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v04200
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1994-03-02
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04205
#12-19 God's providence leaves room for the use of our prudence,
though he has undertaken to perform and perfect what he has
begun. These Christians continued in prayer for Peter, for they
were truly in earnest. Thus men ought always to pray, and not to
faint. As long as we are kept waiting for a mercy, we must
continue praying for it. But sometimes that which we most
earnestly wish for, we are most backward to believe. The
Christian law of self-denial and of suffering for Christ, has
not done away the natural law of caring for our own safety by
lawful means. In times of public danger, all believers have God
for their hiding-place; which is so secret, that the world
cannot find them. Also, the instruments of persecution are
themselves exposed to danger; the wrath of God hangs over all
that engage in this hateful work. And the range of persecutors
often vents itself on all in its way.
04213
#20-25 Many heathen princes claimed and received Divine honours,
but it was far more horrible impiety in Herod, who knew the word
and worship of the living God, to accept such idolatrous honours
without rebuking the blasphemy. And such men as Herod, when
puffed with pride and vanity, are ripening fast for signal
vengeance. God is very jealous for his own honour, and will be
glorified upon those whom he is not glorified by. See what vile
bodies we carry about with us; they have in them the seeds of
their own dissolution, by which they will soon be destroyed,
whenever God does but speak the word. We may learn wisdom from
the people of Tyre and Sidon, for we have offended the Lord with
our sins. We depend on him for life, and breath, and all things;
it surely then behooves us to humble ourselves before him, that
through the appointed Mediator, who is ever ready to befriend
us, we may be reconciled to him, lest wrath come upon us to the
utmost.
04219
* The mission of Paul and Barnabas. (1-3) Elymas the sorcerer.
(4-13) Paul's discourse at Antioch. (14-41) He preaches to the
Gentiles, and is persecuted by the Jews. (42-52)
#1-3 What an assemblage was here! In these names we see that the
Lord raises up instruments for his work, from various places and
stations in life; and zeal for his glory induces men to give up
flattering connections and prospects to promote his cause. It is
by the Spirit of Christ that his ministers are made both able
and willing for his service, and taken from other cares that
would hinder in it. Christ's ministers are to be employed in
Christ's work, and, under the Spirit's guidance, to act for the
glory of God the Father. They are separated to take pains, and
not to take state. A blessing upon Barnabas and Saul in their
present undertaking was sought for, and that they might be
filled with the Holy Ghost in their work. Whatever means are
used, or rules observed, the Holy Ghost alone can fit ministers
for their important work, and call them to it.
04222
#4-13 Satan is in a special manner busy with great men and men
in power, to keep them from being religious, for their example
will influence many. Saul is here for the first time called
Paul, and never after Saul. Saul was his name as he was a
Hebrew; Paul was his name as he was a citizen of Rome. Under the
direct influence of the Holy Ghost, he gave Elymas his true
character, but not in passion. A fulness of deceit and mischief
together, make a man indeed a child of the devil. And those who
are enemies to the doctrine of Jesus, are enemies to all
righteousness; for in it all righteousness is fulfilled. The
ways of the Lord Jesus are the only right ways to heaven and
happiness. There are many who not only wander from these ways
themselves, but set others against these ways. They commonly are
so hardened, that they will not cease to do evil. The proconsul
was astonished at the force of the doctrine upon his own heart
and conscience, and at the power of God by which it was
confirmed. The doctrine of Christ astonishes; and the more we
know of it, the more reason we shall see to wonder at it. Those
who put their hand to the plough and look back, are not fit for
the kingdom of God. Those who are not prepared to face
opposition, and to endure hardship, are not fitted for the work
of the ministry.
04232
#14-31 When we come together to worship God, we must do it, not
only by prayer and praise, but by the reading and hearing of the
word of God. The bare reading of the Scriptures in public
assemblies is not enough; they should be expounded, and the
people exhorted out of them. This is helping people in doing
that which is necessary to make the word profitable, to apply it
to themselves. Every thing is touched upon in this sermon, which
might best prevail with Jews to receive and embrace Christ as
the promised Messiah. And every view, however short or faint, of
the Lord's dealings with his church, reminds us of his mercy and
long-suffering, and of man's ingratitude and perverseness. Paul
passes from David to the Son of David, and shows that this Jesus
is his promised Seed; a Saviour to do that for them, which the
judges of old could not do, to save them from their sins, their
worst enemies. When the apostles preached Christ as the Saviour,
they were so far from concealing his death, that they always
preached Christ crucified. Our complete separation from sin, is
represented by our being buried with Christ. But he rose again
from the dead, and saw no corruption: this was the great truth
to be preached.