The St. Louis Republic., 1903-07-27
RICHES OF GODS GRACE
THE SAME THROUGH CENTURIES
The Help of Peter and Paul Is Ready
for All Who Ask II. Says the
Reverend A. W. CIaxon.

The Riches of Gods Grace" was the sub
ject of the sermon preached yesterday
morning at the Grand Avenue Baptist
Church by the Reverend \. w. Claxon.
His text was, But my God shall supply all
Your needs according to his riches in glory
by Christ Jesus He said. in part:
This text promises that our every need
shall be supplied of God. The supply shall
be full. according to his riches in glory
These blessings are to be conferred through
Jesus. These are the natural divisions OF
the text, and the simplest.
The promises of God cover every con-
dtion and experience of human life. and
relate alike to the temporal and spiritual
man. The needs of the body. not less than
those for the soul, come from God. All
material blessings are measured out CO.
pously and TO all. God sends his rain upon
the just and tie unjust alike.
The blessings of earth and sky, the
skies frescoed with cloud and star, the
freshness of youthful morning. the aroma
of flowers, the newness of spring. the lux
uriance OF summer with its golden harvests
and gorgeous sunsets-these are the COM
mon heritage of all for their delight and
comfort.
But We notice now the special promises
of Gods grace. These are also conditional.
Their fultillment awaits our compliance and
submission. The laws of grace are fixed as
the laws of the Medes and Persians. Sal
walton is matter between each individual
and God. In each regeneration two are
concerned-God and the poor soul that Is
anxious for the new life. Jesus wept over
Jerusalem and ever longs for the Prodigals
return; then mercy is shown and pardon
extended, and countless are the souls who
have tasted how gooG this is. The sinner,
to enjoy these special blessings, must for for
is not enough. Herein many fail. They
give up an evil habit or two and vainly I'M
asine they have right to Gods best here
and bereaftar
Regeneration Is another thing. and more
blessed The divine nature is communicat-
ed through the spirit when the special
promise is complied with. The Lord is the
Cortion of the genuinely renewed soul, and
ls enough He wants no part with the devil
and his cunning deviitry. A serious ques-
tion for many church members is. what
they enjoy most-the house Of God or the
house of merriment; Sunday worship or
worldly pleasure. The true Christian de-
lights in God and his house above all things.
That the promises of grace are condi-
rich man. He dressed In fine linen and
Jared sumptuously. In hell he lefted up his
eyes. Here . in this life he % enjoyed rich ,,
had not made friends with God and was a
stranger to the common wealth of Israel.
was not prepared. and. like Napoleon at
Waterloo when Grouchy did not come. he
failed. His riches were left behind. his
glory faded into the ampler. air. nothing
was left worth while. He lived for self.
He left the future to provide for itself, and
reaped rich heritage of remorse in the
consuming flames OF Despair.
But again Jesus is the medium of divine
transport and the gateway to heaven Ev-
cry needed grace shall be supplied in his
name. Not in one way-many times. Paul's
thorn in the flesh was not removed. but
sufficient grace was given. The man among
the tombs who was restored would accom-
pany his Savior out of the country, but
Jesus sent him back to tell to his friends
what great things the Lord had done for
him. Many of our deepest agonizings are
purely selfish. These are not granted. Our
deepest need is grace and strength for each
days service. At the crisis Peter lacked
grace to be courageous. Peter was tempted
and yielded. Hardly had he denied his Lord
when he went out and wept bitterly. Each
sin demands tear
But Jesus is able to keep us from fall
ing. When Daniel was tested he endured.
and so did Joseph in Egypt. The kinsman
of beautiful Ruth the flower of Moab, said
no. Lest l mar mine own inheritance
Paul was stoned and mobbed and
beaten. He suffered perils on land and sea.
But. like Moses of old. he endured as see
Ing him who Is invisible. for God supplied
his every needed grace according to his
riches In glory by Christ Jesus.
But God is not Of old but as new as the
rose that opened last night. His grace is
fresh as the dewy gates of infant morning.
1t is well that God supported Paul. and re-
stored Peter, but it is more encouraging to
know that he will support and restore US
now. to-day, and supply our every needed
grace through Jesus This text exalts
Jesus to his rightful place, where he is
seated Mt Gods right hand.
He humbled himself even unto death,
but the Father hath highly exalted him
and made him the head of all principality
and power. Through him every needed
plete. Thou art my souls bright morning
star and thou my rising SUM-"