THE GRANDEUR OF THE GOSPEL. — "The great trumpet." It is elsewhere called a great light — a great salvation There is a grandeur in the glorious Gospel of God which soars far beyond all finite excellency and conception.
1. The period of its introduction is called "the fulness of time."
2. The Gospel regards immediately the soul and eternity — the only two things in the world which are absolutely great.
3. The Gospel abounds with exceeding great and precious promises; it unfolds blessings that are incomprehensible in their nature and excellency.
4. Everything, compared with the Gospel, is trifling and mean.
II. THE DISPENSATION OF THE GOSPEL. The great trumpet is to be "blown."
1. Who is to blow this trumpet? Men, and not angels. There is a difference here between the administration of the law and the dispensation of the Gospel.
2. How is this trumpet to be blown? Common sense says, in such a way as to answer the design of its being blown. There must be no ambiguity in our preaching. It should be blown courageously.
III. WHAT IS THE CONDITION OF THOSE TO WHOM THE GOSPEL IS ADDRESSED? "Outcasts, and ready to perish." This is the figure; and what is the fact? "Remember that at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise; having no hope, and without God in the world." You are not heathen; but turn to Scripture, and you will find that you are all by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
IV. Its ATTRACTION must be noticed. "They shall come." Whatever knowledge the heathen had, they were utterly unable to carry it into effect, both for want of evidence and want of authority. None of them could speak in the name of that God who calleth the things that are not as though they were. Hence, we find complaining that he was unable, by all his instructions, to bring over the inhabitants of a single village. Now, go to Thessalonica, to Corinth, to Colosse, to Ephesus; survey the character of the inhabitants before they received the Gospel: it is largely described by the apostle; we cannot suppose that the devil himself could make or wish them worse. Yet the apostle stands forth, and says, "Such were some of you; ye were sometimes far off; ye were dead in trespasses and sins"; but, "you hath He quickened. Our Gospel came unto you, not in word only, .but in power also; the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power." Accordingly, the Gospel is expressed evermore by images which indicate its efficacy. It is called a two-edged sword — leaven, which commences its operations in the centre, and extends them to the circumference until the whole is leavened — seed, which, though it looks dead, yet fills the earth with its fruit, thirty, sixty, a hundred. fold. This success God Himself has ensured, or we could not reckon upon it. The Gospel never leaves people as it finds them: it enlightens their understandings; it prevails on their wills; it purifies their affections; it makes them new creatures. How can we honour the Gospel so much as by showing what it can do? The trumpet is blown; but it is heard — it is answered — they "come."
1. How do they come? With weeping and with supplication; they come eagerly, hastening, running, flying like doves to their windows when they behold the approaching storm.
2. From whence do they come? From the dark dens of ignorance — from the lurking holes of hypocrisy — from the false refuges of pharisaism — from the service of sin — from the bondage of Satan.
3. To whom do they come! Christ is the only resource. What is faith, what is religion, but the soul in motion to Him, and negotiating all its affairs with Him!
V. THE EFFECT OF ITS INFLUENCE. "They shall come and worship the Lord in the holy mount at Jerusalem." We ever find this dedication of themselves to God, in connection with the spread and influence of the Gospel. "All the ends of the world shall hear, and shall turn unto God; all nations whom Thou hast made, shall come unto Thee and worship Thee; from the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, in every place men shall offer incense and a pure offering." The "holy mount" means the Church of God. And in this mount all who partake of Gospel grace, worship. They do so habitually, in the shop — in the warehouse — in the field; for "where'er they seek Him, He is found." They do so in private. All these worship God in their families too. In His sanctuary also. CONCLUSION —
1. This Scripture has been fulfilled. Myriads in Heaven have exemplified its truth, the numbers that rejoice in it in our day are wonderful; but soon there shall he vaster accessions still. A nation shall be born in a day. Have you heard the sound of this trumpet? Have you obeyed?
2. If the sound of this peaceful trumpet is despised, I must remind you that another great trumpet will be blown. Ere long shall be heard the voice of the archangel, and the trump of God.
3. But, here are some who are alive to the text. You have heard the sound of this trumpet; you have come. What are you doing? Surely, you are giving thanks unto Him who has called you out of darkness into light; who has made you meet for the inheritance of the saints. Surely, you are endeavouring to bring others into the same condition.
(W. Jay.)
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