy and unstained by sin."Come and see the works of the Lord; the desolations He has brought on the earth!" (Psalm 46:8)From the decimating earthquake, to the devouring fire; from the devastating tsunami, to the deadly plague;from the volcanic eruption, to the destructive hurricane--the Bible clearly teaches that all what we call "natural disasters" fall under the sovereign decree of Almighty God. He governs all of His creation according to His decreed will--yet He remains unstained by sin, executing His sovereign purposes in justice, wisdom and righteousness."Does disaster come to a city, unless the Lord has done it?" (Amos 3:6)When the earth quakes beneath us, let us not attrib

Alas! I slander the beasts when I compare them to such men! Charles Spurgeon (You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)Romans 6:16, "Don't you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey?"There are many whose great object in life is to get money. But is not the greed for wealth one of the most detestable passions that can possess a human bosom? The ant, which labors for its companions, is to my mind up among the angels--when compared with a man who sweats and toils merely for the sake of heaping up for himself a mass of yellow metal! Can I more highly condemn the lover of pleasure? What is pleasure? It is a hollow sham, a thin veneer of mirth which only covers deep dissatisfaction. I often think when I hear worldlings laughing at their nonsensical amusements, that they pull each other's sleeves and say, "Laugh--you ought to laugh!" I cannot see the gratification which their amusements seem to bring to them. They struggle to appear happy, and what emptin

The GospelOctavius WinslowThe gospel is the 'master work' of Jehovah, presenting the greatest display of His manifold wisdom, and the most costly exhibition of the riches of His grace. In constructing it He would seem to have summoned to His aid all the resources of His own infinity . . . His fathomless wisdom, His boundless love, His illimitable grace, His infinite power, His spotless holiness, all contributed their glory, and conspired to present it to the universe as the most consummate piece of Divine workmanship! The revelations it makes, the facts it records, the doctrines it propounds, the effects it produces, proclaim it to be the "glorious gospel of the blessed God." We live encircled by SHADOWS . . . our friends are shadows, our comforts are shadows, our supports are shadows, our pursuits are shadows, and we ourselves are shadows passing away. But in the precious gospel we have SUBSTANCE, we have reality, we have that which remains with us when all other things disappear, leaving the soul

That dagger which stabbed the Savior's heart to death!Charles SpurgeonWe never know the full evil of our iniquities--until we see what it cost our precious Redeemer to put them away.The true Christian looks upon sin, as we would regard a knife rusted with gore, with which some villain had killed our mother, our wife, or our child. Could we play with it? Could we wear it as a jewel hung around our necks?Could we even endure it in our sight?No! Accursed thing, stained with the heart's blood of my beloved--I would gladly fling you into the bottomless abyss! Sin is that dagger which stabbed the Savior's heart to death! Henceforth it must be the abomination of every man who has been redeemed by the sin-atoning sacrifice of Jesus."A bleeding Savior I have viewed, And now I hate my sin!"

"Hold me up--and I will be safe!" Psalm 119:117Every true believer knows the danger of . . . their own deceitful heart, their tendency to wander, the pull of the flesh, and the constant assaults of the world. Were it not for God's restraining grace, we would surely fall into flagrant sin. That is why the psalmist pleads, "Hold me up--and I will be safe!"It is one thing to be saved by grace, but another to be kept by grace. Just as a child walking along a dangerous path needs the firm grip of his father's hand, so too do we need the steadying grasp of God's upholding grace to keep us from stumbling. We are prone to pride, self-reliance, and every other sin--but God, in His mercy, restrains us from going where our sinful nature would lead.Consider Peter--how easily he fell when he boasted, "Even if everyone falls away, I will not!" (Mark 14:29). And left to himself, he denied his Savior three times. But when Jesus prayed for him (Luke 22:32), his faith did not ultimately fail. This is God's gracious, omnipotent

O Thou Afflicted James Grant, 1784O Zion, afflicted with wave upon wave,Whom no man can comfort, whom no man can save;With darkness surrounded, by terrors dismayed,In toiling and rowing thy strength is decayed.Loud roaring, the billows now nigh overwhelm;But skilful's the Pilot who sits at the helm;His wisdom conducts thee, his power thee defends,In safety and quiet thy warfare he ends."O fearful, O faithless!" in mercy he cries;"My promise, my truth, are they light in thy eyes?Still, still I am with thee; my promise shall stand;Through tempest and tossing, I'll bring thee to land."Forget thee I will not, I cannot; thy nameEngraved on my heart does for ever remain;The palms of my hands while I look on I seeThe wounds I received when suffering for thee."I feel at my heart all thy sighs and thy groans,For thou art most near me, my flesh and my bones;In all thy distresses thy Head feels the pain;Yet all are most needful; not one is in vain."Then trust me, and fear not; thy life is secure;My wisdom is perfect, su