John 1:6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. I. THE TRUE NATURE OF A CHRISTIAN MINISTER'S OFFICE. 1. Ministers are not priests or mediators. 2. They are not agents into whose hands men may commit their souls, and carry on their religion by deputy. 3. They are witnesses (Acts 1:8; Acts 2:40; Acts 20:21). II. ONE PRINCIPAL POSITION WHICH OUR LORD OCCUPIES TOWARDS MANKIND. As light. 1. He is the centre and source of all spiritual illumination, warmth, life, health, growth, beauty, and fertility. 2. He shines for the common benefit of mankind — for high and low, rich and poor, Jew and Greek. 3. He is free to all. III. THE DESPERATE WICKEDNESS OF MAN'S NATURAL HEART. 1. Christ was in the world invisibly long before He was born (Colossians 1:17). Yet He was neither known nor honoured. 2. But Christ came visibly into the world when He was born at Bethlehem and fared no better. His own rejected Him. IV. THE VAST PRIVILEGES OF ALL WHO RECEIVE CHRIST AND BELIEVE ON HIM. 1. The privileges are those of children. 2. These privileges are to be possessed by faith (Galatians 3:26). 3. Are we sons of God? Have we the marks of Sonship. 4. Do we desire to be sons of God? Then we must receive Him as Saviour. (Bp. Ryle.) Parallel Verses KJV: There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. |
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