_Men ought always to pray, and not to faint_ THE STRANGE WEAPON-ALL-PRAYER While Christian was in the Palace Beautiful, they showed him all the remarkable objects in the armory, from the ox-goad of Shamgar to the sword of the Spirit. And amongst the arms he saw, and with some of which he was array... [ Continue Reading ]
_Two men went up into the temple to pray._ WHOM THE LORD RECEIVES Observe, from the parable-- I. HOW GOD LOOKS UPON THE HEART, RATHER THAN UPON THE OUTWARD APPEARANCE. It is not the spoken service that is regarded, but the hidden words of the heart. II. THE INSUFFICIENCY OF MAN’S GOOD WORKS TO O... [ Continue Reading ]
_Suffer little children to come unto Me_ CHRIST’S FAVOUR TO LITTLE CHILDREN DISPLAYED 1. These children were not brought to Christ to be taught, for they were not yet capable of receiving instruction; nor could they profit by His preaching, or put any questions to Him. Those who are grown up to y... [ Continue Reading ]
_Receive the kingdom of God as a little child_ RECEIVING THE KINGDOM OF GOD AS A LITTLE CHILD I. To begin with, let me deal with THE SECRET THOUGHT OF THE DISCIPLES, expressed by their actions though not spoken in words. 1. And, first, it is pretty clear that the disciples thought the children we... [ Continue Reading ]
_Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?_ THE RICH YOUTH’S ADDRESS TO CHRIST I. THE FAVOURABLE TRAITS OF CHARACTER EXHIBITED IN THE QUESTION PROPOSED BY THIS YOUNG MAN. 1. The question itself was of supreme importance. 2. The question was a personal one. 3. The question was put at... [ Continue Reading ]
_Behold we go up to Jerusalem_ THE ENTRANCE INTO THE PASSION SEASON I. WE GAZE AT THE LORD, AND INQUIRE HOW HE ENTERED THE SEASON OF PASSION. 1. Not unprepared, but with a full, clear consciousness-- (1) not only of His sufferings in general, but also in all their particulars; and (2) of the re... [ Continue Reading ]
_A certain blind man sat by the wayside_ THE BLIND MAN’S PERTINACITY AND CURE This teaches us-- I. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE IMMEDIATE SEIZING OF OPPORTUNITIES. II. THE IMPORTANCE OF PERTINACITY, IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE SOUL. III. THE ROOT OF THIS PROMPTNESS OF ACTION--OF THIS UNDAUNTED PERTINACITY--... [ Continue Reading ]