Sermons and Biblical Studies

Not only are we all in the process of becoming, we are becoming what we love. We are to a large degree the sum of our loves and we will of moral necessity grow into the image of what we love most; for love is among other things a creative affinity; it changes and molds … Continue reading “LOVE:
POWER OF; INFLUENCES”

There was a woman named Bluebird, who lived in Mulberry Bend in the Bowery in New York City a generation ago. She was a woman whose very life was given to the devil. She used dope; she drank; she used tobacco; she lived every way that Paul says we’ll not even talk about. She was … Continue reading “LOVE:
POWER OF; GRACE”

Any religious experience that fails to deepen our love for our fellow Christians may safely be written off as spurious.… As we grow in grace we grow in love toward all God’s people. “Every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him” (1 John 5:1). This means simply that … Continue reading “LOVE:
IMPORTANCE OF; UNITY”

Once in private conversation with A.B. Simpson, R.R. Brown, then a young student, ventured to ask about the qualifications of a soul winner. “To be a great soul winner,” Simpson replied, “a man must first be a great lover.” It was only an impulsive sentence tossed off without too much thought, but it contains a … Continue reading “LOVE:
IMPORTANCE OF; EVANGELISM: CONCERN FOR LOST; LEADERS: SPIRITUAL NEED”

In the love which any intelligent creature feels for God there must always be a measure of mystery. It is even possible that it is almost wholly mystery, and that our attempt to find reasons is merely a rationalizing of a love already mysteriously present in the heart as a result of some secret operation … Continue reading “LOVE
FOR GOD; WORSHIP: ADMIRATION”

But it is wholly impossible to love the unknown. There must be some degree of experience before there can be any degree of love. Perhaps this accounts for the coldness toward God and Christ evidenced by the average Christian. How can we love a Being whom we have not heard nor felt nor experienced? We … Continue reading “LOVE
FOR GOD; KNOWLEDGE OF GOD: BASIS FOR LOVE”

It is a strange and beautiful eccentricity of the free God that He has allowed His heart to be emotionally identified with men. Self-sufficient as He is, He wants our love and will not be satisfied till He gets it. Free as He is, He has let His heart be bound to us forever. “Herein … Continue reading “LOVE
FOR GOD; GOD: HIS LOVE”

Every soul belongs to God and exists by His pleasure. God being who and what He is, and we being who and what we are, the only thinkable relation between us is one of full Lordship on His part and complete submission on ours. We owe Him every honor that is in our power to … Continue reading “LORDSHIP
OF CHRIST; SUBMISSION; COMMITMENT”

We lay out the plans for our own lives and say, “Now, Lord, it is nice to serve You and we love You, Lord, and let’s sing a chorus,” but we won’t change our plans in any way. But, let me remind you, the cross of Jesus Christ always changes men’s plans. The cross of … Continue reading “LORDSHIP
OF CHRIST; CROSS: DEMANDS OF”

O God, be Thou exalted over my possessions. Nothing of earth’s treasures shall seem dear unto me if only Thou art glorified in my life. Be Thou exalted over my friendships. I am determined that Thou shalt be above all, though I must stand deserted and alone in the midst of the earth. Be Thou … Continue reading “LORDSHIP
OF CHRIST; COMMITMENT; PRAYERS”