Metropolitan Tabernacle

In this Lecture Dr Masters demonstrated the urgent necessity of regular, persuasive Gospel preaching, together with the clear New Testament precedents and examples, the difficulties involved, and right and wrong concepts of evangelistic preaching.

It is said that there is little understanding of eternal life in the Old Testament, but this is very mistaken. 46 Psalms of David speak of eternal glory, and here we survey ten to show that all the Bible is about everlasting salvation.

The New Testament reasons with people to be saved from condemnation and receive eternal life, and here are several famous passages where heavenly glory, and how to be sure of it, is proclaimed. Here also is the urging of God's heart of love for lost souls.

The anchor is as old as ships, but is used as an analogy in the Bible only in this verse. Scores of 'anchors' are used to steady and inspire life in the world. But there is only one powerful and effective for the soul and for eternity.

Paul personifies sin as an emperor who conscripts us into his army and drills us in unbelief and lust to bind us in his service. Then Paul shows how we may be 'brought out' of our bondage to walk with the Lord God.

Beginning with humility in preachers and church officers, Peter calls all to place themselves under them. Exactly what is intended? He then speaks of being 'clothed' in humility. We explore the helps and hindrances to advancing in this essential grace for all believers.

While urging pastors to live humbly as patterns to others, and to be forward to preach and to watch, the apostle speaks of being partakers now – in some measure – in the glory of Christ to be revealed at the end. Here are the glories we taste even now.

Christ sets out life's options. Here is the meaning of the wide gate, through which one is carried by the crowd into purposelessness and spiritual disaster. In contrast – the narrow gate; and why it gets this description, when in fact it is the gate of enduring happiness.

We are not to think that bad treatment of believers is abnormal, says the apostle. It is bound to happen if our lives show Christ and salvation. Here is counsel for tried believers and how assurance is strengthened and God's promises are gloriously fulfilled.

A very striking and unusual exhortation commands our special attention. How do we 'sanctify' God in the heart? Is it Christ who is to be hallowed? What is meant by the 'heart'? Here is the believer's essential preparation for securing blessing in trials or witness.

What is the source and authority for our views about life, its source, how it should be lived, what standards we adopt, what we value and support, or what we believe in? Is the authority no more than the imaginations or desires of the heart?

Seven verses show how God calls His people to tenderheartedness, meekness under provocation, and the promotion of peace. We are also exhorted to love this present life, and hear things we can only do for God's glory while here on earth.

To switch political parties or to change on opinions are significant acts, but nothing is as profound and permanent as conversion. Here Christ illustrates the magnitude and wonder of conversion, and how it changes many aspects of a person to make 'a new creation'.

This challenging and informative passage begins with God-given roles, urging conduct and hope for an unbelieving spouse, extolling the beauty of Christ's character, and showing how the equality of saved husbands and wives (in spirituality, illumination, sanctification and usefulness to God) is consistent with male headship.

This passage shows that the believer's duty of respect for civil authorities applies also to employers, even the unjust. Our obedience is rewarded by God. When we were called to Christ we saw His patient endurance. It saved us, and called us to be like Him.

The message of the Bible has two major truths that illustrate our need of God and how to find Him. These are LAW and GRACE; the first warns, the second saves. Found throughout the Bible, here is what they mean, and what they do.

God rules all men through civil authorities whether good or bad, but here are circumstances in which believers obey God rather than men. Here are our biblical duties – for the Lord's sake and glory – including abstaining from any abusive speech toward authorities.

With words only meaningful to believers, the apostle warns of the deniers of the 'lower', fallen nature residual in them. Here are the core fleshly lusts and how they may be launched at believers, the need of vigilance and the remedies for their defeat.

Human life is viewed here as a message sent to God, demanding that he gets out of our way, because we have no interest in Him. Here is what lies behind our hostility, what we lose by it, and the way to acceptance by Him.