One antidote for many ills

“Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts, cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.” Psalm 80:19

Suggested Further Reading: Revelation 3:1-6

We want a revival, if we would promote the glory of God. The proper object of a Christian’s life is God’s glory. The church was made on purpose to glorify God; but it is only a revived church that brings glory to his name. Do all the churches honour God? I tell you no; there are some that dishonour him—not because of their erroneous doctrines, nor perhaps because of any defect in their formalities, but because of the want of life in their religion. There is a meeting for prayer; six people assemble beside the minister. Does that proclaim your homage to God? Does that do honour to Christianity? Go to the homes of these people; see what is their conversation when they are alone; mark how they walk before God. Go to their sanctuaries and hear their hymns; there is the beauty of music, but where is the life of the people? Listen to the sermon; it is elaborate, polished, complete, a masterpiece of oratory. But ask yourselves, “Could a soul be saved under it, except by a miracle? Was there anything in it adapted to stir men up to goodness? It pleased their ears; it instructed them in some degree, perhaps, but what was there in it to teach their hearts?” God knows there are many such preachers. Notwithstanding their learning and their wealth, they do not preach the gospel in its simplicity, and they do not draw near to God our Father. If we would honour God by the church, we must have a warm church, a burning church, loving the truths it holds, and carrying them out in the life. Oh that God would give us life from on high, lest we should be like that church of old of whom it was said, “Thou hast a name to live, and art dead.”

For meditation: Is the revival of God’s church and the glory of his name in this land a great concern to you (Psalm 85:6-9)?

Sermon no. 284
9 November (1856)