_A preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles._ I. A public preacher is one who may discharge his office ever in one and the same place. II. An apostle goes about everywhere; but he would have fully satisfied the requirements of his apostolic office if he had once for all declared his... [ Continue Reading ]
_I also suffer these things._ PRIDE IN THE PROFANE CAUSETH GOOD MEN TO SUFFER FOR WELL-DOING The Pharisees were zealous for the law and ceremonies, and Paul preached the gospel, called them beggarly and impotent rudiments; told that if they were circumcised Christ profited them nothing. Why, this s... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hold fast the form of sound words._ SYSTEMATIC KNOWLEDGE OF THE GOSPEL While Paul was passing through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the Churches, he came to Lystra, where he found a certain disciple, named Timothy, who was highly esteemed by the Christian brethren in that city. This recommended hi... [ Continue Reading ]
_That good thing which was committed unto thee._ THE SACRED TRUST I. The charge,--the truth, the Word of God, which-- 1. Unfolds the true God. 2. Proclaims life and salvation through the Redeemer. 3. Brings life and immortality to light. II. The duty. We should have-- 1. A correct knowledge o... [ Continue Reading ]
_All they which are in Asia be turned away from me._ TO REVOLT AND TURN FROM OUR FORMER PROFESSION IS A FOUL FAULT AND GREAT OFFENCE For Paul doth complain against it, and sets it down as a sin to be abandoned of all men (John 6:66; 1 Timothy 1:19; 1 Timothy 5:11). For in so doing we dishonour God;... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus._ ONESIPHORUS OF EPHESUS The man who now steps upon the scene does not reappear. One Epistle only mentions him, and in the Acts his very name is unrecorded. Let us mark, however, what letter it is which contains these references. It is the last of... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day._ ST. PAUL’S PRAYER FOR ONESIPHORUS I. Mercy is a word we are often using, especially in our prayers. But there are some of us, perhaps, who have no very clear ideas of what mercy is. I must remind you again, that it is not mer... [ Continue Reading ]