Matthew 13:11-12 He answered and said to them, Because it is given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.… I. To EXPLAIN WHAT IT IS THAT WE OUGHT TO HAVE IN ORDER TO ATTAIN AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE MYSTERIES OF THE GOSPEL. 1. We ought to have an honest desire after light, and if we have this desire it will not remain unproductive. There is a connection announced in Scripture between desire and its accomplishment. The hungry are filled. Thousands are content that the Bible shall remain a sealed book — unto them it will not be given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. 2. We ought to have a habit of prayer conjoined with a habit of inquiry; and to this more will be given. It is in the Bible and not out of the Bible, where this light is to be met with. It is by the Spirit of God shining upon the Word, that His truth is reflected with clearness upon the soul. 3. We ought to do all that we know to be God's will, and to this habit of humble, earnest, desirous reformation, more will be given. Doing stands in the same relation to prayer that reading does. Without the one or the other it is the prayer either of presumption or hypocrisy. Christ is given to those who obey Him. Reading, prayer, and reformation are obvious things; and it is the neglect of these obvious things which involves guilt. It is for want of seeking if you do not find. II. EXPLAIN HOW IT IS THAT THE MYSTERIES OF THE GOSPEL ARE, IN MANY CASES, EVOLVED UPON THE MIND IN A CLEAR AND CONVINCING MANIFESTATION. The carnal mind is enmity against God; and Divine truth must be brought to man from above. (Dr. Chalmers.) Parallel Verses KJV: He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. |
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