_Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?_ THE GREATEST IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN I. The occasion of this question. The payment of the tribute money (Matthew 17:1.) They might have learnt from hence humility and obedience to princes, though tyrants exacting that which is not due; and a willingn... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Jesus called a little child unto Him._ CHRISTIAN HUMILITY The question of the disciples brings them very distinctly before us, and makes them very real to us, as men like unto ourselves. Nothing can be more artless, and evidently truthful, than their representation in these Gospels of their o... [ Continue Reading ]
_But whoso shall offend one of these little ones._ THE CLAIMERS OF THE YOUNG UPON THE CHURCH 1. In presenting these claims I would remind you of the peculiar tenderness which our Lord Himself manifested in relation to children. 2. I would urge the claims of the children upon the care of the Churc... [ Continue Reading ]
_Woe unto the world because of offences._ CHRISTIAN INFLUENCE Some sinners defend themselves by saying that if they had not tempted their comrades to evil, some one else would. If your action made no difference in the man’s ultimate course, it is not excused. It may be true that the temptation woul... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee._ RENOUNCING THINGS THAT HINDER The every-sided development of all our faculties, the inferior, as well as the more elevated, is certainly to be regarded as the highest attainment, yet he who finds by experience that he cannot cultivate certain faculti... [ Continue Reading ]
_Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones._ CONTEMPT Look at the sources of contempt; and what are its correctives. I. The sources of contempt. 1. Want of knowledge will produce contempt. You could not despise the smallest and meanest in God’s great universe if only you had a true... [ Continue Reading ]
_If a man have an hundred sheep._ SEEKING THE LOST 1. The image under which it pleases God to describe His creatures upon earth, “Sheep” “gone astray.” 2. What is said as to the dealings of God with His creatures under these circumstances, “seeketh,” etc. 3. The feelings with which the Shepherd... [ Continue Reading ]
_If a man have an hundred sheep._ SEEKING THE LOST 1. The image under which it pleases God to describe His creatures upon earth, “Sheep” “gone astray.” 2. What is said as to the dealings of God with His creatures under these circumstances, “seeketh,” etc. 3. The feelings with which the Shepherd... [ Continue Reading ]
_Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven _ THE CHILDREN’S FRIENDS I. The children around us have friends. 1. They have Divine Friends. God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, are these Friends. 2. They have angelic friends. 3. They have human friends. Some in heave... [ Continue Reading ]
_Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee._ HOW TO MEET OFFENCES Observe the method Christ has laid down- I. The trespass supposed, whether accidental or designed. Whether it regards reputation, or property, or feelings, etc. Then, the direction given- II. Seek a private interview. Th... [ Continue Reading ]
_Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee._ HOW TO MEET OFFENCES Observe the method Christ has laid down- I. The trespass supposed, whether accidental or designed. Whether it regards reputation, or property, or feelings, etc. Then, the direction given- II. Seek a private interview. Th... [ Continue Reading ]
_For when two or three are gathered together in My name._ THE PRESENCE OF CHRIST IN THE SANCTUARY I. What is implied in this promise or the divine presence. God comes not here as to a court of assize, but to a Bethesda, to dispense mercy. II. The conditions under which the promise will be fulfill... [ Continue Reading ]
_Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?_ THE FORGIVENESS OF INJURIES I. The best exemplification of the spirit of forgiveness is our Lord’s own life. There were two kinds of sin in these days of which Christ took cognizance; those against society or the race, and those a... [ Continue Reading ]
_Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants._ THE UNMERCIFUL SERVANT I. That we are all God’s debtors. Debt in the New Testament is a common figure for sin; but duty is a moral thing, not a commercial. It is used figuratively to denote... [ Continue Reading ]