Above:  Ruins at Chorazin, 1900-1920

Image Source = Library of Congress

(http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/mpc2004001202/PP/)

Reproduction Number = LC-DIG-matpc-01110

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Matt. 11, 20-24

1.  These people had superior opportunities, Christ’s presence and ministry.   Christ is one’s greatest opportunity and blessedness.  How they should have appreciated Him.

2.  Where much is given much is required.  Noblesse oblige.  But do we realie it?  How indifferent many are though they have the best opportunities of this day of gospel light.  Does the fact of our greater privilege stir our souls to action?

3.  What was the sin of these cities?  They were not hostile to Christ; they simply let him alone, did not accept him by faith.  This [is] the fatal mistake of any life.  Who neglects Him neglects his only hope and dooms his life and soul eternally.  Dare we neglect life’s great opportunities?

4.  Those who neglect Him find that nothing is left them but utter destruction.  “How shall we escape if we neglect so great [a] salvation?”  “The wages of sin is death.”  “He that believeth not is condemned already.”

Have you accepted Him, or are you still neglecting Him?  An eternity depends upon the answer given.

GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT

Above:  The Calling of Matthew, by Vittore Carpaccio

(Image in the Public Domain)

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Matt. 9, 12 & 35

1.  Here we behold the great Physician seeking those who need Him.  He goes about teaching, preaching, and receiving sinners and eating with them that He may reach them and draw them to Himself.

2.  He heals all who come to Him in faith.  He never turned a soul away.  He healed every case, did not fail once if man trusted Him.  It is faith that makes all things possible with God.  In all powers His one object was to stimulate faith that He might save the soul.

Then He keeps them well if they obey him.

3.  He will finally transport them to a land of eternal health and happiness.  What a wonderful Physician is He, bringing such a wonderful deliverance from sin!

4.  Is He yours?  Have you come to Him for healing of your soul?  He longs to help you; will you not let Him bless you now?

GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT

Above:  A Crucifix

(Image in the Public Domain)

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Jno. 10, 17-18

1.  Jesus came not to do his own will; but surrendered himself to do the Father’s will (Jno. 8, 29; 7, 16; 6, 57, etc.).  He lived a perfectly surrendered life.

2.  His death is a voluntary surrender of life.  “I lay it down of myself.” He did not die save by his own consent thereto, and as the Father willed.  [He] could have delivered himself by angels’ help (vs. 17-18; Matt. 26, 53; Luke 13, 32-33).

3.  This self-surrender was for the life of the world.  Nothing he did caused it.  He is the Good Shepherd who layeth down his life for the sheep (v. 11; Ch. 12, 24-25).  He did nothing worthy of death.  He “gave himself for us.”  (Titus 2, 14).

(1)  It effects deliverance from sin and its consequences–Ch. 3, 14-15.

(2)  It leads to the direct impartation to believers of his body and blood as the source of spiritual life (Ch. 6, 53; 3, 16).  “Have eternal life.”

4.  Because of his self-surrender he is the object of his Father’s love (v. 17).

Hence the Father is pleased to bless those who call for mercy in His name for mercy in His name–for Jesus’ sake.  What an encouragement to pray!

GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT

Above:  A Crucifix with Votice Candles

(Image in the Public Domain)

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Jno. 12, 32

Jno. 8, 21-30

Jno. 3, 11, 21

1.  We have here a reason for the crucifixion, that He might attract and save men.  Also that men might understand Him.  See Jno. 8, 28.

2.  “If I be lifted up.”  Out of love He died for all.”  His death is the supreme sacrifice of love.  Hence its magnetic power.  Whenever the story is told it draws the hearts of men.

3.  The Father set Him on high.  From His exalted throne He blesses and draws men.  He is no dead Christ but a living power felt when the story of His love is proclaimed.

4.  There is given to us to lift Him up in our lives.  When men see Christ exalted in us they are drawn toward Him.  How important that our lives communicate His power to others.  What a pity that any prove to be stumbling blocks by inconsistent living.

5.  Not all who are drawn yield.  Sin interferes and holds some down despite the Magnet’s power.  Hence these things must be given up that as we are drawn we may yield our all to Him.  Have you given up all for Jesus?

GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT

Above:  Christ Heals a Man Paralyzed by the Gout, by Bernhard Rode

(Image in the Public Domain)

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Mark 2, 1-12

1.  God has ordained means of saving sinners–through human instrumentality.  Thus “four” represent the church’s work.

2.  The “four”:

(A)  Had a personal knowledge of Christ–were sure he could heal.

(B)  Had sympathy for their palsied brother/

(C)  Had a cooperative spirit–“borne of four.”  Their one desire was to see their brother healed.

(D)  Knew no insurmountable difficulties; “tore up the roof.”

(E)  Had faith in Christ, shown in works.  “Their salvation is linked with faith, which earns nothing but elicits all like the touch which evokes electricity, but which no one supposes to have made it!

3.  Jesus saw and rewarded the faith of all the group–healed his body and forgave his sins.  Just like Christ to do it.  All hell can’t keep Him out when a soul is at His feet, trusting Him.  “Pardon does not lie concealed and doubtful in the councils of an unknown world.  It is pronounced on earth.”

4.  “They glorified God”–an honor to these four, a delight to the Christ, a needed blessing to the paralytic, and a great joy to sympathetic ones who beheld it.

This same Jesus will heal today all who approach Him in faith.

GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT

Above:  The Storm on the Sea of Galilee, by Rembrandt van Rijn

(image in the Public Domain)

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Luke 8, 22-25

1.  Jesus bids them cross over to the other side of the lake.  He must render some service over there.  They obey Him.  He constantly bids the church forward to the service men need.

2.  He accomplishes them, for it is He whom men need.  He promised to be with them always even to the end.  Blessed companionship with Him!

3.  A tempest arose.  Satan tries his worst to wreck the church, the old ship of Zion.  He besets the church behind and before; but fails utterly.

4.  They apply to Him for help.  This is the constant privilege of the church.  In all troubles the Mighty One is near, though it may not seem so for a while.  Let not our hearts take fright; He has not forsaken nor forgotten us.

5.  He arose and rebuked the winds.  So will He still the tempest that sweeps down upon the church and there shall be a great calm.  The church shall survive every wave of persecution, for He is greater than every storm of destruction that threatens her.

“What manner of man is he?”  Tempests, diseases, even devils fear and fly.  He is Lord of earth and sky.

GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT

Above:  Christ Taking Leave of the Apostles (1300s), by Duccio

(Image in the Public Domain)

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EDITOR’S NOTE:

I am glad that I have a rather large and comprehensive dictionary, for I find it essential in looking up words which my great-grandfather used but which have fallen out of common use over the course of a century or so.  Transcribing old documents is one way to learn antiquated yet good words.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

AUGUST 29, 2013 COMMON ERA

THE FEAST OF THE BEHEADING OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST

THE FEAST OF JOHN BUNYAN, PROTESTANT SPIRITUAL WRITER

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Jno. 16, 12-13

1.

Jesus feels tenderly towards his chosen representatives.  He now must tell them of his approaching death.  He would tell them more save for their deep sorrow.  He is ready to say it all but they can’t receive it.  He will not break their hearts.

2.  

But he has dealt faithfully with them and all others and told them the germ of all they will ever know.  The rosebud will unfold and reveal its beauty now.

3.  

(A)  He will give them the Spirit of revelation who will bring it to their remembrance  of all that Jesus has said.

(B)  His function is to guide them into the whole truth–the fullness of the truth.  The Spirit is concerned not with secular knowledge which men may find out for themselves, but with spiritual truth.

(C)  He did this, superintending in the Epistles till the canon of Scripture was completed.  Now he helps understand what is written so that man has a “perfect law of liberty,” completely furnishing the man of God to every good work.

4.  

Jesus is the Truth; is no temporizer.  He spoke freely and fully save when the heart-broken disciples could not receive it.  Who obeys his teaching builds on the rock, who does not builds on the sand.

GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT

Above:  Temptations of Christ

(Image in the Public Domain)

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Matt. 4, 1-11

Introduction.

Adam was the federal head of the race.  Christ the second Adam–our humanity.  Adam sinned and was driven into the wilderness.  Jesus goes there to overcome Satan.  Contemplates his life’s work.  Satan insinuates his plans for His life.

1.  

(1)  He first appeals to the bodily appetites as he did in Eden.  You were recently declared to be the Son of God, if so command bread ere you die.  But Jesus came to do his Father’s will.  When he says do it I will.

(2)  Subject my higher to my lower nature?  Not by bread alone, but by higher things.  He performed no miracle for himself.

2.

If your trust is so implicit, then cast yourself down from the pinnacle of the temple; He will preserve you and folks will believe you.  But I will not tempt the Father thus, when He says so I will.  This is an appeal to the spectacular, idle curiosity, something strange.  Such methods are not of God, but of Satan.

3.

Jesus came to establish a world empire.  So Satan offers him all if He will but fall down and worship him.  He offers a political kingdom.  Jesus bids him depart.  I will worship only my Father who sent me.  Mine is a spiritual kingdom and so are my methods through Calvary is in my path.

From that hour Jesus is Conqueror and we may conquer through him.  Then angels came and ministered unto him.  Blessed truth.

GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT

Matt. 22, 11-13

1.  The king made a feast–salvation is of God and for us prepared.

2.  All were invited to it.  Christ died for all and invites all–all can be saved since he is sincere in his call.  Some rejected [it] and others neglected the call.  This [is] the one reason some are still in sin.  Such are not worthy, who accepts it are.  Now he sends abroad the invitation.

3.  Many came–outwardly formally accepted the invitation.  Many join the church–an outward profession–this is good but not sufficient.

4.  The king came in to see the guests.  What a solemn moment.  He found a man without a wedding garment.  If we are not clothed in righteousness, robed in white, he will expose our folly and reject us.  Such neglect is a serious offense to all parties.

5.  He was speechless when asked the reason for his neglect.  Great was his consternation.  A neglect he could easily have avoided or corrected.  “Cast him out.”  God will reject all who are without religion.

6.  Then let us be sure of a genuine religious experience.  Attend to this at all hazards.

GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT

Above:  Wall and Foundation of a House, May 1978

Image Source = Library of Congress

(http://www.loc.gov/item/ncr001702)

Photographer = Howard W. Marshall

Call Number = AFC 1991/021: NV8-HM81-18

Image from the Paradise Valley Folklife Project Collection (AFC 1991/021)

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Matt. 7, 24-27

1.  “Never man spake like this man.  His messages, equalled nowhere, are full of divine wisdom–all wisdom.”

2.  His “sayings” are no mere maxims to adorn one’s education and conversation, but a light for our path and the rule of life.  He wants men to do them.

3.  Not everyone so regards them.  Some hear and forget the word or go away dissenting from them.  Others accept them and practice them daily.

4.  Who does what he says builds a firm foundation, prepares for the hour of adversity and shall dwell safe.

The testing will come.  “It is not always May.”  Storms arise.  “Prepare for the worst” before it comes and find one unprepared.

5.  Who obeys not builds too, but on the sand–prepares not for the future, the hours of trial.

The testing will prove the folly of his neglect.

6.  Let us be earnest hearers and doers of his teaching, being not forgetful hearers but doers of the work and be blest in our deed.

GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT