The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-11-09
Sermon by Rev. L. Pomeroy, Of Hunts.
burg.

and published BY request Of said Confer.
ence.
To him that ovorcometh will grant to
sit with mo in my throne, even as | also
evercame and am set down with my Father
in His throne. c."-Rov. 32l.
l have chosen tho text in view Of
tho subject assigned for this occasion
The Christian as a ConquerOr. | mood not
cay that nv Iheme is ono of no common
interest, fitted not only to kinde the inspi.
ra'ions Of hope, but to rouse US anew to tho
conflict before u.s. Tho text supposes u
battle, o victory and a triumph. Tho Ian.
guago is 6gurative. Never did truth blaze
forth in such cloar, impressive light. as when
Christ illustrated his own kingdom by the
familiar objects around. He spake in para
blcs. He made nature preach: tho sun.
shine and tho rsin-tho dewy grass and tho
gentle zuphyr-tho birds and tho lilies-the
vine and tho fig .tree-tho harmless dove
and tho cunning serpent. The occupations
of his hearers furnished constant illustra
tions. The farmer saw tho Gospel King
dom compared to his humble calling-the
merchant, to his trado--the fisherman, to
tho casting Of net into tho sea-the gar.
dener. to the mustard seed which he put
into the earth; and the fomae servant saw
in the leayen which she hid ia tho meal, a
beautiful illustration of ChrIst's kingdom.
He, having finished his work on earth.
having fought the last battle aud gained tho
last victory over sin, death and the gravo,
assembled in joyful triumph to his throne 10
heaven. Still he speaks to the churches,
and still ho urges his followers on. on to the
battle. lie leaves them not ouly his own
bright example. but points thom to the
same glorious triumph. tho same exaltation
with himself, in his Fathers kingdom.
No truths are more searching than the
seven letters to tho ministers of the seven
churches of Asia and whore can VIC find
such motives to rouse US to the battle
Behold tho Christian us u Conqueror,
/. In the battle.
H. In tho victory.
III. In the triumph.
TO him that overcomoth." This implies
baltic and a victory. "Wil grant to 81,
with mo on nv throne" This contains the
promise of a triumph. The figure soemt
derived from the custom of tho Roman Sen
ate to confer the honois of atriumph upor
/ distinguished generals when returning from
some great expedition. loaded with the spoils
of victory. So the faithful soldiers of Christ
shall receive the honors Of glorious tri
umph, having conquered their last enemy.
Behold then, tho Christian,
| i. In tho battle.
| He has enlisted under tho banner OF
Christ, a soldier of the cross He must fight
If no would foign-must conquer or die.
His enomies are sin, death and the grave.
Sin of every namo, shape or character. He
is 90 wage a war of determination against
oil sin-igh, the world, the flesh and the
devil. The sin Of fashion, oppression and
slavery. Of lust and crime, of omission md
commssion-all social, political and popu-
lar sins. Whatever there be in the laws or
in the policy of n nation tainted with sin or
under the condemnation of GODS law, and
dragging the nation, or any portion OF it,
hoadluug into iniquity and crime. he must
fight against it. oppose it with all bis power.
and never bow down to it. Go first into the
furnace of fire. He must not only dofend
his own heart, casting down imaginat tion
and everything that exnltoih itself agains
the knowledge of God" but go forth into
the enemys territory, and make aggrSsnpe
war against all the powers of darkness
against all the leyions of devils-idolatry,
superstition, dolusiOn-all the concerts and
devices of men that war against truth and
freedom, Justice and righteousness.
In a word, he must fight against every
thing that is urrayed iE opposition to tho
truth OF God and the faith of Jesus
make no compromises with darling sins.
but follow the Captain cf Salvation wherever
no leads. even into the hottest Of the battle,
and plant the standard of the cross on the
citadel of Satan's kingdom, and let wave
continually on his banner,-.No peace pih
sn-no compromise wih m'qu'ty.
The first prompting OF the regenerated
heart is action. action, pdr, tpGr, against
sin. lord, what vii; thou have me to do :"
How this spiriS of action entered into the
Christianity of early days How il reused
tho great reformers. Luther, Z wing 10. Calvin,
and Knox IL is the spirit of the Master.
He did not lot sin alone because it was
popular, and had tho sanction of law and
human power to sustain il, or was hard to
fight against.
Time does not permit me to enlarge.
We SOC Ut glance the battle field is great,
the enemy legion.
II. Behold the Christian 70 the victory.
!. The weapons and the strength by
which he conquers. These are from Christ;
not carnal. but mighty through God. Our
conflict is with sin of every form. lts idola.
try, sonsuality, intenperance, licentiousness,
profaneness, sociu aud political oppression.
aud national wckedness. We seek our VIC
tory by tho power of Gods truth and the
agency of Gods spirit. Faith and righteous
ness furnish our weapons in the battle
against sin and ali unrighteousness. Faith
is our girdlo, righteousness our breast plate;
our feet are shod with tho gospel Of peace |;
salvation is our helmet; faith is our shield !;
our sword, tho Word Of God /; and prayer
keeps our armor bright, and brings down
from God the strength of victory. 1t is
faith-the prayer of faith-that makes US
conouerors. This is the victory that over
cometh the world, even our faith" Not
faith in anything but believing that Jesus
is tho Son OF God-not only the Son OF
Mary. but also the Son of God. As faith
gives tho victory, so we give the glory to
God. Thanks be to God who giveth US the
vic ory through our Lord Jesus Christ"
Faith unites us TO Christ, as living branch
es to the living vine. By it we have fellow
ship with God aud "partake Of the divine
nature"
But the victory is not perfect here. 1t Is
freedom from the dominion of sin, but not
from temptation, vexatiOn and warfare. Ii
is not the victory whereby We may lay
down our weapons. and cease TO pray, and
watch. and fight The enemy has been SUD
dued, but not destroyed. Wo must fight 10
maintain our Independence. "But 20 are
of God little children, and have Overcomo
them because greater 10 he that 10 IN you,
than he that is in the world" BE 70 OF
good oheor," said the Savior. IL haze over