The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1889-02-27

SALVATION BROUGHT NEAR.
TExT-Luke K: H. Notwithstanding be
ye sure of this that the kingdom of God is
come nigh unto you"
will not waste my time and yours in
giving you all the meanings of this
phrase, kingdom of God, as it is used
In different senses in different parts OF the
Bible. What we want to know is the
meaning of the text now in hand. Here
the kingdom of God means the reign of
God-the supreme authority of God over
His creatures. There are two rival
kingdoms in the world. One is called the
kingdom of light and the other the king
dom of darkness. Over the first God
rules over the second Satan rules. Those
who belong to the kingdom of darkness
are in the bondage of Satan and do his
works Those who belong to the king
dom of light acknowledge Gods right
to reign over them. They obey His
laws, do His will, and delight in His GER.
vice. Whatever we love most, rules US.
We are the servants of whatever master
we choose. Some king sits on the throne
OF every heart, and what controls the
heart controls the life. Satan is a
usurper, that is, tyrant who seizes
and holds what does not belong
to him. The world belongs to God,
who made it; He has established His
kingdom in it, and means to dethrone the
usurper. All the subjects of Satan king
dom are rebels against the authority of
God, and His enemies by reason of wicked
works. Earthly kings send forth their
armies to conquer their enemies and put
down rebellion. God sends His Gospel
to do the same, not by force, but by the
power of the truth-by the sword of the
Spirit, which is His word. Those who
believe the promises made IN the Gospel,
who accept trust, and love the Saviour
offered in the Gospel, are delivered from
the power of darkness and translated into
the kingdom of Gods dear Son.
THE COMPREHENSIVE WORD.
You see then the Gospel stands for
what the text calls the Kingdom of God -
because it is the Kings message; because
it comes from the source of all lawful au-
thority, from one who alone has the right
to tell men what they ought to do and
ought to be, and because it brings with it
the help that enables men to do God g
will and become what he wishes them to
be. The Gospel, then, revealing the will
Of God and the way of life, is Gods great
instrument in bringing back rebellious
men to their rightful allegiance; in con.
vertinp enemies into loyal citizens, 30
that subdued and won by love they en-.
list under His banner and delight in His
service.
SEEK TO FIND.
The text says this kingdom, this Cos
pei, has "come nigh unto you"
But thing might be very good in it.
self and very much to be desired, but it
might be 80 high we could not reach it,
or so far off that we could never travel
to it. If it were 90 with the Gospel
Of the kingdom, it would be Of no use to
us. What good would it do a poor man
to tell him that there were still mines in
California full of gold never opened and
never claimed by any one He would
say, all that may be so, but am not in
California, and If l could get there
could not find the hid treasure. If a
man were overtaken by snow.storm on
the plains, and if blinded and benumbed,
he fell down exhausted and ready to per-
ish, it would do him no good to think of
his distant home, where there was shelter
and fire and loving hearts longing to well
come him. It would only add to the