_I beseech you._ A LESSON TO MINISTERS Ministers of the gospel should be gentle, tender, and affectionate. They should be kind in feeling, and courteous in manner--like a father or mother. Nothing is ever gained by a sour, harsh, crabbed, dissatisfied manner. Sinners are never scolded either into... [ Continue Reading ]
_And be not conformed to this world._ CONFORMATION AND TRANSFORMATION 1. “World” has various meanings. (1) Time. (2) An age--the Messianic, _e.g., _as contrasted with the Jewish, or the past as opposed to the present or coming age. (3) A state, as the present in distinction from the future in a... [ Continue Reading ]
_For I say … to every man._ ., not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think. NEEDFUL COUNSEL I. We must not think too highly of ourselves, especially of-- 1. Our knowledge (Jeremiah 9:23; 1 Corinthians 8:1). We know little either in-- (1) Naturals, of which we know but few, and th... [ Continue Reading ]
_For as we have many members in one body._ ST. PAUL’S VIEW OF LIFE How comprehensively he surveys the whole range of human action and conduct! He starts from the consideration of men as constituting “many members in one body,” and he proceeds to direct them in their various offices. He passes in r... [ Continue Reading ]
_Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us._ GIFTS OF GRACE 1. Their common source. 2. Diverse character. 3. Liberal distribution. 4. Faithful exercise. 5. Happy influence. (_J. Lyth D.D_.) GIFTS: THEIR DIVINE SOURCE As many vapours, rising from the sea, meet toge... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let love be without dissimulation._ CHRISTIAN LEGISLATION Here are laws for-- I. Social intercourse. It must be-- 1. Honest. 2. Pure. 3. Kind. II. Business must be-- 1. Diligent. 2. Conducted on Christian principles. 3. In the fear of God. III. Temper. 1. Cheerful. 2. Patient. 3. Pray... [ Continue Reading ]
_Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love._ DUTIES OF CHRISTIANS TO EACH OTHER 1. All men ought to love each other as men because brethren by Adam. The world is one common family, split up by sin, but to be united again by Christian love. 2. All Christians ought to love each other... [ Continue Reading ]
_Not slothful in business._ I. We have all business to do. I. In our particular calling and station in the world (1 Thessalonians 4:11). 2. In our general calling (Philippians 2:12). (1) Repentance (Luke 13:3). (2) Faith (Acts 16:30). (3) To get our sins pardoned. (4) And so God reconciled.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Rejoicing in hope._ I. What is it to rejoice? 1. Negatively-- (1) Not to have the senses pleased. (2) Nor does it consist in the imagination. 2. Positively; it consists in-- (1) The removal of sorrow from the heart (Psalms 42:5). (2) The soul’s content and satisfaction (Luke 1:47). II. What... [ Continue Reading ]
_Distributing to the necessity of saints._ I. Who are the saints? 1. All that truly believe in Christ are sanctified. 2. All that profess to believe in Him (Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:2; Revelation 7:9). II. What necessities? That they need our-- 1. Advice. 2. Prayers (1 Timothy 2:1). 3. E... [ Continue Reading ]
_Rejoice with them that do rejoice._ THE CHRISTIAN’S JOY AND GRIEF There are some who only rejoice over their own happiness, only weep at their own miseries. They are ruminating animals--always chewing the cud of their own private joy or grief. If they are in good health, if they are getting on in... [ Continue Reading ]
_Be of the same mind one towards another._ UNITY I. What it implies. 1. One spirit. 2. One aim. 3. One way. II. How to secure it. 1. Suppress ambition. 2. Be condescending to inferiors. 3. Be modest in the expression of your own opinion. (_J. Lyth, _D.D.) MIND NOT HIGH THINGS I. What high... [ Continue Reading ]
_Recompense to no man evil for evil._ NON-RETALIATION I. What evils are we not to recompense? 1. Not to hate others because they hate us (Matthew 5:44). 2. Not to curse others because they curse us (2 Samuel 16:10; Matthew 5:44). 3. Not to defraud others because they defraud us (Leviticus 19:13... [ Continue Reading ]
_Avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath._ AVENGE NOT YOURSELVES The prohibition urged by such considerations as-- 1. Our own peace and happiness. There is nothing so wretched as the harassing disquietudes of angry and revengeful passions. The spirit of revenge is like the shelvin... [ Continue Reading ]