Classic Sermon Outlines (continued)
vw _ fllerander Maclaren
SERMON SIXTEEN HOW THE LITTLE MAY BE
USED TO GET THE GREAT
He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much, and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If, therefore, ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?
THESE are very revolutionary words in more than one aspect. There are two things remarkable about them. One is the contrast which is seen in _all three verses between what our Lord calls "mammon" (that is, simply outward good) and the inward riches of a heart devoted to and filled with - God and Christ. But another striking thing about the words is the broad, bold statement that a man's use of the lower goods determines, or is at least an element in determining, his possession of the highest.
I. A NEW STANDARD OF VALUE.
A. The Antithesis between "Small" and "Great" (Verse 10).
1. They imply a comparison with each other.
2. They imply a common standard of value for both. "Small" and "great," _of course, are relative terms; they imply a comparison with each other, and imply also a reference of both to a common standard of value.
CLASSIC SERMON OUTLINES — Alexander Maclaren e. eee ee eee good measured by, but their r ese two classes of -
B. The Antithesis between "Unrighteous Mammon" and the "True Riches" (Verse 11). i. 'The meaning of "unrighteous." If we Keep SY to the antithesis, "unrighteous" must be the opposite of "true." The Tn cca an heen Cee goddpishensheeoetetiare i after it.
Ppirations, Christ centered purposes, all these are true than they said they would.
C. The Antithesis between "Another's" and "Your Own" (Verse 12). pei eminent
Irv e-store houtrvarciporiliserpsiomrorrenl OSSeSsit an apparent one... the p Srooscieniniisies Caran nine eee possessions. What can be cake bie fof man's ats sby death has no ight te to be called his. Each, for the moment says "Mine!" a1 st savs "}
Another's!"
4, The term VOU Wwe are. hat which is your. eo visieadetlcks Gl ucanantenistes cewisaeatiie en ae ae death cannot take away from you.
II. THE HIGHEST USE OF THE LOWEST GOOD.
A. The Essence of the Principle (Verses 10-12).
I. The statement of the principle. Our Lord .. . distinctly asserts here, as EE ee ee
How the Little May Be Used to Get the Great principle. Good people are sometimes cautious of asserting that with the plan emphasis with which is here asserted, for fear they should da: erie Loses duinscoeind e outt ed toi Fe. cicusoiucesentiontvine
III. THE FAITHFULNESS WHICH UTILIZES THE LOWEST AS A MEANS OF POSSESSING MORE FULLY THE HIGHEST.
You will be "faithful" if, through all your administration of your possessions there run the principles of stewardship, sacrifice, and brotherhood.