_Judge not._ AGAINST CENSORIOUSNESS I. The prohibition. It refers to the conduct of private individuals, not to men in a public capacity; nor to hinder private persons from forming any opinion upon the misconduct of others. It forbids the indulgence of a censorious temper. II. The methods by whic... [ Continue Reading ]
_The mote that is in thy brother’s eye._ Three lessons stand out conspicuously in the text. 1. Close inspection of ourselves, lest any evil lurk there unobserved which we abhor in others; lest we be like the farmer whose field is overrun with weeds, who delights in pointing out the defective condi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Give not that which is holy unto the dogs._ PRUDENCE NECESSARY IN CONVERSING UPON RELIGIOUS SUBJECTS I. The bad characters and dispositions of some; men here represented by the allusion of “ dogs” and “ swine.” 1. We may be sure they are unworthy the powers and dignity of human nature. There are... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ask, and it shall be given you._ I. We have in these words, not formal definition of prayer, but an incidental definition, and most complete. To pray is to “ask” of God; the more childlike the asking the better. II. A recognition of the hindrances which we meet in prayer. We are to ask when God i... [ Continue Reading ]
_A stone._ THE BREAD OF GOD’S WORD NOT TO BE PETRIFIED BY PREACHERS Petrarch’s works are said to have laid so long in the roof of St. Mark’s, at Venice, that they became turned into stone; by what process deponent sayeth not. To many men it might well seem that the Word of God had become petrified,... [ Continue Reading ]
_How much more shall your Father._ THE HEAVENLY AND THE EARTHLY PARENT I. The facts which our text recognizes. 1. The moral condition of earthly parents-“evil.” 2. The natural affection of earthly parents. II. The argument our text expresses. Suggested by contrast. Strengthened by condition. Co... [ Continue Reading ]
_That men should do to you, do ye even so to them._ WHEREIN LIES THAT EXACT RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH IS REQUIRED BETWEEN MAN AND MAN I. The expectation of it. Put thyself into the place and circumstances of every man with whom thou hast to do. This is an exact rule. It is plain and easy. Three things a... [ Continue Reading ]
_Enter ye in at the strait gate._ THE STRAIT GATE NOT A SHUT GATE I. The faithfulness of a holy God. God has told us the way is difficult. It is against nature. II. The tenderness of a merciful father. 1. There is a gate. 2. The gate leadeth unto life. If the pleasures of sin must be left behin... [ Continue Reading ]
_Beware of false prophets._ THE FALSE AND THE TRUE I. The tests by which the false and the true may be known. II. The ultimate destiny of the false and the true. 1. In respect to the paths they tread. 2. In respect to the fruit they bear. 3. In respect to the profession they make. 4. In respe... [ Continue Reading ]
_Know them by their fruits._ UTILITY THE TEST OF TRUTH The two criteria on which men most chiefly rest for the guidance “of their religious opinions would here be of no avail; _authority _would be claimed by the prophet; and _private judgment _might possibly lead his votaries astray. Both these us... [ Continue Reading ]
_Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord._ THE CONNECTION BETWEEN HOLY OBEDIENCE TO THE WILL OF GOD, AND THE HAPPINESS OF HEAVEN I. Description of the character of those who make an external profession of religion, but walk unworthy of its precepts, connected with the impossibility of their e... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will liken him unto a wise man which built his house upon a rock._ I. The building. Every immortal creature is supposed to be building a house-entertaining a hope of heaven. They know they cannot always live in their present earthly house, etc. II. The foundation. There is the foundation of the... [ Continue Reading ]
_When Jesus had ended these sayings._ THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT I. Some few characteristics which the Sermon possesses. 1. The wonderful literary beauty of the language cannot have been unobserved by any one. 2. Then we have remarked the desultory arrangement and the apparently disconnected progre... [ Continue Reading ]
_Having authority._ THE GREAT AUTHORITY There resides in what is called an “ authority “ a power which we shall do well to contemplate. By it I mean that position as an adviser which is gained only by diligent study and habitual practical research; or else by the inherent endowment or special gifts... [ Continue Reading ]