INSIGHTS & NOTES FROM
VER. 1. The beginning. - The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ"
"A WONDERFUL THING HERE BEGUN." "...it is good news from God to man - from heaven to earth - from the infinitely holy to the lowest depths of human wretchedness & sin." "...it is a voice from heaven, breaking through the silence or discord of our natural condition. Oh, could the tumult of this life cease to fill our ears, we might hear another sound - good news from God to each of us." "The love, pity, wisdom of God were the sources of the gospel." "It began first in the PURPOSE of the Almighty Father." "It had a second beginning IN THE ADVENT OF OUR SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST." "It had another also IN THE WORK OF THE HOLY GHOST." "CHRIST JESUS IS THE AUTHOR OF THIS GOSPEL. How great, then, is the sin of those who despise, or refuse to believe & obey the gospel. They reject Christ Himself." "CHRIST IS ALSO THE CHIEF SUBJECT MATTER, & ARGUMENT OF THE GOSPEL." "...let us joyfully embrace the doctrine of the gospel, which brings to us the news of spiritual freedom from sin & Satan, purchased by Christ, & of the pardon of our sins procured for us by Him." "Together with the Father, He is the object of trust, love, & worship; the same in power & glory; to be honoured of all men, even as they honour the Father." "Ver. 2. As it is written in the prophets." "Which shall prepare Thy way before Thee." "How to prepare the way for Christ: - How was John to prepare the people to receive Christ? 1. By foretelling them that Christ was to come immediately after him. 2. By preaching the doctrine of Christ, touching His Person & offices. 3. By preaching the doctrine of faith in Christ, stirring up the people to believe in Him as the Messiah. 4. By preaching repentance, exhorting them to turn unto God from their sin, that so they might be fit to receive Christ. 5. By administering baptism. (G. Petter.)" "...we are not to preach ourselves, but Christ; we are not to prepare our own way, or the way of any other, but the way of Christ in the hearts of our people." "We must plan to find room for the Lord in our hearts. We must make ready to do His bidding. We must decide to give up all habits of life that are inconsistent with His service." "Ver. 3. The voice of one crying in the wilderness." "A minister of the Word must not do the work of the Lord negligently or coldly, but with zeal & fervency of spirit." "MINISTERS SHOULD ALSO, WITH COURAGE & BOLDNESS OF SPIRIT DELIVER THE WORD & MESSAGE OF THE LORD (Eph. 6:20; Jer. 1:17; Ezek. 3:9)." "Ver. 4. - John did baptize in the wilderness." "Solitary communion with God; - Every preacher & teacher, to do his work aright, must go into the wilderness." "Do not grudge the time you spend alone with God. He will teach all His scholars what none others can impart." "Ver. 5. And there went out to him all the land of Judaea. - The Baptist's audience" "Secret of John Baptist's influence: - In one word, it was 'reality.' In an age of hollowness & hypocrisy never equalled before or since, such a characteristic was bound to startle men & arrest their attention." "Repentance is a pool, or rather a river, which carries our impurities far from us, so as never to be resumed again." "The man's words... were positive, straightforward, unmistakable. He aimed directly at the great need of his generation." "Ver. 6. And John was clothed with camel's hair." "Our apparel must be worn & used to the right ends for which it is appointed by God." "Ver. 7. There cometh one mightier than I after me. - Christ mightier than the Baptist" "I. In HIS PERSON. 'The power of God.' II. In HIS PREACHING. Christ's words were spirit & life. III. In HIS WORKS. John did no miracle. IV. In THE PERMANENCE OF HIS MINISTRY. Christ's disciples are an ever-increasing body to-day. V. In HIS DEATH. Christ's death really began His ministry; John's closed his. VI. In HIS POWER OVER THE HUMAN HEART. Christ can win its love & devotion now that He has gone." "Vers. 9, 10. Jesus came from Nazareth." "Its beauty & peacefulness." "The village of Nazareth is reached by a narrow, steep, & rough mountain path." "And was baptized of John in Jordan." "When the Baptist shrank back from an act that must have seemed profane, He pointed out that it was incumbent on Him to show an example of perfect obedience to His Father's will." "CHRIST WAS HONOURED BY A DIVINE COMMENDATION - 'This is my beloved son.'" "CHRIST OUR LORD THERE SET FOR US A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF PERFECT OBEDIENCE. Baptism was an ordinance of God; Christ will not exempt Himself from any duty." "Every true follower of Christ must publicly renounce his sins & confess his faith." "The approval & blessing of God are essential to a true work." "It was an act of obedience to a Divine appointment, & therefore it 'became' Him. It was the fulfillment of 'righteousness;'" "...the Father's delight in the Son is through the Son extended to all who love & trust the Son. In Jesus, God is well pleased towards us." "Ver. 10. The heavens opened." "The Spirit like a dove." "A most captivating symbol." "Dovelike properties in Christ: I. INNOCENT & harmless (Heb. 7:26). II. LOVING & tender-hearted (Eph. 3:19). III. MEEK & gentle (Matt. 11:29)." "Use frequent self-reflection to know whether you are indeed washed from the guilt & filth of sin (I Cor. 6:11)." "Ver. 11. Thou art My beloved Son." "He of whom the Father thus speaks, is worthy of all our honour, gratitude, & devotion. (Family Churchman.)" "Vers. 12, 13. - The Spirit driveth Him into the wilderness. - The temptation of Christ" "Christ was tempted AT THE COMMENCEMENT OF HIS MISSION. The greatest obstacles often beset the first steps of a new course - in attempting a new work, in first attacking a bad habit, in entering on the Christian life. This tests genuineness & teaches humility, self-diffidence, & reliance on God." "'The Spirit driveth Him.' ...God permits, nay, requires us to pass through the fire of temptation." "The same Holy Spirit who led Jesus into the wilderness leads us thither too." "It is absolutely necessary for us all sometimes to stand aside from the busy crowd, & to seek quiet & retirement for prayer & self-examination, without which our spiritual life must grow feebler & fainter till it dies. (H. J. Wilmot Buxton, M. A.)" "...man has the power to resist the strongest opposition of hell." "Tempted of Satan." "Temptation... 1. A trial of our faith , to bring out some hidden virtue. ...2. A provoking to anger. 3. A leading into sin." "Why does God allow us to be tempted? 1. To strengthen our faith. ...2. To bring out latent good qualities. 3. To make us watchful. We must prove our armour. We must learn our weak points. 4. That He may one day give us our reward (James 1:12)." "Subtlety of Satan's temptations: - Satan will lie in wait for the Christian in his time of weakness, even as the wild beasts do at the water side for the cattle coming to drink." "He who has formed the believer for Himself is not going to break or destroy the work, the beautiful work of His own hands. He is purifying, fitting, fashioning, polishing." "The force of temptation: - Run with the wind & you hardly know it is blowing. Run against it, & you are convinced of the existence of a resisting medium, & in direct proportion to the speed with which you run, will be your consciousness of the force by which you are opposed. Thus as long as you run with the devil & promptly do his behests, you may be inclined to deny his existence; disobey him, & you will be made painfully aware of his presence, & his endeavours to thwart all your efforts after good." "With the wild beasts." "And the angels ministered unto Him." "Ver. 14. Now after that John was put in prison." "The silencing of Christ's ministers not the suppressing of Christ's gospel" "No sooner was John cast into prison THAN JESUS HIMSELF BEGAN TO PREACH THE GOSPEL." "The world will never succeed in suppressing the truth." "...USEFUL MEN ARE OFTEN RENDERED INCAPABLE OF WORK THROUGH THE TYRANNY OF OTHERS." "Preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God." "WHAT MUST WE DO TO BECOME SUBJECTS OF THIS KINGDOM? 1. Repent of sin. 2. Believe the gospel." "...Jesus differed from all other preachers. 1. He was Divine. 2. He was infallible. 3. He was sympathetic. 4. He was most clear & simple. 5. He was most interesting. 6. Most faithful & earnest. 7. He preached most affectionately & tenderly." "THE SPECIAL APPEAL HE MADE. 1. He urged repentance. 2. He demanded faith. ...Men perish by not believing the gospel of Christ. (J. Burns, D. D.)" "Ver. 15. And saying, The time is fulfilled." "True repentance is 'towards God' - 'for the remission of sins' - 'unto salvation.'" "'The time' of God's special influence & grace is 'now fulfilled.'" "...God is this moment waiting to set up that kingdom in your hearts. Let repentance & faith ever be connected." "Repentance begins in the humiliation of the heart, & ends in the reformation of the life. (Mason.) There is no going to the fair haven of glory without sailing through the narrow strait of repentance. (Dyer.)" "Repentance a reversal of conduct: - A locomotive is rushing at express speed along the main line of a railway, when suddenly, by a pointsman's mistake, it is switched off into a side-line. Instantly the brakes are applied, & the moving mass is brought to a standstill. Then the engineer lays his hand upon a lever, the motion of the engine is reversed, & the train moves back to the main line, & continues on its course. In human life, such an abandoning of the main line is transgression; such a reversal is repentance." "Christ preached the NATURE of repentance." "Christ preached the NECESSITY of repentance." "He pressed it home upon every man's conscience." "The whole gospel is practically reduced to repentance. Christ joins it to the hope of heaven, as being the only means of arriving there." "Repentance is manifested by its effects: (1) Contrition; (2) confession; (3) self-abhorrence; (4) self-abandonment. (W. W. Whythe.)" "For a sinful man the only way into a kingdom of righteousness is through repentance & renewal." "Repentance... Abhorrence of one's past life, because of the love of Christ which has pardoned it. Avoidance of present sin, because not one's own, but bought with a price. Resolution to live henceforth like Jesus." "Faith. That is, trust in Christ. This goes hand-in-hand with repentance. Neither will be of any use without the other." "Vers. 16 - 18. Now as He walked by the Sea of Galilee." "We do not need high education to fit us to do good." "God calls men when they are busy; Satan, when they are idle. For idleness is the hour of temptation, & an idle person the devil's tennis ball, which he tosses at pleasure" "The Lord chose - I. Unlearned & ignorant men, that His grace might be made perfect in their weakness." "WHOM DID HE CHOOSE? Not the wise & learned" "He did not choose the rich" "These men who gave up all at once for Him, had impulse, heart, impetuosity, love; & these were the main things He wanted for His work." "Conversion is most fully displayed when it leads converts to seek the conversion of others; we most truly follow Christ when we become fishers of men." "When Jesus draws us we shall draw men." "'Come ye after Me.' 1. We must be separated to Him, that we may pursue His object. 2. We must abide with Him, that we may catch His spirit. 3. We must obey Him, that we may learn His method. 4. We must believe Him, that we may believe true doctrine. 5. We must copy His life, that we may win His blessing from God." "By our discipleship the Lord makes us fit to be used." "By our personal experience in following Jesus, He instructs us until we become proficient in soul-winning." "By inward monitions He guides us what, when & where to speak." "By His Spirit He qualifies us to reach men." "By His secret working on men's hearts He speeds us in our work." "Following Christ, if rightly understood, is the destruction of selfishness." "All Christians ought to pray for this power of catching souls." "Vers. 19, 20. And when He had gone a little farther thence, He saw James." "Christ does not often call idle men to discipleship." "It involves the subordination of all human relationships." "Of trade relationships." "Of domestic relationships. (Joseph S. Exell, M. A.)" "What the Gospel ministry is: - 1. Called men... 2. Separated men... 3. Commissioned men... 4. Equipped men... with His presence - with His Spirit. (The Christian Advocate.)" "Ver. 21. And they went into Capernaum." "Many wonder, who do not believe." "THE CHARACTERISTIC OF CHRIST'S TEACHING was authority. 1. The scribes employed tradition. 2. Christ spoke assured & naked truth - delivered a message from God - awakened the testimony of conscience. (Expository Discourses.)" "Ver. 22. For He taught them as one that had authority." "Christ's authority is not based upon force, or craft, or popular regard; but upon right & upon conscience." "OBSERVE HOW CHRIST'S AUTHORITY AFFECTS ALL HEARERS OF THE GOSPEL." "HE TAUGHT... 1. With direct plainness. 2. He was a faithful & earnest teacher. 3. He was an affectionate & tender teacher. 4. He was a diligent & persevering teacher. 5. He embodied all His instructions in His own blessed example." "MEN WILL TEACH WELL ONLY AS THEY TEACH UNDER CHRIST." "AUTHORITY IS IMPOSSIBLE APART FROM ASSOCIATION WITH THE MASTER." "Ver. 23. - A man with an unclean spirit. - Possessed with a devil" "His authoritative command, 'Hold thy peace,'" "The spirit's reluctant submission." "The devil is a liar - his testimony not needed" "FAME SPREAD ABROAD" "Ver. 24. Let us alone; what have we to do with Thee?" "'Let us alone! What have we to do with Thee?' is the sole thought & desire of unclean souls, even while they acknowledge His Majesty. None but the holy can look upon the Holy One; without holiness no man can endure to see the Lord. (J. H. Newman, D. D.)" "Vers. 29 - 31. But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever." "Christ's gracious touch elevates prostrate humanity - 'He lifted her up.'" "CHRIST IS THE HOPE OF HUMANITY, BUT THE TERROR OF DEMONS." "...HEALING WAS EFFECTED BY PERSONAL CONTACT - 'Took her by the hand.'" "After a storm there is a swell, before the sea sinks into a calm. But Christ reduced the fury of the sea by a word to perfect calm, as He did the rage of the fever to perfect health." "Whatever we are we may do something for Christ. Some can speak for Him, more can sing for Him, & more still can smile for Him." "Vers. 32 - 34. And at even when the sun did set." "What is the use of faith in Christ without appropriation? Jesus has not come into the world to condemn, but to heal & save it." "Ver. 35. And in the morning, rising up a great while before day. - If we would pray well, we must pray early." "He had no time for prayer, but He made time, rising ' a great while before day.'" "Do all work for God, & seek to have God with you in it all." "Prayer is a holy conference with God" "He prayed as a Man." "He prayed as Mediator." "He prayed as an Example." "The highest form of prayer is conversation with God - the familiar talk of a child with his Father." "Ask God for getting-up grace." "Vers. 36 - 39. And when they had found Him." "Vers. 40 - 45. And there came a leper to Him, beseeching Him." "HIS CURE - 'Jesus spake & it was done.'" "The cure was instantaneous." "It was complete." "Lessons: 1. ...it is well for a needy life to approach Christ. 2. ...a needy life should approach Christ with humility & faith. 3. The marvellous way in which Christ can supply the need of man. (J. S. Exell, M. A.)" "A PAINFUL CONSCIOUSNESS OF HIS TRUE POSITION. He looked at his leprosy; felt its pain; knew its disabling uncleanness. The sinner sees his sin as a disgrace, a danger, & a disgust." "He was drawn to Jesus; prostrate before Jesus; urgent upon Jesus." "Leprosy a symbol of sin: - I. FROM A SMALL BEGINNING IT SPREADS OVER THE ENTIRE MAN. II. ITS CURE IS BEYOND THE REACH OF HUMAN SKILL OR NATURAL REMEDIES. III. IT IS PAINFUL, LOATHSOME, DEGRADING, & FATAL. IV. IT SEPARATES ITS VICTIM FROM THE PURE & DRIVES HIM INTO ASSOCIATION WITH THE IMPURE. V. IT IS A FOE TO... (GODLY) PRIVILEGES. VI. IT CAN BE REMEDIED BY THE INTERPOSITION OF GOD." "Ver. 45. And they came to Him from every quarter." "Those whom grace leads arrive at rest in Christ" The Biblical Illustrator, Baker, pgs. 1 - 57.
0 Comments
"VER. 1. In the end of the Sabbath."
"Vers. 2-4. And, behold, there was a great earthquake." "An earthquake was a royal trumpet to proclaim this victory, the greatest that ever was obtained, against an enemy." "...our hearts must be shaken & inwardly troubled with compunction & repentance before we believe steadfastly in the resurrection of Jesus." "Ver. 5. And the angel answered & said unto the women. - Fears dispelled." "They that seek Christ should rejoice; for in seeking they shall certainly find." "Vers. 6, 7. He is not here: for He is risen, as He said." "The open grave of Christ is a 3-fold sign of (1) acceptance; (2) liberty; and (3) life." "The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead we affirm to be a FACT." "...Christ's resurrection brings living hope to the sinner's heart." "...behold the completion of human redemption." "The offering of Jesus for the sins of men is hereby accepted." "Are we risen with Christ?" "Your is a living faith in a living Saviour." "'If Christ be not risen from the dead, then is our preaching vain, & your faith is also vain.'" "It means that the atonement is complete." "Ver. 8. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre." "So often, in celestial gardening, every leaf of earthly joy must drop, before a new & Divine bloom visits the soul. (Mrs. H. B. Stowe.)" "Vers. 9, 10. And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them saying, All hail." "Let us not be satisfied unless it is often said of us, 'Jesus met them.' I. IN THE WAY OF SERVICE JESUS MEETS US... He is likeliest to come when we are doing His work II. WHEN JESUS MEETS US HE HAS EVER A GOOD WORD FOR US. III. WHEN JESUS MEETS US IT BECOMES US TO AROUSE OURSELVES." "All alive with hopeful energy." "What life it would put into preachers & hearers if the Lord Jesus would manifestly appear unto them!" "They grasped Him, & held Him by the feet." "We must communicate what our Lord has imparted - 'Go, tell.'" "...let us go to holy work hoping to meet Jesus as we go." "Let us labour to abide in Him, looking for His promised appearing, & exhorting others to do the same. (C. H. Spurgeon.)" "Vers. 11-15. Say ye, His disciples came by night, & stole Him away." "The immediate followers of Jesus had no motive to steal the body of their Lord." "The main intended contrivance was to discredit the true doctrine of our Saviour's resurrection." "The remaining of the burial clothes affords proof that the body was not removed by friends or other men." "Vers. 16-20. Then the 11 disciples went away into Galilee." "'Go ye therefore.'" "Tell men that God loves them. Such is the great commission." "Ver. 17. But some doubted." "FROM WHENCE ARISE THOSE DOUBTS & FEARS SO DISTRESSING TO MANY?" "1. Sin is often the cause. Inward foes..." "2. Carelessness will often lead to uncertainty & doubt. 3. Disobedience, neglected duty, etc. 4. Worldliness necessarily produces them. 5. Seasons of temptation are often seasons of doubt." "6. Ignorance is perhaps the most fruitful source." "Losing sight of Christ, many become taken up with feelings & self." "1. Doubts dishonour God... 2. Mar our comfort. 3. Weaken our strength for service, conflict & devotion. 4. They chill our affection. 5. They stunt our spiritual growth. 6. Unfit us to witness for Christ. 7. Influence others unfavourably." "Seek to have a more simple, child-like faith - faith that takes God at His word;" "The truth-loving man will read & search, & think, &, let me add, pray, with the view to enlarge, & build, & beautify such a home for his soul as we are reminded of by the words of Solomon. 'Every wise woman buildeth her house, but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands;' & 'wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her 7 pillars.'" "Ver. 18. All power is given unto Me in heaven & in earth." "The undelegated rule & perpetual presence of Christ in His Church: - I. The Lord Jesus Christ is THE SOURCE OF ALL AUTHORITY. II. THE DUTY OF THOSE COMMISSIONED BY CHRIST. To teach, not to sacrifice. To baptize. III. The SPECIAL PROMISE which is to animate Christ's true disciples. (R. Hibbs, M. A. )" "The universal dominion of Christ, the foundation of the commission which His ministers receive, & His promised presence their encouragement in fulfilling it" "...Christ; He has both the ability to act & the authority to warrant His acting." "This power is deposited in Christ as the Head of the Church, & to be exercised for her benefit." "Christ is with His Church, & people always;" "Ver. 19. Go ye, therefore, & teach all nations. - A plea for missions." "VERS. 1 - 10. Then Judas, which had betrayed Him, when he saw that He was condemned."
"Sin began by severing the bond between man & his Maker, & what other bond can henceforth have any permanence?" "JUDAS... begins in the guilt of selfishness, & ends in its utter solitude." "He can no longer keep company with his own thoughts." "The heart of stone may be crushed & remain stone in its every fragment; it can only be melted when the love of God is suffered to shine on it." "How differently would Judas have been treated, had he gone to Christ!" "Infinitely better to meet the ridicule of sinners for not joining them, & to keep a good conscience, than to end by being subjected to their taunts with the bitter knowledge that they are deserved! (J. Ker, D. D.)" "Sin will surely prove evil & bitter, when the bottom of the bag is once turned upward." "What an awful difference there is in the look of a sin before you do it & afterwards!" "When we get the prize of our wrong-doing we find out that it is not as all-satisfying as we expected it would be." "Your conscience... it is reduced to issuing vain edicts & to saying, 'Thou shalt not!' & if you turn round & say 'I will, though,' then conscience has no more that it can do." "The worst man is least troubled by his conscience." "Judas repented not of his crime, but of its consequences." "Satan deludes men." "...whatever amount of repentance a man may possess, in the absence of faith in Christ the soul will perish." "...the atonement alone presents the only remedy that will meet all the deep-felt necessities of a guilty conscience. (A. Weston.)" "In true confession we take our proper place; we come to see sin somewhat as God sees it. (Dr. Bonar.)" "The sense of guilt may take either of 2 very different forms - 'godly sorrow' or the 'sorrow of the world.'" "...the poisoned arrow a man uses may wound himself." "It is conjectured that Judas may have hung himself on the edge of a precipice near the valley of Hinnom, & that the rope breaking by which he was suspended, he fell to the earth, & was dashed to pieces." "...no man who is capable of repentance is wholly & irredeemably bad" "...passion is thoughtless" "...Judas was displeased with the ugliness of his treachery, & had a misshapen sorrow, like a bear's whelp, but without any conversion to God, or hope of mercy, or prayer for pardon, or purpose to amend." "Vers. 11 - 14. And Jesus stood before the governor. - Pontius Pilate" "The Eternal Word keeps silence." "...the Saviour appears to have exercised the most marked grace towards all who were concerned in His final agony." "Pontius Pilate... 1. He was influenced by the fear of man. 2. He had a sordid regard to place & power. 3. He discovers a servile love of human applause. 4. The sequel of his history is affecting & instructive; the thing he dreaded came, he lost the favour of the emperor." "The fear of man bringeth a snare. (G. Clayton.)" "Calm endurance answers some questions infinitely more conclusively than the loftiest eloquence." "Did not the silent Lamb of God furnish us with a grand example of wisdom?" "By His quiet He conclusively proved Himself to be the true Lamb of God. (C. H. Spurgeon.)" "Vers. 15 - 18. Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ." "Ver. 19. His wife sent unto him saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man." "The wife failed; but it was well to have tried. (G. T. Coster.)" "The enormity of his sin is also enhanced by the warning he received through his wife." "What a scene will it be when this Roman stands forth to answer for himself at the tribunal of Christ." "Christ will then be in glory & power. (H. Melvill, B. D.)" "Ver. 20. And destroy Jesus. - The cruel purpose" "The enemies of Jesus shall be destroyed." "In the death of Jesus lay His most sublime victory for men." "Vers. 21 - 23. They said, Barabbas. - The choice - Barabbas or Jesus: - The same choice continues still." "There is, in everything, a better & a worse, a good & an evil to us. If we choose good, we choose God, Who alone is good, & is in all things good; if we choose evil, we do, in fact, choose the evil one." "Either we are striking more into the narrow way, or we are parting from it; we are, by God's grace, unbinding the cords by which we are held, or we are binding them tighter. (E. B. Pusey, D. D.)" "Ver. 22. What shall I do then with Jesus? - The question that must be answered" "We must do something with Jesus. He is here. What shall it be? I. You can let Him stand without a word of recognition. ...II. You can thrust Him back from your heart & tell Him to stand aside. But surely you will not. Even Pilate treated Him better than that. III. You can look on Him merely as an optician to help blind eyes, or an aurist to retune deaf ears, a friend, a good friend, a helpful companion, a cheerful passenger on shipboard. Yet what good will all that do you? Surely He is something more. IV. You can take Him into your heart. That is the best thing you can do with Him, & the only safe thing. (T. de Witt Talmage, D. D.)" "THE ANSWER GOD EXPECTS US TO GIVE. Welcome Him to our hearts. Love Him supremely. Obey Him fully. Serve Him faithfully & constantly. (S. Smith.)" "...sinner, what will you do with Christ? Will you send back the insulting message that you do not want Christ to rule over you. (D. L. Moody.)" "Ver. 24. When Pilate saw that he could pervail nothing." "Whoever does wickedness through others is not less wicked than they, but more." "As soon as he said to them, 'Take Him; see ye to it,' he did all that was necessary to make him a partaker in their villany." "Wickedness which a man can prevent, & which he does not prevent, inculpates him. (H. W. Beecher.)" "Ver. 25. His blood be on us." "You then who knowingly continue in sin have identified yourselves with the enemies who killed our Lord. His blood is on you. (P. B. Power, M. A.)" "Vers. 29 - 31. And when they had platted a crown of thorns." "Thorns & rough blows accentuate mockeries & scoffs." "1. See what sin deserved. All laid on Him. (a) Ridicule for its folly. (b) Scorn for its pretensions. (c) Shame for its audacity." "Our rebellion is a crown of thorns on his heart." "The crown of thorns symbolized - I. That Christ was about to bear the CURSE for sinful man. Thorns were part of the original curse upon the soil. II. That Christ was about to endure PAIN for sinful man. The piercing thorns were harbingers of the cruel spear & nails. III. That Christ was about to CONQUER death for dying man. Christ was crowned before He came to the cross; undesignedly indicating His victory. (F. W. Brown.)" "Vers. 32. Him they compelled to bear His cross." "This incident shows us that Christ was as sensitive to bodily pain as we are." "The offence of the cross has not ceased." "...take comfort: the cross was carried by Christ before it was carried by Simon." "Vers. 33 - 37. And they crucified Him, & parted His garments, casting lots." "The winnings that come so easily are not so much the gifts of fortune as they are the baits of misfortune that lead on to beggary." "IT IS POSSIBLE TO LOOK AT CHRIST ON THE CROSS AND SEE NOTHING. For half a day there these soldiers sat, & it was but a dying Jew they saw - 1 of 3. They were unmoved witnesses of God manifest in the flesh, dying on the cross for the whole world, & for them. Their ignorance made them blind. Let us all pray to have our ignorance & blindness removed, our hearts softened by the sight of Christ crucified for us. (A. Maclaren, D. D.)" "Ver. 38. Two thieves crucified with Him." "There is more reason to fear that sin indulged will get the better of you, than you of it." "Vers. 39, 40. He saved others; Himself He cannot save." "Christ seems a failure." "CHRIST WE CLAIM WAS & IS A SUCCESS." "As a martyr, example, victim of sin, substitute for sin, He could not save Himself." "The death of Christ a lesson of self-sacrifice." "He was bound there by the cords of love & by the bands of his own infinitely merciful purpose. (A. Maclaren, D. D.)" "Without shedding of blood was no remission. If others were to be saved Christ must die. The everlasting purpose of the Father was another reason why He could not save Himself." "Ver. 45. There was darkness over all the land." VERS. 1 - 5. That they might take Jesus by subtilty, & kill Him."
"...our Saviour, being reviled, did not only commit His cause to God, but Himself to God" "Vers. 6 - 13. Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper." "There can be no doubt that the majority of Christians would express SUPRISE AT THE HIGH HONOUR PROMISED TO MARY FOR SO SLIGHT A SERVICE." "The conduct of the woman was the result of overpowering love." "A marvellous effort of faith." "What the world calls waste, as done to Christ & His cause, the Saviour Himself commends as duty, which secures our truest interest & honour. (J. R. McGavin, D. D.)" "...as we possess this gospel ourselves it is our duty to impart the knowledge of it to others." "Love was her motive." "It was a striking act of faith. She did it for His burial." "With what coin minted by man can you purchase the tenderness of sympathy, the confidence of friendship, the devotion of love?" "The things that cannot be bartered, the price of which no merchant quotes, the value of which no figures can express, which no thief can steal, & no moth or rust corrupt, alone form the wealth of the soul. (J. R. S. Harington.)" "Devotion to the Lord's person is the chiefest of Christian virtues." "She could not have given more. Christ gave all that He could. He emptied Himself." "It was an act of faith in a crucified Saviour." "How exceedingly precious to Christ is the love of His people!" "How precious to Christ is the memory of His people!" "...some seasons & circumstances may justify uncommon expense." "Vers. 14 - 19. Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests." "How dreadful a folly to hoard up gold, & to lose heaven." "Vers. 20 - 25. And as they did eat, He said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray Me." "The essence of every evil is selfishness" "All sin is living to oneself instead of to God, & it may easily pass from one form of evil into another, just as light & heat, motion & electricity, are all various forms of one force." "Is it I? - Sinful possibilities" "None of them could think that he was the traitor, yet none of them could be sure that he was not." "Need for self-control: - Do not say, 'I know when to stop.' Do not say, 'I can go go so far; it will not do me any harm.' Many a man has said that, & been ruined by it. Do not say, 'It is natural to me to have these inclinations & tastes, & there can be no harm in yielding to them." "Very bad are the men who can look at their deed, described in its own inherent deformity, & yet say, 'Yes, that is it, & I am going to do it.' 'One of you shall betray Me.' Yes, I will betray you.' It must have taken something to look into the Master's face, & keep the fixed purpose steady." "He (Jesus) sat down with the very men who were to forsake him; but He utters no word of stern rebuke. (F. W. Brown.)" "IT REVEALS HIS UTTER MORAL HARDNESS. Christ had said, 'Woe unto that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed.' At this saying Judas asks, 'Lord, is it I?'" "Vers. 26 - 29. And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, & blessed it." "The New Testament: God's covenants with His people" "WE have a covenant; God has shown us what He is going to do, & has thereby pledged Himself to the performance." "The death of Christ is brought before us. The death of Christ as an offering for sin is brought before us. The death of Christ as the seal of the everlasting covenant between the Father & the Son is brought before us." "In the Lord's Supper 2 things done - 1. We commemorate Christ's death for us. 2. We feed upon Him by faith. (E. Stock.)" "...COMMEMORATION. ...COMMUNION. ...CONSECRATION. We cannot commemorate Christ as our Saviour without thereby acknowledging ourselves to be His - the purchase of His blood, & devoted to His service. (C. Hodge, D. D.)" "The new covenant of forgiveness & life. On God's side is pledged forgiveness, remission of sins, sustained acceptance. On man's side is pledged the obedience of faith." "Christ's blood instead of ours" "Christ 'made a curse, that we might be redeemed from the curse of the law.'" "Ver. 30. And when they had sung an hymn." "We should join praise with prayer & recount God's mercies when face to face with new trials." "...the inspiration of Christian song." "...the comfort of Christian song." "...the power of song." "Vers. 33 - 35. Though all men shall be offended because of Thee, yet will I never be offended. - Enthusiasm & its dangers" "...PETER'S OVER-CONFIDENCE WOULD SEEM TO HAVE BEEN DUE IN PART TO HIS NATURAL TEMPERAMENT, & TO HIS RELIANCE ON IT." "Estimate enthusiasm at is proper value." "Dangers of impulsiveness: - 1. Prone to over-estimate self, & underrate others - 'though all men - yet not I.'" "...all promises to adhere to Him should be made relying on Him for aid." "...we little know how feeble we are till we are tried." "Let us not mistake passion for principle..." "Ver. 36 - 39. A place called Gethsemane." "Submission to the Divine will" "'Thy will, not mine be done.'" "There are only 2 wills in the world - God's will & man's will." "How can these 2 wills be brought together into harmony? ...Not by any changing of the perfect will of God. Man's will is wrong, imperfect, misguided, it may be changed, it ought to be changed, it must be changed." "What shall change it? The truth as it is in Jesus. The work wrought out for us by Jesus. The grace won for us by Jesus. The constraining of the love of Jesus. The power of the risen & living Jesus." "...be aware of the enormous cost at which you have been ransomed." "Without the agony, without the cross, Christianity & Christendom would not have been." "...God's will be done, for He knows our necessities before we ask, & our ignorance in asking. His will, His supreme will in nature & in grace, let us learn to know; & having learned, to do it." "All prayer is to change the will human into submission to the will Divine." "Humility gives us good foot-hold in prayer." "The righteousness of God in all His ways, if duly considered, will compose the afflicted spirit to quiet & humble submission." "Vers. 40 - 45. Watch & pray, that ye enter not into temptation." "...the Christian does not attempt to fight temptation in his own strength." "THE CHRISTIAN A SENTINEL; HIS CAPTAIN IS CHRIST; AND THE WORD OF COMMAND IS 'WATCH.'" "A sentinel must distinguish between an enemy & a friend." "A sentinel will scrutinize & test the character." "Watchfulness implies a close & thorough consideration of the several ways by which temptation has at any time actually prevailed either upon ourselves or others." "Watchfulness implies a continual, actual intention of mind upon the high concern & danger which is before us, in opposition to sloth, idleness, & remissness." "...watchfulness without prayer is presumption, & prayer without watchfulness is a mockery." "What is watchfulness?" "We walk as it were upon precipices, & therefore had need to look to our standing, when we see persons falling on every side." "Avoid all occasions of sin; watch the beginnings of sin; watch your besetting sin; watch your thoughts; watch your company; watch your pursuits; watch in dependence upon God." "Vers. 47 - 52. And Jesus said utno him, Friend, wherefore art thou come?" "The PATIENCE of Christ's love." "Sin is mighty, but it cannot make God cease to love us." "Non-submission is rebellion." "Ver. 53. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to My Father?" "Ver. 56. Then all the disciples forsook Him & fled. - The causes, signs, evils, & cure of backsliding" "Jesus, as it were, lays Himself down on our path; nor can any become backsliders, & return to the practice & pleasure of sin, without trampling Him under their feet. (T. Guthrie, D. D.)" "Vers. 57, 58. But Peter followed Him afar off." "THE SAD CONSEQUENCES OF FOLLOWING CHRIST AFAR OFF. 1. Such a course grows worse & worse. 2. Such a state brings its own punishment. 3. Such a course is unspeakably offensive to Jesus Christ." "Ver. 63. But Jesus held His peace." "Silence sometimes the wisest policy" "NO VERBAL DEFENCE WOULD HAVE AVAILED HIM ANYTHING with those who were determined to procure His condemnation." "Silence is often the best reproof of profane conversation." "Vers. 69 - 75. Now Peter sat without in the palace. - The fall of Peter" "Peter's sorrow was full of hope, but Judas' was full of despair." "Peter's sorrow drove him nearer to God, but Judas' drove him further from God." "The old nature in Peter was fighting against the Christ that was within him" The Biblical Illustrator, Baker, pgs. 600 - 634. "VERS. 1 - 13. Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto 10 virgins."
"'5 were wise & 5 were foolish.'" "...CHARACTER IS REVEALED BY CRISIS." "...CHARACTER IS A PERSONAL THING, & cannot be given by one man to another, but MUST BE ACQUIRED & MANIFESTED BY EACH ONE FOR HIMSELF." "...LOST OPPORTUNITIES CANNOT BE RECALLED." "The souls NEEDS LIGHT. The fact that Christ died to save sinners is the only torch that can scatter the soul's gloom." "The gospel the only true soul torch" "The folly & danger of resting satisfied with the outward form of godliness" "...many professed Christians content themselves with the mere outward forms of religion." "'5 of them were wise & 5 were foolish.' Their wisdom was shown in making a proper preparation for the future." "...those who make such a vain profession are most unwise." "Not what I say, but what I am, is my security." "The design of Christ in the parable is to induce watchfulness" "'And the door was shut.'" "Heaven will never be seen & enjoyed by sinners. Their probation is ended; their glad time is over. All the means of grace have passed away. The dispensation of the gospel is closed. All instruments employed to convert & to save will be employed no more. The Spirit will strive no more. Hope is for ever past." "Let Christians be watchful: trim their lamps; the Bridegroom is at hand." "Many talk well; their notions are high & strict, but observe them narrowly, & you will find them cold & careless" "The folly of the foolish: - It consisteth - I. In their attaining to some degree of the knowledge of the way of salvation, & yet having no interest in the blessed Saviour." "Their folly consisteth in believing the father of lies, & in trusting in their own hearts, when nothing is more deceitful." "Trimming the lamps: - The trimming of the lamp denotes the cleansing of it, & the taking off of the dead ashes that hinder the light, or prevent its burning so clearly as otherwise it would. Now what is this, but the putting away of all iniquity by faith & unfeigned repentance." "Unbelief, deadness, earthliness, & self-confidence is like to a thief in the candle, or dead ashes in the wick of a lamp, & therefore must be snuffed by mortification, lest the spirit of God be grieved & depart from us" "...a man may be very much like a Christian & yet not be one. He may come very near the kingdom, & yet not enter in." "He may have the complete dress of the saint, & yet not be one. He may have a good life, a sound creed, a strict profession; he may be one who says & does many things excellent;" "He may lack the oil, the Holy Spirit. (H. Bonar, D. D.)" "...wisdom lieth in providence, & folly in negligence" "The lamp of faith is only an instrument. It needs the oil; 'That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.' Therefore arise & trim the lamp. (Paxton Hood.)" "A creed about Christianity will not do. A philosophy of Christianity will not do. Deeper, deeper - 'I know whom I have believed.'" "Ver. 10. And the door was shut." "EXCLUSION." "WHAT IS THE DOOR WHICH IS SHUT. 1. The door of repentance will be shut." "The door of heaven was shut." "The door of mercy was shut." "The door of hope was shut." "It is God who shuts the door." "Distinction between saints & sinners is a lasting one. (B. Beddome, A. M.)" "The duty of watching for the Lord's coming; - Many things should make us look & long for the Lord's coming." "If you were always watching, it would have an effect on those among whom you live; it would either condemn or awaken them." "Vers. 14 - 30. Who called his own servants, & delivered unto them his goods. - Life a journey" "Time is a talent. Intellectual power is a talent. Moral capacity is a talent." "Relative influence is a talent." "...HE WHO HAS IMPARTED THESE TALENTS RIGHTEOUSLY DEMANDS THEIR IMPROVEMENT." "THE PERIOD WILL ARRIVE WHEN HE WILL COME TO DEMAND AN ACCOUNT." "...make the best use of whatever we have." "Make a good investment by investing in eternity." "When the talents are used they grow by use, & increase for God." "No commendation like the Master's 'well done.'" "If Christ has given you 1 talent; it is because at present He sees you cannot handle more." "...NEW OPPORTUNITIES COME TO US WITH OUR IMPROVEMENT OF THOSE WHICH WE ALREADY HAVE." "Faithful service widens opportunity." "He who buried 1 talent would have buried 5, his failure was in his character." "The reward of faithful service will be enlarged capacity & scope for service." "Better to use 1 talents well than 5 wickedly" "ALL THAT WE HAVE, &, INDEED, ALL THAT WE ARE, BELONGS TO GOD." "We are servants - under authority... God's authority over us is entire & unlimited." "God has entrusted us with 'His goods.'" "THE DOOM OF THE SERVANT WHO HAD BUT 1 TALENT..." "His sin was slothfulness." "There can be no valid excuse for not serving God. (T. D. Crothers.)" "The good servant: - 1. He is commended. 2. Promoted. 3. Admitted to joys unspeakable. (W. Jowett, M. A.)" "What a lamentable state of mind to wish to get to heaven, & yet to turn in a bad temper from the only path that leads to it!" "The sin of unprofitableness: - I. UNPROFITABLENESS IMPLIES A MIND UNLIKE THAT OF GOD, & THEREFORE UNFIT FOR COMMUNION WITH GOD. 1. The mind of the unprofitable one is marked by indifference to the welfare of others." "'Cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness.' (D. Moore, M. A.)" "He was wicked because unfaithful to his trust." "...THOSE WHO FAITHFULLY IMPROVE THE BLESSINGS WHICH GOD BESTOWS UPON THEM MAY REASONABLY EXPECT FURTHER MARKS OF HIS FAVOUR." "God has promised to reward past fidelity with future favours." "Those who abuse God's favours have reason to expect that He will diminish them. (N. Emmons, D. D.)" "Every one hath his service & opportunity to do something for God" "Use the talent we have" "Strength is not to be wasted in sin & vanity, but employed for God." "'Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down & cast into the fire.' Not only the poisonous, but the barren tree." "Oh! for a spirit that bows always before the sovereignty of God. (C. H. Spurgeon.)" "Multiplied talent: - It is not only enjoined upon us if we would be Christians to occupy with our gifts, but to multiply them. The industrious servant of God will do this." "The faithful servant of Christ studies to do his Lord's will, & has a delight in the work." "THE FAITHFUL SERVANT'S REWARD. 1. He receives the commendation of his Master. 2. Made ruler over many things. 3. Enters into the joy of his Lord." "The noblest powers are often the most slowly developed." "It is faithfulness, & not amount, which links the talent to the joy of the Lord, the 'few things' to the 'many.'" "Each time we use the grace we have by responding to the demands made upon it, it returns to us increased." "The average man: - 1. HIS DANGERS." "He will be tempted to underrate himself." "He may lose himself in the crowd." "THE ENCOURAGEMENTS." "God designed to do most of His work in the world through the average man." "The magnificent reward that awaits him. (F. E. Clark.)" "Do not darken your life by fear." "The judgment is severe, not on those who tried & failed, but on those who never tried." "The reward will be in proportion to the actual improvement which men make of the talents entrusted to them." "The world we live in is not a great play-ground, but a vast harvest field, where every man, each in his own particular sphere, must thrust in the sickle & reap." "Ver. 31. When the Son of Man shall come in His glory." "THE IMPORTANT PERIOD REFERRED TO - 'When the Son of Man shall come.'" "...how He will come." "'in His glory.'" "The great separation" "It will be made by the Judge Himself." "It will be made wholly on the ground of moral character." "It will be a separation in place & residence." "It will be a separation in interest & employment." "It will be eternal." "Vers. 34 - 44. Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed." "THE PERSONS TO WHOM THIS INVITATION WILL BE GIVEN. 1. Those who have abounded in good & charitable works." "The righteous, to their astonishment, hear themselves commended for loving services to the King, which they are quite unconscious of ever having rendered. The wicked, on the other hand, to their amazement & dismay, hear themselves condemned for having refused to the King services which they are quite unconscious of ever having had opportunities to render or refuse." "Selfishness is a direct contradiction of the entire mission & character of Christ." "There is joy in an unselfish ministry." "Love thinks nothing of the sacrifice it makes." "Self-forgetfulness is the first sign that we are doing work for the God above us. (C. D. Bridgeman, D. D.)" "VER. 1. And Jesus went out & departed from the temple."
"Judgment has begun at the House of God, but it stays not there." "...though God may bear long, yet He will not bear always, with a sinful & provoking people." "When we hear the thunder, in a dark night on our beds, we fear the lightning. Our Saviour's gospel, premonishing of this day, is like thunder; if it cannot wake us from our sins, the judgment shall come upon us like lightning, to our utter destruction." "Ver. 6. But the end is not yet." "'The end is not yet.' Let us not imagine our work done. (J. A. Alexander, D.D.)" "Ver. 7. - For nation shall rise against nation. - War for those who reject peace:" "They that would have none of the gospel of peace shall have the miseries of war." "Christianity comes as the consoler of the sufferings of war. (J. B. Mozley, D.D.)" "Ver. 12. - The love of many shall wax cold. - The love of the saints destroyed by the abounding of iniquity" "Ver. 14. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness." "'GOSPEL' - good news..." "The kingdom of Christ, as a kingdom of control..." "It controls the opinions." "It controls the will." "It controls the belief of mankind." "It controls the affections." "The gospel shall be preached for a WITNESS. Of human depravity." "It must be preached freely, plainly, affectionately, faithfully." "Submit to Christ as a King." "Seek the extension of His kingdom..." "The gospel is now a witness to warn & direct: hereafter it will accuse & condemn. (H. Melvill, B.D.)" "Vitality of the gospel: - See what vitality the gospel has! Plunge her under the wave, & she rises the purer from her washing; thrust her in the fire, & she comes out the more bright for her burning; cut her in sunder, & each piece shall make another church; behead her, & like the hydra of old, she shall have a hundred heads for every one you cut away. She cannot die, she must live; for she has the power of God within her. (C. H. Spurgeon.)" "Vers. 15 - 19. When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation." "We are not left without consolation & hope. There was an elect who escaped the destruction when Jerusalem fell. Jesus will save His own in the day of doom. (J. A. Seiss, D. D.)" "Ver. 20. Not in the winter." "The winter season is especially full of temptation, because of the long evening allowing such full swing for evil indulgences." "The river of life from under the throne never freezes over. The foliage of life's tree is never frost-bitten." "Ver. 23 - 26. Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ." "Let us learn more & more of the true Christ, & we shall not be led astray by false Christs." "The Christian dispensation is disturbed by attempts of impostors to delude the unwary." "There is in our possession a test sufficient to unmask all pretenders." "Ver. 27. For as the lightning." "Christ's advent shall be SUDDEN." "Christ's advent will be with INTENSE AND VIVID SPLENDOUR." "Christ's second coming..." "THAT COMING IS PERSONAL & LITERAL." "THIS GREAT COMING IS TO BE CONNECTED WITH A SEPARATION OF THE GOOD FROM THE BAD, THE BELIEVERS FROM THE DENIERS, THE SPIRITUALLY ALIVE FROM THE SPIRITUALLY DEAD." "Ver. 28. For wherever the carcase is." "Our Lord says, wherever there is a rotting, dead society, a carcase hopelesly corrupt & evil, down upon it, as if drawn by some unerring attraction, will come the angel, the vulture of the Divine judgment." "God can tell when evil has become incurable, when the man or country has become a 'carcase.'" "Judgment only follows on the heels of offence." "Ver. 29 - 34. Immediately after the tribulation of these days shall the sun be darkened." "There will be a manifestation of Christ in truth & UNMISTAKABLE REALITY." "Christ will be manifested as IN SEARCH OF HIS OWN." "Tokens of perdition: - I. Vicious habits. II. A resort to infidelity... III. A false hope & a false profession. IV. The approach of age without religion. V. Carnal security. VI. Satisfaction with worldly good. VII. A loose & presumptuous confidence in God's mercy. VIII. Increasing hardness of heart. IX. Neglect of prayer & the means of grace. X. The rejection of many calls. How many of these marks of death do you find upon yourself? (E. Griffin, D. D.)" "Ver. 35. But my words shall not pass away." "The permanency of Christ's teaching..." "His words cannot die by reason of the living power that is in them." "Every portion of the gospel we learn & feel & practice will remain with us for ever. (The Weekly Pulpit.)" "THERE IS A PERMANENT, & THAT THERE IS A TRANSIENT." "What are some of the marks & characteristics of Christ's word? ...1. Authoritative. ...2. True. 3. Spirit and life. 4. 'Never a man spake like this man.'" "Vers. 38, 39. And took them all away." "The mass of men are busy about fleeting interests, & neglect the salvation of their souls." "ALL WHO WERE IN THE ARK WERE SAFE. (C. H. Spurgeon.)" "Vers. 40, 41. Two women shall be grinding at the mill. - Routine life" "...Strength of character lies not in demanding special circumstances, but in mastering & using any that may be given." "Faithful performance of common duties" "Ver. 42. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come." "Watchfulness is the habit of keeping the eye constantly alive to events; prayer is the habit of keeping the heart constantly lifted up to God." "THE NEEDFUL WATCHING. 1. With increasing prayer. 2. With unfaltering diligence. 3. With unfailing patience. ...(J. C. Gray.)" "Ver. 44. Then be ye also ready." "THE ABSOLUTE NECESSITY FOR BEING READY." "Be ready: the act is ours, the grace is God's." "To be ready for the coming of Christ ought to be the great end of life." "To be ready for death, is to have obtained the pardon of all sins." "It is to have all the graces of the Spirit in vigorous exercise." "Great events require suitable preparation." "Faith in Christ, which is instrumental in obtaining pardon of sin" "Holiness" "MOTIVES TO URGE US TO BE READY. 1. Death is sure to come. 2. The time of death's approach is uncertain. ...4. The present life is the only period in which we can prepare for death. 5. To be ready indicates true wisdom, & gives peace." "WHY WE ARE TO BE READY. ...It is Christ's command. Surely that is enough." "The SOLEMN EVENTS for which we ought always to be ready. 1. Death. 2. Judgment. 3. Eternity." "Vers. 45, 51. Who, then, is that faithful & wise servant." "1. Fidelity. 2. Wisdom is associated with faithfulness - 'faithful & wise.' 3. Habitual & persevering continuance in well-doing." "The faithful servant is one whose service is sincere." The Biblical Illustrator, Baker, pgs. 537 - 558. "VERS. 1 - 7. The scribes & the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat."
"...they who pretend holiness, & are wicked; they who are wicked, though they have great helps to be good; & by being wicked cause others to be so too, their sin is exceeding sinful." "1. Their great pride. ...2. Their wretched covetousness. ...3. Their abominable hypocrisy, shown in 'teaching others to do what they themselves would not do:'" "Forasmuch as there is no person upon earth that can infallibly guide you to salvation... 1. Study the Holy Scriptures. 2. Pray fervently for the guidance of God's Spirit. 3. If you would discern & hold fast the truth, love & practise it. (M. Pool.)" "Vers. 8 - 12. But be not ye called Rabbi." "Gold is often a hardener of the heart." "Christians have but one Master, but one Father." "God is the Christian's only Father, Jesus Christ their only Master. (Hezekiah Burton.)" "Vers. 13 - 15. But woe unto you, scribes & Pharisees, hypocrites." "Let ministers learn their proper vocation as porters to the kingdom of heaven, & let them beware of handling the Word of God deceitfully." "Folly of hypocrisy: - If the devil ever laughs, it must be at hypocrites; they are the greatest dupes he has." "Vers. 16 - 22. Whosoever shall swear by the Temple, it is nothing." "Vers. 23, 24. And have omitted the weightier matters of the law. - Sins of omission: - 1. The very earliest cause of nearly all sin lies in omitting something which we ought to have done." "Every sin lies in a chain, & the first link is fastened to another link. For instance, that first sin committed after the Fall - Cain's fratricide - was the result of anger; that anger was the result of jealousy; that jealousy was the result of an unaccepted sacrifice; that unaccepted sacrifice was the result of the absence of faith; & that absence of faith was the result of an inattentive ear, or a heart which had grown silent towards God" "...when the heart is right with God through faith in Jesus Christ, BOTH THE WEIGHTIER MATTERS & THOSE OF LESS IMPORTANCE WILL BE PROPERLY ATTENDED TO." "Vers. 25 - 28. For ye make clean the outside of the cup." "I. WHY must we cleanse ourselves from sin? 1. Because it renders us injurious to our fellow-men. 2. Because it hinders prayer. 3. Because it renders us offensive to God. 4. Because it is destructive to ourselves. II. How may we cleanse ourselves from sin? ...by faith in the only cleansing element - the precious blood of Jesus. III. WHEN may we cleanse ourselves from sin? Now! 1. Delay increases the difficulty. 2. The present the only time of which we are sure." "It is a characteristic of fallen men that they are apt to content themselves with cleansing the outside. They are at greater pains to seem pure than to be pure." "A cleansed heart is a sure producer of genuine & permanent purity of life." "Vers. 29, 33, 36. How can ye escape the damnation of hell?" "The effect of sin is to make men blind to their own sins." "Many ships have had the name of Hope, the Safeguard, the Triumph, yet have been cast away upon the rocks; so many who have had the name of saintship have been cast into hell. (T. Watson.)" "Vers. 37 - 39. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets." "Why the Divine invitation is refused" "'...ye would not.'" "...the absence of the will" "Every man may be saved if he will." "God's gracious dealings with sinners: - I. God has desired to gather you to Himself." "But you have often rejected the overtures of Divine mercy." "'I would have gathered you.' 1. Tenderness. 2. Long-suffering. 3. A time will come when He will leave us to our sins if we continue to spurn Him from us. (J. Dixon, D.D.)" "God deals with man as a free agent." "The loss of the soul is self-caused." "How great the sin of refusing the gospel. (B. F. Palmer, D.D.)" The Biblical Illustrator, Baker, pgs. 523 - 537. "VERS. 1 - 10. The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king which made a marriage for his son."
"WHEN OR HOW MEN SLIGHT THE INVITATIONS OF THE GOSPEL. 1. When they neglect the Word of God... 2. When they absent themselves from the sanctuary... 3. When they fail to give heed to the Divine message" "THE DANGER OF SLIGHTING THESE INVITATIONS. ...It cannot fail to provoke the anger of God." "Neglect of the gospel is thus just as perilous as the open rejection of it. Indeed, half the evils of our daily life in temporal things are caused by neglect; & countless are the souls who are lost for this same cause." "The man without the wedding garment represents the person who believes that he is reconciled to God, who has not God's righteousness." "Causes of refusal to accept Christ: - 1. Worldly cares, incumbrances, secular business, or the concernments of this life." "2. The riches, or love of wealth, or earthly honour. 3. But it appears that sensual satisfaction, or the inordinate love of pleasures, is that which hath the greatest power over men, & which drowns & swallows up the spirit & soul of mortals" "THE NATURE OF GOSPEL BLESSINGS. 1. They are of God's own providing. 2. They are rich & valuable as well as Divine. 3. These blessings are suitable. 4. They are abundant." "THE INVITATION GIVEN TO PARTAKE OF THESE BLESSINGS. 1. A feast so rich is designed for numerous guests. 2. The gospel is made to known to mankind. 3. This invitation is free & gracious. 4. It is earnest & authoritative." "As Christ has done so much for you, you must be faithful to Him. (J. Vaughan, M.A.)" "Ver. 5. But they made light of it." "The things that men value will be the theme of frequent conversation." "Things only talked about, & not reduced to practice, are made light of." "Our estimate of things may be discovered by the diligence & earnestness of our endeavours after them." "Making light of Christ & salvation is a certain evidence of no interest in them." "Vers. 11 - 13. He saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment." "Christ will pronounce a heavier doom if we obey not the gospel, to which we profess to submit." "...the wedding garment is holiness ...which is the glory of God, & the beauty of God & His people (Rev. 19:8)." "Keep your garments undefiled, & unspotted from the world (Rev. 3:4)." "Wash your garments often in the blood of the Lamb (Rev. 7:14). (T. Manton, D.D.)" "...THE WEDDING GARMENT. It is the costume or spiritual dress necessary for the enjoyment of heaven - holiness often described as a garment" "It is a clothing of humility; no robe of pride to dress up the sinner." "A very moving admonition, how dreadful at last will be the state of those whom the great goodness & long-suffering of God have not been able to bring to repentance, & to effectual amendment of life & manners. (S. Clarke.)" "God speaks now, & offers you the perfect robe of Christ's righteousness that will cover all your sins, & fit all your wants, & He says that you may have it without money & without price. (American Paper.)" "Vers. 15 - 22. Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?" "WHAT THOSE THINGS ARE WHICH WE SHOULD RENDER UNTO GOD. 1. Our time ...2. Our substance. 3. Our children. 4. Our hearts. 5. Our whole selves. 6. The blessed fruits, & all the glory of His own grace, should, by the Christian, be rendered back to God." "Every faculty in you, every gift, every grace & charm & power which is most characteristic & distinctive, is the stamp of the Divine. You are God's child. You bear His image. Render to Him your supreme & unceasing tribute" "We must not defraud the government" "'Let every soul be subject to the higher powers.'" "This is God's will." "Vers. 23 - 33. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage." "Vers. 30 - 40. Master, which is the greatest commandment in the law?" "The whole heart is opposed either to a divided & dispersed heart, or to a remiss & sluggish heart." "To love God is our great natural duty." "Impediments of our love to God. 1. Self-love. 2. Love of the world. 3. Spiritual sloth & carelessness of spirit. 4. The love of any sin whatsoever. 5. Inordinate love of things lawful." "Love to God ennobles all other graces." "Love must be our abiding condition." "Love of God to be the dominant passion" "To be of the right sort, our love for God must be an active moving principle & power, which so determines our thoughts, words, & works, that God in all things may be glorified in us through Jesus Christ our Lord, & we ourselves, as it were, may be absorbed into that glory. (J. E. Kempe, M.A.)" "It is the duty of every man to love his neighbour as himself" "After the same manner that we love ourselves we ought to love others." "We should show our love to the souls of others by seeking the increase of their faith, holiness, & comfort (I John 1:4)." "The selfish man acknowledges no neighbour; is concerned solely for himself, & what he is pleased to reckon his own interest." "A man cannot be just & not love justice; neither can he be good & not love goodness." "Let it not be imagined that in demanding all, God leaves nothing for other objects of affection." "Love renders service easy" "In age as well as in youth, we are all pressed on by the swift tide of the world to worship the idol of intellect as though it had all to give in earth & heaven." "Ver. 42 - 45. What think ye of Christ?" - I. There are some who never think of Christ at all. II. There are some who deem it unnecessary to have fixed thoughts about Christ." "WHAT ARE YOU WILLING TO PART WITH FOR HIS SAKE? With your sins - the world - with learning - self-righteousness." "WHAT IS IT THAT KEEPS YOU FROM HIM? 1. Is it ignorance? 2. Prejudice? 3. Insensibility?" "What think ye of Christ? - I. THAT CHRISTIANITY CHALLENGES HUMAN THOUGHT." "Who is our Christ?" The Biblical Illustrator, Baker, pgs. 493 - 523. "VERS. 1 - 11. And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, & were come to Bethphage."
"All sorrows were for the hour quite swallowed up in the abounding blessedness." "Great is the blessedness of those who thus receive the Lord Jesus." "WHAT KIND OF A KING HE IS, AND WHAT KIND OF A KING HE CLAIMED TO BE." "It is a kingdom in which the king's laws are none of them written upon paper; they are written upon the heart." "It was a kingdom in which riches were no part whatever of its glory." "It was a kingdom without armed force." "He came to establish a kingdom without taxations. All its gifts are of love." "It was a kingdom of joy." "Disobedience hinders the advance of the gospel." "The glory of Christ is seen when He is publicly proclaimed as king." "When Christ came into Jerusalem, ALL WAS NOT GOLD THAT GLITTERED. 'Hosanna' was changed into 'Crucify.'" "Entire consecration: - I. THE LORD HAS NEED OF YOU. 1. Your prayers. 2. Your praises. 3. Your talents. 4. He may need your most cherished one, that which your heart holds fastest." "HOW OUGHT WE TO PREPARE TO RECEIVE HIM? We must go forth to meet Him, (1) by a holy desire & longing for His presence; (2) by putting away our sinful habits & desires; ...(4) by obeying His laws; (5) by praying for a loving, forgiving spirit. Blessed Jesus, reign within us; cast down every imagination & every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of Thyself, & bring every thought into captivity to Thy holy will. Reign within us, till Thou hast put every enemy, every movement of our corrupt nature or the remnants of it, under Thy feet." "Vers. 12 - 14. And Jesus went into the temple of God, & cast out all them that sold." "The place human souls held communion with the Father cannot be common. The purification of the temple seems to be a striking intimation of the great purpose of His ministry, to purify God's worship everywhere, in the outward & inward temple, in the house, the heart, the life." "The temple itself is full of vacant worship. It resounds with rash vows & babbling voices. It is the house of God; but man has made it a nest of triflers, a fair of vanity, a den of thieves." "Vers. 15, 16. The children crying in the temple." "No one who has seen converted children will ever doubt their capacity for faith, in some respects greater than that of the adult. Their faith is more easy, vivid, effective." "CHILDREN ARE CAPABLE OF RENDERING, IN THE HANDS OF GOD, GOOD SERVICE." "Often guide blind souls to the light. Often guide strong men to some great action." "...what power is there in the conversion of a child" "GOD GLORIFIES HIMSELF IN LITTLE CHILDREN BY OFTEN MAKING THEM POWERFUL INSTRUMENTS OF GOOD TO OTHERS." "GOD AGAIN PERFECTS HIS PRAISE IN CHILDREN IN MAKING THEM CAPABLE OF RECEIVING & REFLECTING THE IMAGE OF CHRIST." "...it should be our great concern to own & honour Christ." "...the earlier we begin to own & honour Him, the more God's praise is thereby advanced." "...He will own & honour the young ones who are brought to own & honour Him. (John Guyse.)" "There is a story of a child who went to a prayer meeting summoned that they might pray for rain, & she took her umbrella with her. We pray, but we do not take our umbrellas. That is the very essence of faith - to expect a blessing & to be prepared for it." "Ver. 17. And he lodged there." "The comfort of domestic life is the most agreeable relief from the burden & heat of the day & its frequently tiresome business." "Vers. 17 - 21. And when He saw a fig-tree in the way, He came to it, & found nothing thereon." "The fig-tree represented immediately, we cannot doubt, in our Lord's intention, THE ACTUAL STATE OF THE JEWISH PEOPLE." "The tree by the roadside was a visible symbol of the moral condition of Israel as it presented itself to the eye of Christ" "Many have the form of godliness who deny the power." "Those who persevere in hypocrisy may be bereft of the power of producing fruit." "Our profession without practice is but hypocritical, making us... like the fig-tree, which, having leaves but no figs, was accursed;" "Ver. 22. And all things whatsoever ye ask in prayer believing." "We cannot honour God more than by believing what He says, & acting upon that faith in all our requests at His throne." "...God as the Object whom we seek, Christ as the Mediator through whom we seek, & the Spirit as the Agent by whom we seek, complete the scheme of prayer. (J. Bate.)" "Prayer is the unfeigned language of the heart." "Vers. 28 - 32. A certain man had 2 sons; & he came to the first, & said, son, go work to-day." "What God looks for in all of us - work. 1. Inward. 2. Outward." "THIS MISSION IS 'WORK.'" "God says, 'Come,' before He says, 'Go;' 'Love Me,' before 'Work for Me.' He seeks not enforced toil of slaves, but cheerful obedience of sons. God's vineyard is not a playground in which to take our ease." "THE 'WORK' IS PRESSING & URGENT - to be done 'to-day.'" "Waste no longer the golden hours. (J. R. Bailey.)" "Make it your aim & desire to be gathering with God, rooting up evil where you can, fostering the growth of good where possible; shedding the light around you which may win souls to safety." "Go work to-day. To-morrow may be too late." "May God give us grace to do His will. (J. C. Gray.)" "This vineyard is the property of God." "Immediate obedience wise" "It is easier to break a colt & bring him to the saddle, than it is an old horse that runs wild in the wilderness; a young plant is sooner plucked up than an old tree." "Their whole profession collapsed like a burst bubble; they were proved to be shams, to be dealing in mere words with no idea of realities. (Marcus Dods, D. D.)" "Work & give, for the night cometh" "There are 1,000 men who wish, where there is 1 who wills" "A man may wish & yet reject all the steps & instruments by which that wish can be carried into effect." "Doing is obedience: - The question is, What have you done?" "Vers. 33 - 41. There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard." "The greatest privilege a man can enjoy is to have the kingdom of God entrusted to him. The greatest sin a man can commit is to reject Christ. (W. M. Taylor, D. D.)" "Learn - 1. To consider & value God's mercies... 2. To study our reception & use of them... 4. To remember that we too must give account. (J. C. Gray.)" "What fruit is it that God expecteth? 1. The fruit of faith & conversion. 2. The fruit of good works. 3. Fruits good in quality & quantity... 6. Fruit in due season. 7. Fruit according to gifts & grace received. 8. Fruit according to the places & stations wherein God hath set us. (Benj. Keach.)" "Ver. 42. The stone which the builders rejected." "The greatest MERCY that can ever be vouchsafed to a nation is God's giving His kingdom to it. (Bishop Stillingfleet.)" "Let Christ, as the stone does the corner, bind everything. He is the one cementing all that is true." "...every man who rejects Christ wounds his own conscience, hardens his own heart, makes himself a worse man." "Vers. 45, 46. They feared the multitude, because they took Him for a prophet." "The gospel cannot reach the heart without supernatural power of the Holy Spirit;" "In the outcasts of society there is not found that haughty self-reliance; the gospel is more welcome to them." The Biblical Illustrator, Baker, pgs. 465 - 492. "VERS. 1 - 16. For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard."
"It is unusual for an employer to give as much remuneration to those who have wrought one hour as to those who have wrought 9 or 12." "'My thoughts are not your thoughts,'" "God's kingdom is not of this world." "To those late he was better than they expected. To the hireling He shows Himself a hirer; to the trustful worthy of confidence." "Service is not determined by duration, but by spirit. (W. M. Taylor, D. D.)" "God Himself the best reward" "He is Himself the 'exceeding great reward' of all His people." "The quality, not the performance, is the accepted thing, the heart of faith & love, not any self-complacent operations. (Bishop Huntington.)" "There is something for us to do." "Important to be where the call of the Master may meet us." "CALLING. God calls men to work for Him in His vineyard. Some in early life... He continues to call up to the 11th hour." "The honour of working for Him is a sufficient reward." "There will be a last call - we know not how soon" "PAYING. God will be no man's debtor. He will give what He has promised. More than we deserve..." "WHAT DID THEY DO IN ANSWER TO HIS CALL?" "1. They went at once. Immediate service. 2. They worked with a will. 3. They never left the service, but remained till night. 4. They received the full reward at the day's end. (C. H. Spurgeon.)" "Labourers: - I. Idleness rebuked. II. Service required. III. Toil rewarded. IV. Discontent manifested. V. Murmuring silenced. VI. Administration vindicated. (M. Braithwaite.)" "...the true follower of Christ, who has listened to the earliest call of his Master, & has revelled in the glory of serving Him throughout life, will from the bottom of his heart pity the man who has only late in life recognized the glory of His service, & has had barely time to pick up his tools when the dusk of evening falls upon him." "In being good to others I do not wrong you." "The 11th hour: - I. The time mentioned may represent an advanced period of human life." "Conversion postponed to old age" "Ver. 6. Why stand ye here all the day idle? - Spiritual idleness" "Consists in neglect - of life's mission" "The reproach increases with the passing months & years." "The EXCUSES offered for the evil. 'Why stand ye?'" "1. We have not been invited by the minister, etc. Don't wait for such invitations - offer your services - 'I must work,' etc. 2. We lack the necessary qualifications, etc. 3. We lack opportunity, etc. 4. We give money, etc. This will not be accepted by the Master as a substitute for personal service. You cannot do this work by proxy. Work for Christ is personal, & cannot be delegated to others, etc." "Whether early or late in the day, begin Now." "'Why?' Some are idle because they have no work. Some do not like the master. Some do not love the work. Some imagine themselves unable to work. Some do not like the wages." "Idleness deteriorates the moral nature:" "Lazy Christians" "A busy man is trouble but with one devil, but the idle man with a thousand." "Idleness is a sin, for it involves disobedience to Christ's command, 'Go into my vineyard & work.'" "It is a sin, for it indicates a selfish love of ease" "Evil thoughts intrude in an unemployed mind as naturally as worms are generated in a stagnant pool." "Sloth, like rust, consumes faster than labour wears" "Idleness was one of the sins of Sodom, & it is often the forerunner of temporal & eternal ruin." "Ver. 16. So the last shall be first, & the first last." "...God in communicating His benefits to men, acts in a sovereign manner, making the last first, & the first last." "Ver. 17. And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the 12 disciples apart in the way." "Jesus was going up to Jerusalem for the accomplishment of redemption" "Crucifixion of Christ: - The cross was the perfect manifestation of (1) the guilt of the world; (2) the love of Christ; (3) His obedience; (4) the grace of God. (J. P. Lange, D. D.)" "Vers. 20 - 28. Then came to Him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons." "There are conditions which must precede such elevation." "THESE GLORIOUS PLACES ARE GIVEN AS THE RESULT OF A DIVINE PREPARATION." "Faith in Christ alone, the measure of our faith, & growing Christ-likeness here will be the measure of our glory hereafter. (Dr. McLaren.)" "Vers. 26 - 28. And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant. - True greatness" "Greatness is to be measured by service. No man lives or dies to himself." "The greatness of being useful" "Pride destroys the best elements of character" "Ver. 28. Even as the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto." "NOT TO BE MINISTERED UNTO, BUT TO MINISTER. He had not a selfish thought in His soul." "Consider Him as a ransom. It was intentional. It was voluntary. It regards the personal esteem He has for His people." "If He has ransomed you, you are not your own. (W. Jay.)" "Vers. 29 - 34. - And, behold, 2 blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by." "Some men are too buried in their merchandize to know that He is passing." "These men made no demands but for mercy." "MEN ARE BLINDED BY REASON OF SIN." "IT IS PROPER IN THIS STATE OF BLINDNESS TO CALL UPON JESUS TO OPEN OUR EYES. If we ever see, it will be by the grace of God. God is the fountain of light, & those in darkness should seek Him." "While He is near we should seek Him. WHEN PEOPLE REBUKE US, & LAUGH AT US, IT SHOULD NOT DETER US FROM CALLING ON THE SAVIOUR." "SINNERS MUST 'RISE' & COME TO JESUS. Cast away everything that hinders their coming." "The 2 blind men could not open their own eyes; that was beyond their power, but they could get into the way where Jesus passed, & they could cry to Him for sight, who only could recover it." The Biblical Illustrator, Baker, pgs. 443 - 465. |
AuthorCross Preaching Pentecostal Pastor. Husband to Tonia, Father to 3 beautiful girls, Monica, Zoe & Briana, & Grandfather to Wesley & Elliott Archives
September 2023
Categories |