Sermons and Biblical Studies

Aromatics for Easter Luk_24:1 : ’93Bringing the spices which they had prepared.’94 Enchanting work have I before me this Easter morning, for, imitating these women of the text, who brought aromatics to the mausoleum of Christ, I am going to unroll frankincense and balm and attar or roses and cardamon from the East Indies, and … Continue reading “429. Aromatics for Easter”

The Three Crosses Luk_23:33 : ’93And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.’94 Just outside of Jerusalem is a swell of ground, toward which a crowd are ascending; for it is the day … Continue reading “428. The Three Crosses”

The Publican’92s Prayer Luk_18:13 : ’93God be merciful to me a sinner.’94 No mountain ever had a more brilliant coronet than Mount Moriah. The glories of the ancient temple blazed there. The mountain-top was not originally large enough to hold the temple and so a wall six hundred feet high was erected and the mountain … Continue reading “427. The Publican’s Prayer”

Re-Enforcement Luk_17:5 : ’93Lord, Increase our faith.’94 ’93What a pity he is going there,’94 said my friend, a most distinguished general of the army, when he was told that the reason for my not being present on a celebrated day in Brooklyn was that on that day I had sailed for the Holy Land. ’93Why … Continue reading “426. Re-Enforcement”

Pulpit and Press Luk_16:8 : ’93The children of this world are, in their generation, wiser than the children of light.’94 Sacred stupidity, and solemn incompetency, and sanctified laziness are here rebuked by Christ. He says worldings are wider awake for opportunities than are Christians. Men of the world grab occasions, while Christian people let the … Continue reading “425. Pulpit and Press”

Common Sense in Religion Luk_16:8 : ’93The children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.’94 That is another way of saying that Christians are not so skillful in the manipulation of spiritual affairs as worldlings are skillful in the management of temporalities. I see all around me people who … Continue reading “424. Common Sense in Religion”

The Pouting Son Luk_15:28 : ’93And he was angry and would not go in.’94 Many times have I been asked to preach a sermon about the elder brother of the parable. I received a letter this week from Canada, saying ’93Is the elder son of the parable so unsympathetic and so cold that he is … Continue reading “423. The Pouting Son”

Home Again Luk_15:23 : ’93Bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it.’94 In all ages of the world it has been customary to celebrate joyful events by festivity’97the signing of treaties, the proclamation of peace, the Christmas, the marriage. However much on other days of the year our table may have stinted supply, on Thanksgiving … Continue reading “422. Home Again”

Decoration of the Soul Luk_15:22 : ’93Put a ring on his hand.’94 There is no need that I rehearse the familiar story of the fast young man of the parable. You know what a splendid home he left. You know what a hard time he had. And you remember how, after that season of vagabondage … Continue reading “421. Decoration of the Soul”

The Kiss of Welcome Luk_15:20 : ’93When he was yet a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck, and kissed him.’94 One of the deepest wells that inspiration ever opened is this well of a parable which we can never exhaust. The parable, I suppose, … Continue reading “420. The Kiss of Welcome”