Matthew 17:14-21 And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,… Consider the principles which flow from this text. I. WE HAVE AN UNVARYING POWER. A gospel which never can grow old. An abiding spirit. An unchanging Lord. II. THE CONDITION OF EXERCISING, THIS POWER IS FAITH. The Church to-day is asking the same question as the disciples. What is to blame? .Not our modes of worship, etc. While leaving full scope for all improvements in subordinate conditions, the main thing which makes us strong for our Christian work is the grasp of living faith, which holds fast the strength of God. Faith has a natural operation on ourselves which tends to fit us for casting out the evil spirits. Faith has power over men who see it. III. OUR FAITH IS EVER THREATENED BY SUBTLE UNBELIEF. All our activity tends to become mechanical, and to lose its connection with the motive which originated it. The atmosphere of scornful disbelief which surrounded the disciples made their faith falter. So with us. IV. OUR FAITH CAN ONLY BE MAINTAINED BY CONSTANT DEVOTION AND RIGID SELF-DENIAL. (Dr. A. Maclaren.) Parallel Verses KJV: And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,WEB: When they came to the multitude, a man came to him, kneeling down to him, saying, |
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