Denying Jesus Was Forsaken By God Is A Denial Of The Gospel

This statement by Scott Aniol is a denial of the Gospel.

It grieves me to see men who should know better - who have large platforms and influence over Christian hearts and minds - to post such terrible denials of the very words of Christ from the cross. Jesus knew what He said and meant what He said - I'll go with Jesus.

Jesus Was Forsaken By God On That Cross

You should never deny what Jesus actually said when he quoted Psalm 22:1 by appealing to another part of the Psalm that He did not quote. That last part of Psalm 22 is about the resurrection, not the cross. If Jesus was not forsaken on that cross, then you and I will be forsaken forever in hell. We must get the heart of the Gospel right. Praise God that Jesus was forsaken so that all those who repent of their sins and trust in Him shall never be forsaken. That is the Gospel! No hope without it! Hallelujah! What a Savior!

We must be careful never to interpret Jesus' words as referring to a part of the Psalm which He did not intend to allude to. On Jesus' quotation of Psalm 22:1 on the cross, R. T. France writes:

The words are, of course, a quotation of the first verse of Psalm 22, a psalm which moves from despairing appeal to triumphant faith, and the Christian reader can, with hindsight, see the appropriateness of this total message. But it is illegitimate to interpret Jesus' words as referring to the part of the psalm which he did NOT echo. As throughout the crucifixion scene, it is the suffering of the righteous man in Psalm 22, not his subsequent vindication, which is alluded to. (Matthew (Tyndale Commentaries)), R. T. France)

Leon Morris, D. A. Carson, and Craig Blomberg are helpful on this point as well:

Speaking loudly as He did, Jesus evidently meant the words to be heard. There is no great difficulty in translating Jesus’ words (as Matthew did for his non-Hebrew-speaking readers): My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? But understanding what they mean is a much more difficult problem. For some modern readers the words are so shocking and so different from anything Jesus said throughout His ministry that they feel it is impossible to accept them. One way of doing this is to point out that the Psalm that begins in this way goes on to praise God for deliverance as the Psalmist says, "From the horns of the wild oxen you have rescued me . . . in the midst of the congregation I will praise you" (vv. 21-22). The suggestion is made accordingly that in his hour of need Jesus was reciting a psalm that brings comfort and that we are to understand from the words quoted that he went through the whole psalm. To this it may well be retorted that if this was the case almost any other verse in the whole psalm would convey the meaning better than those Jesus actually quotes. But in any case it is perilous to argue from the use of one verse that Jesus was quoting the whole psalm . . . . (The Gospel According to Matthew (Pillar New Testament Commentary)) Leon Morris)

A large number of commentators have interpreted the cry against the background of the whole of Psalm 22, which begins with this sense of desolation but ends with the triumphant vindication of the righteous sufferer. The chief difficulty is that though OT texts are frequently cited with their full contexts in mind, they are never cited in such a way that the OT context effectively annuls what the text itself affirms (Bonnard). If the context of Psalm 22 is carried along with the actual reference to Psalm 22:1, the reader of the gospel is to understand that the vindication comes with the resurrection in Matthew 28, not that Jesus' cry reflects full confidence instead of black despair. (Matthew and Mark (Expositor's Bible Commentary)), D. A. Carson)

Just as Jesus would have learned to pray and sing many of the psalms in his private and corporate devotional life, so also it is natural for him to quote one here in a situation so parallel to that of his kingly ancestor. What is more controversial is the question of whether Jesus, in uttering this cry of dereliction (or Matthew in recording it), was thereby alluding to the entire psalm, following the common rabbinic practice of citing just the beginning of a given text when a larger, entire passage was in view. This would enable one to interpret Jesus' words as anticipating the same victory described in 27:19-31 even as he uttered his cry of abandonment . . . However, neither Jesus nor Matthew seems to have employed this technique elsewhere, and nothing in the immediate context of Matt. 27 suggests it (though of course elsewhere repeatedly predicted his resurrection, which in fact does occur). So it is probably safer not to assume that Jesus' cry abandonment was simultaneously a cry of faith. Jesus really did sense the absence of his Father, and this is precisely the moment when we should expect him, in his humanity, to be least confident of his future . . . Readers of the Gospels who cannot accept this concept probably reflect an unwitting Docetism - the heresy that Christ was not fully human. Indeed, if one wants to do more with Matt. 27:46 than hear a cry of dereliction, one is better off looking to other uses of Ps. 22:27-31 in the Gospels as a sign of God's judgment . . . Throughout church history, Jesus' cry of dereliction has been identified as the moment of divine abandonment. Jesus, who died to atone vicariously for the sins of humanity, recognized at this point in his suffering that he no longer was experiencing the communion with his heavenly Father that had characterized his life . . . Jesus, as the sin-bearing sacrifice, must endure the temporary abandonment of the Father. (Commentary On The New Testament Use Of The Old Testament, On Matthew 27:46, Craig Blomberg)

We Must Get The Cross And The Trinity Right 

We must get the cross and the Trinity right. Considered as the divine Logos (the divine Son) in the eternal intratrinitarian relationship with His Father, the Son was not forsaken. But when considered as the incarnate mediator (the God-Man), however, Christ was at that moment in time on that cross, forsaken and damned, and God was angry with Christ on the cross so that sinners might be saved. Christ, according to His divine nature, was not forsaken, but as the God-man, according to His human nature, He most certainly was. We must affirm that, or we lose the Gospel. Consider this: 

The Person of Jesus was created and born according to His human nature. But the Person of Jesus was not created and born according to His divine nature because God cannot be created or born but exists eternally. (The "according to" language comes from Scripture: Romans 1:3: ". . . concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh . . . .")

The Person of Jesus got tired, hungry, and slept according to His human nature. But the Person of Jesus did not get tired, hungry, or sleep according to His divine nature because God cannot get tired, be hungry, or sleep.

The Person of Jesus died on the cross according to His human nature. But the Person of Jesus did not die on the cross according to His divine nature because God cannot die.

In a similar way, because our sins were imputed to the Person of Jesus, God the Father forsook, was angry with, and damned the Person of Jesus on the cross according to His human nature. But God the Father did not forsake, get angry with, or damn the Person of Jesus according to His divine nature because it is impossible for conflict (forsakenness, anger, damnation) to exist in the intratrinitarian relationship between the Father and the Son. It's also true that the Father was not angry with the Person of Jesus according to His human nature as the perfectly obedient last Adam. Jesus achieved His perfect obedience to the will of God (God's law) as the last Adam according to His human nature, not His divine nature, and so in this respect, Jesus, according to His human nature, was also well pleasing to the Father. But, because our sins were imputed to Christ, it really was God the Son (the Person of Jesus Christ) Who, according to His human nature, experienced the true relational reality of God-forsakenness, the anger of God, and damnation. But it was not the human nature which suffered, but the Person according to this nature. "And since the Person is infinite, all that Christ suffered was of infinite efficacy and value." (Wilhelmus à Brakel). Jesus did all of this so that we will never face those judgments.

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

So, as the Heidelberg Catechism states: 

Why must He [Jesus] also be true God? So that, by the power of His divinity, He might bear the weight of God’s anger in His humanity and earn for us and restore to us righteousness and life.

It is always important to remember that the Person Christ Jesus suffered, not merely a nature. Petrus Van Mastricht is helpful on this point:

He suffered not only as man, nor only as God, but simultaneously as God and man.
XI. All these things the Mediator endured, whether in body or in soul, neither only as man, nor only as God, but as the God-man, simultaneously as God and man, just as, according to the nature of the theandric effects, each nature bestowed its own part to Christ's sufferings: while the human nature alone sustained and suffered them (since passive potency does not occur in the divine nature, Mal. 3:6; James 1:17; and much less death, because the divine nature is incorruptible, Rom. 1:23; 1 Tim. 1:17; 6:16), the divine nature furnished to his sufferings an infinite weight, value, and price, so that they were God's sufferings (Acts 20:28), and the blood of the Son of God (1 John 1:7), suited to cleanse us from all sin. (Theoretical-Practical Theology, Redemption in Christ, Vol. 4, 2023, page 415).

We must get the cross right! For more on Christ's forsakenness on the cross, please read:

1. A Concern About The Way Pastor Kevin DeYoung Writes About The Cross In His New Daily Doctrine Book

2. The Bible Says The Father Turned His Face Away From Jesus On The Cross

3. Forsaken, Or Felt Forsaken

4. More Thoughts On Being God-Forsaken

God And The Gospel

To learn more about the great and true Triune God, the God-Man, Jesus Christ, His cross, and His glorious Gospel message and everlasting Kingship, please watch American Gospel: Christ Alone. You can watch the full documentary here and here for free!

My Last Sermon As A Single Man (Lord Willing!)

God willing, today I will preach my last sermon as a single man. I've been waiting decades for this! I recently preached on Proverbs 18:22, and so it's appropriate that I could preach a part 2 of this Proverb and focus more on the "finding a wife" part. 

I was also inspired to preach this sermon because another brother pastor, Steve DeWitt, did the same thing when he also preached his last sermon as a single man in his 40s. You can listen to his sermon here: The Bachelor Pastor: Premarital reflections on singleness, purity, and ministry. This is a helpful article about his life and marriage as well: Megachurch Marriage for the Bachelor Pastor: A Story of Love that Lasts

Here are my sermon notes:

Prov. 18:22: He who finds a wife finds a good thing & obtains favor from the LORD.

Intro: This is part two of a two part sermon series on this verse. In part one, we focused on the goodness of finding a wife & how it is favor from the LORD. Today, for my last sermon as a single man, LORD willing, we’ll focus on the “He who finds a wife” at the beginning of the verse.

- Charles Spurgeon: A true wife is her husband's better half & his heart's treasure. In her company he finds his earthly heaven.

- Prov. 12:4: An excellent wife is the crown of her husband

- Crown: The king's most noticeable, highest, most valuable, most beautiful addition to himself! A crown is a symbol of power, strength, & authority: an excellent wife strengthens her husband to help him accomplish all that God has called him to accomplish! She strengthens him in God!

- Ps. 103:1-5: Bless the LORD, O my soul, & all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love & mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Finding a wife is a good gift from the LORD. [God may call some of you to singleness (1 Cor. 7)].

(The first 5 points are from Part 1 of the sermon on Proverbs 18:22)

1. Eve Was A Good Gift From The LORD For Adam

2. Ruth Was A Good Gift From The LORD For Boaz

3. The Song Of Solomon Pictures God’s Good Gift Of Sexual Intimacy In Marriage

4. The LORD’s Good Gift In The Proverbs 31 Wife

5. The Ultimate Marriage And Best Good Gift From The LORD: Christ And The Church

6. Ways I Could Have Done Better Finding A Wife

7. By God's Mercy, The Things I Did Well As I Found A Wife

8. Jesus Always Perfectly Pursued And Found His Wife

6. Ways I Could Have Done Better Finding A Wife

a. Marrying younger is better: I waited too long! Young people, if possible, don’t follow my example in this! Now, God is sovereign! But as far as man’s responsibility goes, I want to encourage you to get married at a younger age. 18 to 25 is a good marriage age range.

b. Being more pure in heart is better: I could have been more pure in heart as I pursued marriage (this is another good reason to marry young!). From time to time, I battled & failed & gave in to the temptations of lust & pornography when I was in high school, & in college, & in the Navy & even while I was in seminary. Praise God He has delivered me from this because you can’t be a pastor & be looking at pornography. But I could have done better. I wish I could say with John Piper that I’ve never once looked at pornography, but I can’t. Praise God for His mercy.

- Job 31:1: I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin?

- Matt. 5:27-30: You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out & throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. & if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.

- Matt. 5:8: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Only seeing God truly satisfies!

Garrett Kell: But please hear this: sexual pleasure will never ultimately satisfy you. A wonderful spouse will never fulfill you. Neither sex nor spouse can do what only God can. You can have the best spouse on the planet and enjoy the most fulfilling sex life imaginable, yet this fact remains: if your heart is not satisfied in God, it will wander to find satisfaction elsewhere. Spouses can be wonderful helpers, but they are sorry saviors. Jesus alone can satisfy something as complex as the human soul. (Pure In Heart)

c. Guarding others' hearts is better: When you pursue a wife, guard the woman’s heart. By that, I mean don’t awaken an affection in her for you that you don’t intended to reciprocate. Don’t woo her to you when you have no intention of being in a serious relationship with her. Don’t tell her you love her before you are prepared & ready to ask her to marry you. 

The ideal situation: same church, same school, same town, same community, same values, you grow up together, you spend time together at school & church, your families know each other & hang out. And then at some point, you know she’s the one you want to marry. So when you ask her father if you can court her, you are already 99% percent sure she’s the one you want to marry.

Elisabeth Elliot (Passion And Purity; Quest For Love): Chapter: “Hook ‘Em Throw ‘Em Back”: Dave & Jim had fun sometimes catching “suckers,” large, slow bottom fish that didn’t begin to measure up to trout either in fight or flavor. They would hook them for the fun of it & throw them back. This struck me as cruel. They assured me the fish didn’t mind. It was sort of a game for fish & fishermen. One day I had lunch with a young woman who poured out her story, a sadly familiar one. When she got to this part I began to think about those fishing trips: “So our relationship grew. He’s really a godly man. I found in him everything I’ve always wanted in a husband. He finally took me out for dinner to a really nice place. We hadn’t dated a whole lot, exactly, we’d just spent a lot of time together – quality times, you know? Anyway, this really nice dinner. I was hyped. Maybe this would be it. He told me I was everything he’d ever wanted in a wife. Said he’d never loved anybody the way he loved me. We really did care about each other. I mean, our relationship was – well, it was very special, to both of us. Or – well, I thought it was, & he certainly gave me the impression that he thought so too. But then . . .” I had no trouble filling in the rest of the story. I couldn’t help wondering how often he’d gone fishing just for fun, how many he’d hooked & thrown back, treated like poor suckers, not as the beauties he was looking for. Suckers aren’t good for much, but they’re fun to hook & – oh well, it doesn’t hurt them. I’ve seen suckers with the scars of old hooks. “From moral weakness of spirit; from timidity; from hesitation; from fear of men & dread of responsibility . . . From weakness of judgment; from the indecision that can make no choice; from the irresolution that carries no choice into act . . . save us & help us, we humbly beseech Thee, O Lord!” (Quest For Love)

There were relationships along the way in my pursuit of a wife that I should have done a better job guarding my heart & the hearts of the young ladies I was dating. Especially situations in online dating. Meet in person first before you get too serious! Be careful what you say & do! Be careful about the degree of commitment you communicate. Guard your own heart & guard others’ hearts.

- Marshall Segal (The Great Prize in Christian Dating): Pursue clarity & postpone intimacy.

- Richard & Sharon Phillips (Holding Hands Holding Hearts): According to the Bible’s perspective, if you are dating you are not just holding hands, you are holding hearts. What you do with your own heart, & what you do with another’s, is a matter of great importance. God’s Word speaks clearly & powerfully: “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” (Prov. 4:23)

d. God works in all my (our) failures for the best: Rom. 8:28: And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

- Gen. 50:20: As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

Thomas Watson (All Things For Good): The Worst things Work for Good to the Godly:

- 1) The evil of AFFLICTION works for good, to the godly

- 2) The evil of TEMPTATION is overruled for good to the godly

- 3) The evil of DESERTION works for good to the godly

- 4) The evil of SIN works for good to the godly: The sense of their OWN sinfulness, will be overruled for the good of the godly: Sin makes them weary of this life; This indwelling of corruption, makes the saints prize Christ more.

1) Looking back, I’m glad I waited this long! Look at who God has given me! She is worth the wait!

2) Sinful lust is not good at all. It would have been better if I never lusted at all. It’s always better not to sin. But God, in His great mercy, has turned by battles for purity & even my sins for good: to teach me how to fight sin; to show me the emptiness of sin; & to teach me the joy of victory over sin & the joy of purity; to humble me; & to cause me to prize Jesus Christ all the more!

3) In my failures to guard my own heart & to guard the hearts of others, I’ve been sanctified away from marriage idolatry; I’ve been humbled by seeing my own sinfulness & indecisiveness; I’ve been disciplined by God to be more careful in how I guard others’ hearts; & my heart has been broken – which drove me to the arms of a kind, compassionate, merciful, loving, & all-satisfying Savior!

Finding a wife is a good gift from the LORD, & He’s overruled all my sin for good.

Beloved Christian in Christ, God will overrule all your sin for good as well! All your failures! All your indecision! All your waiting too long! All your sexual immorality! All your not guarding of hearts! All your sin! What you meant for evil, God means for good! Hallelujah! What a Savior!

7. By God's Mercy, The Things I Did Well As I Found A Wife

a. By God’s mercy, I did try to find a wife: You have to go find her single men! I have not been single this long because of lack of effort. I asked ladies out on dates. I had awkward conversations. I took classes at WTS. I visited good churches on Sunday nights. I went to prayer meetings. I was on Christian dating websites. I tried to put myself in positions where I would meet godly single ladies. That’s good! Do that! Ladies, put yourself it positions to meet people, but, generally, you are to respond, men should take the initiative & pursue – you find! Ruth! Yes, guard your heart from idolatry & an over preoccupation with these things, but it’s not wrong to want to be married!

b. By God's mercy, I wanted a godly woman who would help me follow Christ: Only marry in the Lord: 

- 1 Cor. 7:39: A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.

- 1 Cor. 9:5: Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles & the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?

- 2 Cor. 6:14: Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?

- My basic prayer has been: Oh Father, please grant me a wife with whom we can glorify You the most, with whom we can help Your church the most, with whom we can help save the most sinners, with whom we can help the most poor, needy, & helpless the most, with whom we can help others become the most like Jesus, & with whom we would make each other the most like Jesus the most!

- Puritan: If you marry a child of the Devil, you will be sure to have trouble with your father-in-law

c. By God's mercy, I kept myself from fornication: I don't want to have pride in this or boast in this - God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. This is all by the grace and mercy of God. And I have plenty of other sins and failures to help keep me humble. But I want your children to know that it is possible for a 49 year old and a 27 year old to get married and both be virgins in 2026. Your virginity is a gift you can only give to one person. Save it for the right person – the one you marry.

- Brother: Sex outside of marriage has destroyed more lives than anything else in modern America.

Please know that there is abundant mercy in Christ Jesus for all who have failed. I love this story Pastor Garrett Kell tells from on his wedding night:

Garrett Kell: On our wedding night, my wife & I settled into our hotel suite. As we sat on the bed, she handed me a well-worn envelope decorated with colorful hearts. Three words were written on the front: “To The One.” I opened the seal & unfolded the paper to find a letter she wrote when she was thirteen, to the man she intended to marry. The letter declared that she had saved herself for this special night. I wept as I read it. My tears were stirred by the sweetness of her letter, but also by the sorrow that I couldn't offer the same gift in return . . . On my wedding night, my wife ministered to me in my brokenness. She reminded me of the grace of Jesus & assured me that if God could forgive her, she was willing & desirous to forgive me. (Pure In Heart) GOSPEL!

d. By God's mercy, I prayed: Phil. 4:6-7: do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer & supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. & the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts & your minds in Christ Jesus.

e. By God's mercy, I got lots of godly counsel: Prov. 11:14: Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.

- Find a wife in godly, Christian community. Parents, godly friends, pastors, the church, etc.

f. By God's mercy, I sought to focus on my own growth in Christ: Make sure you are the godly spouse that someone else would want to marry. Pursue Christ above all! Seek growth in your own sanctification & holiness. Be a member of a good church, read your Bible, pray.

- Luke 14:26: If anyone comes to me & does not hate his own father & mother & wife & children & brothers & sisters, yes, & even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Psalm 73:25

- Matt. 6:33: seek first the kingdom of God & his righteousness, & all these things will be added to you.

- Prov. 3:5-6: Trust in the LORD with all your heart, & do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, & he will make straight your paths.

Finding a wife is a good gift from the LORD.

8. Jesus Always Perfectly Pursued And Found His Wife

a. Jesus is always perfectly pure in heart: Heb. 4:15: For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

 

b. Jesus always perfectly cares for your hearts: Jesus will never leave you or disappoint you! In any way! Jn. 16:33: I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

 

c. Jesus always perfectly makes His bride godly: Jesus is not picky! He died to save sinners! The O. T. is the account of God’s unfaithful bride (Hosea!). Ezek. 16. Jesus is the faithful Groom Who died for you & rose for you & works in you by His Holy Spirit to make you holy & beautiful

d. Jesus always prays perfectly: Jesus prays for you now! He always lives to intercede! (Heb. 7:25)

e. Jesus is always the perfect Wonderful Counselor: Isa. 9:6: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; & the government shall be upon his shoulder, & his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. [Follow His Word!]

f. Jesus always perfectly pursued His Father's glory, & He always pursues us perfectly: There is no one like Jesus! He is the perfectly holy, sinless Husband of all husbands Who pursues perfectly!

Finding a wife is a good gift from the LORD. And Jesus is our great Savior & great example!

Christ Jesus Found His Sinful Bride

Unwanted, Ugly, Cast Outside

No Hope For Her – All Love Denied

The Gates Of Hell For Her Are Wide

But God, By Mercy, Turned The Tide

And Christ With Evil Did Collide

He’s Sinless, Holy, Perfect Guide

Yet For His Sinful Bride He Died

Then Rose Again And Death Defied

For All His People – Life Worldwide

By Faith Alone He Does Provide

His Own Righteousness Outside

To Cover You And Then Inside

He Makes You Holy – Kills Your Pride

And Makes You Beautiful - Abide

For You’re His Loved And Beauty Bride!

God And The Gospel

To learn more about the great and true Triune God, the God-Man, Jesus Christ, His cross, and His glorious Gospel message and everlasting Kingship, please watch American Gospel: Christ Alone. You can watch the full documentary here and here for free!

More On Marriage And Sex

The Song Of Solomon: Love In Marriage And Love In Christ

Christ Jesus Found His Sinful Bride!

Christ Jesus Found His Sinful Bride

Unwanted, Ugly, Cast Outside

No Hope For Her – All Love Denied

The Gates Of Hell For Her Are Wide

But God, By Mercy, Turned The Tide

And Christ With Evil Did Collide

He’s Sinless, Holy, Perfect Guide

Yet For His Sinful Bride He Died

Then Rose Again And Death Defied

For All His People – Life Worldwide

By Faith Alone He Does Provide

His Own Righteousness Outside

To Cover You And Then Inside

He Makes You Holy – Kills Your Pride

And Makes You Beautiful - Abide

For You’re His Loved And Beauty Bride!

God And The Gospel

To learn more about the great and true Triune God, the God-Man, Jesus Christ, His cross, and His glorious Gospel message and everlasting Kingship, please watch American Gospel: Christ Alone. You can watch the full documentary here and here for free!

Christ Jesus Came To Give You Peace!

Christ Jesus Came To Give You Peace

He Came Like You – A Man Our Priest

Who Ate And Slept And Would Decease

But Also God Whose Praise Increase

He Calmed The Storm – Made Wind To Cease

Fulfilled God’s Word And Every Feast

Gives Understanding Piece By Piece

He Died And Rose To Give You Peace

He Bore God’s Wrath So Toward You Cease

All Condemnation – Joy Release

He Has Ascended – Our High Priest

So Go And Tell – His Fame Increase

And Worship God With Joy And Peace!

God And The Gospel

To learn more about the great and true Triune God, the God-Man, Jesus Christ, His cross, and His glorious Gospel message and everlasting Kingship, please watch American Gospel: Christ Alone. You can watch the full documentary here and here for free!

Christ Jesus Poor And Lowly Came!

Christ Jesus Poor And Lowly Came
With Pure Integrity His Aim
No Foolish Speech Or Sinful Shame
He’d Ever Utter, Do, Or Claim
Thought First Then Acted – Overcame
Rich Prince Of Kings – Poor Slave Became
Did Justice, Yet He’d Take Our Blame
Counted Sin – Condemned In Shame
Beaten Like A Fool They’d Maim
He Bore God’s Curse And Wrath Aflame
He Died And Rose His Bride To Claim
So Now We Live – His Life Our Aim
To Walk In Wisdom As He Came
Give Him Honor, Praise, Acclaim
There’s No One Like Him – Spread His Fame
All Wisdom’s His – Oh! Praise His Name!

God And The Gospel

To learn more about the great and true Triune God, the God-Man, Jesus Christ, His cross, and His glorious Gospel message and everlasting Kingship, please watch American Gospel: Christ Alone. You can watch the full documentary here and here for free!

"That's My King!" In Proverbs 18!

Christ Jesus Came His Church To Save

Community That’s One And Brave

Deals With Conflict, Loves, Forgave

For On God’s Hands Our Names Engrave

Like Him We Love And Act – He’d Pave

A Way To Give Just Like He Gave

For Jesus Died – Our Sins Forgave

Then Rose Alive Up From That Grave

Now We’re His Friends – Not Just His Slave

He’s Elder Brother Strong And Brave

Our Friend Like None We Always Crave

Our God Who Loves And Came To Save!

That's my King!

Christ Jesus Spoke Like None Before

Or Ever Since So Praise! Adore!

His Words Give Life And Joy Galore

He Is The Life – Hope’s Guarantor

He Is God’s Word In Flesh And More

He’s God And Man You Can’t Ignore

His Words Are Pure Down To The Core

Wise Like A Bubbling Brook They Soar

Yet He Would Die – God’s Wrath He Bore

The Temple’s Open – Curtain Tore

He Rose Again To Life Restore

Trust Him Alone – Salvation’s Door

Then You Will Speak Not As Before

He’ll Change Your Heart And Words And More

All Sinful Words You Will Abhor

And On Them Make An All Out War

For Christ Is All The Word Adore

We Live To Please Him More And More!

That's my King! Do you know Him?!

Christ Jesus Took All Your Disgrace

So Justice Won – No Partial Face

All Your Days His Mercies Chase

You Down Each Day To Give You Grace

Because He Died – Was Shown No Grace

Marred, Bruised, And Beaten – Spit On Face

God’s Wrath And Curse Did Crush, Debase

So Marred Beyond A Human Face

But Then He Rose To Death Displace

Now, In Him, New Life Embrace

For All Your Sins He Did Erase

So You Will Run A Righteous Race

No Partial Sins Or Wicked Trace

All Because Christ Took Your Place!

That's my King!

Christ Jesus Worked Like None Before

He Worked So Hard And Worked Galore

Did All His Father’s Will Adore

Yet Rested Too – Did Not Ignore

The Need To Get Away To Soar

In All Perfection He Did More

He Died And All God’s Wrath He Bore

Then Rose Alive – On Death Made War

So Now By Faith Alone Therefore

We’re Counted Righteous And Abhor

All Laziness And Wasteful Snore

But Now We Work And Work Galore

All For His Name And Praise Adore

For With His Strength Our Lives Outpour

All Because Christ Worked The More!

That's my King!

Christ Jesus Took Our Sick Disease

He Walked Upon And Calmed The Seas

God-Man Of Sorrows, Tears, And Pleas

Then On That Cross What No One Sees

Unrecognized As Man Appease

All God’s Anger - Counted Sleaze

His Spirit’s Crushed Beyond Degrees

All God’s Wrath Would Strike And Squeeze

A Loneliness And Never Ease

Forsaken Christ Among The Trees

But Then He Rose And Took The Keys

Of Death And Hades Guarantees

To All Who Trust In His Decrees

By Faith Alone Your Just – No Seas

Of Wrath And Hell – Your Escapees

And Oh What Joy – Adoptees

You’re No More Crushed – Your Father Please

Safe And Happy – Guarantees!

That's my King! 

Christ Jesus’ Name – Our Tower Strong

The Righteous Run To Him In Throng

And There We’re Safe And Safe Lifelong

Even In Life’s Pains And Wrong

In Christ We’re His – Safe All Along

For He’s The Righteous God-Man Strong

Who Bore God’s Wrath For All Our Wrong

He Died And Rose To Life Prolong

By Faith Alone We’re Righteous – Strong

We Are God’s Children – We Belong

To Him We Run For Him We Long

We’ll Praise Forever Him In Song

For Like No Other He Is Strong!

That's my King!

Christ Jesus Who’s Rich Beyond All Splendor

For Our Sake Became Poor In Holy Surrender

Never Trusted In Wealth But His Father The Sender

Always Gave With Right Purpose The Perfect, Pure Spender

In Gethsemane Pled Another Way Father Render

But Your Will Be Done – Oh! His Perfect Surrender

He Died For Our Sins Though We’re The Offender

Then Rose From The Dead – Conquered Every Contender

Take Refuge In Him – Our Shield And Defender

All Money And Goods To Him We Surrender

And Live For His Glory Who Loves Us So Tender

We Steward All His Money For He’s Our All Lender

So Use All For Him – Show The Nations His Splendor!

That's my King! I wonder if you know Him today?!

Christ Jesus Humble, Lowly Came

And Though He Is The Greatest Name

The Lowest Of The Low Became

Counted As Haughty – Took Our Shame

Destruction By God’s Wrath Aflame

He Took For Us And Died – Exclaim

“It Is Finished!” – No More Blame

For Then He Rose – Nothing’s The Same

Pride And Sin Are Dead And Lame

By Faith Alone We’re Just And Aim

To Give All Glory To His Name

And Die To Pride – We’re Set Aflame

To Burn For Him – Like Him The Same

And Give To Him All Praise Acclaim

To Him All Glory, Honor, Fame!

That's my King!

Christ Jesus All Does Wise Discern

Wonderful Counselor Strives To Learn

Who Knows All Things With Deep Concern

All Knowledge Owns And Every Turn

He’s God And Man The Judge Adjourn

He Rules The Lot And Makes It Turn

All Things Ordains From Bow To Stern

Even Death That We All Earn

He Took And Bore God’s Angry Burn

In Wrath He Died - God’s Curse To Turn

Away From You And Make You Yearn

For Him Who Rose The Grave To Spurn

By Faith Alone We’re Just – He’d Earn

A Righteousness For Us – Now Burn

All For His Glory And Discern

With Knowledge, Wisdom We Will Learn

And Be Prepared For His Return!

That's my King!

Christ Jesus Came To Find His Bride

A Good Thing Is His Church Worldwide

From Every Nation Unified

For Her He Suffered, Bled, And Died

Forsaken – Bore God’s Wrath And Cried

Then Rose Alive And Death Defied

By Faith Alone We’re His – Abide

In His Word – Go Find Your Bride

Who’s Holy, Faithful, Pure, And Tried

You Must Work And Search And Stride

As Far As Kenya He’s Supplied

My Purest Mercy He'll Provide

Now Love Her Just As Christ Our Pride

Who For His Bride Has Come And Died

In Everything He’ll Be Your Guide

So Trust In Him – In Him Confide

And Praise His Name Who Loves His Bride!

Christ Jesus Found His Sinful Bride

Unwanted, Ugly, Cast Outside

No Hope For Her – All Love Denied

The Gates Of Hell For Her Are Wide

But God, By Mercy, Turned The Tide

And Christ With Evil Did Collide

He’s Sinless, Holy, Perfect Guide

Yet For His Sinful Bride He Died

Then Rose Again And Death Defied

For All His People – Life Worldwide

By Faith Alone He Does Provide

His Own Righteousness Outside

To Cover You And Then Inside

He Makes You Holy – Kills Your Pride

And Makes You Beautiful - Abide

For You’re His Loved And Beauty Bride!

That's my King! That's my King!

God And The Gospel

To learn more about the great and true Triune God, the God-Man, Jesus Christ, His cross, and His glorious Gospel message and everlasting Kingship, please watch American Gospel: Christ Alone. You can watch the full documentary here and here for free!

Christ Jesus Came To Find His Bride!

Christ Jesus Came To Find His Bride

A Good Thing Is His Church Worldwide

From Every Nation Unified

For Her He Suffered, Bled, And Died

Forsaken – Bore God’s Wrath And Cried

Then Rose Alive And Death Defied

By Faith Alone We’re His – Abide

In His Word – Go Find Your Bride

Who’s Holy, Faithful, Pure, And Tried

You Must Work And Search And Stride

As Far As Kenya He’s Supplied

My Purest Mercy He'll Provide

Now Love Her Just As Christ Our Pride

Who For His Bride Has Come And Died

In Everything He’ll Be Your Guide

So Trust In Him – In Him Confide

And Praise His Name Who Loves His Bride!

God And The Gospel

To learn more about the great and true Triune God, the God-Man, Jesus Christ, His cross, and His glorious Gospel message and everlasting Kingship, please watch American Gospel: Christ Alone. You can watch the full documentary here and here for free!

Colonel Art Athens' Ministry At The Naval Academy

While I was at the United States Naval Academy (USNA) as a Midshipmen, one of the Christian ministry organizations I participated in was Officers' Christian Fellowship (OCF). Commander Tom Thompson led that organization while I was there (1995-1999), and he and his wife, Mary, poured the Word of God and much love, counseling, prayer, and more love into me in numerous ways. There were weekly OCF meetings on Thursday nights in Mitscher Hall - we prayed, sang, heard solid preaching, and had Bible studies and fellowship. We had fellowship nights at the Thompson home right outside gate 3 with great food (thanks Mary!) and more singing, prayer, and excellent Bible teaching and testimonies. Then there were weekly discipleship meetings. I looked forward to these meetings with Tom - he would meet with me and disciple me on how to walk with Jesus and teach me to obey all of Jesus' commands, even in really hard situations. He helped me fight sin. He prayed for me. He taught me how to be a man after God's own heart through the Word, prayer, and example. These years shaped my Christian life very deeply. I would never be the same.

OCF also had special speakers come in from time to time at the Naval Academy and also at the White Sulfur Springs Retreat Center for OCF retreats. The most memorable special speaker we had was Colonel Art Athens. Below are links to some of the sermons he preached to us while I was at the Academy. Please listen and be encouraged.

Sermon At USNA OCF Meeting

Serving With Humility

Sermons At OCF Retreat, White Sulfur Springs

1. Decompartmentalize Your Life

2. Looking Up

3. Walking With God

4. Persevere

Best Article On Evangelism

Colonel Athens wrote the best article I've ever read on evangelism: Go To Hell!

Other Lectures On Leadership

I did not hear these lectures when I was at USNA, and they are given in a secular environment, but they are very helpful on leadership.

1. Vision As A Leader, Stories, And Leading With Love

2. Leading In The Midst Of Personal Crisis

3. Competence, Courage, Compassion

4. Four Leadership Styles: Finding Your Sweet Spot And Helping Others Do The Same

5. What's Love Got To Do With It?

PDF: What's Love Got To Do With It?

God And The Gospel

To learn more about the great and true Triune God, the God-Man, Jesus Christ, His cross, and His glorious Gospel message and everlasting Kingship, please watch American Gospel: Christ Alone. You can watch the full documentary here and here for free!

Christ Jesus All Does Wise Discern!

Christ Jesus All Does Wise Discern

Wonderful Counselor Strives To Learn

Who Knows All Things With Deep Concern

All Knowledge Owns And Every Turn

He’s God And Man The Judge Adjourn

He Rules The Lot And Makes It Turn

All Things Ordains From Bow To Stern

Even Death That We All Earn

He Took And Bore God’s Angry Burn

In Wrath He Died - God’s Curse To Turn

Away From You And Make You Yearn

For Him Who Rose The Grave To Spurn

By Faith Alone We’re Just – He’d Earn

A Righteousness For Us – Now Burn

All For His Glory And Discern

With Knowledge, Wisdom We Will Learn

And Be Prepared For His Return!

God And The Gospel

To learn more about the great and true Triune God, the God-Man, Jesus Christ, His cross, and His glorious Gospel message and everlasting Kingship, please watch American Gospel: Christ Alone. You can watch the full documentary here and here for free!

Christ Jesus Humble, Lowly Came!

Christ Jesus Humble, Lowly Came

And Though He Is The Greatest Name

The Lowest Of The Low Became

Counted As Haughty – Took Our Shame

Destruction By God’s Wrath Aflame

He Took For Us And Died – Exclaim

“It Is Finished!” – No More Blame

For Then He Rose – Nothing’s The Same

Pride And Sin Are Dead And Lame

By Faith Alone We’re Just And Aim

To Give All Glory To His Name

And Die To Pride – We’re Set Aflame

To Burn For Him – Like Him The Same

And Give To Him All Praise Acclaim

To Him All Glory, Honor, Fame!

God And The Gospel

To learn more about the great and true Triune God, the God-Man, Jesus Christ, His cross, and His glorious Gospel message and everlasting Kingship, please watch American Gospel: Christ Alone. You can watch the full documentary here and here for free!