_He took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them_ THE DUTY OF HOSPITALITY I. As A COMMON DUTY. II. AS A DUTY OF PIETY. Thus viewed, all duties are ennobled. 1. In their form. 2. In their motive. 3. The best qualities of the soul are developed. III. As A DUT... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, Which am old?_ THE CONFLICT BETWEEN FEAR AND FAITH I. THE THINGS PROMISED SO FAITH ARE DIFFICULT OF RELIEF. 1. It is necessary that faith should be thus tried by difficulty. 2. We must be cast entirely upon the word of God. I... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?_ THE SECRET OF THE LORD WITH ABRAHAM God communicates Himself, and the knowledge of His ways and designs... [ Continue Reading ]
_For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him_ FAMILY RELIGION I. THE LIGHT IN WHICH ABRAHAM APPEARS IN THIS PASSAGE; AND HOW HE WAS QUALIFIED FOR THE DUTY HERE ASCRIBED TO HIM. 1. A man of knowledge. 2. A man of piety. 3. A man of virtue. 4. A man of authority... [ Continue Reading ]
_Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous_ GOD’S JUDGMENT ON SODOM I. The vale of Sodom was a region blooming and smiling in all the riches of nature; ON EVERY HAND THERE WAS SOMETHING TO RAISE THE THOUGHTS TO THE CREATOR. But amidst all this, what was... [ Continue Reading ]
_Abraham stood yet before the Lord_ ABRAHAM’S INTERCESSION FOR SODOM The intercession of Abraham is the first prayer that the Bible records; and in its great characteristics, human and spiritual, it is one of the most remarkable. It is the intercession of a good man, a friend of God, for men who,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?_ GOD IN HUMAN HISTORY I. GOD WORKS IN HUMAN HISTORY. 1. He originates all the good. 2. He controls all the evil. II. GOD WORKS RIGHTEOUSLY IN HUMAN HISTORY. Abraham meant either that God ought to do right, or that He will do right. Both are true.... [ Continue Reading ]
_But dust and ashes_ ABRAHAM INTERCEDING I. THE TRUE POSTURE FOR A SINNER, AT THE THRONE OF GRACE. He must lie low, and aim high. You see this in the behaviour of Abraham on the present occasion. Though honoured by a fresh token of the Lord’s confidential friendship, he has-- 1. Low thoughts of h... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will not destroy it for ten’s sake_ THE INCALCULABLE WORTH OF GOOD MEN This narrative teaches-- 1. The highest development of genuine philanthropy. Importunate intercession with Heaven on behalf of humanity. 2. The mysterious power of intercessory prayer. 3. The incalculable worth of good m... [ Continue Reading ]