_Stand in the gate. .. and proclaim._ BOLDNESS IN PREACHING Some preachers are traders from port to port, following the customary and approved course; others adventure over the whole ocean of human concerns. The former are hailed by the common voice of the multitude, whose cause they hold, the latt... [ Continue Reading ]
_If ye thoroughly amend._ THOROUGH AMENDMENT 1. Religion has to do with character and conduct. Religion is that which “binds,” and it has a tremendous grip. It has to do not only with creeds, and forms, and rites, but with character and conduct. 2. Religion makes little of mere emotion. Some pers... [ Continue Reading ]
_Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely. .. and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations?_ FATE “It is my fate,” is the excuse for many a career of shame and sin. I do not think that most persons who practically rest satisfied with this explanation of the evil of t... [ Continue Reading ]
_I spake unto you, rising up early._ GOD’S CALL TO SINNERS I. A gracious call. We are utterly undeserving of it. Though we are transgressors, guilty, corrupt, depraved,--yet God calls upon us--to escape--to live--to be saved--to turn unto Him, and be forever blest and happy. II. An affectionate c... [ Continue Reading ]
_Pray not thou for this people._ INTERCESSORY PRAYER FORBIDDEN 1. God’s prophets are praying men. 2. God’s praying prophets have a great interest in heaven, how little soever they have on earth. 3. It is an ill omen to a people when God restrains the spirits of His ministers and people from pray... [ Continue Reading ]
_Seest thou not what they do in the streets of Jerusalem?_ THE STREETS OF THE CITY I. As an index to character. 1. The streets are the pulse of commercial prosperity. The man who goes from a dull, sluggish place to a city of great business activity must quicken his pace, or get run over. 2. The s... [ Continue Reading ]
_The children gather wood._ WHAT CAN CHILDREN DO FOR GOD? I. God is setting up a kingdom in this world. A very glorious and gracious kingdom. 1. Righteousness. Teaches us to do justice. 2. Peace--to love and pursue it. 3. Joy. God makes all happy who come into His kingdom. II. God expects us a... [ Continue Reading ]
_Went backward, and not forward._ BACKWARD I. Illustrations of going backward in regard to religion. 1. From Jewish history. Compare best days of Solomon, when temple was dedicated, with these when jeremiah preached at gate. National mind darkened, conscience enfeebled, heart hardened. 2. Church... [ Continue Reading ]
_They will not hearken to thee._ GOD’S FOREKNOWLEDGE OF THE SINNER’S REFUSAL OF HIS WORD I. Instances illustrative of the text. 1. The original transgression of first parents. 2. The old world. 3. Pharaoh. 4. Jews as a nation. II. How can this be explained and defended? 1. Unless God did kno... [ Continue Reading ]