235. 2CO 9:15. THE UNSPEAKABLE GIFT

2Co_9:15. The Unspeakable Gift

"Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift."’972Co_9:15.

In this rich sentence there are three things which claim our attention:

I. The Gift.

II. Its unspeakable Value.

And,

III. The grateful Thanks which it demands.

Notice,

I. The Gift referred to.

The gift is the Lord Jesus Christ; given by God for the salvation of the world.

The term directs us,

1. To the free and gratuitous principles on which Christ was bestowed.

Not sent to rightful claimants, or those who had merited him; not bestowed as an act of bounty; but given as an act of grace, the result of pure spontaneous mercy, to the poor, wretched, and unworthy.

Consider,

2. The manner in which this gift was bestowed.

(1) By promise, as to our first parents, Abraham, &c.

(2) In types and shadows, as set forth in ancient sacrifices, &c. Lamb, scapegoat, &c. Rock, manna, &c.

(3) In prophecies. Jacob’s Shiloh. The prophet like unto Moses, &c. Job’s Redeemer, &c. To him bare all the prophet’s witness.

(4) Actually. In the fulness of the times; at the time, place, manner, &c., foretold.

3. The great ends contemplated in this gift.

The divine glory’97the world’s redemption’97and the overthrow of the powers of Satan.

Consider,

II. Its indescribable Excellency

Hence said to be "unspeakable."

It is so,

1. In its origin.

The result of unspeakable love. God "so loved," but how much neither men nor angels can tell. It passeth knowledge.

2. In its worth.

All nature is impoverished to set him forth. He is the pearl of great price’97morning star’97sum of righteousness’97the bread of life. Yea, he is the life as well as light of the world. He is the great centre of the universe; the fountain of all existence; the source of all blessedness; the great supreme good of all his creatures; earth’s benefactor, and heaven’s Lord and glory.

Unspeakable,

3. In its benefits.

Gift in which all blessings are comprehended. Gift of gifts. The basis and medium of all our mercies. Light, life, pardon, peace, adoption, holiness, and eternal glory.

4. In its durability.

All on earth frail and unstable; this abiding, changeless, and eternal. "The same yesterday," &c. "Throne forever," &c.

III. The grateful Thanks which it demands.

"Thanks be to God," &c.

1. Thanks to God should be the fervent overflowings of the heart.

God requires this. This gift demands the whole undivided gratitude of the heart. Every power and feeling should be employed in his praise.

2. Thanks to God should be constant.

We should bless him at all times, and in all places; praise should be the great business of life.

3. Thanks to God by all the redeemed in heaven will be eternal.

Every glorified spirit, with the whole of the heavenly hierarchy, will celebrate his praise in the highest strains forever and ever. Rev_7:9, &c.

Application

Learn,

1. Heaven’s greatest boon.

2 Man’s richest treasure.

3. The believer’s obvious duty

Autor: JABEZ BURNS