The Metropolitan Pulpit Hebrews 1:1-3 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets,… I. THE DIVINE METHOD AS TO TIME. 1. As the ages passed on, first one and then another truth was revealed; first one and then another aspect of a truth was made known, until, in the fulness of time, the glory of God shone in the face of Jesus Christ. There is in the East an anticipatory dawn, a sort of premature twilight, which always disappears before the true dawn commences. So in the history of the world, especially in the history of Israel, have there been many dawnings of light, to be followed perhaps by periods of obscurity, yet graciously illumining the successive ages, and heralding the coming of the Light of the world. 2. Is there not even fuller light for the individual, even fuller light for the Church, until we come to that city where the glory of God shall shine forth with unclouded splendour? God always gives light as we are able to (1) Bear, (2) Use it. II. THE DIVINE METHOD AS TO MODE. 1. God presents the truth to the individual in such a form as may best secure his obedience. The Spirit of God shows the things of Christ in an intellectual, ethical, imaginative, emotional light, according to the genius of those to whom He may appeal. 2. God influences the preacher, that in the selection and presentment of his themes he may best win his congregation. 3. God knows the special truths for the times; or the particular aspect in which the truth needs to be recognised. III. THE DIVINE METHOD AS TO ORGAN. Not any men, but certain men, of spiritual susceptibility and force were selected to be the organs in which God would "speak to the fathers"; and the same rule of selection obtains still, for Christ makes Himself known to the world through certain spiritual agents a d holy ministries. Lessons: 1. Let unconverted men learn the greatness of their responsibility. 2. Let the Church take encouragement touching the salvation of the word. 3. Let the Church be more faithful, that she may increase in the knowledge of Christ. 4. Let the Church be more pure, that she may the better make Christ known. (The Metropolitan Pulpit.) Parallel Verses KJV: God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, |
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