1 corinthians 13:12 sermon

THE CONTRARY CONCLUSION IMPLIES A DESTRUCTION WHICH IS QUITE OPPOSITE TO THE DEALINGS OF GOD WITH OUR NATURE. Paul went on to speak of the away of love. Hope.4. The pure in heart shall see God. But again; I said that there is a practical consequence of the existence of mysteries in the gospel of our salvation, to be deduced from the expressions of St. Paul in the text. Every step we take, the great, deep problems strike us which we are unable to solve. Our future organs of vision will be very much the same as "now"; but how greatly developed and improved no mortal may know. In this state of things we see nothing perfectly clear. It is an advancement above the power of common and natural means to produce. Hughes. 1 Corinthians 12:31 introduces chapter 13. New Testament. Cross, D.D. But death carries man over into the new and entirely different mode of existence, so that he knows by direct observation and immediate intuition. "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child." Full and adequate, both in variety and degree, and certain and infallible.3. We look at the "then" through promises and hope. Old Testament (1. Aye, and it was the joy of this knowledge which was filling the apostle's heart when he wrote these words, "Then shall I know fully, even as also I am known fully." "Knowing," says the apostle, "that He who raised up the Lord Jesus Christ, shall also raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you." But not only does the exchange of worlds make a vast addition to our stores of information respecting the nature of the invisible realm, and the mode of existence there, it also makes a vast addition to the kind and degree of our knowledge respecting ourselves, and our personal relationships to God. In the first place, they are matters which we are not qualified to understand; and in the second, they would not profit us at all, in our present state of existence, even if we could understand them. He has, through His Son, spoken more plainly. Hopefulness. We cannot withstand a thought of the past. You did not create it, and will you deny the Giver in the very strength of His gift? Yesterday it was a weakling, with only a dozen followers; to-day it masters all the peoples of the earth and brings them toward itself. When standing near the grave of Bethany, our Lord says, "Thy brother shall rise again"; was it that that brother was to be absorbed and lost in the myriads of spirits; so that the sisters who had lately laid him in the grave should see him and know him no more?4. Children, you know, through the immaturity of their faculties, the liveliness of their fancy, the strength of their passions, and inexperience of their age, are very liable to be mistaken; to take up with the first notions that are instilled without examination, to retain the first impressions that are made, whether right or wrong, to be fond of the little knowledge they have, to be confident in it, and to despise others for the want of it; whilst persons of greater sense, experience, and understanding, see that all their confidence is owing to their ignorance, and look upon them with pity. But in heaven we shall see, as we have not yet seen, how desperate a mischief was the fall, and the blackness of sin as we have never seen it here. The enlarged powers of our mind will then be free from all their present encumbrances. But there is a still further analogy in the practical results which follow from the existence of these mysteries, and which they were doubtless intended to effect. Besides, we have no time to waste while there is so much work to do. But not with half so much pity as we shall look upon ourselves hereafter when, emerged out of this obscurity in which we dwell, we look back from that region of light upon this land of darkness, and consider all our former ignorance, errors, false judgment, confidence, and prejudices, when we were but children in knowledge; when we saw through a glass darkly, and knew but in part, and spake and reasoned and thought as mere infants in understanding.II. "(2) We shall there, perhaps, discover that wars, pestilences, and earthquakes are, after all, necessary cogs in the great wheel of the Divine machinery; and He who sits upon the throne at this moment will then make it manifest to us that His government was right.4. But besides this, there is another reason why mysteries must form a necessary part of a revelation proceeding from heaven, and at, other practical consequence of their existence to be deduced from the text. A BLESSING, when it causes —1. 5. Now, this is reflected in the persons of those who are in the crowd: "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me."5. It will be certain and satisfying; no longer conjectural and enigmatical as it now is while we look through a glass darkly.3. Thus through an imperfect mirror of knowledge and feeling we now see —1. The immediate effect of such a discovery would be to annihilate in our eye all human objects, and to produce a total stagnation in the affairs of the world. It cannot be otherwise, it ought not to be otherwise in our present state. )Recognition of friends in heavenJ. Though we cannot define it. But think of the happiness of the heavenly world. The moral order of truth and rectitude which obtains "now" will be the same "then." The immediate effect of such a discovery would be to annihilate in our eye all human objects, and to produce a total stagnation in the affairs of the world. We must think of heaven as aa existing reality. The "then" of life is dependent upon the "now" of it as to its fact and character. Who stored the fires in its dark bosom? And "what I do thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter."II. In a word, the whole course of things is so ordered that we neither, by an irregular and precipitate education, become men too soon, nor, by a fond and trifling indulgence, be suffered to continue children for ever. Viewed as a part of an entire whole, its discrepancies are corrected, its mysteries partially solved, and its significance and importance immeasurably enhanced. It is a thing of consciousness to its subjects. He accounts it to be a grace far more excellent than any of the spiritual gifts of which he had just … )Imperfect knowledgeT. Prayerlessness.2. Truth is infinite, and its study is to occupy the redeemed intellect for ever, and its discovery or development is to constitute one of the chief elements of our endless felicity; but what must be the vastness and variety of that knowledge which is constantly to afford fresh interest to the employments of eternity! But in our future state it will be face to face. And why? They have only seen the flattering image of themselves. And it is sometimes the main business of the latter part of life to retract the errors of the former. We look at the "then" through promises and hope. A BLESSING, when it causes —1. The mode of perception. It shall be in that kingdom of glory where we shall no longer see through a glass darkly, but face to face; where we shall not know in part, but know even as we are known. Have in them all provided and possible for us. They needed to be patient and kind with one another. The child becomes a man. If in Christ all the effects of sin shall be abolished, man will be reinstated, though with much superadded glory, in all the privileges which he originally enjoyed, and therefore with a capacity of renewing and perpetuating his communion with them, over whom "death shall have no more dominion." Then, when we go further, and consider the Christian doctrine upon she destruction and overthrow of death. The Word of God.III. Mason, M.A. W. Randall, M.A. We know not the wonders either of our external or internal frame; the faculties of our nature; our capacities for service and happiness; the motives and springs of our conduct; the passions that govern us; the conduct and improvement of our superior powers; the influences to which they are liable; the purposes to which they are to be directed, and the manner in which they are to be employed in order to our happiness and usefulness, for which ends we received them. But not only angels triumph in the victory of their brethren from the flesh; St. John (Revelation 7:13) tells us of "one of the elders," i.e., an Old Testament saint, who was perfectly acquainted with the persons and the antecedent trials of some triumphant souls. And it is sometimes the main business of the latter part of life to retract the errors of the former. Testimony in its favour might be drawn —1. W. Hamilton, D.D. "Now" we maybe happy and successful, but there may a "then" when these will not be our portion any more. In casting my eye over the present assembly, I am only struck with bereavement and loss; I know not whither to turn to find some friend of my youth. From what has been said, it now appears that no reasonable objection to the belief of a future state arises from the imperfect discoveries of it which we enjoy; from the difficulties that are mingled with its evidence; from our seeing as through a glass, darkly; and being left to walk by faith, and not by sight. Our knowledge of Divine and religious things in general is exceedingly defective. From our enlarged capacities of knowledge and enjoyment in a future state.3. THE EXTREMES OF LIFE, AS VIEWED RELATIVE TO TIME: — "now" and "then." There is no knowledge which so grows, which so blesses, as the knowledge which the soul gains by living in close communion with God. 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. As regards —1. The moral order of truth and rectitude which obtains "now" will be the same "then." God permits, and science enables us to learn, just so much with regard to the heavenly bodies, their orbits, and variations, as may in any way conduce to the enlargement of our understanding, or our general well-being. Children, you know, through the immaturity of their faculties, the liveliness of their fancy, the strength of their passions, and inexperience of their age, are very liable to be mistaken; to take up with the first notions that are instilled without examination, to retain the first impressions that are made, whether right or wrong, to be fond of the little knowledge they have, to be confident in it, and to despise others for the want of it; whilst persons of greater sense, experience, and understanding, see that all their confidence is owing to their ignorance, and look upon them with pity. The child becomes a man. Everyone knows that the Church is a place where love ought to be manifested. They have only seen the flattering image of themselves. But this very pursuit, which of all others most magnifies the capacities of the human mind, and seems to elevate our race to rank but a little lower than the angels, what does it open to us but fresh mysteries, and fresh demands upon our faith and humility? Life is a school for it, and everywhere there are suitable means and agents. The evidence which is afforded is sufficient for the conviction of a candid mind, though not so striking as to withdraw our attention from the present world, or altogether to overcome the impression of sensible objects. 4. (1) It is partial. THE SUPERIORITY OF THE "THEN" OVER THE "NOW." The full disclosure of that which is unseen and eternal, at present, we could bear no better than the infant of an hour could bear the unsoftened splendours of the noontide sun; nor could we possibly grasp the ample sphere of truth any more than the arms of a child could embrace the moon it so much admires, or than the ken of a cricket could sweep the solar system and comprehend the stellar universe. There will be no veil over the face of things, and many things we use are things for rude childish condition: the condition of manhood will dispense with them as unfit and useless. And it will be personal. (2) We know to-day that we are saved; but that robe of righteousness which covers us now, as it shall cover us then, will be better seen by us. and how can we hope to attain unto it in this brief infancy of our being?(J. Knowledge of God and His law, in the future life, is spontaneous and inevitable; no creature can escape it. No useless discoveries are made to us in religion. The immediate effect of such a discovery would be to annihilate in our eye all human objects, and to produce a total stagnation in the affairs of the world. HOW THIS VERY REMARKABLE CHANGE SHALL BE, EFFECTED.1. For whatever it may be thought, man is as yet one of the greatest mysteries to himself; that is a subject about which he knows as little as almost anything which falls within the compass of his understanding. Ourselves. And if we know so little of material, how much less do we know of spiritual substances, which we have much fewer helps and opportunities of being acquainted with! Here we are in the dim twilight; there we shall be in the blaze of noon. He tells us where this yearning shall be satisfied to the uttermost. Precisely in the same manner, as by the mixture of evidence and obscurity which remains on the prospect of a future state, a proper balance is preserved betwixt our love of this life and our desire of a better. Let these reflections not only remove the doubts which may arise from our obscure knowledge of immortality, but likewise produce the highest admiration of the wisdom of our Creator. THE EXTREMES OF LIFE, AS VIEWED RELATIVE TO TIME: — "now" and "then." In all three of the body passages in Paul’s letters, there is an emphasis on love. So I walk along quietly after her, and say, What is oxygen, what is carbon? Instead of resting upon evidence which requires discussion, he demands the everlasting mansions to be so displayed, if in truth such mansions there be, as to place faith on a level with the evidence of sense. )The imperfection of our present knowledgeJ. This glass is twofold — reason and faith; by which we realise and represent to the mind future, distant, and invisible things. we are apt to exclaim, "in denying to man the power of foresight, and in limiting him to the knowledge of the present moment!" First, clearly, because he set himself with intense earnestness to receive in all its vividness and distinctness the revelation that came from God. Alas! If it be sinful, it cannot for an instant lose the distressing consciousness of sin. (3)The righteousness of God's moral government.(T. Still less did he question the power of God to reveal Himself. Our sense of religious and Divine things will then be strong, comprehensive, and clear. The streets of gold will have small attraction to us, and the harps of angels will but slightly enchant us, compared with the King in the midst of the throne. The latter clause of the text specifies the general characteristic of existence in the future world. No doubt many of these things will be more clearly revealed. This is man's highest hope. Now, this implies that all that death has done of evil and of pain shall be compensated. Again, there is a moral necessity for individual remembrance at least in the scene of judgment. Why, it takes up what I call my thought — gives its outer history, tells somewhat of its worth; but that is all it does. What a sweet and sublime entertainment will the enlarged mind enjoy in contemplating the wise and wondrous ways of Providence!III. Beatifying.5. Hughes. It will be distinct and clear; no longer confused and obscure as it now is while we look through a glass.2. )Imperfect knowledgeT. Wilfulness.3. Will he take such wonderful care of His meanest creatures, and leave His best to die in the darkness? Would not such a change prove the highest blessing to man? This speedy progress in knowledge we shall make, not only a few years, but to all eternity.(J. He was yearning for the full knowledge of God (ἐπιγνῶσις). (2) We shall understand then what the history of the Church has been in all the past, and why it has been so strange a history of conflict and conquest.3. It was not only because he had been so careful to receive the revelation that comes from God that the knowledge of God had grown in the soul of the apostle. It is complete both in quality and degree.5. As they know us in our lower home, so shall we know them in their higher one. One mountain-peak is the fact of revelation itself. The angels sing this: the angels, then, must recognise in the redeemed spirits who had died, or how could they triumph over their escape from and defeat of death? Besides, we have no time to waste while there is so much work to do.4. Now, we are in this one universe, and should it be strange if, when we come to the things concerning eternal verities, there should be some darkness; if nature has cast a shadow over all things here, need we stumble, or be alarmed, if concerning spiritual and eternal things we see through a glass darkly? Tonight we have seen three important qualities about love. But with all the assistance of our glass media our perception is feeble of things invisible and eternal. The "now" would be worth but little without the "then," any more than to-day could be highly prized without a hope of tomorrow. If I do not know in heaven those whom I have known here, there must have taken place an imperfection in my mind. We see through a glass. But he chose to do this out of love for Jonathan. Let us, then, walk by faith, Let us strengthen this principle of action to the utmost of our power.(H. Face to face implies a person: "The glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."2. "But then face to face." The knowledge of the saved will be increasing throughout eternity.II. 1 Corinthians 8:1b Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. It is said to be twofold, an imperfection of kind and an imperfection of degree.1. Now, we are in this one universe, and should it be strange if, when we come to the things concerning eternal verities, there should be some darkness; if nature has cast a shadow over all things here, need we stumble, or be alarmed, if concerning spiritual and eternal things we see through a glass darkly? But we must not think that the soul is capable of no distinct and clear perceptions but what it receives by means of bodily organs. But we must not think that the soul is capable of no distinct and clear perceptions but what it receives by means of bodily organs. )Individual recognition in eternityJ. g.  Love bears all, believes all, hopes all, endures all. No doubt many of these things will be more clearly revealed. THE CONTRARY CONCLUSION IMPLIES A DESTRUCTION WHICH IS QUITE OPPOSITE TO THE DEALINGS OF GOD WITH OUR NATURE. Here below, not only the body of flesh, but still more the body of sin, darkens our understandings. The reply of our Lord to the Sadducees, in Matthew 22, implies that if men in the resurrection are to resemble the angels, men will enjoy the like privilege of "knowing each other, even as they are known." But in heaven we shall see, as we have not yet seen, how desperate a mischief was the fall, and the blackness of sin as we have never seen it here. Angels are said to "joy over the penitent sinner," but they are never said to be grieved for the reprobate sinner. For, upon the supposition of immortality, this life is no other than the childhood of existence; and the measures of our knowledge must be proportioned to such a state. If we recognise our beloved friends, must we not deplore the absence of those who, whatever was their guilt, were dear to our bosoms, and were twined around our hearts? I cannot fathom it. The consequence is not necessary. 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