Rebuke of the People
Clement of Rome's sermon calls for respect towards God's messengers and highlights the peril of scorn and disorder among the people.
Clement of Rome addresses the wrongful treatment of his heralds, emphasizing that God's righteous foreknowledge justifies His choice not to expose His word to those who would disrespect it. He urges the listeners to stop mocking and listen respectfully to the message being delivered, warning against barking like vicious dogs and hindering their own salvation through unbelief and God-hatred.
Text
And this wrongful treatment of my heralds would have been against all from the beginning, if from the beginning the unworthy had been called to salvation. For that which is now done wrongfully by these men serves to the vindication of my righteous foreknowledge, that it was well that I did not choose from the beginning to expose uselessly to public contempt the word which is worthy of honour; but determined to suppress it, as being honourable, not indeed from those who were worthy from the beginning--for to them also I imparted it--but from those, and such as those, unworthy, as you see them to be,--those who hate me, and who will not love themselves.
And now, give over laughing at this man, and hear me with respect to his announcement, or let any one of the hearers who pleases answer.
And do not bark like vicious dogs, deafening with disorderly clamour the ears of those who would be saved, ye unrighteous and God-haters, and perverting the saving method to unbelief. How shall you be able to obtain pardon, who scorn him who is sent to speak to you of the Godhead of God? And this you do towards a man whom you ought to have received on account of his good-will towards you, even if he did not speak truth.
Sermon Outline
- I points: - Introduction to the wrongful treatment of heralds - The significance of God's foreknowledge - The choice of worthy messengers
- II points: - The consequences of scorn towards God's messengers - The call to respect the announcement of truth - The danger of disorderly behavior among the people
- III points: - The importance of receiving God's word - The relationship between love and acceptance of truth - The path to obtaining pardon through humility
Key Quotes
“And do not bark like vicious dogs, deafening with disorderly clamour the ears of those who would be saved.” — Clement of Rome
“How shall you be able to obtain pardon, who scorn him who is sent to speak to you of the Godhead of God?” — Clement of Rome
“Give over laughing at this man, and hear me with respect to his announcement.” — Clement of Rome
Application Points
- Reflect on how you treat those who bring you God's message.
- Consider the importance of maintaining order and respect in discussions of faith.
- Embrace humility as a means to receive God's truth and obtain forgiveness.