The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1910-04-28
THE SERMON SKETCH.
SoDoM, CAPERNAUM, FLORENCE

THE SERMON SKETCH.
SODOM, CAPERNAUM, FLORENCE.
"Then began He to upbraid the cities
wherein most of his mighty works were
done, because they repented not" Matt.
1920.
Jesus had made Capernaum His home.
Here He did most of His wonderful works.
Here He had healed the sick, given sight
to the blind, raised the dead, and preach
ed the Gospel Here He had wrought His
most convincing miracles and preached
His most powerful sermons. He had Of
fered to them life, and unfolded to them
the message of His love, but the people
had made no response. He noted with
great sorrow of heart the apathy and UNI
belief of the people. He was the light of
the world, and they simply stood in the
presence of, that light and were indifferent
to it. The heart of Jesus was deeply
stirred In His heart there mingled feel
ings of pity, wrath, and disappointment.
1t was Capernaum's day of opportunity.
A greater opportunity had come to them
than had, eyer, been egiyencto any other
people.,u If the people of Sodom had had
such an opportunity they would have
repented and their proud and wicked city
would have Eemained.a Why God had not
given Sedom such anIopportunity we do not
know. God is Sovereign, and He has the
right ito do with His world as seemeth
best in His ssighbLI The Judge of all the
eaFth liwilI .dq right. mo act of God can
/ bee unjust, oFaHnyYlse, OF unmercitul. Ii
every man lost, no being in the uni
verse could bring. an accusation against
God The fundamental principles of
Justice could never demand that any pro-
visions of salvation be made for any fallen
creature" The real wonder is that any
should be given an opportunity to repent.
Capernaum had Jesus. He was the
highest and clearest of all Gods reve-
lations to the world. This ought to have
been sufficient motive to have bowed them
in penitence before God. Capcrnaum was
indifferent to the Light and lost her OPP
portunity
But let us never forget, that, as Ca
pernaum was to Sodom, SO is Florence to
Capernaum. Our opportunity is Infinitely
greater We have infinitely more light.
We have whole Christ, a crucihed Christ,
risen Christ, an assembled Christ, Christ,
who through ages, has been saving and
blessing men.
Many of you have become saturated with
the knowledge of the Gospel. Ycu have
heard it and heard it until it no longer
makes any impression on you. Wee unto
you if you reject the Light.
Capernaum was simply Indifferent to
the Light They felt greatly honored by
the presence of Jesus. They were glad
to have Him in thoir city. They raised
no hand of opposition against him. He al
ways had plenty Of listeners. But they did not
give heed to His words. They simply
did nothing. Just as many of you treat
me now You come to hear me, listen at
tentively, and when the service is over
YOU 90 away none the better for having
heard me- This thought brought unspeak-
able sadness to the heart of Jesus. APP
parently, Capernaum was none the better
for His having lived there. The people
preferred themselves and the world to
Jesus They did not believe in Him. They
did not care for Him as their King
AS a result of this indifference an aw-
full fate came upon Capernaum. The city
was completely destroyed. Today, the site
of this once greatly blessed city is unknown
Then let usnot forget the lesson. We shall
one day stand in the full blaze OF that
glorious presence to account for our sins
and chiefly for our attitude toward Jesus.
Remember the lesson of the mar with one
talent. That we have done nothing will
be no excuse We have 10 account for
sins of omission as well as for sins of
commission
There the measure of light will be the
measure of responsibility. The servant
who knew his Lords win and did it not
shall be beaten with many stripes. q
wholiisoever much IS given, Of him shall
much be required" The man brought up
in Christian hcme, who has attended
Sunday school 'allshis youth, and has heard
the Gospel preached time out of number.
will have much more TO answer for tisn