_Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved._ PAUL’S DESIRE AND PRAYER I. Predestination should be no barrier in the way of prayer. The text derives a special interest from the very position which it occupies. He who saw the farthest into the counsels of t... [ Continue Reading ]
_For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth._ CHRIST THE END OF THE LAW I. In what sense? 1. As its great antitype. 2. Its only sacrifice. 3. The source of its moral power. II. For what end? To secure-- 1. Pardon of sin. 2. Holiness of life. III. Unto who... [ Continue Reading ]
_For Moses describeth the righteousness of the law._ THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE LAW I. Requires absolute obedience-- 1. In every point. 2. In the spirit as in the letter. 3. In the past as in the future. II. Is utterly impossible to man, because-- 1. He is sinful. 2. Has actually sinned. III.... [ Continue Reading ]
_With the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation._ OBSERVE THE HARMONIOUS RELATION BETWEEN 1. The heart and the mouth. 2. Faith and confession. 3. Righteousness and salvation. (_J. Lyth, D.D_.) FAITH, AND THE CONFESSION OF FAITH 1. It was a... [ Continue Reading ]
_Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed (see _Romans 9:33_)._ THE BELIEVER NOT ASHAMED That is either-- I. Shall not be ashamed by the non-fulfilment of that which is the object of their confident expectation. It is a confidence which they might well cherish and avow--secure as they are... [ Continue Reading ]
_How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed?_ SALVATION PREACHED I. Salvation by grace. 1. We all hope to be saved. Salvation cannot be of merit for anybody that you or I have ever known. It must be of grace, if grace be possible: there is no other way. And there is this way--... [ Continue Reading ]
_But they have not all obeyed the gospel._ For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? OBEDIENCE TO THE GOSPEL 1. Paul prevents an objection to that which was said concerning the preaching of the gospel to the Gentiles, that it was of God. As if some Jew should say, No, Paul, God never... [ Continue Reading ]
_So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God._ HOW CAN I OBTAIN FAITH? If I am thirsty, how shall I quench my thirst? By a draught of water. But in what way can I obtain water? It is enough to tell me to go to the tap or the fountain. There is no need to explain that the water... [ Continue Reading ]
_But I say, Have they not heard?_ Yes, verily, their sound went into all the earth. Observe I. The original application of these words--voices in nature. II. The apostolic use of them--the multitude of the preachers. III. The analogy established between the natural and the spiritual--the univer... [ Continue Reading ]