Believe Christ, Not Satan (Sibbes)

Around the middle part of his excellent book, The Bruised Reed, Richard Sibbes (d. 1635) explained the great truth of how Christ is merciful and patient with us in our weakness and stumbling. Sibbes noted well that Christ has a "gracious disposition" towards those who are weak, weary, and heavily burdened (Mt. 11:28). Jesus said …

The Despair of Unworthiness and the Love of God (Sibbes)

Hosea 14:4 contains a wonderful promise of God: "I will heal their waywardness and love them freely..." (NIV). This two-fold promise can help the Christian who struggles with feelings of unworthiness before God. Richard Sibbes (d. 1635) explained this reality quite well. The quote is rich, but it's not too long. It really is worth …

The Incomparable Goodness and Excellence of Christ (Sibbes)

Here's a fascinating and edifying section of Richard Sibbes' (d. 1635) sermons on the Song of Solomon. In this section Sibbes was explaining "that Christ, as he is beautiful and good, so he is incomparably, beyond all comparison good: ‘He is a standard bearer, one among ten thousand; anointed with the oil of gladness above …

Election, Providence, and “All Things for Good” (Sibbes)

  When God says he will safely bring his children to their heavenly home, he means it!  Sometimes the way home is rough and rocky, but the Lord will carry them through everything and safely bring them to his kingdom (2 Tim. 4:18). In theological terms, this means that God orders his providence for the good …

On Not Burdening New Christians (Sibbes)

 When discipling and teaching new Christians it can be tempting to instruct them in our personal preferences, spiritual habits, and religious opinions.  For example, if someone really likes a certain translation of the Bible, she might want the person she's discipling to really like that translation too.  Or, if a person is very passionate about …