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TOPIC: Torrey, R A - How To Work For Christ (Book 3) (Other Topics in this Collection)
SUBJECT: 06 - BOOK THREE CHAPTER FIVE
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@05 CHAPTER FIVE
TEXTUAL SERMONS IN OUTLINE
We print in this chapter a number of outlines of textual sermons. It is not intended that these outlines shall be used exactly as here given; they are simply offered by way of illustration and suggestion. We first give outlines of sermons for Christians, and afterward outlines of sermons for the unsaved.
# LOVE TO CHRIST
"I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." Act_21:13.
INTRODUCTION.-- This text reveals the secret of the beauty and untiring activity and matchless success of the life of Paul. This secret can be put in three words, LOVE TO CHRIST. The Lord Jesus had Paul's whole heart. There have been many great men and great women in the history of the church of Jesus Christ. Some of their names we know. Some of their names we do not know now, but we shall some day. These great men and women are the men and women who have had a great love for Jesus. A man may have great gifts, but, if he has not great love for Christ, he is after all as a sounding brass and a clanging cymbal. Men and women who have a great love for Jesus -- that is what the church needs today. And a great love to Christ is what each one of us needs in our own heart.
I. WHAT LOVE TO CHRIST WILL LEAD TO.
1. To Obedience to Christ. Joh_14:15.
To the one who loves Jesus the words of Jesus will be his most precious treasure. Joh_14:21; Joh_14:23. The one who loves the Lord Jesus will not be content with doing the will of {357} Jesus when the knowledge of that will is forced upon his attention. It will be his constant study to discover more and more about the will of Jesus.
2. Purity.
Jesus is the Holy One of God. He is infinitely pure. He hates sin. He hates sin in the life. He hates sin in the heart. If I love Him I will wish to be all that pleases Him.
3. Study about Him.
We all wish to know all we can about those we love. If we love Jesus we will study about Him. We will study the four gospels and the prophecies and the epistles and the Revelation of Jesus, Not from a sense of duty but because we want to know about Jesus.
4. Communion with Jesus.
We always delight in communion with those we love.
5. Love to Christ will lead to likeness to Christ.
We grow like those we love.
6. Love to Christ will lead us to work for Christ.
7. Love to Jesus will lead to sacrifices for Jesus.
Listen to the catalogue of what Paul gladly bore for Christ. 2Co_11:24-27.
8. If we love Jesus we will proclaim Jesus.
II. HOW LEARN TO LOVE HIM.
Some of us have said in our hearts, "I wonder if I do love Christ?" Well, the Bible tells how to have love.
1. We learn to love Christ by dwelling upon His love to us. 1Jn_4:19.
2. To learn to love Jesus we must study much of Him in the Scriptures. The way to learn to love Him is learn to know Him.
3. It is the Holy Spirit who teaches us to love Jesus. He takes of the things of Jesus and shows them unto us. He bears witness of Jesus. He imparts to us His own love for Christ.
4. We learn to love Jesus at the Lord's table. There we see Jesus. {358}
# LOVE FOR SOULS
"Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears." Act_20:31.
INTRODUCTION. -- This text gives us a look into the life and into the heart of Paul that stirs one's soul to the very depths. It is one of the most wonderful pictures in the Bible. (Picture.) It opens to us one of the great secrets of Paul's power.
I. The Importance of Love for Souls.
1. Because love for souls is an essential element of Christlike character. Not to have a love for souls is to be radically unlike Christ.
2. Because love for souls is necessary to successful efforts for their salvation.
3. Because lack of love for souls reveals either great hardness of heart or inexcusable ignorance.
II. How Manifested.
1. In a deep concern for their salvation.
2. In earnest efforts for their salvation.
3. In our being in a constant lookout for opportunities to have some one.
4. In going out to seek for them.
5. In joy over lost souls saved.
6. In sacrifices made to save them.
7. In deep sorrow of soul for those who will not be saved. Too often we are provoked rather than sad.
III. How Obtain.
The great fact to bear in mind in seeking an answer to this question is that love for souls is the work of the Holy Spirit. This we all believe theoretically. I wish we might be made to see it vividly and feel it to the very depths of our soul. Feel it deeply that the Holy Spirit alone can impart to you this glorious grace.
But on what conditions does He impart it?
1. A deep and genuine desire on our part for a love of souls. {359}
2. Prayer. Luk_11:13. The prayer should be definite. Not merely for the work of the Holy Spirit in general, but for this specific and definite work of the Spirit. It seems to be a law of the Holy Spirit's operation that He only gives that which we definitely see to be His work and definitely seek. Prayer. Expectant. Personal.
3. The Spirit works through instrumentalities. The Truth. What Truth?
(a) The value of the soul.
(b) The peril of the soul.
(c) Christ's love for souls. 2Co_3:18.
4. The Spirit works more largely as we put into operation what He has already wrought. Go to work.
# SOUL WINNING
"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise." Pro_11:20.
INTRODUCTION: -- Men's answers to the question who is the wise man. God's answer, "He that winneth souls is wise." Every wise man will make soul-winning the business of life.
I. Because it is the work Christ has appointed us to do. Mat_28:1-20; Mat_19:1-30; Mar_16:15.
This is Christ's commission to His disciples. Not to apostles only. The apostolic church undoubtedly understood that the commission was for the whole church and not merely to the officials. Act_8:4. The idea of the church so prevalent today that soul winning is the business of a few officials in the church is utterly foreign to the New Testament ideas of the church. There every believer is a soul winner.
II. Because it was the business of life with Jesus Christ and by making it the business of our lives we are following Him. Luk_19:10.
No one has a right to call himself a follower of Christ who is not a soul winner, who is not going out to seek and save the lost. {360}
III. Because it is the work in which we shall enjoy the unspeakable privilege of Christ's personal presence. Mat_28:20.
It is a wonder that men pay so little attention to the very clearly stated condition of the promise. It is when we go His way that He goes ours. It is when we go forth with Him that He goes forth with us.
IV. Because it is the work for which the gift of the Holy Spirit is bestowed and in which we enjoy the fullness of the Spirit's power. Act_1:8.
The gift of the Holy Spirit is bestowed for a special purpose and enjoyed in a special work. That we may be witnesses, that we may have power in soul winning, not merely for our own personal blessing and enjoyment.
V. Because it is the work that produces the most beneficent results. Jam_5:20.
It saves souls from death. Three things here to notice.
1. The value of that which is saved, a soul. Mar_8:36.
2. The second thing to notice is the awfulness of that from which the soul is saved, "from death." Not a mere cessation of existence but the degradation of existence, eternal shame and infamy, agony.
3. That to which the soul is saved.
To happiness.
To holiness.
To glory.
To fellowship, and likeness to God.
VI. Because it is the work that brings the largest and most enduring reward. Joh_4:36; Dan_12:3.
Many wish to shine here on earth. I would rather shine up there in eternal splendor. The brightest star in any galaxy of earthly glory soon fades. Earthly glory is not worth the seeking. But it pays to shine up there, to shine as the stars forever and ever.
CONCLUSION. -- Will you make soul-winning the great business of your life? Oh for a church of men and women who would {361} say, and say honestly, "From this time I live for one purpose. I live to seek and save the lost. As God gives me health, by consecrated living, by earnest and unceasing praying, by unwearied working, I will do what lies in me to rescue the perishing."
# SAVING SOULS FROM DEATH
"He which converteth a sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death." Jam_5:20.
I. The Glory of the Work.
Those are stirring words. -- Startling words. Are there souls in danger of death? There are. Where? About us everywhere. Every soul that has erred from the truth is in the way of death and unless converted will perish forever. The darkness eternal and eternal death will soon close in upon him. But if we arise and by the power that God gives us convert that soul from the error of his way we will have saved a soul from death. It is a great privilege to save a human life. But what is that from saving a soul from death? The life we save must soon be given up after all. But when I save a soul I save its eternity. One soul saved for eternity is worth a million lives saved for ten, fifteen, twenty or fifty years. And how much more fearful is that from which the soul is saved. When the soul finally dies there is no hope beyond.
II. Who Can Save Souls?
Every one of us. It is God of course in the last analysis who converts sinners and saves souls. But the text makes it very plain that He does this glorious work through us. There are some who would sit down and wait until God saw fit to convert the sinner. The farmer might as well sit down and wait until God saw fit to give a harvest. God saves no souls without us. The number of unsaved men on the earth today who will be saved depends entirely upon the faithfulness of those who are already saved.
III. How Can We Convert Sinners.
1. First of all by prayer. 1Jn_5:16. Prayer avails more than any other thing for the conversion of sinners. {362}
2. In the next place we can convert others from the error of their ways, and so save them, by taking them to the place where they will hear the Word of God preached in purity and in power.
3. We can convert sinners from the error of their ways and so save their souls from death by ourselves giving them the Word of God in the power of the Spirit. You may not be able to preach, but you can do personal work.
4. We can convert sinners and so save their souls by giving our testimony of what the Lord has done for us.
5. By the use of tracts and books. If you cannot talk much you can give others a good tract and get them to read it.
CONCLUSION. -- These are some of the ways to save souls. There may be others but these are enough to begin with. Now begin. Begin today and then keep it up as long as you live.
# WHY EVERY CHRISTIAN SHOULD WORK WITH ALL HIS MIGHT FOR THE SALVATION OF THE LOST
"He which converteth a sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death." Jam_5:20.
INTRODUCTION. -- Every Christian should work with all his might for the salvation of the lost. There is something seriously wrong with any professed Christian who is not working constantly and working hard to get men to forsake sin and to accept Jesus. Such a person is fearfully backslidden. One of the most important marks of a true and satisfactory Christian experience is an earnest desire to see others saved, and constant efforts to that end. Luk_19:1-48; Luk_10:1-42.
I. Why?
1. Because God is glorified by the salvation of the lost. Nothing glorifies God more than the conversion of a sinner. Joh_17:4; Joh_3:16.
2. Every Christian should work with all his might for the salvation of the lost, because God has commanded us to do this work.
3. Every Christian should work, etc., because of love to them. It is an awful thing to think of what it means to be lost. It {363} is an awful thing to think of what it means to be lost now, to say nothing of what it means to be lost hereafter. What can we do for others like saving them from sin and from its consequences? How our hearts are stirred when we hear of millions whose bodies are starving in India and elsewhere, but what is this to millions whose souls are starving, who are in sin away from God and without Christ? It is better far to save one perishing soul than to save ten million starving bodies.
4. Every Christian should, etc., for his own sake. Our eternal reward depends upon our earnestness and untiring activity in soul winning. Dan_12:3. Every new soul won is a new jewel in our Savior's crown and a new jewel in our crown.
II. How?
1. By prayer. Praying for the lost is not only our duty toward the lost, but it is our first duty. We can accomplish more in that way than in any other single way.
2. By effort. Prayer is the first thing but not the only thing. Begin trying to lead men to Christ.
3. By training. We must train for the work in order to do the best work.
4. Seek and obtain God's power. Act_1:8. This power is for us all. Luk_11:13; Act_2:39; Act_5:32. Every Christian man and woman here can have the power of the Holy Ghost. Give yourself wholly to God. Ask, believe, claim and go to work.
# WITNESSING
"A true witness delivereth souls." Pro_14:25.
INTRODUCTION: -- Our text today tells us one way and a most effective way of saving souls, that is, by witnessing, "A true witness delivereth souls." By testifying to the truth, especially to the truth concerning Jesus, we bring men to accept Jesus and thus deliver them from guilt and sin and from eternal death. This was the work of John the Baptist. Joh_1:7. This was the work of the apostles. Joh_15:27. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. Joh_15:26. This was the work of Jesus Himself. Isa_55:4; Joh_18:37. {364}
I. Who Should Be a Witness?
To this question the answer is very plain, every one who knows Jesus. If you have found Jesus, there rests upon you a solemn obligation to tell others about Him. What would you think if people were dying by the thousand of a plague and some man had knowledge of a sure cure and kept it to himself for fear some one might not listen to him or might laugh at him?
II. To What?
1. First of all and most of all to Jesus Christ. Acts 10;43; Joh_15:26. It is not so much of doctrines as of a person that we should speak, of Jesus, His death, His resurrection, and the power of His death and resurrection, as we know them in our own lives.
III. When and Where?
Testify wherever you get a chance and whenever you get a chance. Paul is a pretty good example. We find in giving his testimony in the synagogue, in the market places, from house to house, in the open air, by the riverside, in jail, on shipboard, in camp, at his work, at meals, to Jews, to Gentiles, to theological professors, to ecclesiastical courts, to governors, to kings and queens, to jailors, to soldiers, to sailors, everywhere and all times of the day and night, and to everybody. A few specific places:
1. In our homes. Mark 5;19.
2. In our places of business.
3. On the streets.
4. The church meetings for testimony.
IV. What Are the Conditions of Effective Witnessing?
1. The first condition is a true life back of the testimony. If a man is not straight in his business, the more he keeps his mouth shut about Christ, the better it is for the Christ and His cause.
2. The second condition of effective testimony is personal knowledge of the facts. If we are to be effective witnesses {365} for Christ and His truth we must seek the largest and clearest possible knowledge of Him and of the truth as it is in Him.
3. The third and crowning condition of effective witnessing is the enduement of the Holy Spirit. Act_1:8. There is great power in Holy Ghost testimony. There is little power in our testimony if the Holy Ghost be not upon us.
# SPREADING THE GOSPEL
"Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word." Act_8:4.
INTRODUCTION. -- Seven years after Pentecost the church and the Gospel were still very largely confined to the city of Jerusalem. Then God stirred up the nest and sent them forth. The Gospel was spread by preaching it. There are four things in the text to notice. Who preached, what they preached, why they preached, where they preached.
I. Who Preached?
"They that were scattered abroad," i.e., the rank and file of the church (cf. Act_8:1). They simply spoke the Word. Wherever they went they told the story of Jesus and salvation in Him and what He had done for them. This is the most effectual and the most needed kind of preaching. This is the only way the Gospel will ever have that spread that Christ intended it should have, by everybody who knows it and believes it and has felt its power telling it out among those with whom they come in contact.
II. What They Preached.
Notice what they preached. "Preaching the Word," or if we were to translate literally, "telling the good news of the Word." They declared God's own Word.
III. Why They Preached.
1. First of all they preached the Word because they believed it. 2Co_4:13. How can any one believe this book and the wonderful promises it contains and not speak? {366}
2. They preached in the next place because they believed men were perishing. That was what the Word told them. Joh_3:36.
3. Because they had themselves been blessed by the Word. How can any one who has tasted the blessings of the Gospel and keep it to himself?
4. Because their Master had so commanded them. Mat_28:19.
IV. Where They Preached.
They preached "everywhere."
# PENTECOSTAL POWER
"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the houses where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as a fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." Act_2:1-4.
INTRODUCTION. -- The second chapter of Acts forms one of the most inspiring, if not the most inspiring, page of Christian history. There is a hush. Then suddenly there comes straight from the throne of the ascended Christ a sound of a mighty rushing wind. They know what it means. Startled and yet filled with unutterable joy at the fulfillment of the promise for which they had so long waited they look up. A strange sight fastens their gaze. Describe. Summarize rest of chapter.
This Pentecostal power is the subject of our study.
I. The Character of Power.
Act_1:8. It was power for testimony and service.
II. The Source of the Power.
Act_1:8. The Holy Ghost. The Spirit of God Himself wielded the Sword of the Spirit. {367}
III. The Human Conditions of the Power.
In other words, what had the 120 done that prepared the way for and made certain the coming of the Holy Spirit in this Pentecostal Display of Power?
1. The disciples were wholly surrendered to Christ.
2. The disciples were obedient. Ch. 1:4, comp. 2:1.
3. The disciples recognized their need. Ch. 1:14. There must be a clear recognition.
4. The disciples intensely desired. Ch.1:14; ch. 2:1. For ten days they bent their thought and prayer largely to this one point.
5. The disciples prayed. Ch. 1:14. Luk_11:13.
6. The disciples believed. They expected. 1Jn_5:14-15.
IV. How Manifested.
1. Spoke in the Spirit's power. Act_2:4. Gave up their own strength and wisdom and used God's.
2. Testified to "the mighty works of God." No talk of self. Self was lost sight of.
3. Preached CHRIST. Act_2:22-35.
R. Results.
1. Multitude, amazed, marveled, perplexed. Act_2:6-7, Act_2:12.
2. Some mocked. Act_2:13.
3. "Men pricked to their hearts." Act_2:37. Genuine conviction. The need of this day.
4. Genuine conversion. Act_2:41-42.
CONCLUSION. -- Can we have this power and similar results? Yes, if we will meet the conditions. Heb_13:8. Act_2:39.
# THE PRAYER OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN
"The supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working." Jam_5:16 RV.
INTRODUCTION. -- The Revised Version is a decided improvement upon the Authorized Version. First, because it brings out the character of the prayer, "supplication." Secondly, because the {368} Authorized Version produces the impression that the petitions of a righteous man avail much when they are offered in fervency, while the Revised Version correctly gives the impression that all petitions of a righteous man are effective.
The central thought of our text is that there is a great force or power, great ability to effect results, in the prayer of a righteous man. The word translated "Availeth" is precisely the same word translated "can do" in Php_4:13. If it were translated the same here the verse would read, "The prayer of a righteous man can do much because (or while) it worketh." The prayer of a righteous man can do much.
I. For Whom can the Prayer of a Righteous Man Do Much?
1. First for himself.
If we wish anything for ourselves the most effective way to get it is to ask for it. Prayer avails much in our own lives. It obtains what can be obtained in no other way, and things that can be obtained in other ways are oftentimes obtained in a less questionable way and in a way much more to God's glory by prayer.
(a) Prayer can get victory over besetting sin.
(b) Prayer obtains wisdom. Jam_1:5.
(c) Prayer obtains an insight into and understanding of the Word of God. Psa_119:18.
Prayer will remove more difficulties in the understanding of the Word than the Commentaries will.
(d) Prayer brings Christ to dwell in our hearts by faith. Eph_3:14, Eph_3:17.
(e) Prayer avails to bring the Holy Spirit in all His fullness, with all His graces and bestowments of power into our hearts and lives. Luk_11:13.
In every direction prayer avails for our spiritual welfare and strength and growth as almost nothing else does. Isa_40:31 hew:31 hew:31.
(f) Prayer not only avails in spiritual lines but in temporal as well. Php_4:6.
2. The prayer of a righteous man can do much not only for himself but for others. {369}
(a) It can do much for the unsaved. 1Jn_5:16.
(b) Prayer can do much for your preacher. It will bring him wisdom, and the power of the Holy Ghost. Eph_6:19-20.
There are other directions in which prayer can do much for the church, for missions, for civil government.
CONCLUSION. -- In closing, note whose prayer it is that so avails. "The prayer of a righteous man." That is the prayer of a man who orders his life according to God's will as revealed in His Word. Joh_3:22.
# A MIGHTY PRAYER
"Then the fire of God fell." 1Ki_18:38.
INTRODUCTION. -- This world has been witness to many mighty prayers -- prayers that have wrought marvelous results. But there have been few prayers recorded in the world's history that have produced more marked and astonishing results than the one whose answer is described in our text. Describe circumstances and scene. That prayer brought the fire of God down to this earth. A mighty prayer. He was a man with "like passions with us." Jam_5:17 RV. So we can by prayer effect as great things as Elijah did.
How Elijah Prayed.
1. We notice first of all that Elijah's prayer was to the true and living God.
2. Elijah's prayer was the prayer of a man who was obeying God. (v.36). God demands reciprocity. If He is to do what we ask of Him, we must do what He asks of us.
3. Elijah's prayer was for God's glory ("Let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel").
4. Elijah's prayer was for something God had promised or had stirred him up to ask for. ("Let it be known," etc., "I have done all these things at thy word.")
If you wish to pray as Elijah did, wait upon God as he did to teach you by His Word or by His Spirit what to pray for.
5. Elijah's prayer was based upon shed blood. {370}
6. Elijah's prayer was earnest.
7. It was a believing prayer. Elijah had no doubt that he would get what he asked.
# WORSHIP
"The hour cometh and now is when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him." Joh_4:23.
INTRODUCTION. -- This text informs us that God is seeking worshippers (RV). The one thing above all else that God desires of men is worship. It is sometimes said "we are saved that we may serve." This is true, but it is still more profoundly true that we are saved that we may worship.
I. What is Worship?
It is a definite act of the soul in relation to God. The term is used in our day in a very vague and general and unscriptural way. The worship of God is the soul bowing down before God is absorbed contemplation of Himself. "In our prayer we are occupied with our needs, in thanksgiving we are occupied with our blessings, in worship we are occupied with Himself."
II. The Duty and Blessedness of Worship.
1. We owe worship to God. It is our first duty toward Him. There is definite commandment in the N.T. as well as the Old that we worship Him. If we do not worship God we are robbing Him of that which is His due.
2. But worship is not only a duty, it is a privilege, a privilege full of blessing.
(a) There is no deeper joy, no purer joy than that which springs from the adoring contemplation of God.
(b) It also brings likeness to Him. It is by looking at Him we are made like Him. Our complete transformation into His likeness will come through the complete and undimmed vision of Himself.
(c) Worship is a blessed privilege again because it brings power, power for life, power also for service. {371}
III. How to Worship Acceptably.
1. "In the Spirit." This means in the Holy Spirit. Compare Php_3:3 RV. The only true worship, the worship which is acceptable to God, is the worship which the Holy Spirit inspires.
2. The only acceptable worship is worship offered through Christ. Joh_14:6.
3. "In truth." That is, in reality.
CONCLUSION. -- Shall we not say that there shall be more of worship in our lives from this time, and that our worship shall be of that character that God seeks from us?
# SEPARATION
"Wherefore come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be to you a father, and ye shall be to me sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." 2Co_6:17-18 RV.
INTRODUCTION. -- In this text we have a very precious promise, but also a very plain and explicit commandment.
All of Israel's ills in the Old Testament arose from the fact that they did not heed Jehovah's call to separation. Psalms_116:34-36, Psalms_116:39-42. The believer's failure to heed God's call to separation is the cause of the powerlessness and lack of blessing in the individual and the church.
I. First of all it is clear that we must separate ourselves from every form of sin. 2Co_7:1.
II. In the next place there should be separation from the methods and practices and fashions of the world. Rom_12:1-2.
A Christian is a citizen of another world, and has no right to take his pattern from this. (Php_3:20 RV.)
III. There should be separation from worldly affiliations.
This comes out clearly in the words which precede our text. 2Co_6:14-16. The child of God has no right to enter into any partnership with the unsaved. A woman who is a believer, {372} i.e., who has a saving faith in Jesus Christ, has no right to enter into a matrimonial yoke with an unbeliever, i.e., one who has not a saving faith in Jesus Christ. Neh_13:26.
A Christian has no right to be yoked together in business partnership with an unsaved man.
IV. There should be separation from everything that entangleth. 2Ti_2:4.
V. There should be separation from professed Christians who are living in known sin. 1Co_5:11.
VI. There should be separation from professed Christians who walk disorderly, i.e., who refuse to obey the teachings of the Word. 2Ti_3:6, 2Ti_3:14.
This does not mean that there should be separation from a brother who is merely {weak} in the faith.
VII. The Commandment is not, "come out from the church."
It was coming out from unbelievers and idolaters that Paul was talking about. Read vs. 14:18. Nothing was further from Paul's thought than telling people to come out of the church. True separation is not merely separation from but separation to. Our separation is from all uncleanness UNTO CHRIST.
VIII. True separation will not only be a separation unto Christ but also a separation unto all those who belong to Christ.
# A REMARKABLE ROBBERY
"Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me." Mal_3:8.
INTRODUCTION. -- When the strange question of the text is first put to us, we are disposed to answer at once, "No, certainly not, certainly no one will reach such a pitch of blind and desperate wickedness as to rob God." But God gives a different answer. He says, "Ye have robbed me." {373}
I. How Can a Man Rob God?
A man can rob God by holding back from Him anything that is His due.
1. The gifts and offerings that are His due. All our money belongs to God.
2. The time that is His due.
3. The service that is due Him.
4. The surrender that is due Him.
5. The glory that is due Him. No glory is due to ourselves for any of our achievements, physical, mental or spiritual. No one of us has a right to boast of anything we accomplish. The Glory all belongs to God, and to Him we should render it. If we take to ourselves this glory that rightfully belongs to God we have robbed Him of His due.
6. The confession that is due Him. We owe to God the Father and to His Son Jesus Christ to confess them as our God and Savior before the world.
7. The thanksgiving that is His due.
8. The worship that is due. Worship is due to God from man. This is God's first great claim upon man. This is His supreme right. If you do not give it you rob Him.
II. The Monstrous Guilt of Robbing God.
"What of it?" "What of robbing God?" To rob God is infinitely more monstrous than to rob man.
1. God's rights are the supreme rights. All our modern moral philosophy is out of joint because it puts the rights of the finite above the rights of the infinite -- the rights of the creature above the rights of the creator.
2. The monstrousness of robbing God is seen if we think of the way in which God has dealt with us. God is love and all His ways with man are ways of love.
III. The consequences of Robbing God.
Mal_3:9. "Ye are cursed with a curse." The whole land of Israel was cursed because they robbed God. The fundamental {374} cause of the want and misery and ruin that fill this land today is that the nation has robbed God. What is true of the nation is true of the individual. Our robbery of God is withholding from us the fullness of blessing God has for us.
CONCLUSION. -- We have seen some of the ways in which man robs God, we have seen the enormity of this sin, we have seen the curse and blight that come into our own lives from it. The practical conclusion of the whole matter is self-evident. Let us repent of our sin today, let us confess it to God today, let us render to Him today and from this time on the full measure of that which is due Him, and He will open the windows of heaven and pour into our lives a blessing that there shall not be room enough to contain it, an overflowing blessing.
# WALKING WITH GOD
"Enoch walked with God; and he was not; for God took him." Gen_5:24.
INTRODUCTION. -- This is one of the most fascinating and thrilling verses in the Bible. It sounds more like a song from a heavenly world than a plain statement of an historic fact regarding a humble inhabitant of this world of ours.
I. What is it to walk with God?
To walk with God means to live one's life in the consciousness of God's presence and in conscious communion with Him, to have the thought constantly before us, "God is beside me," and to be every now and then speaking to Him and, still more, listening for Him to speak to us. In a word, to walk with God is to live in the real, conscious companionship of God. Enoch walked with God not on a few rare occasions of spiritual exaltation, such perhaps as most of us have known, but for 300 consecutive years after the birth of Methuselah. Gen_6:22. It is possible for us to have the consciousness of the nearness and fellowship of God in our daily life, to talk with Him as we talk to an earthly friend -- yes, as we talk to no earthly friend -- and to have Him talk to us, to commune with Him {375} too in a silence that is far more meaningful than any words could be.
II. The Results of Walking with God.
1. Great joy, abounding joy. Psalms_6:11.
In one of the loneliest hours of His lonely life Jesus looked up and said, I am not alone because the Father is with me. Joh_16:32.
2. Abiding peace. Psa_16:8; Psa_16:11.
3. Spiritual enlightenment.
Communion with God rather than scholarship opens to us the mind and thoughts of God.
4. Purity of heart and life. Nothing is so cleansing as the consciousness of God's presence.
5. Beauty of character. We become like those with whom we habitually associate.
6. Eminent usefulness.
Enoch has wrought out immeasurably more good for man than Nebuchadnezzar, who built the marvelous structures of Babylon; than Augustus, who "found Rome brick and left it marble"; than the Egyptian monarchs, who built the pyramids.
7. We please God. Heb_11:5 RV. This is more than to be useful.
8. God's eternal companionship. "Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him."
III. How to Enter into a Walk with God.
1. First of all we must trust in the atoning blood of Christ. Heb_11:5, cf. Heb_11:4.
God is holy and we are sinners. Sin separates as a deep and impassable chasm between us and Him. There can be no walking with Him until sin is put away, and it is the blood that puts away sin. Heb_9:22.
2. If we would walk with God we must obey God. Joh_14:23 RV. {376}
3. If we would walk with God we must cultivate the thought of His presence. We must "practice the presence of God."
# THE BELIEVER'S DEAREST TREASURE
"Yea verily, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may gain Christ." Php_3:8 RV.
INTRODUCTION. -- It is evident from this text that the believer's Greatest Treasure is Christ Himself. To the true believer Christ is infinitely dearer than all else. He counts all things but refuse in comparison with Christ. But why is Christ the believer's Dearest Treasure?
I. Because of What He has Done for Us.
When we learn the meaning of Paul's words, "He loved me and gave himself for me," then we cannot help but cry with Paul, "I count all things," etc.
II. Because of What He has Brought to Us.
1. First of all, Christ has brought us pardon.
2. He has brought us peace.
3. He has brought us victory. He has brought us victory over sin.
4. He has brought us fruitfulness.
5. Eternal life. ETERNAL LIFE. _E_T_E_R_N_A_L_ _L_I_F_E_.
III. Because of What He Himself is.
Jesus Christ is vastly more than anything He has done or brought. If we must lose all and everything and could have Jesus He would satisfy every longing, and fill every crevice and corner of the heart. Do you know the most precious promise of this Book? Listen! "We shall see him as he is."
# CHRIST AND THE CHURCH
"Christ loved the church," etc. Eph_5:25-27.
I. Christ's Relation to the Church.
Christ's relation to the church is summed up in one word. He LOVED it. That love has manifested itself in the past in one {377} way. It is manifesting itself in the present in another way. It will manifest itself in the future in still another way.
1. Christ's love for the church in the past has manifested itself by His giving Himself for it.
2. The love of Christ is manifesting itself in the present in sanctifying it and cleansing it. In separating it from the world unto God, and in cleansing it from its sin. This He does by His Word. This sanctifying and cleansing by the Word is really effected by Christ Himself coming to dwell in us. So we may say that Christ manifested His love for us in the past in giving Himself FOR us, and He is manifesting His love to us in the present by giving Himself up TO us.
3. Christ's love has not completely manifested itself even yet. It has a future manifestation. This same epistle tells us that the great manifestation of His love lies in the future. That it is "in the ages to come" that God is to "show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." Eph_2:7. What is to be the future manifestation of Christ's love for the church? Read Ephesians_2:27 RV. He is going to take the church by the hand and present it to Himself as His own bride -- all glorious -- not having one single spot -- not having one smallest wrinkle -- not anything of that sort -- but holy, and without blemish. Oh, stand and contemplate the Bride of Christ as Christ Himself shall make her in the future manifestation of His love at His coming. "A GLORIOUS CHURCH."
# GRIEVING THE SPIRIT
"Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, in whom ye were sealed unto the day of redemption." Eph_4:30 RV.
I. Meaning of the Text.
1. These words bring out very clearly the personality of the Holy Spirit.
2. The words again bring out the love of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit's deep personal love for the children of God.
3. The words of the text bring out very forcibly the absolute holiness of the Spirit. {378} The Holy Spirit is grieved by our foolish and wicked words and deeds and thoughts, not merely because He loves us, but because He is holy, and abhors all that is unholy, and grieves when anything unholy touches those He loves.
II. To Whom does Paul Write these Words?
To Christian people, to saved saints. In our text itself he speaks of those to whom he writes as being "sealed unto the day of redemption." It is the child of God who grieves the Holy Spirit of God. He does not leave us when we grieve Him. It is not the Bible, but modern perversion of the Bible that speaks of the "grieving the Spirit AWAY." We are sealed by Him not for a day or a week or a year, but "unto the day of redemption."
# GRIEVING THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD
"Grieve not the holy Spirit of God." Eph_4:30.
INTRODUCTION. -- The fact that our wrong acts, words and thoughts cause such deep grief to our great friend and constant companion, the Holy Spirit, is a mighty motive for a life pure in word, deed and thought.
By just what sort of acts is the Holy Spirit grieved? The Apostle mentions some of them very definitely in the passage of which our text is the keynote.
I. First of all, lying is one of the things that grieves the Holy Spirit. Eph_4:25.
The Holy Spirit is "the spirit of truth," and He hates with immeasurable hatred all falsehoods --all lies-- black lies and white lies. It causes great grief to Him when a lie escapes the lips of a child of God. {379}
II. We grieve the Holy Spirit by uncontrolled anger. Eph_4:26.
III. The next thing that is mentioned as grieving the Holy Spirit is stealing. Eph_4:28.
Some of you think, That surely doesn't mean me. Are you quite sure about it? What does it mean to steal? To take something from another without giving him a just equivalent.
IV. The Holy Spirit is grieved by corrupt conversation. Eph_4:29.
"Corrupt speech" literally translated would read "rotten speech." But you will note that it is not enough to abstain from corrupt speech; we must speak "such as is good for edifying, as the need may be, that it may give grace to them that hear. " The Holy Spirit is grieved not only over our use of corrupt speech, but also over our neglect of good speech.
V. There is a whole class of actions, words and feelings that grieve the Holy Spirit.
You will find them in Eph_4:31.
1. Bitterness.
2. Wrath, sudden anger.
3. Anger, settled anger.
4. Clamor. That means the noisy assertion of our own rights and wrongs.
5. Evil speaking.
6. All malice. That is the root of all the rest of the evils mentioned.
In contrast with these actions that grieve the Holy Spirit cited in Eph_4:31, Eph_4:32 sets forth the attitude of heart and life toward one another that is well pleasing to Him. Unless we are thus "Kind, tender hearted," the Spirit is grieved.
CONCLUSION. -- Let me say in closing there is one way in which we may always be sure of pleasing Him, i.e., by surrendering to Him the absolute control of all our thoughts, words and acts, by being "filled with the Spirit" in every realm of our being and life. {380}
# GRIEVE NOT THE HOLY SPIRIT
"Grieve not the holy Spirit of God." Eph_4:30.
INTRODUCTION. -- These words should be so deeply engraved upon the heart of every child of God that they should never be forgotten. They are words that should ring in our ears day and night, in all our temptations to do unholy things; in our personal lives, in our home life, in our social life, in our business life, in our church life. Reflection upon these words will help us to solve many perplexing problems. Ought I to do this thing? many a Christian has often to ask. Always settle such questions in the light of the text, Will it grieve the Holy One of God, or will it delight the Holy Spirit of God if I do it?
I. Why not Grieve the Holy Spirit?
1. First of all we ought not to grieve the Holy Spirit out of consideration for Him.
The claims of the Holy Spirit upon each of us are infinitely greater than those of a mother. We should have a more tender consideration for Him than for her. Not only is He a being of wondrous dignity and glory, a Divine being, whose rights are supreme, but He is a being of wondrous, matchless tenderness and love. A mother's love is nothing to the love of the Spirit.
2. We ought not to grieve the Holy Spirit out of consideration for ourselves.
The results of grieving the Holy Spirit are very grievous to ourselves. What are they? The Holy Spirit cannot do His whole work when He is grieved. He is hindered from doing in us what He would do. For any measure of blessing and power in any direction we are absolutely dependent upon the Holy Spirit.
(a) If the Holy Spirit is grieved, our prayers will be hindered.
(b) The great secret of profitable Bible study is studying the Bible under the Holy Spirit as our teacher. If then the Holy Spirit is grieved, we lose something of our joy in Bible Study and almost all of our profit. {381}
(c) Again, true joy is the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Gal_5:22. If, then, the Spirit is grieved, our joy will be hindered. We may even lose altogether the joy of our salvation.
(d) Power in service is lost by grieving the Spirit. The warning of our text is a very important and very solemn one. How much depends upon our heeding it!
II. How We Grieve the Holy Spirit of God.
Anything that is unholy or wrong in deed or word or act grieves Him.
# BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT
"Be filled with the Spirit." Eph_5:18.
I. The Exact Meaning and Force of the Words.
1. Look at the word "filled." That is a big word, and it grows upon one as he looks at it. "Filled." "Be filled with the Spirit." How many of us can deliberately and honestly say, "I am FILLED with the Spirit"? "Filled." To be filled with the Spirit means to have the Spirit pervading with His holy and glorious presence every chamber and nook and corner of your being, controlling every purpose, every affection, every thought, every fancy, every action, every utterance.
2. The tense of the verb is the present, which indicates that the process of filling must be continuous and constant. It will give Paul's thought, to translate it, "Be continually getting filled." Yesterday's filling will not do for today. We must be like glasses that are kept full of water by being kept constantly under the ever-flowing fountain. And each new filling should be larger than the last.
3. Notice the word "with." Literally translated the passage would read, "be filled in the Spirit." The thought is that the sphere of the believer's life is "in the Spirit," and he must let this Holy Spirit in which he is and lives get into him and fill him. If we are believers in Christ we are "in the Spirit." He surrounds us and rests upon us with His glorious and holy presence, but He may not be in us yet in any {382} large measure. We may be half full still, or nearly full still with the muddy water of our own pleasures and notions and purposes and ambitions. Paul's thought is to let this water of life in which you float flow in and expel all else until the tumbler itself is full of that in which it floats.
II. The Obligation.
Having found the exact meaning of the words, let us look at the solemn obligation of obedience to them.
1. Paul's words are a command. They are in the imperative mood.
2. But there is a further obligation to be filled with the Spirit because if we are not filled we dishonor Jesus Christ. Every Christian who is not filled with the Spirit dishonors Jesus Christ.
3. Not being filled with the Holy Spirit is not merely a serious lack, it is a grievous sin.
It is a sin out of which many other sins spring. The only way to prevent the flesh bringing forth its awful brood of vices and sins is by being filled with the Spirit.
III. The Results of being Filled with the Spirit.
1. The first result would doubtless be new love. Gal_5:22.
2. The second result will be great joy. The fruit of the Spirit is first love, then joy. The Holy Spirit is "the oil of gladness." Get filled with the Spirit and you will be filled with gladness.
3. Other graces of character will follow. "Peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. Gal_5:22-23. A spirit-filled man will be a lovely man and a spirit-filled woman will be a lovely woman.
4. Thanksgiving. Gal_5:20.
5. Power in prayer. Eph_6:18.
6. Power in service. Act_1:8.
IV. How?
The truth is, the Holy Spirit is dwelling in each one of us {Christians} and wants to fill us if only we will let Him. Our chief business in the matter is to let go the hindrances. {383}
1. The first one is sin. The Spirit is holy. The Holy Spirit.
2. The second hindrance is pride.
3. The third hindrance is everything that is of self or of the flesh.
Having done this, having let go every sin, having let go all pride, having let go everything that is of self and the flesh, just look to the Holy Spirit to come in and fill every part of your being, to take complete possession of everything, of every thought and purpose and affection and plan and act, and word. Ask Him to do it, expect Him to do it. Wait patiently, quietly upon Him. That is all; He does all the rest.
# TRAVAIL FOR SOULS
"For as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children." Isa_66:8.