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T H E K IN G ’ S BU S IN E SS
4. It was the pledge and earnest o f the resurrection o f believers.—J. H. H.
1. As affording the great assurance o f justification. 2. Through a risen and living Saviour we are regenerated. 3. As affording the great type of spiritual existence. 4. As the great incentive to morality./, 5. As throwing an air o f consecra tion over the believer’s time. . It throws welcome light upon the doctrine o f the last things. -—Rev. R. McCheyne Edgar. Isaiah, First Chapter. The first chapter o f Isaiah, because it presents us with a completed theme, may well be chosen as a text for a sermon. A careful reading of the chapter reveals to; us the theme, namely, “ God’s Controversy with His People.” The scene is that o f a trial court. God is the judge and plaintiff; the prophet is the witness; the people of Israel the defendant; the charge is clearly stated, and the verdict announced. The following may be suggested as an outline: T ext : Isaiah I. Theme: God’s Controversy with- His .People Israel. IV. The conclusion or summing up of the ' trial, 1 : 16 - 31 . 1. The call to repentance and reason (vv. 16-18). 2. The verdict and sentence announced (vv. 19, 20), 3. How the sentence will work out (vv. 21-31). Necessity of the Resurrection. Show the necessity o f the resurrection, o f Christ to: 1. Prophetic Fulfillment, Acts 13:32-33; John 2:19-22; Luke 24:45, 46. 2. Proof of His Deity, Rom. 1 :4. This divine seal upon His Person is the Waterloo o f infidelity and skepticism. 3. Putting away of sins. 1 Cor. 15 :17.
Christ’s Appearance to Mary. Mark 16:9. I. Notice the manifestations which our Lord gave of Himself after His resurrection. They were : 1. Early. 2 . Numerous. 3. Undoubted. II. Inquire why He appeared FIRST to Mary Magdalen in particular'. 1. To display the exceeding riches o f His grace'; 2. To'reward Her pious assiduity; 3. To give encouragement to penitents' to the end o f time.—J. H. H. The Resurrection. I. Proclaims an accepted sacrifice. II. Endows Church with a living Saviour. III. Crowns human nature with a Divine head forever. IV. Through it the Father secures the salvation and sanctification o f sinners. The moral and spiritual condition o f the nation at this time. I. God’s complaint against His people, i :i-3. This complaint or charge is three-fold: 1. Ingratitude (v. 3, “My people doth not consider” ). 2 . Disobedience (vv. 2 , 3.) 3. Rebellion (vv. 2, 3, “ Rebelled against me” ) . II. The prophet as a witness re-enforcing God’s indictment, i : 4 -g. 1. Showing the course o f sin (v. 4).- 2. Showing the punishment for sin (vv. : 5-9). III. The people’s plea of defense, 1 : 11 - 14 . 1. Laborious sacrifices (vv. 11 , 12 ). 2. Much ceremonialism (vv. 13, 14).
ÏIBLE READINGS
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