1 Corinthians 3:4-8 For while one said, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are you not carnal?… I. SUCH IS THE PRESENT DEGENERACY OF HUMAN NATURE, THAT ALL THE MINISTRATIONS OF THE GOSPEL CANNOT REMEDY IT WITHOUT THE CONCURRING EFFICACY OF DIVINE GRACE. The gospel is designed to reclaim men from sin; but they are obstinately set upon it. It is intended to bring apostate rebels back to God and the universal practice of holiness; but we love estrangement from Him, and have no inclination to return. Instructions may furnish the head with notions, and correct speculative mistakes; but they have no power to sway the will, and sweetly allure it to holiness. Persuasions may prevail to bring men to practise what they had omitted through mistake, carelessness, or a transient dislike; but they have no effect where the heart is full of innate enmity against the things recommended. II. THE PROMISES AND DECLARATIONS OF THE WORD, WHICH APPROPRIATE ALL THE SUCCESS OF THE GOSPEL TO GOD ALONE. Jehovah is not fond of ostentation and parade. The doctrine of the necessity of Divine influences to render the administrations of the gospel effectual for saving purposes, is a doctrine familiar to the sacred oracles. III. THAT THE DIFFERENT SUCCESS OF THE SAME MEANS OF GRACE IN DIFFERENT PERIODS OF THE CHURCH, SUFFICIENTLY SHOWS THE NECESSITY OF GRACIOUS ASSISTANCES TO RENDER THEM EFFICACIOUS. We find that religion has flourished or declined, not so much according to external means as according to the degree of Divine influence. Alas! what could Noah, that zealous preacher of righteousness do, during the 120 years of his ministry? He might warn, he might persuade, he might weep over a secure world, in vain: they would rush upon destruction before his eyes. How little could Moses, the favourite messenger of God, prevail to make his people dutiful! Alas! after all the astonishing wonders he wrought before their eyes, they continued obstinate and rebellious; "For the Lord had not given them an heart to understand," &c. (Deuteronomy 29:4). What inconsiderable success had that zealous prophet Elijah, the eloquent Isaiah, or that tender-hearted, mourning, weeping prophet, Jeremiah! Surely many feeble servants of Christ, in all respects inferior to them, have been crowned with more extensive success! IV. OUR OWN EXPERIENCE AND OBSERVATION FURNISH US WITH MANY INSTANCES IN WHICH THIS GREAT TRUTH HAS BEEN EXEMPLIFIED. Sometimes a minister who is a universal scholar, a masterly reasoner, and an accomplished orator, and withal sincerely engaged for the conversion of sinners, labours in vain; while another of much inferior accomplishments is the successful instrument of turning many to righteousness. Sometimes we have seen a number of sinners thoroughly awakened and brought to seek the Lord in earnest; while another number, under the very same sermon, and who seemed as open to conviction as the former, have remained thoughtless as usual. And whence could this difference arise but from special grace? Your own experience proves the same thing. Have you not found that the very same things have very different effects upon you at different times? Hence we learn — 1. How essential and important the doctrine of Divine influence is to the Church of God. The very life and the whole success of the gospel depend upon it. 2. That when we enjoy the ministrations of the gospel in the greatest purity and plenty, we should not place our trust upon them, but wholly depend on the influence of Divine grace for the success. 3. Hence also we may learn whither we should look for grace to render the gospel successful among us. Let us look up to God. Saints, apply to Him for His influences to quicken your graces and animate you in your Christian course. Sinners, cry to Him for His grace to renew your nature and sanctify you. 4. We observe that whatever excellent outward means and privileges a Church enjoys, it is in a most miserable condition if the Lord has withdrawn His influences from it; and whether this be not too much our own condition I leave you to judge. (S. Davies, A. M.) Parallel Verses KJV: For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?WEB: For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," aren't you fleshly? |
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