_Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ._ FOLLOW PAUL AND FOLLOW CHRIST I. Be ye followers of Paul. But how can we be like a man who has been dead for centuries, whose language and occupations were wholly different from ours? Can the nineteenth century be changed into the first? No. Th... [ Continue Reading ]
_But I would have you know that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of every woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God._ CHRIST OUR HEAD This important statement is the starting-point for a deliverance on the subject of the conduct of women in the Church. The apostle often, in deal... [ Continue Reading ]
_Every man praying or prophesying with his head covered dishonoureth his head._ DECORUM IN THE HOUSE OF GOD 1. It is possible to dishonour Christ in our holiest services. 2. It is not enough to pray and preach in the spirit--some regard is due to propriety of manner and demeanour. 3. This is esp... [ Continue Reading ]
_For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels._ POWER ON THE WOMAN’S HEAD BECAUSE OF THE ANGELS 1. Hardly anything is more notable in St. Paul than his impatience of mere maxims and rules of conduct. He can never rest till he has based them on large general princi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Nevertheless, neither is the man without the woman._ SANCTIFIED MARRIAGE IMPLIES I. Equal privilege in Christ. 1. Alike redeemed. 2. In Him there is neither male nor female. II. Equal subjection to Christ--here the husband has no superiority. III. Equal dependence upon Christ--for grace to di... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now … I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse._ UNPROFITABLE PUBLIC WORSHIP I. When do we come together, not for the better, but for the worse? This may be known-- 1. By the principles which influence our attendance. (1) Do we come to receive instruction, t... [ Continue Reading ]
_For I have received of the Lord Jesus that which also I delivered unto you._ GIVING AS WE RECEIVE At a sailors’ meeting a seaman prayed, “Lord, make us ships with two hatchways; one to take in cargo, and the other to give it out.” A good prayer; Paul knew its answer, “I have received of the Lord... [ Continue Reading ]
_And when He had given thanks, He brake it, and said, Take, eat._ THE LORD’S SUPPER 1. It is remarkable that we are indebted to Paul for the most particular account of this service, because he was not one of those who were present on the night of its institution. Nor did he derive his knowledge fr... [ Continue Reading ]
_And after the same manner also He took the cup._ THE SACRAMENTAL CUP He doubleth the elements, to show that in Christ is not only necessary and sufficient, but also plentiful and abundant, with assured redemption. To blame, then, is the Church of Rome, which is guilty of that fault whereof Benjam... [ Continue Reading ]
_Whosoever shall eat … and drink … unworthily shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord._ EATING AND DRINKING UNWORTHILY I. The sin consists in doing it-- 1. Ignorantly. 2. Irreverently. 3. Uncharitably. 4. Sensually. II. Its guilt includes-- 1. A contempt of Christ’s sacrifice. 2.... [ Continue Reading ]
_But let a man examine himself _ SELF-EXAMINATION I. Its necessity. 1. At all times. 2. Especially when we draw near unto God. 3. Most of all before communion. II. Its exercise. Should be-- 1. Particular, including a review of our state, need, sins, temptations, etc. 2. Faithful, according t... [ Continue Reading ]
_For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself._ EATING AND DRINKING UNWORTHILY I. Explication. 1. What is meant by eating and drinking? Not the body and blood of Christ, but sacramental bread and wine. 2. What by unworthily? Not according to Christ’s insti... [ Continue Reading ]
_For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep._ THE PUNISHMENT FOR UNWORTHY PARTAKING I. The punishment. Here are three steps to the grave: weakness, sickness, temporal death. 1. Learn that God inflieteth not the same punishment for all, but hath variety of correction. And th... [ Continue Reading ]
_When ye come together to eat, tarry one for another._ “TARRY ONE FOR ANOTHER” 1. These words glance at a state of things of which happily we can form little idea from any existing analogy. No one thinks now of bringing or sending food to satisfy his hunger. No one thinks of making distinctions be... [ Continue Reading ]