_The Lord appointed other seventy_ OUR LORD’S INSTRUCTIONS TO THE SEVERITY I. CHRIST SENT OUT THE SEVENTY BY PAIRS. II. OUR BLESSED LORD FAIRLY AND FAITHFULLY WARNED THE SEVENTY OF THE DIFFICULTY AND DANGER OF THE CHARGE WHICH THEY WERE UNDERTAKING. III. OUR LORD CAUTIONS HIS MISSIONARIES AGAINS... [ Continue Reading ]
_The harvest truly is great_ THE GOSPEL HARVEST I. THE STATE OF THINGS WHICH OUR LORD DESCRIBES. 1. A plenteous harvest. (1) A great number of souls. (2) Great diversity in souls. 2. This vast and varied crop is ready for the sickle. This is proved-- (1) By the moral and spiritual necessities... [ Continue Reading ]
_As lambs among wolves_ COUNSELS OF PRUDENCE I. THE NATURE OF PRUDENCE. In general, it is a discerning and employing the most proper means of obtaining those ends, which we propose to ourselves. It is an important branch of prudence to avoid faults. One false step sometimes ruins, or, however, gre... [ Continue Reading ]
_Salute no man by the way_ NO TIME TO BE LOST “Salute no man by the way. ” It is remarkable that such an injunction should be given by our Divine Master, so distinguished as He was for amiable feelings and condescension, while at the same time He immediately added an exhortation to pay the usual c... [ Continue Reading ]
_Peace be to this house_ THE WORK AND SUCCESS OF THE MINISTRY I. THE WORK AND OFFICE OF MINISTERS. They are appointed by the Prince of Peace to be the messengers of peace. 1. The ministers whom Christ here sends forth are supposed to enter into private houses; and that under the character of Chri... [ Continue Reading ]
_The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you_ NEARNESS TO THE KINGDOM This is a part of the discourse which Christ gave to His disciples when they were going forth to preach under His ministration. Their message was, “The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.” They were Jews in Jewry. They were prea... [ Continue Reading ]
_They receive you not_ OPPORTUNITY WASTED I. THE OBJECT TO WHICH THIS ALLEGATION RELATES--“The kingdom of God.” 1. The gospel is designated “the kingdom of God,” because it is constituted by God. There is claimed on its behalf, strictly and truly, a Divine origin. 2. The gospel is designated “th... [ Continue Reading ]
_Woe unto thee_ THE SENTENCE OF CHORAZIN We may conceive some inhabitant of these Jewish towns demanding with astonishment, How can these things be? Shall we who are the children of Abraham be rejected, and the heathen be preferred in our stead? The Almighty Judge, we may hence collect, in the ap... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that heareth you heareth Me_ A CHRISTIAN MINISTER THE VOICE OF CHRIST We send an ambassador to England; there is a difference of opinion between our Government and that of England. The ambassador is in a circle in society, but he does not take his opinions from the English people; he cares not... [ Continue Reading ]
_The seventy returned_ THE SEVENTY I. COMMISSION OF THE SEVENTY. 1. They were commissioned of Christ. 2. They were commissioned of Christ to prepare the way before Him. 3. They received special directions when commissioned. (1) Every one deeming himself commissioned of Christ should carefully... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jesus rejoiced in Spirit_ CHRIST GLORIFIES HIS FATHER AND MAGNIFIES HIMSELF Learn hence-- 1. That till God reveals Himself, His nature and will, no man can know either what He is, or what He requires--“Thou hast revealed.” 2. That the wise and knowing men in the world have in all ages despised... [ Continue Reading ]
_Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see_ THE GOSPEL PRIVILEGES I. THE THINGS HERE SPOKEN OF. The blessings of Christ’s revelation. II. TO WHOM THEY WERE DEVISED. Not only to the great, but to the good. Not merely to the mighty kings of Nineveh, Assyria, Babylon, Egypt, Greece, and... [ Continue Reading ]
_Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?_ THE LAWYER’S QUESTION The question of the lawyer is the question of the human heart everywhere. You will find it asked and answered in all the world’s religions. The answers fall into two classes. 1. One set of replies thinks of the better life a... [ Continue Reading ]
_How readest thou?_ PROFITABLE READING OF THE BIBLE As there are always among violets some that are very much sweeter to us than others, so among texts there are some that are more precious to us than others. When I go to the Bible, it is not once in a hundred times that I react a whole chapter for... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou shalt love_ LOVE TO GOD AND OUR NEIGHBOURS I. THE LAWYER’S QUESTION. No evidence of his having put it in a malicious spirit. Quite a fair question. Also a most intelligent question. He wished to try Christ’s pretensions and knowledge--a perfectly blameless, indeed praiseworthy wish. Yet, alt... [ Continue Reading ]
_This do, and thou shalt live_ ETERNAL LIFE PROMISED THE OBEDIENT I. WHAT IS IMPLIED IN OBEYING GOD’S COMMANDS. It is easy to see in what obedience to the Divine commands consists. It must consist in doing what the commands of God require. The two great commands of the law require love to God and... [ Continue Reading ]
_And who is my neighbour?_ SELF-JUSTIFICATION The lawyer said--“Then comes his own particular plea or excuse, to which I intend to pay little or no attention now, it was so completely and triumphantly answered by Jesus Christ. Read His parable in reply. Next to the parable of the prodigal son, it... [ Continue Reading ]
_Martha received Him into her house_ CHRIST’S VISIT TO MARTHA AND MARY I. THE CONDUCT OF CHRIST IS TO BE CONSIDERED. 1. It is observable that as soon as He entered the house, He attended to the great work for which He came into the world. 2. It is further observable that Christ noticed the manne... [ Continue Reading ]