Old Treasures Made New

Luke 17:1-4 We are taught the great sinfulness of putting stumbling-blocks in the way of other men's souls. We are taught the great importance of a forgiving spirit. "The cross of Christ will always give offence. Let us not increase that offence by carelessness in our daily life." "The man who cannot forgive his neighbor the few trifling offences he may have committed against him, can know nothing...

Luke 16:19-31 We learn that a man's worldly condition is no test of his state in the sight of God. We learn that death is the common end to which all classes of mankind must come. We learn that the souls of believers are specially cared for by God in the hour of death. We learn the reality and eternity of hell. We learn that unconverted men find out the value of a soul, after death, when it is too...

Luke 16:13-18 These verses teach us the uselessness of attempting to serve God with a divided heart. These verses teach us how widely different is the estimate set on things by man from that which is set on things by God. These verses teach us the dignity and sanctity of the law of God. "If it is worthwhile to serve Christ at all, let us serve Him with all our heart, and soul, and mind and strengt...

Luke 16:1-12 Let us beware that we do not draw from these verses lessons which they were never meant to teach. Let us observe that one principal lesson of the parable before us, is the wisdom of providing against coming evil. Let us notice the remarkable expressions which our Lord uses about little things, in close connection with the parable of the unjust steward. "The steward, whom our Lord desc...

Luke 1525-32 We are taught how unkind and ill-natured are the feelings of self-righteous men towards sinners. We are taught that the conversion of any soul ought to be an occasion of joy to all who see it. "There are thousands on every side who dislike a free, full, unfettered Gospel to be preached. They are always complaining that ministers throw the door too wide open, and that the doctrine of g...

Luke 15:11-24 We see a man following the natural bent of his own heart. We see man finding out that the ways of sin are hard, by bitter experience. We see man awaking to a sense of his natural state, and resolving to repent. We see man turning to God with true repentance and faith. We see the penitent man received readily, pardoned freely, and completely accepted with God. "We are all naturally pr...

Luke 15:1-10 We should observe the striking testimony which was borne to our Lord by His enemies. We should observe the remarkable figures under which our Lord describes His own love towards sinners. We should observe the wide encouragement which our Lord holds out to repentance. "The Lord Jesus is indeed one that "receives sinners." He receives them to pardon them, to sanctify them, and to make t...

Luke 14:25-35 We learn that true Christians must be ready, if need be, to give up everything for Christ's sake. We learn that those who are thinking of following Christ should be warned to "count the cost." We learn how miserable is the condition of backsliders and apostates. "We must choose rather to displease those we love most upon earth, than to displease Him who died for us on the cross." "By...

Luke 14:15-24 We are taught that God has made a great provision for the salvation of men's souls. We are taught that the offers and invitations of the Gospel are most broad and liberal. We are taught that many who receive Gospel invitations refuse to accept them. We are taught that God earnestly desires the salvation of souls, and would have all means used to procure acceptance for His Gospel. "Th...

Luke 14:7-14 Let us learn from these verses the value of humility. Let us learn the duty of caring for the poor. Let us learn the great importance of looking forward to the resurrection of the dead. "Would we know the root and spring of humility? One word describes it. The root of humility is right knowledge. The man who really knows himself and his own heart--who knows God and His infinite majest...

Luke 14:1-6 Let us mark how our Lord Jesus Christ accepted the hospitality of those who were not His disciples. Let us mark how our Lord was watched by His enemies. Let us mark how our Lord asserts the lawfulness of doing works of mercy on the Sabbath day. "We ought not to withdraw entirely from all communion with unconverted people. It would be cowardice and indolence to do so, even if it were po...

Luke 13:31-35 Let us learn how entirely our times are in God's hands. Let us learn how great is the compassion of our Lord Jesus Christ towards sinners. "There is no such thing as chance, luck, or accident, in the life of a believer. There is but one thing needful, in order to make a believer calm, quiet, unruffled, undisturbed in every position, and under every circumstance. That one thing is fai...

Luke 13:22-30 We see in these verses a remarkable question asked. We see, secondly, in these verses, a striking exhortation given. We see, thirdly, in these verses, a day of dreadful solemnity described. We see, lastly, in these verses, a heart-searching prophecy delivered. "Salvation to the uttermost is offered to men. All things are ready on God's part. Christ is willing to receive sinners. But...

Luke 13:18-21 The parable of the mustard seed is intended to show the progress of the Gospel in the WORLD. The parable of the leaven is intended to show the progress of the Gospel in the heart of a BELIEVER. "Let us learn from this parable never to despair of any work for Christ, because its first beginnings are feeble and small." "The soul must creep before it can walk, and walk before it can run...

Luke 13:10-17 We see a striking example of diligence in the use of means of grace. We see the almighty power of our Lord Jesus Christ. We see the right observance of the Sabbath day asserted and defended by our Lord Jesus Christ. "Let us never forget that our feelings about Sundays are sure tests of the state of our souls. The man who can find no pleasure in giving God one day in the week, is mani...

Luke 13:6-9 We learn that where God gives spiritual privileges He expects proportionate returns. We learn that it is a most dangerous thing to be unfruitful under great religious privileges. We learn what an infinite debt we all owe to God's mercy and Christ's intercession. "Few things are so much forgotten by men as the close connection between privilege and responsibility." "Never let us forget...

Luke 13:1-5 Let us observe how much more ready people are to talk of the deaths of others than their own. Let us observe how strongly our Lord lays down the universal necessity of repentance. "The state of our own souls should always be our first concern. It is eminently true that real Christianity will always begin at home." "The nature of true repentance is clearly and unmistakably laid down in...

Luke 12:54-59 The first thing which this passage teaches us is the duty of noticing the signs of the times. The second thing which this passage teaches us, is the immense importance of seeking reconciliation with God before it is too late. "May we not sleep as do many, but watch and discern our time!" "The chief and foremost desire of everyone who professes to have any religion, should be to obtai...

Luke 12:49-53 We learn how thoroughly the heart of Christ was set on finishing the work which He came into the world to do. We learn how useless it is to expect universal peace and harmony from the preaching of the Gospel. "There is in Him an infinite willingness to receive, pardon, justify, and deliver the souls of men from hell. Let us strive to realize that willingness, and learn to believe it...

Luke 12:41-48 We learn the importance of doing in our Christianity. We learn the dreadful danger of those who neglect the duties of their calling. We learn that the greater a man's religious light is, the greater is his guilt if he is not converted. "If we love life, let us resolve by God's help, to be "doing" Christians. This is to be like Christ." "It is a vain delusion to suppose that the Gospe...

Luke 12:32-40 What a gracious word of consolation this passage contains for all true believers. What a striking exhortation these verses contain to seek treasure in heaven. What an instructive picture these verses contain of the frame of mind which the true Christian should endeavor to keep up. "Believers are tenderly loved by God the Father. It is "the Father's good pleasure" to give them a kingd...

Luke 12:22-31 We have a collection of striking arguments against over-anxiety about the things of this world. We have a high standard of living commended to all Christians. We have a marvelous promise held out to those who seek the kingdom of God. "But the man who can say of God, "He is my Father," and of Christ, "He is my Savior,” ought surely to be above such anxieties and cares. A clear faith s...

Luke 12:13-21 Let us mark what a solemn warning our Lord pronounces against covetousness. Let us mark what a withering exposure our Lord makes of the folly of worldly-mindedness. Let us mark how important it is to be rich towards God. "Let us pray for a thorough confidence in God's superintending providence over all our worldly affairs, and God's perfect wisdom in all His arrangements concerning u...

Luke 12:8-12 We are taught that we must confess Christ upon earth, if we expect Him to own us as His saved people at the last day. We are taught that there is such a thing as an unpardonable sin. We are taught that Christians need not be over anxious as to what they shall say, when suddenly required to speak for Christ's cause. "For us to deny Christ or be ashamed of His Gospel, may get us a littl...

Luke 12:1-7 The first thing is Christ's warning against hypocrisy. The second thing is Christ's warning against the fear of man. The last thing is Christ's encouragement to persecuted believers. "If we would not become Pharisees, let us cultivate a 'heart religion'. Let us realize daily that the God with whom we have to do, looks far below the outward surface of our profession, and that He measure...