_Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children._ IMITATORS OF GOD The apostle urges us to give and forgive. If ye be imitators of God, give, for He is always giving. I. Consider the precept here laid down--“Be ye imitators of God, as clear children.” 1. I note upon this precept, first, that... [ Continue Reading ]
_And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God._ WALKING IN LOVE I. I gather out of these words something calculated to touch the heart. 1. There are many of our fellow creatures who have found but little love from man. To them th... [ Continue Reading ]
_But fornication, and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints._ THE SIN OF IMPURITY Consider the hatefulness of this sin. I. By its inner nature. 1. This sin, however loathsome in the sight of God and of human nature transformed by His grace, is ne... [ Continue Reading ]
_Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks._ UNSEEMLY CONVERSATION “Filthiness”--impurity of act or speech, “foolish talking,” and “jesting,” are to disappear as completely as covetousness and the grosser vices. They are “not befitti... [ Continue Reading ]
_For this we know, that no whoremonger nor unclean person._ SOUL IDOLATRY EXCLUDES MEN FROM HEAVEN There are thirteen acts of soul worship; and to give any one of them to anything besides the God of heaven is plain idolatry, and those idolaters that so give it. 1. Esteem. That which we most highl... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let no man deceive you with vain words; for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience._ A CAUTION AND A COMMINATION I. A caution against error. 1. That we may not deceive ourselves. Frequent warnings are given against this self-flattery (1Co 6:9; 1 John 3:... [ Continue Reading ]
_Be not ye therefore partakers with them._ FELLOWSHIP WITH EVIL DOERS I. Illustrate this fellowship in wickedness. 1. Not to oppose, in many cases, is to embolden transgressors, and to be partakers with them. 2. We have more direct fellowship with the wicked when we encourage them by our example... [ Continue Reading ]
_For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light._ THE CHILDREN OF LIGHT AND THEIR OBLIGATIONS I. The degradation from which believers have been raised. A state of wretchedness resulting: from ignorance to God and disobedience to His will. II. The nobil... [ Continue Reading ]
_For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth._ THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT 1. The author, the Holy Spirit. 2. The fruits of His sanctifying operations enumerated, “All goodness, and righteousness, and truth.” This is the conversation that may be called “Walking as chil... [ Continue Reading ]
_Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord._ THE RULE OF THE SAINT’S LIFE Darkness implies ignorance, for in deep darkness, where no object is recognizable, movement becomes impossible; as, for instance, in the plague of darkness sent upon smitten Egypt of old, we are told that none moved out of the... [ Continue Reading ]
_And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them._ RENUNCIATION OF EVIL WAYS 1 Those in whom there is the light of grace and true knowledge must not walk in evil works, nor communicate in them. (1). Not to have fellowship in sin is not to be an agent in sin,... [ Continue Reading ]
_For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret._ SINFUL DEEDS The practices of the unconverted heathen are set forth by a double brand-- 1. They are done of them in secret. 2. It is a shame to speak of them, there is such a turpitude and filthiness in them. So... [ Continue Reading ]
_But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light._ THE LIGHT OF CHRISTIANITY REPROVING THE WORLD In the text we have-- 1. An assertion--“But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light.” 2. The proof of it--“For whatsoever doth make manifest is light.” 1. An asse... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light._ A CALL TO SLUMBERING SOULS I. The character of those addressed. 1. If you allow yourself in the practice of known wickedness, your conscience is asleep. 2. If you live in the customary negl... [ Continue Reading ]
_See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise._ CIRCUMSPECT BEHAVIOUR I. The duty--“Walk circumspectly,” _i.e., _diligently, carefully. The phrase imports such a caution and exactness in our Christian conversation, as resembles that which men use when walking on the top of a prec... [ Continue Reading ]
_Redeeming the time, because the days are evil._ ON REDEEMING THE TIME I. Directions. 1. We must redeem time by sincerely repenting of sin and devoting ourselves immediately to the great business of life. 2. We must redeem time by considering the various ways in which we have wasted it, and avoi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is._ ON THE EXCELLENCE AND UTILITY OF THE TRUTHS CONTAINED IN THE GOSPEL The will of God, which determines the whole extent of our obligations, is principally unfolded to us in the doctrines and moral precepts which are deliv... [ Continue Reading ]
_And be not drunk with wine wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit._ THE SIN AND FOLLY OF DRUNKENNESS This precept follows very naturally what he has said about the necessity of wisdom. For even a wise man when he is drunk becomes a fool; the light of reason and of conscience is quenched,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs._ SACRED MUSIC I. The design of music in general. Singing is no less natural to mankind than speaking. They are naturally disposed to speak, because they wish to communicate their thoughts, and they are naturally disposed to sing, beca... [ Continue Reading ]
_Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ._ THANKFULNESS TO GOD I. The duty here enjoined is to give thanks. Thankfulness is such a sense of favours received from, and of obligations due to, a benefactor, as disposes us to make suitable ackn... [ Continue Reading ]
_Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God._ SUBMISSION ONE TO ANOTHER I. In the first place, observe the necessity of the precept. Pride is the great besetting sin of our fallen nature. In our unregenerate state it rules, reigns, and tyrannises; and in our regenerate state, it still... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands as unto the Lord._ RELATION OF HUSBAND AND WIFE 1_._For the duly--“Submit yourselves.” Subjection in the general on God’s part noteth the subordination of one creature to another according to His wise disposal, as the imperfect to the more perfect,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the Church._ THE LOVE OF JESUS FOR HIS CHURCH I. The chosen Church, the object of the Saviour’s love. 1. Observe what this Church was by nature. Sinful. 2. Nay, more, this Church of Christ is made up of persons who are actually defiled by the... [ Continue Reading ]
_For we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones._ MEMBERSHIP IN CHRIST’S BODY I. The nature of membership with the body of Christ. 1. Members of the Church of Christ are such nominally and professedly. The Church is a visible organization--“a city set on a hill, which cannot be hi... [ Continue Reading ]
_For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh._ HUSBANDS AND WIVES Marriage is the most dignified, honourable, and helpful relationship into which we can enter. 1. It is a relationship of mutual sympathy. 2. It is a re... [ Continue Reading ]
_This is a great mystery._ THE MYSTERIOUSNESS OF RELIGION It is in a discourse upon marriage that the apostle introduces these remarkable words; but it is unnecessary that we connect them with the original context; they may be detached from it and treated by themselves as containing a great and int... [ Continue Reading ]