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THE VOICE OF GOD TO HIS CHURCH AND PEOPLE
PERHAPS there is not another expression in the whole Scriptures which occurs so frequently as this. Our blessed Lord, in the days of his flesh, used it very often at the close of his parables: and here, at the close of every one of the epistles to the seven Churches of Asia, did he repeat it. Surely this marks its peculiar importance: and, to impress it upon all your minds, I will,
I. Make some general observations arising out of it—
The first thing which strikes us, on reading these words, is, that there must be many who have no ear to hear the word of God—
[This is an awful truth. Whilst there are some who “will not endure sound doctrine,” there are multitudes who hear it without being at all affected with it. They even approve of it; but still never receive it truly into their hearts. On subjects connected with their temporal welfare they would feel an interest; but on these, which relate to eternity, they are unmoved: they are satisfied with hearing them; and when they have given them a respectful hearing, they think they have done their duty in relation to them: “they have ears, and hear not; they have eyes, and see not; they have hearts, but understand not:” and, during the course of a long life, they either gain but very little insight into the great mystery of the Gospel, or acknowledge it as a mere theory, without any practical effect upon their souls.]
The next thing which forces itself upon our notice is, that the things spoken to the primitive Churches, so far as we are in similar circumstances with them, demand precisely the same attention from us that they did from them—
[I will grant, that, so far as the Scriptures applied solely to the particular circumstances of this or that particular Church, so far they are applicable to us only in their general tendency, or under circumstances similar to theirs. But the great mass of the inspired volume related to men as sinners, who needed mercy from God, and were bound to devote themselves altogether to God: and, consequently, it is applicable to mankind in all places, and in all ages. Many, if a passage of Scripture be urged on their attention, will say, that it was proper for the apostolic age, but inapplicable to us at this time. But men’s duty to God is the same now as ever it was; and the way of acceptance with God is the same as ever: and therefore this objection is altogether futile, and unworthy of any serious notice. We are not to expect a new Revelation, suited to our circumstances: on the contrary, we are enjoined, at the peril of our souls, neither to add to, nor to take from, the Revelation already given: and the command given, that every one who has an ear should hear what the Spirit has said to the Churches, shews, that not only were Christians then living to pay attention to what was spoken to their own individual Church, but that Christians, at every period of the world, should hear and obey what was spoken to the Churches generally.]
The last thing which I shall mention, as offering itself to our notice from the words before us, is, that we can never hope to be benefited by the word we hear, unless we receive it as from God, and as dictated by inspiration from the Holy Spirit—
[It is “the Spirit of the living God that speaketh to the Churches:” and his authority must be regarded in every part of the written word, and in all that is delivered agreeably to it by those who minister in the name of God. The hearers of the Gospel are too apt to look at man; and to exalt Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, in their estimation, one above another, on account of some peculiarity in their ministrations; forgetting, that, “whoever plants or waters, it is God alone who gives the increase.” Provided it be really agreeable to the standard of truth, the word, by whomsoever delivered, should “be received, not as the word of man, but, as it is indeed, the word of God.” And if, in attending on the ordinances, this were habitually kept in view, there can be no doubt but that the lighting down of God’s arm would be more visible amongst us, and that the Holy Ghost would accompany it with far greater power to the souls of men.]
After these brief remarks, arising out of the words of my text, I will,
II. Draw your attention to one or two things in particular, that are contained in the foregoing epistles—
The epistles to the seven Churches contain a great variety of matter, applicable to the existing state of each. In that to Laodicea, there is unqualified reprehension; in those to Smyrna and Philadelphia, unqualified applause; in the others, a mixture both of praise and blame. To enter into the peculiarities of those epistles would be altogether foreign to my present purpose. It is my intention to notice only the things which are spoken indiscriminately to all: and these are two:
1. “I know thy works”—
[This “the Spirit spake” to every one of them, without exception: and therefore we may consider it as spoken to the Church of God in all ages. And a most solemn truth it is. Almighty God inspects the ways of every child of man. He knows what we do in our unregenerate state: he knows also what we do after we become followers of the Lord Jesus. He discerns infallibly the precise quality of all our actions; how far they accord with the written word; from what principles they flow; for what ends they are performed. He discerns also the measure of them, how far they correspond with the professions we make, the obligations we acknowledge, the advantages we enjoy. He sees every thing which enters into the composition of them; how much of what is pure, and how much of what is selfish and impure. In a word, he “weigheth,” not our actions only, but “our spirits;” and according to his estimate of them will he judge us in the last day. He will not form his judgment, in any respect, from the esteem in which we are held by our fellow-men, or from the opinion which we have formed of ourselves: he will weigh us in the unerring balance of his sanctuary, and will “judge righteous judgment” respecting every individual of mankind.]
2. “To him that overcometh will I give”—
[This also is repeated to every Church. And it is of infinite importance to every child of man. Every saint has a conflict to maintain, against the world, the flesh, and the devil: and he must not only fight a good fight against them, but must continue to do so, even to the end. As, in a race, it is not he who “runs well for a season,” but he who finishes his course well, that wins the prize; so it is not he who wars a good warfare for a time, but he who endures to the end, that will be crowned with victory. There is to be no enemy to which we are to yield; nor any period when we are at liberty to take our ease. We are never to be weary of well-doing, never to sink under any discouragement, never to turn our back even for a moment. We must act as good soldiers of Jesus Christ, and fight under his banner to the latest hour of our lives: and then may we be assured that victory, yea, and the rewards of victory too, shall be ours. “To him that overcometh,” saith our Lord, “will I give to sit down with me upon my throne; even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father upon his throne.”]
That these hints may produce their proper effect, I will,
III. Point out the special ends to be answered by bringing them to your remembrance—
Certainly I would wish them to be improved,
1. For your humiliation—
[I will suppose, that, like the members of all the different Churches, you profess to be faithful followers of Christ. I will also suppose that, in a good measure, you adorn your holy profession. Yet, when you remember what the heart-searching God has said, “I know thy works;” which of you has not reason to hang down his head with shame and confusion of face? If it were but a man, who had been privy to all the workings of our hearts since first we professed to serve God, we should not feel altogether easy in his presence: for though, by reason of his own imperfections, we might expect some allowances to be made in our behalf, yet the consciousness of what we were in his eyes would humble us even in our own, and would tend greatly to stop our mouths before him. Should we not, then, put our hands on our mouths, and our mouths in the dust, before God, under the consciousness of our extreme unworthiness in his sight? Let us individually apply to ourselves that solemn admonition, “I know thy works.” It is addressed to us individually, as much as if we were the only individual upon earth: and God has noticed us as particularly as if there had been no other person in the universe for him to notice. I pray you, brethren, bear this in mind; and learn to walk softly before God, all the days of your life.]
2. For your warning—
[When it is said, “To him that overcometh, will I give,” it is evidently implied, that on this description of persons exclusively will any reward be conferred. Should not this, then, operate as a solemn warning to us? When any temptation presents itself to our minds, should we not consider, what will be the effect, the ultimate and everlasting effect, of our compliance with it? Should we not balance against each other, the gratifications of sense against the joys of heaven, the sufferings of sense against the pains of hell, the transitoriness of time against the duration of eternity? When persons, calling themselves our friends, would dissuade us from an entire surrender of ourselves to God, should we not bethink ourselves what they can do for us hereafter, or what recompence they can make us for the loss of heaven? Let this, then, operate on our minds, with all the weight that it deserves; and let us never forget the admonition given here to every child of man, “To him that overcometh, and to him exclusively, will I give any portion in the realms of bliss.”]
3. For your encouragement—
[See the rewards held forth to all the different Churches; and then say, whether you want encouragement to persevere? And remember who it is that says, “I will give.” It is no other than the Lord Jesus Christ, the Judge of quick and dead. The world, it is true, makes promises also: but what can it give? If it could give you kingdoms, they were but a poor possession, which you must relinquish in a little time. And as for the mere gratifications of sense, your past experience will tell you how empty and vanishing they are. But, when Almighty God promises to you the glory and blessedness of heaven, that may well allure you; for that shall live for ever; and you shall live for ever to enjoy it. “Have respect then, my brethren, even as Moses had, to the recompence of the reward,” and “hold fast the rejoicing of your hope steadfast unto the end:” and doubt not but that, in due season, there shall be given you “a crown of righteousness and glory that fadeth not away.”]