Growth, Grumbling, and Gospel Unity

We are by nature grumblers and malcontents. We take offence easily, and become critical when our desires and expectations are disappointed. Paul Levy, in this week's main article, helps us to see that these tendencies aren't mere quirks, or 'weaknesses', but sins of great consequence in the church of God. Moreover, they are sins to which we are often tempted at times of great growth and kingdom advance. Through a discussion of the beginning of Acts 6, he helps us see how this dynamic was negotiated by the apostles, and how we can take evasive action against it today.   Featured Content: – 'The Gospel, Grumbling, and Growth', Paul Levy, Banner of Truth Magazine, Issue 735, December 2024. – Excerpt from United We Stand (Pocket Puritans), by Thomas Brooks (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 2009). United We Stand is sourced from Brooks' Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices (Puritan Paperbacks). Buy United We Stand: https://banneroftruth.org/store/church-ministry/united-we-stand/ Buy Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices: https://banneroftruth.org/store/christian-living/precious-remedies-against-satans-devices/   About the Contributors: Paul Levy is ministry of International Presbyterian Church in Ealing, London. He writes at https://ealinglevy.wordpress.com/ Thomas Brooks was a Puritan gospel minister. The scant amount of information known about him comes largely from his writing. Born in 1608, he entered Emmanuel College, Cambridge in 1625. He spent several years at sea, perhaps as chaplain, and was licensed as a preacher by 1640. After England’s Civil War, Brooks served as pastor of London’s Thomas Apostle; in 1648, he preached before the House of Commons. He later became the subject of controversy when he refused baptism and the Lord’s Supper to people that weren’t walking faithfully with the Lord. Thomas Brooks books include a six-volume set titled The Works of Thomas Brooks, with each book also available individually. Other books include Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices (written to help people resist Satan’s seductive power), The Secret Key to Heaven ( which emphasizes the importance of private prayer) and Heaven on Earth, which reminds people there is no greater privilege than to be a child of God.   Explore the work of the Banner of Truth: www.banneroftruth.org Subscribe to the Magazine (print/digital/both): www.banneroftruth.org/magazine Leave us a voice message: www.speakpipe.com/magazinepodcast