Ezekiel 33:32 And, see, you are to them as a very lovely song of one that has a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument… This is a very lovely verse, but a very solemn and awful sentiment is attached to it. I. A DESCRIPTION OF THE GOSPEL MESSAGE. The subject of our preaching is the Word of God. And oh, what a sweet, sweet song is that blessed word! Take — 1. The history and stories of the Bible. Begin with the creation of the world. It is told in brief, all details are omitted, but the grand outline is perfect, and scientific investigation is only filling up the details; and when all the details are filled up, the grand old story will be found firm as a rock. 2. The life stories of Bible heroes, the romance of our early progenitors, the population of the world, the fall, the deluge, the touches of human nature, and the goodness and sins of man, all brought out in the vivid pictures of realism. 3. The story of our Saviour's birth, His early days, His mighty manhood, broken by the wail of agony at His cruel death. Then swell the notes to the sky, and a jubilant strain tells of victory over sin and death and the grave. The song goes on in recitative till comes the final crash of the concluding chorus. II. A DESCRIPTION OF THE EFFECT WHICH THIS SONG PRODUCES. 1. It is listened to. The most obdurate and hardened will gaze at a lovely landscape. Beauty hath a charm; it is the most powerful of all human influence. Is it any wonder, then, that the world is attracted by the beauty of the Gospel message? 2. It is criticised. The human mind will criticise everything great. Now, there is nothing so great as the Gospel, and nothing has provoked so much criticism and controversy. Its history, its poetry, its truths, its message, its plan of salvation have all been the objects of unnumbered attacks. 3. It is approved. Not indeed by everyone, but by the generality. Reason, common sense, sound judgment, intellectual attainments, all must concur in approving its excellence. The wants and necessities of our own minds, the cravings of our souls, bring the truths it proclaims into harmony with human nature. III. A DESCRIPTION OF THE WAY IN WHICH IT IS GENERALLY RECEIVED. 1. It is a sweet song, and nothing more. "They hear thy words and do them not." How sad this picture of the world, and yet how true! Under the preaching of the Gospel you have often said, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." But what are you the better now? Nothing at all. The echoes of the song died away in the distance, you went to your daily toil, and the whole thing was forgotten. 2. The reason is plainly stated. You have heard, but you have not been doing. Salvation is a work. just like any other work; it does not come of itself. Fancy a man who wanted to make a fortune listening to the life of Stevenson, and settling down to sleep. He would only die in the workhouse. Fancy a young man who desired to become a statesman, like Disraeli or Gladstone, spending his time in riot and dissipation; he would end where he began. And fancy an immortal soul, hearing the sound of the Gospel and the invitations of God, passing life in callousness and neglect. 3. A few words of inquiry as to why is this. (1) It is for want of understanding. At the performance of a grand oratorio there are very few who have sufficient musical knowledge to understand the details of the composer's work. So among the larger part of our congregations, the Gospel has no meaning beyond its pleasant sound. (2) It is because of the hardness of the heart. The sound of the music, the voice of persuasion, the earnestness of invitation, fall on hearts as dead and seared as the rocky mountains of the desert. Not a seed can enter, for there is no soil to receive it. (3) It is from love of the world. There are two forces which are ever acting on the soul — one would draw men to heaven, the other to earth. The generality of mankind are found between the two. Whichever predominates will determine the man's destiny. IV. A SUGGESTION AS TO THE REMEDY TO BE APPLIED. 1. Awakening. Remember that pleasant as the Gospel is to bear, it is something more than a song. It is a power; it is the voice of God; it is the destiny of your soul; it is your heaven or your hell. 2. Labour. Lay hold of eternal life; get rid of the deadly idea that religion is something merely to amuse or employ your time. (J. J. S. Bird.). Parallel Verses KJV: And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not. |
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