9 i Sa pion eres - ceomteete set vin Owe - Ee 0 SE as eains ee : & et 2%. ganda y Hath = wt SAWP RTS + paiigh ae ea =i Mie ge ta . : tas ee rae Abia Son le: - S seer iakaiuudaate SAU Seaw ‘ ip’ Cnias =e resem Peck seinen Nee seer rar ee Pa oy eVisit ers” AAT ag ye ee Pad tert te iets = Sate: ay ray oF fii ‘ ae Peek ; AD pie mash! AY yy ‘a yeh pen Fete i Wipe eh his ee aN PY ey f we CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES FOR SPECIAL DAYS AND OCCASIONS A COMPREHENSIVE COLLECTION OF SUGGESTIVE MATERIAL FOR THE OUTSTANDING DAYS AND SEASONS OF THE ENTIRE CHURCH YEAR, ALSO FOR FRATERNITIES, ETC. ig OCT 21 193) NY COMPILED AND_/EDITED BY REV. G. B. F. HALLOCK, D.D EDITOR oF The Expositor OLOGICAL SEM NEW oy YORK GEORGE H. DORAN COMPANY Copyright, 1926, By George H. Doran Company Cyclopedia of Sermon Outlines for Special Days and Occasions Printed in the United States of America FOREWORD The lot and life of the writer and compiler of this set of books have been cast amid busiest and most pressing pas- toral demands. Forty years of need and of experience lie enshrined within their covers. Would that some one had pre- sented me with such volumes when I was a young minister, or at any time along the way! I needed them; would have prized them; would have used them—as a source of inspira- tion, of pastoral methods, and as ready reference manuals for innumerable occasions. This is the third of three works written to fill this long- felt want. The books are purely pastoral, intended for min- isters only. They are unique, supplying a demand no one has ‘ yet attempted to meet. ‘hey are comprehensive, aiming to be cyclopedic in contents. One would need go to the table of contents of each volume to find the full inclusion. Without going into minutiz, but referring only in barest outline, in the Cyclopedia of Pastoral Methods are aids to the worthy con- duct of public devotions, including all special days and occa- sions, with salutations, invocations, pastoral prayers, offertory sentences and prayers, intercessions for special persons and objects; here too are numerous ceremonies for weddings, funer- als, communion services, baptisms, confirmations, ordinations, for the adoption of children, and for the sending out of mis- sionaries; also services for the installation of Elders, Deacons, Deaconesses and of Bible School officers and teachers. In addi- tion, and possibly even more valuable because harder to find, are many choice and fitting forms for corner-stone layings, dedi- cation of churches, re-openings, setting apart of parish houses, educational buildings, hospitals, private homes, manses, towers and church spires, organs, windows, bells, chimes, choir stalls, paintings, pulpits, fonts, communion tables and communion sets, pulpit lamps and Bibles, church decorations, flags, monu- ments, memorial tablets, an illuminated cross, hymn books, for mortgage burnings, etc. V vi FOREWORD The second volume, Cyclopedia of Commencement Sermons and Baccalaureate Addresses, solves the problem of preparing for the occasional yet important call in the service of educa- tional institutions. Not alone ministers, but college presi- dents, principals of schools, teachers, school officials, parents and citizens are called upon for timely Commencement and Baccalaureate addresses. It is sure they cannot but welcome aid for this duty and privilege, and in this volume, definitely intended to be a ministrant in behalf of all who are expected to prepare for such occasions, will be found a vast collection of suggestive material from the very best sources. This third volume is a Cyclopedia of Sermon Outlines and Sketches for Special Days and Occasions, being a compen- dious assortment of suggestive material for the outstanding days and seasons of the entire church year, also for fraterni- ties, etc.—a sermon suggestor and inspirer, offering welcome help amid pressing days and duties. One of its most val- uable features is a selection of more than fifteen hundred sug- gestive texts and themes especially appropriate to the various days and seasons and exceptional occasions. These books are intended for use by ministers of all bodies. They are non-denominational; or, to be more exact, inter- denominational. The aim has been to make these associated volumes prac- tically indispensable to every preacher, pastor and theological student. Ge By era. BRICK CHURCH, Rochester, N. Y. CONTENTS | Part I: Christmas Texts and Themes 19 Part II: Christmas Sermon Outlines 22-41 Under the Christmas Star. The Geometry of the Angels’ Song No Room in the Inn . Christmas, the Surprise of God Back to Work with Joy . The Rising Star The Unspeakable Gift The Meaning of the Incarnation The Calendar of God . The Christmas Gift of Life Legend of the Christmas Rose: . Talk to Children The Story That Never Grows Old . The First Christmas Service . What the Shepherds Saw in the Cradle A Christless World . Christ’s Advent The Dayspring from on High God’s Revelation in Christ All Men Shall be Blessed in Him The Kingdom of Christ . The Wonderful Christmas Gift The Christmas Saviour COM With LI SN ys fet Christ the World’s Sun . The Design of the Saviour's Advent Rejoicing in Christ’s Reign The Good Tidings of God The Day-Spring : The Story of the Star Why Jesus Came vii Vili CONTENTS Part III: New Year Texts and Themes 42 Part IV: New Year Sermon Outlines 44-55 PAGE The Christian a Sojourner. } : Lemay. v Over a New Road . ; : : i Bes New Year Accompaniments . BU ; “iy OAs The January Inventory . . y Sih hl Visiting the Great Yesterdays . Me A New Year Exhortation . Hoe hs: The Path Unknown . i : PRESS cea Bs" The Guide aan the Gate . ; ; : Aer Ke Go Forward! . ' ; : HERES) The Open Door ; ; : ; ea EO Under Seiad Orders : y Bees GUE Lest We Forget. A hal Gee The New: Pathy: : Lees The New Date . : : : Mikel cf A Happy New Year Problem . : é eM Mgyl~ Shifting Scenery ; 5 Marat ans Part V: Evangelistic Texts and Themes 56 Part VI: Evangelistic Sermon Outlines 59-72 Making Excuse f . HN Mg Se) A New Creation. 5 ; Tae BO Steps to Christ . : ‘ ; : , 60 What Time Is It? . i ee Ot ““Remember Jesus Christ’’ : f f i ; 61 Care for Souls . : : ne OI Church Prosperity . . : : ‘ rts, O2 Giving the Heart . : é : ’ Zé 62 The Great Question . de ; pa The Seeking Shepherd. , ; : gern Od. Acquaintance With God . } ‘ mie OF Excuses. ; ; ‘ Ry Ssh, 98 Price of Redemption ; is ae 5 Sais OO Christ Waiting . R a : ; ; sla SOF A Spirit-Filled Life . : i 4 ae Natl es A Blessed Whosoever. : : ; ; Ra Dare hots The Worth of the Soul . ‘ ; : py aed ate) Our Best Helper. ; ; : Sie 6G Continuing : ‘ : ae 9 Three Conditions of Sul . . . . P70 CONTENTS ix The Calls of Christ . ee ie aca ey {0 Almost a Christian . ; none tele “We Bear the Name of Christians” aa Nis Chiristeat thewWoor, Or the eloar ty (tunity, abl acing We diy Part VII: Lincoln’s Birthday Texts and Themes 73 Part VIII: Lincoln’s Birthday Sermon Outlines 75-78 Lancoln 4), eee yatta” 6 eta I Patriotism . : ; mahal The American Great-Heart . . ani O He mMateatHess OLN ESINCOLN era THe. ie aia aa ssl a apy 6 Part IX: Washington’s Birthday Texts and Themes 79 Part X: Washington’s Birthday aoa Outlines 81-88 The Living Washington . : ONS 8 Wieashinoton asa Leader (i. eal tein be Washington Ever Our First Citizens ou pi ceaibete Washington a Man of Loftiest Purposes. ce 88 The Ever-Growing Influence of Waeeee RAN Se The Character of Washington . j ates) A Study in Heroes . : Ae Ne Washington. ty oe Washington as a National Asset . | eo Part XI: Palm Sunday Texts and Themes 89 Part XII: Palm Sunday Sermon Outlines 91-97 Pe NectnesMibnOLeCcisths: Gan yt. a. MUMS Salim tie T he wrurmphal Patey jot Me all rai rh ae Oa The Lord Hath Need of You . 1 Oa aa eae ewe 2 The Triumphal Entry. pe : Lo 3 Popular Attractions. . ; ear Enos Songs or Silence _ . : : seta The Conquering King. 95 Lessons for To-day from Christ’s T riumphal Entry 96 Garment Givers 96 Part XIII: Good Friday Texts and Themes 98 Part XIV: Good Friday Sermon Outlines 100-108 The Cross of Christ . : : ; Sun EOD MU Areners Dy athe. Cross a th ay bem eM K ON OLOT x CONTENTS PAGE The. Watchers Around the Cross. . : Be ROE TOT The Group Around the Cross . : Hy PLL Behold the Man! . © i3 2 as AS TOW Lessons from the Crucifixion : : j et Oz The Seven Words: from ‘the Cross 73, eure tO The Three Crosses at Calvary : : : lOO The Scene of Our Saviour’s Execution . : Bre OG Part XV: Easter Texts and Themes tog Part XVI: Easter Sermon Outlines 112-125 The First Easter Sermon . a) 8 be Endless Power for Endless Living ; : TALS The Risen Christ. feta The Empty Grave . gens Mary’s Joy in Her Risen Lord. : a BiB The Resurrection a Fact . Eg RUG: nd Peter sista, ih Aas rey Ny The Lesson of Easter. Pa asc ee ask G fy, The First Gospel Sermon . eel Le Easter Talk to Children . eae ‘gaara The Power of His Resurrection . Sa es Rolling Away the Stone . ; Seta be-al* Easter Gladness in Seeing the Lord . I21 The Spiritual Parable of Christ’s Crucifixion, I Resur- rection, Ascension and Return . Sepak The Power of Christ’s Resurrection ; f Ses Be The Risen Christ . ee mel 2 Part XVII: Lord’s Supper Texts and Themes 126 Part XV IIL: Lord’s Supper Sermon Outlines 130-142 Stirring to Remembrance . ; SY oe ee SOGO Christ Expected at the Feast . é SelaG The Duty and Obligation to Keep the Feast : MELT AT Communion . me At Mey i Empty Places at the Lord’s Table . Soke Pe EAD Invited Nearer: A Communion Meditation . al Qe Preparatory Service . : ; cane an alee Love Made the Supper ; ; ; The Value of Spiritual Diamine selrw : mpg ie oo Communion Continued . n ; url ‘The: Lord’s Supper...’ : : : TBO The Friendship of Jesus . ; : ; g beet eB CONTENTS The Scene of Calvary Our Mothers: An Appreciation Xi PAG 137 Lessons from the Names of the Ordinance 138 Lessons from the Nature of the Ordinance 138 Lessons from the Design of the Ordinance 138 Meditation : ; 139 “Come and Dine’”’ 139 Communion Address 140 Self-Examination I4I Communion a Meditation 142 Part XIX: Arbor Day Texts and Themes 143 Part XX: Arbor Day Sermon Outlines 145-153 Men and Trees: Arbor Day Talk. . 145 Gideon Under the Oak, Or a Hero Commissioned 146 Perpetual Arbor Day . 146 The Seed We Are Sowing 146 Trees of the Lord»: 148 A Sermon for Boys and Girls . 150 A Message from Springtime I§t A Springtime Lesson 153 Part XXI: Ascension Day Texts and Themes 154 Part XXII: Ascension Day Sermon Outlines 155-161 Lessons from the Ascension ES 5 Heaven’s Ascension Day Message . 155 An Ascended Yet Ever-Present Lord 156 Captivity Led Captive : 156 Carried Up into Heaven . 157 Christ’s Ascension 158 The Ascended Lord . 160 The Ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ . 160 Part XXIII: Mother’s Day Texts and Themes 162 Part XXIV: Mother's Day Sermon Outlines 165-171 The High Mission of the Mother . 165 Mother. ; 165 Our Debt to Motherhood. 166 The Encircling Love and Loyalty of Mother . 169 The Mother Love 170 171 all CONTENTS PAGH Part XXV: Memorial Day Texts and Thémes 172 Part XXVI: Memorial Day Sermon Outlines 175-189 The Memorial of Liberty . DU te Gestures of Progress, Personal and National . Sees te Forget-Me-Nots Gathered from God’s Acre . ey T7O Flowers for Memorial Day . Noe L76 The Oriflamme of God. nese Mites i fy, Spicery for Our Dead else ‘i wa Ug hs War Deprecated. Be le ae eG The Reign of the Dove . ; sy eto Bringing Back the King . : SLO The Veteran .as:an: Oracle i 7): fe cTSO Our Memorial Day . pets beg The Day of Memory ; Ws 3p: te The Incomparable Day . CaN A AE Ato New Issues Call for New Courage Re ose aL Oe Lessons of Memorial Day . Hehe Oa Sharing the Hero Spirit . ’ BO The Supreme Gift of Patriotism. ! PhineB6 The Inspiration of Heroic Memories. Nope Rsty, A New Memorial Day . TOS Part XXVITI: Children’s Day Texts and Themes 190 Part XXVIII: Children’s Day Sermon Outlines 194-212 The Eyes of Your Heart . LG Hin Oe NC uae NT HS Things to Watch. : : Pieme Mie A Bright Pin? we 8 The Blessedness of Childlikeness ; iy Ley Whe: Ministry, of wChildren/)) visa) oe ee OS Manners . : De 2OO The Message of the Flowers . ; 54202 Six Minds . ‘ : , : Ee 29) The Swans’ Dinner Bell . ; say POLS Children’s Day Talk Pe 2OL Rhoda, A Girl Christian . aA 2Oe A Children’s Sermon with White Mice as a Text . 206 Watch Your steps... De T207 Making Faces . i: AOS Candle Sermon for Children’s Day . : dA asaaenee OC The Pony Engine. J, (t Met” 2EO Lessons from the Dandelion : ’ ; ates Bey CONTENTS xiii ’ PAGH Part XXIX: Commencement Texts and Themes 213 Part XXX: Commencement Sermon Outlines 214-222 Passing Dividends . ay Beale pw Democracy and Education . ee True Education : : ig oo 56 “Pressing Toward the Mark” . a AUTON oo Address to the oe cali Class. Ps ty, For Sucha Time . Ge ies Abe Garden on lite. VEN WAL arn Eagan ne sia aC) The Teacher and His Pupil . (es Reagis a oe To Young Women Graduates . Oe on Part XX XI: Independence Day Texts and Themes 223 Part XX XIT: Independence Day Sermon Outlines 226-236 ibhe«Natron s Greatest Need i.) Pane aii at 96 The Blessing of Liberty . SURO ne 27 The Bible and Ghetian Citizenship Bg Ro pee Righteousness Exalteth a Nation . ; i228 The Land We Love {15229 Reve P OR ADEE Vi ibe tlc hi) ben as aE nn 2a Foes of Our Country Oh ON Influence of the Declaration . Mb se The Duties of an American Citizen Ee What the Liberty Bell Said: Talk to Children. Axe Part XXXII: Texts and Themes Concerning Vacation 237 Part XXXIV: Sermon Outlinés Concerning V aca- tions 239-245 Vacation Rest . : ; Ae A Ce 2aG Come Ye Apart ; 1240 Perils of the Summer a. The Value of an Eddy in the Stream of Life . 243 Part XXXV: Texts and Themes on the Sabbath 246 Part XXXVI; Outlines of Sermons on the Sabbath 248-255 Sunday Rest in the Twentieth Se Bb aS Sabbath Benefits te 8 Our Need of the Lord’s Day sti Wey Rn MOR wea, Mle iad oh 7-2 xiv CONTENTS PAGH eanctity the Sabbath: Howth Vere ae The Sabbath a Necessity . a, ; ‘ NOE Ra the sabbath a: Delight, wore sat tena: ce km) bones Made for Man . : ; any aay feweeye oir 2 GE The Need for the Sabbath (lal) aun 4 eae, 251 The Sabbath a Reminder . saa SAO ME. Civil Stewardship. : Jc Mente oF one How We Should Keep the Sabbath. . . 253 Sabbath Keeping in Christ’s Way . vee 20s The Spirit of Sabbath- ee se : Peoay How to Enjoy Sunday . oe eA Part XX XVII: Labor Day Texts and Themes 256 Part XX XVIII: Outlines of Labor Day Sermons 259-264 ‘Phe: Meeting Place of Manhoady: 1.9 2 ya oro The Battle for Bread _.. at OG God’s Law of Labor ae pode Work as a Means of Grace . Myst d we Part XX XIX: Armistice Day Texts and Themes 265 Part XL: Armistice Day Sermon Outlinés 267-268 Armistice Day Instituted . : 267 Part XLI: Prison Sunday Texts and Themes 269 Part XLIT: Prison Sunday Sermon Outlines 270-272 ‘The: Sighingof-the Brisoner i je er eles a Our Duty Toward Prisoners . ; : 54 290 Christianity and, the: Prisoner "6. pron eee oon A. Moral’ Barthquake iin jac i sevn oes ea ene 7m A Saint in Prison. 272 Part XLIII: Good Citizenship Day’ Texts and Themes 273 Part XLIV : Good Citizenship Day Sermon Outlines | 275-281 Putting Religion Into Politics. . . . ee The Christian and His Ballot... igi ay [0 Christian Citizenship ' Bis op hy as ay yh Christian Democracy _ . a TS Christian Principles in Politics . Pa ee Ue The Best Government . ; i ‘ } : 2808 CONTENTS XV Part XLV: Election Day Texts and Themes 282 Part XLVI: Election Day Sermon Outline 283-284 The Divine Election. Weak Bi PR Part XLV IT: Thanksgiving Day Texts and Themes 285 Part XLVI: Thanksgiving Day Sermon Outlines 288-299 Gratitude for God’s Remembrance. __.. ) sit 3S Thanksgiving Day . ae 288 Thanksgiving . : , Mey spoke: Special Reasons for Thanksgiving J a O Joyful Thanksgiving. : re eeO Volcanic Thanksgiving. ial hha SOA Feast of Ingathering ! i se Nap Real Thanksgiving . Rate autos ia dese te The Dower of a Nation . Narada NL VG ite Leo: he Goodness of God on i an ae FQN) offs Excellent Loving-kindness Si OE aaa edi aN Praise God : ra 200 Olden Time Appreciation . : : ion DWV CrtVer LANES PY aN otis bhi gkty otal auras 5 297 Part X LIX: Outlines of Sermons on Special Occa- sions and to Fraternities 300-325 A Pastor's Installation Sermon . .. . e300 The Christian’s Confidence. : tee fay. Freemasonry Triumphant : 304. The Three Links of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows... 307 Royal Arcanum Fellowship IS ae a OO Fraternal Life Insurance . May ae Nae wee. Love and the Mysteries: Sermon for Fraternal Organizations cre seed eek Independent Order: of Foresters. 219 The Supremacy of Love: Sermon to Odd Fellows. 320 SP ie a ay : ie CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES FOR SPECIAL DAYS AND OCCASIONS PART I: CHRISTMAS TEXTS AND THEMES The Disclosure of the Star: Matt. 2:10. 1. Christ the eternal. 2. Christ the creator. 3. Christ the light. 4. Christ the man. 5. Christ the Saviour. The Christmas Spirit: Isa. 9: 2-7. 1. The spirit of good- will. 2. The spirit of sacrifice. 3. The spirit of service. The Glory of Immanuel: ‘The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1: 14. The Song of the Angels: ‘‘And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” Luke 2:10. The Joy That Jesus Brings: ‘Behold, I bring you good tid- ings of great joy.” Luke 2: Io. Messiah’s Rightful Dominion: “And the government shall be upon his shoulder.” Isa. 2: ro. The Song in the Night: ‘“There were shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night.”” Luke 2:8. The first Christmas song was sung in the night. The glory broke over the world when the world was dark. That is a comforting fact this year. The First Peace Convention: ‘Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace.” Luke 2:14. It is still true that the ultimate aim of the principles promulgated at that first year peace convention between earth and heaven was peace to the whole world. The Song That Never Dies: Luke 2: 46-55. The Quest for the King: ‘“‘Where is he that is born king of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.” Matt. 2: 2. The Manger Cradle: “‘And this shall be a sign unto you.” Luke 2:12. ~The Rising Star: ‘“There shall come a star out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel,” etc. Num. 24:17. 20 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES Christmas with Christ Left Out: “What think ye? Will he come up to the feast?” John 11: 56. The Day-Star in the Heart: 2 Pet. 1: 19. The Incarnation: ‘For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for our sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” 2 Cor. 8:9. The Bethlehem of the Heart: ‘Until Christ be formed in you.” Gal. 4:19. Lessons from the Shepherds: ‘The Shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see.” Luke eo eer g sw The Gift That Transforms the World: 2 Cor. 9:15; Luke | 1: 46-55. The Child Jesus: ‘Set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel.” Luke 2:34. 1. His destiny. 2. His development. 3. His wisdom. 4. His coming rule. The Christmas Offering: ‘They offered unto him gifts.” Matt. 2:11. Christ has only one reason for desiring gifts from us, and that is in order that he may give gifts to us. He can give only to givers.. . The Greatest Quest: ‘“Where is he?” Matt. 2:2. Never be afraid to ask your way to Christ. Never think that you can find your way to Christ alone. You need all the help you can get on the quest of quests. | Inquirers for Christ: “He inquired.” Matt. 2:4. Herod. as well as the wise men is inquiring, it seems. Some inquire about truth to worship it; others, to murder it. The First Advent: “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many.” Heb. 9: 28. The Second Advent: “Unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.’’ Heb. 9:28. The Nearness of Christ: “The Lord is at hand.” Phil. 4:5. A Prevision of the Christ: “Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son and thou shalt call his name Immanuel.” Isa. mis Tal | Pondering of the Christ: “But Mary kept all those things and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2: 109. Proclaiming the Christ: “And the angel said unto them, CHRISTMAS TEXTS AND THEMES 21 Fear not; for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy,” Store buker2 3/10. 21h i | ) © Endowing the Christ: ‘“‘And when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts, gold,” etc. Matt. 1 } ° An Apocalypse of the Christ: “Yor unto us a child is born _... and his name shall be called Wonderful,” etc. Isa. 6; 7. | Hailing the Christ: “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God,” etc. Luke W 22/53, 14. The Pedigree of the Christ: “Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David accord- ing to the flesh,” etc. Rom. 1:3, 4. PART II: CHRISTMAS SERMON OUTLINES UNDER THE CHRISTMAS STAR ‘“WWe have seen his star in the east, and are come to wor- ship him.”” Matt. 2: 2. I. Underneath the star of Bethlehem lay a visible token of the love of God. “And they called his name Jesus.” II. Power lay beneath the star. And where Christ is, there is power now for us all. III. Hope lies waiting for us beneath the star of Beth- lehem—a new hope of a better life. IV. Beneath the Bethlehem star lay faith, that first Christ: mas night. The men from afar saw only a child, yet they — knew the child for a King. ‘They had faith—in the years that would bring him‘to manhood. Have we as much faith in Christ, in ourselves, in other people? V. Beneath the star lay unselfishness—in the Wisemen; in Mary, the mother; in Jesus, the willingly earth-born Son of God; and in God, the Father of him. And every Christmas that is worth the name is marked by a spirit of unselfishness— even to-day. VI. Beneath the Bethlehem star there was found a com- bination of sorrow (there.was no room for them in the inn) and joy, but the sorrow was quite overwhelmed in the joy. Always it is so for those who find the Lord Jesus. VII. When we follow the star we find a starting point and a terminus; a beginning of all that is worth while for our- selves and the end of all our longing; the Beginning and the End; the Alpha and Omega.—Rev. Pau Faris. THE GEOMETRY OF THE ANGELS’ SONG ‘And suddenly,” etc. Luke 2: 13, 14. 1. The Gospel in miniature. 22 CHRISTMAS SERMON OUTLINES 23 2. The angels, unconscious geometricians. I. Their vertical ascription of praise. “Glory to God in the highest.”’ Ours is a canopying gospel—of tip-top concern —and lifting in one direction, uplifting. II. Their horizontal target of desire. ‘On earth peace.” “Heavenly host’—army anticipating universal peace. Sym- bolizing peace in responsive song. III. Their centrical convergence in the soul of man. ‘To men of good-will.’ The gospel is centric. An intense Jesus— “Saviour, Christ, the Lord—seeks an intense work in man and by man. Conclusion: How far is the Christianity of this Christmas season thus geometrical ?—ReEyv. S. B. Dunn, D.D. NO ROOM IN THE INN” ‘‘There was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2: 7. There was no room for Jesus then. Is there now? I. Among the nations. In governments, in politics, in army and fleet. II. In society. Luxury, show, infidelity, sin. III. In business. Ideals of Christ in the market. IV. In church. Does church meet test, ‘Follow me’’? V. In homes. Place of Bible and religion in home. VI. In our sinful hearts: “Dear little stranger Slept in a manger, No downy pillow under his head, Only the darkness his cradle caresses, Only a manger, lowly, his bed, Blinded and selfish, the world in its sin. No room in the Inn! No room in the Inn!” CHRISTMAS, THE SURPRISE OF GOD “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea,’ etc. Matt. 2:1. Goodness, which is essentially love, is full of glad sur- 24 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES prises. We may gild the gold of Christmas with grudging re- membrances; we may even tarnish it with unworthy motives. Yet Christmas remains the token of God’s surprise for the human race, the surprise of his unsearchable goodness. : I. Think of how many surprised ones there were that first Christmastide. The mother and Joseph, the shepherds; and, after a while, the Magi from the East. ‘The crowded inn was also doubtless surprised when there passed from lip to lip the word that a child had been born in the lowly manger. Finally, Israel was surprised—and Rome and the ends of the earth; and the surprise is not over. The goodness of God broke through every barrier, overflowed every channel and became incarnate in the only Begotten Son. II. By common consent we insist that the children must have a Christmas surprise. For the rest of us, we are not so much concerned. We are missing the meaning of it all, how- ever, if we are not still overawed by the glad surprise of goodness that seeks us on Christmas day. III. How many ways there are of letting goodness have - its surprising way on this festival day! Little but loving fingers can weave a royal robe for those who have taught them how and whom to love. Every parent knows that the rarest Christmas gifts are those that come from the simple store of children’s love. IV. The surprise of love is not exhausted, however, by children’s gifts. Husbands may give their wives such assur- ances of unbroken trust and fidelity that diamonds will be- come lusterless in comparison. Wives may renew their vows of loving and chaste allegiance in such a variety of ways that the holiday will become a glorified honeymoon. | Friendships may be made to glow with a radiance that is not earthly as each friend brings to the other some hitherto un- revealed gift of strength or patience, confidence or courage. Masters and servants, in every modern relationship of our toiling life, may seal the prosperity of the enterprise in which Day engaged, by the gift of each to the other for the weal of all. The wayward boy may bring to a heart-broken mother his own broken heart and in the glad surprise of the gift both his heart and hers will be healed. CHRISTMAS SERMON OUTLINES 25 The far away child of God may draw near ‘“‘with full assur- ance” and find pardon and peace so sweet and so satisfying that the sorrows of sin will be lost in the joy of the Saviour.— Rev. WILLIAM Hiram FouLKkeEs, D.D. BACK TO WORK WITH JOY ‘And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, and as it had been spoken unto them.”’ Luke 2: 20. The shepherds had just seen angels and heard their mar- velous music, and had seen the Christ. After that experience we read that they “returned.” Back to their sheep. With joy they returned to their common duty. The difference between Christian joy and the world’s pleas- ure is in this: the one fits for duty, while the other unfits. Three thoughts are suggested in this. I. Christ brings joy. The angels sang when Christ was born. Simeon and Anna returned thanks. Andrew shouted “Eureka.” A man may rejoice indeed when he finds the Saviour. II. Christ would turn joy into the performance of duty. The shepherds went back to work gladly. Christ brought the disciples down from the mountain to where the demoniac child was. Paul exhorts Christians to live contentedly where they are. Onesimus was sent back to his earthly master. Our joy in Christ is to fit us for the every-day duties. III. Christ would have gratitude expressed in work. The best way to praise God is by our lives. There is not much spirituality in the man who won’t work. The birds praise God by their songs, the flowers by their beauty, the stars by their shining and their motion in their spheres. We can best ‘adorn the doctrine” and praise God by our lives. THE RISING STAR ‘There shall come a star out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel,” etc. Num. 24:17. Balaam caught the first faint beams of the Star-rise of the reign of Christ. 26 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES I. The rising Star brings light. On the deepest mysteries —on immediate duties—on human destiny. II. The rising Star has a scepter-quality. The light is in- stinct with celestial authority. Is charged with a quickening and governing dynamic. III. The rising Star is born of the humanity lying back of it—of the chosen race—of our flesh and blood—of the needs that our human nature feels. Star-rise to Balaam is Sun-rise to us.—REv. S. B. DuNN, D.D. THE UNSPEAKABLE GIFT “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” 2 Cor. ay I. It is the best of gifts. ‘The heart naturally yearns for love. ‘‘Greater love hath no man than this,” etc. ‘Herein is love, not that we loved God,” etc. ‘‘God so loved the world,”’ etc. | II. Because it includes other gifts. Have you Christ? If you trust and serve him you have the guarantee of all. III. Because it improves other gifts. The presence of one possession may add to the worth of all else. Example, sight. Thus it is with the gift Christ. All we have seems better for it. It improves everything. 1. We value nature more. 2. We value human nature more. 3. We value the Bible more. IV. Because it makes us givers. When we receive it we become like it. V. Because it is a gift to all. ‘To all people.” 1. A gift, not a loan. 2. A gift, not a. purchase. ‘Tis only God that is given away, "Tis only Heaven may be had for the asking!” 3. How shall we express our ‘‘thanks”’ ? (a) By giving this gift to others. (b) By giving ourselves to the Giver. —Rev. THomas R. STEVENSON. CHRISTMAS SERMON OUTLINES 27. THE MEANING OF THE INCARNATION ‘Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea.” Miatth 23-1. I, When Jesus was born there was the realization of the supernatural. ‘The birth of Christ was no ordinary birth. It brings us face to face with the supernatural. It means the visitation of God. For Christ is God manifested in the flesh. The incarnation signifies not the coming of an absent God into the world, but the manifestation of an ever-present Father. Christ was not a revealer of God, he was the reve- lation of God, and he alone could say, “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father.” II. When Christ was born in Bethlehem there was also the working out of God’s eternal plan of salvation. The In- carnation of Christ is the first great earthly event in connec- tion with this divine purpose. The angels sang a heavenly truth when they said, “Unto you is born a Saviour.” Christ ‘ did not come into the world merely as a teacher, a lawgiver, or a reformer, but primarily as a Saviour. Man’s redemption is wrapped up in Christ’s incarnation. Humanity must pin its hope of salvation to him and him alone. III. When Jesus was born in Bethlehem there was also the culmination of an eternal process. As Christ was the Incar- nation of God, the advent makes possible the Incarnation of Christ in men. It is now possible for us to be made partakers of his divine nature. If that is so, then there must be a like- ness between our redeemed nature and his divine nature. When we are most like him we think less of self and more of others. As the world grows more and more Christlike, it grows less and less selfish. The nearer we come to him in the likeness of our lives, the more practicable become his teach- ings.—Rev. W. W. BustTarp. | THE CALENDAR OF GOD ‘‘When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son.”’ Gal. 4: 4. | Christmas is witness to the timekeeping of a calendar- making God. It echoes the mightiest clock stroke ever re- 28 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES sounding from the chronometer of the universe. Each new celebration of the day is a reminder of the unfailingly timed program forever in the thought of the divine Governor of creation—a graphic refutal of all skeptic imaginations which picture his story as the sport of chance. For the word says it was “‘when the fulness of time came’ that “God sent forth his Son.” I. The need of the world was ancient when Christ ap- peared to answer it. In the judgment of men the redeeming Messiah was far overdue. Impatient faith had been crying for centuries: ‘‘How long, O Lord, how long?” But God waited. The ‘“‘times’’ he had appointed for Messianic prepara- tion were not complete. Imperative necessities of each pass- ing age he met with gracious supply of prophets and teachers calling the people to himself. He ever made plain the way of righteousness for those who desired to walk therein. But he would not hasten his working plan. Sending his Son into the world to inaugurate the era of the kingdom of heaven was an enterprise far too vast to risk its success by inadequate readiness or inopportune introduc- tion. : II. The hour of the first Christmas was no doubt the first hour when God had looked down on a world where the good — news of Jesus the Saviour could be proclaimed with surety of its being retold till all nations heard. As God’s great Mis- sionary to man, the Christ could not inaugurate his work among men until the stuff out of which missionaries are made ~ had been developed in the earth. There are many reasons for believing the age of his advent was the earliest age of history in which the missionary impulse could have been evoked from the human soul. III. To-day’s singularly dynamic democracy of the king- dom of God, this spontaneous stir of the mass of the church’s common people, this uplifting of the general spirit of religious folk, is a phenomenon that no previous age of Christianity has quite paralleled. What if for the moment it does not seem to be coming to any very definite head of tangible results? What if there are many uncertain gropings which betray doubt of where to turn or what to do? May not all these things prove none the less to be God’s preparation of times which CHRISTMAS SERMON OUTLINES 29 _ shall ere long make possible vaster triumphs than the Master’s cause has yet seen? If so, may we not believe that the leader or leaders whom God appoints to be captains of that greater victory will not fail to appear when his clock, still running true, strikes again his chosen hour ?—C. THE CHRISTMAS GIFT OF LIFE “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son,” etc. John 3: 16. I. The motive was love. The gift, an expression of love, was the gift of a life. f That first Christmas gift was not a gift to a child; it | was the gift of a child. Love prompts gifts to those near and dear. Greater love, unbounded love, prompts gifts of self and gifts of those nearest and dearest in order that the world may be blessed. '. IJ. How has it happened, one wonders, that through all the years of its observance Christmas Day has not been counted as the one day of all the year for the giving of life in Chris- tian service? It is a day set to celebrate the manifestation of God’s wondrous gift to mankind. How better could that manifestation be celebrated than by the full consecration of life to the same ends for which the life of Jesus was given? Ill. The gift of life is the most costly gift that can be made. The man who gives millions does not give as much as the man who gives himself—fully, unreservedly, with one- ness of purpose—as a servant of mankind. The father and mother who gives stocks and bonds and silks and satins do not give a fraction of that given by the parents who give their sons and daughters for the world’s weal. All other gifts are but toys and tinsel as compared with the kind of gift which is celebrated on Christmas day—the gift of life. Yet why should it not be that, in Christian homes, Christmas should come to be the one day of all the year when the young of the family face the question: Shall I make to the world the great- est gift within my power, the gift of life? Why should it not be the day when parents consider most seriously the giving of their sons and daughters in Christian service? It’s a costly 30 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES gift when father and mother give the young life upon which they might lean when their own steps falter. But—‘God so loved that he gave his only begotten Son.” Has the familiar declaration of fact no appeal to the love that has been kindled in us by that first Christmas gift? The supreme need of the world to-day, as always, is sacri- ficing service, and only through such Christ-like service will it find its full life. The gift most like that first gift is the gift of a life of sacrificing service. LEGEND OF THE CHRISTMAS ROSE: TALK TO CHILDREN Many, many years ago the roses had a meeting. They met to decide at what season they would best like to blossom. There were ever so many varieties, large and small, double and single, white and pink, and red and yellow. Nearly every one of the many kinds chose to blossom in June. There was here and there a straggler who preferred the later summer or early autumn. The majority said: “June! June! June is surely the most beautiful month, and the rose is surely the most beautiful flower. The month and the flower belong to- gether.” But there was one little plant, the leaves of which were not yet unfolded. It thought it was a rose, but it was so small it hardly knew. None of the proud flowers paid it the least attention. It wasn’t asked for an opinion, and it — never said a word. But it had its own sweet thoughts. They were something like this: ‘It seems too bad that all the roses should bloom when the world is already full of beauty with- out them. I should like to have blossoms that would cheer when things were dreary. I should like to bloom in winter. I wonder if I could!’’ The little plant did not yet know what power there was in a kind purpose. The year sped around. The beautiful roses enjoyed their time of blossoming, and had all passed away. The snow was heavy on the ground. Men said that in many years there had not been such a snowfall. Christmas Day came, and on that day a young woman went to live with him who was once the Christ-child. ‘How sad that there are no flowers,” one said. CHRISTMAS SERMON OUTLINES 31 ‘She was so fond of flowers.’”’ But another said: “I know a ‘bush which has blossoms under. the snow. It is in the far _corner of the garden.” They dug away the white drifts, and, sure enough, deep - down below the brave plant had done its best. Dozens and dozens of roses bloomed sturdily, daintily, white with pale pink frills, many more than were needed for the friend who appreciated flowers. In a house near by, a new baby came on this joyous day. “The mother must find a flower on her pillow, when she wakens from her sleep.” So a spray of the pale pink-edged blossoms lay there to welcome the new life. In still another house, on this Christmas Day there was a gay wedding. ‘The bride’s table was adorned with a bowl of the delicate winter rose blossoms. All the guests praised their exquisite perfection. ‘“Io think they blossomed for my wedding!” the bride exclaimed. Happy rosebush, for it had given beauty and gladness to the great events of life! But there was something better for the rose. The Lord of the garden knew all about it. He said: “Because this little plant grew and blossomed unnoticed, unpraised, content to wait and bring its small meed for others’ happiness, glad to be of use when other roses failed, it shall be named for me. Now and always, it shall be the Christmas Rose.” Think of others. Do not be selfish. Christmas means un- selfishness. Love came down at Christmas, love all lovely, love Divine. Children, young people, bring all the love you can into the world—all the beauty, all the kindness, all the happiness.—H. THE STORY THAT NEVER GROWS OLD “Behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people.”” Luke 2: 10. There is no story that has so stirred the heart of humanity as the story of the birth, life and labors of Jesus Christ, born of the Virgin Mary, in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of Herod the Great. The story has been told oftener than any other story, and yet it is still full of charm, and men tell it in all lands, and joy over it as if it were an event of yester- 32 + CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES day. It is new at every Christmas, and the whole world lays aside its cares and its labors to listen to it once again. Why has this story such a hold upon the world? I. The hero of this story was a babe. The babyhood of heroes is usually thought unworthy of chronicle, but the baby- hood of Jesus has a significance which sacred historians think worthy of mention, for in this baby was the incarnation of God in human form. II. The hero of this story was a King. He had no royal trappings, and lived in no royal palace, but he was ‘‘King of kings and Lord of lords.’’ All things in heaven and in earth recognized his sovereignty. | III. He was a priest. He brought men to God, he re- vealed God to men, for the priest is one who makes the con- nection between God and man. 7 IV. He was a perfect example. He challenged men to convict him of sin, but they were silent. There was found no fault in him as even his enemies testified. V. He was a perfect friend. He loved men. He lived with them. He never forsook those who needed him. The world is singing yet with increasing fervor, ‘‘What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” VI. He was a counselor. His words are the wisdom of — life. He pointed out to men the way of life, and warned them against the danger that beset their paths. VII. He was a comforter. No sorrowing one ever ap- proached him who did not find in him a comforter. VIII. He was a Saviour. He gave hope to the hopeless. No sinner was beyond redemption who came to him for cleans- ing. The witnesses of his saving power are everywhere in the world to-day. The invitation of salvation is borne on every breeze to every land. “Look unto me and be ye saved, all ye ends of the earth.” \ THE FIRST CHRISTMAS SERVICE Luke 2: 8-17. I. The place. The first Christmas service was not held in temple or synagogue, but out of doors; not under the glowing sun, but beneath the silent stars. CHRISTMAS SERMON OUTLINES 33 II. The time. Although it was night, yet it was not dark, for a great light—‘‘the glory of the Lord’’—shone all around and lighted the place of the assembly. III. The congregation. The congregation was small, but there was no vacant place. So far as we know, it was com- posed wholly of men, not of the rich and great, but of the poor and lowly. They were shepherds ‘“‘abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night.” They were not gathered for worship, but for a round of common duty; but being faithful, were accounted worthy of the highest privi- lege and richest blessing. IV. The preacher. ‘The preacher came from “the land that is very far off,” from ‘“‘the better country,’ and was a notable one, even “‘the angel of the Lord.’ Nothing is said of his personal appearance or dress, and we are not told whether he stood before them or above them in the air. But what is vastly better, we are told what he said. VY. The sermon. The sermon is short, but every word ‘s full of meaning. It has three parts. 1. In the first, the preacher puts his hearers at ease by saying, “Fear not’’; excites their interest with, ‘Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy’; and suggests the duty of publishing the good tidings by the words, ‘‘Which shall be to all people.” 2. The second part is the heart of the angel’s sermon. Here it is: “For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.’’ It is as if he had said: ‘The long line of prophecy is fulfilled; that for which ears have listened and hearts have hungered is now come to pass; the City of David has at last received her king; the Christ is born; God is manifest in the flesh: Emmanuel.” He is born “‘this day’’; not yesterday, for God’s love for men is so great that he cannot withhold the “good tidings of great joy” for a single day. And lest in their humility the shep- herds might think that the ‘‘good tidings” were not for them, the preacher made it personal: “Unto you’’—-shepherds—“is born this day——a Saviour.” 3. The third part of it is by way of confirmation and assurance. The shepherds need not rely wholly on the preacher’s declaration, for somewhere in the City of David, 34 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES the babe, wrapped in swaddling clothes, was lying in a manger, and they could go and see for themselves.—ReEv. J. C. Ros- INSON. WHAT THE SHEPHERDS SAW IN THE CRADLE “And the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.” Luke 2: 13-15. We are told what the shepherds said: ‘Let us go even now unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass.’’ And what did they see when they got there? This is the ques- tion we should ponder this Christmas morning. I. They saw a Child through whom had come to man the greatest revelation of man. II. They saw a Child born to give earth the greatest reve- lation of man. III. They saw him who was born to be the world’s Saviour. IV. They saw a Child who was born to be earth’s greatest Teacher. V. They saw a Child who alone had the right to the sovereignty of the world. Lowly, but King! Jesus, Son of man, Son of God! We worship thee this morning. Amen. . A CHRISTLESS WORLD There is a strange old legend of a world that grew color- less in a single night. ‘The clouds became lifeless, spongy vapors; the waves turned pale and motionless; the fire fled from the diamond, and light from every gem. ‘The world turned into a sculptor’s world, and all was animated stone. Those that dwelt upon it were saddened and bewildered at the change, and never ceased to mourn for the beautiful tints of flowers and grasses, and the vanished hues of the sunset clouds. All Nature was in mourning, and wore a leaden-colored robe. Nevermore should diamonds sparkle, nor rubies shine, nor dewdrops glisten in the morning light. Nevermore should there be a rainbow on the cloud, or a silver in the falling raindrops. The expanse of lake or ocean should nevermore CHRISTMAS SERMON OUTLINES 35 reflect a blue heaven, nor the stars nor the sun. The world had passed into eclipse,—into the shadow of death. This old legend is a parable. It suggests to us a picture of the world without the Christmas Christ. What a dark, dead, dismal world this would be, what an awful world it would be if in that total eclipse of a Christless condition! What if there had been no Saviour? We celebrate the day of Christ’s birth—Christmas, the gladdest, brightest, happiest day of all the year; but will it not be all the happier if we prepare for it by at least for a little time thinking of what the world would be if there had been no Saviour? The bright scene will be all the brighter for having in the background this heavy, dark curtain of the thought of a Christless world. | Others have had this thought. Job had it. He saw man a sinner, and asked how it was possible for him to be justified before God. The apostle John had it, and said: ‘He that believeth not is condemned already.” The writer of the epistle to the Romans had it, when he told of the awful sins of men, and added that God would render to every man ac- cording to his deeds. The apostle Paul had it when he told the Ephesian Christians that before they had been quickened by Christ they were “dead in trespasses and in sin.” A Christ- less world! If there had been no Saviour! No eclipse could be so dark as that. I. It would mean a heathen world. Read Pagan history. II. It would mean a hopeless world. Christ put hope into the world. Christmas Day has well been called ‘The Birth- day of Hope.” III. It would mean a paralyzed world, for where there is no hope there is no action. IV. It would mean a lost world. Lost! A lost world! If there had been no Saviour! | Are you ready to appreciate the Christmas message? The good news of the Gospel? Are you ready to yield your- self wholly, heartily, gladly to Christ and let him be your Saviour ?-—H. 36 -CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES : CHRIST'S ADVENT Luke 1: 78, 79. I. The state ar mankind tetas he came. “In darkness and the shadow of death.”” Ignorant (1) Of moral character of God; (2) Of the purity of his law; (3) Of the evil nature and dreadful consequences of sin; (4) Of the true source of happiness; (5) Regarding the future state. II. The remarkable description of the Saviour. ‘“The Dayspring from on high.” The great source of (1) Life; (2) Light; (3) Glory. THE DAYSPRING FROM ON HIGH Luke 1: 78, 79. I. A declaration of a blessed fact. “The Dayspring from — on high hath visited us.”’ II. The source and origin of that fact. ‘Through the tender mercy of our God.” III. Its divine fruits and consequences. ‘To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death; to guide - our feet into the way of peace.”’ GOD'S REVELATION IN CHRIST ‘For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.’ Luke 2:11. Bethlehem’s manger holds the profoundest thought of the- ology, the grandest theme of song, the cheerfulest hope for humanity, the answer to man’s imperious cry. I. Incarnation. God coming to dwell in man. II. Revelation. In that cradle man looks upon the face of the King and the soul is satisfied. III. Presence. “Emmanuel—God with us,” the living root of Christian faith—the foundation and superstructure of the church. IV. Power. Outward reach of God to help his children up. I. By his power—regenerating and sanctifying. 2. By his teachings—loftiest and most practical. 3. By his example —‘‘He went about doing good.’”’—C. A. T. CHRISTMAS SERMON OUTLINES reey. ALL MEN SHALL BE BLESSED IN HIM “His name shall endure forever; his name shall be con- tinued as long as the sun; and men shall be blessed in him; all nations shall call him blessed.” Ps. 72:17. I. The renown which the Saviour shall acquire. 1. The sources from which it is derived. (1) Itis derived from the constitution of his person. (2) It is derived from his work. (3) It is derived from his reward. 2. The duration through which it shall last. IJ. The influence which the Saviour shall exert. (1) Its beneficial nature. (2) Its universal extent. (3) Its unworldly methods. THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST “Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay andvbrake them inipieces,’ etc. Dan. 2:34, 35. I. The kingdom of Christ is divine in its origin. If. The kingdom of Christ is humble in its beginnings. Ill. The kingdom of Christ is progressive in its tendency. IV. The kingdom of Christ is triumphant in its course. V. The kingdom of Christ is universal in its extent. VI. The kingdom of Christ is eternal in its duration. THE WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS GIFT ‘Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.’ 2 Cor. See | Bethlehem is the goal of man’s weary march. Here we re- ceive the gift of the Child-Christ, who is to become our Saviour from sin, our hope from despair and our life from the dead. I. The door of the stable opens into the pathway to the palace of the King. The humblest is the holiest place. II. The child of Bethlehem’s manger, the poorest and weakest of earth, one day will be King of the universe, 38 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES crowned with many crowns. Angels are his attendants; wise men his worshippers. A new star is the finger pointing to his birthplace, the shepherds are his watchers and all the future his realm. III. The wonderful Christmas Gift is yours, if you will take the Christ into your heart; but if the door to your being, like the inn, is closed against him, if there is no room for him in your darkened soul, you will suffer regret, disgrace and sorrow. ‘The greatness of the gift is indescribable, because with him you have all other treasures—all other needs sup- plied. Human language fails to portray more than the fringe of his robes, the beginnings of his power, the touch of his fingers. The unspeakableness of his infinite love will ever invite the affectionate approach of his followers——ReEv. E. W. Cas- WELL. THE CHRISTMAS SAVIOUR ‘Thou shalt call his name Jesus; for he shall save his people from their sins.” Matt. 1: 21. Contrast between Jesus and other saviours or deliverers. I. Their salvation was secular. His is spiritual. II. ‘Theirs was instrumental, his personal. III. ‘Theirs was local. His GAReteae IV. ‘Theirs was temporary. His everlasting. “GOD WITH US” “They shall call his name Emmanuel; which, being inter- preted, is, God with us.” Matt. 1: 23. Explain the title. “Emmanuel. God with us.” I. God in our nature. II. God on our side. III. God in our heart. IV. God with us in heaven for ever. CHRIST, THE WORLD’S SUN “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteous- ness arise with healing in his wings.” Mal. 4:2. i ee ae et — a eee ae ee ee a ee es ee ee ee ee a CHRISTMAS SERMON OUTLINES 39 I. Illustrate the comparison of our Lord Jesus Christ to a sun. 1. His unapproachable preéminence. 2. His benignant influence. 3. His relation to the whole world. II. Describe his restorative or remedial efficacy. 1. In the world. 2. In the country. 3. In an individual. I. Consider the persons to whom his efficacy is confined. 1. Who are they? 2. Why are they the sole recipients of the promised blessing? IV. Regard Christ as the sun of righteousness. 1. Christ is the center of the spiritual world. 2. Christ is the source of light. 3. Christ is the source of heat. 4. Christ is the object of attraction. II THE DESIGN OF THE SAVIOUR’S ADVENT “T am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John to: 10. I. The design of the Saviour’s advent. 1. Asa Priest, he procures life. 2. As a Prophet, he reveals it. 3. Asa King, he dispenses it. II. The amplitude of the design. 1. More abundantly than Adam. 2. More abundantly than the saints under the law. 3. More abundantly than our former selves. REJOICING IN CHRIST’S REIGN “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion.” Zech. 9:9. I. The character under which the Saviour is here presented to us. 1. As just. 2. As powerful. 3. As lowly. 40 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES II. The grounds of rejoicing in his reign. 1. The peacefulness of his government. 2. The extent of his empire. 3. The privileges of his subjects. THE GOOD TIDINGS OF GOD ‘And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all the people.) ILuke 8 21, I. The Gospel may be called good tidings, because it is so beneficial. II. The Gospel may be called good tidings, because it is sO appropriate. lil. The Gospel may be called good tidings, because it is so personal. IV. The Gospel may be called good tidings, because it is so unexpected. THE DAY-SPRING “Through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the day- spring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” Luke 1:78, 79. I. The condition of the world previous to the advent of Christ. 1. Astate of ignorance. 2) state Of danger, II. The mercy of God toward the world in that condition. 1. Undeserved. 2. Unsolicited. 3. Seasonable. Iii. The manner in which the mercy of God was mani- fested. _ 1. He sent his Son to enlighten it in its ignorance. 2. He sent his Son to guide it in its danger. CHRISTMAS SERMON OUTLINES 41 THE STORY OF THE STAR ‘For we have seen his star in the east and are come hither to worship him.” Matt. 2:2. |. The story. It is of the Christ Child. What was the star? Ample ground for speculation. But in any event it was the guide divine to these Eastern inquirers. Nor will the serious seeker to-day be left without a pilot to the Saviour. II. Its teachings. . SDhere is an East to every one in which this star appears. 2.’ When this star is recognized it is the part of true wisdom to follow where it leads. 3. If rejected, the conditions of guidance fail, and the neg conjunctive planets separate. The terminus of the guiding star is to the adoration ~ of the God-man. WHY JESUS CAME “The Son of man is come to seek that which’ was lost.” Luke 19: fo. | I. That which was lost. Mankind. II. Son of man. He is the Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, etc. Yet out of love for a fallen race he lays aside his glory and becomes the Son of man. This is the title which Christ appropriates to himself. Il]. He came. Was not forced, compelled; he chose to come. IV. To seek. It is interesting to study how Jesus sought for souls. The Good Shepherd,—“Jesus sought me when a stranger.” V. To save. He came because there was something to save, something that was precious in his eyes, something worth ‘saving. PART II: NEW YEAR TEXTS AND © THEMES Seasonal Opportunity: ‘There is a time to every purpose under the heaven.” Eccl. 3: 1. The Life That Lasts: Eccl. 12: 1-7. Secrets of Happiness: “Wappy is the man that findeth wisdom.’ Proy, 2:13: This Year Also: “‘A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard,” etc. Luke 13: 6-9. Untrodden Ways: “Ye have not passed this way hereto- fore.” Josh. 3: 4. The Divine Leader: ‘‘And the Lord went before them,” AORN ipl 5 He Biter OE ode God the Way: “Thus saith the Lord, which maketh a way,” — etc. Isa..43: 15-21. s Another Opportunity: ‘““He made it again.” Jer. 18: 4. Resolutions for the New Year: “I am resolved what to do.” Luke 16: 4. | Out of the Old and into the New: “He brought thee out to © bring thee in.”” Deut. 4: 37, 38. Need of Haste: “Brethren, the time is short.” 1 Cor. C20) i Peace by the Way: “See that ye fall not out by the yee ‘“ Geni i457 24. New Year Optimism: eae ee the Lord will do won- ders among you.” Josh. 3 | Shifting Scenery: “The eas of this world passeth AWAY. Gk OLaCy cia Ty | New Year Wisdom: “So teach us to number our days that we apply our hearts unto wisdom.”’ Psa. 90: 12. Over a New Road: ‘Ye have not passed this way hereto- — fore,’ Josh, 3% A. A New Man in a New Year: “lf any man be in Christ he — is a new creature,” etc. 2 Cor. 5:17. | New Books Opened: “The books were opened.” Rey. 20:12. Book of Providence. Book of God’s Law. Book 42 NEW YEAR TEXTS AND THEMES 43 of God’s Remembrance. Book of Individual Memory. Follow Your Leader: “And he led them on safely, so that they feared not.” Psa. 75: 53. Our Need of a Guide: “O Jehovah, I know that the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man that walketh to direct his 'steps.~ Jer, 10: 29’. A Brave Woman’s Resolve: Ruth 1: 16. A Forward Look: Phil. 3: 12-14. Set Thine House in Order: “Set thine house in order, for thou shalt die and not live.” Isa. 38:1. The Flood of Years: “‘Vhe Lord sitteth upon the flood.” Psa. 29: ro. The Perpetuity of the Good: “Their works do follow them.” Rey. 14:13. } New Year Voices: ‘““Remember.”’ Acts 20: 31. A Pleasant Prospect: “My presence will go with thee.” Fix. 33:14. Prayer for the New Year: “Hold up my goings in my ‘paths, that my footsteps slip not.”” Psa. 17: 5. A Year’s Work Reviewed: ‘“Then I looked at all the work that my hands had wrought, and on the labor I had labored to do; and behold all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was no profit under the sun.” Eccl. 2: 11. The Unknown Future: “Our cattle also shall go with us; there shall not a hoof be left behind; for thereof must we take to serve Jehovah our God; and we know not with what we must serve Jehovah, until we come thither.”’ Ex. 10: 26. The Assurance: “TI will never leave thee.” Psa. 139: 1-17. A Happy New Year: “If they hearken and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleas- ures.” Job 36:11. Unirodden JY ays: Joshua 3: 1-17. 1. The Divine Leader. 2. God, the way-maker. 3. The Lord’s highway. 4. Peace by the way. 5. The excellent way. 6. Trust for each day. The New Year: “Behold, I make all things new.” Rey. B21: 5. The Consecration of Time: Psa. go. The Source of True Happiness: ‘‘Whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.’ Prov. 16: 20. Strength for the Day: ‘“Thy bars shall be iron and brass; _and as thy days, so shall thy strength be.” Deut. 33:25. PART IV: NEW YEAR SERMON OUTLINES THE CHRISTIAN A SOJOURNER ‘Pass the time of our sojourning here in fear.” 1 Peter ray. A sojourner is one who dwells in a strange country, and has no possession in it of his own. Thus, “Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there.” He felt himself a stranger and a pilgrim, and by his unsettled state, he was kept in mind of the city which hath foundations—that is permanent and stable,. whose builder is the living God. See Heb. 11: 8, 9. : So a Christian is absent from his native country. He is born from above. His home is heaven. ‘The body is but the house of the soul’s pilgrimage, in which she is confined during her exile from home. ‘This is our New Year theme. 3 I. A sojourner is at a distance from his relatives. Some of these may be with him, but how many have ceparat to the land of the blest! LOD ibie sojourner is sometimes exposed to rough treatment from the natives. His principles, pursuits, exertions, and hopes are hated by the wicked. IJ. A sojourner is but little known. His friendship, his companionship, are not courted. He has pleasures and bright anticipations of future bliss, to which sinners are strangers. IV. A sojourner has no inheritance in the country through which he is traveling. He seeks a “better country’; that is, a heavenly one. Why fix his affections on earthly things, which are transient and unsatisfying. V. His pilgrimage here is but short and fleeting. He is in this world for a certain season, and for some certain end; he has his work to do, and his measure of suffering to endure. Christ has called him to work in his vineyard, and he will soon call him to his reward. 44 NEW YEAR SERMON OUTLINES 45 VI. The Christian must pass the time of his sojourning here in fear. Not in slavish fear, for there is no necessity for that. Rom. 8:15. But in reverential fear—in fear of sin— in fear of offending God—in fear of temptation. OVER A NEW ROAD “Ye have not passed this way heretofore.” Josh. 3:4 I. ‘Ye have not passed this way heretofore.’ Therefore do not go until you be assured of the divine presence and protection. II. “Ye have not passed this way heretofore.” It is quite right, consequently, to take new ways and untried paths in life. | III. “Ye have not passed this way heretofore.’ There are some particulars in which this must be true even of the least eventful life. IV. “Ye have not passed this way heretofore.” The sug- ‘gestion is not human but divine. It is God himself that pro- poses to guide and defend the lives of man.—Rev. Dr. JosEPH PARKER. 99 NEW YEAR ACCOMPANIMENTS “And the prophet came to the King of Israel, and said unto him, Go strengthen thyself . . . for at the return of the year the King of Syria will come up against thee.” 1 Kings 20: 22. What will the new year bring? I. A renewal of life’s battle. The nobility of the life conflict. II. The return of the same old tniacoaters The same old Syrians, with new faces possibly, but certainly with reénforce- ments. III. The need for adequate preparation. In Gahan in alertness; in self-possession. IV. The same victorious leadership. “To whom hill or valley battlefield is alike, and with whom menacing numbers and parading chariots do not count. V. The call for individual loyalty and fidelity —REv. S. B. Dunn, D.D. rite » ROE FER I = alernamrenre 2 tliat trees aw or ae 46 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES THE JANUARY INVENTORY “Forgetting the things which are behind and stretching forward to the things which are before.” Phil. 3: 13. Here is a practice in which nearly every business man engages about this time of year. Disposing of old stock and antiquated apparatus, he rearranges and directs energies toward the coming year. Is it not well for souls to do like- wise? ‘The text: I. Implies incompleteness; there is room for something better. II. Permits progress. ‘“The way of life is wonderful; it is by abandonment,” e.g., the runner in the stadium puts be- hind him all preceding successes as well as failures; also super- fluous possession. III. Centers upon greater things: ‘“‘Build thee more stately mansions, O my soul, As the swift seasons roll; Leave thy low-vaulted past.” —C. R.S%. VISITING THE GREAT YESTERDAYS ‘Ask now of the days that are past.” Deut. 4: 32. Yes, but what shall we ask about, and what kind of spoil shall we bring back from the treasures of the past? What have we in our purses or in our wallets when we return? In the life of Lord John Russell I came upon a phrase which set me inquiring about my own habits. In a speech which he made in the House of Commons he said: ‘“‘We talk. too much, I think a great deal too much, of the wisdom of our ancestors. I wish we would imbibe the courage of our ancestors.” It is a very suggestive word, and one which may justly lead us to overhaul our ways. For it too often happens that when we go seeking for the wisdom of the past we bring back its prudence and reluctance. We go for counsel and we return with caution. We seek advice on our own new out- look and then we stand in the ‘‘good old ways.’’ Now sup- NEW YEAR SERMON OUTLINES 47 ‘pose we take Lord John Russell’s suggestion, and visit our ancestors in order that we may imbibe their courage, what sort of courage should we bring back to the new demands of our own time? I. Well, first of all, I think we should have courage to make new trails over untrodden country. That was one of their most shining characteristics. They were not afraid to break new ground. ‘They would even obey the grip of a dumb imperative, not seeing the distant scene. They went forth, ‘not knowing whither they went’! They were not afraid to take risks with God. They were not afraid to be pioneers into more scrupulous rectitude and larger freedom. They marched out, with trumpets blowing, over the roadless moors, trusting to the guidance of the Lord they served. II. We, too, are face to face with untraversed country. We have new ground to break. The wilderness is before us, but we think we hear the call of the garden in the very realm of the desert! Shall we venture? Let us imbibe the courage ‘of our ancestors and dare to leave their ways behind as they left the ways of those who had gone before. III. If we drink the valor of our ancestors we shall have courage to stand by the Truth even when the crowd has gone another way. We can go to the past and talk with Mr. Worldly-Wisdom, or we can have fellowship with Mr. Valiant-for-the-[ruth. Mr. Worldly-Wisdom is always in favor of safe measures, and he would go with the majority in the hope of something turning up, ‘‘you never know what!”’ His offered “wisdom” is always small prudence and com- promise. But we need the courage of our great ancestors, courage to march with Truth in little companies, courage to “rejoice with the truth,” in the absolute assurance that, in spite of all appearances, she marches to inevitable triumph. It is the courage which believes that Truth is God’s leaven of the kingdom and therefore indestructible. IV. And we must imbibe the courage that sees the Captain, and is comparatively careless about everything else. Where is the Lord Jesus Christ in this business? There! Then for- ward into hardships, forward into light!—Rrv. JouN HENRY Jowett, D.D. \ 48 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES A NEW YEAR EXHORTATION “Redeeming the time.” Eph. 5: 6. I. How time is lost. 1. By idleness. 2. By excessive amusements. 3. By unprofitable talk. 4. By exclusive attachment to worldly pursuits. II. How is the time to be redeemed. 1. By guarding against its loss. 2. By acting according to rule or method. 3. By specially attending to the parts of our time that are most precious. Dy ah being habitually engaged in doing good. ut Why is time to be redeemed. ‘1. Because it is short and uncertain. 2. Because the work to be done in it is important. 3. Because the days are evil. THE PATH UNKNOWN “T will lead them in paths that they have not known.” VER ei Wor 7 To God’s servants who had forsaken and forgotten him, but who had returned and were penitent. The promise is similar to that in the Epistle to the Romans: “‘As many as_ are led by the Spirit of God, they are the children of God,” So the benefit of the promise is limited, conditional. “The universe is governed according to law. It is not otherwise in religion. Two great laws govern the life of faith, human agency and divine potency. We need guides, because of the perils of the way. | I. Our greatest peril is the possible loss of faith. Men are eagerly inquiring, “Is the universe friendly?” | II. Another peril to our souls is the possible loss of enthusiasm. Wise was that French philosopher who, speak- ing to young people, said, ‘‘Cherish well your enthusiasm, for life robs us of so many we are likely to reach the end of the race without them.’ Wise, too, that English philosopher NEW YEAR SERMON OUTLINES 49 who gives us this saying: ‘No heart is pure until it is pas- sionate; no virtue is safe unless it is enthusiastic.” III. What can save us from loss of faith and loss of fer- vency? The very thing which God promises in these words, infallible guidance in the ways of life: ‘“Thou wilt show me the path of life.” Overconfidence is characteristic of youth. Underconfidence is characteristic of the disillusioned soul. Rational confidence, spiritual boldness, wealth of motive, plenitude of power, undiminished and undiminishing hope— these are the heritage of all who consent to be led along un- known paths by Infinite Wisdom.—REv. CHARLES CARROLL ALBERTSON, D.D. THE GUIDE THROUGH THE GATE “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.” Psa. 90:12. ‘The longest day at last bends down to evening.’’ On - Thursday begins the new year of hope and victory. May we carry no hatred, no evil habit, across the threshold of 1920. All enmities should lie in the grave of the buried past. I. Every to-morrow should be better than yesterday, crowning the soul with pardon and peace. It is thus that sorrow will be turned to praise, gloom to gladness, the false to the true. II. One should never neglect or forget the presence of the Unchangeable One who walks with us all the way, leading us over dangerous places and guiding amid the mazes of mys- tery to his palace home. Continued communion with him can - never exhaust the resources of his love, nor reach the limit of his thought, nor measure the beauty of his holiness. Infinity is his dwelling-place; without him there is no being inviting you to an eternal ideal, no face revealing the glory of the Father, no person who can tell you the secret of life, the purpose of the universe, or the way to heart satisfaction amid the unrest and disappointments of time. III. He alone can preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth and even forevermore. He is the bread of life for soul hunger, the water of life for thirst. In him we are filled with all the fullness of God. 50 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES So, hope-lit New Year, with thy joys uncertain, Whose unsolved mystery none may foretell, I calmly trust my God to lift the curtain; Safe in his love, for me ’twill all be well. —Rev. E. S. CASWELL, D.D. GO FORWARD! ‘Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward.” — DUA 1h. No word of admonition was oftener heard during the great — war than this: “Carry on.’ It became an almost universal — watchword among the English-speaking Allies. A gifted Eng- — lishwoman, left a widow with three children, lost two of her dear ones, but wrote to an American friend, “But we must go on.” I. The command, “Go forward!” is of the very essence of victory. This is true in life as in war. ‘‘Faint, yet pur- — suing,’’ is the apostolic resolution. Unnumbered foes may sur- round us. Siren voices may sing their song of dalliance. Our — native inertia may dispose us to cease effort. But the prize is still before us, and so long as earth tempts us or eternity beckons with its perfect hope, our only safety is to keep our — loins girded and go forward, however laboriously, however — painfully, making sure that in our progress we leave behind — no good that can be taken on with us. II. In the process of spiritual evolution God allows noth- | ing good in old forms to be forsaken—all that is best is in- — corporated in the new. The best of Judaism is in Christian- ity. The best in the Old Testament is confirmed in the New. Ilf. The best things in our earthly life are to be preserved for us in the life to come—faith and love. ‘‘Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward.”—ReEv. CHARLES — C. ALBERTSON, D.D. THE OPEN DOOR “Behold, I have set before thee an open door.” Rev. 3: 8. Endless ideals are open to every man, calling for his con- secration and endeavor. No enemy can shut the doors of NEW YEAR SERMON OUTLINES 51 - opportunity our Father has built into his household of worlds. I. Every door seems larger than the last, opening into vistas vaster and richer. Nothing is impossible or im- passable with one who is girded by divine strength. In nature, the scientist is entering open doors of wondrous vision. How much more the Christian sees in the realm of the supernatural. To-day, womanhood is passing over the threshold of greater usefulness and activity in larger life. Re- formers are also realizing ideals that once were in the dim distance. Governments are anticipating grander achievements than ever before accomplished. Out of the lion-eater of war is coming forth sweetness and light. | II. No human can shut God’s open doors. In heathen- dom, not doors but walls, whole sides, are falling down, in- viting missionary effort, educational privileges in the whole Christian civilization. 7 God reveals to the human mind the secret of the telegraph, _ the telephone and the wireless, that we may speak to each other as we whisper to him. What a wonderful privilege to enter this gallery of communication and fellowship with the world of mankind! III. Man is God’s pioneer, educated and endowed so he can discover his Maker and the mighty forces of His creation. Let us at this New Year time look for the far spiritual hori- zon, the possible attainments of man in morals, devotion and heroism, more magical and marvelous than the human mind can picture. Infinite possibilities are waiting our coming, glad to be entered upon, discovered and enjoyed.—C. UNDER SEALED ORDERS ‘And he went out, not knowing whither he went.” Heb. EEs5. We know why Abraham was called out of Ur. It is easy to perceive the philosophy of history after four thousand years. But they who find the first paths across the moun- tains do not know the configuration of the country. They make the maps and we read them. ‘The soldiers who fight in a great battle know little about it until it is over. It is easy for us now to see that it was God’s plan to select and 52 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES train a special race of people for purposes of righteousness; that some one man must be the father of a family whose de- — scendants were to be kept apart from the heathen world, until at last, educated in the worship of God, in the apprehension — of his spirituality, his holiness, and his love, they should be — capable of furnishing the human ancestry of the Messiah. — This was God’s purpose in calling Abraham out of Chaldean idolatry. It was impossible for Abraham to see it, but it was — not necessary for him to see it. He had faith in God, faith © in the invisible world, faith in the future, faith in the hidden reason of his appointed pilgrimage. And so must we have — faith in God, and loyally follow our Leader, who says, ‘“‘What — I do, thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter.” | We start out into this new year—year of tremendous possi- © bilities for us individually and for the race—under sealed orders. Have faith in God. Loyally obey his commands. Be courageous and be true.—H. _ LEST WE FORGET “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Psa. 90: 12. : Time is a part of eternity. If we are in eternity now, and © we are, it is very easy to see that the character of eternity — depends upon our use of time. I. To-day is the only hold we have upon eternity. This : hour is a little fragment of eternity. So, eternal issues flow — out of our actions now. When shall we ever learn the value — of time? A great English scientist who never willingly wasted an hour said, ‘‘He who wastes so much as an hour of time © has no proper sense of the value of life.” ‘The career of every notable man or woman in the world is marked by this characteristic if not explained by it—a keen sense of the value of time. There is the story of a king, who, unlike most kings, was | distinguished for his philosophic view of life. He said, “I count that day lost in which I have done no good thing.” II. We may count that day lost which does not add to our knowledge of God and of his Word, the knowledge of God’s habits and his thoughts. NEW YEAR SERMON OUTLINES 53 Il]. That day is lost which leaves no record of word of praise, no prayer of thanks, no thought of gratitude to God. IV. What is true of prayer is true of praise, that he who prays but rarely, prays not at all. Prayer and praise are not occasional notes in the organ of life, but pipes in the organ, absence of which means serious loss to the music, discord in- stead of harmony. Here and now we are to work out what God has wrought in us by his Holy Spirit, the passion for goodness and the quest for truth. Only as we redeem the time do we prove ourselves worthy the great redemption. Let us make the great work of the New Year the effort to use time—to improve time.—H. THE NEW PATH “Ye have not passed this way heretofore.” Josh. 3:4. I. ‘Ye have not passed this way heretofore.” We are all _ continually entering upon new paths, which afterwards turn out to be old ones in a new form. Religious experience moves by crises. Israel had not many years before gone across this same desert and been abruptly turned back to Sinai again, because of rebelliousness in their will. Now they were to go to Canaan, but by another route altogether. We are always beginning new experiences. But we should remember that in the year to come we shall find ourselves traveling over much the same road as last year. ‘There will not be anything ex- traordinary, surprising. Differences will be in details. II. ‘Ye have not passed this way heretofore.”’ ‘Then, in the fresh chance God is giving, he offers to be himself our Helper and Friend. We failed last year. ‘The chances of life are still open. Our parts may be played over again. III. ‘Ye have not passed this way heretofore.” ‘Then, surely, the gifts of God’s love have not been appropriated by others, nor exhausted by ourselves. IV. “Ye have not passed this way heretofore.” But, it is well to remember that the ark has not passed this way, either. The Israelites were to accept God’s guidance implicitly. They were to bear the ark to the front and follow it without any question. It makes life a new thing to put the ark on before it. V. ‘Ye have not passed this way heretofore.” Now, with i} is é 54 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES the ark in front, ‘“‘the joy of the Lord is your strength.”— Rev. CHARLEs S. Rosinson, D.D. THE NEW DATE “This month shall be unto you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year.”’ Exodus 12: 2. We have here a new event, a new starting point—a new epoch, and therefore, a new era. That event was emancipa- tion, a redemption, an exodus. ‘There were centuries behind of exile and servitude; of that experience which has been so characteristic of Israel, a sojourning which was no naturali- zation, a dwelling amongst, without becoming of, another nation; estrangement, therefore isolation, solitude, even in populous cities, and amidst teeming multitudes. Now, all this is behind them. They are to quit the homeless home. Egypt behind, Sinai before, Canaan beyond, this is the exact account of the position of Israel when the words of the text were spoken. Redemption was the starting point of the new; from it all that follows shall take a new character, and a-new life. I. The idea of a new start is naturally attractive to all of us. We are fatigued, we are wearied, we are dissatisfied, and justly so, with the time past of our lives. We long for a gift of amnesty and oblivion. II. There are senses in which this is impossible. The con- tinuity of life cannot be broken. There is a continuity, a unity, an identity, which annihilation could only destroy. III. ‘“The beginning of months’’ is made by an exodus. Redemption is the groundwork of the new life. If there is in any of us a real desire for change, we must plant our feet firmly on Redemption. IV. When we get out of Egypt we must remember that there is still Sinai in front, with its thunderings and voices. We have to be schooled and disciplined by processes not joyous but grievous. These processes cannot be hurried, they must take their time. Here we must expect everything that is changeful, and unresting, and unreposeful, within as without. But he who has promised will perform. He who has redeemed willsave. He who took charge will also bring through.—REv. C. J. VAUGHAN. vy, NEW YEAR SERMON OUTLINES 55 A HAPPY NEW YEAR PROBLEM “Be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work ofthe Lord.))) 1 Cor. 19758: The beginning of the year is the occasion for new policies in business. Why not new programs in life? MHere is one which is truly ‘‘happy”’ because of: I. Tight Adjustment of Life. Original idea of “happy’’? “Happily married.” Lot failed in adjustment, while Abra- ham grew into closer blissful friendship with God. II. Increasing Stability. Tranquil life journey. President Wilson not afraid of “unlucky” thirteens because of his poise. IIJ. Fruitfulness. Abounding life always follows right planting (adjustment). | IV. Companionships in higher and more congenial voca- tion: “Work of the Lord.” | VY. Certain outcome guaranteed by divine integrity. SHIFTING SCENERY ‘The fashion of the world passeth away.” 1 Cor. 7:31. The image is drawn from a shifting scene in a play repre- sented on a stage. Human life, indeed, is a drama, and its conditions and mutations are merely the stage-settings that are ever shifting. I. The New Year season is a good time to consider the serious import of living. ‘To be actors in earnest in a play that is real. II. The New Year season is a good time to discriminate between what is essential and what is stage-setting and scenery. II]. The New Yéar season is a good time to play a part fitting to the scenery of the occasion. To repent, to re- solve, to renew as the personal need demands.—ReEv. S. B. Dunn, D.D. PART V: EVANGELISTIC TEXTS AND © THEMES Bring Them In: “Go out and compel them to come in.” Luke 14: 23. q Knowing and Doing: “To him pa knoweth to do good © and doeth it not, it is sin.’ Jas. 4 q Christ First, and Christ Forever: “Seek first the kingdom — of God and his righteousness.’ Matt. 6:33. Make this the © motto of your life. 1. Christ first in your intellectual life. — 2. Christ first in your emotional life. 3. Christ first in your | domestic life. 4. Christ first in your social life. 6. Christ — first in your civic life. 7. Christ first in your church life. © 8. Christ first in your personal zeligious life. Crown him © Lord. Crown him Lord of all. | Personal Work: John 1:29. 1. Responsibility of per- — sonal work. 2. Advantages of personal work. 3. Hindrances © to personal work. 4. Opportunities for personal work. © 5. Equipment for personal work. Will you now resolve and © act upon Isa. 6: 8? All Sinners May be Saved: aan 6:37. 1. Saved from sin. 2. Saved by Christ. 3. Saved for service. | Poverty to Plenty: Isa. 55: 1-7. This chapter describes the — pilgrimage from Poverty to Plenty via Pardon. 1. The © land of spiritual poverty. 2. The land of spiritual plenty. — 3. Pardon the way from poverty to plenty. : Become a Christtan—W hy Not? Matt. 4:17. How to Help the Unsaved: “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1: 29. When to Believe: “Choose you this day: whom you will serves.) Josh y24" 16: The Gracious Invitation: ‘Come, for all things are now ready.’ Luke 14> 17, The Very Best Time: ‘Behold, now is the accepted time, - behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor. 6:2. What is True Penitence? Psa. 51. 1. Repentance is sor- 56 EVANGELISTIC TEXTS AND THEMES 57 row. 2. Repentance is humility. 3. It involves confession. 4. It is turning from sin. 5. It leads to God. Incentives to Work: 1. Without Christ men are lost. I John 5:1. 2. Save a soul from death. James 5: 20. 3. Shine as the stars. Dan. 12:3. 4. Crown of life. Rev. ne: TO) God’s Grace: Eph. 2:4-7. God is a God. 1. Rich in mercy. 2. A God of great love. 3. A God of salvation. 4. A God of grace. 5. A God of kindness. The Source of Power: “But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you.” Acts 1: 8. The Self-Complacent Church Member: “What doth it profit, my brethren, if a man say he hath faith, but have not works? Can that faith save him?” Jas. 2:14. Why Decide Now? ‘And while they went away to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage feast; and the door was shut.” Matt. pz 2/10; The House of the Wide-Open Door: Isa. §5: 1-13. Done Suddenly: 2 Chron. 33: 26. Begin Now: 2 Cor. 6: I-10. An Invitation Slighted: “But they made light of it.’ Matt. 22:5. An Open Confession: “I will declare what he hath done for my soul.” Psa. 66: 16. Christ’s Call for You: ““The Master is come and calleth for thee.” John 11: 28. | _ The Heart Asked For: ‘“‘My son, give me thy heart.” ‘Prov. 23: 26. | Strange but True: ‘‘Yet there is room.”” Luke 14: 22. Prayer a Good Sign: “Behold he prayeth.” Acts 9: 21. A Good Resolution: “I will arise and go to my father.” Luke 15: 18. Conditions of Discipleship: Luke 9:23. Deny self. Take up cross daily. Follow me. Acquaintance with God: “Acquaint now thyself with him -and be at peace; thereby good shall come unto thee.” Job 20.5 27. The Supreme Question: “What shall I do to be saved?” Acts 16: 30. 58 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES Making Excuse: “And they all, with one consent, began to make excuse.”’ Luke 14:1.. “Come! Come! Come! ‘The Spirit and the bride say, Come.) Reyi22259: God’s Quiet Work: “Whose heart the Lord opened.” Acts 16: 14. Seeking the Lord Our Immediate Duty: “‘It is time to seek the-Lord.’’ Hosea 10: 12. The Feast Prepared: ‘Come, for all things are now ready.” Duke Tac: The Spirit of Adoption: ‘And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth his spirit into your hearts, crying, Abba, Prather. Gali: 6. The Common Salvation: ‘Beloved, when I gave all dili- gence to write unto you of the common salvation,” etc. Jude 3. Seeking God: “O God, thou art my God, early will I seek thee Psav 63:1. The Day of Salvation: ‘Behold now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor. 6:2. Christ Knocking at the Heart: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock,” etc. Rev. 3:20. \/ PART VI: EVANGELISTIC SERMON OUTLINES MAKING EXCUSE ‘“‘And they all, with one consent, began to make excuse.” Luke 14:1. I. Notice the provision made—“All things are now ready.” 1. On earth. Redemption provided—promise re- corded—Holy Spirit prepared to sanctify. 2. In heaven. Glory secured. II. The invitation addressed. ‘“‘Come.” 1. Who are bid to come? All to whom God sends the message. A great privilege. 2. What does it invite usto do? Not to prepare a feast, but to come to one already provided and receive it as a blessing to be desired. III. The conduct too generally pursued. ‘To make excuse.” 1. The’Jews. Did not find in him what they expected in the Messiah. 2. The Gentiles. Did not like the want of philosophy in the gospel; and esteemed it foolishness. 3. The world. Men of the world are too busy to give religion serious thought. 4. The young and the frivolous. It forbids their pleasures. 5. The middle aged, etc. Have too many cares and troubles to attend to it. Then, if we fail to find mercy at last, it will not be God’s fault. He has provided and invited, but we have neglected. What a mercy that the invitation still says, “Come.” 59 60 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES A NEW CREATION “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.’ 2 Cor. Rita I. His judgments are new. His judgment of himself, of God, of the purpose of life, of happiness, is formed by truth. II. His purposes are new. His great purpose is to serve God. Every other purpose is subservient to this one grand master-purpose of his being new. III. His desires are new. ‘Whom have I in heaven but thee ete IV. His conversation is new. He spake of things above. V. His actions are new. He walks in Christ. SPEPSkTO CHRIST “T will arise and go to my Father.” Luke 15: 18. Let us consider a few of the steps necessary for the sinner. in turning to God. | I. Conviction. He must feel his guilt, that he is a sinner, that he has sinned against God, and as such has no part in his kingdom. Do not mistake conviction for conversion. We have often seen souls buried in tears through conviction, who, | through acceptance into church fellowship or the partaking of the Lord’s Supper, were considered “consecrated to God.” Conviction is nothing more than the opening of the eyes to o} behold the condition and real danger of the soul. | II. Being convicted of the error of his way, it requires action. He must have a desire for forgiveness; a willingness to seek redemption in Jesus Christ. ‘his evidence he shows by coming to the altar of prayer, or some other such step. III. Faith. He must have faith in Jesus Christ, that his blood is sufficient to cleanse from all sin. IV. A complete surrender to God. Not for a day, nor for a night, but once and for all: “From this day on until death will I serve thee.’ No hidden sins or pleasures of this life can be withheld from God; it requires a full surrender, and then, and then only, the blessing will come.—Rev. J. F. GRUBE. EVANGELISTIC SERMON OUTLINES 61 WHAT TIME IS IT? “Tt is time to seek the Lord.’’ Hos. 10: 12. I. It is time to seek the Lord. A call to the sinner. | IL. It is high time to awake out of sleep. Rom. 13:11. A warning to the saint. _ III. It is time for thee, Lord, to work. Psa. 119:126. A prayer to the Lord. Time was is past, thou canst not it recall; Time is thou hast: employ the portion small; Time future is not, and may never be; Time present is the only time for thee. —Rev. CHARLES EDWARDs. | “REMEMBER JESUS CHRIST” I. Why? Because Jesus Christ loves you and died for you. ‘This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Tim. his, II. How? 1. By receiving him. ‘‘As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God.” Jno. 1:12. To receive Christ means to accept the sacrifice that he made for you by his death on Calvary. | 2. By confessing him. “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Rom. 10:9. “CARE FOR SOULS “No man careth for my soul.” Psa. 142: 4. I. What is it to care for the souls of others. 1. To have a firm conviction of the value of their souls. 2. To feel apprehension of the danger to which their souls are exposed. 62 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 3. To cherish tender solicitude for the welfare of their souls. 4. To make zealous exertion to bring them to the Saviour. II. Who are they who ought to care for the souls of others? 1. The ministers of the Gospel. 2. The members of the Church. 3. Heads of families. 4. Sabbath School teachers. | III. What are the evils of not caring for the souls of others? 1. How cruel! 2. How ungrateful! 3. How criminal! 4. How fatal! CHURCH PROSPERITY “© Lord, I beseech Thee, send now prosperity.” Psa. TLS 25 I. God is the source of church prosperity. II. God is the source of church prosperity through prayer. III. In what does church prosperity consist ? 1. An earnest membership. 2. A learning membership. 3. A membership that conscientiously uses the means of grace. 4. A working membership—all at it and always at it. 5. A membership possessing a missionary spirit. 6. A membership that heartily supports the institutions of religion at home. 7. A membership that walks in separation from the world. GIVING THE HEART ‘“My son, give me thine heart.” Prov. 23: 26. I. What is implied in the giving of the heart to God? 1. [hat it is given sincerely. EVANGELISTIC SERMON OUTLINES 63 2. That it is given entirely. 3. That it is given freely. 4. That it is given forever. Il. Why the heart should be given to God. 1. He is worthy of it. 2. He has a title to it. 3. He demands it. 4. He will bless it. THE GREAT QUESTION ‘Dost thou believe on the Son of God?” John 9:35. The chapter relates the extraordinary cure of the man born blind. By this miracle Jesus declared himself to be the Son of God with power. Great was the miracle for the body—but a greater miracle was effected for the soul. I. The object of faith. ‘The Son of God.” His Divinity and Godhead appear from the following considerations: From the express declarations of scripture. From the perfections ascribed to him, which are peculiar to deity. Eternity; “Be- fore Abraham was I am.’’ Unchangeableness; “‘Jesus Christ, the same yesterday,’ etc. Heb. 13:8. Almighty power; “‘Christ the power of God.” 1 Cor. 1: 24. Infinite wisdom; “Light of the world’; “‘the only wise God.” Infinite love; ‘“Ye know the grace,” etc. 2 Cor. 8:9. Crea- tion is ascribed to him. And so is redemption. From the works which he did. ‘These could not have been done by a person inferior to God. Such as searching the heart, and perceiving what was in it, healing the sick and raising the dead, the forgiving of sins. | | II. The nature of faith. ‘Dost thou believe?’ It is \ not merely giving credit to the Scriptures. It is not merely | confessing the doctrines of any particular creed. It is not | 4 mere professing of faith. Faith is confidence, trust or re- | jance upon the sacrificial death of Christ for salvation and — everlasting Life. It is the act of the heart by which we | 1eartily welcome him into our souls. The scriptures figura- ively represent this grace, as beholding him, or looking to 1im; it is coming to Christ, laying hold of him, receiving him, resting on him, etc. 64 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES III. The effects of faith. ‘“‘Dost thou believe on the Son of God?” It does not relate to others, but to ourselves. It does not refer to mere information or opinion, but to faith. It refers not either to past or future, but to the present: ‘Dost thou believe?” THE SEEKING SHEPHERD Dukev i sit ivy: I. What is sought? The straying sheep. V.4. Isa. 53:6 is true of you. There is an inborn tendency in you that leads you away from God. How long you have strayed; how far you have strayed; how often you have strayed; prevents not the Good Shepherd from seeking you. II. How many are sought? One. V. 4. Only one sheep lost, but that one calls forth all the love of the seeking shep- herd. Love counts not by numbers, but by worth. Ill. Why he seeks. The sheep is his own; and without him it is fatally and finally lost. | IV. How long he seeks. ‘‘Until” he find it. The shep- herd sought “until”? he found his sheep; the woman swept her house “‘until’’ she found her silver; the father loved and — looked “until” his son returned—ReEv. T. S. HENDERSON. ACQUAINTANCE WITH GOD ‘“‘Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace; thereby | good shall come unto thee.”’ Job 22:21. I. The nature of acquaintance with God. ‘‘Acquaintance”’ implies not mere personal knowledge, but — that intimacy and familiarity which subsists between one friend — and another. Psa. 55:15; 101: 4. : II. The means of acquaintance with God. Enlightenment by | the Spirit. Faith in the sacrifice of Christ. Believing prayer. — Constant supplications to God through Christ will produce © real and precious intimacy with him. The constant cherish- — ing of the Spirit’s influences. The study of God in his word, in his house, etc. By frequent intercourses with Christians. Ill. The season for commencing acquaintance with God. “Now.” EVANGELISTIC SERMON OUTLINES 65 _ The present time is the best. The present time is claimed by God himself. ‘“To-day, if ye will hear his voice,” ete. It is the only time of which you are certain. IV. The happy results of acquaintance with God. 1. Peace. God is the God of peace, and all his people enjoy it. 2. Good. Temporal good. Providential goodness. Spiritual good. The gifts and graces of the Spirit. Divine support in every trial, etc. Heavenly good. Eternal good. EXCUSES ‘They all with one consent began to make excuse.” Luke 14:18. I. An excuse implies guilt. It is the acknowledgment of an unperformed duty, with a request for pardon. Our capacity for action in a life full of limitations is such that we are occasionally forced to leave undone or defer doing what we ought to do. In such a case we feel justified in asking to be excused. But our excuses become insults to the party to whom they are offered when we exalt a minor duty above a great and essential one, when by our very excuses we mini- mize the importance of the one thing needful. II. In the parable of the great supper earthly interests are set against the divine call of grace by the unwilling guests. Does the Lord, then, mean that in order to become Chris- tians we must let weeds grow on our farms, suffer our cattle to perish, and break a lawful marriage engagement? Indeed not; all these things have the divine approval and do not in themselves conflict with the profession and practice of Chris- tianity. Peter was engaged in plying his trade as a fisherman when the Lord asked for the loan of his boat, and Peter in- curred no loss by suspending for a season his regular occu- pation. : III. Godliness is profitable unto all things, and has the promise of this life and that which is to come. But foolish shortsightedness, carnal indifference, and plain aversion to holy things make men misunderstand completely in which di- rection their best interests lie. 66 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES IV. It is this materialistic, thoroughly secular spirit that the Lord attacks in the present parable. As a servant of the Lord and rejoicing in God’s favor, how much better would the farmer have enjoyed his new field, the cattle-raiser his oxen, the newly-married the holy estate of matrimony! Justly the Lord of the banquet is angry at such ruthless contempt of his gracious overtures to sinners.—D. PRICE OF REDEMPTION “For ye are bought with a price.” 1 Cor. 6: 20. I. ‘Jesus paid it all’’ is welcome news to insolvent debtors. When we were slaves to sin, he purchased our pardon. When we were stained with guilt, he opened the fountain of cleans- ing. Wanderers in a far country, he himself became our way home; yea, he walks with us in sweet companionship and blessed guidance. | II. What can we do for him who bankrupted himself, be- came poor that we through his poverty might become rich? > Shall we despise our benefactor, refuse his gifts, deny his — loving-kindness, reject his offer of liberty? Such ingratitude would be indescribable folly. What child could thus push aside the mother who bore him, loved and reared him, and — ever watched over him? But a mother may forget her child— he will not forget thee. : “‘T gave my life for thee; What hast thou given for me?” III. We have peace by his blood, ransom by his cross, — heaven by his love. Your freedom is purchased, but, alas, you ~ may love slavery better than freedom, the serfdom of Egypt — better than the glory of Canaan, the bondage of Satan better than the liberty of the sons of God. Well may we acclaim, ‘‘Blessed Jesus, who bore our sins, carried our sorrows, was touched with the feelings of our infirmities, endured the cross for us, was glad to pay the price — of our redemption that we might live unto him and with him ~ in the everlasting life.”’—C. EVANGELISTIC SERMON OUTLINES 67 CHRIST WAITING “Behold, I stand at the door and knock,” etc. Rev. 3: 20. These words are addressed to careless professors. How- | ‘ver applicable to sinners, they are not addressed to them. [hese words produce widely different emotions. Sorrow, that he door is shut. Joy, that he knocks and waits. Wonder. I. What bars the door? The 17th verse answers: t. Riches. Prosperity in the world too often makes the heart ‘allous to the voice of Christ. ‘‘If riches increase,’ etc. 2. Indolence, verse 15. Beware of lukewarmness. Earnest 1earts alone give Christ a hearty welcome. 3. Pride. “‘I 1ave need of nothing.” Self-satisfaction is incompatible with levotion. He who prays aright, prays as a pensioner. II. Why is it not opened? Is it that they do not hear his voice? Have they no desire to see him? Why is your heart shut? Is it not because you have dwelling within that which Christ abhors, that you are loth to part with? Darling sins. Unworthy motives. Sinful desires. Oh, let him in; he will, 1¢ must, drive out these polluters of the Holy Spirit’s temple. III. Who knocks without? Thy Friend! thy Saviour! thy sod! On him are marks of what he has borne for you. In 1is hand are blessings he intends for you. IV. What is his errand? 1. He seeks communion. He would speak to you and have you speak to him. 2. He seeks ‘efreshment. For himself, for you. The heart when Christ Iwells therein knows no want. Here Jesus sees of the travail »f his soul, and is satisfied. V. Is he to be admitted? 1. If so, it must be at once. 2. With a hearty welcome. Jesus knocks; listen. Open. A SPIRIT-FILLED LIFE “Be filled with the Spirit.’ Eph. 5:18. The Holy Spirit is mentioned 90 times in the Old Testa- ment, and 264 times in the New Testament. There are some distinctions to be borne in mind. I. There is a difference between being indwelt of the Spirit and being filled with the Spirit. Every Christian is in- >. « Az 68 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES dwelt of the Spirit, but every Christian is not infilled with the Spirit. Leo “The infilling of the Spirit is always subsequent to the indwelling of the Spirit. III. The infilling of the Spirit is always one of degree. IV. It is for all Christians. V. There is a difference between being full of the Spirit and being filled with the Spirit. If you are living a Spirit-filled life the following things will be true of you: I. You will have an increased knowledge. (a) Of your own salvation. (b) Of the will of God as it pertains to what he would have you do. (c) Of the Word of God. The Bible will be illumi- nated. 2. You will have increased development of character. 3. You will have an increased power of service. —From a sermon by Rev. Wm. E. BIEDERWOLF, D.D. A BLESSED WHOSOEVER ‘For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall besaveds shOmyTEO tT aa I. The Blessing. 1. Salvation from guilt.. 2. Salvation from sin. 3. Salvation from misery. Il. ‘The Duty. 1. Call on the proper object. 2. Call through the proper medium. 3. Call by the proper aid. 4. Call with the proper dispositions. IfI. The Person. Of whatsoever nation. Of whatsoever rank. Of whatsoever age or sex. Of whatsoever mental ability or culture. Of whatsoever moral character. iA RW DN & EVANGELISTIC SERMON OUTLINES 69 THE WORTH OF THE SOUL “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?’ Mark 8: 36. I. The value of the soul. 1. Its power and capacities. 2. Its immortality. 3. The plan of its redemption. 4. The conflict it occasions in the universe. II. The loss of the soul. 1. Its nature;—the loss, not of being, but of holiness, of happiness, of heaven, of hope. 2. [he ways in which it may be incurred ;—through open infidelity, through gross vice, through formal pro- fession, through sheer carelessness. III. The impossibility of compensating for the loss of the soul by the gain of the world. 1. The gain is problematical; the loss is unavoidable. 2. The gain is ideal; the loss is real. 3. The gain is temporary; the loss is final and irre- trievable. OUR BEST HELPER ‘*T will help thee.” Isa. 41: Io. I and thee. Two persons. -Uhe person speaking is Jesus our God who can help, and the person spoken to means every- body who ‘needs his help and seeks it. I. He is always near to help. II. He is always able to help. Ill. He is always willing to help. — IV. He is always kind in helping. CONTINUING — I. Inthe love of Christ. John 15:9. II. In the Word of Christ. John 8:31. III. In the grace of God. Acts. 13: 43. AV. In'the faith. Acts 14:22. 2 Tim: 4:2, 6-8. V. In the things learned. 2 Tim. 3: 14-15. 70 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES THREE CONDITIONS OF SOUL Psalm 63. I. My soul thirsteth—desire. V. 8. II. My soul shall be satisfied—decision. V. 15. III. My soul followeth hard—devotion. .V. 24. THE CALLS OF CHRIST I. Follow me. John 1: 43. II. Come to me. Matt. 11: 28. III. Learn of me. Matt. 11: 29. IV. Abide inme. John 15: 4. ALMOST A CHRISTIAN “Thou art not far from the kingdom of God.” Mark 12:34. To the almost-a-Christian: I. Describe him. Fle may have a considerable knowledge of religion. He may have strong convictions of sin. He may have a good reputation among men. He may have freedom from many of the vices by which he was once enslaved. He may have a liking for the public and private exer- cises of devotion as forms. II. Warn him. | 1. He will not, in his present state, attain the blessings of salvation. 2. If lost, his ruin will be all the greater because of his attainments. ‘Not far from” is not “in” the kingdom. But it is a hope- ful condition, a condition of present and blessed opportunity. Enter. Enter now. PEPE, Ga “WE BEAR THE NAME OF CHRISTIANS” ‘And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” Acts 11: 26. cI - aityy ht ” EVANGELISTIC SERMON OUTLINES 71 I. The origin of the name. 1. If it was imposed by God, it shows that he is solici- tous to fix the proper aspect in which his people are viewed. 2. If it was assumed by the disciples, it shows that they regarded Christ as the center of their religion. 3. If it was affixed by the Jews or heathen, it shows that the natural mind has no just appreciation of spiritual excellence. ; II. The import of the name. A believer in Christ. A lover of Christ. An imitator of Christ. A servant of Christ. An expectant of Christ. inh GN CHRIST AT THE DOOR OF THE HEART “Behold! I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Rev. 3: 20. I. Consider what Jesus Christ does. He “stands at the door.”’ He displays wonderful patience—he stands and knocks. Many do not hear. They are insensible. They are negligent and undetermined. ‘They fear the world. They are influenced by ambition. II. What Jesus Christ promises. “If any man hear my voice.” 1. The characters interested in the promise. They who by the influence of his Spirit hear his voice, and open the door, i.e., who repent, obey his word, and by faith receive him into their hearts. 2. The promise itself. “I will come in to him,”’ i.e., be reconciled, grant him pardon and acceptance, com- fort, strengthen, and fill him with all spiritual graces. When Christ comes he brings peace, for he is the prince of peace; joy, for he is the source of joy; hope, for he is the foundation of hope; life, for he is the cause of life; salvation, for he is the author of sal- vation. 72 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES “T will sup with him and he with me.” By this is intended the mutual joy which he has with the believer and the believer with him. ‘He will sup with me.’ Christ will cause the believer to experience that joy which his grace sheds upon the souls who love him, and which arises from a sense of the pardon of sin, reconciliation with God, adoption, complete re- demption, perfect deliverance and eternal glorification—P. D. PART VII: LINCOLN’S BIRTHDAY TEXTS AND THEMES Great by Great Service: “Whoever will be great among you, let him be your minister, and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant.”’ Matt. 20: 26, 27. The Serviceable Life: ‘Remember unto me, O my God, for good, all that I have done for this people.” Neh. 5: 19. Lincoln, the American Great-Heart: “‘Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such men over them.” EXT ise V Lincoln Was Blest to Bless: ‘““The Lord raised up a de- liverer.” Judges 3: 9. Lincoln Longed to Promote Peace: ““My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace. I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war.” Psa. 34: 14. Lincoln a Lover of Peace: ‘Be of good courage, and let us play the man for our people, and for the cities of our God; and the Lord do that which seemeth him good.” 2 Sam. 1 pa Be Lincoln’s Faith: ‘He endured as seeing him who is in- wisiple, / abled: L127; The Character of Lincoln: “As a man is, so is his strength.” Judges 8:21. Lincoln and His Life Lessons: ““The memory of the just DlesSedu. 1 ELOV. 102.7: : Lincoln’s Growth Under Pressure: “Cast down, but not destroyed.” | Prayer for the Nation: ‘Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion, build thou the. walls of Jerusalem.” Psa. 34: 14. - . Lincoln’s Patriotism: ‘“‘Zebulun was a people that jeoparded _ their lives unto the death.” Judges 5: 18. Lincoln, a Lover of Peace: “Seek peace and pursue it.” ‘Psa. 34: 14. “ 74 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES Lincoln, the Emancipator: “‘The same did God send to be a ruler and deliverer.’’ Acts 7:35. The Memory of Lincoln: ‘““The memory of the just is blessed.”” Prov. 10: 7. Lincoln’s Counsel of Courage: ‘‘Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God; and the Lord do that which seemeth him good.” 2 Baim rO 12) } Lessons from War-Times: “T will hear what God the Lord will speak; for he will speak peace unto his people and to his saints; but let them not turn again to folly.” Psa. 85: 8. Social Peace: ‘See that ye fall not out by the way.’’ Gen. 45:24. The Citizen Prophet: “I have ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” Jeremiah 1: 4. Lincoln: the Man and the Message: ‘“The memory of the just is blessed.” Prov. 10: 7. The Achieving Life: ‘“The same did God send to be a ruler and ideliverer,),.; Acts 72:2 5, : The Price of Liberty: ‘“‘With a great sum obtained I this freedom.” Acts 22:28. Lincoln as a Leader: ‘‘Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people, able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thou- sands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties and rulers of tens.” Exodus 18: 21. PART VIII: LINCOLN’S BIRTHDAY SERMON OUTLINES LINCOLN “Commit thy way unto Jehovah: trust also in him, and he will bring it to pass.” Psa. 37: 5. I. The greatness of his work. Seen in: 1. Victory in great Civil War. 2. Emancipation of the slaves. 3. Preservation of the Union. II. In and for all this—his reliance upon God for accom- plishing his work (see extract from his letter to Quakers of Lowa, and inaugural address). Ili. The elements which such reliance furnishes for all lives. 1. Strength.—Sir Galahad: ‘My strength is as the strength of ten, Because my heart is pure.”’ 2. Determination. ‘The spirit in which the power is used. 3. Courage, especially moral courage. 4. Hope; see Lincoln’s second inaugural. PATRIOTISM ‘“‘Zebulun was a people that jeopardized their lives unto the death.” Judges 5:18. I. What is patriotism? Love of country, even to the utmost of self-sacrifice. II. How cultivated? 1. By observance of days which com- memorate deeds. Patriots’ Day, Independence Day, Me- morial Day. 2. By study of heroic lives; Lincoln, Washing- ton, Nathan Hale. 3. By national songs—the “‘Marseillaise,”’ “Watch on the Rhine,” ‘‘America,” “God Save the King.” 4. By appreciating our national advantages. 5. By entering into the spirit of our national mission. 76 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES III. How expressed? 1. By loyal support of a righteous government. 2. By contending against any great public evil. 3. By supporting the movement for good citizenship. 4. By home missions. 5. By fostering a true, world-wide mission. THE AMERICAN GREAT-HEART ‘“‘Moreover, thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them.” Ex. 18: 21. I. Lincoln was a man with a great heart, full of human affection, sympathizing with the sorrowing and oppressed, humble, God-fearing, believing, prayerful. His parents and grandparents had been members of the church, religious and devout. Mr. Lincoln was outspoken as to his faith in God, and in the power of prayer. He said that he gave his heart to the Saviour when Gettysburg came. He had laid all be- fore God at that crisis as Washington had at Valley Forge. II. He was a man who loved righteousness and hated in- justice and oppression. God gave him an opportunity, such as few men have ever had, for striking down iniquity, and be- fore his blow it fell to its death. Most masterfully he exe- cuted the duties of his office as chief executive of the nation. The trials and sorrows of the people almost broke his heart, and the heavy burdens almost pressed him to the ground. He was a man whom God mightily used, and whom the people ~ tenderly loved and revered. As was said of William of Orange: ‘‘While he lived he was the guiding star of a whole brave nation, and when he died the little children cried in the streets.” THE GREATNESS OF LINCOLN I. Lincoln was great as a common citizen among the com- mon people. His humanitarian heart, ready wit, genuine hon- esty, and practical common sense commanded their confidence and esteem. He loved the common people, believed in them, and was proud to be reckoned as one of them. His quaint utterance, “God must be a lover of the common people, or he would not have made so many of them,” is proof of this. LINCOLN’S BIRTHDAY SERMON OUTLINES U7 Ii. Lincoln was great in his magnanimity and patriotism. In evidence of this the words of President Roosevelt are to the point. He said: “In reading his works and speeches, his addresses, one is struck by the fact that as he went higher and higher all personal bitterness seemed to die out of him. In the Lincoln-Douglas debates one can still catch now and then a note of personal antagonism. The man was in the arena, and as the blows were given you could see now and then that he had a feeling against his antagonist. When he became President and faced the crises that he had to face, from that time on [| do not think that you can find an expression, a speech of Lincoln’s, a word of Lincoln’s, written or spoken, in which bitterness is shown to any man. His devotion to the cause was so great that he neither could nor would have feel- ing against any individual.” III. Lincoln was great in his firm conviction that God rules in the kingdoms of men, and that in the great crises which come to nations he interposes and directs to certain results in vindication of truth and righteousness. In proof of this take the closing sentences of his second inaugural ad- dress: “‘Earnestly do we hope, fervently do we pray that this terrible scourge of war may soon be removed, yet if God wills that it be prolonged until all the wealth piled by the bondman’s two hundreds years of unrequited toil be sunk, and every drop of blood drawn by the lash be atoned for by one drawn by the sword, yet as was said three thousand years ago, so must it still be said: “The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.’ ” IV. Lincoln was great as a master in the simple, eloquent use of the English language. In this respect his addresses and state papers commanded the plaudits of the best critics. As a sample we have but to mention his ever memorable Gettys- burg address, which has taken, and will ever hold, its place as a classic wherever the language is spoken. V. Lincoln was great as President. Of his ability as such, James Ford Rhodes puts the case admirably as follows: ‘‘Lin- coln is the ideal President, in that he led public sentiment, represented it, and followed it. ‘I claim not to have con- trolled events,’ he said, ‘but confess plainly that events have controlled me.’ During his term of office he was one day 78 _ CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES called ‘very weak,’ and the next ‘a tyrant’; and when his whole | work was done, a careful survey of it could bring one only to the conclusion that he knew when to follow and when to lead. He was in complete touch with popular sentiment, and di vined with nicety when he could take a step in advance. He made an effort to keep on. good terms with Congress, and he differed with that body reluctantly, although, when necessity came, decisively. While he had consideration for those who did not agree with him, and while he acted always with a regard to proportion, he was nevertheless a strong and self- confident executive.”’ The good and the great, the patriotic, and the God-fearing still cherish, and will ever continue to cherish his memory and esteem his character as long as men love liberty, truth and honesty and the great Republic he saved holds its place among the nations of the earth_—R. T. | PART IX: WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY TEXTS AND THEMES The Good Ruler: ‘Thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetous- ness, and placing such over them to be rulers.”” Ex. 18: 21. A Christian Man in Public Life: 2 Chron. 17:3, 43 29: 27-29. The Greatest Greatness: ‘He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.” Prov. 16: 32. W ashington’s Combination of Strength and Beauty: “Upon the top of the pillars was lily work.” 1 Kings 7: 32. Patriotic Men the Prop of the Nation: ‘‘How is the strong staff broken and the beautiful rod!” Jeremiah 48:17. The Nation’s Deliverer: ‘“The men of Israel said unto Gideon, rule thou over us, both thou and thy son also, for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian.” Judges 8: 22. Washington’s Wisdom: “‘Now, there was found a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city.” Eccl. 9: 15. The Just Ruler: “And all Israel feared the king, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to do judgment.” 1 Kings 3: 28. A Great-Man: “There was none like me before me, neither after me shall any rise like unto me.” Solomon. A Man of Understanding: “By the good hand of God upon us, they brought us a man of understanding.” Ezra 8: 18. Sent of God: ‘““The same did God send to be a ruler and deliverer.> Acts. 7:35. The Discreet and Wise Ruler: “‘Look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the people.” Gen. 41: 33. Washington the Model Citizen: ‘‘Wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?’ Num. 12: 8. Washington as a National Asset: ““And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing.”’ Gen. 12:2. 79 80 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES The Foresight of Washington: “Yea, thou shalt see thy children’s children, and peace upon Israel.” Psa. 128: 6. Washington as a Leader: Moreover, thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them.” Ex. 18: 21. Washington a Man of Loftiest Purposes: “The Lord spake with Moses face to face.” Ex. 33:11. The Ever-growing Influence of Washington: “The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.’ Prov. 4:18. The Living Name: ‘‘The memory of the just is blessed, but the name of the wicked shall rot.” Prov. 10: 7. A Study of Heroes: ‘“‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts.” Zech. 4: 6. Washington Our First Citizen: ““Wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” Num. 12: 8. PART X: WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY SERMON OUTLINES THE LIVING WASHINGTON Washington is not dead. He has risen to greater influence and higher service and by his life will influence thousands for their good. Washington is invisible, yet potent, and stands to-day be- hind senators and representatives. His words are uttered in legislative halls and his thoughts are voiced with emphasis in many public addresses amid the turbulence of political cam- . paigns. As often as we have looked into his benign face and listened to his fraternal counsels, our sectional discords have disappeared, petty ambitions have subsided, timid doubts have vanished and selfish purposes have receded. He stands to-day above the din and confusion of the earth’s battlefield and the turmoils and contentions of civic strife and life and speaks to the heated and scrambling throng and bids us all to be manly, thoughtful, patient and considerate, not “like dumb driven cattle, but heroes in the strife.” I. Asa man, pure and simple, he was many-sided, not with- out faults but was richly endowed in the intellectual grasp of great questions and possessed rare ability for the solution of dificult problems. He understood human nature to a re- markable degree and easily secured the unfaltering confidence of men. | II. As a patriot he combined enthusiasm with sagacity. The flame of his enthusiasm burned with ever-increasing light upon the altar of his heart. He was not impatient with old things and he was not headstrong concerning new ideas. III. As a statesman he possessed rare executive ability. To handle men is a great gift, but he marshaled his forces with remarkable skill. The combination of dignity and inti- macy that prevailed in his attitude toward his followers won 81 82 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES for him their highest regard and affection, gave him a high quality of leadership which made him intrepid in the face of the greatest dangers and enabled him to lead where few would dare to follow. IV. As a soldier he met the best tests. He was never rash, but always brave. He was considerate but energetic. He was never heard to boast of his own heroism, but his — record shows nothing but unremitting valor. He never drewa | sword except in defense of liberty and independence and he never sheathed it in the presence of tyranny. V. Asa Christian he was a happy combination. He united morality and piety. He recognized the Christian sources of inspiration and guidance and believed in being a faithful and loyal disciple of the meek and lowly Nazarene, and an earnest and efficient follower of the great Captain of our Salvation. —Rev. H. C. Hinps, D.D. WASHINGTON AS A LEADER “Moreover, thou shalt provide out of all the people, able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.’ Exodus PSc21. No lesson of Washinton? s natal day is louder than the call for leadership. | The need for the Washington type of leadership is found in every sphere of modern life. I. Ina democracy leadership must spring from the ranks— “out of all the people.” IJ. Leadership must have its basis in ability wedded to character—‘‘able men such as fear God,”’ etc. III. The rule exercised must be scaled according to com- petence—“rulers of thousands,” etc. Washington helped to make it possible for every American to attain to influential and honorable leadership in manifold forms of service. The newest field for leadership is among our immigrants. WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY SERMON OUTLINES 83 WASHINGTON EVER OUR FIRST CITIZEN ‘Wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” Num. 12:8. America gave to France a statue of Lafayette of heroic size, but she gave to the world the character of Washington in its colossal proportions, and the world has erected its lofty pedestal. I. It is high. Gladstone said: “If among all the pedestals supplied by history for eminent public characters I saw one higher than all the rest, and if I were asked to name its fittest occupant, I should at once name Washington.” II. He incarnates our loftiest patriotic thought. Great forces focus in a person, and from him radiate with clearer power, and thus great men are at once the effect and cause of the events of their time. They mediate between principle and practice; between ideas and actions. Of such leaders of the world’s thought and action, Washington was preéminent. III. His eminence, being from inherent worth, is more and more readily acknowledged, not with the hero worship of a myth, but with the deliberate judgment of careful history. IV. The balance and poise of his character were perhaps his most striking characteristic. A lifelong aristocrat, he was beloved by the people; with very decided opinions on govern- ment, he was twice elected President unanimously.—REv. FREDERICK NOBLE. WASHINGTON A MAN OF LOFTIEST PURPOSES “The Lord spake with Moses face to face.” Exod. 33: 11. The secret of Washington’s abiding hold upon the popular imagination and his abiding influence is, first of all, in the moral seriousness of his life. I. While he was a man of Ennely practical habit of mind, yet life and life’s work were to him matters of solemn concern. Il. He carried this seriousness into all his rleeeians occupations. Nothing was little or trifling to him. III. This made him do his best in everything to which he set his hand, and when his power and influence became mani- 84 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES fest, he was kept from the possibility either a trifling or of self- Seeking. THE EVER-GROWING INFLUENCE OF : WASHINGTON “The path of the just is as a shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” Prov. 4:18. | While strong in his own generation, Washington is stronger even in the judgment of the generations which have followed. After the lapse of a century he is better appreciated, more perfectly understood, more thoroughly venerated and loved than when he lived. I. He remains an ever-increasing influence for good in every part and sphere of action of the republic. Il. He is recognized as not only the most far- sighted statesman of his generation, but as having an almost prophetic vision. III. He built not alone for his own time, but for the great future; and pointed the right solution of many of the prob- lems which were to arise in the years to come. THE CHARACTER OF WASHINGTON ‘‘As the man is so is his strength.” Judges 8:21. Though in many respects Washington was not different © from other men, for he was but a man, and his virtues com- mon virtues, yet these virtues were'so many and so combined as to make a wonderfully well-rounded and symmetrical char- acter. As Emerson said: “He stood four-square to every wind that blew.” ah I. Consider, first, some of the elements that entered into the forming of his character. : 1. He had good home training. A man asked the secret of his success, replied: “I had a friend.’? Wash- ington could say, “I had a mother.” 2. He made the most of himself. He believed in down- right hard work. He sought an education and got it. His success was the result of no sudden flash of luck or triumph of genius, but of work. WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY SERMON OUTLINES — 85 a He had the physical and material qualities needed for his providential work. Nature gave him a powerful frame, a clear eye, a quick hand. He was a man of intense vigor. There is such a thing as strength without vigor. But real vigor char- acterized his whole make-up. This it was which helped him to meet privations, and which sustained him in the face of opposition. II. Consider, secondly, some of the traits or qualities of his character. I. Ke 6. His modesty. He always felt that his countrymen rated him too high. When chosen Commander-in- Chief of the United Colonies’ army, he asked every gentleman present to remember his avowal of his own sense of unfitness; and his letters to his wife and family prove his sincerity. | His sublime perseverance. Defeat could not shake, nor disaster quell, his determination. Indeed, they only developed his energy and persistence. Near akin to this we mention his undaunted courage. Cautious, brave, unfearing, unflinching, he could, and did, stand alone at times when every one seemed against him. His patriotism. This was too marked to need men- tion. Another quality for which his memory is most cher- ished was his absolute integrity. The crowning element in his character was his faith in God. Cherish his memory. Imitate his example. Thank God for our nation. Resolve on patriotic devotion to everything which can advance our beloved country. A STUDY IN HEROES “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.”’ Zech. 4: 6. These sublime words are true, not because Jehovah uttered them, but Jehovah uttered them because they are true. Were it not so, and had they never been spoken, neither Wash- 86 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES ington nor Lincoln would have become what they were in them- selves, and what they became to the land that gave them birth. Perhaps it is not without significance that two of the greatest men the world has ever known were born in the same coun- try, the same month of the year, and grappled successfully with the two greatest crises in that country’s history. Nor is it without significance that they were born at opposite ends of the month, the one earlier, the other in the latter half, as they also were representatives of the two extremes of social conditions, Washington being rich, handsome, commanding in personality and position, Lincoln, coming from the ranks of poverty, awkward, ungainly, fighting all his life against fearful odds; yet each attained the same proud eminence, each ac- quired the same beloved title of ‘Father’; the one, “Father of his country,” the other, our beloved “Father Abraham.” I. The first great lesson to be learned from the study of these noble characters is the truth that God is no respecter of persons when it comes to choosing the right man for the right place. There is an old Chinese proverb to this effect: “God shows what he thinks of money by the kind of people he gives it to.”’ Of course, the inference intended to be drawn from this bit of worldly wisdom is that the Almighty regards with lofty scorn the wealth of this world, because it is dis- tributed in large proportions among the utterly selfish, unthink- ing, unprincipled men and women of the world, who are lovers of pleasure and of themselves rather than of humanity. But there is much fallacy mixed with the sometimes truth of the old proverb, and many notable cases where its error is over- shadowed by the noble integrity of those who have come into great wealth. Washington, although far from being a rich man as the world to-day counts riches, was yet a man of posi- — tion and wealth for his time. “Born to the purple,” he abandoned his home of ease and luxury for the vicissitudes of camp life, choosing, like one of old, to share with his fellow countrymen the suffering and hardships of a Valley Forge if thereby he might lead them on to the victories and liberty awaiting them as a free and independent nation, and thereby and forever winning the love and undying gratitude of a people destined to become the most glorious nation in the whole earth. WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY SERMON OUTLINES 87 There is also a Scotch saying: ‘When God would make use of a man, he always opens the door’; signifying that no matter what apparent obstacles may intervene, they must all give way before God’s ultimate purpose to use the man he deems necessary to the hour; and so we behold an Abraham Lincoln born in the ranks of poverty, awkward, ungainly in appearance, homely as to features, acquiring an education in the face of appalling difficulties, slowly, laboriously, but stead- ily rising to the grand heights to which destiny had called him, until he, too, has reached the summit, where he stands crowned with the grateful love and homage, not only of his own coun- trymen, but of the whole race whose shackles he has broken, bidding them go forth free men in the name of him who hath made of one blood all nations of the earth. Has it ever occurred to you that neither of these two great heroes of our land could have successfully filled the place of the other? II. Each of these in his turn rising to meet the great crises in our nation’s history did so because of what he himself was and of what he had to contribute to the nation’s need at his own time. A Lincoln in the place of Washington in the be- ginning of our national history would have proved a failure, though even then slavery existed as an institution, and Wash- ington himself had slaves; though possessed of all the noble characteristics of exalted manhood, he would have been but poorly equipped to meet the exigencies and solve the problems of the martyred Lincoln’s time. But the same spirit of the living God animated each and led each in his own way and time on to glorious victory.—'‘My Spirit saith the Lord of Hosts.” III. Can we not read a third lesson in this brief study of our nation’s heroes—that only as that Spirit dominates the life of an individual or of a nation can either rise to the grand opportunities that some time or other is sure to demand of us the best we have to give? IV. Still further, do we not learn from the history of the nations that the Judge of all the earth does right, chooses right, makes never a mistake, but does all things well? May we not safely entrust all our interests, personal and national, unto Him whose name is Love. 88 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES WASHINGTON “Thy gentleness hath made me great.” Psa. 18:35. I. His enduring fame, shown: 1. By observance of the day. 2. By Gladstone’s opinion. 3. By great monument at Wash- ington. II. Elements of BeHeenality on which his fame rests: — 1. Natural ability great. 2. Goodness, without which no true ~ greatness. 3. Capacity for prowrhe with Braddock, as gen- eral, and as president. 4. Powers of endurance—Valley Forge. 5. Symmetry; character matches form. 6. Unselfish- ness—compare with Napoleon. _ III. Greatness of fame: 1. Father of his country. 2. “First in war,” etc. Compare with Grant the soldier, Sumner the statesman, Garfield the beloved, Lincoln the martyr. Last alone equals him. WASHINGTON AS A NATIONAL ASSET “And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a bless- ING ATERUMT 2h 2. A text as true of Washington as of Abram. Great men have ever been a nation’s chief asset. I. Washington is the gold ore from which our American | nation is made. What he was and did and represents is of the nature of this republic. II. In memory of Washington is the coin current of our country, of which a new issue is uttered on his every natal day, by so much enriching the national life. III. The luster that Washington has lent to this land of ours in the world has given America a worth of international quality and extent. Let our wealth become increasingly what George Wash- ington meant us to be, until in moral values America is the world’s banker. PART XI: PALM SUNDAY TEXTS AND THEMES The Triumphal Entry: Mark 11:1. I. The occasion of this homage. II. The scene of this homage. III. The of- ferers of this homage. IV. The actions of this homage. Religious Excitement: ‘‘And they spread their garments in the way.’ Mark 11:8. I. Has its sphere of usefulness. II. But it is a mistake to regard emotional excitement as the very essence and substance of religion. The Royal Procession: “he multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David,” etc. Matt. 21:9. | Entire Consecration: ‘“The Lord hath need.” Matt. 21: 3. The Lord hath need of you. I. Your prayers. II. Your praises. III. Your talents. | The King Comes to His Capital: John 12: 12-16. I. The King’s person. II. The King’s credentials. Came by divine appointment. Came as predicted. Came in humility and righteousness—indisputable tokens of his claim. III. The King’s welcome. The multitudes. Their homage. Their acclaim, ‘“‘Hosanna.” IV. The King’s attendants. Disciples, etc. V. The King’s enemies. Pharisees, etc. The certainty that the world will ultimately be won to Christ. Christ as King: ‘“The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a law-giver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.’ Gen. 49: 10. The Royal Christ: “Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.” Psa. 62:2. His Final Authority: “Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty.” Psa. 45:3. The Kingdom Set Up: “In the days of those nie shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom.” Dan. 2: 44. A True Inscription: ‘And the writing was, Jesus of Naz- areth the King of the Jews.” John 19: 19. 89 ™*. v4 90 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES The Prince of Life: “‘And killed the Prince of Life, whom God hath raised from the dead.” Acts 3:15. Behold Thy King: “Behold thy king cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.” Matt."21: 5: : The Glory of the King: “Now unto the King eternal, im- mortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory for ever andever. Amen.” 1 Tim. 1:17. Who is This That Cometh from Edom? ‘‘Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah?”’ PSAs LORNA The Commencement of Christ’s Coronation Procession: Mark 10: 46-52. The Throne and the Rainbow: Rev. 4: 3. A Lesson in Obedience: Matt. 21: 1-17. Palm Sunday as a Decision Day: Matt. 21: 11. Christ’s Entrance into Jerusalem: ‘Much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was eit to Jerusalem,” etc. John 12:12, 13. Christ’s Lamentation over fare a ‘He beheld the he: and wept over it.”” Luke 19: Christ’s Popularity: codes blessed is he that cometh — in the name of the Lord.” Mark 11:9. Temple-Cleansing: ‘‘When he had looked around.” Mark TEs ‘Lt: Preparation for Christ: “Ye shall find a colt.” Mark — i Sa Three Contrasts: Matt. 21:12. ' | Christ’s Entrance into Jerusalem: “‘Much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,” etc. John 12: 12, 13. Palm Sunday Lessons: “In this place is one greater than the temple.” Matt. 12:6. | The Enthroned Christ: “When the Son of man shall come in his glory.” Matt. 25:31. Times of Visitation: ‘‘Because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.” Luke 19:44. I. In the period of youth. II. Special influences in connection with services in the sanc- tuary. III. Visits to the heart by the Holy Spirit. At home, in quiet chamber, out under the stars—God’s visit. IV. Provi- dential events which may be regarded as a time of visitation. A, PART XII: PALM SUNDAY SERMON OUTLINES THE KINGSHIP OF CHRIST ‘“‘Hfe hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” Rev. 19: 16. Palm Sunday is the day of kingship—the kingship of Christ. Isaiah gives us the promise of a coming Christ. John the Baptist proclaims an approaching Christ. Paul preaches the gospel of a Christ crucified. John gives us the vision of Christ enthroned. I. Who is this royal conqueror? As we see him in the manger at Bethlehem, or as a child in the temple, or at his baptism at the Jordan, or on the cross, he seems not particu- larly kingly. II. Where is his throne? Where lies his kingdom? We must remember the greatest kings have been uncrowned, and their kingdoms have been invisible. III. Were they disappointed, were they misled, were they false prophets—those who predicted that when Jesus came, he should come as a king? There are psalmists who declared concerning the Messiah, “A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom.” David knew how small a thing is political kingship. And he knew by so muchas he had spiritual elevation how incomparably greater is royalty of intellect and character. John says that the kingly Christ shall serve as well as save. IV. Phases of his royalty. There may be more appeal- ing phases of the life of Christ, but nothing is more admirable than his self-control. Self-control and courage may be merely passive, but goodness must be active. It is constructive in its nature. Benevolence is a flowing stream. Kingship is a matter of power and there is no power so like omnipotence as the power of goodness at work.— REv. CHARLES CARROLL ALBERTSON, D.D. 91 92 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY “Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.” Matt. PTO; Several ideas were expressed in this action. I. Disciples must prepare the way for Jesus. He cannot go through the world on a triumphant march unless we go with him and before him and make a path for him. Human in- fluences may open the way along which the Spirit of Christ gets into human hearts and into the world. II. This service costs sacrifice. Garments must be cast down to make the way along which Christ walks. ‘Things that are good and precious to us, our possessions, time and talents, our garments, the very necessities of life, life itself, must be cast down. Nothing is too costly to become a part of this path. ‘The feet of Jesus should not touch the common dust, but should press upon our most precious things. III. And this path should be a path of beauty. ‘The high- way of salvation along which Jesus walks should not seem to be a hard and dusty road, but it should be so carpeted that the world will see it is a way of pleasantness and a path of peace. ) | [V. The most prominent feature of this procession was its enthusiasm. ‘These people were not afraid to shout. They believed in Jesus with all their might and expressed their de- — votion in oriental outbursts of joy. They were not ashamed of their King, and when the city was stirred and shaken with excitement and the question of the hour was, ‘‘Who is this ?”’ they boldly answered, “This is the prophet, Jesus, from Naz- areth of Galilee.” It took some courage to say that up in Jerusalem. ‘The people grew wild in their enthusiasm and the hills near and far caught up and flung back their glad hosannas. ‘This is a spirit that is evaporating out of our religious life and that we need to keep and intensify.—REv. James H. SNowpen, D.D. THE LORD HATH NEED OF YOU ‘The Lord hath need of him.” Mark 11: 3. I. The Lord hath need of you. PALM SUNDAY SERMON OUTLINES 93 Of your prayers. Of your praises. Of your talents. He may need your most cherished thing to which your heart holds most fast. * II. The natural heart’s reply to this claim. 1. Unbelief denies the claim. 2. Weakness hesitates until the opportunity is past. 3. Stimulation seems to do, but does not. 4. Selfishness hugs her own.—J. V. WN THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY John 12: 12-26. I. Jesus Christ is the true King, and is riding triumphantly through the ages. II. As these people cast their garments before Jesus as he rode in triumph, so we should cast our talents, our money, our time, all that we have, before him, and do all that we can to aid his cause, and hasten his success. It is a great privilege to have part in his triumph. III. Enthusiasm is a good thing for every one, for any cause that is worthy of enthusiasm. A noble enthusiasm up- lifts the soul. Christianity is not dull, lifeless, insipid. There never has been anything on God’s earth so adapted to kindle all the enthusiasm of the soul, and to make it an enduring flame. IV. It should be the desire of every heart to have a more personal, intimate acquaintance with Jesus. V. We become acquainted with Jesus, by loving him, by working with him for his cause, by becoming like him in character, by studying his life and words. VI. We should welcome every chance to make others acquainted with our Master.—F. N. P. POPULAR ATTRACTIONS Mark 11: I-11. Here is a multitude: I. Attracted by marvelous intelligence. 4 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES II. Following the example of the few. III. Rendering regal honor to the son of a carpenter. IV. Looking for material aggrandizement. V. In a little while exchanging “Hosanna” for “Crucify Him.” —F. W. | SONGS OR SILENCE? “Behold thy King cometh unto thee.” Matt. 21: 5. I. Jesus was the King of the Jews. His Hebrew lineage was royal, without flaw or break. He was announced to the shepherds, by the heavenly hosts, as a king. He was heralded to the Hebrew nation as king, by the prophet from the wilder- ness. He claimed to be a king. He had all the personal gra- ciousness and power of a king. II. Here is the great climax. The prophecies of centuries come to ahead. The King, long promised and looked for, has come, and is now riding into the royal city. How will he be received? III. There is no doubt about the reception by the multi- tudes. ‘They break branches from the trees, and strew the roadway for his coming. ‘Then one man pulls off his gar- ment and adds it to the green, and another, till the King’s colt is walking over a carpet of nature’s beauty and man’s woven love combined. ‘Then they begin singing, ‘‘Hosanna. Blessed be the King!” A great crowd comes out of the city to meet and greet Jesus. ‘They likewise carpet the road, and pick up the song. And the two crowds sing back and forth, answering each other, joyous antiphonal music, a truly Hebrew and a truly royal scene. This is the answer of the common crowd to the King’s claim. IV. But—but, as they come to the city, an ominous silence greets him. The leaders look. They know what it all means. These leaders are the nation, technically, officially and prac- tically. “They understand perfectly the meaning of his action of so riding into the nation’s capital. And they understand the crowd’s action, too; and more, they understand Jesus’ acceptance of the crowd’s homage. And this was clear. But, their own resolution was as set, in a rigid coldness. PALM SUNDAY SERMON OUTLINES 95 Their silence was their answer, their rejection as positive and absolute as rejection could be. It really began in the silent contemptuous rejection of John’s testimony to their of- ficial deputation at the beginning (John 1:19-28). They would not accept this Jesus. The King is rejected by the nation.—S. D. Gorpon, D.D. THE CONQUERING KING Rev. 19:11-16. Scripture Lesson, Psa. 2 and Daniel | 2: 44-49. Introduction. The ideas and ideals of Jesus are winning to-day. In spite of present appearances they will continue to win. The vision of this text was given to assure us of that in dark days. 1. This is a vision of a present reality. ‘These pictures of the book of Revelation are to give us glimpses of the events of the present age. Each portrays some particular aspect of it. 2. The central figure of this vision is Jesus of Nazareth, glorified. Verses 11 to 13 are the description that identifies him. Faithful and true are attributes. The Word of God. Strange appellation that no man but himself perfectly compre- hends, his vesture dipped in blood signifying his destroying his enemies. Riding upon a white horse signifying his conquering progress. 3. The title upon his armor and his garments, “King of kings and Lord of lords.’ In this he assumes his right to govern and indicates his relations to the governments of the earth as well as individuals. 4. The forces of his conflict are “the sword of his mouth” which is the teaching he gave to men. We see to-day how men will and do fight for those ideals of democracy and in- dividual worth and freedom that are the direct product of his teachings. Those forces of the redeemed which accompany him in white robes are the heavenly staff who witness the triumph of heaven’s -King. | 5. The vision shows him engaged in the conflict of the ages. This is the aspect of the King toward his enemies. It is he that is on the side of righteousness. This conflict will con- tinue so long as the high priests of paganism proclaim from 96 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES the temples of earth, “Odin who is greater than Javeh,” and it will be the bloody conflict of national warfare as long as any ruler responds, “‘Amen.” It was of this that he spoke when he said, ‘‘I came not to send peace but a sword.” _ Conclusion. From looking at this vision there leaps to our minds the words of the second psalm, “Kiss the Son lest he be angry and ye perish from the way when his wrath is kindled. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.”— Rev. WILLIAM Parsons, D.D. LESSONS FOR TO-DAY FROM CHRIST'S TRIUMPHAL ENTRY |. 1. Christ, though disguised and poor, is yet King of this world. 2. But he is a Prince of peace, and his victories are by the weapons of peace. | 3. Whatever the Lord has need of we should gladly give to his service. 4. The Lord has need of the humblest of his creatures. 5. Christ inspires the religious feelings with gladness. 6. Christ encourages the expression of religious feeling. 7. Even in the midst of the triumph, there are sins and sorrows to weep over. | 8. Christ is yet to come triumphant over all. g. The triumph is to be by the arts of peace, not of war. GARMENT GIVERS “And they spread their garments before him.” Mark LL 5. Have you not sometimes wished that you had been there to see our Lord as he rode into Jerusalem on that long ago day, while his followers out of love and loyalty “spread their garments before him’’? In another way you may see him this year, as ‘along the King’s highway” he goes forth with our missionaries to enter heathen cities and homes across the sea. And you may show your love and loyalty to him by spread- ~., PALM SUNDAY SERMON OUTLINES 97 ing at his dear feet some of your garments (or the value of them). Will you? One garment—not because you must, but because you want to do it for this work in the Orient so dear to the heart of our Lord—will you give it? It might be a hat, small or large, gay or somber, costing— oh, just what you pay for yours. For his dear sake will you give the worth of that? Long ago Sir Walter Raleigh spread his handsome cloak before his queen to protect her feet from the mud of the street. What about the coat you will buy this season? Could you send the worth of it to protect our queens, brave mission- aries, girls who ‘‘for the sake of the Name” fare forth to walk mid the filth and slime of heathenism? The second coat, the second blouse, the second suit! How their worth would protect these queens—from the wild ani- mals as we wall their compounds, from poisonous insects as we screen their houses, from sun rays as we build their verandas, or from disease as we remove unsanitary conditions! Is it too much to hope for the worth of some sets of furs ($50 or $100)? The second set would warm your heart as the first could not begin to warm your shoulders! If not coats of fur, what about the pretty shoes that have been your pride and delight. The second pair “‘spread be- fore him” would entitle you to that old compliment, “How beautiful . . . are the feet of him that publisheth peace!” Then the gloves—oh, the gloves—short, long, silk, kid, washable, wearable, ‘‘givable’! Why not hundreds and hun- dreds to spread before our King? Still he rides on, pausing now and then “‘to sit over against the treasury” and to note the women and girls who share with him the best garment they can afford. Still he says: ‘T gave, I gave my life for thee, What hast thou given to me?” PART XIII: GOOD FRIDAY TEXTS “AND THEMES The Word of F Bae “Father, forgive them, for they _ know not what they do.” Luke 23: 34. The W ord of Salvation: “To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” Luke 23: 43. The Word of Love: ‘Woman, behold thy son . . . behold thy mother.” John 19: 26. The Word of Atonement: “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me.” Matt. 27: 46. The Word of Physical Suffering: “T thirst.” John 19: 28. The Word of Triumph: “It is finished.” John 19: 30. The Word of Reunion: “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.” Luke 23: 46. First word from the cross—the word of charity: “Father, forgive them.” Second word from the cross—the word of mercy: “To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise.” Third word from the cross—the word of filial piety: “Be- hold thy Son! . . . Behold thy mother!” Fourth word from the cross—the word of agony: “I thirst.” Fifth word from the cross—the word of humanity: ‘““My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Sixth word from the cross—ihe word of perfection: “It is finished.” Seventh word from the cross—the word of Sonship: ‘Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.” The Word of Intercession: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Luke 23: 34. _ The Word of Pardon: “To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise.” Luke 23: 43. The Word of Care: ‘‘Woman, behold thy son! ... Be- hold thy mother!” John 19: 26, 27. The Word of Loneliness: “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Mark 15:34; Matt. 27: 46. 98 GOOD FRIDAY TEXTS AND THEMES 99 The Word of Need: “\ thirst.” John 19: 28. The Word of Victory: “It is finished.” John 19: 30. The Word of Trust: ‘Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.” Luke 23: 46. Lessons from the Crucifixion: ‘And they crucified him.” Wratts 272335; Watchers by the Cross: Luke 23: 34-38. Jesus on the Cross: ‘And the people stood beholding.”’ PUEker2 329 53 | The Meaning of the Cross: “I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto me.” Luke 23: 21. The Solemn Spectacle: ‘‘The people stood beholding.” Luke 23: 35. The Voice of the Cross: ‘There they crucified him.” Luke 224 333' The Crucifixion: “There they crucified him, and the male- factors, one on the right hand and the other on the left.” Euke 23: 33. | The First Good Friday: ‘Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree,” etc. 1 Peter 2:24. The Atonement: “Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, With meekness|and fear. 7 Peter's: 15. Groups at the Cross and Why They Were There: “And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots; that it might be fulfilled,” etc. Matt. 27: 35-43. Man’s Unbelief: ‘They cried, saying, Crucify him! Cru- eify him 1)”: Luke 23:21. The Title on the Cross: John 19: 10. The Man of Sorrows: ‘‘A man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.” Isa. 53:3. The Meaning of Christ s Agony: ‘ T, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto me.” John 12: 32. PART XIV: GOOD FRIDAY SERMON OUTLINES THE CROSS OF CHRIST “There they crucified him, and with him two others, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst. And Pilate wrote a title also,’’ etc.” John 19:'17-22.- I. Under the cross. 1. The weary pilgrim—Jesus. Exhausted by the agony. Suffering through scourging. Burdened with the weight. Degraded by the tablet. 2. The varied attendance—robbers, soldiers, etc. II. Upon the cross. Jesus. Jesus in the midst. On either side a crucified robber proclaiming him the worst of the three. The nails. The pain. A spectacle of woe. Priests and people mocked his misery. III. Above the cross. The title, verse 19. 1. Its conspicuous position—seen by all. 2. Its threefold language—to be read by all. 3. Its providential use—to attest to all. a. Christ’s true humanity, “Jesus of Nazareth.” b. His Messianic dignity, ‘King of the Jews.” c. Israel’s sin. Had crucified their Sovereign. d. ‘The world’s hope. He was the Saviour of men. IV. Beneath the cross. Gambling for the Saviour’s. clothes, soldiers fulfilled prophecy. Verses AR UG YY. 1. Heartless cruelty. 2. Moral insensibility. 3. Appalling criminality. 4. Unconscious instrumentality. V. Near the cross. The Galilean women; the post of love. Verse 25. 1. Their names. The Marys and Salome. 2. Their positions. By the cross. Indicating courage— 100 GOOD FRIDAY SERMON OUTLINES 101 not afraid of the soldiers. Their fidelity, in contrast with the male disciples, who forsook him and fled. Their affection. Their sympathy—intending to con- sole him, as they doubtless did. 3. Their privilege—a gracious opportunity of hearing his last words. The heroism of the women was inspired by faith and love. The startling contrasts of life—the soldiers and the women. The power which lies in the cross to reveal human hearts.— ae Wuitetaw, D.D. WATCHERS BY THE CROSS Luke 23: 34-38. I. The friendly watchers, who were learning lessons that would bless all their future life. Il. The unfriendly watchers, who were ill-treating him who was dying to save them from sin and death. THE WATCHERS AROUND THE CROSS ‘And sitting down they watched him there.” Matt. 27: 36. The varied types of watchers around the cross. I. The careless watch of the soldiers. II. The jealous watch of the enemies. III. ‘The anxious watch of the women. IV. The wondering watch of the angels on high. THE GROUP AROUND THE CROSS ‘And sitting down they watched him there.” Matt. 27: 36. The scene at the crucifixion. What Jesus saw from the cross. Compare Tissot’s painting. 1. The Roman soldiers. The careless, indifferent, un- seeing. | | 2. The faithful disciples. Sympathetic, seeing, loving friends. 3. The curious watchers. The pleasure-seekers and intel- lectually curious. 102 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 4. The persecutors, Scribes and Pharisees. Their taunts are testimonies to him. “What is our attitude beneath the cross ?”’ “Beneath the Cross of Jesus I fain would take my stand.” BEHOLD THE MAN! “Behold the man!”’ John 19: 5. I. The feelings with which these words were and may be uttered. 1.\. Pity: 2. Mockery. auPaith: 4. Admiration. II. Let us by faith behold the Christ. Behold the Man of dignity. Behold the Man of humility. Behold the Man of purity. Behold the Man of suffering. Behold the Man of glory. wmPoON H LESSONS FROM THE CRUCIFIXION ‘“‘And they crucified him.” Matt. 27:35. 1. The deed transforms the place. Calvary, the place of execution, has become the center of the world’s history and the world’s salvation. “The great central event in all history is the death of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. The centuries circle round the cross.” 2. The cost of salvation smites all indifference to religion. If Christ was willing to die that we might be saved, what ought not we to do? 3. Those that watch Christ may find in him a King, a Redeemer, an Example, or, if they themselves are bad, only a subject for mockery and insult. Which company shall we join? 4. The cross expresses God’s feelings toward sin, his readi- ness to forgive sin, the terrible evil and danger of sin that g¢ GOOD FRIDAY SERMON OUTLINES 103 costs such a sacrifice for deliverance from it. No one would suffer so much to save others from a slight evil or little danger. 5. The cross declares, in “letters that can be read from the stars,’ God’s love to man. God did not put punishment upon an innocent person. ‘The atonement on the cross was a vol- untary sacrifice. When the Greeks were besieging Troy, and met with ill success, the priest Calchas told them that the only way to appease the offended goddess, and gain the victory, was to sacrifice to Diana, Iphigenia, the beautiful daughter of Agamemnon. And these brave men of old are said to have taken her by strategy and force, and brought this innocent girl to the altar to slay her. This sacrifice (though she was rescued) was mean and unjust beyond words to express. But when any persons have offered themselves, as Horatius and his comrades at the bridge of Rome, or the nobles of Calais to Edward the Sixth, the sacrifice has been the height of hero- ism. ‘The sacrifice expressed the highest love possible. 6. The cross furnishes every possible motive for turning from sin, touching the heart with love, showing our danger, giving us hope of forgiveness and life, teaching the law of duty, which prefers death to failure or neglect. It shows the value of our souls, the value of salvation, and the worth of eternal life in heaven.—P. THE SEVEN WORDS FROM THE CROSS We may well believe that all of our Lord’s words as he hung upon the cross have been preserved. In a very wonder- ful way the seven utterances that have come down to us repre- sent the seven most important phases of Christ’s character and work. The Word of F orgiveness First word: ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Luke 23: 34. The Word of Forgiveness. This was probably spoken as the cross, with Christ nailed to it, ‘was lifted up and planted in the ground, with a rough shock of indescribable agony.” “He hastened to apply the first outgushing of that redeeming 104 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES blood.’”? His coming to earth was that he might prove God’s readiness to forgive men, and now he includes in that readi- ness even his murderers, the harsh soldiers, Annas, Caiaphas, — Herod, Pilate, and us, too, when by our sins we “‘crucify the Son of God afresh.” The Word of Salvation. Second word: ‘“To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise.”’ Luke }23 143% The Word of Salvation, spoken about noon. One of the robbers, moved by Christ’s bearing and his words of tender forgiveness, and perhaps having some previous knowledge of | him, rebuked the railing of the other robber, and begged for Christ’s help into eternal happiness. How ready was Christ to grant it! He had come for that one thing, to seek and save the lost. The Word of Love. Third Word: ‘‘Woman, behold thy son... behold thy mother.”’ John 19: 26. The Word of Love. Joseph, judging from the silence of the record, had died long before, and Mary was a widow. — Some have held that Christ addressed Mary respectfully but: vaguely as ‘‘Woman,” “Lady,” because had he called her “Mother,” she would have been exposed to the rough taunts . of the brutal soldiers. Others see in the words, “‘And from that hour the disciple took her unto his own home,” an indi- cation of Christ’s desire that Mary should at once be led away by John, and spared the further agony of watching him. ‘‘Tohn’s devotion to his dying Lord—alone of the disciples — exposed to the peril of the cross—is thus abundantly recom- pensed. As John’s was the greatest personal love it was honored with the largest earthly requital.”’ The Word of Atonement. Fourth word: “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Matt. 27:46. The Word of Atonement, wherein the Son of God entered the deepest pit of human woe, the sense of abandonment and utter loss, and thus became completely at one with our human- GOOD FRIDAY SERMON OUTLINES 105 ity. It was spoken toward the end of that mysterious dark- ness that seized the country from noon till three o’clock. ‘The Son of God felt as if he had been deserted by his Father. It was the darkening of his human soul, not the hiding of God’s countenance.” ‘“The divine horror of that moment is un- fathomable by human soul. It was blackness of darkness. And yet he would believe. Yet he would hold fast. God was his God yet. My God—and in the cry came forth vic- tory.” The Word of Physical Suffering. Fifth word: “I thirst.” John 19: 28. The Word of Physical Suffering, as the fourth was the word of spiritual suffering. Christ’s thirst must have been torturing, his body exposed, almost uncovered, to the fierce noonday heat of Palestine. There is no agony like that of unassuaged thirst; it is the one cry of the wounded as they lie untended on the battlefield: “Water! Water!” ‘He thirsts that we may not thirst, that we may receive from him that gift of the water of life which shall cause us never to thirst any more.” The Scripture fulfilled in this cry is Psa. 22:15; 69:21. “Only when all else had been attended to (‘Knowing that all things are finished’) did Christ attend to his own physical sensations. hey filled a sponge, because a cup was imprac- ticable, and put it around a stalk of hyssop, and thus applied the restorative to his mouth. All that was requisite was a reed two or three feet long, as the crucified was only slightly elevated.” “He had refused the stupefying draught, which would have clouded his faculties; he accepts what will revive them for the effort of a willing surrender of his life.” The Word of Triumph. Sixth word: “It is finished.” John 19: 30. The Word of Triumph. This is one word in the Greek, and it has been called ‘“‘the greatest single word ever uttered.” “No other man, since the world began, could have said that word as Jesus saidit. He had lived a perfect, complete human life, in which there were no mistakes, no omissions, no short- comings. The atonement was complete, because it was the ¥ 106 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES offering of a perfect life.’ “In one sense nothing he did was ended. But the atoning sacrifice had been offered once for all. — Our Lord saw a long wake of light crossing the past and © stretching forward to the future.” The Word of Reunion. Seventh word: ‘‘Father, into thy hands I commend my . spirit.” Luke 23: 46. The Word of Reunion, spoken at 3 p.m., the time of the evening sacrifice. ‘‘The last act of our Lord in thus commend- ing his spirit to the Father was only a summing up of what he had been doing all his life. He had been offering this sacri- fice of himself all the years.” ‘The thought of the Father penetrated and possessed our Lord’s whole life. What won- der that he turned to the Father at the last with perfect confidence ?” THE THREE CROSSES AT CALVARY ‘And when they came to the place which is called Calvary, there they crucified him,” etc. Luke 23: 33. I. The motive of the rulers in crucifying Christ between two malefactors: To make his death seem as odious as pos- sible; to brand him as a great criminal. II. The unforeseen result of their malice: The Cross be- came a tribunal. The scene at the Day of Judgment was fore- shadowed. ‘The Judge in the center; on one side a penitent, on the other an impenitent sinner. A malefactor became a witness to Christ’s mighty, redeeming love. Lessons: 1. The same cross attracts and repels. 2. The most hopeless may obtain mercy. 3. You may be near the means of salvation, but be lost. THE SCENE OF OUR SAVIOUR’S EXECUTION ‘The place called Calvary.” Duke 23°33. A magic spell and power rest over some scenes and places. The home where our youthful affections were first brought into genial exercise we remember with hallowed feelings. Places \ ' GOOD FRIDAY SERMON OUTLINES 107 of historic interest, too, there are. There are localities also towards which we cherish a deep religious regard. Scenes of the Bible are especially interesting to every saint of God, but no part of sacred history is so suggestive of pious thought and heavenly consolation as that which relates to our blessed Lord. In the scene to which we are introduced by the words before us we behold him in the consummation of his earthly career. We see events which astonished heaven, aroused hell and confounded earth. Let us draw near, then, to this divinely honored place; the place where, be it said with reverence, we see Deity in conflict; ‘“The place called Calvary.” I. It was the place of unparalleled suffering. No al- leviating circumstances were to soften his anguish, but the full burden of the world’s transgressions rested upon him. None but God could save the world, for none but God could endure the wrath due to the world. What, then, must the meek, expiring Lamb have endured. The darkened heavens and the rended earth gave tokens of sympathy with the suffer- ing Saviour. II. It was the place of singular phenomena. “And it was about the sixth hour,” etc., verses 44, 45. [hat this was not any solar eclipse is evident from the period at which it oc- curred, it being at the time of full moon; from the length of the duration of this darkness, no total eclipse having been known to exist more than four minutes, and no partial eclipse more than two hours, and also from the testimony of ancient authors on the point. From Calvary, then, issued the most singular phenomena, for here was the cause of all the ex- traordinary events. Earth and sky put on their mourning habiliments and creation groaned a requiem to its dying Lord. III. The place of the most momentous of all achieve- ments. Here did God, even the Triune God, make known his most marvelous work—his acts, his mighty acts. Here, we behold the mightiest moral transactions within the range of human and not improbably within the range of angelic ex- perience. On the brow of Calvary was the price laid down for a lost world; the uttermost farthing of the debt was paid; man’s utmost hopes were more than realized; the ‘‘promised seed” there “bruised serpent’s head.” But this suggests an- other thought, viz.: 108 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES IV. That Calvary was the place of glorious triumph. Hear the Conqueror as he proclaims his blessed triumph! “T have trodden the wine-press alone,” etc. Isaiah 63: 3-6. He met stern justice and silenced her demand. He chained death in his own den, and all insignia of his dread power did he destroy. He arched over the chasm which intervened be- tween earth and heaven and opened the way to glory. 3 VY. The place of pardoning mercy. In the very agonies of : ae = | ee ag ee death he absolved the thief and took him to the courts above | as a spoil of victory—a trophy of redeeming love. VI. The place of deep devotion and of ardent affection. All were not mockers and scoffers who drew nigh to see the Man of Griefs expire. “Now there stood by the cross,” etc.— John 19: 25-27. Be it yours to cherish the same faithful af- fection towards the Saviour and to receive from him similar tokens of love and care. Whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother and sister and mother.—J. F. “ PART XV: EASTER TEXTS AND THEMES The Invitation of a Risen Host: “Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.” John 21: 12. The Resurrection a Necessity: “And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day.”’ Luke 24: 46. The Earnest and the Harvest: ‘For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order. Christ the first fruits; afterward they that anevGnrist's at his coming.’ Cor. 16222) 23. The Resurrection an Attestation of the Divinity of Christ: ‘‘And declared to be the son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.” Rom. 1: 4. Old Testament Intimations of the Resurrection of Jesus: ‘He, seeing this before, spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither did his flesh see cor- ruption.” Acts 2:31. The Touch of Sympathy: “And he came and touched the bier: and they that bore him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, arise.” Luke 7: 14. The Light in the Tomb: ‘‘Now is Christ risen from the deades 1 Goruic 20. | Resurrection Power: ‘His power is to usward... the mighty power which is wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead.” Eph. 1: 19, 20. The Call-—the Answer: ‘He is not here, for he is risen, as he said.”” Matt. 28:6. Many epitaphs written on tomb- stones strike us as being singularly artificial in phrasing, but the Rev. Thomas Spurgeon tells us in a sermon of one epitaph in a little mound which bears just these words: “‘Freddy’’—as if some one called—and underneath, ‘Yes, Father.” 109 a 110 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES He Will Give Them Back: “Refrain thy voice from weep- ing, and thine eyes from tears. ‘Thy children shall come again to their own border.” Jer. 31: 15-17. The Redeemer Liveth: “I know that my Redeemer liveth.” Job 19:25. Christ in Us: “‘Reckon ye also yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rom. Geary. Mourning the Dead: “I would not have you to be ignorant, _ brethren, concerning them which are asleep.” I Thess. 4: 13. The First Easter Sermon: “Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord.” John 20: 18. Christ the First-Fruits: “Now is Christ risen from the dead — and become the first-fruits of them that slept.” 1 Cor. 15: 20. The Conquest of the Grave: ‘‘O grave, where is thy vic- COLVC ro COL LS mee Making Appointments in the Hereafter: ““To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” Luke 23: 43. Death Not a Divine Mistake: “Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.” John 11: 12. “God’s Amen”: “Now is Christ risen from the dead.” 1 Cor. 15:20. The Resurrection is God’s ‘“Amen’’ to Christ’s “Tt is finished.”’ Job’s Confidence: Job 19: 23-29. The Blessed Life: Titus 2: 11-15. Christ the Life: John 1: 4. The Stone Rolled Away: Matt. 28: 2. The Bearing of the Age-Long Life: Rev. 21: 1-8. The Easter Message: Rom. 6: 4. A Long Look Ahead: 1 Cor. 15: 35-58. Resurrection from a Legal Point of View: “But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” John 20:26. Immortal Life: “And they shall see his face.” Rev. 22: 4. The Resurrection a Fact, a Force, a Prophecy: 1 Cor. 15: 35-58. The Garden and the Sepulcher: “In the garden was a sepul- chery) iomn i947! Why I Believe in the Immortality of the Soul: ‘“And may EASTER TEXTS AND THEMES 111 your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thess. Rees The Easter Pilgrim: ‘These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and greeted them from afar and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” Heb. 11: 13. The Natural Immortality of the Soul: “I£ a man die, shall he live again? All the days of my warfare would I wait, till my release should come.” Job 14:14. The Joy of Easter: ‘And they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy.”’ Matt. 28:8. The Resurrection Body: “But some will say, How are the dead raised up, and with what body do they come.” 1 Cor. ee Wok Is Death Merely Good-by? ‘‘O death, where is thy sting? ©: grave, where is thy victory?’ 1 Cor. 15:35. Witnesses that Convince: “This Jesus did God raise up, whereof we are all witnesses.”’ Acts 2: 32. Easter Banishes Fear: “Y declare unto you the gospel, wherein ye stand.” 1 Cor. 15:1. PART XVI: EASTER SERMON OUTLINES THE FIRST EASTER SERMON ‘“‘Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord.” John 20: 18. Mary Magdalene preached the first Easter sermon, and this was her text: “I have seen the Lord.” 1. That was not only an appropriate text, but also a cen-