136. Learn in Private What to Teach in Public.

What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. - Matthew 10:27.

USEFULNESS is the great desire of our souls if we are disciples of Jesus. We believe that it will most surely be attained by our making known the gospel. We have full faith in "the foolishness of preaching."

We feel that we have need to receive that gospel personally from the Lord himself, or we shall not know it so as to use it aright.

We must not run till we are prepared. This verse describes, and by implication promises, the needful preparation of heart. Our Lord will speak in our ear: he will commune with us in solitude.

I. AN INVALUABLE PRIVILEGE. The disciple is associated very nearly with his Lord, and received into closest fellowship with him.

We see before us three important matters.

1. We are permitted to realize our Lord's presence with us personally.

· He is still on speaking terms with us: still is he our Companion in the night, our Friend in solitude.

2. We are enabled to feel his word as spoken to us.

· Immediately: "I tell you. " Personal contact.

· Forcefully: "in the ear. " Not as thundered from Sinai, but as whispered by "a still, small voice." Still, very effectually.

3. We are privileged to receive such communications again and again: "I tell you. . , ye hear."

· We need precept upon precept, line upon line.

· Our Lord is willing to manifest himself to his own day by day.

· We shall be wise to make occasions for hearing his voice in solitude, meditation, prayer, communion, etc.

· We shall do well to use occasions of the Lord's own making such as the Sabbath, sickness, the night-watches, etc.

· We need for a thousand reasons this private tuition, this personal communication with our Commander-in-chief.

II. A PREPARATORY PROCESS. We do not rightly perceive what we have to make known till Jesus personally imparts his holy teaching to our inmost hearts.

We see by reason of personal contact with our Lord:

1. Truth in its personality; living, acting, feeling; for he is "the way, the truth, and the life." Truth is no theory or phantom in Christ. Substantial truth is spoken by him.

2. Truth in its purity is found in him, in his written teaching, and in that which he speaks to the heart. Truth from man is mixed and adulterated; from Jesus it is unalloyed.

3. Truth in its proportions; he teaches all truth, in its true relations. Christ is no caricaturist, partisan, or politician.

4. Truth in its power. It comes strikingly, persuasively, convincingly, omnipotently from him. It quickens, and sustains.

5. Truth in its spirit. His words are spirit, life, love.

6. Truth in its certainty. "Verily, verily," is his motto.

7. Truth in its joyfulness. He speaks delight unto the soul. The truth in Jesus is glad tidings.

See the advantage of studying in Christ's College.

III. THE CONSEQUENT PROCLAMATION. What Jesus has told us alone in the dark we are to tell out openly in the light.

Courting publicity, we are to preach "upon the housetops. "

What is this message which we have heard in the ear?

We bear our willing witness that—

1. There is peace in the blood of Jesus.

2. There is sanctifying power in his Holy Spirit.

3. There is rest in faith in our Lord and God.

4 There is safety in conformity to our great Exemplar.

5. There is joy in nearness to Jesus our Lord.

As we hear more we will tell more.

Oh, that men would receive our earnest testimony!

Will not you receive it who hear us at this present hour?