They receive you not
Opportunity wasted
I. THE OBJECT TO WHICH THIS ALLEGATION RELATES--“The kingdom of God.”
1. The gospel is designated “the kingdom of God,” because it is constituted by God. There is claimed on its behalf, strictly and truly, a Divine origin.
2. The gospel is designated “the kingdom of God,” because it is the ordained instrument of God to restore His authority over the minds of men.
II. THE FACT WHICH THE ALLEGATION AFFIRMS. “The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you”--
1. In the sacred and inspired writings.
2. In the proclamations and appeals of the ministry.
3. In the conversion of other men.
4. In the partial impressions of your own mind.
III. THE DEPORTMENT WHICH THE ALLEGATION DEPRECATES.
1. Continued carelessness of the truth.
2. Continued rejection of the truth. (J. Parsons.)
The grace of salvation coming near us
I. WHEN MAY THE KINGDOM OF GOD (OR THE GOSPEL) BE SAID TO COME NIGH TO AN INDIVIDUAL OR A PEOPLE?
1. When it comes within the hearing of the ear.
2. When it reaches the understanding.
3. When it gains access to the conscience.
II. WHY THE GOSPEL SALVATION IS BROUGHT NIGH TO SOME WHO ARE FINALLY LOST. (D. A. Clark.)
Symbolical action
To “shake off the dust of their feet” as a witness against any city which had wholly rejected their message, signified that they had no more part or lot with the inhabitants--that they would retain nothing of theirs, no, not so much as what accidentally cleaved to their sandals. This was one of the many outward significant symbolical acts of which the special messengers of God made constant use. Thus Jeremiah put on a yoke, and hid a girdle by the side of the Euphrates; thus Agabus bound St. Paul’s girdle round his own hands and feet; and Paul himself and Barnabas on one occasion used this very sign of shaking off the dust of their feet against the Jews of Antioch in Pisidia, who had rejected God’s word spoken by their mouth. We have given up altogether the use of such signs, and I believe have lost much by our rejection of them. (M. F.Sadler.)
No room for excuse
The Rev. William Grimshaw, an early Methodist of eccentric manner, frequently would preach before the doors of such as neglected the parish worship. “If you will not come to hear me at the church,” he would say on these occasions, “you shall hear me at home; if you perish, you shall perish with the sound of the gospel in your ears.” (G. Stevens.)