Epistle Sermons Volume III Part 27

20. Then let him who will receive advice and help, faithfully heed Paul's counsel and redeem the time, not sleeping away the blessed golden hour of grace; as Christ earnestly admonishes in the parable of the five foolish virgins. Mt 25, 13. The foolish virgins might have made their purchases in season, before the bridegroom's arrival; but failing to attend to the matter until time to meet the bridegroom, they missed both the market and the wedding.

21. The ancient poets and sages make use of a similar ill.u.s.tration at the expense of the cricket or gra.s.shopper. As the fable runs, when winter came the gra.s.shoppers, having nothing to eat, went to the ants and asked them to divide their gathered store. "What did you in the summer time that you gathered nothing?" asked the ants. "We sang,"

the gra.s.shoppers replied. "If you sang in the summer, you must dance for it in the winter," was the response. Similarly should fools unwilling to learn the will of G.o.d be answered. Terrible and alarming is the wrath of G.o.d when with scorn and mockery he turns away a soul.

In Proverbs 1, 24 and 26 he threatens: "Because I have called, and ye have refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man hath regarded.... I also will laugh in the day of your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh."

22. Some may ask what Paul means by adding to the phrase, "Redeeming the time," the modifier, "because the days are evil"; if we are to regard the present opportunity golden, why are the days evil?

EVIL DOCTRINES EVER OPPOSE THE CHRISTIAN.

23. I answer: The time is unquestionably good so long as the Gospel is sounded--is faithfully preached and received. At the same time, even today the world is filled with evils, factions, false theories and bad examples of every sort; much of this wickedness is inherent in ourselves. With these things the Christian must always contend; the devil pursues, and our own flesh discourages us and allures from recognition and observance of the divine will. If we strive not against it, we shall soon lose sight of G.o.d's will, to our own injury, even while listening to the Gospel. For the devil's strongest fury is exerted to befoul the world with fanaticism, and to draw from the pure doctrine of faith into that evil even them who possess the Gospel. Moreover, being still flesh and blood we are always self-secure, unwilling to be led by the Spirit, and indolent and unresponsive in relation to the Word of G.o.d and to prayer. Again, in the outward walks of life, in temporal conditions, only obstacles and evils meet us everywhere, impeding our spiritual progress and impelling us to suppress the Gospel and to rend the Church.

24. Let no one, then, expect to enjoy an era of peace and pleasure here on earth. Although the present time is in itself good, and G.o.d bestows upon us the golden year of his Word and his grace, yet the devil is here with his factions and followers, and our own flesh supports him. He corrupts the blessed days of grace at every possible opportunity, and so oppresses Christians that they must contend against him with their utmost strength and vigilance if they would not, through the influence of evils and obstacles, be wrested from the Gospel they have received, and if they would persevere therein unto the end.

Wherefore, we have the best reasons to adapt ourselves to the present time in the best possible way; to walk wisely and circ.u.mspectly, showing all faithfulness to the will of G.o.d; obeying it while we have opportunity--while still in possession of G.o.d's Word, his grace and his Spirit. Being opposed and obstructed by the devil and our own flesh, we must, as Paul implies, be wise and careful; we must guard against following them. If we fail in this respect, it will not avail us to pretend we did not know our duty, or had not time to perform it and consequently could not cope with them. So, then, we are to understand by "evil days" the allurements that lead us away from G.o.d's Word and his will.

"And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess."

25. The apostle touches upon several evils strongly tending to waste of time and neglect of the golden opportunity. Especially is drunkenness one, for drink makes men particularly self-secure, reckless and disorderly. The evil was formerly common in Greece, and in Germany today are men who delight in being riotously drunk night and day. Such individuals are utterly lacking in the faithfulness and interest essential to following the will of G.o.d. They are unable, even in temporal affairs, to persistently apply themselves, much less to be opportune. Indeed, so beastly and swinish do they become, they lose all sense of either shame or honor; they have no modesty nor any human feeling. Alas, examples are before our eyes plainer and more numerous than we can depict.

26. Paul's words of admonition, "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs," are treated in the epistle pa.s.sage for the fifth Sunday after Epiphany, where the text is similar.

_Twenty First Sunday After Trinity_

Text: Ephesians 6, 10-17.

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might.

11 Put on the whole armor of G.o.d, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the princ.i.p.alities, against the powers, against the worldrulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Wherefore take up the whole armor of G.o.d, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your foot with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of G.o.d.

THE CHRISTIAN ARMOR AND WEAPONS.

This epistle text is fully expounded in "The Explanations and Sermons on Paul's Epistles"--in the sermon on Ephesians 6, 10-17, ent.i.tled "The Christian Armor and Weapons," preached in the year 1533.

_Twenty Second Sunday After Trinity_

Text: Philippians 1, 3-11.

3 I thank my G.o.d upon all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every supplication of mine on behalf of you all making my supplication with joy, 5 for your fellowship in furtherance of the gospel from the first day until now; 6 being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ: 7 even as it is right for me to be thus minded on behalf of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as, both in my bonds and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers with me of grace. 8 For G.o.d is my witness, how I long after you in all the tender mercies of Christ Jesus. 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment; 10 so that ye may approve the things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and void of offence unto the day of Christ; 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of G.o.d.

PAUL'S THANKS AND PRAYERS FOR CHURCHES.

1. First, the apostle Paul thanks G.o.d, as his custom is in the beginning of his epistles, for the grace whereby the Philippians came into the fellowship of the Gospel and were made partakers of it.

Secondly, his desire and prayer to G.o.d is for their increase in the knowledge of the Gospel, and their more abundant fruits. His intent in extolling the Gospel is to admonish them to remain steadfast in their faith, continuing as they have begun and as they now stand.

Apparently this is a simple pa.s.sage, especially to learned and apt students of the Scriptures. They may not think it holds any great truth to be discovered. Yet we must explain this and like discourses for the benefit of some who do not fully understand it, and who desire to learn.

2. These words give us an exact delineation of the Christian heart that sincerely believes in the holy Gospel. Such hearts are rare in the world. It is especially difficult to find one so beautiful as we observe here unless it be among the beloved apostles or those who approached them in Christ-likeness. For in the matter of faith we today are entirely too indolent and indifferent.

3. But the Christian heart is such as inspired Paul's words; here its characteristics are shown. He rejoices in the Gospel with his inmost soul. He thanks G.o.d that others have come into its fellowship. His confidence is firm regarding certain beginners in the faith, and he is so interested in their salvation he rejoices in it as much as in his own, seeming unable to thank G.o.d sufficiently for it. He unceasingly prays that he may live to see many come with him into such fellowship and be preserved therein until the day of the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall perfect and complete all the defects of this earthly life. He prays these beginners may go forth faultlessly in faith and hope until that joyful day.

4. Thus the G.o.dly apostle expresses himself, pouring out the depths of his heart--a heart filled with the real fruits of the Spirit and of faith. It burns with love and joy whenever he sees the Gospel recognized, accepted and honored, and the Church flourishing. Paul can conceive for the converts no loftier desire--can offer no greater pet.i.tion for them than to implore G.o.d they may increase and persevere in the Gospel faith. Such is the inestimable value he places upon possessing and holding fast G.o.d's Word. And Christ in Luke 11, 28 p.r.o.nounces blessed those who keep the Word of G.o.d.

I. THE DUTY OF GRAt.i.tUDE.

5. Now, the first thing in which Paul is here an example to us is his grat.i.tude. It behooves the Christian who recognizes the grace and goodness of G.o.d expressed in the Gospel, first of all to manifest his thankfulness therefor; toward G.o.d--his highest duty--and toward men.

As Christians who have abandoned the false services and sacrifices that in our past heathenish blindness we zealously practiced, let us remember our obligation henceforth to be the more fervent in offering true service and right sacrifices to G.o.d. We can render him no better--in fact, none other--service, or outward work, than the thank-offering, as the Scriptures term it. That is, receiving and honoring the grace of G.o.d and the preaching and hearing of his Word, and furthering their operation, not only in word, but sincerely in our hearts and with all our physical and spiritual powers. This is the truest grat.i.tude.

6. G.o.d calls that a "pure offering" which is rendered to him "among the gentiles" (Mal 1, 11), where his name is not preached and praised from avariciousness, not from pride and presumption in the priesthood and in the holiness of human works. These motives actuated the boasting Jews, who, as G.o.d charges in this reference, presumptuously thought to receive honor from him for every trivial service like closing a door or opening a window. But the offering of the gentiles is joyfully rendered from a sincere, willing heart. This kind of thanksgiving and sacrifices are acceptable to G.o.d, for he says in Psalms 110, 3, "Thy people shall be willing"; and in Second Corinthians 9, 7, "G.o.d loveth a cheerful giver." The knowledge of the Gospel should inspire us with grat.i.tude of this order. Let us not be found unthankful, and forgetful of G.o.d's infinite goodness.

INGRAt.i.tUDE DENOUNCED BY THE HEATHEN.

7. The heathen everywhere, despite their ignorance of G.o.d and his grace, condemned to the utmost the evil of ingrat.i.tude. They regarded it the mother of evils, than which was none more malevolent and shameful. Among many examples in this respect is one left us by a people in Arabia called Nabathians, who had an excellent form of government. So strict were they in regard to this evil that anyone found guilty of ingrat.i.tude to his fellows was looked upon as a murderer and punished with death.

8. No sin is more abominable to human nature, and of none is human nature less tolerant. It is easier to forgive and to forget the act of an enemy who commits a bodily injury, or even murders one's parents, than it is to forget the sin of him who repays simple kindness and fidelity with ingrat.i.tude and faithlessness; who for love and friendship returns hatred. In the sentiment of the Latin proverb, to be so rewarded is like rearing a serpent in one's bosom.

G.o.d likewise regards this sin with extreme enmity and punishes it.

The Scriptures say: "Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house." Prov 17, 13.

9. Thus we have the teaching of nature and of reason regarding the sin of men's ingrat.i.tude toward one another. How much greater the evil, how much more shameful and accursed, when manifested toward G.o.d who, in his infinite and ineffable goodness, conferred upon us while yet enemies to him and deserving of the fires of h.e.l.l--conferred upon us, I say, not ten dollars, not a hundred thousand dollars even, but redemption from divine wrath and eternal death, and abundantly comforted us, granting us safety, a good conscience, peace and salvation! These are inexpressible blessings, incomprehensible in this life. And they will continue to occupy our minds in yonder eternal life. How much more awful the sin of ingrat.i.tude for these blessings, as exemplified in the servant mentioned in the Gospel pa.s.sage for today, to whom was forgiven the debt of ten thousand talents and who yet would not forgive the debt of his fellow-servant who owed him a hundred pence!

10. Is it not incredible that there are to be found on earth individuals wicked enough to manifest for the highest and eternal blessings such unspeakable ingrat.i.tude? But alas, we have the evidence of our own eyes. We know them in their very dwelling-places.

We see how the world abounds with them. Not only are the ingrates to be found among deliberate rejecters of the acknowledged truth of the Gospel, concerning G.o.d's grace, an a.s.sured conscience and the promise of eternal life, terrible as such malice of the devil is, but they are present also in our midst, accepting the Gospel and boasting of it. Such shameful ingrat.i.tude prevails among the ma.s.ses it would not be strange were G.o.d to send upon them the thunders and lightnings of his wrath, yes, all the Turks and the devils of h.e.l.l.

There is a generally prevalent ingrat.i.tude like that of the wicked servant who readily forgot the straits he experienced when, being called to account for what he could not pay, the wrathful sentence was p.r.o.nounced against him that he and all he possessed must be sold, and he be indefinitely imprisoned. Nor have we less readily forgotten how we were tortured under the Papacy; how we were overwhelmed, drowned as in a flood, with numberless strange doctrines, when our anxious consciences longed for salvation. Now that we are, through the grace of G.o.d, liberated from these distresses, our grat.i.tude is of a character to increasingly heap to ourselves the wrath of G.o.d. So have others before us done, and consequently have endured terrible chastis.e.m.e.nt.

11. Only calculate the enormity of our wickedness when, G.o.d having infinitely blessed us in forgiving all our sins and making us lords over heaven and earth, we so little respect him as to be unmindful of his blessings; to be unwilling for the sake of them sincerely to forgive our neighbor a single slighting word, not to mention rendering him service. We conduct ourselves as if G.o.d might be expected to connive at our ingrat.i.tude and permit us to continue in it, at the same time conferring upon us as G.o.dly and obedient children, success and happiness. More than this, we think we have the privilege and power to live and do as we please. Indeed, the more learning and power we have and the more exalted our rank, the greater knaves we are; perpetrating every wicked deed, stirring up strife, discord, war and murder for the sake of executing our own arbitrary designs, where the question is the surrender of a penny in recognition of the hundreds of thousands of dollars daily received from G.o.d notwithstanding our ingrat.i.tude.

12. Two mighty lords clash with each other like powerful battering rams, and for what? Perhaps for undisputed possession of a city or two, a matter they must be ashamed of did they but call to mind what they have received from G.o.d. They would be constrained to exclaim: "What are we doing that we injure one another--we who are all baptized in one name, the name of Christ, and pledged to one Lord?"

But no, it will not do for them to consider this matter; not even to think of it. They must turn their eyes away from it, and put it far from their hearts. Wholly forgetting G.o.d's benefits, they must wage war against each other, involving nations, and subjecting people to the Turk. And all for sake of the insignificant farthing each refused to yield to the other.

13. The world permits the very devil to saddle and ride it as he pleases. It seems to be characteristic of every phase of life that one will not yield to another--will not submit to any demand.

Everyone is disposed to force his arrogant authority. The presumption is that supreme honor and final success depend upon an unyielding, unforgiving disposition, and that to seek to retain our possessions by peaceable means will prove our ruin. Even the two remaining cows in the stall must be brought into requisition, and war waged to the last stick, until when the mutineer comes and we have neither cow nor stall, nor house nor stick, we are obliged to cease.

RETRIBUTION FOLLOWS INGRAt.i.tUDE.

Oh, had we but grace enough to reflect on how it would be with us did G.o.d require us, as he has a perfect right to do, to pay our whole indebtedness, none being forgiven! grace enough to think whether we would not this very moment be in the abyss of h.e.l.l! But so must it finally be with those who disregard the question and continually heap to themselves the wrath of G.o.d, being at the same time unwilling for him to deal otherwise with them than he did with the servant he forgave. But against that servant was finally pa.s.sed the irrevocable sentence which, without mercy, delivered him to the tormentor till he should pay the debt, something he could never do.

14. Nor is there any wrong or injustice in this ruling. For, as St.

Bernhard says, ingrat.i.tude is an evil d.a.m.nable and pernicious enough to quench all the springs of grace and blessing known to G.o.d and men; it is like a poison-laden, burning, destructive wind. Human nature will not tolerate it. Nor can G.o.d permit you, upon whom he has bestowed all grace and goodness, all spiritual and temporal blessing, to go on continually in wickedness, defiantly abusing his benevolence and dishonoring him; you thus recklessly bring upon yourself his wrath. For G.o.d cannot bless you if you are ungrateful, if you reject his goodness and give it no place in your heart.