Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc03/v04200

Text File | 1994-03-02 | 6KB | 100 lines

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.