_God hath not cast away His people._ GOD HATH NOT CAST OFF HIS PEOPLE This is proved by-- I. The known facts of their history--Paul and his companions in the faith. II. The secret operations of the Spirit of God--as exemplified in the case of Elias. III. The results to be achieved in the nation... [ Continue Reading ]
_And if by grace, then is it no more of works; otherwise grace is no more grace._ THE CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE OF DIVINE GRACE I. Man is the object of grace. 1. The present dispensation is only the perfection of many, and grace is the characteristic of all. But the gospel is emphatically “the gospel of... [ Continue Reading ]
_I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall?_ THE REJECTION OF ISRAEL I. How occasioned. 1. They stumbled at Christ. 2. Were rejected because of their unbelief. II. How overruled. 1. For the benefit of the Gentiles. 2. Indirectly for their own. III. How finally compensated. 1. By... [ Continue Reading ]
_And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive-tree, wert grafted in._ THE OLIVE-TREE I. Why it is a symbol. 1. Of God’s faithful witnesses (Zechariah 4:5; Revelation 11:3). 2. Of the Church, as the channel of grace to men. II. Why it was chosen by Paul. Because of 1.... [ Continue Reading ]
_For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery._ THE MYSTERY OF THE CONVERSION OF THE JEWS I. To what mystery does the apostle refer? 1. “That blindness has happened to Israel” This “blindness”-- (1) Is national blindness (1 Corinthians 3:14). (2) Is in no wise a contrad... [ Continue Reading ]
_As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes._ ENEMIES MAY BE UNCONSCIOUS HELPERS During the siege of Sebastopol a Russian shell buried itself in the side of a hill without the city, and opened a spring. A little fountain bubbled forth where the cannon shot had fallen, and during the... [ Continue Reading ]
_For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy._ THE MEMORY OF THE PAST SHOULD 1. Promote humility. 2. Awaken gratitude. 3. Soften our censures. 4. Strengthen our hopes of others. (_T_. _Robinson, D.D_.) MERCY FOR THE JEW I. We have received mercy-- 1. Unmerited.... [ Continue Reading ]
_O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!--Like a traveller who has reached the summit of an Alpine ascent, the apostle turns and contemplates._ Depths are at his feet; but waves of light illumine them, and then spreads all around an immense horizon which his eye commands.... [ Continue Reading ]