(Stenographically reported.) At the opening service of the ministry of Pastor P.W. Philpott [September 3, 1922], just before announcing his text, the great congregation arose and sang,
“Who is sufficient for these things?”—2 Corinthians 2:16
“Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God.”—2 Corinthians 3:5
In these two passages of Scripture we have a question and an answer. The question of the text is the question of my heart, and the answer to the text in the second passage, God’s answer, is the answer that satisfies my heart.
“Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord.”—Zachariah 4:6
My message to you this morning is as homely in title as it is simple in development. Yet, despite simplicity and homeliness, there is a certain profundity connected with it, since, from beginning to end it presents the subject as God Himself deals with it in His Word.
The text itself is the beginning of this treatment. The angel’s answer to Zachariah’s query is, “This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith …
“Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.”—1 Corinthians 15:3
In the first part of this verse, Paul states his method and manner of preaching, and incidentally reveals the source and character of the ideal Gospel sermon. It is a transmitted message. “I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received.” The preacher does not originate it, he does not plagiarize it, he simply receives it from the risen Christ and delivers it to the waiting people. He cannot get it up. He has to pray it down.
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
“If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” —1 John 1:8-9
That is our bill of fare for tonight, and if you do not find enough on that menu then I will say there is something wrong with your appetite or your digestion.
There are four simple but vital truths here: First, the fact of sin; second, the condition of forgiveness; third, the ground of assurance; fourth, the …
The business of all believers is to step out and do God’s will. Even in our city it is most difficult to get the Christian people together to work with God. Men are beginning to call, “Where are the boys and the girls?”
Are we taken up with pleasurable pursuits, are we forgetting our obligations to the unsaved? The call comes today just as we hear the footfall of our returning Lord. Are you ready to step out and follow God? Paul says, “I am debtor both to Greek and the Barbarian, both to the wise and the foolish” (Romans …
“My soul cleaveth unto the dust: QUICKEN THOU ME according to Thy word.”—Psalm 119:25
“I am afflicted very much: QUICKEN ME, O Lord, according to Thy word.”—Psalm 119:107
“Plead my cause and deliver me: QUICKEN ME according to Thy word.”—Psalm 119:154
These words of Scripture define a true revival. It is a quickening according to God’s Word, not according to some man’s magnetism of eccentricity. A talented evangelist may swoop down upon a community and make a stir by sharp striking sayings, draw large crowds and quicken a kind of interest, but such a quickening may be according to the …
“He shall see of the travail of his soul and shall be satisfied.”—Isaiah 53:11
That is one of the most remarkable sentences in the whole Word of God. Gathered up in one word, we have the story of the years of toil and weariness, “the travail of his soul.” That soul that was bowed down beneath the tremendous burden of a world of sin, and that soul that was bowed in death to bring to the world life and light and hope and peace.
And yet we cannot read those words of the Old Testament prophet without hearing in …
The passage of Scripture I have chosen for my text is in the Gospel according to Luke, the 22nd chapter, a part of verses 60 and 61. “The cock crew…And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter.”
I am going to try to talk to you about another chance. Not another chance that God will give men beyond the grave, for I do not think there is any other chance after this life. This is the land of opportunity and privilege, and if we do not embrace the offer of salvation here, it will never be offered to us anywhere …
Article from the August 9, 1922 newsletter: The coming of our new pastor and an aggressive move on the part of the Executive Committee and the members of the church to erect a suitable structure to house The Moody Church, brings to our minds the beginning of this great independent work, which will doubtless prove of intense interest to every member.
In 1863 a commodious chapel, with tower and spire, was erected on Illinois Street, not very far from the old Market Hall, at a cost of about twenty thousand dollars, which money was collected by Mr. Moody himself.
No Christian can afford to have the reputation for owing without paying. If through reverses or misfortunes of any kind you find that you are unable to pay a debt, seek your creditor and explain to him, while you appeal to his mercy. If he demands in payment all you have, to the hat that is on your head, you had better surrender it rather than risk making a name for refusing to pay debts. A professing Christian who refused to pay his debts when pressed by his creditors quoted the hymn, “Free from the law, O happy condition,” and …
