Evangelical Preacher Malachi 1:11 For from the rising of the sun even to the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles… For our Lord's obedience unto death His Father appointed unto Him a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages should serve Him. The world-wide spread of Christ's Gospel is the truth announced here. I. THE SCRIPTURE TESTIMONY TO THE ULTIMATE UNIVERSAL SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL. This testimony is full, clear, and decisive. It is given alive under patriarchal, Mosaic, and Christian dispensations. II. THE SAME TRUTH IS EVIDENT FROM THE NATURE OF THE CASE. 1. The need of redemption is universal. All false religions bear testimony to the need. And to their own insufficiency to satisfy this need. 2. The Gospel alone can satisfy this craving of mankind. It proclaims the one oblation by which Christ hath for ever perfected, etc. It shows the chains of evil broken by the great Deliverer. 3. The Gospel is fitted for universal diffusion. All other religions are adapted only for local influence; even the Jewish religion was suited only to Palestine. But the Gospel is at home under every clime, and with every race of man. 4. The Gospel implants the instinct of universal diffusion. It produces hatred of sin, and love to God and man. It impels the Christian to say to his brother, "Know the Lord." It finds a brother where the Samaritan found a neighbour. It brings us to our knees to pray, "Thy kingdom come." 5. The kingdoms of providence and grace are united under the same sceptre. The revolutions of nations ultimately further the Gospel. III. THE VOICE OF HISTORY CONFIRMS THE CONCLUSIONS. Here we have God's works confirming His words. The witness of history is to the point, whether we consider — 1. The importance of the conquests hitherto won by the Gospel. Christianity has conquered every religion with which it fairly came in contact — Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Persian, Scandinavian, Celtic, Phoenician, Polynesian. 2. The proved weakness of the only weapons with which it can be assailed. Persecution, false philosophy, and priestcraft. Then — (1) Let us submit ourselves to Christ's authority. (2) Let us fervently pray for the advancement of the kingdom. (3) Let us cherish and promote the missionary spirit. (4) Let us contribute liberally and cheerfully of our substance to this good end. (Evangelical Preacher.) Parallel Verses KJV: For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts. |
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