The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-03-10
SEVENTH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Rev. II. v. Hunter, the New Pastor, breaches
His Initial Sermon.

~ e IIllllcI, lit newly CiGClcu BtobOA
of the Seventh Presbyterian Church, addressed
his congregation, yesterday, for the first time
since his election. He chose his text and spoke
as follows:
Jude. v. 81 and 25.-Now unto Him that is able to
keep you from falling and to present you faultless be-
fore To the presence OF His glory with eXceediIg Joy
Amen.
Our text is taken from one of the shortest
books in the Bible, and is written by judo, the
brother of James, who was also one of the apos-
ties. The object of the epistle is to exhort the
brethren of all the churches to a diligent faith
fulness both in preserving the true doctrine of
the Scriptures and in living as becOmeth true
disciples of Christ Jesus.
The reason for this eXhortation is given in the
| fourth verse: "For there are certain men crept
in unawares, who were before of old ordained to
this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the
grace of our God into l-asciviousness and denying
the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus"
The apostle foresees the danger arising from
the influence of evil persons and warns the faith
full against their influence.
1t is well for every church to be warned
against the admission of sin. Satan goeth
about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may
devour, and We, to be faithful TO our trust,
must meet him. clad in the armor of the gospel,
and with the sword Of the spirit we may despoil
him. Let me. to-day, eXhort this congregation
to renew its diligence, to uphold the faith Of our
Lord Jesus Christ, to meet evil with a positive
ChflStlan 'front.', ana TO Keep ltSeif unSpotted
from the world. Upon such the benediction of
God the Father, and Christ the Son. and of the
Holy Spirit, the comforter, will rest and bless.
Furthermore, the apostle intimates that the
faithfulness of the few may overcome the evil
influence of the wicked. This is welcome news
to every true believer; for VINO is there among
US who does not have some friend out of Christ!
The intimation of the apostle may be true of
your influence over your friend, if you arc wise
and good. Then, in conclusion, he eXclaims:
Now unto Him that is able to keep you from
falling and to present you f~aultless before
the presence of His glory with exceeding Joy,
to the only wise God, our Savior, be glory and
majesty, dominion and power, both now and
ever. Amen"
These words cover the destiny and existence
Of an immortal soul. There are two parts in q
souls existence. This earth is the theater of
tho first part, and heaven is the theater of the
other part, if the soul is saved. Here we act in
time; over there We have our being in eternity
Here we look out upon the Atlantic Of troubles
and sorrow; over there we have smooth sail
ing upon the Pacific of Gods love.
Time is the outer door to eternity.
In this life we creep as we follow Christ, AS the
infant learning to walk is sustained by the pa
rents hand, 80 we are sustained by the hand of
God; but in the next life we walk as men and
women having arrived at the full stature of god
Illness.
"Now unto Him that is able to keep you from
falling When3 In this life. "And to present
you ~faultless before the presence of His glory"
When} In the next life.
l. In the first place let us note the meaning of
this clause, Now unto Him who is able to keep
you from falling"
l. Then there is danger of f~alling-langer of
SHINING against God. Wherefore let him that
thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall"
Some of the angels fell from heaven, 'our first
parents fell from the estate wherein they were
created" Moses sinned, David sinned, Peter
denied his Master, Paul and Barnabas grew
angry. Good men have often sinned, and 1--WE
all do come far short of duty" Our natures
are depraved, for the race has apostatized.
There is no perfection of nature in this life.
We are on trial here. God has not s%anctifed us,
nor will He until we have shaken off this mortal
coil. The world, the flesh and the devil are a
syndicate formed to break down the kingdom of
our Lord Jesus Christ But, thanks be to God,
He is able to keep us from falling.
3. Then God is able to keep US against this
syndicate of sin. Our King is mightier than the
king of darkness, and is able to keep His until
the perfect day. The evil one is often allowed
to have his way in this world for a time, as was
the case in the thirteenth century, when it
seemed that unbelief and paganism would ulti-
mately rule the world. The tide of Christianity,
which had been advancing since the Christian
era, was turned back, and it seemed a wave of
darkness and death would sweep over all that
had been gained. But again heavens banner
foated above an advancing host of Christian
patriots. So it is oftentimes with men and
women 'born again"
There may be a time when they may seem to
have lost their hope and darkness closes in
about them. But, like the Christian religion of
the thirteenth century. which blazed out in the
fourteenth century, they will return to their
God, take up the dropping standard and bear it
aloft in Gods name.
When the Master anne to tho sepulchre of
Lazarus, some one said that Lazarus was dead.
The Master replied: mo; he sleepoth." So
with q soul once regenerated. 1t is not dead; it
sleeps. AT the Masters bidding it will arise again.
A building is on fire. The engines pour on a
deluge of water until the flames are extin-
guished, as they suppose. During the night the
south wind fans into life the living embers hid
den beneath the rubbish, and the flames burst
out with renewed energy.
Sin may come like a deluge upon the soul and
quench the flames of good works and a visible
Christianity. But the south wind of Gods love
will fan the latent heat of a renewed soul
into life again-more intense because Of the
previous failure. A soul is reborn but once and
saved. But our God is able to keep us from fall
ing away from Christian duty. He is able to
uphold us that we may not disgrace our Masters
cause, if We but put our case into his strong
hands.
Also, he is able to keep US from falling away
altogether-that is from committing the unpar-
donable sin. He'll is not as strong as heaven.
God is supreme.
3. Not only is Christ able but he is will
ing to keep us from falling. He does not de-
light in the death of any, He would that all
should turn unto him and live. His love and
mercy are inexhaustable. His Jordan is wait
ing for all who wish it. But, oh! too many;
alas! too many prefer sin and death. 1t is a
matter Of their own choosing. Allow me. my
friends, to commend to you Him that is willing
to keep you from falling"
In the eleventh century vast multitudes of
people started on a pilgrimage from western and
central Europe to Palestines to deliver the
holy city out of the p%ollutine hands
of the Mohammedan. and infdel enemies beset
the crusaders on every hand, plundering and
numbering until but few remained. Disease
and hunger again thinned their ranks until but a
handful reached the promised land of the holy
Jerusalem.
So we in this life are on a pilgrimage to the