Nothing but the consciousness of a new life breathed into humanity, a new hope ,dawning upon the world, could account for these Corinthians being thus addressed by a teacher like Paul. The language is so sweeping and unqualified, and the state- ment is made with so much confidence, that we feel that something very remarkable must have occurred to account for Paul addressing such persons in such language. The explanation is to be found here-" In him" ye were enriched. It is in Christ that the wealth of God is placed at the disposal of the destitute children of men. 1. His Divine nature is a storehouse, a treasury of true wealth; in him all fulness dwells. 2. His ministry was an earnest of the greater blessings which should follow; for he was ever freely giving. 3. His death and sacrifice were the means of securing to us the fulness of God; he unlocked the treasury: "Though he was rich, yet for our sakes he became poor, that we, through his poverty, might be rich." 4. His ascension, so far from impoverishing the race he came to save, was the occasion of its enrichment. "He received gifts for men;" he poured out spiritual blessings from on high. Ill. A PACT, WH~:N WE CONSIDER THE ACTUAL SPIRITUAL POSSESSIONS ENJOYED BY MANKIND THROUGH JEsus CHRIST. As the sun enriches the earth with luxuriant fruit- fulness, as great men enrich a nation by their heroic deeds and saintly self-sacrifice, so does Christ actually bestow untold blessings upon this race. Referring to the Epistle, we observe that wisdom and knowledge, faith and healing, miracles and prophecy, tongues and interpretation, were among the special instances of wealth with which the early Church was dowered. Yet the same Epistle assures us that love is a greater gift .than all these. "See that ye abound in this grace also." The fruits of the Spirit are the riches of the Church. The unsearchable riches of Christ are made over to his redeemed and renewed people. To them it was said, "All things are yours." APPLICATION. There is nothing in the resources or the purposes of God, nothing in the heart of Christ, to limit the extent to which this spiritual wealth may be diffused.-T. Ver. 9.-" The fellowship of his Son." Social ties are inevitable either for good or :for evil; some are made for us and others are made by us. All religions have made use of the social tendency, the social necessity, which distinguish human nature. Christianity adapts itself to the highest form of the tendency. The Divine Christ bas made himself the Associate, the Friend, the Brother of mankind. I. THE FELLOWSHIP OF FAITH IN CHRIST'S REDEMPTION. The work of Christ was perfect in itself, but its benefits are only to be enjoyed through spiritual association and affinity with Christ. Union of heart and soul with Christ is the condition of true salvation. Christians are built on Christ as the foundation, grafted into Christ as into the vine, joined to Christ as to the body, partakers of Christ as of spiritual bread, friends with Christ as by a congenial attachment. . II. 'fnE FELLOWSfilP OF SPffiIT WITH CHRIST'S CHARACTER. The frequent expression, "in Christ," shows what was the view of the Lord himself and of his apostles con- cerning the identification of the people of Jesus with their Lord. It is their aspiration to be like him, to have the mind which was in him. They are followers, disciples, imitators, representatives of him whose name they bear. Sympathizing with Christ's obedience and submission to the Father, they are practically and powerfully and beneficially affected by this sympathy. III. THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE ACTIVE LIFE WITH THE WORK OF CHRIST. Christians recognize their Master's devotion to the highest interests of men, his unwearied efforts, his unflinching sacrifice. In communion with him they make their life one of service, of consecration. In motive the Christian life is eervice to Christ; in result it is service to man. How ma11y a life has been rescued by the cross from selfishness and from sin, and made a life of devoted and successful benevolence ! IV. 'l'HE l'ELLOWSHIP OF HEART AND OF ACTION WITH CHRIST'S PEOPLE. Union with the Head is the basis of comm union with the members; yet by this last the former is fostered and perfected. Congeniality and sympathy of disposition and aim, worship and ordinances in common, mutual aid, conjoined endeavours and testimony,-these are the results, and, at the same time, the means of communion with Christ. V. FELLOWSHIP Pllosri,;cTIVELY IN CmusT's INHERITANCE. The Lord ever encouraged '.his disciples, who shared his humiliation, with the prospect that they shoukl share 21) THE FIRST EPISTLE TO 'l'liE COHIN'l'HIANS. [en. I. 1-31.
bis exaltation. It was his promise, "Because I live, ye shall live also;" it was his prayer, "Where I am, there may also my people be." Fellowship with such a Being ,·annot he for a season, it must be imperishable. 'l'o be "ever with the Lord" is the- bright and joyous expectation of all who honour and who love his appearing. '!'his shall be the cro,vn of communion. Then in the fullest sense shall his disciples and friends be truly "partakers of Christ." -T.