INSIGHTS & NOTES FROM
CHAPTER 13
"The general teaching of these 7 parables: - No one should miss gathering from these parables some notion of the all-embracing character of the kingdom which Christ came to set up among men." "...Christ derives a parable from an army, to teach soldiers; from legal principles, to instruct lawyers; from the field & sowing, to speak familiarly to the husbandman's capacity. (T. Adams.)." "Ver. 3. And He spake many things unto them in parables. - Christ a moral painter" "He often presented to His hearers a moral picture - flashed upon the mind's eye a whole scene of truth with such vividness & power that it could not be well perverted or forgotten." "A truth felt is more than a truth stated." "He knew how to talk with them in such a way as to make them feel that what He did not tell them was considerably more than what He did tell them. (C. H. Parkhurst, D. D.)" "Behold, a sower went forth to sow." "Four kinds of soil: 1. The impenetrable. 2. The superficial. 3. The preoccupied. 4. The prepared." "The seed is the same in every case: the difference is in the kinds of soils." "God does not predestinate men to fail." "The parable of the sower: - 1. The careless hearer. 2. The temporary hearer. 3. The worldly-minded hearer. 4. The sincere hearers of the Word. (1) They understand it; (2) They receive it; (3) They retain it; (4) They practise it. (G. Burder.)" "III. THE SOIL. 1. The wayside hearer. 2. The stony-ground hearer. The emotional hearer. 3. Among the thorns - the double-minded hearer. 4. Good soil - the man who hears aright. (G. F. Pentecost.)" "All Christian people are sowers. By our words & actions we are sowing some kind of principle in the minds of others; we cannot help it." "Ministers have no seed of their own; their doctrine & word belong to Christ." "Until the seed is sown there will be no increase. So the heart must take in the Word by faith." "Vers. 4 & 19. Some seeds fell by the wayside, & the fowls came & devoured them up. - Way seed devoured by birds" "...a heart trodden down by the feet that have gone across it; & because trodden down, incapable of receiving the seed sown. The seed falls upon, not in it." "The heart is trodden down by sin." "Every transgression deprives us, in some degree, of power to receive the Divine word of God's truth, & making it our own." "If the seed is good, & the ground well prepared, a very poor & awkward kind of sowing will suffice." "...there may be much hearing, much reading, much attendance at public services, & very small result; & all because the Word was not the subject of thought, & was never embraced by the understanding. What is not understood is like meat undigested, more likely to be injurious than nourishing. (C.H. Spurgeon.)" "Vers. 5, 20, 21. - Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth." "Stony ground is cold" "These persons are without spiritual warmth." "Stony ground doth not drink in the rain that falls from heaven. All the hearts of men are naturally hard." "Stony ground by reason of the little earth that is found there, never brings forth fruit to perfection." "Stony or hard hearted hearers may go a great way in the profession..." "They believe for a while." "They may become members of a visible church." "They go no further because of their pride." "This sin of withering is generally punished with other sins, (1) with blindness of mind; (2) with judicial hardness of heart; (3) with a seared conscience; (4) with final impenitence." "'Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.'" "Shallow soil like superficial character." "The superficial servant's work is done: but lazily, partially - not thoroughly." "Do not keep Christ on the surface; let Him possess the centre, & thence direct all the circumference of your life." "That which is hasty is not lasting. Grace, in almost every case, is slow & progressive; for, in the human heart, it has much to contend against; & God treats us as free agents, putting no force on any man's will. (J. Ford.)" "Vers. 7, 22. And some fell among thorns." "Anxieties about work, clothes, etc. become the thorn plants, harmless in appearance at first, which in the end may choke the seed of grace in your heart. Worldly cares nursed by indulgence into a dangerous strength are further like thorns growing in a corn field, in that they interpose a veil between the face of Jesus & the opening, trustful look of a longing soul." "Wealth is deceitful in taking the place of legitimate enjoyments in life." "'No man can serve 2 masters.'" "'If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.'" "Can'st thou set thy heart upon a thorn without piercing thyself through with many sorrows? (Venning.)" "Vers. 8, 23. But other fell on good ground & brought forth fruit." "Good ground: - 1. A good & honest heart is a perfect & sincere heart. 2. It is an obedient heart. 3. It is a faithful heart. 4. It is a jealous heart. 5. It is a fruitful heart. (B. Keach.)" "Vers. 11, 12. Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. - The preparation necessary for understanding the mysteries of the gospel" "There is a connection announced in Scripture between desire & its accomplishment. The hungry are filled." "We ought to have a habit of prayer conjoined with a habit of inquiry; & to this more will be given." "It is for want of seeking if you do not find." "For whosoever hath, to him shall be given" "God heaps upon His faithful & elect people new graces & benefits day by day, so that they abound in virtue & holiness; but from the unbelieving, the ungrateful, & the unworthy, He gradually takes away His gifts, both of nature & of grace." "We are to become rich in grace, but it is to be by heavenly trading." "Ver. 13. Because seeing they see not; & hearing they hear not. - Insensibility to the truth" "WHAT ARE SOME OF THE STEPS BY WHICH THIS GROSS, INSENSITIVE STATE IS REACHED. 1. It is induced by all kinds of depravity. It is one of the penalties of wrong-doing that the moral nature is made unresponsive to spiritual things. 2. It grows on a man through the mastery of worldly pursuits - of business, home, social, & political life. 3. The habit of cherishing doubt is another circumstance which tends to weaken spiritual vision & understanding." "Worldliness causes insensibility" "Sin causes insensibility" "As a person may sit down before a piano, possessing a capital knowledge of the technicalities of music, & able to touch skillfully, & yet never enter into the spirit of the piece he is playing, so you may sit down before the Word of God, sweep your fingers over its glorious keys, & yet never bring forth one strain of its sweet Divine harmony." "Our faith, to be strong & healthy, must rest on conviction." "Neglected opportunities will aggravate future woe" "Labour to know the mind of God 'Search the Scriptures.'" "Look up to Christ as your 'all in all.'" "They had eyes, though they saw not; not by the want, but abuse of these capacities. The Jews rejected Christ in spite of clear evidence." "Vers. 16, 17. But blessed are your eyes, for they see." "To be a righteous man is more desirable than to be a prophet. Grace is a higher endowment than inspiration or genius." "Vers. 34 - 30; 34 - 41. But while men slept, his enemy came & sowed tares - The tares & the wheat; - This parable relates chiefly to the condition of the Church." "It is likeness to wheat which makes tares specially mischievous." "'An enemy hath done this.' It is Satan's chief triumph to hinder Christ's work by false brethren" "It is sad to retain in Church impostors, more sad to cast out faithful. Better trust men too much than too little. (E. Gray, M.A.)" "The policy of the Master, though more perplexing, is far better. It leaves things less satisfactory for the time, but accomplishes the greatest good in the end. The policy of the Master will prevail, despite all the efforts to the contrary, even to the end of the age." "...false disciples ...they are useless & noxious." "The good in their intercourse with the bad may reclaim them." "It is one of the mysteries of the Divine government that God should allow an enemy in the field at all." "Many a sinner might have been worse than he is, but for restraining contact with Christians." "Men are to be known by their fruits, but the fruits of a man's life cannot be fairly judged until they are ripened & complete." "The season - 'while men slept.' It is said of the ungodly that 'they love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil.'" "Why are the saints compared to wheat? - 1. Wheat is the product of a rare & choice seed; they are the product of the Holy Ghost. 2. The seed of wheat must first be sown in men's hearts before they can bear God's image or bring forth fruits of holiness. 3. Wheat is a profitable sort of grain. So the saints & people of God are a profitable people to the world (Prov. 10:21; 2 Cor. 6:19). 4. Wheat will abide & live in the sharpest winter, when some other grain will not. So true believers do abide, endeavour & live in the times of sharpest trials, persecutions, tribulations, & temptations." "Full ears of wheat hang down their heads, being full of corn. So sincere believers are humble & lowly-minded." "Labour to add to your faith virtue (2 Peter 1:5, 6, 7). The way to ripen for heaven is to strive against all those things that hinder or obstruct your growth, as thorns & briars (Matt. 13:22)." "DO AS WE WILL, WE SHALL NEVER GET EVIL ENTIRELY OUT OF THE CHURCH - the ideal Church is in heaven (Rev. 21:27)." "AT THE LAST JUDGMENT THERE WILL BE AN ABSOLUTE SEPARATION BETWEEN THE GOOD & THE BAD." "Peace in a church is essential to progress." "Vers. 31, 32. The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed." "...the smallness of its beginning & the greatness of its increase." "ITS PRESENT APPARENT INSIGNIFICANCE." "ITS FUTURE GRANDEUR." "To all disheartened in work; we must not measure work by size but by vitality. Have we joined the Church because it is large or because it is living. (M. Dods, D.D.)" "Ver. 33. The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven." "It was not leavened in an instant, but by gradual infection; an emblem of the spread of the gospel in the soul." "The gospel is the power of God at work for the salvation of souls." "It is in the nature of leaven to make all the meal like itself; so it is in the nature of the gospel to Christianize those who receive it; i.e., Christ subjugates, penetrates, & assimilates the believer to Himself." "...the life of His thoughts into his thinking" "...the life of His love into his heart" "...the life of His righteousness into his conscience" "...the life of His obedience into his will" "The PENETRATING power of Divine grace." "The TRANSFORMING power of Divine grace. The grace of God works slowly, successfully. (J.T. Woodhouse.)" "...Christianity is not a matter of places & days, rites & observances; it is a matter of having the leaven of God to work in us that we shall be gentle & pure, unselfish & sympathetic as God is." "Leaven is of a diffusive quality. So the Word of God, through the Spirit, is of a diffusive nature, but in respect to every soul that receiveth it, & also in respect of people to whom it comes" "Leaven diffuses itself gradually." "...the Word of God & the grace of God makes the whole soul like itself, or a whole family or nation where it is once in truth received, the very same people, both in doctrine & conversation." "...so the Word of God must be hid in the heart, both in the understanding, will, & affection, if the person be spiritually leavened with it (Psa. 119:11)." "...the Word of God makes the hard heart soft & tender." "...men are most susceptible to the influence that flows from character." "Ver. 38. The field is the world." "THE MEANS BY WHICH THIS MORAL REVOLUTION IS TO BE EFFECTED. By the preaching of Jesus Christ & Him crucified. (F. Wayland, D.D.)" "Send the gospel to all. Value souls." "Ver. 43. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun. - The glory of the righteous" "...the germ of faith will ripen unto eternal glory." "'Like the sun' - visible, pure, active, glorious." "...at the day of the resurrection, the saints shall shine forth gloriously." "The sun is so glorious, that mortals cannot behold it, but their eyes will dazzle. So the glory of the saints will be too great for sinners to behold, it would even put out their eyes, or confound them. (B. Keach.)" "Ver. 44. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field." "This treasure can only be discovered by careful search." "Having discovered the excellency of Divine things, we should be ready to renounce such pleasures & habits as hinder their attainment." "...the true convert will give up worldly vanities, unfair dealing, uncharitableness, insincerity, & will learn to 'crucify the flesh with its affections & lusts.' (Essex Remembrancer.)" "The pearl-seeker seeks with determination." "THE EXCELLENCY OF THE GOSPEL IS NOT GENERALLY UNDERSTOOD BY MEN. It is a hid treasure." "The treasure is offered to all freely & fully." "This spiritual treasure makes all that find it very rich (Rev. 3:18)." "...believers, rich in faith, rich in promise, rich in experience, can do more good to others - they can give better counsel, more & better comfort (Prov. 10:21)." "Ver. 45, 46. Seeking goodly pearls." "The soul, seeking good, wants a better until it finds Christ the best." "Time does not rust a pearl." "How must the pearl of great price be sought? I. Diligently
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CHAPTER 12
"VERS. 1-6. Behold Thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the Sabbath day." "Ver. 6. That in this place is One greater than the temple. - Christ greater than the Church" "Christ... He liberates, elevates & purifies." "The Church is nothing without its head. Whatever it is, He has created it. Whatever it does, He is its life! It is righteous, but it is with His righteousness. It is royal, its royalty comes from Him. It is a priesthood, He conferred the priesthood. Its love, its power, its faith, its hope, everything it is, everything it expects to do, find their explanation & root in its relations to Him." "The Divine must be greater than any human workmanship" "Every human authority must yield to His." "Ver. 7. I will have mercy, & not sacrifice." "Morals before rituals." "Ver. 10. And behold there was a man which had his hand withered." "Christ's power is displayed on our inability." "The stretching forth of the hand was - 1. An act of faith. 2. An act of decision." "THE RESULT OF THIS STRETCHING OUT OF THE MAN'S HAND IN OBEDIENCE TO THE COMMAND. 1. The healing was manifest. 2. It was immediate. 3. It was permanent. (C. H. Spurgeon.)" "Ver. 12. How much then is a man better than a sheep!" "The cross proves God's esteem for the sinner. Man's worth explains redemption; not redemption man's worth. (C. H. Parkhurst.)" "MAN IS BETTER THAN THE ANIMAL." "He ought to live better than an animal." "BECAUSE WE ARE SO MUCH BETTER THAN SHEEP JESUS CHRIST CAME TO SEEK & SAVE US." "BECAUSE WE ARE BETTER THAN SHEEP GOD & HIS ANGELS ARE GLAD OVER EVERY ONE THAT REPENTS OF SIN. (W. Harris.)" "Vers. 14-21. That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet." "Our Lord did not wish His fame spread abroad." "If Christ needed the Spirit of the Lord upon Him, how much more do we?" "If Christ does not manifest ostentation, why should we?" "Ver. 20. A bruised reed shall He not break. - The tenderness of Christ" "The love of Christ is the root of His tenderness." "The metaphor of a 'bruised reed' conveys the idea of (1) a state of weakness." "(2) A state of oppression." "The metaphor of 'smoking flax' conveys the idea of grace, true & sincere, but languishing & just expiring." "Go to the cross & there learn this love & compassion. (President Davies.)" "...nothing good in you ever escapes the notice of God." "Whatever beautifies you glorifies Him." "Whatever beautifies you glorifies Him." "How is the world to be redeemed if you put a limit to God's love?" "Of all things in the world flax is the most combustible. The smallest spark will kindle it into a blaze." "How great a consolation there is in this Divine tenderness of Christ." "Grace never blown quite out: - Grace can never be so blown out, but there will be some smoke, some spark, whereby it may be rekindled. The smoking snuff of Peter's grace was lighted again by a sudden look of his Master." "Vers. 22, 29. One possessed with a devil, blind & dumb." "Adore the gracious power of Christ amongst the enemies of Christ. (J. Fletcher.)" "Ver. 30. He that is not with Me is against Me. - Neutrality... impossible" "How inevitable is the destruction of the Saviour's enemies." "In the battlefield of life, whose side have you chosen? In the great harvest-field of the world, whose interests are you serving? 1. The battlefield is the world. We are soldiers. Are we fighting? Are we clad in armour? 2. The harvest-field. Are you gathering or wasting?" "Neutrality here is opposition." "...man's natural state is one of antagonism to God." "The human heart cannot be in a state in which neither Christ nor the world has the supremacy." "Christ requires the whole heart, life, etc." "Neutrality is seen to be practical hostility to the kingdom of Christ" "Ver. 31. All manner of sin & blasphemy. - Sin against the Holy Ghost: - 1. This is not a sin which one can commit by accident, & without knowing it." "Men are not likely to fall into it suddenly." "Constant resistance of good impulses may lead to it. (H. W. Beecher.)" "...by this sin men resist their last remedy, & oppose the best & utmost means of their conviction." "If the Spirit be scorned, it follows, pardon is impossible." "We have in the Bible 4 separate sins against the Holy Ghost laid out in a certain order & progression - grieving, resisting, quenching - these have been forgiven. But there is a 4th stage when the mind, through a long course of sin, proceeds to such a violent dislike of the Spirit of God, that infidel thoughts & horrid imaginations come into the mind. They become habitual. This sin against the Holy Ghost does not lie in any particular act or word; it is a general state of mind. It is unpardonable because the mind of such a man cannot make one move towards God. (J. Vaughan, M. A.)" "Ver. 33. Either make the tree good & his fruit good, or else make the tree corrupt." "If the tree is permitted to grow up & grow old in evil, there is danger lest, by storm or fire, it should be destroyed, & so never be made good." "Ver. 34. 35. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart." "1. A good heart contains good affections. 2. Good desires. 3. Good intentions. 4. Good volitions. 5. Good passions." "THE EVIL MAN." "He is evil because he possesses an evil heart, mixes with an evil world, is under the influence of an evil devil." "...the train of thought in which we delight will betray itself in speech, as well as in our general course of action" "Ver. 36. That every idle word. - Idle words" "Idle words... 1. Tattling. 2. Tale-bearing. 3. 'Slang' conversation. 4. Boasting. 5. Swearing. (H. W. Beecher.)" "By idle words we may understand such words as proceed from vanity or deceit." "Idle words may imply such as are the product of a loose & idle mind, such as represent the impure conceptions of a mind polluted with lust." "The tongue cannot speak better than the understanding can conceive." "Language a heart reflector" "Happy are the friends of those whose conversation 'ministers grace to the hearers.'" "Ver. 38. Master, we would see a sign from Thee." "GOD NEVER GIVES ADDITIONAL ADVANTAGES WHEN THOSE POSSESSED ARE NOT USED." "...The men of Ninevah shall rise in judgment" "If the Ninevites gave heed to the prophet of wrath, how much more should the Jews to a messenger who would rejoice if repentance should turn away their woe." "Ninevah was only threatened with destruction. The Jews were urged to reform." "Ver. 42. The Queen of the South shall rise up in judgment." "She went to hear the wisdom of a mortal" "We are invited to hear One greater than Solomon." "Solomon's speech was regal, but the Saviour's was Divine." "Ver. 43, 45. When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man. - Furnished, but vacant" "A FEARFUL RELAPSE DESCRIBED. 1. When the evil spirit returned he found the house unoccupied." "...if one comes out of these evils, & lapses back into them, the dangers are increased." "The Divine flame cannot often go out & be re-kindled. Once out, it is apt to stay out." "Vers. 46-50. The same is My brother, & sister, & mother. - Christians are Christ's Relations" "The family of our Lord" "'They do the will of His Father.'" "The Christian makes the will of God the rule of his life." "CHRISTIANS ARE THE RELATIVES OF CHRIST. The ground of the relationship not natural, ecclesiastical, but spiritual - faith & obedience." "The great principle of this relationship. Obedience. God's will is revealed to us. Obedience must be evangelical, affectionate, full, constant." The Biblical Illustrator, Baker, pgs. 228 - 256. CHAPTER 11
"VERS. 1-5. Art Thou He that should come? John's inquiry" "Marks of convincing miracles: - I. They must be above the known powers of all natural causes. II. They must be done publicly & in the face of the world, that there may be no room to suspect artifice & collusion. III. The doctrines which they are brought to vouch must be every way worthy of God. IV. They should carry marks of good-will & beneficence to men. V. It is the more convincing if such miracles were foretold, & VI. If there be no appearances of self-interest & design in the worker of such miracles." "Our Lord's miracles distinguished Him from John." "Doubting - I. That there is NO SIN IN DOUBTING." "II. BUT FAITH IS BETTER THAN DOUBT." "III. There may exist honest doubt, NOTWITHSTANDING DILIGENT EFFORTS" "Christ's work is always open to examination, & testifies to His Messiahship" "Ver. 5. And the poor have the gospel preached to them." "The gospel is 'the tender mercy of our God.'" "Bad government is a public source of poverty." "Ignorance or undevelopedness of mind is a great cause of poverty." "To preach the gospel to the poor is to awaken the mind of the poor. It is a gospel of prosperity." "...the gospel must be preached where the poor can come & hear it." "It must be preached simply. (C. H. Spurgeon.)" "...it is by the influence of the gospel alone that the world can be reformed." "...those only who believe the gospel can enjoy its blessings. (H. E. Thomas.)" "...'preached.' 1. Clearly. 2. Fully. 3. Affectionately. 4. Faithfully." "The gospel is glad tidings to the poor." "Ver. 6. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in Me." "Some in His own day were offended with Him because of the humbleness of His appearance. They said, 'He is the son of a carpenter.' There are others who reject Him because of the fewness of His followers. Some are offended with Christ because of the grandeur of His claims. He claims to be God. Some are offended with our Lord because of His atonement. Some are offended because of the graciousness of the gospel. They prefer works. Some are offended because of the holiness of His precepts. They like liberty to sin." "I. WHO ARE THE PERSONS THAT ARE OFFENDED AT CHRIST? 1. Those who discredit the authenticity of His Word. 2. Who deny the Divinity of His Person. 3. Who reject the efficacy of His atonement. 4. Who despise the influences of His Spirit. 5. Who backslide from the profession of His name." "Vers. 7-9. What went ye out into the wilderness to see? - The attractiveness of John the Baptist" "In every action we should reflect upon the principles & ends, the reasons that move us to any duty." "...God bindeth Himself to be our God, & we bind ourselves to be His people." "I. THOSE THAT ATTEND UPON THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD SHOULD PROPOSE UNTO THEMSELVES SOME END WHY THEY DO IT." "Remove those hindrances which prevent any soul business. Call yourself to account before & after hearing the Word of God." "Ver. 10 - Which shall prepare Thy way before Thee. - Preparations for Christ's coming: - God does not seem, as a rule, to allow any great truth or blessing to burst upon the world without some sort of preparation." "In what manner did he prepare the way of the Lord? 1. Not with any worldly pomp or splendour. ...It was by preaching repentance & turning men from their sins. (Matthew Hole.)" "Ver. 11. There hath not arisen a greater than John the Baptist. - The least in the kingdom of heaven" "The heavenly treasure is in earthen vessels." "Yearn not to be eccentric but deep & real. (J. Brierley, B. A.)" "Real greatness is approximation to God. The man who knows God best is greatest. Who was ever brought into such near connection with God as John? He was the friend of the Bridegroom." "Ver. 12. The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence." "God's earnestness visible in nature." "Earnestness visible in God's self-revelation." "The only thing that can answer God is earnestness in us." "Examine the reasons why indifference replaces earnestness." "Man's strongest inclinations are on the side of meriting heaven by works; hence the need of violence to resist this." "A life of faith is a life of self-denial." "If the captive must use force when he would wrench off his chains, then must we use force, for the fetters of an evil nature bind us to the earth." "God's kingdom can be really won by nothing but steady manly perseverance; it is a matter which demands a lifelong energy of prayer & watching, lest at any time we let it slip. (Dean Lake.)" "Earnest prayer: - Prayer pulls the rope below & the great bell rings above in the ears of God." "...he who wins with heaven is the man who grasps the rope boldly & pulls continuously, with all his might. (C. H. Spurgeon.)" "Ver. 15. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." "I. Take heed THAT ye hear. 1. This implies willingness to hear" "2. It implies devout earnestness to hear. II. Take heed HOW ye hear. 1. This means that we should seek to understand the gospel. 2. That we should endeavour to experience the gospel." "III. Take heed WHAT ye hear. 1. You should desire to hear the Word of God. 2. The pure Word of God. 3. The plain Word of God. 4. The sure Word of God. 5. The living Word of God. (J. C. Jones.)" "What a man can do, that he ought to do. If he can hear, let him hear; yes, & if he can see, let him see; if he can serve, let him serve; if he can pray, let him pray." "Ver. 16. But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets. - Excuses of sinners" "They were like sullen children resisting all efforts to interest them." "Ver. 19. The Son of man came eating. - Christ & common life" "...not exempt from the necessities of our nature" "Christ ate & drank WITH MEN." "He who recognizes the body as God's gift will never dishonour its appetites." "...a free life, guided by a holy wisdom, is the most sanctified life." "A friend of publicans & sinners." "But wisdom is justified of her children." "Ver. 20-21. Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! The damnation under the gospel more intolerable than that of Sodom: - I. THERE SHALL BE A DAY OF JUDGMENT. II. IN THE DAY OF JUDGMENT SOME SINNERS SHALL FARE WORSE THAN OTHERS. III. IN THE DAY OF JUDGMENT THERE WILL BE A DISTRIBUTION OF SINNERS' PUNISHMENT ACCORDING TO THE EXACT RULES OF JUSTICE. IV. IN THE DAY OF JUDGMENT IT WILL BE MORE TOLERABLE FOR SODOM THAN CAPERNAUM." "V. ...THE WORST OF THE HEATHEN WHO NEVER HAD CHRIST PREACHED TO THEM SHALL FARE BETTER IN THE DAY OF JUDGMENT THAN THOSE THAT CONTINUE IMPENITENT UNDER THE GOSPEL." "Let us consider the privileges we enjoy in this favoured land." "Ver. 25. Because thou hast hid these things from the wise & prudent. - Why God reveals to babes: - The babe is the representative of the receptive spirit - trusting, open to impression, free from prejudice." "The prime requisites in the child-spirit are unconsciousness & humility." "...by revealing to babes, God gives hope to universal humanity. While few can be wise & learned, all may become babes." "The humble heart knows more than the massive intellect." "The feature of the babe is (1) helplessness, (2) ignorance. ...(3) Great teachability." "WHERE, & IN WHAT SENSE ARE THESE THINGS HID? 1. They are hid in Christ (Col. 2:3)" "They are hid in God's Word." "God will not force His truth & mercy upon man." "If men will presume to aim at the knowledge of God, without the knowledge of Christ, who is the Way, & the Door; if they have such a high opinion of their own wisdom & penetration as to suppose they can understand the Scriptures without the assistance of His Spirit; or if their worldly wisdom teaches them that these things are not worth their inquiry, what wonder is it that they should continue to be hid from their eyes?" "Ver. 26. Even so, Father, for so it seemeth good in Thy sight. - Submission to our Father's will" "Ver. 27. All things are delivered unto Me of My Father." "All nations of the earth are delivered to Him. All power in heaven & earth is given to Him. All hearts are His. The gifts & graces of the Spirit are His. Principalities & powers are His." "Ver. 28. Come unto Me all ye that labour & are heavy laden. - The burdened directed to Christ" "Heavenly rest for the people of God." "It is rest from sin - its guilt, misery, power." "WHO MAY OBTAIN THIS REST FROM HIM - 'All that labour.'" "HOW THEY WHO DESIRE MAY OBTAIN IT - 'Come.'" "We are said to come to God by... putting our whole trust & affiance in Him, relying upon Him for salvation, & placing all our hopes & confidence in His merits & satisfaction." "Rest not found in mere ceremonial observances." "'Come,' saith Christ, '& I will give you rest.' I will not show you rest, nor barely tell you of rest, but I will give you rest." "Ver. 29. Take my yoke upon you & learn of Me. - The school of Christ: - I. There must be docility, obedience, willingness to learn of that Teacher." "I. Christ's FITNESS to be man's Teacher. 1. He understands man's nature. 2. He understands all those things which man has need to know. 3. He understands perfectly the art of imparting knowledge." "If we are His disciples, let the humility of the Master correct the pride of His servants." "'Yoke.' 1. Subjection to the mind of Christ (Phil. 2:5). 2. Resignation to the will of Christ. Why called a yoke? 1. Because it opposes our corrupt nature. 2. Because it opposes the maxims of the world. 3. Because it is repugnant to the schemes of men." "His is a yoke for two. He would have us take the vacant place beside Him, & share with Him." "Ver. 30. For My yoke is easy & My burden is light." "It is an EASY yoke. 1. In comparison with the yoke of Satan. 2. In comparison with the yoke which self-righteousness imposes on mankind." "It is light compared with the burden of the unpardoned sin an another world." "What is impossible to nature, is easy to grace." "Easy, as it is an ASSISTED service; considering that we work not in our own strength, but in God's." "Easy, as it is the most gainful service; having the assurances of an eternal weight of glory as the reward of our obedience." The Biblical Illustrator, Baker, pgs. 198 - 228. |
AuthorCross Preaching Pentecostal Pastor. Husband to Tonia, Father to 3 beautiful girls, Monica, Zoe & Briana, & Grandfather to Wesley & Elliott Archives
September 2023
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