_Paul, __A_ _SERVANT_ _OF_ _GOD_ A servant of God “Servant of God,” “servant of Jesus Christ”--this is the title by which each one of the writers of the Epistles of the New Testament describes himself in one place or another. The title indicates their work in life, the place they hold in the worl... [ Continue Reading ]
_In __HOPE_ _OF_ _ETERNAL_ _LIFE_ Christianity a hope-inspiring promise I. It is an absolutely certain promise. It is God’s premise, and God cannot lie. II. It is an infinitely rich promise. “Eternal life,” _i.e._, eternal well-being. III. It is a very old promise. “Before the world began.” (_Ho... [ Continue Reading ]
_But __HATH_ _IN_ _DUE_ _TIMES_ _MANIFESTED_ _HIS_ _WORD_ _THROUGH_ _PREACHING_ A timely revelation I. A timely revelation--the purpose of salvation through Christ Jesus. II. A sacred trust--to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ. III. A divine commission--to preach “according to the comman... [ Continue Reading ]
_To __TITUS,_ _MINE_ _OWN_ _SON_ _AFTER_ _THE_ _COMMON_ _FAITH_ Lessons I. A spiritual relationship (_Cf. _Acts 15:1; Gal 2:2; 2 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Corinthians 7:6, etc.) II. A threefold blessing. 1. “Grace,” the source of our redemption. 2. “Mercy,” displayed in our redemption. 3. “Peace,” t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Set __IN_ _ORDER_ _THE_ _THINGS_ _THAT_ _ARE_ _WANTING_ Church order I. In every christian community there should be the maintenance of order. Confusion in a Church is a calumny of Christ, and obstructive at once to its peace, power, prosperity, and usefulness. II. The maintenance of church orde... [ Continue Reading ]
_If __ANY_ _BE_ _BLAMELESS_ Lessons I. Character, the primary qualification for office is the church. II. Domestic and social relationships, conducive, rather than hindrances, to christian service. III. Good family government, a guarantee for church government. (_F. Wagstaff._) A MAN OF SCANDAL... [ Continue Reading ]
_Yet __A_ _BISHOP_ _MUST_ _BE_ _BLAMELESS_ An ideal bishop I will try in five words to set before you the ideal of a bishop: humility, self-sacrifice, simplicity of heart, undaunted courage, moral faithfulness. Of holiness and of diligence I need hardly speak--no bishop could ever imagine himself... [ Continue Reading ]
_For __THERE_ _ARE_ _MANY_ _UNRULY_ _AND_ _VAIN_ _TALKERS_ _AND_ _DECEIVERS__--The conjunction “for” showeth that the words following contain a reason of the matter preceding, viz._ , why the minister should be a man so qualified with able parts, both to maintain the truth and censure the falsehood... [ Continue Reading ]
_The __CRETIANS_ _ARE_ _ALWAYS_ _LIARS_ A classical quotation It is not often that St. Paul quoted from the treasuries of classic literature, and when he did so he did not draw upon the most celebrated of the Greek poets. The Hymn of Cleanthes gave him a text in his speech on Mars’ Hill; the treat... [ Continue Reading ]
_Not __GIVING_ _HEED_ _TO_ _JEWISH_ _FABLES_ The perverting power of trivialities Trivialities, and mere human conceptions, exert a perverting power (1) by distracting attention from the essentials of religion; (2) by dissipating the strength of the mind; (3) by attributing to the human an auth... [ Continue Reading ]
_Unto __THE_ _PURE_ _ALL_ _THINGS_ _ARE_ _PURE_ The supreme importance of moral character 1_._ There is an essential difference in the moral characters of men. 2. The outward world is to men according to this difference. I. The morally pure in relation to all things. 1. In relation to appearan... [ Continue Reading ]
_They __PROFESS_ _THAT_ _THEY_ _KNOW_ _GOD_ Conventional Christians I. Conventional Christians are professional atheists. II. Conventional Christians are practical atheists. 1. They deny God’s authority in everyday life; ignore the claims He has upon their existence, powers, possessions. 2. The... [ Continue Reading ]