Defy Public Opinion

"We need ministers who will defy public opinion and, with flaming zeal, burn a way into men’s hearts."

~C.H. Spurgeon

This statement is so true! Lately my husband and i have been listening to some ministers who do exactly this. When listening to them, the Word of God pierces you with a ferocity that forces you to confront anything that is out of line w/ it. They preach with authority and without apology. These men do not use "pop-psychology" to engage the hearers, NO! They use the Word of God, and it is piercing. With so many churches watering down the gospel, these men are a breath of fresh air (or fire!). 

We attend a church where the Word of God is preached as well. Hear me when i say that! Yet i am so hungry to know more, so that i can be the brightest light i can be for Him! 

Who are the men that we are listening to? Fasten your seat belts....

• Paul Washer ~ One of his sermons, called Ten Indictments, has impacted me heavily. It is 2 hours long. He has many sermons online, and they are excellent. 
• Voddie Baucham ~ This sermon, at an Evangelistic conference, is a wonderful intro. to him. Just this past week, he was on Family Life Today talking about forgiveness in marriage.
• Alistair Begg ~ We have listened to him for years! Find him at Truth For Life. We listen to him every morning for a "chapel time" before we start our home-school day.
• John MacArthur ~ Fantastic... I enjoy using his study Bible. Find him at Grace to You. His book Charismatic Chaos brought some much-needed clarity as i was leaving the charismatic/pentecostal/vineyard movements. 
• R.C. Sproul ~ I have been listening to Renewing Your Mind, and have enjoyed his guest speakers.
• Ken Ham ~ WOW! Find him at Answers in Genesis. I am currently in a study that is going through his new Foundations curriculum. I highly recommend it to EVERYONE! 
• Doug Philips ~ Enjoyed his thoughts on a documentary i recently watched. Find him at Vision Forum.
• Steven Lawson ~ His series "The Doctrines of Grace in John" is amazing! Find him here. The first message i heard by him was called "War on the Word". wow! I heard "Doctrines in Grace" (link takes you to 1st of 12 messages) and "War on the Word" on Renewing Your Mind. 

Well, there you have it! Each of these men are the embodiment of what Spurgeon spoke over 100 years ago. These men HAVE NOT and DO NOT capitulate to the culture! And,  they take heat for it too. These men have counted the cost. They have looked at what it cost's them to preach the Truth, and are willing to pay the price. Now, are we willing to take stands that go against public opinion, and be counted as faithful messengers of the gospel of Jesus Christ? 

Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for hte sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong. 1 Peter 3:13-17