Morning Star

SHORT SERMONS.
BY O. H. H.
Matt. 13: 58. "And he did not many mighty works there, because of their unbelief."

At first thought it would seem impossible that the Omnipotent God should be hindered from doing what he desires to do, by any force angelic, satanic, or human. Yet, on reflection, it seems very proper that God should condition certain acts of his upon the voluntary choice of the subjects of his government. That he should do for the prayerful, penitent, believing, what he will not do for the prayerless, &c.

Unbelief is a generic term, and includes a multitude of acts of disobedience, as faith is the term that involves all acts of piety. The unbeliever is unfaithful, (apistian), faithlessness, one whose heart is opposed to duty, who violates obligation, refuses to allow truth to influence and control him. Hence unbelief is synonymous with rebellion, disobedience, and the particular acts of rebellion are particular acts of unbelief. and these prevent the work of God. This rebellious spirit among the people of Galilee prevented Christ from doing many mighty works.

This principle is of universal application. It applies to Christians and sinners, in all generations. We will apply it to the church.

The sins of the church prevent the work of God.

1. The Bible teaches it. It is taught in the text. So it is in Christ's lament over Jerusalem. He would have gathered them, but they would not come to him. The disciples on one occasion attempted to cast out a devil, but could not, because of unbelief. They were not sufficiently consecrated to enjoy the presence of the Spirit, to work miracles. Sin is the obstacle which prevents God from redeeming the world. The conditions upon which he chooses to work are not met.

2. The fact that God makes the church the medium of his grace implies the same truth. "The gospel is the power of God to salvation," but it is committed to earthen vessels "Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord." "Let your light so shine that others seeing your good works may glorify God;" "Ye are the temples of the Holy Ghost;" "Ye are the salt of the earth," (but if your testimony be false) if your light become darkness, the salt have lost its savor, the Spirit grieved by sin, how can God work through you, with you, and give the increase! The power of the Spirit to convict of sin, the power of the truth to sanctify, depends upon the purity of the agent, the medium, the church. God works with us, when we work with him, when we act from the same motives, upon the same principles, with the same spirit that he adopts. But how can two walk together except they be agreed? If the heart and life of the Christian are perverted by sin the Divine energy is hindered, the work of God ceases.

3. The history of the church confirms this doctrine. In all ages when the church has been true to her covenant, God has given her great victories. Then one could chase a thousand. But as she has become worldly, proud, indolent, selfish, the Spirit has been withheld, revivals have languished, converts have been few. the enemies of God have triumphed. God could not do many mighty works because of their rebellions.

We will now specify some of the sins which prevent the work of God.

1. The false testimony of professors in regard to Christianity. So long as professors live in sin; adopt so low a standard of piety, so unlike the gospel, their testimony to the world - regard of Christianity is false. They teach Christianity which God cannot endorse, which would disgrace Christ to own. But if the Spirit should work through such persons, and bless their labors, it would amount to an endorsement. Hence as soon as they begin to sin, he forsakes them, refuses to work with them, withholds his special blessing. So long as they believe the Savior, and his gospel, thus. they hinder the work of God.

2. Spiritual indolence There are some who commit no positive sin. who are yet so indolent that God will not bless them. It is to those that run, that fight the good fight of faith, that abound in the work of the Lord, that do with their might what their hands find to do, that sigh and cry over the desolations of the land, that labor, and pray and never cease to toil, that God grants his rich blessings. There is many a church that is running down, and sinners in crowds are going to ruin around them, just because professors are too lazy to work with God. He is infinitely active, and all who work with him must be also up and doing.

3. Jealousies, backbiting, emulation, sensitiveness. Too often the work of God has been prevented by these little selfish contests about nothing. Disciples turn aside from the great work of saving souls to quarrel about personal preferences, dignity, reputation, difference! It is too bad! Yet how often is it done?— Some people are just like a tender limb, always getting hurt, sensitive. Their feelings are of infinitely more importance to them than Christ's honor, or the salvation of souls. They will disgrace religion, tear the church into shreds, to gratify their own passions, pride, self-will, when they might have been plucking souls from death. These persons hinder the work of God, because they grieve the Spirit by their unjustifiable selfishness.

4. A disregard of the fact that God is dishonored, and the gospel, the mission of the Spirit is disgraced in the eyes of men by a suspension of the work of God.

During every period of decline in religion sinners insult God, slander the gospel, by asserting, that, "Christianity has lost its power; that the gospel is a failure; that there is no God in it; that the work of the Spirit is a mere pretence; redeeming grace is a delusion," O how God is dishonored, abused by these slanders! Yet the friends of God, those who are responsible for defending his glory, and the power of his grace, are not disturbed. David cried out, "Rivers of water run down mine eyes because men keep not thy law." But who now feels as David did? Who weeps between the porch and the altar?

Not a few would be filled with indignation if a relation were slandered; but they are not distressed because the Savior is wounded in the house of his friends, and prevented from saving souls, on account of the sins of his disciples.

Now we know that God's power is great, his resources exhaustless, his love everlasting, and that he will pour out his Spirit, and subdue his enemies, enlarge his church, when the way is prepared. He waits to be gracious. As Christ wept over Jerusalem, so he now longs to save, and demonstrate the power of his truth and grace to subdue the heart when his people will come up to the work. But they will not do it. They prevent the work, hedge up the way of the Lord. What a fearful responsibility! Is it possible that any who believe in Christ can be found in the way of the progress of his Master? Who dares to assume the responsibility of hindering the work of God? How will you meet the Judge with such a sin on your conscience?—

You had better be poor, persecuted, afflicted all your life than be guilty of this crime! The wrath of God will be poured upon your soul at the last, if you persist in this course.— There is more hope for Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.