606. 2CO 2:14. THE TRIUMPHS OF THE GOSPEL

2Co_2:14. The Triumphs of the Gospel

"Now thanks be unto God, who always causeth us to triumph in Christ."’972Co_2:14.

Our text evidently refers to the triumphant entry of heroes into their native kingdoms, or chief cities, after the attainment of some splendid victory. On such occasions the spectacle was of the most imposing kind. The conqueror, either led on horseback, or seated, in a triumphal car, was met by the great, the illustrious, and the fair; and conducted through the gates with unusual magnificence and rejoicing. In some cases, deposed monarchs, or captains and great men taken in battle, were dragged at the conqueror’s chariot; and often the spoils taken from the foe were exhibited to the admiring gaze of countless thousands.

Whole volumes have been written or these pageant scenes; and historians have vied with each other in setting them forth with all the adornments of a gaudy rhetoric, or vivid, glowing eloquence.

Now, the apostle compares the success of himself and fellow apostles to ancient conquerors; and, in the language of impassioned ardor, exclaims, "Now thanks be unto God," etc. Consider, in reference to the gospel, the achievements obtained; contrast them with the victories of the warrior; and then urge to a holy and pious exultation in God. "Now thanks be unto God, who always causeth us to triumph in Christ." In reference to a preached gospel observe,

I. The victories achieved.

Triumph implies conflict, and supposes its successful termination. By the preaching of the gospel by the apostle,

1. The gospel triumphed over the prejudices of Judaism. The Jews had a Divine system of religion’97a system from God; attested by miracles; identified with heavenly interpositions; established by prophets; and diffusing a holy light and heavenly halo around their nation. To this system they were devotedly attached; indeed, to it they had an idolatrous veneration. Abraham was the father of their nation; Moses their lawgiver; Samuel and Isaiah their prophets; David their poet; Solomon their legislator; the Oracles their directory. But they gave a temporal explanation to the writings of their seers, and expected a Messiah of worldly dignity and warlike prowess. They were looking for secular blessings, and an earthly kingdom. Hence their moral unpreparedness for the Son of God’97their dislike, hatred, oppression, persecution, and putting him to death.

All thinking persons know the power of prejudice, and especially when it is associated with blighted hopes and keen disappointments. This was the case with the Jews; yet, even over this barrier, which seemed impassable, did the gospel triumph: three thousand of these prejudiced Jews were enlightened, converted, and saved under one discourse. Oh! think of such a multitude being disarmed, overcome, and added to the kingdom of Jesus, even in the city of his death. And of these, untold thousands were afterwards the humble, adoring disciples of the cross.

2. The gospel triumphed over the various and multifarious systems of Paganism. The gentile world had its systems of religion and philosophy. Many of these were ancient; established by law, and sanctified by custom. In some instances, human industry was identified with their temples and worship. Most of these systems pandered to the vices of the people; and were so decorated by art, and so connected with the pleasures of sense, that they presented many am actions to the mass of the people:’97But the gospel triumphed over these.

At Ephesus, a holy host was rescued from the worship of Diana; and in Athens, crowded with altars, in Corinth, in Antioch, and in Rome, the churches of the Messiah were founded and established, and men were turned from dumb idols to the service of the pure and living God.

3. The gospel triumphed over the corruptions and lives of mankind. The gospel not only encountered error and idolatry, but depravity and sin’97depraved hearts and corrupt lives. Interwoven with the systems of Pagan religion and philosophy were the most disgusting and odious vices’97vices which were unblushingly practised, and so horrible, that the apostle only feebly hints at them in the first chapter of his epistle to the Romans. Now, if it were something great and glorious for the gospel to triumph over the darkness of the understanding, and the errors of the judgment, how much more over the passions of the heart, and the corruptions of the life. Read 1Co_6:9, etc.

4. The gospel triumphed over the love of self and the world. In the early ages of Christianity, men had more to do than to change their religion, and alter their creed. They had to do this by the most comprehensive self-denial, and often the sacrifice of all things. They had to set at defiance human laws, and oppose themselves to fines, confiscations, imprisonment, and even death! A converted wife had to lose the affections and support of her Pagan husband, and perhaps endure the scorn of her own offspring. In fact, all was to be forsaken for Christ and his kingdom; yet the natural attachment to the enjoyments of this world, the still closer attachment to friends, and the innate love of life, were all too feeble to stay the triumphs of the cross; and despite these fearful obstacles, the apostle could exclaim, "Now thanks be unto God," etc. Let us,

II. Contrast these triumphs with the victories of ancient warriors. Do this,

1. In the agents sent forth. Contrast an ambitious, worldly, cruel hero, with the humble, spiritual, and benevolent apostles of Jesus. Pride, lust, and cruelty, are the traits in the one; meekness, virtue, and philanthropy, the features in the others. Do this,

2. In the weapons employed. In the one case the sword, the arrow, the spear, the battering-ram; in the other, the torch of truth, the message of mercy, and moral suasion. The one appears with his implements of death, and his garments died in blood; in the others, "How beautiful upon the mountains," etc., Isa_52:7. See the warrior, with the instruments of death, on the battlefield; and then see Paul on Mars’ Hill, with the truth of heaven and the gospel of mercy. 3. In the results that followed. The warrior may be traced as to his work of woe, by the footsteps of blood, by the groanings of the wounded; by the putrescence of the air, tainted with the slain; by the desolated country, the sacked city, the burning dwellings, the frenzied widows, and desolated orphans. Over the field of the warrior is the vulture hovering for his prey, or the marauding wild beast snuffing his food. The triumphs of the cross are succeeded by the diffusion of knowledge, the communication of joy, the extension of civilization, the prosperity of commerce, domestic felicity, and the true blessedness of the world.

"Blessings abound where’er he reigns," etc.

Human warfare degrades, blights, curses, and enkindles hell upon earth. The triumph of the gospel elevates, sanctifies, blesses, and brings down the reign of heaven to earth. Surely, then, we may proceed,

III. To urge to a holy and devout exultation in God. "Now thanks be unto God," etc. Observe,

1. The object of our exultation’97"God." The Author of the Christian system. It is "The glorious gospel of the blessed God," 1Ti_1:11,’97full of God; and, therefore, all its efficiency redounds to his glory.

2. The nature of the exultation. "Now thanks be unto God, who always causeth us to triumph in Christ." The highest, most earnest thanks, etc.: the ascriptions of the lip, the homage of the mind, the gratitude of the heart, and the service of the life’97all and each of these, we must express: "Now thanks be unto God," etc.

3. The extent of this exultation.

(1.) As to persons. The whole church, every believer: ministers, deacons, members.

(2.) As to duration. Thanks now, and through all time; and thanks in heaven, and through all eternity.

Application

1. The gospel yet triumphs’97at home and abroad. How cheering the reports from the servants of Jesus in India, Burmah, Africa, New Zealand, the West Indies, etc.

2. To these triumphs many here are infinitely indebted. To the influence of religion you owe your respectability in life, your preservation from ten thousand perils, and blessings and enjoyments beyond enumeration.

3. To extend these triumphs should be the design and effort of all. Every Christian should possess the missionary spirit, and employ his influence in extending the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. The church of Christ, in its collective character, should be one united and catholic missionary association.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS