filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Sermons I. THE INCREASE OF LOVE THE MAIN THING IN RELIGION. 1. The language implies the existence of this love as well as its imperfection. It had been manifest in many ways; but there were social rivalries and jealousies and disputes at Philippi. Therefore the apostle prays that their love may abound more and more. 2. absolutely that he speaks of, the grand principle, the motive power of Christian life. Matthew Henry says it is the law of Christ's kingdom, the lesson of his school, the livery of his family. (1) It is Divine in its origin, for "love is of God;" (2) it is the principle of the Divine indwelling, for "he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him;" (3) it is the spring of all holy obedience, for it is "the fulfilling of the Law;" (4) it is "the bond of perfectness; (5) it has no metes or bounds like law, for we are to love with all our powers. The gospel lays the believer under a weightier line of obligation than the Law; for we are not to do this or that particular duty prescribed by the Law, but to do all that we can do through the constraining force of the love of God. 3. It is love fed by knowledge and guided by judgment; for it is to abound "in perfect knowledge and universal discernment." (1) Knowledge here is the thorough grasp of theoretical and practical truth. (a) This is needed to feed love. We cannot love an unknown person; we cannot love an unknown gospel; we cannot love one another except so far as we know one another. The more we know of our blessed Redeemer the more shall we love him. Love is not a blind attachment. (b) It is needed to regulate love. Love without knowledge may lead a Christian into mistakes, irregularities, improprieties, like a foolishly fond father who spoils his child. Love may waste itself on worthless or frivolous objects, or it may attempt impracticable projects by unwarrantable means; but if knowledge be the guide, these mistakes will be prevented. (2) The love is in "all discernment." This is more than knowledge. It is more even than the application of knowledge. It is that discriminating power, which enables a man to appreciate the true nature of things presented to him in the sphere of religious realities. II. THE ENDS ACCOMPLISHED BY A LOVE THUS REGULATED. 1. Christian capacity to discern excellent things. "That you may be able to prove things that are excellent." Love, rightly guided, penetrates through all disguises of error. It is, in fact, a mighty preservative against error. The Christian is able "to prove all things, and hold fast that which is good." He does not lose sight of the true proportions and relations of truth. But the spiritual capacity of believers is found to differ like the natural capacities of men. Some are very deficient in the power of spiritual discernment, yet this may be mainly due to the weakness of love. Those who are strong maintain the tranquillity of their own mind, and will be a stay to the timid and the weak. Cecil says, "A sound heart is the best casuist." 2. Sincerity. "That ye may be sincere." Love, rightly guided, brings out the deep reality of Christian character, and presents it in a holy simplicity without stratagem, diplomacy, or manoeuvre. A sincere man has all the strength that springs from an undivided heart: his love is without dissimulation; his sincerity is a godly sincerity, which realizes the impossibility of uniting the interests and pleasures and pursuits of the present world with those of true religion. 3. The absence of offense. "And void of offense." It seems hard to be so in a world to which the gospel itself is an offense. Yet, though we are not to compromise the principles of the gospel, we are to live peaceably with all men, to take wrong rather than give offense, to have a good report from them that are without, to be "blameless and harmless as the sons of God." The duration of this temper of sincerity and inoffensiveness is "against the day of Christ " - the day of final account before the Judge, as if to imply the undeviating consistency of a life thus divinely ordered. 4. Positive fruitfulness in Christian life. "Being filled with the fruit of righteousness, which is by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God." There is more needed than mere harmlessness: there must be a positive development of Christian life. (1) The fruit of righteousness. The righteousness is not of nature, but of grace; it is not of the Law, but of faith; and is essentially fruitful. Therefore those who possess it are "trees of righteousness," and the quality of the tree is known by its fruit. The whole system of redemption has for its end to make men "fruitful of good works." (2) This fruit is by Jesus Christ, because it is bound up with the life of Christ. "As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself except it abide in the vine, no more can ye except ye abide in me" (John 15:4). (3) The end to which all is directed - "to the glory and praise of God." The glory is the manifestation of God's grace, the praise is the recognition by men of God's attributes. (4) It is implied that believers are to be "filled" with the fruit of righteousness. Not a branch here and there, but all our branches are to be loaded with fruit. Thus there will be the more glory and praise to God. - T.C.
Being titled with the fruits of righteousness I.II. III. IV. (J. Lyth, D. D.) I. II. III. IV. (J. Lyth, D. D.) 1. Learn to beware of them who tell you that our good works are that righteousness whereby we are justified before God. As well say that the fruit is the tree. 2. Beware of them that tell you that men not begotten in the faith of Christ are able to do the things that are good and pleasing to God. 3. Let this teach us how to examine our works whether they be good or no. Do they proceed from a lively faith in Christ Jesus? II. THEIR AUTHOR. Christ who is the author of every good thing in us by the grace of His Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:5; Philippians 2:13). 1. Let this warn us against them who would persuade us that we are able of ourselves to do that which is good. 2. Let this teach us to give all the praise to Him to whom it is due (Revelation 5:13). III. THEIR END (1 Corinthians 10:31; Matthew 5:16; 1 Peter 2:12). Let this try our motives. Do we do good that we may gain heaven or that we may glorify God? (H. Airay, D. D.) 1. Integrity is the fruit toward God and man. 2. Tenderness of conscience. 3. With these and other virtues we are to be filled. 4. Although the world may reproach us. II. THE MEANS — Union with Christ. Granted this, good works are inevitable, as a good tree must produce good fruits. III. THE END. God can take delight in nothing but holiness. It is His own nature. (J. Summerfield, A. M.) II. RIGHTEOUSNESS OF HEART IS SELF-DISSEMINATING. Its fruit is — 1. Living. 2. Of harmonious unity. 3. Luxuriant. III. RIGHTEOUSNESS OF HEART, THE ONLY THING THAT CAN FILL THE CAPACITIES OF MAN. IV. FULNESS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS — fruit, is all Divine. It is Divine — 1. In its source — "God giveth the increase." 2. In its medium of communication — "which is by Jesus Christ." 3. In its end — "unto the glory and praise of God." (1) (2) (G. G. Ballard.) (J. Hutchison, D. D.) (J. Daille.) (H. W. Beecher.) II. WHAT THAT FRUIT IS WHICH A GOOD CHRISTIAN BRINGS FORTH. 1. A Christian brings forth inward fruit: "love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith." 2. A Christian brings forth outward fruit.(1) The fruit of good discourse; "a wholesome tongue is a tree of life." Gracious speeches fall from the lips of a godly man, as fruit from a tree.(2) The fruit of good works. God will say at the last day, Show Me thy faith by thy works. 3. A Christian brings forth kindly fruit. The godly man bringeth forth his fruit; that is, he brings forth that fruit which is proper for him to bear. But what is this kindly and proper fruit? I answer, when we are good in our callings and relations; in a magistrate, justice is kindly fruit; in a minister, zeal; in a parent, instruction; in a child, reverence; in a master, good example; in a servant, obedience; in the husband, love; in the wife, submission; in a tradesman, diligence; in a soldier, innocence. A tree of God's planting brings forth His fruit, that which is suitable and proper. I shall never believe him to be good, that doth not bear kindly fruit; a good Christian, but a bad master; a good Christian, but a bad parent, doth not sound well. The excellency of a Christian is to bring forth proper fruit; wherein lies the good ness of a member in the body, but to discharge its proper office? the eye is to see, the ear to hear, etc. So the excellency of a Christian is to bring forth that fruit which God hath assigned to him: what is a thing good for which doth not do its proper work? what is a clock good for that will not strike? what is a ship good for that will not sail? what is a rose good for that doth not smell? what is that professor good for that doth not send forth a sweet perfume in his relation? the commendation of a thing is when it puts forth its proper virtue. Not to bring forth suitable fruit, spoils all the other fruit which we bring forth. If a man were to make a medicine, and should leave out the chief ingredient, the medicine would lose its virtue. Relative graces do much beautify and set off a Christian; it is the beauty of a star to shine in its proper orb; relative grace doth bespangle a Christian. 4. A good Christian brings forth seasonable fruit, he that bringeth forth fruit in his season; everything is beautiful in his time. That may be good at one time, which at another may be out of season. There is a great deal of skill in the right timing of a thing; duties of religion must be performed in the fit juncture of time.(1) Christian duties that relate to our neighbour must be observed in their season. Our reproving others must be seasonable. Affliction opens the ear to discipline. Our comforting others must be seasonable; "a word spoken in due season, how good is it?"(2) Duties of religion that relate to God must be performed in their season. To read at home, when the word is a preaching, or the sacrament celebrating, is unseasonable, nay, sinful; as Hushai said, "the counsel is not good at this time": one duty is to prepare for another, but not to jostle out another; fruit must put forth seasonably. Let all the trees of righteousness bring forth season able fruit; in prosperity be thankful, in adversity patient. I. It shows us who is a Christian in God's calendar, namely, the fruit-bearing Christian. As soon as the sap of grace is infused, it puts forth itself in evangelical fruit. II. Here is an indictment against three sorts. 1. Such as bring forth no fruit; "Israel is an empty vine." O how many unfruitful hearers are there, who evaporate into nothing but froth and fume, being like those ears which run out all into straw I they give God neither the early fruit nor the latter. To the unfruitful Christian let me say four things.(1) Unfruitfulness is a shame: barrenness of old was counted a great shame.(2) What account can the unfruitful Christian give to God?(3) They that do not bring forth good fruit, shall never taste of the fruits that grow in heaven. 2. It reproves such as bring forth evil fruit. 3. It reproves such as bring forth good fruit, but to a bad end; "Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself": a man had as good bring forth no fruit, as bring forth fruit unto himself. What is it for one to bring forth fruit unto himself? Prayer is good; but when a man prays only to showy his parts, this is to bring forth fruit unto himself. Works of mercy are good, but when a man gives alms, not so much to feed the poor, as to feed his pride, now he brings forth fruit to himself, and this fruit is worm eaten. III. 1. Let this exhort all to fruitfulness.(1) Fruit is that which God expects from us, we are His plantations; and, "who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof?"(2) Fruitfulness is one of the most distinctive characters of a Christian; "the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit." But may not hypocrites bring forth fruit?(a) They do not bring forth fruit in the Vine they bring forth in the strength of parts, not in the strength of Christ.(b) Hypocrites bring forth something like fruit, but it is not the right fruit. The fruit they bear is not sweet.(3) Fruitfulness adorns a Christian; the fruit adorns the tree; a fruit-bearing Christian is an ornament to religion; the more fruitful the branch is, the more fair to look on. A dead tree, as it is unserviceable, so it is uncomely. A Christian, decked with the fruits of righteousness, is beautiful and glorious.(4) Fruitfulness is a good evidence to show for heaven; the fruits of love, humility, good works, are, as St. Bernard saith, seeds of hope, signs of predestination, the. happy presages of future glory. The righteousness of faith is always accompanied with the fruits of righteousness. He that can show good fruit, goes full sail to heaven. 2. It exhorts them that do bear fruit, that they would bring forth more fruit; do not think you have fruit enough, but bring forth further degrees of sanctity; "every branch that beareth fruit, he pruneth it, that it may bring forth more fruit."(1) This is the end why we have new cost laid out upon us, that we should bring forth more fruit.(2) The fuller we are of fruit, the more we are like Christ, who was "full of grace and truth." He received the Spirit without measure.(3) Bearing much fruit will usher in abundance of comfort into the soul in these two exigencies. Store of fruit will give comfort in the hour of death: a little trace will make us above the fear of death. O what joy will it be on the deathbed, when a Christian can bring his sheaves full of corn! when he can show his five talents that he hath gained by trading! when there is not only a drop or two of oil, but his lamp full of oil! what though the devil show God our debts, if we can show Him our fruit?(4) The more your fruit is increased, the more your glory is increased; he whose pound gained ten, was made ruler over ten cities. IV. The last use is of direction. I shall lay down some means to fruitfulness. 1. Be sensible of unfruitfulness. 2. If you would be fruitful, remove those things which will hinder fruitfulness. Cherishing any secret lust in the heart; sin lived in, is like vermin to the tree, which destroys the fruit; grace cannot thrive in a sinful heart. 3. The third means to fruitfulness is weeping for sin. Moisture helps germination in trees; holy tears do water the trees of God, and make them more fruitful. 4. If you would be fruitful often apply the blood of Christ, and the promises.(1) Apply the blood of Christ. Naturalists say, that blood applied to the root of some trees makes them bear better. Sure I am, the blood of Christ applied to the heart, makes it flourish more in holiness.(2) Apply the promises. 5. Another means to fruitfulness is humility. The low grounds are most fruitful: "the valleys are covered with corn"; the humble heart is the fruitful heart. 6. If you would be fruitful in grace, be much in good conference; "then they that. feared the Lord spake often one to another." 7. If you would be fruit-bearing trees, be near the water of the sanctuary; "he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out the roots by the river; her leaf shall be green, nor shall it cease from yielding fruit." 8. And lastly, if you would fructify apace, go, to God and desire Him to make you fruitful; God is called the Husbandman, and He hath an art above all other husbandmen; they can plant and prune trees, but if they be dead they cannot make them bear. (T. Watson.) 2072 Christ, righteousness 5904 maturity, spiritual December 12. "To Abide in the Flesh is More Needful for You, and Having this Confidence, I Know that I Shall Abide" (Phil. I. 24, 25). Twenty Second Sunday after Trinity Paul's Thanks and Prayers for Churches. Walking Worthily Loving Greetings A Prisoner's Triumph A Strait Betwixt Two Citizens of Heaven A Comprehensive Prayer The Good Man's Life and Death Paul's Desire to Depart 7Th Day. Sanctifying Grace. Love and Discernment. Of the Desire after Eternal Life, and How Great Blessings are Promised to those who Strive The Death of the Righteous A Believer's Privilege at Death For There were Even in the Apostles' Times Some who Preached the Truth Not... The Master's Hand Therefore if Haply, which Whether it Can Take Place... Concerning Lowliness of Mind. Second Day. God's Provision for Holiness. Effects of Messiah's Appearance Divine Support and Protection Greeks Seek Jesus. He Foretells that He Shall Draw all Men unto Him. |
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