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(Missionary Sermon): — The text presents us with —

I. THE GREAT OBJECT OF MISSIONARY ZEAL. Such an object associates our cause with —

1. The design of the Son of God in redemption, the salvation of the human soul.

2. The ultimate end of all Providential arrangements. Providence is the direction of all human events with reference to the kingdom of Christ.

3. The best interests of the human race. If we succeed in drawing men to Christ we save their souls from death, and provide them with a blissful eternity; besides which religion is a civilizing process, and has the promise of the life that now is.

II. THE GRAND INSTRUMENT OF MISSIONARY EXERTIONS — the doctrine of the Cross. We see something resembling the splendid fable of Constantine's conversion — "By this conquer." We preach a true crusade whose object is not the recovery of the holy sepulchre, but the setting forth of Him who is the Resurrection and the Life, and whose weapons are not carnal but spiritual.

1. What is included in the doctrine of the Cross.

(1) The manner of Christ's death — agonizing, ignominious.

(2) The design of Christ's death, "Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation."(3) The Divinity of Christ's Person as constituting the value of His satisfaction. While the hope of a guilty world can rest nowhere but on an atonement, that in its turn can be supported by nothing short of the Rock of Ages.

(4) The gratuitous manner in which its blessings are bestowed: "by faith that it might be by grace."(5) Its moral tendency and design as respects the heart and conduct of those by whom it is received. "I am crucified with Christ."

2. The various powers of attraction which the doctrine of the Cross exerts.

(1) The stupendous fact arrests and fixes the attention. The whole fabric of Christianity, both as to doctrines and duties, is founded on a fact; and that fact, drawn out into details more touching and tender than can be found in any history or romance. Conceive the effect upon pagans, conversant with nothing but the puerilities of a barbarous state, who heard for the first time of the death of the Son of God.

(2) As an exhibition of unparalleled love, it melts and captivates the heart. John calls it the manifestation of love, as if nothing more now remained to be known of love in any age or world; St. Paul speaks of it as the commendation of love, as if nothing more could now ever be said upon the subject; and Christ uses the remarkable emphasis, "God so loved," etc. There is a mighty power in love, and the heart which wraps itself up in the covering of a stubborn and reckless despair against the attacks of severity, like the flower which closes at the approach of the angry blast, will put forth all the better parts of its nature to the smiles of love, like the tendrils of the sea anemone when it feels the first wave of the returning tide upon its native rock.

(3) As a system of mediation, it allays the fears of a guilty conscience, and draws the soul into confidence in God. The idea of retributive justice seems far more easily deducible by the sinner from the light of nature, than that of mercy. What is the meaning of all those bloody sacrifices? But the Cross puts an authorized and perfect satisfaction to justice in the sinner's hand.

(4) By admitting an individual appropriation of its benefits, it appeals to all the feelings of self-regard and personal interest. It is the glory of the gospel that, while it makes ample provision for the world, it lays its blessings at the feet of every individual.

(5) By the suitableness and certainty of its blessings, it awakens hope and establishes faith. Are we guilty, here is pardon; "rebels, here is reconciliation; unholy, here is sanctification; agitated, here is peace for a wounded spirit; without knowledge of or hope for the future, here is life and immortality.

3. The effects which the doctrine of the Cross has produced.

(1) In Judaism, at the metropolis, and in heathen lands.

(2) In heathenism at Antioch, Corinth, Athens, and more recently in India, etc.

III. THE FIRST CONSUMMATION OF MISSIONARY SUCCESS.

1. Review the present results of missionary zeal.

2. Forecast its future triumph.

(J. Angell James.)

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KJV: Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

WEB: Now is the judgment of this world. Now the prince of this world will be cast out.