0212. "FROM ABOVE."

"FROM ABOVE."

Message of Spire. When we approach an English town or village the most conspicuous object is the tower or spire of the church or minster, rising above other buildings, and casting its shadow over all. And each spire is preaching a sermon every second, pointing men upward, Heavenward, where they "might see gleaming on high diviner things." Thus every spire is a finger pointing upwards.

Needed To-day. It is a message much needed to-day. There is a danger of us becoming so engrossed by the affairs of this life that we forget there is a Heaven, i.e., another life. Many, alas, are grovelling like worms in the dust, when they ought to be living in the Heavenly Place. Bunyan’s word picture of the man with the muckrake is true of many to-day.

Dull. How dull and gloomy is that life lived without God. A picture without a sky is a dull, lifeless thing. It is the sky that glorifies. So with life. A life without a sky is dull, empty, flat, lifeless.

Enigma. Not only is life dull without a sky. It is a mystery, an unintelligible thing. Many things puzzle, and cannot be explained if you leave Heaven out. History is simply an enigma if you leave God out of your reckoning.

"From Above." The two words grip one. It is the translation of the Greek Anothen. Let us trace them.

I. "Revelation from Above." The only satisfactory explanation of the depth, purity, wisdom, and existence of the Bible, and is given in Luk_1:3. "From the very first," or "From another."

Above. The Greek word (Anothen) is rendered in other places "from above." Luke had derived much knowledge from eye-witnesses. And that knowledge had been confirmed by revelation. Yet Luke here claims a Heavenly origin for his Gospel. Luke’s Gospel was not traditional, but by revelation as well as inspiration.

Not Unreasonable.

1. This is not unreasonable.

2. Is it likely that God should take all the trouble He did put Himself about for man and leave him ignorant of His will?

Only Explanation. This is the only explanation that satisfies us. Only explanation which satisfactorily explains the Bible. Though written by human hands, it was indited by the Holy Spirit.

II. A Saviour from Above. The only satisfactory explanation of the mystery of the person of Christ (Joh_3:31, Joh_8:23).

The Beauty of Christ. We reach Advent season when we celebrate the birth of our Lord. All, even His enemies of the past days and of our own, admire His love, gentleness, etc.

The Mystery of the Lord. But the Lord is a mystery. He Himself said He was. "No man knoweth the Son" (Mat_11:27). John the Baptist’s last testimony, and our Lord’s own statement, is the only explanation of that mystery.

III. A Salvation from Above. The only satisfactory explanation of the ascent of many a lost soul (Psa_18:16).

A picture of a drowning man is given us in this Psalm. Can that man save himself by clasping his own hand? No; salvation-

1. Is outside of a man.

2. Is from above.

Every one must be a Moses, for that name means "drawn out." Moses was called so because he was drawn out of a watery grave.

IV. A New Birth from Above. The only satisfactory explanation of the transformation and revolution to be observed in the lives of God’s people (Joh_3:3, margin). "Born from above." What is it that marks out some from others? The infusion of a new life.

V. Gifts from Above. The only satisfactory explanation of the enriched lives of the Lord’s people (Jam_1:17). His gifts are many, and can hardly be enumerated. But note five-

1. His Son.

2. Forgiveness.

3. Life.

4. Grace.

5. Glory.

The point is, only the best and perfect gifts come from above.

VI. Wisdom from Above. The only satisfactory explanation of the wisdom exhibited by God’s people (Jam_3:15, Jam_3:17).

Lawrence. The natives of India had a saying about Sir Henry Lawrence: "When Sir Henry looked up twice to Heaven and once down to earth, and then stroked his beard, he knew what to do." They acknowledged his wisdom was from above.

Purity. See. James speaks of purity and other moral virtues as proceeding from this wisdom.

VII. Power from Above. The only satisfactory explanation of the sweet resignation of the Lord (Joh_19:11). This was our Lord’s reply to Pilate’s proud boast. Here you have one explanation of our Lord’s serenity and sweet resignation. Pilate’s power was by God’s permission.

"Every joy or trial

Faileth from above;

Traced upon our dial

By the Sun of Love."

Autor: James Smith