Old Treasures Made New

Luke 5:1-11 We should observe our Lord Jesus Christ's unwearied readiness for every good work. We should observe what encouragement our Lord gives to unquestioning obedience. We should observe how much a sense of God's presence abases man and makes him feel his sinfulness. We should observe the mighty promise which Jesus holds out to Peter--"Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men”...

Luke 4:33-44 We should notice the clear religious knowledge possessed by the devil and his agents. We should notice the almighty power of our Lord Jesus Christ. We should notice our Lord's practice of occasional retirement from public notice into some solitary place. We ought to notice the declaration of our Lord as to one of the objects of His coming into the world. "Let it never content us to kn...

Luke 4:22-32 We learn how apt men are to despise the highest privileges, when they are familiar with them. We learn how bitterly human nature dislikes the doctrine of the sovereignty of God. We learn how diligently we ought to persevere in well doing, notwithstanding discouragements. "It is an evil day with our souls, when Christ is in the midst of us, and yet, because of our familiarity with His...

Luke 4:14-21 We should observe what marked honor our Lord Jesus Christ gave to public means of grace. We should observe what a striking account our Lord gave to the congregation at Nazareth, of His own office and ministry. We should observe what an instructive example we have in these verses of the manner in which religious teaching is often heard. "He would have us know that we are not lightly to...

Luke 4:1-13 Let us first mark the power and unwearied malice of the devil. Let us mark our Lord Jesus Christ's ability to sympathize with those who are tempted. Let us mark the exceeding subtlety of our great spiritual enemy, the devil. Let us mark the manner in which our Lord resisted Satan's temptations. "That murderer and liar who vexed Job, and overthrew David and Peter, still lives, and is no...

Luke 3:21-38 We see the high honor the Lord Jesus has put on baptism. We see the close connection that ought to exist between the administration of baptism and prayer. We see a remarkable proof of the doctrine of the Trinity. We see a marvelous proclamation of our Lord's office as Mediator between God and man. We see what a frail and dying creature is man. "Let it suffice us to hold firmly the gen...

Luke 3:15-20 We learn that one effect of a faithful ministry is to set men thinking. We learn that a faithful minister will always exalt Christ. We learn the essential difference between the Lord Jesus and even the best and holiest of His ministers. We learn the change that Christ will work in his visible church at his second appearing. We learn that the reward of God's servants is often not in th...

Luke 3:7-14 We should mark the holy boldness with which John addresses the multitudes who came to his baptism. We should mark how plainly John speaks to his hearers about hell and danger. We should mark how John exposes the uselessness of a repentance which is not accompanied by fruits in the life. We should mark what a blow John strikes at the common notion, that connection with godly people can...

Luke 3:1-6 Let us notice the wickedness of the times when Christ's Gospel was brought into the world. Let us notice the account which Luke gives of the calling of John the Baptist into the ministry. Let us notice the close connection between true repentance and forgiveness. "Let us learn never to despair about the cause of God's truth, however black and unfavorable its prospects may appear. At the...

Luke 2:41-52 A lesson for all married people. An example for all young people. An example for all true Christians. "Marriage is a state of life which has the greatest effect on the souls of those who enter into it. It helps them upwards or downwards. It leads them nearer to heaven or nearer to hell. We all depend much on the company we keep." "So ought it to be with the younger members of Christia...

Luke 2:36-40 Let us observe the character of a holy woman before the establishment of Christ's Gospel. Let us observe the description given of saints in Jerusalem in the time when Jesus was born. Let us observe what clear proof we have that the Lord Jesus was really and truly man, as well as God. "When we read of her consistency, and holiness, and prayerfulness, and self-denial, we cannot but wish...

Luke 2:25-35 We see, in the case of Simeon, how God has a believing people even in the worst of places, and in the darkest times. We see in the song of Simeon how completely a believer can be delivered from the fear of death. We see, furthermore, in the song of Simeon, what clear views of Christ's work and office some Jewish believers attained, even before the Gospel was preached. We see, lastly,...

Luke 2:21-24 The first point which demands our attention in this passage, is the obedience which our Lord rendered, as an infant, to the Jewish law. The second point which demands our attention in this passage, is the name by which our Lord was called, by God's special command. The last point which demands our attention in this passage, is the poor and humble condition of our Lord's mother, the Vi...

Luke 2:8-20 Let us mark who they were to whom the tidings first came that Christ was born. Let us mark the language used by the angel in announcing Christ's birth to the shepherds. Let us mark who they were that first praised God, when Christ was born. Let us mark the hymn of praise which the heavenly host sung in the hearing of the shepherds. Let us mark the prompt obedience to the heavenly visio...

Luke 2:1-7 Let us notice the TIMES when Christ was born. Let us notice the PLACE where Christ was born. Let us notice the MANNER in which Christ was born. "Let us ever rest our souls on the thought, that times are in God's hand. (Psalm 31:15.) He knows the best season for sending help to His church, and new light to the world. Let us beware of giving way to over anxiety about the course of events...

Luke 1:67-80 We should notice the deep thankfulness of a Jewish believer's heart in the prospect of Messiah's appearing. We should notice how much emphasis Zechariah lays on God's fulfillment of His promises. We should notice what clear views of Christ's kingdom Zechariah possessed. We should notice what clear views of doctrine Zechariah enjoyed. "It may be feared that Christians have very low and...

Luke 1:57-66 We see in the conduct of Elizabeth's neighbors and cousins, a striking example of the kindness we owe to one another. We see in the conduct of Zechariah in this passage, a striking example of the benefit of affliction. We see in the early history of John Baptist the nature of the blessing that we should desire for all young children. "Sympathy in one another's joys and sorrows costs l...

Luke 1:46-56 Let us mark the full acquaintance with Scripture which this hymn exhibits. Let us mark the Virgin Mary's deep humility. Let us mark the lively thankfulness of the Virgin Mary. Let us mark the experimental acquaintance with God's former dealings with His people, which the Virgin Mary possessed. Let us mark the firm grasp which the Virgin Mary had of Bible promises. "Such knowledge of t...

Luke 1:39-45 We should observe the benefit of fellowship and communion between believers. We should observe the clear spiritual knowledge which appears in the language of Elizabeth. Finally, we should observe the high praise which Elizabeth bestows upon the grace of faith. "First let us seek the face of God. Then let us seek the face of God's friends. If we did this more, and were more careful abo...

Luke 1:34-38 Let us mark the reverent and discreet manner in which the angel Gabriel speaks of the great mystery of Christ's incarnation. Let us mark the prominent place assigned to the Holy Spirit in the great mystery of the incarnation. Let us mark the mighty principle which the angel Gabriel lays down to silence all objections about the incarnation. Let us mark the meek and ready acquiescence o...

Luke 1:26-33 We should notice the lowly and unassuming manner in which the Savior of mankind came among us. We should notice the high privilege of the Virgin Mary. We should notice the glorious account of our Lord Jesus Christ, which the angel gives to Mary. "It would have been condescension to come on earth as a king and reign. It was a miracle of mercy passing our comprehension to come on earth...

Luke 1:18-25 We see the power of unbelief in a good man. We see the privilege and portion of God's angels. We see how exceedingly sinful is the sin of unbelief in the sight of God. "And it often happens in religious matters, that where reason begins, faith ends." "This mighty spirit, far greater in power and intelligence than we are, counts it his highest honor to 'stand in God's presence' and do...

Luke 1:13-17 We learn here that prayers are not necessarily rejected because the answer is long delayed. We learn that no children cause such true joy, as those who have the grace of God. We learn the nature of true greatness. We learn that children are never too young to receive the grace of God. We learn the character of a really great and successful minister of God. "Delay of answer," says an o...

Luke 1:5-12 Let us mark the high testimony which is borne to the character of Zechariah and Elizabeth. We are told that they were "both righteous before God," and that [they walked] “blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord.” Let us mark the heavy trial which God was pleased to lay on Zechariah and Elizabeth. We are told that "they had no child." Let us mark the means by which...

Luke 1:1-4 Luke gives us a short, but valuable, sketch of the nature of a Gospel. It is a narrative of facts about Jesus Christ. Luke draws a beautiful picture of the true position of the apostles in the early church. They are witnesses and ministers of the word. Luke describes his own qualifications for the work of writing a Gospel. He followed all things closely for some time past. Luke informs...