754. MAT 13:38. THE GOSPEL SPHERE

Mat_13:38. The Gospel Sphere

"The field is the world."’97Mat_13:38.

The Redeemer had been illustrating the nature of the gospel dispensation, by a series of beautiful and interesting parables. Our text is part of the one on the tares and the wheat, which his disciples anxiously desired him to explain unto them, Mat_13:36. The sphere of labor for the gospel ministry is thus specified. "It is the world." Hence when he gave the great commission to his disciples, he said, "Go ye into all the world," &c. Let us then contemplate this field is the following forms.

I. In its geographical and statistical extent.

The greatness of God is seen in his works. Our world is as nothing when presented in contrast with other parts of the universe’97but as a letter to a volume, a grain of sand, a drop. But when we view our world abstractedly in itself, it rises into true magnificence and greatness before our eyes. And in speaking of our own world, we can make our affirmations on the grounds of mathematical certainty. Our earth is eight thousand miles in diameter, twenty-five thousand in circumference, and its surface contains two hundred millions of square miles. Now all this is soon said in words, but, to aid our views of this, let me suppose you placed on some eminence above the earth, and the whole should pass before you in scenes of ten miles, in every direction, one hundred and sixty thousand of these would have to pass, before you had seen, or even taken a survey of, our world. One of these every hour, twelve times a day, would take forty years. But look at this field statistically. Its population is at least eight hundred millions. While I speak, eight hundred millions are living and breathing, the accountable creatures of God, all pressing towards the gates of death and the judgment-seat. Every thirty years this tide of deathless beings passes into eternity, and other eight hundred millions flow into accountable existence. Just remember, too, that one of these has been pronounced by the great Redeemer as more valuable than the material globe!

II. Look at this field in its moral condition.

1. One extended scene of moral darkness.

"Darkness hath covered the earth," &c. Six hundred millions literally so! Not all in a state of brutal ignorance. Many may be learned and intellectual, &c., but ignorant of God, themselves, and Jesus Christ. Strangers to the saving truths of the gospel.

2. Deeply involved in moral turpitude and guilt.

The whole world is guilty before God. "All have sinned," &c. All wandered from God, under the power of Satan! At home the scene is heart-sickening! Yet here we have the gospel, wholesome laws, religious influence, Christian knowledge; but in many parts crimes are legalized, &c.; sensual rites, cruel sacrifices, forsaken children, debased and insulted womanhood. Lust, pride, hatred, inhumanity, blood, &c., all reigning with ferocious force, unchecked power, and triumph.

3. Totally sunk in wretchedness and woe. Heathenism is one mass of misery. Go to the public shrines of idol worship, the way is marked by the bleached bones of those who have perished; there the sick languish, the infirm lie stretched across the sandy desert, and the voracious vulture often begins his attack before death has executed his commission. Go to the domestic hearth; it is an unmeaning sound among pagans. Children are exposed, daughters murdered, the aged neglected, the sick left to perish. With all this, guilt and fear within. All around, the dark shadows of a gloomy and horrid superstition. With this, too, connect the peril, the fearful peril of eternal woe. The heathen are not accountable for the gospel, until they have it, but for the light they have, Rom_2:11.

III. In its redeemed character.

The compassion of Deity has visited it. God has pitied, loved, and redeemed it. "He so loved the world," &c. "Sent his Son," &c. Not one soul excluded, for he, gave him to be a ransom for all. To taste death for every man. Not merely the church, but the rebellious world. "He is the propitiation," &c. Just as the light of the sun shines on all, the atmosphere is breathed by all, the fluid of life flows to all, so God’s redeeming grace encompasses every creature. As such the gospel of the kingdom is to be preached to all, nationally and individually.

IV. In its glorious destination. A grand destiny awaits it.

1. A destiny of universal knowledge.

"All flesh," &c. "The knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth," &c. No need to say, "Know ye the Lord." This will be the glorious day of God.

2. A destiny of universal righteousness. The desert be as the garden of the Lord.

All men shall be righteous. Every heart, lip. life, &c., devoted to God.

3. A destiny of universal peace. Weapons of war shall become implements of agriculture, and the nations shall not learn war any more.

4. A destiny of universal felicity.

"Nothing shall hurt, or destroy," &c. No accursed slavery. No tyrannical despotism. No domestic wailing. No personal misery. The curse rolled away. All men blessed in Christ, and all uniting to call him blessed. The travail of Christ fulfilled, and his soul satisfied. All this is certain, it is ratified, covenanted for, promised, therefore sure, for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. Let us contemplate,

V. This field in its commanding claims upon us.

1. We are identified with it on the ground of humanity.

All human beings are our brethren, only one family. On the ground,

2 Of our exalted position. We are lifted up. Retrospect of our country’s history. We can survey in our deliverance, and the instrumentality, clearly our duty to the rest of the world. On the ground,

3. Of our profession as Christians. Like-minded with Christ. Love as he did, labor for God, &c. Tread in his steps, be zealous for his glory.

4. Upon our resources. We have what the world wants,’97the bread of life, the balsam of salvation, glad tidings of eternal life. We have the word, the ministry, the ordinances, &c. Shall we withhold them? If so, the guilt and misery of the world will lie at our door.

Application

1. Much has been effected. Great things have been achieved. Nations which once sat in darkness, &c. South Seas, Greenland, West Indies.

2. Much is now doing. The sun never sets on our missionary stations. In the regions of ice and cold, they are there; in the torrid zone, they are there; in the howling desert, in the crowded eastern city, they are there also. But,

3. Much has yet to be done, very much. Laborers must be increased ten thousand fold. Our sphere of labor is the headquarters of the wicked one, the most benighted part of India, Juggernaut’s temple, &c.

Will you reflect, sympathize, pray, and give your aid to this cause of God and man, of holiness and mercy?

Autor: JABEZ BURNS