The Abiding of the Spirit the Glory of the Church
oe Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith he ee ord; and be strong, O Foshua, son of Fosedech, the igh priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, ath the Lord, and work: for Iam with you, saith a a he Lord of hosts; according to the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, so My spirit rematneth among you. fear ye not.” HHaggat2, SATAN HINDERING THE WORK OF GOD.- — THE EVILS OF Te: Pav
ae DEVIL. — l. DISCOURAGEMENT FORBIDDEN. — DISCOURAGEMENT Pe ah
ss IS WEAKENING — II. ENCOURAGEMENT IMPARTED. — THE SPIRIT: IS WITH US. — TO RAISE UP OTHER USEFUL MEN. — TO MOVE
i THE WHOLE CHURCH. — FLOOD TIDE OF SPIRITUAL INFLUa ENCE. — SHAKING THE HOSTS OF UNBELIEF. — THE BLACK
e A HORSE IN THE SEA. — III. ENCOURAGEMENT FURTHER
Bf APPLIED.
4a Saran is always doing his utmost to stay the work
Ate Pot God. He hindered these Jews from building the; Be temple; and to-day he endeavors to hinder the people of God from spreading the Gospel. A spiritual temple i is to be builded for the Most High, and if by sg any means the evil one can delay its uprising he will stick at nothing; if he can take us off from working with faith and courage for the glory of God, he will be sure to do it. He is very cunning, and knows - how to change his argument and yet keep to his ‘design; little cares he how he works, so long as he - can hurt the cause of God. In the case of the Jewish people on their return from captivity he sought to; pen the building of the temple and cared ae for the house of the Done family pleaded its own urgent needs. Like som 1 our day, they saw to themselves first, and God’s turn was very long in coming; hence the prophet cried, “Ts it time {og you, O ye, to dwell in your ceiled if houses, and this house lie waste?” ss By the mouth of His servant Haggai stern rebuke were uttered, and the whole people were aroused. — All hands were put to the work; course after course of stone began to rise; and then another stumbling- block was thrown in the way of the workers. The older folks remarked that this was a very small affair compared with the temple of Solomon, of which their — fathers had told them; in fact, their rising building I was nothing at all, and not worthy to be called a — temple. Feeling that their work would be very poor and insignificant, the people had little heart to go on. Being discouraged by the humiliating contrast, they —: began to be slack; and as they were quite willing to — accept any excuse, and here was an excuse ready-made for them, they would soon have been ata stand- still had not the prophet met “a aes THE WILES OF THE ARCH-ENEMY om ae with another word from the Lord. Twice the voice was heard — ‘“/ am with you, satth the Lord of Hosts.: They were also assured that what they builded was — accepted, and that the Lord meant to fill the new — house with glory; yea, He meant to light it up with a “a glory greater than that which honored the temple of or nought but were ei es divine’ ota an
Thus they were encouraged to put their — shoulders to the work; the walls rose in due ia Ro
a “The present times are, in many ee sieniler to ied ‘those of Haggai. History certainly repeats itself Ze within the Church of God as well as outside of it; and therefore the messages of God need to be repeated pen also. The words of a SOME ALMOST-FORGOTTEN PROPHET Ber:
3 may be re-delivered by the watchman of the Lordinperese present days, and be a timely word for the
present emergency. We are not free from the world-
—liness which puts self first and God nowhere, else our - various enterprises would be more abundantly sup- mt plied with the silver and the gold which are the Lord’s, but which even professing Christians reserve for ican selves. When this selfish greed is conquered, then comes in a timorous depression. Among those who have escaped from worldliness there is apt to be too
‘much despondency, and men labor feebly as for a cause which is doomed to failure. This last evil must be cured. 1 pray that our text may this morning flame from the Lord’s own mouth with all the fire which once blazed about it. May faint hearts be encouraged and DROWSY SPIRITS BE AROUSED, as we hear the Lord say, “My spirit remaineth among you; fear ye not.”
I shall enter fully upon the subject, by the assistance 21
a Th agit ae x cm a dee fs hs a the Holy ‘Spite, by “calling yo att — couragement forbidden. ‘Then I shall speak ee ‘encou agement imparted; and having done so, I shall linger with this blessed text, which overflows with comfort, - and shall speak, in the third place, of encouragemen
under this last head of discourse.; 2a I, To begin with, here is pIscoURAGEMENT FORBID- — DEN. Discouragement comes readily enough to us”
seeing it is a work of faith, a work of difficulty, a wobe above our capacity, and a work much opposed. Ae tty Discouragement is very natural: it is a native of the soil of manhood. To believe is supernatural, faith is the work of the Spirit of God; to 2
ie DOUBT IS NATURAL TO FALLEN MEN,
for we have within us an evil heart of unbelief.
tag Discouragement may come and does come to us,
S- as it did to these people, from a consideration of the es ca great things which God deserves at our hands and — 4 Pe the small things which we are able to render. Thus % have we been discouraged. The enemy has worked ees upon us by this means, yet he has made us argue
very wrongly. Because we could not do much, we have half resolved to do nothing! Because what we did was so poor we were inclined to quit the work altogether! This is evidently absurd and wicked. The enemy can use humility for his purpose as well - — as pride. Whether he makes us think too much or as he can need us ie ae a6 a the enemy contrasts our work with that
ae therefore let us give up. We cannot build
like Solomon, therefore let us not build at all. Yet, brethren, there is a falsehood in all this; for, in truth,: oie NOTHING IS WORTHY OF GOD.
ductions of Solomon, all fell short of His glory. What house could man build for God? What are cedar, and tidal and gold as compared with the glory of the
q - Most High?
The tendency to depreciate the present posaiee of
the glories of the past is also injurious. But, brethren, we must not allow this sense of littleness to
it for His glory. I notice that the great men of the past thought of themselves even as we think of ourselves. Instead of being discouraged because what we do is unworthy of God, and insignificant compared with what was done by others, let us gather up our strength to reform our errors, and reach to higher
Re. = % attainments. Let us throw our heart and soul into
the work of the Lord, and yet do something more
nearly in accordance with our highest ideal of what
our God deserves of us. Let us excel our ancestors. Let us aspire to be even more godly, more conscientious, and more sound in the faith than they were, for the Spirit of God remaineth with us.
The great works of others, and even the amazing proa hamper us; for God can bless our littleness, and use.
THAT THEY HAD BECOME WEAK. Being discouraged, their hands hung down, and is r knees were feeble. Faith girds us mith omnipotence, but unbelief makes everything hang loose and limp: e about us. Distrust, and thou wilt fail in everything; 4 fi: believe, and according to thy faith so shall it be unto thee. To lead a discouraged people to the Holy War is as difficult as for Xerxes’ commanders to conduct the Persian troops to battle against the Greeks. —: The vassals of the great king were driven to the con- — flict by whips and Sticks! for they were afraid to fight; do you wonder that they were defeated? Acchurch that needs constant exhorting and compelling accomplishes nothing. The Greeks had no need of blows and threats, for each man was a lion, and courted the encounter, however great the odds againsthim. Each Spartan fought coz amore; he was never more at home than when contending for the altars and the hearths of his country. We want Christian men of this same sort, who have faith in their principles, faith in the doctrines of grace, faith in God the Father, God ‘y the Son, and God the Holy Ghost; and who therefore contend earnestly for the ite in these days when piety is “a.
MOCKED AT FROM THE PULPIT,
and the Gospel is sneered at by professional preachers.
scou Anis petkeass men, bu off from Belectove of God. It is significant the
ae sana to oa Be a oe oe fae.
—one declared that their present architect was not up to the mark, and that the structure was not built in a scientific manner; one objected to this and another to
that; but everybody was wiser than all the rest, and
ad sneered at old-fashioned ways. It is always so when we are discouraged; we cease from the work of the Lord, and waste time in talk and nonsensical refinements. May the Lord take away discouragement ‘from any of you who now suffer from it. I suppose some of you do feel it, for at times
[oe IT CREEPS OVER MY HEART
and makes me go with heaviness to my work. I believe that God’s truth will come to the front yet, but it hath many adversaries to-day. All sorts of unbeliefs are being hatched out from under the wings of “modern thought.” The Gospel seems to be regarded as a nose of wax, to be altered and shaped by every man who wishes to show his superior skill. Nor is it in doctrine alone, but in practice also that the times are out of joint. Separateness from the world, and holy living, are to give place to gaiety and theatre-going. To follow Christ fully has gone out cs
; “you; as ye not.” Gall remembers His covenant ani stands to His ancient promises. To what end, my brethren, is this Spirit ce use Let us think of this, that we may be encouraged at this time. The Spirit of God remaineth among vous to aid and assist the ministry which He has ar given. Oh, that the prayers of God’s people would — always go up for God’s ministers, that they may speak with a divine power and influence which NONE SHALL BE ABLE TO GAINSAY! eat We look too much for clever men; we seek out fluent ae and flowery speakers; we sigh for men cultured and trained in all the knowledge of the heathen; nay, but — if we sought more for unction, for divine authority, and for that power which doth hedge about the man of God, how much wiser should we be! Oh, that all of us who profess to preach the Gospel would learn to speak in entire dependence upon the direction of the Holy Spirit, not daring to utter our own words, but even trembling lest we should do so, and committing ourselves to that secret influence without which nothing will be powerful upon the conscience ’ or converting to the heart. ‘3 Beek: This same Spirit who of old gave to His Chara lene eminent teachers can raise up other and more useful —
ys qe he g or 8 2 One as. Chistinas Evans, ahs passed all men when he was in the hwyl. Lasked him if he knew another Welsh minister who preached Joe
like Christmas Evans. “No,” he said, “we have no ~; Reh: man in Wales in our r days.” 3O.ine England w we
2 ack. yet, as with ‘oma is the ae of the Spirit,
He can
FETCH OUT FROM SOME CHIMNEY CORNER
another Christmas Evans, or find in our Sunday-| wes school another George Whitefield, who shall declare. 7 the Gospel with the Holy Ghost sent down from “& Heaven. Let us never fear for the future, or despair ae for the present, since the Spirit of God remaineth
P with us. What if the growing error of the age should ae “have silenced the last tongue that speaks out the old ee Gospel, let not faith be weakened! I hear the tramp 5 of legions of soldiers of the cross. I hear the clarion ee voice of hosts of preachers. “The Lord-gave-the s word; great was the company of those that published po it as faith in God through our Lord Jesus Christ! When He ascended on high He led captivity
s captive, and received gifts for men. He then gave su apostles, teachers, preachers, and evangelists, and He - can do the like again. Let us fall back upon the ig eternal God, and never be discouraged for an infees gbtant.
Nor is this all. The Holy Spirit being with us, He can move the whole Church to exercise tts varied mintis-Ee Se
. EVERY MEMBER OF THE CHURCH
recognize that he is ordained to serv c Pe: Everyone in Christ, man or woman, hath some tes “mony to bear, some warning to give, some deed - do in the name of the holy child Jesus; and if the Spirit of God be poured out upon our young men an - our maidens, each one will be aroused to energetic ie service. Both small and great will be‘in earnest, and the result upon the slumbering masses of our population will surprise us all.
If the Spirit be with us there will come multitudinous fea: We cannot get at “the lapsed — masses,” as they are pedantically called. We cannot stir the crass infidelity of the present age; no, we can.
not, but He can. All things are possible with God. — If you walk down to our bridges at a certain hour of the day you will see barges and vessels lying in the Se mud; and all the king’s horses and all the king’s men cannot stir them. Wait until the tide comes in, and they will walk the water like things of life. The liv. ing flood accomplishes at once what no mortals can do. And so to-day our churches cannot stir. What shall we do? Oh, that the Holy Spirit would come with a 7a
FLOOD-TIDE OF HiS BENIGN INFLUENCES,
= as He will if we will but believe in Him; as He must - if we will but cry unto Him; as He shall if we will cease to grieve Him.
-and the dry land. I will shake all nations.” Great -commotions will co-operate with the Holy Spirit. We may expect that God will work for His people in an
= Him. Empires will collapse, and times will change, i for the truth’s sake. Expect the unexpected, reckon
i upon that which is unlikely, if it be necessary for the po of the kingdom. Of old the earth helped the
woman when — 6 ie THE DRAGON OPENED HIS MOUTH a to drown her with the floods that he cast forth; unexpected help shall come to us when affairs are at their % worst. Specially do I look for a shaking among the hosts: a of unbelief. How often did the Lord of old rout His enemies without His Israel drawing sword! The x watchword was, “Stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord.” The adversaries of old fell out among themselves; and they will do so again. When Cadmus slew the dragon with his javelin, he was bidden: to sow its teeth in the earth. When he did so, according to the classic fable, he saw rising out of the
é extraordinary fashion if they will but be faithful to 4”
us.: lf the. Holy Spirit ‘a once given, teh we may 15) expect providence to co-operate with the Church of
God. Read verse 6: — ‘‘Yet once, it is a little while, ‘ and I will shake heaven and the earth, and the. sea, not to fly; for ek moment ne found cheat {ees: THESE CHILDREN OF THE DRAGON, fell upon each other till scarcely one was left.. Eade like Saturn, devours its own children. Those that fight against the Lord of hosts are not agreed among themselves; they shall sheathe their swords in each — other’s bosoms. ai: I saw in the night vision the sea, the deep and broad sea of truth, flashing with its silver waves. Loaaas a black horse came out of the darkness and went 28 down to the deep, threatening to drink it dry. I saw ‘i him stand there drinking, and swelling as he drank. In his pride he trusted that he could snuff up Jordan at a draught. I stood by and saw him drink, and then plunge further into the sea, to drink still more i sein he plunged in with fury, and SOON HE LOST HIS FOOTING, Zn and I saw him no more, for the deep had swallowed 3 him that boasted that he would swallow 74. Rest assured that every black horse of error that comes 3: “= 3
+ forth to swallow up the sea of divine truth shall be drowned therein. Wherefore be of good courage. God, who maketh the earth and the heavens to shake, — shall cause each error to fall like an untimely fig.. And next, the Lord in this chapter promises His — people that they shall have all the supplies they need for His work. They feared that they could not build His house because of their poverty; but, saith the gs God will ie for co eed 8 4 any say, If 5 you hold to these old-fashioned doctrines you will lose ‘ - the educated, the wealthy, the influential,” we answer, 2 but Ga
IF WE DO NOT LOSE THE GODLY
& and the presence of the Holy Ghost we are not in the i dj least alarmed. If the Holy Ghost remaineth with us, oe there is a river the streams whereof make glad er “obs
city of God. cme - ‘The best comfort of all ae “The desire of Bia all nations shall come.” This was in a measure ful- —
fe filled when Jesus came into that latter house and - caused all holy hearts to sing for gladness; but it was not wholly fulfilled in that way, for, if you notice, in ae 5 eats; é the ninth verse it is written, “The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, and in thds place will I give peace,’ which the Lord did not fully do to the second temple, since that was destroyed by - the Romans. But there is another advent, when “the desire of all nations shall come” in power and glory; and this is our highest hope.; III. I should have done if it had not been that this text seemed to me to overflow so much that it might
NOT ONLY REFRESH GOD’S PEOPLE, but give drink to thirsty sinners who are seeking the Lord. For a moment or two I give myself to ENCOURAGEMENT FURTHER APPLIED.
It is at the beginning of every gracious purpose that men have most fear, even as these people had who had newly begun to build. When first the Holy Spirit begins to strive with a man and to lead him to Jesus, he is apt to say — ‘“I cannot; I dare not; it is impossible. How can I believe and live?” Now Il want to speak to some of you here who are willing to find Christ, and to encourage you by the truth that the Spirit lives to help you. I would even like to speak to those who are of anxious to be saved. The Spirit remaineth among us. He can make you feel more deeply the guilt of sin and your need of pardon. “But I have heard so much about conviction and repentance; I do not seem to have either of them.” Yet the Spirit remaineth with us, and that Spirit is able to work in you the deepest conviction and the truest repentance. ‘“O sir, I do not feel as if I could do anything”; but the Spirit remaineth with us, and
ALL THINGS THAT ARE NEEDFUL
for godliness He can give. He can work in you to will and to do of His own good pleasure. ‘But I want to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” Who made you want to do that? Who but the Holy Spirit? Therefore He is still at work with you, and though as yet you do not understand what believing is, or else Iam persuaded you would believe at once, the Spirit of God can instruct you init. You are blind, but He can give you sight; you are paralyzed, but He can give you strength — the Spirit of God remaineth. oi m again: the ne ac fe es femaineth
ill with us. He is still mighty to work that won-
TEACH YOU. HOW TO USE IT,
an bad He will give you both the will and the power to use it successfully. Through the Spirit’s might you
can Overcome every sin, even that which has dragged
se you down and disgraced you. The Spirit of God is still waiting to help you. When I think of the power of the Spirit of God, I look hopefully upon every sinner here this morning. I thought when I.came in here that I should have
a picked congregation, and so I have. You are one - of them. Wherever you come from, I want you now — to seek the Lord. He has brought you here, and He
means to bless you. Yield yourself to Him while His
‘sweet Spirit pleads with you. I wish it might happen that on this fifth day of the ninth month, not the prophet Haggai, but I, God’s servant, may have spoken to you such a word as you shall never forget; and may the Lord add to the word by the witness of the
Holy Ghost, “From this day will I bless you.” Go
“away with that promise resting upon you. I would
Sach ato the kingdom of God’s dear Son. The
‘Spirit remaineth with us, blessed be His name! pe?
ee dear sir,” says one, “I want to conquer sin.” Who made you desire to conquer sin? Who, but the Spirit
that remaineth with us? He will give you the sword of the Spirit and.
like to give a shake of the hand to every stranger here this morning, and say, “Brother, in the name of the Lord I wish you from this day a blessing.” Amen and amen.