Jesus the Hope of the world.
"Then Philip opened his mouth," etc. The two lines meeting in the desert. The Ethiopian traveler led on by Providence; the evangelist led by the angelic message; ignorant of one another, yet both in their way following Divine guidance. The importance of that meeting-place to the world's future, both as opening the South and East to the gospel, and as helping the Church to look away to the ends of the earth. The underlying facts, the Old Testament and its work. Proselytes. Devout men. Isaiah preparing for Christ. "Of whom speaketh the prophet?" The world was ready and asking questions, and the Church was prepared to answer them. The Spirit presiding over all.
I. JESUS THE BEGINNING AND THE END OF ALL GOD'S REVELATIONS.
1. Atonement the great want of the world.
2. The gospel facts fulfillments of the Old Testament prophecies.
3. A personal Redeemer preached as an object of faith, the satisfaction of the heart.
II. THE PREACHING OF JESUS THE TRUE OPENING OF THE CHURCH'S LIPS TO THE WORLD.
1. In distinction from mere dry theology, vague sentiment, or barren speculation.
2. With no feeble or uncertain sound he opened his mouth. Boldness, directness, persuasiveness, faithfulness, he preached to him.
3. Scriptural preaching the great demand of the age. Beginning on a firm foundation of the written Word and the convictions of hearers.
III. DIVINELY GIVEN OPPORTUNITY NUMBLY USED PRODUCTIVE OF GREAT RESULTS.
1. Missionary work should recognize the preparation God makes in men's minds for his truth.
2. Individuals the objects of gracious communications, that messengers may be raised up who shall carry the Word into the strongholds of heathenism. We should always follow the Spirit.
3. Deserts rejoicing, prophecy of a recovered world. The nations shall be baptized. But we must see to it that we preach unto them Jesus.—R.