Alms before men. ALMSGIVING I. The duty to which our lord refers. The word in the first verse rendered “alms” is in some ancient copies rendered righteousness; in the second verse it means charitable gifts. Our duty to give of our goods. The gift of alms a deed of justice as well as of mercy; the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Their reward._ HAVING ONE’S REWARD I. A profound truth about human nature-man works for reward. II. There is a suggested contrast-“their reward.” In God all the noblest aspirations of men are met. III. A sentence which the Divine Speaker passes upon some of the men of the time. “They have their... [ Continue Reading ]
_And when thou prayest._ NINE THINGS PERTAIN TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF TRUE PRAYER I. To know what prayer is. II. How many sorts of prayer there be. III. The necessity of prayer. Four things provoke us to pray. 1. God’s commandment. 2. Sin in us. 3. Our weak nature. 4. Subtilty of the enemy. IV.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Enter into thy closet._ PRIVATE PRAYER. I. The nature of prayer. II. The kind of prayer prescribed-“Enter into thy closet.” III. The object of prayer” Thy Father.” IV. The reward promised-“Reward thee openly.” (_J. Pollock._) CLOSET PRAYER I. The duty. II. The place. III. The Spirit. IV.... [ Continue Reading ]
_But when ye pray._ PRAYER FORBIDDEN I. Let us endeavour to explain the nature of the evils here forbidden. 1. Vain repetitions. 2. Much speaking. 3. Undue length. II. The reason on which the admonition is founded. 1. The condition supposed-a needy one-hence they pray. 2. The privilege affor... [ Continue Reading ]
_Our Father which art in heaven._ THE DIVINE FATHER I. In what sense God is a father. 1. With relation to Christ, as the Son of God: so the first Person is called the Father, as He is the fountain of the Deity. 2. With respect to us: for the first Person is not only the Father of Christ, but _ou... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thy kingdom come._ THE COMING OF CHRIST’S KINGDOM 1. Greater than all the kingdoms of the world is the kingdom of God. 2. Amidst all the breaking up of human kingdoms men seek one that wilt abide. 3. This is a kingdom founded not by external might but by moral goodness. 4. The kingdom of God i... [ Continue Reading ]
_Our dally bread._ DAILY BREAD 1. That even the wants of our bodies are to be subordinated to the purposes of religion. 2. That our dependence upon God for the supply of our bodily wants ought to be recognized. 3. That a sufficiency and not a superabundance of the supplies of life ought to be so... [ Continue Reading ]
_Forgive us our debts._ FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS There is a twofold debt which man oweth to God. I. A debt of duty, worship, and obedience; II. A debt of punishment. (_Thomas Manton, D. D._) OUR DEBTS 1. By this prayer we are reminded of our constant liability to sin. 2. We are led to separate be... [ Continue Reading ]
_And lead us not into temptation._ I. God permits us to be tempted for his own glory, to discover the freeness and riches of His grace, that men may be driven the more earnestly to sue out their place in the name of Jesus Christ. We keep off from the throne of grace till temptations drive us thithe... [ Continue Reading ]
_If ye forgive men._ MUTUAL FORGIVENESS I. All mankind as transgressors are deeply indebted to God’s law. II. That if ever man be saved it must be by an act of pure mercy. III. That the Scriptural character of the Almighty encourages us to confide in him for forgiveness. 1. Because the love of... [ Continue Reading ]
_When ye fast._ I. A few remarks on the practice of fasting at the time of our Lord. II. The sinful and unprofitable manner in which the Jews observed it. 1. Their ostentation. 2. Its futility-“They have their reward.” III. The directions given us for its observance. 1. The propriety of privat... [ Continue Reading ]
_Treasures upon earth._ -This does not discourage diligent endeavour for the body which is necessary; industry, which is one part of duty. We are not to over-value even these valuable possessions. I. Here is an exhortation to duty. 1. What are these treasures? 2. What is implied by laying up tre... [ Continue Reading ]
_The light of the body is the eye._ SINGLENESS OF EYE The man whose only object is to make good his eternity moves forward in an element of clearness, without the doubts which harass other men. I. That which we most desire we most wish to know about. Let a man be actuated by strong desire for sal... [ Continue Reading ]
_Serve two masters._ NEUTRALITY IN RELIGION EXPOSED I. No man can serve two masters. 1. There are many who contrive to elude the force of this maxim, or make awful experiments to try the certainty of it. 2. Nor are these persons wanting in excuses to palliate, if not to justify their practice.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Take no thought._ TAKE NO THOUGHT FOR THE MORROW 1. The question arises, Is not the Christian character a provident one? 2. All this is done to drive us to live by the day: to let the day’s affairs fill the day’s thoughts. See the benefit of this. (1) As respects our pleasures. How can a man en... [ Continue Reading ]
_Consider the lilies._ I. God puts on the lilies and tulips such gorgeous apparel for one day’s wearing, spun by providence, as far surpasseth the tracery of the most splendid court, that Solomon himself, with all his wisdom and magnificence, could not match them. II. These are but inconsiderable... [ Continue Reading ]
_Much more clothe you._ THEREFORE I. We should from hence be excited to magnify and adore the goodness of God, who, as a common Father, provides for the maintenance of all His creatures. II. We should never be tempted to do anything unjust, in order to increase our substance or gain a livelihood.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Your heavenly Father knoweth._ THE ANTIDOTE TO ANXIETY I. Reasons against anxiety. 1. Anxiety is a part of indecision of character and partakes of its harmfulness. “No man can serve two masters.” 2. An argument from the greater to the less; God takes care of fowls, He will of men. 3. The impos... [ Continue Reading ]
_Seek ye first the kingdom of God._ THE PROFITABLE PURSUIT I. What we are to seek. II. How we are to seek. 1. First in time. 2. First in attention. 3. What are your desires? 4. What are your exertions? These last two will reveal the object of your search. III. Why we are thus to seek these b... [ Continue Reading ]