_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... [ Continuer la lecture ]
_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... [ Continuer la lecture ]
_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... [ Continuer la lecture ]
_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 (Zacharie 4:5; Apocalypse 11:3).
2. Of the Church, as the channel of grace to men.
II. Why it was chosen by Paul. Because of
1.... [ Continuer la lecture ]
_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 Corinthiens 3:14).
(2) Is in no wise a contrad... [ Continuer la lecture ]
_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... [ Continuer la lecture ]
_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.... [ Continuer la lecture ]
_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.... [ Continuer la lecture ]