Isaiah 11:14 - Homiletics

The Church's triumph over its enemies.

The Church of God will always have its enemies, both internal and external, and its external enemies will from time to time gather their hosts, and unite themselves together, and threaten it with destruction. Great was Israel's peril, and great her fear, when her enemies "consulted together with one consent, and were confederate against her: the tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes; Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre; Asshur also joining them, and helping the children of Lot" ( Psalms 83:5-8 ). Yet the danger passed, the confederacy failed, the various nations were "confounded and troubled; they were put to shame and perished" ( Psalms 83:17 ). So it is with the Church. Our Lord has promised that "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" ( Matthew 16:18 ); and consequently its enemies labor in vain to effect its destruction. The Church may have confidence—

I. SINCE CHRIST IS HER HEAD . She is "his Church," "built by him," "upon a Rock," i.e. himself; purchased by him with his own blood; loved and cherished and purified by him, that she may be presented to him "without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing"—his city, his body, his bride.

II. SINCE SHE HAS A SURE WORD OF PROMISE .

1. In the statement, "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world" ( Matthew 28:20 ).

2. In the passage concerning the gates of hell.

3. In the clear declarations of the apocalyptic vision, which show her ultimate triumph.

III. SINCE SHE HAS PASSED THROUGH PERILS AS GREAT AS ANY THAT CAN HEREAFTER ASSAIL HER .

1. The peril of the imperial persecutions.

2. The peril of the barbarian invasions (Goths, Huns, Vandals, etc.).

3. The peril of Mohammedanism.

4. The peril of the dark ages.

5. The peril involved in unlimited private judgment.

6. The peril of the French Revolution. Half a score of times has she seemed on the point of succumbing; bat each time that she is struck to the ground, she rises, like Antares, refreshed and reinvigorated.