by Jeff Rose | Jul 8, 2020 | Uncategorized
With all the craziness going on around us, how are we, the church, suppose to behave? With the never-ending influx of fear inducing news being broadcast over our television sets, we have become a nation of nervous and uneasy people. I think I have heard the name “Covid’ over a thousand times since its inception. Now its a crazy combination of Covid-19, face mask, BLM, LGBTQ and murder Hornets!
Just recently some of the Hollywood elites and billionaires have been exposed for their gruesome child trafficking and pedophilia rings. These greedy, lusty pregnant powerhouses will have their day, either now, or later on the day of judgement.
Remember, God is Sovereign. Yes, I will say it again, God is Sovereign and that means He is in control of everything. As R.C. Sproul says, “…there is not one maverick molecule God is not in control of. He is not only in control of all things, He ordained all things!”
Yes, the Lord God has ordained everything that comes to pass. Listen to what scripture says in Isaiah 46:10…
“Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times
things that are not yet done,
Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,
And I will do all My pleasure.”
Listen to what John C. Johnston wrote in his Classic work on the Covenanters’ concerning the Sovereignty of God during a crisis,
“It was the stern and tremendous theology of John Calvin which gave birth to the Covenanters, and perhaps no other theology could have been of any service in an iron age like theirs. What they learned from it was an awesome sense of the sovereignty of God, a passion for righteousness and liberty, a sense of the vast issues of human destiny, and above all a resoluteness and certainty of faith which made them like the glittering sword of God amid the demoralization of their times.”
When we truly grasp this awesome reality, we no longer become circumstantial Christians. Another words, circumstances do not change our faith.
As John Piper once said, if we come to God for any other reason than God Himself, we come in vain. We did not come to Christ for life enhancement, we came to Christ for Christ! God had told Abraham in Genesis “Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
God had told Abraham, that God Himself was his reward! Abraham came to God for God!
If we are truly God’s people, it matters not whether we are thrown in a hole somewhere, burned alive, or living in in a mansion. We are safe and satisfied. Whether in life or death, we belong to God. Whether the coronavirus, obsessive mask wearing, communism, socialism, wicked-woke, or threats from the elites, we have God.
The Lord knows the beginning from the end.
So, when the heathen say, “Where is your God now?” (Psalm 115:2)
We will say, But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. (Psalm 115:3)
So how are we to behave? We are to remain trusting, peaceful, calm, confident, and bright. Let’s continue to be the salt and light. Let’s continue to be about our Father’s business and if we perish, we perish. Go, Stand, and Speak!
A Slave for Christ,
Jeff Rose
by Jeff Rose | Jun 5, 2020 | Uncategorized
To Our JeremiahCry family,
We are burdened, dismayed and our hearts are heavy as we think about what we have seen unfold over the last couple weeks. With so much chaos and rage going in our nation, what in the world are we supposed to do? Are we to jump into the fray and start shouting, looting, and using a tragedy as an excuse to be wicked?
Are we to join in and protest and vent our pain at the gross and demonic behavior of the arrest of George Floyd? We as a nation are still reeling from the Covid-19 pandemic. Now we are under curfew to keep us safe from the rioting and looting. What’s next? Darkness has literally covered the land.
The Bible talks about a darkness, darkness that overtakes a nation, and a darkness which describes a people.
“The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.” Mathew 4:16
There are those who want to push, pout, and promote evil, and there are those in the midst of evil and darkness who are looking for the light of Christ. Yes, God’s elect are in the throes of a divided country, and many hearts are being prepared to hear the Gospel and come to Jesus.
As our nation is raging against God, and continues to look for other ways to accomplish justice, peace and freedom. God is giving them over to their lust, hatred, and love of violence.
“He who sins against me wrongs his own soul; All those who hate me love death.” Proverbs 8:36
We must, as Christians and followers of Christ, penetrate the darkness with fire of the Holy Spirit, and the Truth of God’s Word. Jesus said,
The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
Romans 13:13,14
We are not to hide, we are to shine!
You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden, Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Mathew 5:14-16)
So, if we set something on fire, let it be done by the fiery preaching of the Gospel!
John Wesley once said, “I set myself on fire and people come to watch me burn.”
While many people are in shock, traumatized, and living in fear while our nation is on fire, let us burn for Christ, that others may come and be rescued from the flames of hell.
Save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh – Jude 1:23
How will they hear if we do not let the perfect love of Christ swallow our fear, and cause us to rush into a sin crazed culture with the love of Christ? They won’t…
So, before we catch ourselves slipping into dread and fear, lashing out at all the injustices around the world, remember, we are the only people group on the planet who has the answer for darkness, pain, confusion and hopelessness. We have the Gospel of Christ.
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. Ephesians 5:8
Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
Romans 13:13
by Jeff Rose | May 1, 2020 | Uncategorized
When I was first approached about planting a church, my first thought was, absolutely not! Little did I know, I would be writing this newsletter celebrating three years of pastoring a church in Texas.
I was very hesitant and cautious about starting a church because of all the bad experiences I had heard about and have seen with my own eyes. My family came to Texas to work alongside another church which soon dissolved. It was heart wrenching. I couldn’t believe how nasty people could be within the church!
The question that lingered was, “Am I cut out for this?” My wife and I fasted and prayed. We diligently sought the Lord and by the leading of the Holy Spirit, knew that God was calling us to this church plant. We started in a living room, moved to a workshop, then to another office building, and then finally to the place we are now.
I have made many mistakes on this journey and will make many more, but I have learned much in these last three years. Here is what I have learned.
1.) Spiritual Warfare is intense
The spiritual attacks are by far the worst I have ever experienced. If you are not called and serious about the work of the church, you will be crushed. A work like this demands much prayer, fasting, and the deep study of God’s Word. This is a real war, both for lost souls, and the health of God’s people.
2.) Betrayal lurks around the corner
Many of the people you think will be the best companions in battle turn out to either quit, cause trouble, turn on you, and/or seek to devour you. They will accuse, lie, slander, and smear your name and the name of Christ. Pride drives these people to do things that you only thought the world was capable of.
3.) Rejection is part of the package
I have learned that much of true ministry is followed by much rejection. People will show up to your church, ready to conquer the world, then a week or two later they disappear, fade out, or drop off the face of the planet. Usually these people are looking for some form of leadership. But on a good note, the ones you least expect, will oftentimes surprise you and stick it out for the long haul. They also will bear much fruit in their service.
4.) Sickness can almost knock you out of the race
2019 was by far my worst year. I had been stricken and hijacked by a nervous breakdown. My body literally shut down. I suffered the worse kind of torment a human being can suffer on this side of eternity. At least in my opinion, and the opinions of many others who have suffered the same lot. My whole body was in torment and pain, waves of agony and terror shot through my body continuously for days on end. My body would pulsate and vibrate with painful anxiety, fire would shoot up and down through my chest, my legs would tremble uncontrollably, and all I could do is just lay in bed and stare at the wall. I did this for days until God by His providential Hand lifted me out of the darkness. This sickness was an instrument to drive me to the feet of my King. God used it for my good, and for His glory.
5.) Disappointments come left and right
Starting a church from scratch is an enormous undertaking. I had read many books on the subject and talked to many pastors about their experiences. I found it interesting that a majority of those I talked to were hesitant to help or just didn’t have the time. Sadly, many church planters that I did get to know over last few years, eventually quit. So far, what I can say from my personal experience, is that I can see why 1,800 ministers quit ministry every month. But realizing that Christ’s church never fails, we can rest in His strength, promises and future hope.
6.) Family
It seems the enemy relishes on attacking marriages and kids. He thrives on our failures, doubt, and unbelief. The work of church planting seems to stir up all kinds of threatening offenses, fear, and miscommunications within the household and in the household of God. Elders of the church must learn to pray alone, pray together and with their wives and children. Any slack in spiritual exercises could be the demise of your calling. On the other hand, there is nothing more beautiful than working together as a family to see the will of God unfold. I love my family and am so thankful for their support! It is awesome to see the church work together as well. The family of God is a beautiful thing. If there is one thing I have learned to appreciate, it is my church family. We have cried together, fought together, failed together, and succeeded together. I love my church!
Remember, if you are called to plant a church, Jesus will carry you through. We have experienced many ups and downs, and will probably experience many more. The financial struggles, disappointments, failure, pain and loss will all be worth it in the end. This is a difficult, daunting and demanding work, but it also can be a blessed, exciting, and memorable journey that will leave behind a legacy, and an inheritance that is eternal.
No King But Christ,
Jeff Rose
by Jeff Rose | Mar 29, 2020 | Uncategorized
There’s an interesting story that’s told by C.H. Spurgeon.
In 1854 he was just called to the neighborhood of the Metropolitan Tabernacle that he served in for so many years, there in London.
He had only labored in that area for one year when the area was visited by Asiatic Cholera. He writes in his diaries that day-by-day he was burying folk, every single day, with this sickness. He notes that he became wearied himself, he says actually: ‘I became sick of heart, because not only were my congregation falling, but my own friends fell one by one’.
Eventually, as he was burying day-by-day, he began to feel that he was sickening a little bit like them, and he felt that he was coming down with the same sickness. Into the bargain, he felt burdened with such a heavy burden to bear in ministering to these folks who were bereaved. He felt, he says, that he was sinking down underneath this.
One day he recounts that, returning mournfully from one of those said funerals, curiosity led him to read a paper in a shoemaker’s window on the Dover Road.
Do you know what the newspaper said? Verse 9 and 10! ‘Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling’.
He said: ‘Immediately relief and faith was applied to my heart, and I felt I was girt with immortality! I felt that God had just come down with His word and put a cloak of armor around me, that nothing could touch me’ – that is what this word ought to do for you! It ought to gird you with immortality!
It ought to make you realize that no matter what touches me, nothing can touch me out of the will of God if I put myself under the shadow of God! Nothing can harm me: ‘I am immortal’, as the puritan says, ‘until God says I must go’.
by Jeff Rose | Jun 26, 2016 | Uncategorized
Commendation for Jeff Rose & JCM
JeremiahCry Ministries is serving the body of Christ with their evangelistic call and equipping ministries. It is a privilege to commend Jeff Rose as he leads this ministry. Jeff is a very gifted evangelist with a great heart to see people come to Christ. He is a man of God’s Word and has sound theological convictions as the result of serious study. Beyond his gifting, knowledge, and theological fidelity; Jeff is a humble man who seeks to serve. He is a committed member of our church and his life is marked by godly character, love for his family, and active support for the leadership of his local church. I have personally gotten to know Jeff and my life has been affected by his passion to share the Gospel, his love for sound doctrine, and his humility demonstrated by inviting accountability and input into his life and ministry. It is refreshing and good to see a passionate and gifted man with a heart to serve the local church, pursue godly character, submit himself to Scripture, and love his family. It is for these reasons that I wholeheartedly commend Jeff and his call to lead JeremiahCry Ministries. The body of Christ needs equipping evangelists and Jeff helps fulfills that need with real faith and faithfulness.
Warren Boettcher
Senior Pastor
Sovereign Grace Church – Marlton, NJ
