_The leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy_ HYPOCRISY I. THE HYPOCRITE’S CHARACTER. 1. A hypocrite may be known by the fact that his speech and his actions are contrary to one another. As Jesus says, “They say and they do not.” Talk is easy, but walk is hard; speech any man may attain unto,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Nothing covered, that shall not be revealed_ THE REVEALING PROCESS There is a tendency in things everywhere to manifest their natures, and make themselves known. Seeds that are buried, seek the light; shells deep in the sea grope their way to the shore; the processes of nature are to bring thing... [ Continue Reading ]
_Be not afraid of them that kill the body_ THE FEAR OF GOD I. WHAT IS THAT FEAR OF GOD WHICH THE FRIENDS AND DISCIPLES OF CHRIST ARE EXPECTED TO CHERISH? 1. We are sure that this fear is not, as some would have us believe, inconsistent with the enjoyment of the hopes and consolations of the gospe... [ Continue Reading ]
_Not one of them is forgotten before God_ GOD’S UNIVERSAL OVERSIGHT You see the Bible will not be limited in the choice of symbols, and there is hardly beast, or bird, or insect which has not been called to illustrate some Divine truth--the ox’s patience, the ant’s industry, the spider’s skill, th... [ Continue Reading ]
_Whosoever shall confess Me before me_ THE JUDGMENT-SEAT OF CHRIST I. For FINGER-POSTS that may guide our endeavour to come at the spiritual reality here symbolized, such thoughts as these may serve. 1. Evidently Christ here contrasts the seen and the unseen world as respectively small and great;... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that denieth Me before men_ ON DENYING CHRIST I. HOW MANY WAYS CHRIST AND HIS TRUTHS MAY BE DENIED; AND WHAT IS THE DENIAL HERE CHIEFLY INTENDED. Here, first, in general I assert that we may deny Him in all those acts that are capable of being morally good or evil; those are the proper scene i... [ Continue Reading ]
_Blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost--_ BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST I. First, the OCCASION on which this declaration was made requires our particular attention; for it does not appear that it was ever repeated or applied to any other subject. II. Let us, then, inquire into THE NAME AND NATURE... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Holy Ghost shall teach you_ DIVINE HELP FOR MINISTERS IN DISCHARGING THEIR DUTIES The advice and promise contained in these verses were very suitable to the disciples, many of whom were soon to be called before Jewish and Roman courts of various kinds for the sake of Christ. Plain and illiter... [ Continue Reading ]
_Who made Me a Judge era divider over you?_ CHRIST NOT A CIVIL JUDGE, BUT A REDEEMER; At first sight, Christ’s refusal to interfere between these brothers seems astonishing. Is there not a question of justice to be decided? And who is so competent to deal with it as the Holy and Just One? I. THE R... [ Continue Reading ]
_Take heed and beware of covetousness_ BUSINESS LIFE I shall try to keep in view the chief risk to the moral and religious nature which are incident to a business life, and my aim will be to show you where the best safeguard against it is to be sought. I. THE CHIEF DANGERS, WHAT ARE THEY? It is a... [ Continue Reading ]
_The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully_ A SUCCESSFUL WORLDLY POLICY I. THE PICTURE OF A SUCCESSFUL WORLDLY POLICY. 1. No sin in worldly success. 2. No sin in wise and thoughtful provision for worldly goods. 3. The sin consisted in his regarding the possessions as his own ab... [ Continue Reading ]
_Take no thought for your life_ REASONS FOR BANISHING VEXATIOUS CARE 1. It is needless; “your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of these things”; and will certainly provide for you; and what need you take care, and God too? Cast your care upon Him. 2. It is fruitless; “which of you, by t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Consider the lilies_ LESSONS FROM THE FLOWERS: TO CHILDREN There are three virtues which Jesus was endeavouring to teach when He told His disciples to consider the lilies. They are, contentment, obedience, humility. I. FLOWERS ARE NOT ONLY BEAUTIFUL, BUT THEY ALWAYS SEEM CONTENTED AND GLAD, Did... [ Continue Reading ]
_Neither be ye of doubtful mind_ A NEW PARABLE Our Lord here crushes a whole world of meaning into a single word, which, as we study it, resolves itself into a bright, impressive picture or parable. The phrase really comes to this: “Do not toss about in the windy offing, when you may ride safely i... [ Continue Reading ]
_Seek ye the Kingdom of God_ MANNER OF SANCTIFYING OUR EXERTIONS FOR DAILY BREAD The Lord gives us continually our daily bread, multiplying for this the grain in the field; yet are we contented with it? The reason of our discontentedness is, because we are inclined to make our daily pursuits for... [ Continue Reading ]
_Fear not, little flock._ CHRISTIANS FORBIDDEN TO FEAR I. AN AGREEABLE RESEMBLANCE. A flock (Psalms 79:13; John 10:27). The flock of Christ is-- 1. A purchased flock (1 Corinthians 6:20; 2 Peter 2:1; Acts 20:28). 2. A flock washed in the blood of Jesus (1 John 1:7; Revelation 1:5). 3. A chosen f... [ Continue Reading ]
_Sell that ye have, and give alms_ SELL ALL Do not hoard it for yourself; do not, like the rich fool, call them _your _fruits. Do not consider yourselves proprietors of your goods. Regard them not as yours, but as God’s. Sell them to God, and dispose of them in mercy for the wants of others. This... [ Continue Reading ]
_Men that wait for their Lord_ OF THE BELIEVER’S READINESS FOR THE COMING OF CHRIST This readiness stands in watchfulness and fidelity. I. WATCHFULNESS. 1. Its nature. 2. Its ground. The servant’s relation of dependence toward his Lord. 3. The motive to it. The glorious reward. 4. The diffic... [ Continue Reading ]
_That faithful and wise steward_ OUR STEWARDSHIP I. HERE IS REPRESENTED A SITUATION OF WEIGHTY RESPONSIBILITY. A stewardship. All responsibility on the part of man is owing to God. 1. And first, my brethren, let it be remarked that God, on this principle and in this relationship of responsibility,... [ Continue Reading ]
_My lord delayeth his coming_ EMBOLDENED BY DELAY History says that long ago it had been announced that the world was coming to an end, and there was great excitement in London. It was said that the world would perish on a certain Friday. On Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday the people were... [ Continue Reading ]
_Beaten with many stripes_ MANY STRIPES Our Lord in the context urges His disciples to diligence, watchfulness, and fidelity. This is important, for we are stewards, servants, and are responsible to Him who will one day say unto us, “Give an account of thy stewardship.” I. THE CHARACTER SUSTAINE... [ Continue Reading ]
_For unto whomsoever much is given_ THE LAW OF ACCOUNTABILITY _-_These words are rendered as a reason why those servants that know their master’s will are beaten with more stripes than those that knew it not, because they did not improve their advantages. And Christ pleadeth the equity of it from... [ Continue Reading ]
_I am come to send fire on the earth_ THE FIRE OF CONTENTION; OR, THE TROUBLE THAT FOLLOWS THE GOSPEL 1. There may be dissension betwixt the good and the good; and hereof is the devil the author. It is the enemy that sows those tares. Christ came not to send this fire, yet He wisely tempers it to... [ Continue Reading ]
_I have a baptism to be baptized with--_ INTENSITY IN CHRISTIAN SERVICE I. OF THIS INTENSITY CHRIST HIMSELF WAS THE PERFECT EXAMPLE. Fervour reached white heat in the Son of Man, and the service of the kingdom received the whole of it. Do you think these words were spoken calmly? As we listen to th... [ Continue Reading ]
_Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth?_ STRIFE ENGENDERED BY THE GOSPEL We try to soften this terrible prophecy by our comments. As if we could explain facts which are notorious to every reader of history, to every one who has had experience of what is passing in his own time I As if we... [ Continue Reading ]
_How is it that ye do not discern this time?_ SIGNS OF THE TIMES I. CONSIDER THE RELIGIOUS ASPECT OF OUR OWN AGE. 1. The times are sadly darkened with superstition. 2. A parching wind of unbelief is sweeping over the Churches. 3. Religious apathy abounds. The remedies for this are-- (1) Prayer... [ Continue Reading ]
_When thou goest with thine adversary_ AGREEING WITH THE ADVERSARY This solemn exhortation of our Lord’s may be viewed in different points of light, as intended to subserve various purposes, both in civil and religious life. 1. It may refer to the case of debtor and creditor If in a way of trade,... [ Continue Reading ]