The Finney Sermon Collection, Vol 1-3 - MEDIA SABDA

It is one thing to hold this in theory, and another thing to be heartily sensible of the humbling fact. To be poor in spirit implies a right sense of the fact that we are shut up to faith in Christ as the only possible way of obtaining help in our helpless condition.

Such seasons as these very commonly precede and are the prelude to great spiritual enlargement. Where you witness great spiritual enlargement,

These seasons of spiritual poverty are indispensable to holding on to Christ. See a young convert — young converts know little of themselves

He prayed for the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, and he verily expected some beatific sight. He is stumbling, and sliding, and floundering, and plunging headlong into the mire, till his own clothes abhor him, and he is brought to cry — “Lord, O Lord, have mercy on me!” He expected — O what a fairy land.

THE EYES OPENED TO THE LAW OF GOD

IN WHAT SENSE THE TERM LAW IS USED IN THE TEXT

THE MEANING OF THE REQUEST — “OPEN THOU MINE EYES.”

WHAT IS IMPLIED IN MAKING THE REQUEST

THE CONSEQUENCES OF RECEIVING AN ANSWER TO THE REQUEST

THE CONDITION OF AN ANSWER TO THE REQUEST

WHAT SENSE THE TERM LAW IS USED IN THE TEXT

THE MEANING OF THE REQUEST

OPEN THOU MINE EYES.”

It does not mean create new eyes for me. Nor,
Does the Psalmist pray for any physical operation as removing a cataract, or taking away a film from the surface of the eye; for it is not the
WHAT IS IMPLIED IN THE REQUEST

It is implied that we possess the faculties requisite for the perception of spiritual objects. The Psalmist prays for no change or new creation, and
That our spiritual eyes are useless without light — that they are of no avail till God opens them, or till He supplies the light by which alone we
That the Psalmist knew very well that there were wonderful things concealed from his spiritual eye in the absence of spiritual light. He knew
It is implied that we need to know the wonderful things which are spoken of. It is not to be supposed that the Psalmist wished to gratify a
It is implied that none but God can open our eyes. The Psalmist knew that a mere knowledge of language, of grammar and philology could avail

THE CONSEQUENCES OF HAVING OUR EYES OPENED IN THE SENSE OF THE TEXT

Ourselves will be revealed. We shall see our own portrait drawn in a manner that will convince us instantly that the pencil of the Omniscient
Persons will be astonished at their former ignorance of the Bible when God opens their eyes. They will see so much that is new where they
Those whose eyes are opened will see a great multitude of things in the Bible which others do not see, and which they will not believe are there,
Such will almost certainly be persecuted. Why was Paul persecuted?
The illumination of the Spirit will make us cease from man. We shall cease to expect any such instruction from human lips as shall suffice to
In proportion to the light we enjoy, we shall find ourselves dwelling in the spiritual instead of the natural world. Let a man see as with open

It will be as if you had been sitting in the blaze of the Omniscient eye. And this occurs when the light of the Spirit shines broadly and fully on the mind.

HARDNESS OF HEART

THE INFLUENCE OF HARDNESS OF HEART ON THE STATES OF THE INTELLIGENCE AND SENSIBILITY, OR

WHAT IS HARDNESS OF HEART?

THE INFLUENCE OF HARDNESS OF HEART UPON THE SENSIBILITY AND

AND FEELINGS OF MEN

14th verse, we have another striking instance of the effect of hardness of heart upon the perception of truth. What must have been the state of their hearts. instance of the influence of hardness of heart upon the perception of truth.

REMARKS

Persons often attribute the blame of their wrong doing to other things and other persons besides themselves. For instance, you will hear them
When a person believes a lie, and gives himself up to its influence, however sincere may be his belief, yet he is without excuse; for he creates
It is only when the judgments or opinions are formed in a right state of heart, that a person is justified in acting in conformity to them. Many
Men are the more apt to settle down and be confident in their wrong opinions and actions, in proportion to the hardness of their hearts
We often find the greatest confidence where there is the most delusion
Persons often wax more confident in the belief of a lie, in proportion as the evidence of their error thickens around them. This was the case with
We see why confession always accompanies a true revival. When persons have become really converted, and their hearts have become
No one can be truly revived or converted, without feeling the spirit of confession. The heart is not really softened if the person is not willing to
The manner of confessing often indicates the state of the heart. How often in my ministry have I wanted to say to people, whom I have heard
People are often mistaken as to the real sources of difficulty in
It becomes each one to inquire for himself — “Is not my heart hard?”

We have a striking illustration of this truth in the case of the persecutors of Christ. At last the morning of the day arrived, and it was evident that he was just on the eve of death.

FEARING THE LORD AND WALKING IN DARKNESS

WHAT THE DARKNESS SPOKEN OF IN THE TEXT IS
WHAT SORT OF FEAR IS HERE MEANT, “WHO FEARETH THE LORD, ETC.”
WHAT IS INTENDED BY THE EXHORTATION “LET HIM TRUST IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, AND STAY UPON
WHY PERSONS UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN THE TEXT, SHOULD TRUST IN THE NAME OF THE LORD,
WHAT DARKNESS IS HERE MEANT

Not the darkness of nature, or of an unconverted state. This is evident from the fact that it is in the text itself spoken of as being consistent with
Nor is it the darkness of a state in which the soul is under condemnation and guilt, for the same reason as before. The Prophet describes the state as
The darkness in the text does result from the absence of special divine manifestations to the soul. An illustration of the condition described by

WHAT THE “FEAR” OF THE TEXT IS
WHAT IS IMPLIED IN THE EXHORTATION —

An illustration of the condition described by the prophet may be found in the circumstances of Job, (<182308> . 23:8 and onward). This apprehension by our minds of the withholding of the special divine manifestation, the absence of divine presence, while we still hold fast to our integrity, is the darkness of the text.

LET HIM TRUST IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, AND STAY UPON HIS GOD.”

A confidence in the goodness of God, in the goodness of His character

It is an exhortation to lay hold of the promises, to lay hold of all that is said in the Bible, of His moral character, in application to all cases wherein His conduct is to us unexplained or inexplicable, and to rest assured that in respect to what He does to us in particular, He is good and wise and that even the darkness in which we are left, is among the ‘all things’ that work together for our own good. In all that God does, we are to believe that He does it for our good, as He says He does, to feel that what God does is well done, and in all places, even in the midst of the deepest darkness, to repose the soul in unwavering faith in the glorious perfection of His wisdom and power and love.

WHY WE SHOULD THUS TRUST IN THE LORD

If you lose your confidence in the goodness and the holiness of God, your obedience is no longer the obedience of love. An exhortation to confide in the wisdom of God — not only in Hisbenevolence and truthfulness, but in His wisdom also.

WHY WE SHOULD ACQUIESCE IN ALL GOD’S DEALINGS, AND BELIEVE THAT ALL IS FOR THE

Such a trustful spirit will sustain his soul in his obedience, and preserve that love without which obedience is no obedience. While we search in vain, and fail to find God — when He hides his way in a great deep, we are to trust His wisdom and love, and expect Him to bring us forth at length into the light.

BEST

We should trust thus in darkness, because such confidence is highly honorable to God, more honorable to God than faith in other
Unbelief in such circumstances is highly dishonorable to God, and therefore persons when in darkness should trust in the Lord, and stay
Faith in such circumstances is the condition of subsequent divine manifestation. If you will read the Bible through with your eye on this
Such faith will procure all needed divine manifestation, all the light will be thrown upon God’s dealings with us, that it is well, and best for us to
It is often better for our health both spiritual and bodily, to be left to exercise faith in darkness, than to have copious manifestations for a
Sometimes a very great darkness, comes over the soul, and this immediately before a great divine manifestation
It is a common but great mistake to suppose that great faith is
Many think the darkness spoken of by John, to be all the darkness there is, that all darkness is that of unbelief, and they understand John to say, If
They are mistaken who promise instant light upon the exercise of faith
The text contains the direction that should be given to persons in such cases. “Who is among you that feareth the Lord and obeyeth the voice of
Many confound faith with divine manifestation and think there is no faith without it. They think they have great faith when the candle of the
The life of faith in opposition to a life of excitement in manifestations is a calm and steady life, and greatly desirable
He is the best Christian who can trust the most perfectly in God, in the greatest outward discouragements, and inward withdrawings of God’s
Manifestations do much to develop the sensibility, and draw out the emotions, and soften and melt the soul, and they do much good if sought
Many persons seem unwilling to let God take any other course than to reveal His way continually; they envy those who do thus walk in the light,
Do not confound apathy and backsliding with that state of mind that trusts God in darkness. They are as much opposites as two states can be

He is in the state of the highest virtue, that which is most acceptable to God. I see a man in the light of God’s face — the way of God all visible to him, and.

CHRISTIAN WITNESSES FOR GOD

WHAT IS IMPLIED IN AN APPEAL TO WITNESS
WHAT IS ESSENTIAL TO THE COMPETENCY OF A WITNESS
STATE SOME THINGS THAT AFFECT HIS CREDIBILITY
GOD’S CAUSE MUST DEPEND UPON THE FAITHFULNESS OF HIS WITNESSES
THE CONDITIONS WHICH MAKE TESTIMONY FOR GOD AVAILABLE

That there is some question at issue, which can be settled by an examination of facts
That the parties, or one of them, will have an appeal to the facts in the case, to settle the question at issue
It implies an appeal to certain persons to establish the facts, as the vouchers thereof. The parties agree to appeal to persons to determine the

WHAT IS ESSENTIAL

The issue is the moral character and government of God, and the appeal is to those who in this world know Him, who are best acquainted with Him, and who are therefore the most competent and credible witnesses.

TO THE COMPETENCY OF A WITNESS

MENTION SOME THINGS THAT AFFECT THE CREDIBILITY OF A WITNESS

Substantial agreement with each other in the things to which they testify. If witness contradict one another on fundamental questions, they
The statement of a witness must be consistent with itself throughout
The spirit and bearing of a witness taken as a whole, has much to do with his credibility. Where a witness manifests great prejudice and

If his story is contradictory, if it is not consistent throughout, if the parts do not hang together, the witness’. Where it is plain that he does not know, that he is in doubt as to the principle points in dispute, he is entitled to, and will receive in court, very little credit.

THE SUCCESS OF EVERY CAUSE DECIDED BY TESTIMONY MUST DEPEND ON THE CHARACTER

OF THE WITNESSES AND THE TESTIMONY WHICH THEY GIVE

Inasmuch as God has thrown His cause upon an appeal to facts; He Himself perceives the issue depending upon the faithfulness of His

He Himself has appointed His people to be His witnesses, and He sees His success in the eyes of men depending upon their testimony.

THE CONDITIONS OF THE AVAILABILITY OF THE TESTIMONY OF CHRISTIANS FOR GOD

They must have personal knowledge, must be personally acquainted with God, so that they can tell, not what somebody else has said, not what
The indwelling of God’s Spirit, and the revealing of God to the soul by the Spirit, so as to give them personal knowledge of God, is requisite to

Superficial believers are utterly incompetent to testify in regard to some of the higher, in which yet are some of the chief positions needing to be sustained on God’s part. The indwelling of God’s Spirit, and the revealing of God to the soul bythe Spirit, so as to give them personal knowledge of God, is requisite to the Spirit, so as to give them personal knowledge of God, is requisite to make persons available witnesses.

THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE WITNESSES

Not only are great interests at stake — the world’s salvation, the glory of the Infinite God among men, the honor and success of His moral
God Himself fells keenly alive to the result of the investigation. Never did a person commit a cause to witnesses, who was so tremblingly alive to
The world is now, and always has been stumbled with the contradictory testimony that nominal Christians give, for they intrude their testimony,
The nominal Christians, mere professors, so greatly outnumber God’s real people, that their witness in the minds of men generally, glad to get rid
God will reject their testimony in the great court of equity and errors at the day of judgment, and with it both the persons who gave it, and the
The true witnesses themselves have often fallen into gross
The relations that Christians sustain to God and the world, should be with them a most powerful argument in prayer to God. I fear Christians do
God’s witnesses should realize that they are watched on every hand — that they are watched for inconsistencies — that there is a continual

If the testimony of the great body is to be taken as the true Christian witness, what else can the decision be, what other verdict can be rendered. And when they are called to testify, they have to say they know very little of the matter. On a voyage to China, in a most remarkable manner, he became convinced of the truth of the Bible.

WEIGHTS AND BESETTING SINS

SHOW WHAT RACE IS HERE SPOKEN OF
WHAT IS AT STAKE
THE CONDITIONS OF WINNING IN THIS RACE
WHAT THIS RACE IS

They must start right, or according to rule

I AM TO SHOW WHAT IS AT STAKE IN THIS RACE

Whatever demands our attention, to which we are not called by God Himself, is to be given up as a weight
All unnecessary cares and burdens are to be considered as weights which must be laid aside. The real wants of human beings are exceedingly simple
All unnecessary furniture and equipage are to be laid aside as a burden which we cannot bear. See! that woman has to be engaged from morning till
The care of all unnecessary property is to be laid aside as a weight
Fashion is another weight that must be laid aside. What a multitude are busy a great part of their time, as the different seasons follow each other in
Unnecessary attendance upon company is often a great weight. It is often a great tax on a person’s time to receive such a multitude of calls and
All unnecessary reading is also to be laid aside. By unnecessary reading I mean all reading that is not necessary to our highest usefulness and well-
Everything in short to which we are not providentially called and which is not therefore a part of our duty as Christians, would be regarded
There is another thing to which I must call attention that may be regarded as rather of a delicate nature, I mean all untimely and unsuitable
Ill temper. This is one of the most easily besetting sins of most people
Dishonesty is another easily besetting sin. Some persons find it
Unfaithfulness in business is another easily besetting sin of many
Tale bearing is another besetting sin of many persons. God has said,
Intemperate drinking. There is such a thing as drinking water
All fleshly indulgences are sins, and with most persons easily besetting sins. We are required to make no provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts
It is fatal to encumber ourselves with any thing that is inconsistent with a holy, spiritual life. Anything that is inconsistent with our daily walking
From this subject we can see the madness and folly of great multitudes of professors of religion. What would be thought of a racer in the Olympic
Until you are prepared to make every needed sacrifice, to cut off a right hand and pluck out a right eye if it causes you to offend, you are never
From this subject we see the misery of creating such a multitude of artificial wants among mankind, and the necessity of simplifying as much
We see the folly of undertaking responsibilities to which we are not plainly called by our Heavenly Father. These are not things with which we
The doctrine of this discourse is not to be admitted merely as a matter of theory, and we cannot get to heaven by merely saying this is true, and

All engrossments of every kind to which we are not called by the word,or Spirit, or providence of God, are to be laid entirely aside as weights. Whatever demands our attention, to which we are not called by GodHimself, is to be given up as a weight. All unnecessary furniture and equipage are to be laid aside as a burdenwhich we cannot bear.

THE OLD MAN AND THE NEW

WHAT CONSTITUTES THE NEW MAN
WHAT IS IMPLIED IN PUTTING OFF THE ONE AND PUTTING ON THE OTHER
SUNDRY MISTAKES OFTEN MADE ON THIS SUBJECT
WHAT CONSTITUTES THE OLD MAN

It is called a “man” because it is the hidden source and cause of outward activity. It would seem as if the Bible language contemplated a hidden

WE ARE TO INQUIRE WHAT IS IMPLIED IN PUTTING OFF THE ONE AND

These inward-working agents — the old man and the new — correspond to the ultimate intention of the will and control all our proximate volitions in the same way that we see it done by the ultimate intention. It makes them either old men or new men; born of the flesh, or born of the Spirit. The new man is born of the Spirit — born from above; the Spirit of God continually begets his moral activity, leading him thoroughly to renounce self, and commit his whole being to do the pleasure of God.

PUTTING ON THE OTHER

Putting off the old, and putting on the new man, implies entire
Heavenly mindedness is implied. God and heavenly things are now its chosen objects of supreme affection, so that the mind now runs towards
Consequently the conversation will be of heavenly things. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks
WE ARE TO NOTICE SEVERAL MISTAKES INTO WHICH PERSONS ARE WONT TO FALL

For want of making this discrimination, hypocrites are prone to flatter themselves while yet in their own deep corruption. They put on a decent
You may see the mistake often made by sinners in condemning the conduct of Christians. They condemn Christians for doing the same things
Many mistake the apathy of the old man for the peace of the new man
Many mistake the zeal and legal bustle of the old man for the holy fervor of the new man. Legalists are wont to become very zealous; they
Often men mistake the impatience of the old man for the holy jealousy of the new man. The old man frets at sinners because they sin, fells
Often men fail to distinguish between the selfish sorrow of the old man and the godly sorrow of the new
Many mistake the selfish joys of the old man for the spiritual joys of the new man. The former however begin and end in selfishness; the man is
A mistake is often made of the turbulence and fanaticism of the old man for the holy firmness and faithfulness of the new. See that man finding
The presumption of the old man is mistaken for the faith of the new
The constitutional tendencies of the old man are mistaken for the spiritual developments of the new man. The natural humanity and
We see how and why sinners constantly misjudge Christians. They see Christians doing some of the same things externally which themselves are

Many mistake the apathy of the old man for the peace of the new man. Often men mistake the impatience of the old man for the holy jealousyof the new man. Many mistake the self-will of the old man for the conscientiousness ofthe new man.

THE SIN OF FRETFULNESS

WHY WE SHOULD NOT FRET BECAUSE OF EVIL DOERS
HOW TO AVOID IT
WHY WE SHOULD NOT FRET

Because, in fretting at the evil doing of others we do evil ourselves
If we manifest a sweet and patient spirit towards evil doers, it tends greatly to do them good. It also tends greatly to prevent the harm of their
Another reason why we should not fret is, that the evil doing is suffered to occur under the providence of infinite wisdom and love. God has chosen
Another good reason why we should not fret at evil doing is, because provision is made to overrule it for the glory of God and the highest good
Another reason why we should not fret is, that the very evil doing at which we fret, is often allowed in providence, as one of the means of
It evinces unbelief to fret. If we but realize that the hand of God is concerned directly or indirectly in everything that occurs; if we but firmly
Fretting destroys our own peace. Who does not know that the indulgence of the least fretfulness instantly breaks up the peace of our
Another reason why we should not fret at evil doers, is because they are among the “all things that work together for good to them that fear

I COME NOW TO SHOW, HOW TO AVOID FRETFULNESS

Have faith in the wisdom and benevolence of the providences of God
Another excellent antidote against fretting is, duly and habitually consider the aggravation of your own faults. No man frets at the faults of
Reflect much also upon the forbearance of God. I love to consider the infinite calmness of the divine mind, in view of all the provocations which
Reflect much on the meekness, forbearance, and long-suffering of Christ
Learn not to look altogether on the dark side of things; consider the virtues as well as the vices of those around you. Dwell on the good and not
Remember that it is God and not you against whom sin is committed
Realize the uselessness of fretting. Do but consider that it is of no use at all for you to fret
Consider what an excellent opportunity it affords you of honoring God
Consider the comparative lightness of your trials after all — what they amount to when compared with the trials which Christ, and the Apostles
Labor and pray for such a development of the sensibility, such calmness, meekness and quietness of spirit as shall enable you on all
Learn with the Psalmist to set the Lord always before you. Persons are very apt to fret at little things when they would not at great events,
Lastly, learn to appropriate the grace of Christ to the complete suppression of this sin of fretfulness. The providences that develop the
Certain persons are constitutionally much exposed to the commission of this sin
I remark again, it is of the greatest importance to guard against fretfulness as a habit. Some persons have indulged in it until they really
I remark again, that those of an irritable temper, often fail, on account of striving to overcome this propensity by mere legal efforts, by the force of
This leads me to remark again, that many persons have fallen into great discouragements with respect to the possibility of ever overcoming the
Again, God in His providence is continually developing the weakness and imperfection of His people, that they may see their need of one
Lastly, I love to reflect on the fact that God’s plan embraces all events, that His plan is perfect, that He will do all His pleasure; that He can do all

His evil doing tends to stumble those around him — our well doing in manifesting a heavenly temper tends to the removal of the stumbling block. So when we are greatly tried with the evil doing of others, God has given us an opportunity of manifesting most of the divine temper to the world around us. He seemed to see nothing but the dark side of the picture; and the evils that were in the world seemed to engross his thought.”.

SEEKING THE KINGDOM OF GOD FIRST

It is of supreme importance to us that we should attend to these spiritual things. The infinite well-being of the soul depends upon it
Another consideration: Every hour’s delay makes success more
Unless the subject is treated as of supreme importance, it is of no use to attend to it at all. Some persons attend to it just enough to make their
The supreme importance of the subject would render Christ’s command in the text more reasonable even without the annexed promise. For even if
The disinterestedness of God is very affectingly manifested in this command and promise. What would you say of a father who should do as
To refuse to be diverted from God’s service by worldly cares and to give our whole heart to the Lord, is the only way to make sure of earthly
Unbelief urges a very different course from this. Unbelief always professes to be sorely afraid of tempting God by neglecting temporal
Everything really valuable must be lost by disobeying this command. If a man neglects the kingdom of God, nothing which he can obtain is really
Again, it is plainly implied that if we seek first the kingdom of God, we shall not only have these other things promised, but have the kingdom of
If we really obey this command, it will be manifest in all the
When persons are really engaged about their souls, they will not suffer themselves to be placed in circumstances so engrossing as to be crowded
Many hold this truth in theory who after all utterly deny it in practice

If any of you would make sure of whatever temporal good you need, seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. The student who seeks first the kingdom of God rationally, will not need to neglect any useful study. Hence, if you neglect to seek first the kingdom of God in pretense of seeking other good first, you are infinitely mistaken.

REJOICING IN BOASTINGS

WHEN ONE MAY BE SAID TO REJOICE IN HIS BOASTINGS

THE WICKEDNESS OF SUCH BOASTINGS

To indulge in a spirit of self-complacency on account of our influence in the world is rejoicing in our boastings
When we are self-complacent on account of our intellectual attainments
When we indulge self-complacency in regard to our spiritual attainments, we rejoice in our boastings

Again, when we cherish self-complacency on account of our usefulness, we rejoice in our boastings. Again, when we ascribe to our own virtue the avoidance of any crime, we are rejoicing in our boastings. And whenever we comfort ourselves with any such ideas as these, we are rejoicing in our boastings.

SHOW THE WICKEDNESS OF REJOICING IN OUR BOASTINGS

It is wicked because it is rejoicing in a most pernicious falsehood. It is infinitely far from true that we have any good reason for self-complacency
No person gets clear of rejoicing in his boastings, unless he apprehends what it is to be “in Christ Jesus;” to live by the faith of the Son of God
From this subject it is easy to see how Christians get into darkness
Revivals of religion are more frequently put down by this sin than by any other. The minister and the lay brethren are powerfully moved by
This subject ought to be a warning to all classes

Again, it is overlooking and denying the providence of God without and the grace of God within, that has secured all these results. No person gets clear of rejoicing in his boastings, unless he apprehendswhat it is to be “in Christ Jesus;” to live by the faith of the Son of God. For when sanctified, they are really emptied of all self-complacent rejoicings, and filled only with a sense of the adorable and sovereign grace of God.

THE FOLLY OF

REFUSING TO BE SAVED

God has removed the obstacles to their salvation by giving Christ to die for them. Now if they will only give themselves up to Christ and accept
All the promises are given the sinner. God has given you all these exceeding great and precious promises that He may encourage and incite
Sinners prefer their own gratification to the happiness of God and of the universe. They had rather please themselves than please God, though they
Sinners are fools because they give time the preference over eternity
Sinners prefer their own present gratification to eternal happiness with God. God promises them His own infinite smiles of love and favor; they
Sinners are fools because they really care more for men than for God;
Sinners show their folly inasmuch as they care more for their bodies than they do for their souls. What hosts there are over all the land who
The making of these provisions has been instrumental in actually turning the hearts of many from sin to God. They could never have been saved if
God has put this price into the hands of a great many who never use it, because in no other way could He give the price to those who would use it
God doubtless designed to leave all sinners utterly without excuse
Incidental to this arrangement is the fact that the sinner’s refusing to improve the price put into his hands will greatly aggravate his own guilt. It
Your ultimate damnation will be greatly aggravated if you will utterly reject this price put into your hands for wisdom. It had been better for you

There are some things essential to the salvation of the sinners which God cannot do. You cannot conceive a more desperate folly in the universe than that of the sinner who has such a price put into his hands to get wisdom but who has no heart to improve it. They will most perfectly exonerate Him from all responsibility for the eternal death of the sinner.

THE CHURCH BOUND TO CONVERT THE WORLD

WHAT THE COMMAND TO TEACH ALL NATIONS, MEANS

ON WHOM IT IS OBLIGATORY

WHAT IS IMPLIED IN IT

CONDITIONS OF OBEDIENCE

THE CAUSES OF FAILURE

THE GREAT GUILT OF FAILURE

WHAT DOES THE COMMAND,

GO AND TEACH ALL NATIONS,” MEAN?

ON WHOM IS THIS COMMAND OBLIGATORY?

It was addressed by Christ to those of His disciples who were then present, but doubtless was intended for all Christians, for it is not at all likely that Christ expected the disciples then present to do all this work. He doubtless meant to devolve the responsibility upon all Christians, to rest upon their consciences in all coming time until the work should be done.

THE THIRD INQUIRY IS,

WHAT IS IMPLIED IN THIS COMMAND?

But again let it be observed that Christ assumes our ability to obey this command on the ground that He has all power in heaven and in earth and

The command implies that the great work of the church militant is, to make disciples of all nations; in other words, to convert the world to God

They are to do or on the earth is to glorify God in the world’s conversion. They are to do or say nothing, and be nothing, more or less than is conducive to this end. In that solemn parting hour, Christ doubtless meant to give them His whole mind in these few last words; Go, apply yourselves directly to the conversion of the world, and finish the great work which I have begun.

I AM IN THE NEXT PLACE TO CONSIDER THE CONDITIONS OF OBEDIENCE

It implies that this is their only work, that the only business they haveon the earth is to glorify God in the world’s conversion.

TO THIS COMMAND

Another condition is, union of effort. By united effort I mean the
Another condition of obedience to this command is, the realization of individual responsibility. The fact is that there is a strange shrinking away
The church must not expect to effect this wholly, or even principally through the instrumentality of a learned ministry. It is perfectly absurd for
Nor need the church expect to accomplish this work wholly or perhaps even mainly through the instrumentality of any ministry whatever either
Another condition of obedience to this command is, the exhibition of brotherly love and Christian confidence. Christ in His last prayer made
Another condition of success in this work and obedience to the spirit of this requirement is, confidence in the presence, power, and readiness of
Another condition of success is the practice of all needed self-denial
Another condition is patience in the performance of this work. No man ever accomplishes anything in the kingdom of God only as he suffers
Another condition is perseverance. They must learn to hold on and be of good courage till God strengthens their hands and their hearts in the
I AM TO SHOW THE CAUSES OF FAILURE HITHERTO

It is not for want of numbers. The church has always had numbers enough to have accomplished this work, if she had had a heart for it
It is not for want of means. She has always possessed all needed means for its accomplishment
It is not for want of a sufficient number of educated men to carry this work forward. The church has always possessed education enough, and
It is not because God has not been ready
A want of faith has been the fundamental difficulty, a want of real confidence in the truth that Christ possesses all power, and is always
Another cause of failure has been that the church to a great extent has lost sight of the true spirit of what Christ says in the text. As I was
But not only has the command been lost sight of, but the annexed promise also, “Lo I am with you.” The true spirit and meaning of what
Another thing that has greatly hindered the work has been that too much has been expected from human learning, and not enough by any means
The work has been greatly retarded by a want of deep sympathy with Christ. The church as not loved a ruined world as Christ loved it, and as
But again, the church as been discouraged. She has had so little faith that her efforts by way of missionary labor have accomplished comparatively
Another hindrance has been that the attention and efforts of the church are directed to mere outward reforms. At this I have often been
Worldly ambition in young men who are professors of religion has stood greatly in the way of the world’s conversion. They are in such a

I MUST PROCEED TO THE SIXTH AND LAST HEAD OF THIS DISCOURSE,

Christ in His last prayer made this the condition of the world’s conversion, and it manifestly is so. Another cause of failure has been that the church to a great extent haslost sight of the true spirit of what Christ says in the text. Worldly ambition in young men who are professors of religion hasstood greatly in the way of the world’s conversion.

THE GUILT OF THIS FAILURE

The truth we here insist on is this; that the blood of the world is in the skirts of the church. God informed the prophet that if he did not warn and
The great law of benevolence requires the church to do all in her power for the conversion of the world, and holds her guilty of the world’s blood
This guilt attaches to every Christian to whom the command in the text has come, and who is not entirely consecrated to the work of saving souls
When God makes inquisition for blood, what will become of those professors of religion who have turned aside from this work and are
From what has been said it is easy to see the mistake into which our Second Advent brethren of the present day have fallen. Many of them
Does not the command with the subjoined promise in the text authorize and require the church to go forth to the conversion of the world, with the
From this subject we can see the mistake of those Antinomians who are waiting God’s time, and who are saying “The time has not come to build
These notions of the Adventists and Antinomians are doing very much to retard the great work of converting souls to God. The Adventists seem
I am fully persuaded that nothing but the absence of love, or in other words, of true religion, is the occasion of the sectarianism that is dividing
If the ministers of all evangelical denominations would so thoroughly wake up to the world’s conversion as to agree among themselves that two
But again, I have often wondered how ministers could think themselves in the path of duty, in thus giving themselves up to minister to sectarian
Christians stand greatly in their own light in dividing themselves into different churches where a truly catholic spirit would enable them all to
It hardly need be said, and it grieves me much to be obliged to say that Christians, and even many ministers have been altogether too much

Wherefore hast thou not given thyself wholly and directly to the work of the world’s conversion. This immediately diverted the church from the great end of the world’s conversion to seek after what they imagined to be a higher state of spirituality. It does seem to me that this is gross apostasy from the great work of the world’s conversion.

GOVERNING THE TONGUE

THE RULE BY WHICH THE TONGUE IS TO BE GOVERNED
THE CONDITIONS UPON WHICH IT IS TO BE GOVERNED
SHOW THAT WHERE THE TONGUE IS NOT GOVERNED, THERE IS AND CAN BE NO TRUE

The same rule stated in other language is, that of entire consecration to God and the good of being. This is only good willing or benevolence

THE CONDITIONS UPON WHICH IT MAY BE GOVERNED

The first condition indispensable to the government of the tongue in accordance with the rule as above stated, is perfect love in the heart, or in
The spirit of entire consecration is an indispensable condition to the government of the tongue. As I have already said, this is only another way
It is an important and often indispensable condition of governing the tongue that we abstain from very strong excitement. If the feelings become
A deeply considerate or reflective state of mind is indispensable to the proper government of the tongue. The man who speaks without
He must have faith to lay hold of and appropriate the grace, strength, and promises of Christ for the complete subjugation of his tongue to the
He must have moral courage to dare to keep silence when he ought to keep silence. It is generally considered very odd and uncouth, unsociable

WHERE THE TONGUE IS NOT GOVERNED, THERE IS AND CAN BE NO TRUE RELIGION

It is not intended that an occasional fall in the use of the tongue, proves that one has never been converted and is at no time truly religious; but that
I have already said that a benevolent heart will secure and by a law of necessity must secure a benevolent use of the tongue; that is, in such a case
The Bible represents the government of the tongue not only as
The Bible says much upon the necessity of bridling the tongue. I will only quote two or three passages in addition to those already quoted
If every idle word is sin, what multitudes of professors are living in sin!
What a world of evil would be put away if the tongue were governed by the law of love. It is indeed “a world of iniquity; it often setteth on fire the
The government of the tongue is indispensable to entire sanctification;

When the heart is in the attitude of supreme, disinterested benevolence, the tongue is used and cannot but be used for the glory of God and the good of being. All use of the tongue is idle and sinful when the heart is not in a benevolent state. It should always be understood that any use of the tongue is sinful when the heart is not in a perfectly benevolent state.