The Pulpit Commentary on Acts 20:35

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

The Divine secret of a blessed life.

"Remember the words of the Lord Jesus," etc. Interest of the saying as not found in ore' Gospels. The life of Jesus said it. Possibly preserved traditionally. Summary of many recorded sayings. Christ his own interpreter.

I. AN INSIGHT INTO THE NATURE OF TRUE BLESSEDNESS. Not in external things, not in a passive state, either intellectually or morally. As we give out from ourselves, we grow in knowledge and enjoyment. Especially true of the active efforts of Christians for the world. To teach is to be taught. To comfort is to be comforted. To sacrifice self is to be rewarded with inward peace and strength.

II. A HELP TO THE CULTIVATION OF PRACTICAL CHRISTIAN LIFE.

1. Remember Christ's care of the poor. The Church an organization for the help of mankind. The poor should see that Christianity is on their side.

2. Remember Christ's zeal for the house of God. The passive state unworthy of God's children. Scanty giving a great discouragement to zealous workers; a great hindrance to the progress of the gospel.

3. Remember the claims of the world. The example of the Lord Jesus in laying down life, not to be remembered only by missionaries, hut to teach all his disciples to "count all things but loss for his sake."—R.

HOMILIES BY P.C. BARKER

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