Above:  The Original Document

Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ezek. 37, 1-10

Israel’s condition here seen in a vision; fittingly illustrates the sinner’s spiritual condition.

I.

“Dry bones,” devoid of spiritual life.  Figure is not too strong.  Men are powerless to move Godward if life to themselves–are “very dry,” devoid of life.

II.

“Can these bones live?”  Is there any hope for a poor lost sinner?  Yes.  “The dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God and they that hear shall live.”  (Jno. 5, 21 & 25-26)  “He [is] able to save to the uttermost.”  (Heb. 7, 25)  No case is hopeless.

III.

Means to be used:

(1)  “Prophesy.”  “O ye dry bones, hear ye the word of the Lord” (v. 4).  “Preach the word” (2 Tim. 4, 2).  It pleaseth God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (1 Cor. 1, 21).  “The word of God is quick and powerful,” etc. (Heb. 4, 12).

(2)  Prayer for the Spirit to impart life.  “Come, O breath, and breathe upon these slain” (v. 9).  “Grieve not the Spirit” (Eph. 4, 30).  “Quench not the Spirit” (1 Thes. 5, 19).  We need his power to awaken and save sinful souls.

IV.

God waits to be gracious.  How concerned he is about our salvation.

Let us look with much prayer for his saving power.

GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT

Above:  The Original Document

Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

2 Peter 1, 4

I.

Sinful man partakes of the nature of Satan, corrupted by sin, held in bondage thereto until liberated by divine power.  “Ye are of your father the devil.”  Adam begat a son in his won likeness.

II.

But when man repents and yields himself to God, his sins are forgiven and he is made a new creature, born of the Spirit.  He is delivered from the power of sin and corruption and he has a new heart.

(1)  New desires.  No longer averse to the will of God, he wants to obey.  Desires are pure, noble, and good.  “I delight to do thy will, O God.”

(2)  New affections sway his life.  He loves God and men.  He is concerned about the salvation of sinners.

(3)  Christ is now his great ideal.  He patterns his life after him, seeks to please God in everything.  More and more he has the mind of Christ.

He does good as he has opportunity.

Some day “we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.”

“Of his fullness have all we received and grace upon grace.”

“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”  2 Cor. 3, 18

GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT

Above:  The Original Document

Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

1 Peter 2, 7

I.

Christ the foundation whereon we build our spiritual house.  “Other foundation can no may lay”–(1 Cor. 3, 11).  “None other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4, 12).  Christ alone!

II.

The condition is faith that yields all to him, trusts him fully for salvation–an act of the whole man–intellect, emotion and will.  None other has the authority and power to save.  None other has died to redeem us.  Look to him and live.  Christ or chaos.

III.

To all who believe, who trust in him for salvation, as Lord and Saviour, “he is precious”–an honour, is our sufficiency.

(1)  They have their sins forgiven by the blood of the Lamb.  Guilt no longer rests upon them.  “Though your sins be as scarlet” (Isa. 1, 18).  “He is faithful and jut to forgive us,” etc (1 Jno. 1, 9).

(2)  Become the sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty–adopted into the family of God.

What a blessed relationship, what an honour!  Who is not happy in such an experience?!

“My soul shall make the boast in the Lord.”  Ps. 34

“He that believeth on him shall not be ashamed” (v6).

GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT

Above:  The Original Document

Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Phils. 4, 8

I.

Man an animal that thinks–wise or otherwise.  Many helpful lines of thought, others hurtful.  “As a man thinketh.”  Thoughts come to fruitage in character–come out in words and deeds.

II.

We should wisely choose our thinking.

(a)  Never dwell on low, course, vulgar, questionable, sinful things.  Flee from these–2 Cor. 10, 5.  Rise above all such.

(b)  Think on what is of good report–that which meets the approval of noble souls.  It is here–the beautiful, true, useful, good.  It elevates minds and character, makes right living easier.  Consecrate your best effort to these high things.

(c)  Reading choice literature a great help–the Bible, other devotional matter, the Hymn Book, output of the religious press, biographies of great, good men.  “Improve in the best things.”

“Reading makes a full reward.”  “Overcome evil with good.”  Crowd out the evil with the good.

Noble thoughts are helpful company.

Pray for help in your efforts.

GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT

Above:  The Original Document

Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

…behold, now is the accepted time; behold now is he day of salvation.

—Authorized Version

I.

Proneness to forget our need of God.  Things of the world press upon us and demand our attention.  When we do think of him we yield to the suggestion of Satan to put it off.  He urges delay.

II.

We are very dependent on God.  We greatly need his blessings–providential and his his saving power.  We should give him our hearts without delay.  He wants the life–whole life.

(a)  “Remember now thy Creator.”  Don’t put off so great a matter.  Delay is dangerous.  It will add to our indifference, until after a while we will lose all interest in the matter.  Then it will be very difficult to arouse any concern about it all.

(b)  Choosing God as our portion while young, and the younger the better, has great advantages.  (1)  It saves from many offenses and other hurt.  (2)  It gives more time to become more like Christ and become strong.  (3)  It gives us more time in which to do good in his name.

III.

Why spend a day in sin?  There is no need of it.  “Now is the accepted time.  Today is the day of salvation.”  God is ready now.  Begun right now.  He will pardon and save now.

GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT

Above:  The Original Document

Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

2 Cor. 8, 9

I.

Before coming to earth Jesus Christ was rich with the Father in heaven.  [He] was equal with the Father and worshiped by the angels–his right.

II.

But he left the courts of glory [and] came to earth, for our sakes.  He became poor, “emptied himself,” that we might be made rich.  How greatly he has enriched us–and especially all who trust him for salvation.

(a)  Our thoughts of God and man have been greatly elevated.  God is our Father and all we are brethren.  This is truly great.  Reverence and godly fear:  proper respect for personality.

(b)  He has given the world religious freedom and culture.  Before the law all men are equal.  Did he not die for all alike?  Hence the care for the unfortunate, the aged, etc., and the educational privileges for all.

(c)  Salvation urged upon men without money and without price.  Who can estimate its worth?

(d)  Grace for every need.  No despair to the Christian–hope of heaven when life ends.

How rich he makes the trustful soul!

Is he yours?

GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT

Above:  The Original Document

Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

2 Cor. 6, 1b

…beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

—Authorized Version

I.

Grace–divine favor–here especially that which comes through the death of Christ.  How unsearchable is its fullness–greater than we can ask or think.  It is offered unto all without money and without price.  God proclaims it by his ministers.

II.

Paul begs us not to receive it “in vain.”  It is in vain when we do not receive it by faith and let it produce in us needed results.

(1)  Believe it–accept it as true and respond to it from the heart.  We need just what it will do for us–deliver us from sin and make us more and more like our Lord in (a) love to God and man, (b) that we fall not short of the glory of God.

(2)  Become faithful servants of God–true to him and his cause in the earth.  To prove God’s grace to him had not been in vain; Paul adds:  “I labored more abundantly than they all.”

What reward has God for all he has done for us, if we do nothing for him?

May we respond to his grace and live for him in all things–keep busy serving him.

GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT

Above:  The Original Document

Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

1 Cor. 16, 9

I.  

Paul would tarry at Ephesus, for there he had a great opportunity–to preach the word–a willingness to hear the word.  A God-given opportunity.  This made it imperative for him.

II.

Then the need was so great.  The people needed the message, that they might believe and be saved.

“Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.”  To proclaim the gospel is of greatest importance.

III.

We see something of our unfinished task–the sinfulness of the people at home and abroad.  So many are in sin and so many know not the good news–live so far below the standard of love set forth in the gospel.  What an appeal is here!

IV.  

We have confidence in our Lord’s power to save and solve the problems of the world.  With such a Lord and Saviour no case is hopeless, where he is properly preached.  Here is the rub–properly to preach him to the people.  Hence Paul’s resolve to enter this open door.

The church must so present Christ as to lead men to the high life in Him.

GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT

Above:  The Original Document

Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

1 Cor. 6, 20

I.

God created us.  This invests him with all the rights of ownership.

He has preserved us, kept us alive, and supplied our needs.

Ye are bought with a price–the death of his Son.

Certainly we belong to God.  He alone has any right over us.  We should recognize this and yield gladly our all to him and do his will.

II.

Satan wants to sway us and rule our lives, have his way.

He is an imposter, a usurper.

We never were under obligation to him.  He has never done us anything but hurt.  He means us no good, but our ultimate destruction.  To yield to him is rebellion against God–the best Father and Friend we can ever have.

III.

“Glorify God.”  This is the object of our being.  We are the crown of creation and our highest reach is to glorify God in the world.  How?  

(1)  By living for him, showing forth his grace in our lives.  No one can gainsay a righteous life.

(2)  By telling others of his love and goodness, how he saves us and gives us peace and victory.

“Taste and sea that the Lord is good.”

GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT

Above:  The Original Document

Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

HISTORICAL NOTE:

The Roman Empire, if one counts the Eastern (Byzantine) Empire, lasted for close to 1,500 years, starting with Augustus.  The empire in the West ceased to exist in 476 C.E., having been successor to a kingdom then a republic–about 1,200 years in all, starting with the founding of the city of Rome.  Yet, strictly speaking, the (Western) Roman Empire stood for about 500 years, starting with Augustus.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

MARCH 10, 2014 COMMON ERA

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

1 Cor. 3, 11

I.

Every structure, to stand in the day of adversity, must have a secure foundation, whether [the structure] be a life, an institution, or a nation.  The house founded upon a rock–obedience to Christ–stood; that on the sand fell.  Men find [that] it works that way.  The Roman Empire, resting upon force, stood for 1200 years, but moral corruption worked its destruction.

II.

Character alone is abiding, unfailing strength of a nation–of all worthy institutions–the love of freedom, of home, of law, devotion to God and country.  These are the bulwarks of civilization.

III.

Faith in God through Christ is the one sure foundation of all greatness and goodness.  “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”  “It is above rubrics, is the principal thing.”

IV.

Are we concerned about the condition of the world?  Here is the only sufficient remedy–the knowledge of God through Jesus Christ.  It must be brought back to these fundamental virtues–to build on his sure foundation.  There is no other.  Here is our emphasis and security.

Those who forget God or fight against God wreck themselves by their own folly.

GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT