WE WILL STAY THE COURSE

Joshua had no confidence in himself. He was not weakened by proud presumption. Yet, depending entirely upon the grace of God and for the glory of God, he boldly declared to the children of Israel - "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." In a like spirit, I want you to be assured of one thing - God helping me, so long as I am your pastor, we will stay the course, we will not be turned aside from the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. My attitude toward the old, old story of Christ and him crucified is like David's attitude toward the sword of Goliath. I say, "There is none like that: give it me." From the very beginning of our labors together, we have been committed to the one task of preaching the gospel of God's free, sovereign, eternal, immutable, and irresistible grace in Christ. I see no need for change. There is nothing like the gospel of Christ to break the pride of sinful men and humble thee before God. There is nothing like the gospel of Christ to comfort, encourage, rebuke, challenge, edify, instruct, and strengthen God's elect. I know not what other preachers and other churches may do. But, God helping us, we will continue as we began. From this pulpit we will continue to sound out the old, old message of God's saving grace, electing love, and sovereign power, the message of Christ's effectual redemption and glorious exaltation, the message of the Spirit's irresistible call and eternal preservation. We will stay the course.