That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ.
The purpose of redemption
I. That the blessing of abraham might come upon the gentiles.
1. Whence comes this blessing? From the cursed death of Christ.
2. Where is it to be found? In Christ Jesus, who is
(1) the storehouse of God’s blessing;
(2) the dispenser thereof to all nations.
II. That we might receive the promise of the spirit through faith.
1. What is meant by the promise? (see Isa_44:3; Joe_2:28).
2. For what end do we receive the Spirit?
(1) For illumination (1Jn_2:27; 1Co_2:13).
(2) Regeneration, whereby the image of God is restored to us (Joh_3:5).
(3) For the government of our counsels, will, affections, actions (Isa_11:1; Rom_8:14).
(4) For union with Christ (1Co_6:17).
(5) For consolation (Rom_8:16).
(6) For the confirmation of our faith in every good duty (2Co_1:22). (W. Perkins)
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The blessing of Abraham
I. The receivers of God’s blessing receive it not for themselves alone.
II. One is most blessed in being made a blessing to others. (J. Parker,D. D.)
The meek, the just, the pious, the devout souls are everywhere and in all ages of one religion; and when death hath taken off the mask they know one another, though the liveries they wear here make them strangers. (William Penn.)
Perpetuated blessings
It has been asked why the goodness of one man should extend to, and be rewarded in, successive generations, covering the remotest ages and reaching to the close of our present economy? But is it not a fact that in the world of providence the very same thing occurs? Has not, e.g., such a character as Howard left a mark upon the world that cannot beobliterated, and bequeathed influences that live long after he has gone up higher? Have not the victories of Wallington, secured at a dread price, left us years of prosperity and peace? Do not millions shine in the light, and are not thousands of hearts warmed by the fires, that were kindled by Luther, Ridley, Cranmer, Knox, Calvin, and others? And if you find this to be a fact in the world, you should not object to its being declared the law of God’s administration of the world. The discovery of printing, steam, the telegraph, are also illustrations all tending to show that beneficent discoveries made by fathers break in benedictions upon their children. (J. Cumming,D. D.)
The value and power of faith
Faith is the only sure and infallable good, the solace of life, the fulfilment of worthy hopes, barren of evil and fertile in good, the repudiation of the powers of evil, the confession of piety, the inheritance of happiness, the entire amelioration of the soul which leans for support on Him who is the cause of all things and willeth to do those things which are excellent. In the possession of this Abraham was thrice blessed indeed. (Philo.)
Blessing through Christ’s sufferings
When the prairie grass catches fire and the wind is strong and the flames hasten onward twenty feet high, what do the frontier men do when they see them coming? Knowing that they cannot outrun them--the fleetest horse cannot do that--“they just take a match,” says Mr. Moody, “and light the grass around them, and let thefire sweep it, and then they get into the burnt district and stand safe. They hear the flames roar; they see death coming towards them; but they do not tremble, because the fire has passed over the place where they are and there is no danger; there is nothing for the fire to burn. There is one mountain peak that the wrath of God has swept: that is Mount Calvary, and that fire spent its fury upon the bosom of the Son of God. Take your stand here by the Cross, and you will be safe for time and for eternity.”
