V. The powerful arguments against it. "The Lord" is our glorious and lawful Sovereign, who sees and hears all things. He is a holy and jealous God, before whose bar we must appear. He is fully able to punish, and has assured us that He will (2 Kings xix. 22, 28; Isa. xxxvii. 23, 36-38; Ezek. xx. 27, 33, xxxv. 12-14).-Alfred Tucker. Blasphemy. I. Its nature. II. Its guilt. III. Its awful prevalence. IV. Its certain punishment.-J. Lyth, D.D. THE GOSPEL AND ITS PUBLISHERS. Whatever reference this passage might have to the deliverance of the people of God from the Chaldean bondage, it refers also and chiefly to the great and glorious Gospel of Christ (Rom. x. 13). It is in this application of it that it is now interesting and important. I. A DELIGHTFUL REPRESENTATION OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST. 1. The Gospel is represented as "good tidings." This is literally the meaning of the word gospel. These good tidings centre in one glorious fact the provision of a Saviour for a guilty world. Everything else is based on this fact. Everything connected with the gift of the Saviour forms matter for joy the supreme dignity of His person, the completeness of His work, the glory of His doctrine, the efficacy of His death, and the exhaustless fulness of His blessings. 2. It publishes peace. Man united with the fallen apostate spirits in rebellion against God, &c. 3. It brings tidings of good. Not only is God at peace with the sinner, but He waits to bless him with all good. There is (1.) acceptance into God's favour. (2.) Divine adoption. (3.) The influences of the Spirit to illume, convince, guide, solace, meeten for heaven. (4.) The precious promises of the new covenant. 4. The Gospel publishes salvation. A salvation meeting the needs of the sinner. 5. The Gospel declares the reign of Jesus (Ps. ii. 6, 7, &c.) II. AN INTERESTING DESCRIPTION OF THE MODE OF ITS PUBLICATION. 1. The messengers appointed to de clare it. Jesus Himself went forth preaching the good tidings of His kingdom. Now the messengers are men, not angels. Men who have been called and qualified-sent of God. Men who have known and felt the power of the truths themselves. 2. The publication of this Gospel is to be free and extensive. They are to go forth prominently; to ascend the mountain tops, and there, before God, and angels, and men, they are to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ. The message of grace is to be published throughout the world, and to every creature. 3. The publication of the Gospel is to be a source of joy and delight to perishing souls. By some it will be ridiculed. By others spurned. By others coolly and indifferently heard. But to thousands it shall be spirit and life, solace and bliss. The APPLICATION : 1. The subject should excite admiration and praise. earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. But here is matchless loveunparalleled grace. 2. Have we experienced the saving power of the Gospel? Is it our boast, and joy, and song? 3. The infatuation of the rejectors of the good news (Heb. ii. 3; 1 Pet. iv. 17). 4. The duty of the Church to diffuse the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Its prayers, energies, and means, should all bear to this one great end, &c.-The New Pulpit Assistant, pp. 318-322. I. The varied characteristics of the "good tidings" of Christianity-they are peace, salvation, the reign of God. II. The great function of the minister of the Gospel-is to bring these good tidings. III. The character in which he appears-" How beautiful," &c.; i.e., how welcome they should be to us !-John Cumming, D.D.: Occasional Discourses, vol. i. p. 336. THE MINISTRY OF THE GOSPEL. lii. 7. How beautiful upon the mountains, &c. This exclamation would strike those who first read it more impressively than it strikes us. They would see the runner coming over the distant hills, bearing welcome news. They would hear the loud cry from the watchmen on the walls. They would see the people crowd to the gate to hear. The primary reference of the text is to the news of the restoration of the Jews to Jerusalem, and of the restoration of the ruined city. But there is a secondary reference to gospel times. It is thus applied by the apostle (Rom. x. 15). We may thus apply it. I. The ministry of the Gospel exists for the announcement of valuable intelligence. It brings good tidings. It is not a ministration of condemnation, but of salvation (2 Cor. iii.) It tells such things as these, 1. That satisfaction has been made for human sin. Man is sinful, guilty. The Lord Jesus Christ, by His death on the cross, has atoned for sin. Thus, in announcing this, the ministry of the gospel is "the ministry of reconciliation." 2. That on the ground of that atonement salvation may be obtained by all that desire it. The dark angel of sin and sorrow has not left the world. But there is pardon for the sinner, holiness for the depraved, comfort for the distressed, which will develop into heaven at last. It may be obtained by faith in Christ. The time when the gospel is preached is the tide of opportunity. 66 3. That thus the Divine dominion over man is re-asserted and re-established. Thy God reigneth." He reigns through the bestowment of salvation. Jesus has been exalted to reign in His people's hearts, in the Church, in the world. II. The ministry of the Gospel is a great and important office. The bearer of this intelligence, primarily referred to in our text, acquired importance both from his mission and his qualifications. He would require speed, interest in the message, fidelity. Thus the ministry is important. Remember, 1. The end at which it aims. The message, the sermon, is not the end but the means. It aims at the salvation of souls. Nothing less will content the true preacher than conversion, spiritual growth. 2. The means which it employs. The message itself. Attract attention to it by legitimate, not fantastic means. While the message cannot be changed, let it be presented in varied forms, to the young, to the aged, in public, in private. 3. The qualifications which it demands. Intelligent acquaintance with the mes sage; a living personal interest in it; thoughtful carefulness as to the methods by which it may be made most interesting and acceptable; diligent and sedulous use of opportunities; earnest sympathy with Christ and immortal souls. III. The ministry of the Gospel should be regarded with suitable respect and honour. The office, because of its nature; the man, on the supposition that he deserves it. The office cannot entitle the man to respect if he is not worthy of it. Qualification is the only title to office, and the only claim to respect in it. This being supposed, the prominent idea of the text is the man. This honour will comprise, 1. Welcome. The Galatians welcomed Paul. Jesus said, "Blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear." Welcome the ministry of the word by regular and constant attendance; by candid and respectful hearing, as distinguished from indifference, and from unkindly criticism; and by a kindly reception at the home. 2. Love. Cherish affection to the minister for his work's sake. Let him see it in the manner which reveals and perpetuates kindness. Sometimes commend his work. 3. Maintenance (1 Cor. ix.; Gal. vi. 6-8). Now what is maintenance? It is determined largely by position in society. If there is narrow-mindedness in relation to the minister's means of obtaining books, and unholding his influence in the locality where his lot is cast, the church suffers. 4. Co operation. The primitive churches were active in many ministries. Every member of the church should do something for Christ. The work of extending the gospel is not the minister's business exclusively. The church should be a centre from which every one is working. 5. Prayer. This was the apostle's request (Ephes. vi. 19; 2 Thess. iii. 1). The work of the ministry is spiritual, and it requires spiritual influences. It needs the power of the Holy Ghost. Do you pray for it by praying for Him? What is the practical effect of the preacher's work in those that receive the truth? Is it not that you bring forth fruits of holiness? See that such fruit is borne. Then you will in your turn proclaim the gospel to others, if not in words, by the influence of your lives (H. E. I. 2622, 2623). But have you received the truth which has been heralded to you? Some of you are, perhaps, not yet saved. The preacher seeks your salvation. Oh, let this be his joy; not for his sake but for your own. Life is passing on. And the gospel alone can save.-J. Rawlinson. I. A representation of a true minister of Christ. A messenger. 1. He receives his commission from God. 2. He is intrusted by Him. 3. He is qualified for his particular work. II. The subject of his message. "Good tidings." 1. Peace. 2. Salvation from spiritual evil, and an introduction to spiritual good. 3. Dominion of Christ. He reigns in His providential and mediatorial kingdom. III. The dispositions with which he is received. 1. With joy. 2. With admiration. Improvement. 1. Gratitude for the gospel. 2. Attention to its tidings. 3. Obedience to its precepts.-J. Hordle. THE GREAT REVIVAL. lii. 10. The Lord hath made bare His holy arm, &c. When the heroes of old prepared for the fight, they put on their armour; but when God prepares for battle, He makes bare His arm, that He may do His work in earnest and accomplish His purpose for the establishment of His Church. Leaving the figure, which is a very great one, I will remind you that its meaning is fully carried out whenever God is pleased to send a great revival of religion. (a) I. THE CAUSE OF A TRUE REVIVAL. The mere worldly man does not understand a revival, he cannot make it out. Why is it, that a sudden fit of godliness, as he would call it, a kind of sacred epidemic, should seize upon a mass of people all at once? It frequently occurs in the absence of all great evangelists; it cannot be traced to any particular means. There have been no special agencies used in order to bring it about, and yet it has come, just like a heavenly hurricane sweeping everything before it. What then is the cause? It is caused by the Holy Spirit alone. The day of Pentecost. Do not imagine when you hear of a sermon being made useful, that it was the sermon itself that did the work. But while this is the only actual cause, yet there are instrumental causes; and the main instrumental cause of a great revival must be bold, faithful, fearless preaching of the truth as it is in Jesus. But, added to this, there must be the earnest prayers of the Church. All in vain the most indefatigable ministry, unless the Church waters the seed sown with her abundant tears. Every revival has been commenced and attended by a large amount of prayer. II. THE CONSEQUENCES OF A REVIVAL OF RELIGION. 1. Everything that our hearts could desire for the Church. The minister begins to be warmed. Directly after that, the revival begins to touch the people at large. A prayer meeting is summoned. The members of the Church grow solemn, more serious; family duties are better attended to, &c. And then comes the great result. There is an inquirers' meeting held; the good brother who presides over it is astonished, he never saw so many coming in his life before. 2. The reviyal of the Church then touches the rest of society. Men, who do not come forward and profess religion, are more punctual in attending the means of grace. Men that used to swear give it up, &c. III. SOME CAUTIONS. 1. If in any revival you see any strange contortions of the body, &c., always distinguish between things that differ. The Holy Spirit's work is with the mind, not with the body. 2. Always distinguish between man and man in the work of revival. While during a revival of religion a very large num ber of people will be really converted, there will be a very considerable portion who will be merely excited with animal excitement, and whose conversion will not be genuine. Always expect that, and do not be surprised if you see it. 3. Do not relax the bonds of discipline. CONCLUSION.-Stir you up to seek of God a great revival of religion throughout the length and breadth of this land. There are some of you who stand in the way-you are not consistent in your living; others that stand in the way of all progress; others are such sticklers for order, so given to everything that has been, that you do not care for any revival for fear we should hurt you. You who love Jesus with all your heart, and want to promote it, remember that men are dying around you by thousands. Did Christ give His whole life for their salvation, and will not you stir up your life to wrestle with God that His purpose may be accomplished on their behalf? As for you that fear not God, see how much ado we are making about you. Your souls are worth more than you think. Oh that you would believe in Christ to the salvation of your souls! -C. H. Spurgeon: Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, No. 185. (a) The loose sleeve of the Arab shirt, as well as that of the outer garment, leaves the arm so completely free, that, in an instant, the left hand passing up the right arm, makes it bare; and this is done when a person-a soldier, for example, about to strike with the sword-intends to give his right arm full play. The image represents Jehovah as suddenly prepared to inflict some tremendous, yet righte ous judgment, so effectual, that "all the ends of the world shall see the salvation of God."— Jowett. THE SALVATION OF GOD UNIVERSALLY SEEN. (Missionary Sermon.) lii. 10. And all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. I. THE SALVATION WHICH IS TO BE REVEALED TO MANKIND. 1. Its nature: "the salvation of God." There is no doubt a primary reference to the delivery of the Jews from captivity; but its main and ultimate reference is to the salvation of men by Christ, for in the verses which immediately follow our text, as also in the next chapter, we have a picture of the humiliation of the Saviour, and of its effects on mankind (see also Luke iii. 3-6). It is salvation from the curse of a violated law, and from the bondage of sin; and it comprehends admission into heaven at death, the resurrection of the body in glory, and its reunion with the spirit for ever. Such being the nature and vastness of this salvation, it surpasses the limits of human or angelic agency. necessarily the salvation of God.Contemplate, then, 2. Its divinity. It is the product of His infinite wisdom, His almighty power, His unchanging faithfulness, His boundless love. It is II. ITS UNIVERSAL MANIFESTATION. 1. It was seen by "all the ends of the earth," in the ministry and triumphs of the early ages. Whilst the comparative cessation of its early triumphs may be traced to the faithlessness of the Church, we may be assured that they have never been extinct. Throughout the darkest periods of the Church there were some who preached the good tidings. In every age the salvation of God has been seen, and its victories have probably been achieved to a far greater extent than has been known or recorded. 2. In the future the prediction of our text shall be yet more gloriously fulfilled. (1.) The Gospel shall be preached in every land. (2.) The salvation thus exhibited shall be everywhere triumphant. The reign of superstition and sin shall be brought to an end (H. E. I. 979, 1161– 1168). 3. 1. How much we owe to our Saviour for the provision of this salvation! 2. Ought it not to be our earnest desire to see this salvation for ourselves? Ought we not to rejoice in prospect of the period when the prediction of our text shall be fulfilled? 4. Let us labour to accelerate the arrival of this period.-John Johnson, M.A.: Sermons, vol. i. pp. 389-418. A DIVINE CALL TO FORSAKE THE WORLDLY LIFE. The prophet directly addresses those who were in exile in Babylon, and commands them to "depart" from it, when the opportunity, divinely promised, should occur. The urgency of the command, as indicated by its repetition, implies that there would be some delay on their part. Notwithstanding their early privations and sorrows, many of them seemed to prefer residence there, and were strongly indisposed to return. They knew the land of their fathers only by report. It was distant, involving a long and perilous journey across a pathless desert. Babylon was their native place, as well as their home, and the graves of their parents and kindred were there. Some of them had been advanced to official and illustrious positions, and many had property and friends there. Probably many of them had formed improper connections and attachments in that distant land, and they would be unwilling to relinquish them, to encounter the perils and trials incident to a return to the land of their fathers. Hence, the most urgent commands were addressed to them, and the strongest motives presented to induce them to leave the country of their exile. And after all, it is evident that but comparatively few of them were prevailed on to return to Zion. Apply this generally. I. God calls men to forsake the worldly life. "Depart ye, go ye out of the midst of her," &c. Many who attend our sanctuaries are "men of the world"-careless and indifferent about the claims of God and their immortal souls. Hardened by sin, and overcome by the world, they are deaf to entreaty and disobedient to warning, &c. The great majority of our fellow-countrymen "love the world and the things of the world "manifest a stolid indifference to spiritual religion. This is the most painful aspect of our times. But God's call to men is-1. Urgent. 2. Repeated. 3. Disinterested. |