Profession without Power
Se “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” 2 Timothy 3:5.
VENT THE ONLY HOPE FOR THE CHURCH. — SURELY TO COME rer BEFORE THE MILLENNIUM. — INTERLOPERS TO BE FOUND IN oS THE CHURCH. — I. THE MEN. — WHAT THEY HAD. — A FORM OF a - GODLINESS. — ATTENTION TO THE ORDINANCES. — ATTENDANCE AT CHURCH. — GODLY CONVERSATION. — RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY. — THE FORM SOMETIMES HEREDITARY. — THE RESULT OF COURTSHIP. — OF NATURAL DISPOSITION. — OF DESIRE FOR RESPECT. — OR GAIN. — WHAT THEY DID NOT HAVE. — THE POWER. - — II. THE FOLLY OF IT. — DEGRADES THE NAME OF
A SHAMEFUL THING.
appear in the last times. It is a very terrible list. The like have appeared in other days, but we are led -by his warning to apprehend that they will appear in greater numbers in the last days than in any previous age. We are nearing that period at this very time. That these people would, some of them, be within the Church is the most painful part of it; but they will be
the black catalogue, which we have taken for our text — “Having a form of Boies, but denying the power thereof.” NO MILLENNIUM TILL JESUS COMES. Paul does not paint the future with rose-color; he THE WORLD TO GROW WORSE, NOT BETTER. — THE SECOND AD- —
CHRIST. — NO VALUE IN IT.NO COMFORT. — HAS NO CONSTANCY,
PauL warns us of certain characters which will -
so, for they are comprehended in this last clause of is no smooth-tongued prophet of a Bors age, into fibey will A be able to sustain their hopes, fo Seri ure gives them no solid basis to rest upon. We wh believe that there will be no millennial reign witho the King, and who expect no rule of righteousne except from the appearing of the rigthteous Lord, are nearer the mark. Apart from the second Advent of our Lord, the world is more likely to sink into a pan- demonium than to rise into a millennium. A diving 5 interposition seems to me the hope set before us in Scripture, and, indeed, to be the only hope adequate a to the occasion.: With this cloud upon our spirit, we come to the text itself. Let us consider it carefully, and may the aa Holy Spirit help us! True religion is a spiritual thing, but it necessarily embodies itself in a form. Manisa spiritual creature, but the human spirit needs a body in which to enshrine itself; and thus, by this need, we is become allied to materialism;. and if not “HALF DUST, HALF DEITY, ) as one has said, we are certainly both matter and soul. In each of us there is the form or body, and the soul or power. It is so with religion: it is essentially a spiritual thing, but it requires a form in which to embody and manifest itself. If you get both the form, as modelled in the Word of God, and the power, as bestowed by the Spirit of God, you do well, and — are living Christians. If you get the power alone, — i
ins They had the form of godliness, but denied the power — thereof. Note what they had, and then observe what they had not. They had a form of godliness. What
is the form of godliness? It is, first of all, attention.
eval: is an anpeet bereft of holiness.
ax
Pe dake a Judas except out of an Saontie?
oy good in outward form, mE without nea
L. eee lee us talk awhile of
THE MEN.
to the ordinances of religion. These, so far as they
are Scriptural, are few and simple. There is baptism, wherein, in figure, the believer is buried with Christ,
that he may rise into newness of life; and there is the Lord’s Supper, wherein, in type and emblem, he
feeds upon Christ, and sustains the life which came to
him by fellowship with Christ’s death. Those who have obeyed the Lord in these two ordinances have
exhibited in their own persons the form of godliness..
The form of godliness involves attendance with the assemblies of God’s people. Those who have professed Christ are accustomed to come together at certain times for worship, and, in their assemblies, they
join in common prayer and common praise. They
listen to the testimony of God by His servants whom
He calls to preach His Word with power. They also associate together in church fellowship for purposes of mutual me and oer This is a very proper ea? form, full of blessing Herth to the church ae to tl a world, when it does not die down into mere form. wae Some PO further than worship, for they use pie: A GREAT DEAL OF RELIGIOUS TALK, ‘aie They freely speak of the things of God in Christian company. They can defend the doctrines of Script- — ge ure, they can plead for its precepts, and they can -’ narrate the experience of a believer. They are fond- “i -. est of talking of what is doing in the church: the tattle of the streets of Jerusalem is very pleasant to’ them. They flavor their speech with godly phrases when they are in company that will relish it. I do ane not censure them; on the contrary, I wish there were more of holy talk among professors. But there may be a savor of religion about a man’s conversation, and yet it may be a borrowed flavor, Uke hot sauces —. - used to disguise the staleness of ancient meat. -*. More than this, some have a form of godliness pe upheld and published by religious activity. It is pos-. sible to be intensely active in the outside work of the church, and yet to know nothing of spiritual power. One may be an excellent Sunday-school teacher after Ra a fashion, and yet have need to be taught what it is to be born again. One may be an eloquent preacher, or a diligent officer in the Church of God, and yet — know nothing of the mysterious power of the Spirit: of truth upon the heart. Brethren, I speak to myself.” 2 and to each one of you in solemn earnestness, if much - speaking, generous giving, and constant occupation - could win heaven, we RHE easily make sure of it, but.more is needful.
- ese
5 es A ee oe
eee THEY fare IT.
orm of godliness is, and most of us who are here Sh eee pent hold fast that form; may we never dishonor — it! But now, as these people had not the power of godliness, how did they come to hold the form of it? Some come by the form of godliness in an hereditary way. Their ancestors were always godly people, and they almost naturally take up with the profession of ate their fathers. This is common, and where it is honest, it is most commendable. Yet the idea of birthright membership is an evil one, and is as perilous as it is — unscriptural. aa So have I seen the form of godliness taken up on account of friendships. Many a time: es COURTSHIP AND MARRIAGE have led to a formal religiousness, lacking heart. The a future husband is induced to make a profession of religion for the sake of gaining one who was a sincere ae Christian, and would not have broken her Lord’s command to be unequally yoked together with an ose unbeliever. Godliness should never be put on in order that we may put a wedding ring upon the finger; this is a sad abuse of religious profession. be, Other kinds of friendship, also, have led men and women to profess a faith they never had, and to unite themselves visibly with the church, while they were never truly a part of it. Certain persons assume the form of godliness from a natural religious disposition. Do not suppose that all unconverted people are without religion. Much
“need not enlarge further. You all know what. a a we
Hg races Yih ee erty mote of ROS others. The German, with his profound philosop! 0 ons often free, not only from superstition, but fr reverence, while the Russian is by race naturally religious, not to say superstitious. We perceive like differences among our own acquaintances; one man — is readily fooled by sceptics, while another is ready, with open mouth, to believe every word. One is
naturally an infidel, another is as naturally credulous.
I mean, then, that to some the form of godliness com- mends itself, because they have a leaning that way. I do not doubt that in these silken days many nates:
a form of godliness because of +43
THE RESPECT IT BRINGS
them. Time was, when to be a Christian was to be reviled, if not to be imprisoned, and perhaps burned at the stake. Hypocrites were fewer in those days, for a profession cost too much; yet, strange to say, there were some who played the Judas even in those times. To-day religion walks forth in her velvet slippers; and in certain classes and ranks, if men did cay: not make some profession of religion they would be ey looked upon with suspicion, and therefore men will ie take the name of Christian upon them, and wear religion as a part of dress.
RIES oR Pee PN) eee ORE
eS Godliness is the result of a great change of heart in re Mth reference to God and His character. Godliness looks toward God, and mourns its distance from Him: god-Beer £ Eg NES fe es
liness hastens to draw nigh, and rests not till it is at home with God. Godliness makes a man like God.
of eodhas fences canker ee ee to sanctification, to concentration. Many who — x have the form of godliness are strangers to this — power, and so are in religion worldly, in prayer
: Ps mechanical, in public one thing, and in private another. - True godliness lies in spiritual power, and as they a ‘ately a without this, they are dead while they live. ae
What is the general history of those who have not — ;: this power? Well, dear friends, their course usually ae runs thus: they do not begin with denying the power, G a but they begin by trying to do without it. They — would like to become members of the church, and as they fear that they are not fit for it, they look about eg for something which looks like conversion and the Bey new birth. They try to persuade themselves that they have been changed; they accept emotion as regeneration, and a betes of doctrine for a belief in Christ. It is rather hard at first to reckon brass as ° gold, but it grows easier as it is persisted in.,
The next step is easy; they deceive themselves,and come to believe that they are surely saved. Allis now right for eternity, so they fancy; and they fold their arms in calm security. Thus they deceive others, and help to strengthen themselves in their false hope. They use the choice phrases of earnest Christians. Mixing with them, they pick up their particular expressions, and pronounce Shibboleth in the most approved fashion.
At last they take We
Feat) Sette ams of ‘denying the power. Poke hone it one they conceive that others are Swition it also. ing from their own case, they conclude that it is all an ei affair of words. They get on very well without any supernatural power, and others, no doubt, do the same; only they add a little cant to it to please the godly folk. By and by, in some cases, these people profanely — “deny the divine power of our holy faith, and then they become the greatest enemies of the cross of Christ. Se - Look at the Church of the present day; the advanced school, I mean. In its midst we see preachers who have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof. ‘They talk of the Lord Jesus, but they deny His God- head, which is His power; they speak of the Holy Spirit, but they deny His personality, wherein lies. His very existence. They take away the substance and power from all the doctrines of revelation, though - they pretend still to believe them. They talk of. x redemption, but they deny substitution, which is the - “, essence of it; they extol the Scriptures, but deny their is infallibility, wherein lies their value; they use the phrases of orthodoxy, and believe nothing in common with the orthodox. I know not which to loathe the most, their teachings or their spirit: surely they are
worthy of each other. They burn the kernel and =~ preserve the husks. “Having a form of godliness, a but denying the power thereof.’ It is the sin of o
the age — the sin which 1s ruining the. churches ‘of iam
our land. a,
tn Dee le gna
a
In the ao A Soe we are to observe THE WICKED FOLLY Be of this hypocritical conduct. First, they degrade the “a very name of Christ. Brethren, if there is no spiritual power in godliness, it is worth nothing. We want no — clouds without rain. Of shams and mere pretences we have more than enough. Those who have not the power of godliness show us a very damaging picture of religion. They make out our Lord’s religion to be comparable to a show at a country fair, with fine pictures and loud drumming on the outside, and nothing within worth a moment’s consideration.. The best of the show is on the outside; or if there be anything within, it is a masquerade where all act: borrowed parts, but no one is what he seems to be. — - The folly of this is illustrated by the fact that there is no value in such a dead form. The form of godliness without the power is not worthy the trouble it takes to put it together and keep it together. Imitation jewels are pretty and brilliant; but if you take them to the jeweler he will give you nothing for them. There must be a pure heart as well as a clean life; the power of godliness must work within, or else God will not accept our offering. Moreover, there is no comfort in it. The form without the power has nothing in it to warm the heart, to raise the spirits, or to strengthen the mind against the day of sickness or in the hour of death. O God, if my religion has been a mere form, what shall I do in the swelling of Jordan? My fine profession will all disappear, and nothing will come of it wherewith I may face the last saw.
ee to you? fs follows his master? Away with such a religion! a:
re; which never yields you a drop of CORIO Is it: Do you follow Christ as a slave
To have the form of godliness without the power Poli it, is to lack constancy in your religion. You never
but those who have travelled in the East, when they come home are sure to tell you about it. Itisavery hot and thirsty day, and you are riding onacamel. Suddenly there rises before you a beautiful scene. — ae Just a little from you are brooks of water, flowing
between beds of osiers and banks of reeds and rushes.
‘Yonder are palm trees and orange groves. Yes, and a city rises on a hill, crowned with minarets and towers. You are rejoiced, and ask your guide to lead you nearer to the water which glistens in the sun.
He grimly answers, “Take no notice: it is the mirage. There is nothing yonder but the burning sand.” You can scarcely believe him, it seems so real; but lo! it is all gone, like a dream of night. So unsubstantial is the hope which is built upon the form of godliness without the power. This nominal godliness, which is devoid of power, is a shameful thing. I close with that. It is a shameful, thing for this life, for the Lord Jesus loathes it. When He passed by the fig-tree, which was so early with its leaves, but so empty of fruit, He saw therein the likeness of the vainglorious professor who has no — real holiness, and He said, ‘‘ Henceforth let no fruits a Senile Pane of the au of a eice poke as, set on. How shameful will be. 1 ae
A LIFELESS POSSESSOR IN ETERNITY, - Ra ay the secrets of all hearts shall be revealed! y 2
a ae his falsehood shall be detected, and his baseness shall fill all holy minds with horror! What will be the hell of the false professor!
I have done when I have added a mae words of
instruction. ~The form of godliness is most precious;
madet those who feel the power of godliness honor it and use it. Do not despise it because others have damaged it. Come forth, and make an open profession of religion; but see that you have the power of it. 4 Do cry to God that you may never wear a sleeve
which is longer than your arm; I mean, may never
go beyond what is really and truly your own, It will be better for you to go to God as a lost soul, and cry for mercy, than to profess yourself saved when you aes are not. Yet do confess Christ without fail or fear. ~My next is a word of discrimination. Those to
* whom my text has nothing to say will be the first to
Th take it home to themselves. When I discharge my
am heart with a faithful sermon, certain trembling souls whom I would fain comfort are sure to think that I
ay mean them.
ae A POOR WOMAN,
pecan deep distress, comes to me, crying, “Sir, 1 have no
: - feeling.” Dear heart, she has ten times too much feeling. Another moans out, ‘‘I am sure I am a hypof crite!” I never met with a hypocrite who th. himself one; and I never shall. ‘“Oh!” said anoth “J feel condemned.” He that feels himself condemned may hope for pardon. If you are afraid of your- — selves I am not afraid of you. If the Spirit of God i leads you to weep in secret for sin, and to pray in — iy secret for grace; if it leads you to seek after holiness; — ee if it leads you to trust alone in Jesus — -then you know the power of godliness, and you have never denied it. hs Let me give you a word of admonition. Learn from the text that there is something in godliness — -worth the having. The “form” of godliness is not 7 all; there is a blessed “power.” The Holy Ghost is
that power, and He can work in you to will and to a do of God’s good pleasure. Come you to Jesus Christ, dear souls. Do not come to the minister, nor to the church, in the first place, but come to Jesus. Come, and lay yourselves at His feet and say, ‘Lord, I will not be comforted unless’ Thou comfort me.” Come, and take everything at first hand from your - crucified Lord. Then shall you know the power of godliness. Beware of second-hand religion: it is never worth the carrying home. Get your godliness direct from heaven by the personal dealing of your own soul with your Saviour. The Lord bless these words and apply them to each one in His own way by His Holy Spirit! You can make either a blister of them, or a plaster of them, as conscience shall direct. God guide you, for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen. a