Philippians 1:1-3 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi… (A sermon to old and young): — In the text we have age and youth, autumn and spring, the golden eventide and the fair light of early days. We see — I. AGE AND YOUTH TOGETHER. Not separate, looking askance at each other, divided by incompatibilities or jealousies, but in union. The young often flee from the old; the old are often impatient with the young. The advantages of this union are obvious. 1. The old will contribute the wisdom of experience. 2. The young will quicken animation and hope. II. Though age and youth are together AGE TAKES PRECEDENCE OF YOUTH. Paul first. A principle of right settles all questions of priority. It is not beautiful because not right that youth should take precedence. There are many ways of taking virtual precedence. 1. Contradiction. 2. Impatience. 3. Neglect. III. Though age takes precedence of youth yet BOTH ARE ENGAGED IN COMMON SERVICE. "Servants," not Paul the master. See how one great relationship determines all minor conditions and attitudes. As between themselves Paul was father, renowned, senior; Timothy was son, obscure, junior; but as before Christ, the one Lord, they were both servants. The Alps are great mountains in themselves, but are less than pimples in relation to the world. The earth, a great globe in itself, is a speck of light to the nearest star. The important tradesman in a small town is lost in a great city. The right way to take our proper measure and to chasten our ambition is to look at the highest relationships of all. The great man dwindles into his proper proportions when he looks at the Creator; the mighty potentate as he looks at the King of kings; the philanthropist as he looks at the Saviour. The noisy rushing train seems to be going fast; let it look at the flying stars and be humble. (J. Parker, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: |
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