Biblical Illustrator And He spake many things unto them in parables. Jesus did not confine Himself to the mere announcement or proof of a doctrine. But by means of words, He often presented to His hearers a moral picture — flashed upon the mind's eye a whole scene of truth with such vividness and power that it could not be well perverted or forgotten. We should imitate His pointed, emotional preaching.I. SOME REASONS FOR THE USE OF MORAL PAINTING IN SERMONS. 1. It imitates the style of Christ's painting, and is part of His gospel. 2. It meets a want in our nature. It appeals to man's perceptive facilities. God has met this want in the natural world. 3. It adds point and force to the argument. Reasoning and illustration are both essential. 4. Men who have deeply moved the human heart have used it. Poets, advocates, orators, etc. And shall the children of this world be wiser, etc.? Inspiration is full of it. II. THE KIND OF MORAL PAINTING TO BE USED. Great condensation, is essential to a good picture of truth. Deep emotion. The vastness of our work is enough to make an angel weep. (W. W. Newell.) 2. To teach spiritual truth so as to arrest the attention of ignorant people, making an appeal to them through the senses. 3. To convey some offensive truth, some pointed personal rebuke, in such a way as to bring it home to the conscience (2 Samuel 12:1-7, and many of our Saviour's parables addressed to the Jews). 4. To conceal from one part of His audience truths which He intended others should understand (Mark 4:53; Matthew 13:15-16.) (A. Barnes D. D.) Christ's habit, therefore, was not so much to tell what things were, as to draw pictures of them and mention some familiar thing they were like; as a boy really knows more about the earth when told that it is shaped like a big cricket-ball, than when taught to say that it is an oblate spheroid with a polar diameter of 8,000 miles. Thus Christ was continually telling, in an easy way, what this and that was like (drawing pictures). which is to say that He taught by parables. "and without a parable spake He not unto them."... A truth felt is more than a truth stated. Christ was continually dropping hints that led His disciples forward into a new surmise; kept treading down their horizon; did not let their opinions go to seed. He knew how to talk with them in such a way as to make them feel that what He did not tell them was considerably more than what He did tell them. (C. H. Parkhurst, D. D.) 1. As a means of attracting attention. 2. To prevent His auditors from being repelled by a too sudden revelation, either of His purpose or of His message. 3. To stimulate inquiry. 4. To test the character of His hearers. (U. M. Taylor, D. D.)
Behold, a sower went forth to sow. The Clergyman's Magazine. Four kinds of soil:1. The impenetrable. 2. The superficial. 3. The preoccupied. 4. The prepared.Observation: 1. The seed is the same in every case; the difference is in the kinds of soils. 2. The parable is Christ's answer to the objection, If the gospel be from God, why is it not more effective? The answer is, that, like any other remedy, much will depend on the way in which it is used. (The Clergyman's Magazine.) Where is the fault of failure? 1. It does not lie in God, the sower. God does not predestinate men to fail. He willeth not the death of a sinner. 2. The cause of failure is not in any impotency of truth. The old thinkers accounted for it by the depravity of matter. Once acknowledge freewill in man, and the origin of evil does not lie in God. 3. The fault might be solely in the soil of the heart. I. THE CAUSES OF FAILURE. 1. The first of these is want of spiritual perception. There are persons whose religion is all outside, never penetrates beyond the intellect. Conceptions of religious life, which are only conceptions outward, having no lodgment in the heart, disappear. Fowls of the air devoured the seed. This is a picture of thought dissipated, and no man can tell when or how it went. 2. A second cause of failure is want of depth of character. This stony ground is the thin layer of earth upon a bed of rock. Shallow soft is like superficial character. There is easily-moved susceptibility. A pleasant, sunny religion would be the life to suit them. The superficial character is connected with the hard heart; beneath the thin surface lies the bed of rock. It is among those of light enjoyment we must look for stony heartlessness. 3. Once more impressions come to nothing when the mind is subjected to dissipating influences, and yieids to them — "Some fell among thorns." Two classes of dissipating influences distract such minds. The cares of this world. Martha was "cumbered with much serving." The deceitfulness of riches dissipate. Weeding work painful. II. FOR THE PERMANENCE OF RELIGIOUS IMPRESSIONS THIS PARABLE SUGGESTS THREE REQUIREMENTS. 1. An holiest and good heart. Earnest sincerity. 2. Meditation is a second requisite for perseverance. They keep the Word which they have heard. Must not confuse reverie with meditation. Truth is dwelt on till it receives innumerable applications; it is done in silence. 3. The third requisite is endurance — "They bring forth fruit with patience." There is an active and passive endurance, bearing pain without complaining; and under persecution. It is also the opposite of that impatience which cannot wait. We are disappointed if the harvest does not come at once. (F. W. Robertson, M. A.) 1. The careless hearer. 2. The temporary hearer. 3. The worldly-minded hearer. 4. The sincere hearers of the Word. (1) (2) (3) (4) (G. Burder.)
2. The impediments to growth are to be found not in natural defects or incapacities, but in self-induced hindrances and wilful indisposition to listen to the truth.In the gospel history these hearers are to be discovered: 1. The Sadducees, who denied the resurrection. Infidelity is a sad hardener of the heart. 2. Those of our Lord's disciples of whom mention is made that they went back, and walked no more with Him. The varieties of soil does not describe varieties of heart as formed by nature, but the condition which the heart and mind assume, as men either neglect or employ the means of grace. They represent, not the physical but the moral condition of the human mind. Human and Christian society is divided into various classes of every variety of feeling and conduct; but the motive of good or ill is in the heart. (St. Paul's Cathedral Sermons.)
II. THE SEED. 1. Ordinary seed is covered with an outward coat. The life principle is hidden away from observation. So we find Christ in appearance like a man. The words you hear are but the outward covering; there is an inward life. There are those who split hairs about Christianity; they know the outward form, but not the vital principle. Others ignore the outward form, and say Christianity is wholly spiritual. Both necessary. 2. The life-giving property is not in the soil, but in the seed. You may enrich the soil as you will, but without seed you can have no life. Scientists have given up the idea of spontaneous generation. There is no salvation apart from the indwelling Christ. 3. Where life is there is power. Sow pebbles, but they have no power to reach a harvest. The Word powerful because living. 4. Every seed brings forth after its kind. You cannot sow wickedness and reap religion. III. THE SOIL. 1. The wayside hearer. 2. The stony-ground hearer. The emotional hearer. 3. Among the thorns — the double-minded hearer. 4. Good soil — the man who hears aright. (G. F. Pentecost.)
1. Our Lord first of all means Himself. His work chiefly was sowing the seeds of Divine truth in the minds of men. The reaping began on the day of Pentecost. 2. Then by the sower is meant our Lord's apostles and the seventy disciples whom He sent cut to preach the gospel, and all ministers of His Word. 3. All Christian people are sowers. By our words and actions we are sowing some kind of principle in the minds of others; we cannot help it. II. THE SEED. God's Word. 1. It is sometimes rather more the word of man than the Word of God — the Word of God mingled with the Word of man. 2. It may be one part of the Word of God to the exclusion of another, grace to the exclusion of works. 3. Christ is in an emphatic sense the Word of God; so we are to sow the Word concerning Christ. III. THE GROUND. What does the ground mean? — the heart rather than the head, the affections rather than the intellect. A cold, feelingless man cannot effect much as regards religious truth. IV. THE RESULT OF THE SOWING. (H. S. Brown.)
(H. S. Brown.)
1. Christ is the principal sower, the master sower; ministers are His servants (2 Corinthians 6:1). 2. Christ sows His own by creation. Ministers have no seed of their own; their doctrine and word belong to Christ. 3. Christ is a most wise and skilful sower; He hath a perfect knowledge of all sorts of ground. 4. Christ is a universal sower. 5. Jesus Christ is an efficacious sower. He can cause the seed to take root; but so cannot a minister. II. His ACTION. Jesus Christ may be said to go forth in three ways: 1. In His own person. 2. In the ministry of His servants. 3. To sow His seed by the Spirit. III. His DESIGN. (B. Keach.)
2. They must sow their seed, let it be what weather it will, a time of peace, or a time of persecution. 3. They must sow no seed of their own, but Christ's doctrine (Deuteronomy 22:9). 4. They must sow all Christ's seed. 5. Constantly, as long as seed-time lasteth (Ecclesiastes 11:6). 6. They sow, but the whole success is of God.
2. Seed, let it be of wheat or barley, is the choice, st of each sort respectively. True grace is of an excellent nature. 3. Until seed is sown there will be no increase. So the heart must take in the Word by faith. 4. Seed sometimes which is sown lies a considerable time in the ground before it springs up, or visibly appears; it must have time to take root. 5. Clods of earth, being not broken, oftentimes obstruct the springing up of the seed, or it is from thence it appears not to have taken root so soon as in some other ground; so likewise, through the power of Satan's temptations and corruption of the heart, the Word is for a time hindered. 6. A husbandman observes the proper time and season of sowing his seed. 7. Men are not sparing in sowing their seed, but scatter it plentifully, though they expect not all to take root. 8. A husbandman soweth his seed on what ground he pleaseth; some he lets lie barren. There are nations to whom the gospel is not sent. 9. That the earlier seed is sown the better it is rooted; so with the Word sown in the hearts of young people. (B. Keach.)
1. The first belongs to the heron species, having long legs, a long bill, broad strong wings, and an eye keen as an eagle's, yet filmy at times, which causes serious mistakes. This is the bird of intellectual scepticism. It delays your acceptance of the truth with all kinds of questions. 2. There is another bird. of dirty and ruffled feathers, a nondescript, but a hearty eater of the seed dropped by the wayside. It is evil associations. They neutralize the influences of the Spirit of God. 5. There is the muscular bird with curved beak that holds like a vice. It is a moth eater of the falcon order, and ravenous, evil habits, and belongs to a large family. 4. There is a bird of bad odour. Carrion drops from feather and from bill. It i; of the buzzard tribe. Let us call it the inconsistencies of Christian professors. 5. There is a dull and heavy bird, not easily seared away, of the booby order. It is religious indecision. All these hinder our salvation. (T. E. Brown, D. D.)
I. II. I. Let us think about THAT TYPE OF CHARACTER WHICH IS HERE SET FORTH UNDER THE IMAGE OF "THE WAYSIDE." It is a heart trodden down by the feet that have gone across it; and because trodden down, incapable of receiving the seed sown. The seed falls upon, not in it. Point out ways in which the heart is trodden down. 1. By custom and habit. The process of getting from childhood to manhood is a process of getting less impressible. 2. The heart is trodden down by sin. It is an effect of sin that it uniformly works in the direction of unfitting men to receive God's love. Every transgression deprives us, in some degree, of power to receive God's truth, and make it our own. 3. The heart is trodden down, so far as receiving the gospel is concerned, by the very feet of the sower. Every sermon an ungodly man hear, which leaves him ungodly, leaves him harder by the passage of the Word once more across his heart. II. THE LOST SEED. Satan's chosen instruments are those light, swift-winged, apparently innocent flocks of flying thoughts, that come swooping across your souls, even whilst the message of God's love is sounding in your ears. (A. Maclaren D. D.)
(A. Maclaren D. D.)
(A. Maclaren D. D. .)
1. The wayside hearers are such as are unploughed, unbroken up by the cutting energy of the law. 2. It is trampled upon by every passer by. The want of "understanding" lies in this: that they do not see their own connection with the Word. II. WHAT IS THE SEED? No matter where the seed fell, in itself it was always good; that which fell on the wayside was the same ,us that which fell on good ground. Thus the blame of man's condemnation is in himself. The seed is the Word of God. III. WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES; WHICH PROVE FATAL TO ITS BEING RECEIVED AT ALL? 1. The hardness of the ground. 2. The active agents of evil which were near at hand snatched it away. You give no advantage to the devil which is not immediately seized by him. (P. B. Power, M. A.)
(W. Arnot.)
(W. Arnot.)
(W. Arnot.)
(Marcus Dods.)
(Robert Barclay.)
(C. H. Spurgeon.)
1. Stony ground wants breaking up. These persons enter into a profession of religion before their hearts are thoroughly broken in the sense of sin. 2. Stony ground is cold; what colder than a stone? These persons are without spiritual warmth. 3. Their hearts may be compared to stony ground from the heaviness or lumpishness of their spirits. These hearts are heavy and not soon removed out of their evil course. 4. Stony ground doth not drink in the rain that falls from heaven. 5. All the hearts of men are naturally hard. 6. Stony ground seems to be the fruit of the curse for man's sin. So these persons seem still to be under the curse. 7. Stony ground by reason of the little earth that is found there, never brings forth fruit to perfection. So these persons only bring forth the externals of religion. 8. Stony ground, when the sun rises high and begins to shine hot upon it, the scorching beams thereof soon causes the blade to wither away. II. THE SUCCESS OF THE SEED. Stony or hard hearted hearers may go a great way in the profession of religion. 1. They may hear the Word of God with diligence. 2. They may be zealous hearers. 3. They may receive the Word into their hearts. 4. They receive it with joy. 5. They believe for a while. 6. They may yield obedience to all external duties. 7. They may become members of a visible church. 8. They may leave all gross acts of sin. 9. They may have some inward joy as to the hopes they have of heaven.Why they go so far? 1. From the common illuminations of God's Word and Spirit. 2. Because a temporary faith is not wholly without product. 3. It may arise from regard for some ministers. 4. Self-respect and honour may cause them to go so far. 5. It may be self-profit. 6. It may arise from that seeming sweetness and satisfaction they meet with from within themselves whilst they continue in the profession of religion. 7. It may be from a natural desire of being saved. 8. It may be from the shame and reproach which are attached to open wickedness.From whence it arises that these hearers go no further: 1. It may arise from the great ignorance that is in them. 2. It ariseth from the unsoundness of their hearts, the ground is not good. 3. It ariseth from the deceitfulness of their hearts. 4. They go no further because of their pride. 5. Because they had no vital but artificial principle ill them. 6. Because there is some secret sin hid in their hearts. (B. Keach.)
1. The principal cause is the stoniness of their hearts. 2. Privative cause. (1) (2) (3) II. THE BADNESS OF THOSE EFFECTS THAT PROCEED FROM SUCH EVIL CAUSES. 1. Barrenness. 2. Another effect that attends these professors is earthliness. 3. Lukewarmness in religious duties. 4. Pride. 5. Uncharitableness. 6. Contention. 7. Inconstancy. 8. Apostacy. (1) (2) (3) (4) III. THE DANGER AND FEARFUL CONDITION OF SUCH THAT WITHER 1. They disappoint God of His expectation. 2. These persons are hateful to God, as they seem to declare to all the world that there is not that good to be found in God which the Word and ministers do affirm. 3. They bring scandal upon the Church. 4. In respect of the world these men's sin and danger is also aggravated. 5. In respect to the sin itself, none is more odious and dangerous. Relapse more dangerous than the disease. 6. This sin of withering is generally punished with other sins, (1) (2) (3) (4) 7. How may it be known that a man is withering? 1. Self-confidence. 2. When he cannot bear a searching doctrine. 3. When his conscience is not so tender as it was. 4. When a man's prayers are short. 5. When he cannot stand in the hour of temptation. 6. Deadness of spirit. (B. Keach.)
1. He knows the Word. 2. He assents to it. 3. He professes it. 4. He rejoices inwardly in it. 5. He brings forth some kind of fruit; and yet. for all this, hath no more fruit in him than a faith that will fail in the end; because he wants the effectual application of the promise of the gospel, and is without all manner of sound conversation.This faith is like corn on the housetop, which grows for a while; but, when the heat of summer comes, it withers. (W. Perkins).
(F. W. Robertson.)
(F. W. Robertson.)
(F. W. Robertson).
(W. Arnot.)
(W. Arnot.)
(J. Ford,)
2. In the transition from a normal desire for wealth to the fervour of avarice, there is great danger of deception among men. 3. Wealth is deceitful in taking the place of legitimate enjoyments in life. 4. The relative growth of the selfish over the generous. 5. In the gradual development of self-esteem and self-sufficiency. 6. In an entire perversion which takes place in the minds of men. 7. Wealth deceives men by promises. (H. W. Beecher.)
( Ambrose.)
(F. W. Robertson.)
(W. Jay.)
(Venning.)
2. Thoughtfulness. 3. Unworldliness. 4. An honest and good heart.
(F. W. Robertson.)
2. It is an obedient heart. 3. It is a faithful heart. 4. It is a jealous heart. 5. It is a fruitful heart. (B. Keach.)
1. We ought to have an honest desire after light, and if we have this desire it will not remain unproductive. There is a connection announced in Scripture between desire and its accomplishment. The hungry are filled. Thousands are content that the Bible shall remain a sealed book — unto them it will not be given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. 2. We ought to have a habit of prayer conjoined with a habit of inquiry; and to this more will be given. It is in the Bible and not out of the Bible, where this light is to be met with. It is by the Spirit of God shining upon the Word, that His truth is reflected with clearness upon the soul. 3. We ought to do all that we know to be God's will, and to this habit of humble, earnest, desirous reformation, more will be given. Doing stands in the same relation to prayer that reading does. Without the one or the other it is the prayer either of presumption or hypocrisy. Christ is given to those who obey Him. Reading, prayer, and reformation are obvious things; and it is the neglect of these obvious things which involves guilt. It is for want of seeking if you do not find. II. EXPLAIN HOW IT IS THAT THE MYSTERIES OF THE GOSPEL ARE, IN MANY CASES, EVOLVED UPON THE MIND IN A CLEAR AND CONVINCING MANIFESTATION. The carnal mind is enmity against God; and Divine truth must be brought to man from above. (Dr. Chalmers.)
I. He who hath FAITH, to him shall be given the knowledge of the mysteries of God's kingdom; for these cannot be known without faith. II. They who have EARS or HEARING, who come to God with a pure desire to learn and to obey, to them shall be revealed celestial verities; but from those who have not this pure desire, and who indulge in their own lusts and errors, shall be taken away, by degrees, that little knowledge of Divine things which they possess. III. He who HATH DOCTRINE — in the sense of using it — he who diligently preaches and communicates to others that which lie has received, shall never be at a loss for doctrine and words which he may speak and preach, for God will supply them to him. But if any one does not make use of doctrine, he will gradually forget it and lose it. (Lapide.)
II. IN REFERENCE TO THE EXPERIENCE OF ALL GRACIOUS SOULS. Let us give instances: 1. When a man believes the gospel in its most elementary form, that man will soon be taught the higher truths. Use starlight and you shall have sunlight soon. 2. And as it is with faith so is it with the possession of any genuine grace, Faith, love, zeal, increase by use. 3. The way in which this promise is carried out by our gracious God is worthy of observation. God gives more by a process of growth, as in parable of the sower. The main point is, have we the living principle? III. THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TRUTH as exemplified in the experience of the insincere. They who have heard the gospel from childhood, now give up hearing. No taste for it. Lost power to appreciate it. Others receive the grace of God, but not acting upon it, lose its power. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
(C. H. Spurgeon.)
(C. H. Spurgeon.)
(C. H. Spurgeon.)
I. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE STEPS BY WHICH THIS GROSS INSENSITIVE STATE IS REACHED. 1. It is induced by all kinds of depravity. It is one of the penalties of wrong-doing that the moral nature is made unresponsive to spiritual things. 2. It grows on a man through the mastery of worldly pursuits — of business, home, social, and political life. 3. The habit of cherishing doubt is another circumstance which tends to weaken spiritual vision and understanding. Caution must not degenerate into procrastination. II. FORMAL ENDORSEMENT OF THE CHRISTIAN VERITIES IS ONE THING, LIVING REALIZATION OF THEM IS ANOTHER. III. HE WHO OPENED THE UNDERSTANDING OF HIS DISCIPLES IS WITH US NOW TO DO THE SAME FOR US. "Lord, that I might receive my sight." (T. Hammond.)
(T. Hammond.)
(T. Hammond.)
(T. Hammond.)
(T. Hammond.)
1. Bias, prejudice. So the Jews, because our Lord did not come in the character they anticipated, rejected Him. Our faith, to be strong and healthy, must rest on conviction. 2. Inattention. 3. Love of the world. Man's mind is often preoccupied, and so, like the seed which fell amongst thorns, the word sown is choked. 4. Pride of heart. It is right for every man to sift Christian evidence, but he must do so with humility — there must be a teachable disposition. II. DANGER OF CONTINUING THUS IGNORANT. 1. The longer we continue in sin, the more inveterate will become our habits of sin. 2. To resist light adds to our guilt. The privileges of a Christian land, a Christian home, and a Christian training, bring with them corresponding obligations (Luke 12:47, 48). 3. Sometimes brings as its punishment judicial blindness and hardness of heart. 4. Neglected opportunities will aggravate future woe — "Son, remember." III. How MAY THIS IGNORANCE BE OVERCOME? 1. By the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit. 'Tis He who knows " the deep things of fled," and He alone who can teach them. 2. Labour to know the mind of God — "Search the Scriptures." 3. Sanctify the Sabbath — not simply a day of physical rest, but of spiritual labour. 4. Do not stifle the voice of conscience. 5. Look up to Christ as your " all in all." (Essex Remembrancer.)
1. Their spiritual incompetency did not arise from the absence of sufficient information as to the nature and extent of their sacred obligations. The obligations of man are in proportion to the means he might possess for acquiring a knowledge of duty. The responsibilities of the Jews were great. In the gospel no plea is left for ignorance. 2. It could not be ascribed to any natural incapacity. They had eyes, though they saw not; not by the want, but abuse of these capacities. The Jews rejected Christ in spite of clear evidence. 3. The inability was moral. It was their own, in contempt of entreaty, from the bias of their own will. 4. The effective restoration is effected by moral influence. The true cause of man's inability to believe in Christ, is love of sin. How can the spirit wedded to the earth soar as on an eagle's wing to heaven? This view of moral impotence does not do away with responsibility; is no excuse for irreligion; not a misfortune, but rebellion; a depraved nature no excuse. The day will come when all excuses for moral impotence will fail. (A. Tidman.)
1. The abuse or neglect of the ministry of the gospel in time past. 2. Incorrigible obstinacy under chastisements. 3. Growing insensibility or hardness of heart. 4. Repeated violences to the motions of the Holy Spirit, and convictions of conscience, or obstinate sinning against knowledge. 5. The withdrawing of Divine influences. 6. And, as the consequence of all, a general decay of religion. (President Daries.)
I. DIVINE TRUTH ELICITS HUMAN DISPOSITIONS. II. DIVINE TRUTHS REPELLED BECAUSE OF DISLIKE. III. DIVINE TRUTH CANNOT BE REJECTED WITHOUT INJURY. (M. Braithwaite.) I. CHRIST'S PARABLES — Roused inquiry: Rendered subjects familiar; Removed prejudice, Convinced of wickedness; Impressed subjects on the mind. II. THEIR SUPERIORITY over all others. Others were cold and dry — His were interesting. Others were trifling — His were important. Others founded on improbable and impossible subjects — Christ's were founded on common scenes and familiar things. (Bishop Portens.)
1. They were not addressed indiscriminately to the people. 2. They were addressed to His chosen disciples. 3. The same distinction must be observed when these words are applied to ourselves. II. THE SPIRITUAL IMPORT OF THESE WORDS WHEN THUS APPLIED. 1. What the faithful disciples saw — "the Lord's Christ." 2. How it was the disciples saw those things in Him. 3. Unspeakably blessed are they who thus see. Are you in possession of these privileges? what do you know of them? (1) (2) (F. Close. M. A.)
I. The MIXED CONDITION of His Church in our world. II. THE CAUSE of this mixed condition of the Church. The existence of His people Christ traces to Himself. The tares traced to a spiritual author — stealthily. Satan does not show himself while doing his work. III. THE CONDUCT OF THE CHRISTIAN SERVANTS with respect to this mixture in the Church. 1. They notice it. 2. They wish to alter this state of things — to put an end to this mixture. IV. THE END WHICH SHALL AT LAST BE PUT TO THIS MIXTURE IN THE CHURCH. (C. Bradley, M. A.)
1. Those who outwardly profess religion, but inwardly reject it. 2. It is likeness to wheat which makes tares specially mischievous. II. WHY ARE THERE TARES? 1. The servants of Christ, loving their Master, make His interests their own. They look anxiously to the crop. 2. The same question still disturbs us — "Why does God permit His crop to be marred?"(1) It has always been so. David complains of this (Psalm 55:12). The apostles grieved by it (2 Corinthians 11:26; Galatians 2:4).(2) The reason is brief — "An enemy hath done this." It is Satan's chief triumph to hinder Christ's work by false brethren (2 Corinthians 11:13-14).(3) Beyond this we must not inquire; sufficient that God permits this present trial of faith and patience. III. WHAT TO DO WITH TARES. 1. Zealous servants who grieve at spoilt crops would fain pull up. 2. Their zeal natural and creditable. Natural: (1) (2) (3) 3. Yet mistaken. 4. The reason given. 5. It is sad to retain in Church impostors, more sad to cast out faithful. Better trust men too much than too little. (E. Gray, M. A.)
1. The One is good and beneficent. He cultivates His own rightful possession. He acts as a gracious Benefactor. The other is only malignant, the common foe of all good. 2. The Planter of good is first; the planter of evil comes after. As Satan followed the planting in Eden, so he follows every holy planting. 3. The Planter of all good does His work openly, in the eyes of all. It is the nature of good and truth to be open; falsehood and sin are cowardly. II. THE TWO GROWTHS. 1. They are intermingled in the same field. 2. They are hard to distinguish. 3. They both grow. III. THE TWO POLICIES. 1. That of the servants in natural, and seemingly founded on just zeal for what is good, but is unwise and hurtful. We are not able to judge rightly. 2. The policy of the Master, though more perplexing, is far better. It leaves things less satisfactory for the time, but accomplishes the greatest good in the end. 3. The policy of the Blaster will prevail, despite all efforts to the contrary, even to the end of the age. IV. THE ULTIMATE CONSUMMATION. 1. Note the reapers — not the " servants." Mightier strength and higher wisdom than theirs is needed. 2. Note the commands which they execute" Gather ye together," etc. 3. Note the final result. (J. A. Seiss, D.D.)
1. The first have solid spiritual excellence. 2. They are useful. The false disciples have neither — they are useless and noxious. II. HOW THEY COME TO BE THUS ASSOCIATED. The good seed Divinely planted. Satan has a hand in the life of the wicked in this world. The tares are known. III. HIS INTENTION THAT BELIEVERS AND FALSE PROFESSORS SHOULD ABIDE TOGETHER UNTIL THE HARVEST. 1. There is nothing so likely to convert false professors as seeing real Christians amongst them. 2. That the faith and patience of believers may be tested and manifested to the world. IV. THIS ASSOCIATION CANNOT LAST FOR EVER. 1. The return to judgment — "Gather ye the tares." 2. "The bundles." Let the companions in sin be grouped in doom. 3. "To be burned" — punishment and pain. 4. We are also animated by hope" Gather the wheat into My barn." (B. W. Noel.)
1. The persecutions which the righteous experience from the wicked are inconvenient, but become proper trials of virtue. 2. They give the good an opportunity of testifying their sincerity. 3. The good in their intercourse with the bad may reclaim them. 4. The good by dwelling amongst the wicked see the pernicious consequences of vice. 5. The good are a restraint upon the wickedness of the evil doers. 6. For the good of both God mercifully permits this mixture of the pious and the wicked. (The Pulpit.)
I. HE DID NOT WISH TO BE SEEN. He did not care for the fame of doing the thing; all he cared for was that it should be done. How different from us i Satan does his work unknown, etc. II. HE HAD DONE HIS WORK. He needed but one sowing time. III. HE HAD CONFIDENCE IN THE SEED. It would not fail. It was the true seed of hell. What confidence does this exhibit in the vigour and vitality of error. Have we like confidence in the life and power of truth? IV. HE HAD CONFIDENCE IN THE SOIL. The soil was evil — would not fail him — it would do its work. V. HE HAD CONFIDENCE IN THE ATMOSPHERE. It is on the air as much as on the soil that the harvest depends. He trusts to the evil air and the evil seed suiting each other. VI. HE HAD OTHER WORK TO DO. He does not abide in one place, he goes about to do work elsewhere. He is an incessant worker. What an enemy have we to fight with. "Resist," etc. (H. Bonar, D. D.)
I. THESE ARE EXTERNALLY ALIKE, BUT VITALLY DIFFERENT. II. AS THEY GROW THEIR VITAL DIFFERENCES BECOME MORE MANIFEST. III. THE WORLD-FIELD IN WHICH THEY GROW IS THE PROPERTY OF CHRIST. It is one of the mysteries of the Divine government that God should allow an enemy in the field at all. IV. THOUGH THEY ARE PERMITTED TO GROW TOGETHER FOR A TIME THERE IS A DESTINED PERIOD OF SEPARATION. Many a sinner might have been worse than he is, but for restraining contact with Christians. We must not think that forbearance is equal to complacency of evil. A strong government can afford to tolerate its foes. (E. D. Green.)
1. The sinners in the text are spared on account of the righteous that they may not be involved in the punishment due to the sins of others. But some sinners are spared out of mercy to themselves, in hope of their amendment. The interests of good and bad men are so united in this world that no signal calamity can befall the wicked but the righteous share it; hence, out of mercy to the righteous God spares the incorrigible sinners. This was Abraham's plea for Sodom. But are there not many ways of punishing men without including others in the calamity? Could not these single out desperate sinners? 1. How do you know but that the wicked are often thus punished? God does exercise judgment on the wicked in silent manner. 2. But allow the objection that a great number of wicked men ripe for destruction are spared and allowed to flourish in the world, this is for the sake of the good. The wicked man has friends whose welfare depends upon his prosperity. All men are related to others. Are all these relatives as great sinners as the man himself, would you not turn innocent children into the streets! We cannot arraign the wisdom and goodness of God. The day is coming which will dissolve all these present relations between men, when every one shall stand singly. I. BUT WHY DOES GOD PERMIT SIN? "The enemy sowed his tares." Such is the condition of human nature that no care can prevent the growth of vice. Those who demand that God should prevent evil by irresistible power demand nothing less than that He should destroy all law and religion, and divest men of reason and understanding, their chief characteristic. Since offences must needs come, why are not men as certainly distinguished by rewards and punishments as by virtue or vice? 1. Reason fails for a due administration of rewards and punishments, as it does not know men's hearts in this world. 2. This is inconsistent with the present condition of men, and the goodness of God. They are in a state of trial, and should have time to show themselves; and as to the goodness of God, it would ill become Him to destroy men as long as there were hopes of amendment. 3. Who has reason to complain? II. AS FURNISHING US WITH A PRINCIPLE OF REASON AND EQUITY APPLICABLE TO MANY CASES. Because God spares the wicked who deserve punishment for the sake of the righteous, is it reasonable that men and magistrates should act in like manner? Temporal judgments are executed immediately, the law does not consider those related to the offender. Magistrates are not at liberty to suspend the execution of justice. The reason of the two cases is very different. The punishments of this world are not final, but the means to secure virtue; but this end can never be secured by allowing criminals to go unpunished. In a word, offences in this world must be discouraged by present punishment or else the world will be a scene of misery to the best men. Offences against God, though of a deeper dye, have not in them the same call for immediate vengeance. The ends of justice are best served by delay. (T. Sherlock, D. D.)
II. THE GROWING. III. THE REAPING. (J. C. Jones,)
II. THE DUTY OF ACCEPTING PROFESSION NOW AND LEAVING FINAL JUDGMENT FOR GOD'S FUTURE. III. THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL IS VITAL, and there can be no real confusion between them. IV. THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN GOOD AND BAD PERSONS WILL ONE DAY RE CLEARLY SHOWN. V. THE TEMPTATION TO USE OUTWARD AND PHYSICAL FORCES TO ACCOMPLISH THE AIMS OF CHRIST'S CHURCH MUST BE RESISTED. (Anon.)
I. A BENEFICENT OPERATION — "Sowed good seed." 1. The man that sowed was Jesus. This was His special work during His public life on earth. 2. The good seed are the righteous. In the former parable the good seed is the Word of God. 3. The field is the world. Whether this is to be understood in its general and most comprehensive sense, or whether it signifies the Church in the world, it is not easy to determine. II. A MALICIOUS DEED "While men slept his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way." Notice: 1. The agent. 2. The season — "while men slept." It is said of the ungodly that "they love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil." There is nothing they hate so much as the light, for there is nothing so contrary to their nature and so unfavourable to their designs. As John Bunyan says: "My Lord Understanding's house was too light for the Prince of Darkness, and therefore he built a high wall to darken all the windows." 3. The result. III. A NATURAL REQUEST. From attempting such a work we are debarred on account of — 1. Its difficulty. It seems that the apostles and early Christians were endowed with a peculiar gift called the "discerning of spirits," so that for them to separate the precious from the vile might have been an easy matter. We do not know what degree of imitation is compatible with a total absence of true piety. 2. Its danger "Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them." IV. AN IMPORTANT DECISION — "Let both grow together until the harvest; and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them; but gather the wheat into my barn." But concerning this separation, notice — 1. The period when it will take place. It will be at "the time of harvest;" which harvest, we are told, is the end of the world. 2. The instruments to whom the work will be committed — "The reapers are the angels:" who are free from the manifold infirmities by which we are now encompassed — ignorance, selfishness, prejudice, impatience, partiality, animosity. 3. The manner in which it will be accomplished. 4. The final results which will follow — "to burn them:" "My barn." (Expository Outlines.)
1. Because the best men on earth are not infallible. They do not know but that what they call heresy may be a truth of Christ. 2. Because Jesus Christ is only the King and Sovereign of the conscience. None ought to impose upon the consciences of men in matters of religion. 3. Because it is directly contrary to that golden rule, or true moral precept, "Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye the same unto them." 4. Because such severities have no tendency to convince the conscience.
1. Because of the seed from whence they sprang; they are the seed of God, the seed of Christ (Isaiah 53:11). 2. In respect of that holy image which is stamped on them. 3. In respect to their union with Christ. 4. If we consider what an excellent spirit they are of, and how they walk with God every day, and have communion with the:Father and the Son, it shows they are a precious people in God's esteem.
2. The seed of wheat must first be sown in the earth before it can produce increase, so must the seed of grace be first sown in men's hearts before they can bear God's image or bring forth fruits of holiness. 3. Wheat is a profitable sort of grain. So the saints and people of God are a profitable people to the world (Proverbs 10:21; 2 Corinthians 6:19). 4. Wheat will abide and live in the sharpest winter, when some other grain will not. So true believers do abide, endeavour, and live in the times of sharpest trials, persecutions, tribulations, and temptations. 5. Wheat seems sometimes as if it were quite dead, you can in winter hardly see one green blade, so the saints seem sometimes to themselves as if they were almost dead (Psalm 88:15). 6. Wheat is sometimes, by reason of unseasonable weather in the spring, very sickly, the colour being changed. So in like manner, by reason of Satan's temptations, and the corruptions of their hearts, and evils of the times, poor believers are very sickly and weak. 7. Yet when the sun shines sweetly upon wheat and God sends dry and seasonable weather, it wonderfully on a sudden revives (Hosea 14:7). 8. Wheat needs weeding, and if it be not it will soon be grown over with weeds (Matthew 13:22). 9. Full ears of wheat hang down their heads, being full of corn. So sincere believers are humble and lowly-minded. 10. Wheat is not ripe presently, but must have time to grow to maturity, and receive the former and latter rain before it is fit for the sickle. 11. Tares oft-times are found to grow amongst wheat, which tends greatly to mar its beauty. 12. Wheat, when it is fully ripe, is gathered into the barn. So when Christ sees a believer is ripe for heaven, He gathers it as a shock of corn fully ripe. 13. Sometimes a harvest seems much in bulk, but there is bug little corn. So the spiritual harvest may seem much in bulk — a mighty appearance of a great harvest, but there may be but few sincere believers amongst them. 14. Wheat dies first, before it rises. "Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die."
1. Many may, under fair pretence of exalting Christ, sow pernicious and poisonous seed. 2. By way of council, beware of such men who are lifted up with pride, who to magnify themselves seem to despise others, perhaps more worthy than themselves. 3. Beware of such that effect novelty and strive to promote new notions in matters of religion. 4. Likewise have a watchful eye of such that cry up this and that man, and cry down others. 5. Moreover, watch such who are subject to wander from their own fold and pasturage, and such also that are ready on every small occasion to take offence.
2. Wheat ripens gradually, that it is hardly discerned; so the godly ripen gradually also, it is hardly discerned by themselves or others. 3. Wheat must have showers to ripen it. So must the saints have the showers of Divine and heavenly doctrine, or spiritual dew to ripen them (1 Corinthians 3:6). 4. Moreover, believers grow and ripen for the harvest by means of the shining and sweet fructifying influences of the "Sun of Righteousness." 5. Some Christians are like wheat smitten or blasted in respect; of their hope, peace, and joy, and so seem to languish (Amos 4:9).
1. Improve all opportunities, all seasons of grace. 2. Observe well and cherish all those convictions of your consciences, and of the Holy Spirit, either in respect of sin or duty, lest ye sin them away. 3. Improve all the dispensations and providences of God, or those various trials, afflictions, and temptations you meet with. 4. Live much in the sense and thoughts of death and of the judgment day (Deuteronomy 32:29). 5. See that you gather day by day, get more strength against sin. 6. Labour to add to your faith virtue. (2 Peter 1:5, 6, 7). 7. The way to ripen for heaven is to strive against all those things that hinder or obstruct your growth, as thorns and briars (Matthew 13:22).
2. When conscience is disregarded, men turning a deaf ear to those checks and. sharp rebukes they find in their own breasts, this tends to ripen them for ruin. 3. When the judgments of God, instead of softening, harden the sinner. 4. When the motions of the Spirit in His common operations (Genesis 6:3) are quenched. (Romans 9:22). 5. The tares, or wicked men, ripen for the harvest by letting lusts conceive in them. 6. Another gradation or progressive motion to ripening sinners is when lusts conceived break forth into acts, or the abominable commission thereof (James 1:15). 7. A third step is when sins, yea, great sins, are extenuated and rendered small. 8. When sin is delighted m; some men take pleasure in wickedness. 9. When they are told of their sins and hellish polution, and they plead excuses as if the fault was not theirs. 10. Such men are certainly ripe for harvest who are found glorying in their sin and shame (Philippians 3:19). Lastly, a hardened heart, a seared conscience, final unbelief and impenitence follows, and so they come to be fully ripe for the harvest.
2. When the harvest is fully ripe then both the wheat and tares are severed one from another by the servants of the husbandman. So all sincere Christians and hypocrites shall, by the angels, be separated one from another. 3. When the harvest is fully ended there is no more wheat or tares growing, or to be found in the field. So when this world is ended there will be no people, either godly or wicked, to be found to live as they do together now in this world, any more. 4. Harvest is a time of great joy to an industrious husbandman, but the sluggard meets then with great disappointment, and is perplexed with grief and sorrow (Galatians 6:8).HOW SHALL THE TARES BE KNOWN FROM THE WHEAT, OR HYPOCRITES BE DISCERNED FROM SINCERE BELIEVERS AT THE END OF THE WORLD? — 1. The tares shall be known by their contemptible bodies — their bodies shall not be glorious as the bodies of the saints, (Philippians 3:21). 2. The ungodly will be known by their company — the saints shall be attended by all the glorious angels, 3. The wicked will be blown by their cries and lamentations (Isaiah 65:14.) 4. The ungodly will that day be known by that signal act of our Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:22). 5. Moreover, it will be known by the different placing of the one and the other — "and life shall, set the sheep on His right hand, the goats on His left." (B. Keach.)
1. Because Church discipline is enjoined by many plain passages of the New Testament, and that no interpretation of any parable may be put against that. 2. Discipline rightly understood is for the saving of a man to the Church, and not for the casting of him out of it. 3. What the parable here recommends is not so much the following of a certain course as the cultivation of a certain spirit. I. Do AS WE WILL, WE SHALL NEVER GET EVIL ENTIRELY OUT OF THE CHURCH — the ideal Church is in heaven (Revelation 21:2). This truth has a two-fold lesson. 1. It is well fitted to comfort those who are labouring in the ministry of the gospel, and to all who are tenderly solicitous for the honour of the Church. 2. It is calculated to correct the error of those who decline to enter into the membership of the Church because it is not absolutely pure. II. The great lesson taught us is that THE RASH ATTEMPT TO SEPARATE THE GOOD FROM THE BAD IN THE CHURCH MAY RESULT IN A STATE OF THINGS THAT IS WORSE THAN THAT WHICH IS SOUGHT TO BE AMENDED. III. AT THE LAST JUDGMENT THERE WILL BE AN ABSOLUTE SEPARATION BETWEEN THE GOOD AND THE BAD. (W. M. Taylor. D. D.)
(W. M. Taylor. D. D.)
2. The Urgency of the call to Christ is deadened by the fact that we are not treated differently at present. 3. The wheat is apt to think itself no better than the darnel. (Dr. M. Dods,)
(Hugh Macmillan.)
(Bishop Thomas.)
(Marcus, Dods.)
1. Because hypocrites can never be severed but .by Him that can search the heart. 2. Because if men should make the separation weak Christians would be counted no Christians, and those who have a grain of grace under a load of imperfections would be accounted reprobates. 3. Because God's vessels of honour for all eternity, not as yet appearing, but wallowing in sin, would be made castaways. 4. Because God, by the mixture of the wicked with the godly, will try the watchfulness and patience of His servants. 5. Because thereby He will bestow many favours on the wicked, to clear His justice and render them the more inexcusable. 6. Because the mixture of the wicked, grieving the godly, will make them the more heartily pray for the day of judgment. (A. Fuller.)
(Matthew Henry.)
(Marcus Dods.)
(Van Lennep.)
II. The kingdom of heaven Is A HUMAN HEART is like a mustard seed, both in the smallness of its beginning and the greatness of its increase. In the design of God moral qualities hold the first place, physical magnitude is subordinate and instrumental. Origin imperceptible, result great, small on earth, it will be great in heaven. From the diminutive life of grace, the life of glory will grow. The kingdom of darkness also grows gradually from small to great; the first sin a small seed. (W. Arnot.)
(W. Arnot.)
II. We are taught it in the kingdom of providence. III. We are taught it in the kingdom of grace. In the change produced upon the human heart. In the progress of the gospel (Psalm 72:16). (J. Campbell.)
I. ITS PRESENT APPARENT INSIGNIFICANCE. II. ITS VITALITY. III. ITS FUTURE GRANDEUR. It might seem less likely to prevail and to become a universal benefit, than some other contemporary systems or influences. Christ, as a Jew. belonged to the exclusive people. He was rejected by His own people. The few who were attached to Him misunderstood His teaching. After the resurrection His kingdom became slightly more visible. But our Lord was confident even under adverse conditions; His truth was of the nature of a seed. What is the vital element in Christianity but the wisdom and beauty of His teaching. .Not the holiness of His life, or the love He showed, but the revelation of God in Him which draws men to Him; in His death our Lord points to the eventual greatness of His kingdom. It has indeed become a tree. To all disheartened in work; we must not measure work by size but by vitality. Have we joined the Church because it is large or because it is living. (M. Dods, D. D.)
II. THAT THE LEAVEN MUST BE LODGED AND WORK WITHIN. The leaven was Hidden in the meal. This denotes that the mysterious element which possesses such penetrative powers is for a time concealed from sight. The chief mischief connected with man lies within. Many systems of reformation proceed on the supposition that the unhappy condition of man is external, not in himself, but in his circumstances. But vice is not confined to slums. The chief elements of man's degradation are ignorance, selfishness, and misery; these are within a man, and can be counteracted only by that which shall work within. III. THE PENETRATIVE AND DIFFUSIVE POWER OF THIS LEAVEN. It spread till the whole was leavened. This it does because it is leaven, and works according to the law of its own essence. It was not leavened in an instant, but by gradual infection; an emblem of the spread of the gospel in the soul. Professors do not become perfect all at once. Religion operates from individual to individual. Where leaven is at work it will be felt. It works amidst seeming improbabilities. (E. Mellor, D. D.)
(E. Mellor, D. D.)
(J. Clifford, M. A.)
(J. Clifford, M. A.)
(J. Clifford, M. A.)
I. GOD EMPLOYS HUMAN AGENCY FOR THE CONVERSION OF THE SOUL. II. To OUTWARD APPEARANCE, THE MEANS ARE VERY UNLIKELY AND INSIGNIFICANT. III. THE CHANGE PRODUCED IS RADICAL, GRADUAL, FINAL, AND MANIFEST. IV. FAVOURABLE CIRCUMSTANCES ARE NECESSARY FOR THE LEAVEN TO WORK SUCCESSFULLY. (A. Griffin.)
I. The history of God's REVELATION TO MAN. II. The history of the CHRISTIAN CHURCH. III. The history of OPINIONS OR DOCTRINES. IV. The history of INDIVIDUAL CONVERSIONS. 1. Donor despise the day of small things. 2. Infer hope for the world. (J. M. Sherwood.)
II. CHRISTIANITY IS AT WORK AS WELL AS ALIVE. III. CHRISTIANITY, LIKE LEAVEN, WORKS IN A CONGENIAL AND MUCH ASSISTING SPHERE. IV. THE MOST DISTINGUISHED FEATURE IS THAT IT LEAVENS THE MEAL IN THE MIDST OF WHICH IT IS PLACED. SO the most characteristic effect of Christianity is that it Christianizes men; it assimilates them to Christ by filling them with the life of Christ. V. THE LEAVEN IS HIDDEN IN THE MEAL, AND ALL THE WORK IT DOES, IT DOES SECRETLY. Christ's best, most real, and most powerful work, is always unseen. VI. BUT IT ADVANCES VICTORIOUSLY AND TOTALLY. (J. Cliffbrd, M. A. , LL. B. , B. Sc.)
II. The MYSTERIOUS power of Divine grace. The grace of God is imparted to the soul. But is imperceptible in the soul. III. The TRANSFORMING power of Divine grace. The grace of God works slowly, successfully. (J. T. Woodhouse.)
I. THE BIBLE STATES THAT THE WHOLE "WORLD IS TO BE "LEAVENED BY THE TRUTH OF GOD (Psalm 22:27, 28). II. THE BIBLE WHICH CONTAINS THIS HEAVENLY TRUTH IS ADMIRABLY FITTED FOR UNIVERSAL DIFFUSION. 1. It is a Divine authority. 2. It speaks to the heart of man. 3. It prescribes to man his duty in every possible station and relation in which he can be placed. 4. It is a bond of union. 5. It inspires and fills the heart with hope. III. LITTLE HAS YET BEEN DONE FOR LEAVENING THE WORLD WITH TRUTH. IV. WHY HAS NOT MORE BEEN DONE FOR THE LEAVENING OF THE WORLD WITH TRUTH. V. HOW SHALL WE PREPARE TO DO MORE THAN HAS YET BEEN DONE FOR LEAVENING THE WORLD WITH TRUTH. VI. NEVER WILL THE CHURCH MAKE SUCCESSFUL EFFORT FOR THE LEAVENING OF THE WORLD WITH TRUTH UNTIL EVERY CHILD UNDER HER CARE BE EDUCATED WITH A VIEW TO THIS NOBLE OBJECT. (W. B. Kirkpatrick.) I. THE ELEMENTS WHICH ARE HERE BROUGHT TOGETHER. 1. The first of these may be considered as representing human nature. The parable represents the possibility of man's restoration. 2. The second element used in this parable may be regarded as an emblem of the gospel. The gospel, when compared to the world, exhibits an amazing disproportion(1) as to quantity. The leaven is small in proportion to the meal. The small origin of the gospel in contrast with the mighty change effected by it;(2) the contrast as to quality. There is a natural adaptation in the one element to the other, the one is moist, the other dry; this is favourable to the process. So in the gospel there is moral adaptation.(3) A contrast as to their influence. We might despise the hiding of the leaven as trivial; but the result is seen. The progress of the gospel irresistible. II. THE MODE OF OPERATION BY WHICH THIS RESULT ENSUES. 1. These elements must be brought into actual contact. 2. The operation is gradual. 3. It is invisible. 4. It is irresistible. III. THE FINAL PROGRESS AND TRIUMPH OF THE GOSPEL. 1. That all analogy leads us to expect its universal progress. 2. This is the purpose of God. 3. This is the burden of prophecy. 4. The musings of holy men on the future glory of the Church point in this direction. 5. The prayers of the pious refer to this event. 6. This result is highly desirable. 7. The Spirit of God is fettered by no analogy, His influence may be signally exerted. (T. Smith.)
(C. H. Parkhurst, D. D.)
(C. H. Parkhurst, D. D.)The religion which will save a man's soul is a religion that goes into his whole being, and changes him into something quite different from what he was before, when in the service of the world. A great deal less than this will enable a man to live respected by his neighbours; a great deal less will, after a time, satisfy even his own conscience, and enable him to live contentedly in his present measure of strictness. For conscience soon lowers its demands when they have been made and rejected; and an evil heart of unbelief rests content at last, on a conscience seared as with a hot iron. (W. J. Irons, D. D.)
I. WHAT IS COMPARED? The matter compared is the kingdom of heaven. II. To WHAT IS IT COMPARED? Leaven. III. IN WHAT IS IT COMPARED. NOW the concurrence of these lies in the sequel — "which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened." Wherein are remarkable (1) (2) (3) (4) (T. Adagios.)
(T. Adagios.)
(T. Adagios.)
(T. Adagios.)
(T. Adagios.)
(Hugh Macmillan.)
1. Leaven is of a diffusive quality. So the Word of God, through the Spirit, is of a diffusive nature, but in respect to every soul that receiveth it, and also in respect of people to whom it comes; for though at first but a few at Jerusalem and thereabouts received the gospel, yet how did it spread. 2. Leaven diffuses itself gradually. So the gospel spread and operated by degrees; as it diffuseth itself into every faculty of the soul at first, so it never ceaseth until the life and whole man is leavened therewith. 3. Leaven is of assimilating nature; makes all the meal that is leavened to be of one and the same lump. So the Word of God and the grace of God makes the whole soul like itself, or a whole family or nation where it is once in truth received, the very same people, both in doctrine and conversation. 4. Leaven is of a quickening and powerful nature; so the Word of God (Hebrews 4:12). 5. Leaven is hid in the meal which leaveneth; so the Word of God must be hid in the heart, both in the understanding, will, and affection, if the person he spiritually leavened with it (Psalm 119:11). It is not enough to receive it lute our mouths, or to have it in our Bibles, but we must receive it (in the love thereof) into our hearts, or else Satan will steal it away, or it will not, it cannot, work either upon our hearts or lives. 6. Leaven, it is observed, is of a softening nature; though the meal be crushed down hard, yet if the leaven be hid in it, it will make it soft and mellow. So the Word of God makes the hard heart soft and tender. 7. Leaven secretly and invisibly worketh and altereth the meal, and maketh a change of it, turning it into dough. So the workings and operations of the Word of God are secret and invisible. 8. A little leaven will leaven the whole lump; so a small quantity, or but a dram of grace, or one word set home upon the heart of three thousand souls, it will leaven them all (Acts 2:4). 9. Leaven answers a great design. It is to prepare the meal to be moulded into a loaf and so become the bread for the family. So this spiritual leaven, the Word, is by Jesus Christ appointed for a great design, viz., even to mould and fashion poor sinners for Himself, and so fit them for His own use, and that they may be meet and fit matter for His Church on earth, and for the Church triumphant in Heaven (1 Corinthians 10:17). (W. Keach.)
II. The method by which the kingdom of heaven is to grow, or by which the world is to he Christianized. Religion spreads by contagion. There must be a mixing; contact between those that are Christians and those who are not. This mixing is provided for in various ways. (1) (2) (3) (M. Dods, D. D.)
(M. Dods, D. D.)
II. THE MISSIONARY UNDERTAKING IS ARDUOUS ENOUGH TO CALL INTO ACTION THE NOBLEST ENERGIES OF MAN. This enterprise requires consummate wisdom, unwavering perseverance, undaunted courage, sublime faith. III. THE MEANS BY WHICH THIS MORAL REVOLUTION IS TO BE EFFECTED. By the preaching of Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Contemplate the simplicity, benevolence, and efficacy of this means. (F. Wayland, D. D.)
II. ITS MORAL CONDITION. III. ITS REDEEMED CONDITION. IV. ITS GLORIOUS DESTINATION. A destiny of universal knowledge, righteousness, peace, felicity. V. HIS COMMANDING CLAIMS UPON US. (J. Burns, D. D.) I. The field is the world, because the commission of Christ does not restrict the publication of the gospel to any one class or nation. II. The world is the field in which the Church is to sow the seed of the Word, because the world has been given to Christ her Head. III. Because, however wide it may be, ample means exist for its cultivation. IV. That the field to be cultivated by the Church is the world, is shown by the example of the inspired apostles. V. Follows from the fact that the gospel is suited alike to all the nations of the world. VI. The very nature of moral principle in the heart, of man requires that the Church regard the world as the field. VII. The composition of the congregation assembled in heaven proves that the field is the world. 1. Send the gospel to all. 2. Value souls. 3. Cultivate a lively sympathy with the glory of Christ. 4. Lay the foundation of all usefulness in personal godliness. (J. Stewart.)
1. The first reason is the nature of the only true righteousness in man. Man becomes righteous by denying his own righteousness and accepting that of another; this why it is hidden now. Our faith is cradled in tears and made strong by storms. 2. We find a second reason for concealment in the discipline by which the righteous are perfected. Faith grows by trials, which conceal glory. The world's eye sees little beauty in the crown of thorns. II. ITS FUTURE MANIFESTATION. The present concealment will pass away; the germ of faith will ripen unto eternal glory. By the silent growth of faith the image of the heavenly is being secretly formed within. Who can tell how the souls of the righteous will ripen in the sun-light of Christ's smile, III. ITS MIGHTY LESSONS. "Who hath ears to hear let him hear." Hear it, slothful Christian. Hear it, earnest, struggling soul. Hear it, downcast spirit. Hear it, unbeliever. (E. L. Hull, B. A.)
(E. L. Hull, B. A.)
(E. L. Hull, B. A.)
II. IN ITS PLATFORM. It is " in the kingdom of their Father." This imports — 1. All the privileges and security of an organized society of the highest order. 2. For ever to dwell at home. III. ITS JUNCTURE. "Then" — day of judgment, when the righteous shall be publicly recognized as such. IV. ITS TRUTH. On what do we ground these expectations? On the express declarations of God; the nature of the gospel, and the work of grace on the heart; and the witness of the Holy Spirit. Suggests — self-scrutiny and submission. (J. Hirst.) I. THE PRESENT CONCEALMENT OF THE RIGHTEOUS. On account of — The nature of their excellence — not discerned or appreciated by the world; the sphere within which it is displayed — in the common walks of life; the imperfections, etc., with which it is often accompanied; the reserve by which it is sometimes hidden — unobtrusive, silent. II. THE FUTURE MANIFESTATION OF THE RIGHTEOUS. The time, place, splendour, duration. (Brooks.)
1. The righteousness of justification. 2. The righteousness of sanctification. What need shall the saints have to shine in Christ's righteousness, when they shall be perfectly holy in themselves? 1. Because it was not their own inherent righteousness which was their title to heaven, but the righteousness of Christ alone; therefore they shall boast of and shine in the righteousness of Christ for ever. 2. Because their own inherent righteousness was imperfect and full of spots whilst they lived upon the earth, and it was made perfect only as an act of Christ's purchase, or the fruits of His merits and. obedience, to make them meet for that inheritance. The glory of believers is reserved to that time; now their life is a hidden life, and their glory is veiled (1 John 3:1-3).When the end of the world comes, or at the day of the resurrection, the saints shall shine forth gloriously. 1. Because being God's jewels, they are then all made up, or completed every way, and shall shine before wicked men and devils, to the shame and confusion for ever of these wretches. 2. Moreover, as heirs, they then come to a perfect age, and to possess the purchased inheritance, to the praise of God's glory and grace. 3. Then the marriage of the Lamb will be celebrated, and the bride be adorned in all her marriage robes and rich attire (Revelation 19:7). 4. Because then the bodies and souls of all believers shall be reunited, both being made perfect: a curious piece of work, whether a jewel or clockwork, never appears so glorious until it is all joined together, and every way perfected. So the glory of the saints will then be .every way full and perfect, both in respect of soul and body too. 5. Because Christ will then appear; "and when He appears, we shall appear with Him in glory" (Colossians 3:4; John 3:4). 6. Because then will be the time of the manifestation Of the sons of God" (Romans 8:19). Then they shall be crowned with glory. That will be the saints' coronation day. 7. Then will be the time of the saints reaping, as now is their time for sowing, and " they that sow in tears shall reap in joy" (Psalm 126:5). "Shine as the sun," etc. This denotes the greatness of the glory of the saints. The glory, excellence, and splendour of believers in that day will be amazing.Consider: 1. The sun is the greatest glory of this world, or far excels in glory all other things. So the saints shall shine forth in the greatest glory, beyond the glory of Solomon, or all earthly potentates whatsoever. 2. When the sun shines forth in his full strength, all dark clouds and mists are vanquished and driven away. So when the saints shall shine in their greatest glory, all dark mists of ignorance, and clouds of sin and corruption, shall be expelled from them for ever. No more dark days or unbelief for ever. 3. The sun is a singular light, and shines with a singular glory. There are many stars, but one sun. So the glory of the saints shall be a singular glory. No glory like that glory, or to be compared to it. 4. The sun is a pure, bright, and spotless creature, far brighter than the moon or stars, so the glory of the saints wall be a pure, bright, and spotless glory, not like "the glory of this world, nor like the glory which attends the saints while they are here in this mortal body. 5. The glory of the sun is an unchangeable glory; he alters not, changes not in his glory as the moon doth.So the glory of the saints in that day will ever abide the same, and never change or be less, because they then shall arrive to a full perfection of glory; nay, it shall exceed that of the sun. 1. Because the sun sets, or goes out of our sight, but the saints' sun shall never go down, their glory never sets (Isaiah 60:20). 2. The sun is sometimes clouded, its glory appears not, but the glory of the saints shall never be clouded any more as it was in this world. 3. The sun shall then be ashamed (Isaiah 24:23). That is, the glory of the saints shall so far excel the glory of the sun, that the sun shall, as it were, be ashamed (as such are said to be, when they are outshined), or outdone by others. 4. The sun is sometimes eclipsed by the gross body of the moon interposing betwixt us and it; but the glory of the saints shall by no dark body of sin, corruption, or of this world, be eclipsed any more for ever. 5. The sun is so glorious, that mortals cannot behold it, but their eyes will dazzle. So the glory of the saints will be too great for sinners to behold, it would even put out their eyes, or confound them. O happy believers! (B. Keach)
2. Many not aware of this. They are like some landowners, who can watch with delight the growth of grass, corn, and flowers in their fields, but who lose sight of the precious ore beneath the surface. Can cull a bouquet of flowers — the poetry, history, and imagery — but lack the tools (repentance, faith, hope) for delving to the rich mineral beneath. 3. This treasure can only be discovered by careful search. 4. The greater our desire for the blessings of Divine grace, the greater will be our fear lest we should fall short of them. 5. The discovery of this hid treasure should fill the believer with gladness — the Ethiopian Eunuch "went on his way rejoicing." 6. Having discovered the excellency of Divine things, we should be ready to renounce such pleasures and habits as hinder their attainment. Moses gave up the attractions of the Egyptian court, "choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God." So now the true convert will give up worldly vanities, unfair dealing, uncharitableness, insincerity, and will learn to "crucify the flesh with its affections and lusts." (Essex Remembrancer.)
1. The first and most prominent is that both parables represent the gospel as a very precious thing, and as commending itself to men as a very precious thing. A forgiven soul the highest good of man. 2. The parables further agree in representing the secret character of the spiritual blessings of the new kingdom. It is a secret life as well as a visible society. Its truths require the spiritual faculty to discern them. 3. The parables agree further in their representation of the earnestness and determination with which the precious treasure of the gospel is secured. II. But now they broadly diverge and teach important LESSONS CONCERNING THE DIVERSITIES OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. 1. The first point of difference is the way in which the riches of the kingdom are discovered. The treasure-finder stumbles upon his prize unexpectedly; the pearl-merchant finds his in earnest search. This is not the representation of a careless, unspiritual man, who does not so much find the gospel as he is found by it; but of a man whose desires and efforts are right, but who does not all at once find the thing that he wishes. The pearl-seeker seeks with determination. He has many pearls. It is one pearl amongst many that can satisfy him. Touching the law he was blameless, but what was gain he now counts loss for Christ. 2. But the different ways in which men meet God are also indicated in the contrasted emotions and conduct of the two finders of treasure; and these are in exquisite harmony with the character described. The man who unexpectedly finds treasure is impulsive in his joy; the other is joyous, but calm. The treasure-finder buys the entire field; this indicates the feverish, unintelligent way in which such characters realize their salvation. We must not think more of the field than of the treasure. The pearl-seeker buys only the pearl. He distinguishes the essential from the accidental. (H. Allen.)
I. The first is RARITY. An old master who painted pictures many a hundred years ago, and sent down a worthy name and fame to posterity, is represented in these days by only two or three. One canvas is hung here, we will say in the National Gallery, and another in Vienna, and another somewhere else: all the rest are burned by fire or rusted and moulded away by the influence of time. The bare fact that there are only three specimens extant of that man's master-pieces gives them a value that cannot be covered even though you cover that canvas with gold. According to their rarity is their value. For what is true religion? If there is anything in it at all, if it is not a gross deception, I will tell you what it is. It is holiness and happiness — rare things in the world, my masters, look for them where you will. II. Let us take another test of value, one that you are all acquainted With more or less — I MEAN THE VERDICT OF A COMPETENT AUTHORITY. If a child is playing at the mother's door with what appears to be a piece of beautifully-coloured or transparent glass, it may flash so brightly that even the mother is curious enough to take it from the little palm of her child and hold it up to see how the sun rays dance around it; but she is content then to pass it back again as a thing of no more moment. But lo, a lapidary comes that way who, with keen and practised eye, catches the peculiar scintillations that rise from it, and he takes it in his hand, holds it between him and the sun, weighs it, judges of the comparative weight and measure, and then passes it into the mother's hand, saying, "Madam, are you aware that that is a diamond, and not glass? " In a moment the verdict of a competent authority has increased its value fifty thousand fold. So with a picture which has hung on a cottage wall for years, an unvalued heirloom, that hangs there simply because it is its accustomed place. There comes in one who knows, and he uses means to take away the canker and the rust of time, and unburies a patch of subtle colour that lies beneath, and he says in a moment, "Why that is a Rembrandt," and in a moment the verdict of a competent authority gives it a value that it never possessed before. I want to rest religion on the same ground, the verdict of a competent authority. "Ah," but I hear somebody there saying, "where will you find an authority that is sufficient for us? Where will you find one that we are bound to believe?" Brothers, on the principle that experience is the grandest teacher. III. Not only rarity, not only the verdict of a competent authority, BUT DURABILITY IS AN IMPORTANT TEST OF VALUE. Why, you will scarcely give your child a sixpence to go and buy a toy without giving it a little wise motherly counsel at the same time not to buy something that will break almost before it gets home. That is true right along the whole of your business transactions. How long will it last? as old Humphreys says, is one of the wisest questions that a buyer can inquire after. Well, let us put that test to religion. You know beauty has a value, a wondrous value, as we have seen in the diamond already; but if you ask for the value of beauty alone, then I protest to you that I know nothing in this world that is more beautiful than a full-blown bubble rising from the lips of a schoolboy on a summer's afternoon, floating out in a stately silence of its own, a beautiful crystal globe, dancing in the sunlight as though it loved its congeners. As it passes over field and tree and house and passer-by, is photographed in many colours upon its brilliant walls, and as it rises higher and higher in the sunlight, you are ready to say, "How beautiful!" And yet you say, "As worthless as a bubble." Why? Because it will not last. IV. Now, there is only one more that I know anything about myself, but I declare to you I THINK IT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT OF THE FOUR, AND THAT IS THE TEST OF ADAPTATION. What is the use of a telescope that does not bring a thing nearer and magnify it to the eye? What say you of yonder sailor who is out on the seas shipwrecked; all his chance of life is his gripping power to a slippery, craggy rock that rises just above the surging seas; he can see nothing; no hope of life, blood starts from his fingers' ends as he grips, lest he plunges in the deep. What is the most precious thing in the world to him? You won't offer him a fortune, will you? Millions are of no use: the most precious thing to that man is a boat; it is adapted to his special necessity. (J. J. Wray.)
1. In its nature. The reference under this metaphor is not designed to apply so much to the case of men to whom the gospel is not exhibited, as with the heathen. It applies to men who have the gospel; yet they will not estimate it. 2. In its source. The cause is the universal depravity of the heart. II. THE GOSPEL DOES INTRINSICALLY POSSESS VAST AND INESTIMABLE VALVE. It is a treasure. The value of the gospel will appear if you consider (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) III. THE DISCOVERY OF THE ACTUAL VALUE OF THE GOSPEL MUST EXERT A MASTER INFLUENCE UPON THE PRINCIPLES AND HABITS OF THOSE BY WHOM IT IS ACQUIRED. 1. The discovery of the value of the gospel must arise from the influence of the Divine Spirit. 2. Then men practically abandon all that may interfere with their enjoyment of the blessings which the gospel exhibits. 3. This abandonment will never fail of procuring the desired result. 4. The treasure is offered to all freely and fully. (J. Parsons.)
2. To the individual it must come in direct, personal relations. 3. A man must be prepared for effort and sacrifice to gain a personal interest in religion. (Anon.)
(Kitto.)
(Edersheim.)
I. AN EVIL HIDING WHICH IS NOT INTENDED HERE. When a man hath received light and knowledge of Christ and Divine truth, and he (through Satan's temptations. and the evil of his own heart) strives to smother it in his own breast, or conceals what he knows, this is an evil hiding. Now the reason why some do this I shall show. 1. Because truth is only discovered to his understanding. They may be much enlightened, but his will consents not, subjects not to the power of it. Nor is he in love with it, his affections being not changed, or as the apostle says, "Such do not receive the truth in the love of it." 2. It may be occasioned through shame. He s ashamed of Christ and His word; the visible profession of religion exposeth much to reproach and contempt. 3. It may be through idleness he is not willing to be at further pains, nor at the charge to sell all that he hath to buy this field, or publicly to receive Christ. 4. Moreover, fear may be one cause of the sinful hiding of this treasure. He knows not what the losses may be he may meet withal, or what he may suffer for Christ's sake, if he visibly confesseth Him. 5. An evil hiding imports a non-improving of their light and knowledge (Matthew 25:18). II. THERE MAY BE A GOOD HIDING OF THIS TREASURE, which may denote — 1. Such endeavour to the uttermost, whatsoever it may cost them, to make it their own, and will not wickedly conceal what Christ hath done for them (Psalm 66:16). 2. They make use of all means to secure it, and in prayer crying to God continually to help them to persevere and keep this treasure against all attempts of enemies whatsoever.
2. This spiritual treasure makes all that find it very rich (Revelation 3:18). 3. Much earthly treasure makes men to be envied and hated by many persons, and are in danger to be robbed by thieves. So a believer is hated and envied by the devil and wicked men. Satan, like a cunning thief, strives to rob them of their treasure. 4. Such who have much riches, or store of earthly treasure, live high; they feed or fare not as the poor do; also they are more richly clothed, and delivered from the care and fears which the poor are vexed with continually. 5. A man that hath much earthly treasure can do more good to his neighbour than multitudes of others are able to do. So believers, rich in faith, rich in promise, rich in experience, can do more good to others — they can give better counsel, more and better comfort (Proverbs 10:21). 6. He that hath much earthly treasure values himself accordingly, rich and honourable are his companions, and with them he communes every day. So he that hath much spiritual treasure values himself upon the best grounds; he is a child of God; he hath God for his portion; he is allowed communion with God; he is assured he shall never want any good thing (Psalm 119:63). 7. Hid treasure is not found without much pains and diligent searching, no more is this spiritual treasure (Proverbs 2:2, 5). 8. He that hath much earthly treasure, commonly sets his heart upon it, and it is his chiefest delight; so he that hath found this treasure, sets his heart upon it. God and Christ are his chiefest delight (Matthew 6:21). 9. Such who find great treasure rejoice; so he that finds Christ, this spiritual treasure, rejoiceth; he selleth for joy all he hath to buy that field. A believer has cause of joy, he is happy for ever.
2. It being heavenly and spiritual treasure, it followeth that it must be incorruptible treasure. 3. It is soul-satisfying treasure, the treasures of this world can never satisfy the immortal soul of man. 4. It is durable and everlasting treasure, not uncertain riches, which are compared to vapour (Proverbs 23:5).
1. He was long hid in God, or covered and out of sight of men. The salvation by Jesus Christ was hid from the Jews who believed not under the law, under dark shadows and beggarly elements, so that they could not find this treasure. 2. Christ and His benefits are hid in the dispensation of the gospel, so that very few can find this rich treasure. They have the field, viz., word and administration of the gospel, but carnal men see not the mysteries of the gospel. 3. This treasure was hid (and is still); dark, parabolical, symbolical, or tropical expressions uttered by our blessed Lord. Many had the field; the parables and similitudes were spoken to multitudes, but the treasure in them few saw. It is evident that the treasure is still hid from most in our days. 4. This treasure is hid by the Lord from multitudes, as an act of His Sovereign will and pleasure (Romans 9:18; Matthew 21:25, 26). 5. That may be said to be hid which mankind cannot find without God reveals it to them in a supernatural way. Now the knowledge of Jesus Christ and the mysteries of the gospel mankind naturally cannot know. 6. That which needeth many gradations to unfold it is a hidden thing, but the knowledge of Christ the Redeemer, and mysteries of salvation, needed many gradations to unfold it. To our first parents it was made known by the promise, "The seed of the woman shall break the serpent's head." Then to Abraham God gave a further discovery thereof (Genesis 22:18). Afterwards it was revealed by types, ceremonies, and sacrifices of the law, and then we come to the gospel dispensation. 7. That which requires our uttermost skill, wisdom, and diligence to search and find out is a hidden thing, but the true knowledge of Jesus Christ requires our uttermost skill, wisdom, and diligence in searching to find out, and therefore it is a hidden thing (Proverbs 2:1-5). As men know not the price thereof, so many know not the place thereof where it is hid. It is hid from many by the devil (2 Corinthians 4:3, 4).
(B. Keach.)
1. It is not confined to the Church. 2. The field is not confined to the Bible. Many are saved who do not know the Bible: In whatsoever connection it is that a man first discovers Christ, that to him is the field. II. THESE PARABLES ARE NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS TEACHING THAT SALAVATION IS A THING WHICH A MAN CAN BUY. It is not a commodity outside of the man which he can transfer by purchase; it is a nature within him that can be imparted only by God. III. THESE PARABLES DO NOT COUNSEL CONCEALMENT IN THE MATTER OF OUR SALVATION. Men hide that of which they are ashamed; none need be ashamed of Jesus and His salvation. Men hide that which they are afraid of losing, or of having stolen from them; but who can deprive of that which is within us. No man has any exclusive property in salvation. The new life will make itself felt. (W. M. Taylor, D. D.)
II. The soul seeking good will always want a better. III. The soul, seeking good, wants a better until it finds Christ the best. (Anon.)
I. This pearl cost a vast amount to procure it for the children of men. II. It is of great price in that it is of inestimable value. III. It is of great price because it loses none of its brightness and beauty by length of time or constancy of use. IV. Its great price is proved by the efforts the mere chant made to secure it. V. This pearl costs heavily the one who procures it. VI. This pearl costs the surrender of all sin. (T. T. Eaton, D. D.)
II. Christ may be compared to a pearl because of its durability and its unchangeableness. Time does not rust a pearl. III. Christ may be compared to a pearl because lie is such an adornment to the soul that seeks him. IV. Christ may be compared to a pearl because of its value. (Dr. Talmage.)
(Dr. Talmage.)
(Dr. Talmage.)
(Dr. Talmage.)
II. Some pearls are of great worth. Our Lord Jesus Christ no doubt is compared to a pearl of great price upon this account chiefly — He is of inestimable value (Isaiah 43:4). III. Pearls have a hidden virtue in them, though but small in bigness, yet great in efficacy. Jesus Christ had a hidden virtue in Him — though little in the eyes of carnal persons, yet such as receive Him in faith, find wonderful virtue in Him (Luke 8:46). Such is the hidden virtue of Jesus Christ, of this Pearl, that when a man finds it, and partakes thereof inwardly — it fills him with joy and earthly comfort. IV. Pearls are of a splendid and oriental brightness — both without and within. Jesus Christ may be compared to a pearl on this account (Hebrews 1:3). V. Pearls — nay, one pearl of great price, enriches him that finds it. So they that find the pearl of great price, Jesus Christ, and lay hold on Him, are greatly enriched, they are spiritually rich, eternally rich (Ephesians 3:5). VI. Some men, when they have found a pearl of great price, they know not the worth of it. They perhaps think some other pearls are of equal value, or as rich us that which they have found. So some, when they have found Christ, know not the worth, the riches of Him, but are ready to esteem other pearls equally with Christ. VII. This being so, it followeth hence, that it behoveth him that finds a pearl of great price to know it well what it is, and also its just value, Jest he be cheated and part with it for pearls of little value in comparison of that. VIII. Pearls, rich pearls of great price, are commonly kept in the possession of noble persons, who are adorned with them, and are known to be noble persons. So the saints, born of God, are the most excellent in all the earth, and these only are adorned with goodly pearls (Ezekiel 16:11). (B. Keach.)
I. You must seek Him in the depths of God's eternal councils, there you may find Him — for He lay there from everlasting. II. You must seek Him in the depths of eternal wisdom. III. You must seek Him in the covenant of grace, and of redemption, as the head and great representative of God's elect. IV. You must seek Him in the depths of God's eternal love. V. You must seek this pearl in the revelation of God's council, in the types and sacrifices under the Law. You must seek Him in the revelation God made of Him in the prophecies of the prophets. And more especially you must seek Him in the glorious gospel. VI. You must seek this pearl by faith. VII. You must seek this pearl in the promises of God, in the promises of the New Covenant, or of the Gospels. VIII. You must seek Christ in the way of .your duty, in reading, meditation, and prayer, as well as hearing theWord. Now I shall show when you should seek Him. I. Early (Proverbs 8:17). II. To seek Him early is to seek the Lord while He may be found (Isaiah 4:6). III. When we have a full gale of the Spirit, when we have a strong operation of the Word and Spirit upon our hearts. IV. Seek Him to-day (Hebrews 3:7). V. Seek Him before it is too late.
II. With skill and divine wisdom. III. With full purpose and resolution of heart and soul. IV. As one that knows the great want, need, and necessity of Christ. V. As one who is convinced of the great worth and excellence of Christ. VI. Believingly, not doubting. VII. With longings after Him. VIII. With a heart touched with the loadstone of His love (Proverbs 2:1-4). IX. Constantly, unweariedly; never cease till thou hast found Him. X. Sincerely, not for the loaves, nor for applause, not simply to be saved, but for His own sake (John 6:26). (B. Keach.)
I. Sinners should seek Christ, the Pearl of great price, because He came to seek them. II. Sinners should seek Christ because seeking and finding Him are coupled together (Jeremiah 29:13). III. Because the promise runs to them that seek (Matthew 7:7). IV. Sinners should seek Him, because they are commanded to do so (Isaiah 5::6). V. Because salvation is only in Jesus Christ. All that seek justification and eternal life, and do not seek Him, shall certainly perish (Acts 4:12). VI. Sinners should seek Christ because by nature they are without Him (Ephesians 2:12). How will sinners lament their folly in seeking other things more than Christ; nay, have utterly neglected Him. Those who have got Christ, who have found this pearl, are the most happy people in the world.
I. With all his sins and horrid lusts; all that find Christ, part willingly with every evil habit, and with every evil act of sin; and by the spirit and grace of Christ, he is enabled to do this. II. All his old company with whom he took delight, and among whom he dishonoured God. III. All his former hopes of heaven, and the foundations he built those hopes upon. IV. All his own external privileges. V. All His own good works — and inherent righteousness — in point of justification he sold all.
II. They that buy must know the market-day, and repair thither to buy. So must a sinner attend on the word and ministry that would have Jesus Christ. III. Buyers commonly ask the price of what they buy. So sinners must learn the terms on which they can have Christ, that is without money, and without price. IV. Some come only to cheapen — to ask the price, that is all. So do some here — they think there is time to buy hereafter. V. Some who come, like not the terms — they are full of money and scorn to receive freely. They are proud. VI. Some come too late, the market day is over. VII. In buying, some things are parted with. Such as would have Christ — must part with all that is gain to them. VIII. Some refuse to buy at the proper season and afterwards cry out against their own folly. (B. Keach.)
I. A merchant is one that trades or deals for the good things of this world, and he makes it his chief business. So a man that seeks after heavenly firings, trades or deals in spiritual commodities, and he makes religion his chief business. Hence saith Paul to Timothy, "Meditate upon these things, give thyself wholly to them, that thy profiting may appear to all men." (1 Timothy 4:15). II. A merchant sometimes trades and deals in things of great worth, as here in this parable is expressed, viz., goodly pearl. What is more valued than gold, silver, precious stones, and goodly pearl? III. A merchant sets his heart, his mind, and chiefest thoughts upon his merchandize; I mean he prefers these things, and in good earnest pursues after them above all things upon the earth. So a spiritual merchant or Christian sets his heart and chiefest thoughts upon heavenly things; he sets his affection on things above, and not on things that are upon the earth. IV. A merchant sometimes ventures to sea, and runs many dangers (in seeking goodly pearls, and after rich merchandize both by storms, rocks, sands, and pirates also. So a true Christian is exposed to great difficulties, and runs many dangers, who ventures out into a visible profession of religion; on the sea of this world, what storm's of reproaches, temptations and persecutions, is he oft exposed unto? V. A merchant at first hath not that skill in trading as he attains or gets afterwards. Old dealers have more judgment and greater experience than such who have newly begun to trade. So a man when he first begins to seek after God, or to mind heavenly things, he hath not that understanding, that knowledge and judgment in religion, as an old Christian. VI. A merchant ought to know the nature and value of those commodities he deals in, and the whole mystery of merchandizing. So a true Christian or spiritual merchant labours to know the transcendent worth, nature and value of all spiritual things, and the whole mystery of godliness; indeed, this knowledge is not easy to attain unto. VII. A merchant is very careful of his business, when he hath met with loss, lest he run out and waste his substance, and so at last be undone. So a spiritual merchant is very thoughtful, and full of trouble, and takes the more care, when he sees he goes backward rather than forward, or decays in zeal, love, faith, etc. VIII. A merchant, if he know not what pearls be, may soon be easily cheated by false and counterfeit pearls. So many a spiritual merchant, if he know not what the person of Christ is, may easily be cheated of the true Christ, and believe in a false Christ. IX. A merchant trades to foreign parts, they fetch their treasure from afar. So a spiritual merchant trades to heaven, a far country. X. A merchant has his correspondent in those far countries to which he trades, who receives his merchandize, and makes returns. So all true Christians have their Blessed Correspondent in heaven, who manageth all their concerns; viz., the Lord Jesus. XI. A merchant is very careful to attend the exchange, or place where merchants meet together, and where they hear, and learn how their affairs go abroad, and these have opportunities to sell or buy more goods. Moreover, if they neglect or are remiss in their attendance, it gives cause of suspicion that they may soon break, and cease to be merchants. So spiritual merchants are very careful to attend solemn meetings of the saints, where they hear of and from Jesus Christ, and as they there receive from Him, so they make returns of praise to Him. XII. Merchants take great care to keep their books or accounts well, they are oft in their counting-house — that they may know whether they gain or lose; that they may see a good end of their affairs, and that they are not wronged.And thus also do the saints, they labour to cast up their accounts, viz., examine and try their hearts. Secondly: I shall show you these are the best and chiefest merchandize in the world, or no merchandize like spiritual merchandize. I. Because the nature of these things these merchants trade in, far excel all the things in the world. All other things are of little worth to the grace of God, the love of God, union and communion with God, to trade in gold tried in the fire (Revelation 2:3-18). II. "All things of the world are vanity" (Ecclesiastes 1:2). But there is real substance in these merchandize. III. These merchandize are best because incorruptible, neither moth nor rust can corrupt, fire consume, or thieves steal these goodly pearls. IV. The rareness or scarcity of these merchandize, show their most excellent nature. Things are not only esteemed for their worth, but for their rarity. Now these things that spiritual merchants seek, are exceeding rare; hardly one man in a thousand finds these goodly pearls, the pearl of great price. V. These merchandize were bought with a great price, by the Son of God. He first laid down the full sum that Divine justice demanded, and got them into His own hand for His elect. VI. They are soul treasures such that suit with and answer all the wants of the precious and immortal soul of man. VII. These merchandize are the best, because of their duration; all the things of this world are but momentary, sometimes gone in a moment — the world passeth away; but spiritual things, which are not seen, are eternal. VIII. Their correspondent, with whom these merchants trade, that manages all their concernments, and is engaged to make them sun- and safe, returns from afar. Now, as Jesus Christ is their correspondent, so he if such an undertaker that they need not fear anything can miscarry, which is in His hand. IX. These merchandizes are the best merchandizes, and these merchants the wisest merchants doth appear in respect of the terms on which they trade. They are the best merchandize because their commodities are freely given, "without' money, without price." It cannot indeed stand consistent with the design of redemptive grace, which is to advance the glory of God in His goodness, and to cut off all boasting, and cause of boasting, to admit of anything of the creature that looks like money, to procure a right to these things. X. These are the best merchandize — this the best trade — because of the returns these merchants have from Jesus Christ. They have quick returns (Isaiah 65:24). It is the best trade — they only trade for things of inestimable worth. The returns are certain — sure of growing eternally rich. Not only rich, but great and noble. These merchants are advanced to mighty honour (Proverbs 12:26). (B. Keach.)
(Robert Macdonald.)
I. It represents the experience, not of a careless or a profane man, who stumbles suddenly upon the gospel when he was in search of other things, but of one who is awakened, and has begun to seek the true religion, endeavouring to add attainment to attainment sincerely, according to his light. His conscience is uneasy. There is truth in the man, though not wisdom. He is honestly seeking the way, and the Lord leads him. He is seeking; he shall find. II. It represents the unparalleled, inconceivable richness of God's mercy in Christ, taking away all a sinner's sin, and bestowing on him freely the peace and privileges of a dear child. III. It represents that these riches lie, not in an accumulation of goodly attainments, such as men are wont to traffic in, but in one undivided, indivisible, hitherto unknown and unimagined treasure. IV. It represents that the inquirer, the instant he discovers that this one incomparable, all-comprehending treasure exists and is offered to him, cheerfully, eagerly, unhesitatingly gives away all that he possesses, in order to acquire it. That is, he gives all for Christ, and then enjoys all in Christ. (W. Arnot.)
II. Pearls are very valuable. III. Pearls possess a splendid brightness. Their beauty is as much within as without. IV. Pearls are so firm, strong, and compact, that fire cannot consume them, nor ordinary strength break them. V. Pearls are a rich ornament, and those who wear them are accounted the honourable of mankind. VI. Yet many are ignorant of them, and many esteem them no more than pebbles. (Pulpit Helps.)How visibly the providence of God appears to favour honest perseverance in our worldly callings. Man seeks for the chief good — He seeks for this pearl in the mines of learning, business, ambition, pleasure. The true pearl lies not in these. (E. Scobell, M. A.)
(Morgan Dix, D. D.)
(Morgan Dix, D. D)
(Morgan Dix, D. D.)
(R. Winterbotham, M. A.)
1. The rarity of a gem greatly enhances its value. 2. i gem that is entirely free from flaws is regarded as highly precious. He was holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners. 3. The value of a gem materially depends upon the size of it. To measure Him, not physically, but morally and spiritually, is far beyond our power. II. BEFORE WE CAN FEEL A REAL DESIRE TO POSSESS CHRIST, HIS INESTIMABLE VALUE MUST BE IN SOME MEASURE APPREHENDED. 1. Of this truth the case of the Jews affords a convincing demonstration. 2. To reveal Jesus in His matchless worth is the special office of the Holy Spirit. III. THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN BROUGHT TO SEE AND FEEL THE SAVIOUR'S WORTH WILL REGARD NO SACRIFICE TOO GREAT IN ORDER TO BE MADE PARTAKERS OF HIM. 1. We must be willing to part with our own righteousness. 2. With the favour of our dearest friends, should their claims clash with His. 3. With every known sin, however agreeable or profitable. (Expository Outlines.)
I. WATCH HIM WHILE HE IS SEEKING. 1. He has his mind aroused and engaged. His heart is in his business. 2. He has a fixed definite object. He has given himself to pearl hunting. 3. He had an object which was not at all commonplace. Other people might go for stones, he for pearls. 4. He sought them with diligence. 5. He used discrimination at the same time. 6. He went into the business with moderate expectations. II. His FINDING. 1. This find was a remarkable one. 2. He found all in one. 3. He was resolved that he would have it. III. His SELLING OUT. 1. Sell out old prejudices. 2. Self-righteousness. 3. Sinful pleasures. IV. THE BUYING. 1. An immediate purchase. 2. A joyful one. 3. An enriching one. 4. A final purchase. 5. A- purchase he never regretted. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
2. Good and bad alike are drawn in company towards the shore, but the good and bad are separated when they reach it. (W. Arnot.)
(W. Arnot.)
1. Enclosure. 2. Enlargement. But the main points of the parable are — I. The TRUTH THAT THE NET GATHERS "OF EVERY KIND." The Church embraces every variety. This mixture arises from the manner in which the kingdom of heaven is proclaimed among men; publicly to all. But this mixture is at length to give place. On the shore a real and final distinction will be made and acted on. The test will be our value to God. (M. Dods, D. D.)
II. THE RESULT DECLARED. "The kingdom of heaven is like unto a net that... gathered of every kind;" so the Christian Church is at present in a mixed condition. There are two important uses to which this truth may be applied. 1. To refute a common objection. When religious professors bring scandal on the cause with which they are identified, the enemies of Christianity should remember that in this respect things turn out just as the great Founder of our religion foretold. 2. Inasmuch as the visible Church is thus mixed, all who name the name of Christ should be jealous over themselves with a godly jealousy, and not rest without seeking to ascertain what is their true character. III. THE EXPLANATION GIVEN — "So shall it be at the end of the world." Notice. 1. The period when the separation will take place. 2. The agents by whom it will be accomplished. 3. The solemn issue in which it will terminate. (Expository Outlines.)
1. A net is a proper engine or instrument to catch or gather fish; so the gospel, or the Word of God preached, is a proper instrument to gather sinners out of the world into the Church, both visible and invisible (1 Corinthians 1:2). 2. A net is cast into the river or sea before it can take fish, so the word of the gospel must be preached that sinners may be converted. 3. A net takes fish (when they are caught) out of their proper element, and they die immediately; so those sinners who are indeed taken, or spiritually and savingly wrought upon by preaching the Word, are taken out of that element where they lived, and loved to live before — i.e., out of a course of sin and wickedness; and such die presently to sin and to all the vanities of the sea of this world. 4. A net must be cast into the sea or river with judgment by a skilful fisherman; it requires wisdom to use it to answer the end appointed. So ministers, Christ's spiritual fishermen, ought to be men of great skill, knowledge, wisdom, and experience (2 Corinthians 12:16). 5. A net is cast where a fisherman hath ground to hope he may take store of fish; so a minister should preach where multitudes of people are gathered together, when an opportunity doth present; thus did our Lord (Matthew 5:1). 6. Sometimes fishermen labour all night (as Peter and John did) and take nothing; it is God that blesses their labour when they succeed well. 7. A net takes fish of every kind, some great ones, some small ones; some good, and some bad. So the gospel net gathers of every sort, some rich, some poor, some great ones (but not many of that kind), some little ones, who are despised in the eyes of the world. 8. A fisherman's work is very hard, and he is exposed oftentimes to be tossed on the tempestuous sea; so is the work of Christ's ministers. (B. Keach.)
I. Let us consider this searching question, "Have ye understood all these things?" as spoken to those who can humbly, but yet confidently, say, "YES, I HAVE UNDERSTOOD THESE THINGS." We can say, "One thing I know; whereas I was blind, now I see." If we have understood these things, what then? 1. Let us be thankful to God, for this understanding of Divine truth is not due to any natural intelligence we possess. 2. If you have been led to understand these things, ought not this to encourage you to seek to understand more? 3. You should not be backward to tell them to others. We are to be pupil teachers; pupils always, but teachers too. II. BUT SOME WHO THINK THEY UNDERSTAND ALL THESE THINGS DO NOT UNDERSTAND THEM. IS your life in accordance with what you know? It is a solemn thing to have an understanding of Divine truth, but not to be affected by it to repent of sin. Many professors with big heads and small hearts. III. ARE THERE NOT SOME WHO WOULD HARDLY KNOW HOW TO ANSWER THIS QUESTION? They understand, and yet they do not: theoretically but not spiritually. You know Jesus Christ; but have you accepted Him? (C. H. Spurgeon.)
(C. H. Spurgeon.)
(C. H. Spurgeon.)
(C. H. Spurgeon.)
II. The preacher should not forget to bring forth out of his treasure "THINGS OLD." Many have gone to as great an extreme in the direction of the old, as others in the direction of the new. It is not a trimming between the old and new that is expected. The old facts of the gospel must be brought out. The oldest truths of the gospel; God's great love. (D. Longwill, M. A.)
(D. Longwill, M. A.)
II. HIS PROFICIENCY IN DIVINE KNOWLEDGE. 1. Correct. 2. Comprehending. III. THE MEANS OF HIS PROFICIENCY. 1. Diligent research. 2. Daily meditation. 3. Devout breathings. IV. THE USEFULNESS OF HIS LIFE. V. THE BENEFITS OF REMEMBERING THE LIFE AND LABOURS OF ONE WHO WAS A SCRIBE INSTRUCTED UNTO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. 1. To admire the dealings of God with His servant. 2. To exercise the spirit of patient continuance in well doing. (S. Eldridge.)
1. They may be called householders in this sense, because as a deputy-householder chosen by his Lord to that office. So is every true and faithful minister or pastor of a Church chosen and called by the Lord to that holy office. 2. They may be called householders in respect of that great charge and trust which is committed to them. 3. A minister or pastor of a Church of Christ may be compared to a steward or deputyhouseholder, in respect of that faithfulness that he ought to manifest in the discharge of his great trust and office (1 Corinthians 4:2).I showed you why they ought to be well stored. 1. They ought to be well provided, because Jesus Christ hath made plenteous provision for His spiritual family, which blessed food He hath committed to them to distribute. 2. Because their Master is a great King, and all His children are nobly descended. 3. Because the preciousness of the souls which they are to feed. (B. Keach.)
(R. South, D. D.)
1. On its intellectual side. A creed that is not growing steadily is a dead creed, and ought to be buried. The old is not to be banished altogether, or all at once; the new must be grafted on to it. 2. On the side of conduct. The great elements of manhood are no novelties. Faith, hope, love, obedience, patience, fidelity, are all old-fashioned virtues; but nothing better has been invented yet. We have got to give new life and meaning to them by bringing them to bear upon our altered conditions. (Washington Gladden.)
(Washington Gladden.)
1. Perhaps there was envy. Theft did not like to think that one of themselves should be so much above them. 2. There was a prejudice against Christ because of the worldly circumstances of His family. Poverty. has always been a sore hindrance to acceptance. 3. There was certainly a feeling in the Jews against Christ from the absence of any apparent means of His attaining uncommon eminence. "Whence hath this man." 4. A stronger feeling against Christ arose in their minds from the commonness and familiarity of His associations. The effect of His teaching was lost through the nearness of His lower life. Had He come from far, had He been shrouded in mystery, then they might have received His claims. They had not spirituality enough to counteract the suggestions and influences of His carnal relations. Men are still backward to recognize the Divine in connection with the common; earthly genealogy disproves the heavenly descent. Illustrations of this fact: I. The first shall be taken from CHRIST HIMSELF. Christ is God manifest in the flesh: we have felt that the great God might have chosen some other and higher mode of display; have clothed Himself with light. II. The same may be said of CHRISTIANITY. None can fail to recognize the thoroughly human character of the records of the New Testament. It has been objected that they are common and insignificant, that they mention trifling matters. Men want a more stately book — but then it had lost its charm. The human is Divine. III. A third illustration we will take from THE OPERATION IN NATURE. We are prevented from recognizing the Divine power by the commonness of daily operations. IV. A fourth illustration is taken from DIVINE PROVIDENCE. Men seem only to recognize the Divine working in extraordinary events. V. The last illustration is taken from our COMMON LIFE. There is a great craving for extraordinary positions; had we more splendid conditions how we could display the energy of our faith. All life is Divine. The Divine man makes the Divine life; seek to detect the spiritual and Divine everywhere. (A. J. Morris.)
(Crysologus.)
(Burkitt.)The imperfection of the religion of modern society has its root in the obscure perception of Divine truth. If is only a clear-sighted faith which can grasp the truths of revealed religion, and show to us the relation in which we stand to God. If it does not bring into clear view the obligations and duties which it imposes, and the privileges and graces which it imparts, the life of holiness and devotion will not be seen ..... We may trace our imperfect Christian characters, our defective morality, and our almost godless civilization, to a want of faith in our Lord's doctrines and in His view of life, and our relations to Him and to eternity. It is faith primarily, which will alone bring us into union with Himself, and enable us to see and realize our relations to God as our Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier. (R. B. Fairbairn, D. D.) The Biblical Illustrator, Electronic Database. Copyright © 2002, 2003, 2006, 2011 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission. BibleSoft.com Bible Hub |