Man's Ways Opposite to God's
This sermon emphasizes the importance of living in accordance with God's ways and values, and of seeking to be righteous and pure in our thoughts and actions.
Clement of Rome preaches about the divine order established by God, where greater things come first and inferior things second, contrasting with the reversed order found in humanity. He illustrates this pattern through various biblical examples, such as Cain and Abel, Deucalion's spirits, and the patriarchs of the nation like Ishmael and Isaac, Esau and Jacob. Clement highlights the significance of the first and second births in these examples, emphasizing the distinction between the unrighteous and the righteous, the impure and the pure, the profane and the pious.
Text
As in the beginning God, who is one, like a right hand and a left, made the heavens first and then the earth, so also He constituted all the combinations in order; but upon men He no more does this, but varies all the combinations. For whereas from Him the greater things come first, and the inferior second, we find the opposite in men--the first worse, and the second superior. Therefore from Adam, who was made after the image of God, there sprang first the unrighteous Cain, and then the righteous Abel.
Again, from him who amongst you is called Deucalion, two forms of spirits were sent forth, the impure namely, and the pure, first the black raven, and then the white dove.
From Abraham also, the patriarchs of our nation, two firsts sprang--Ishmael first, then Isaac, who was blessed of God. And from Isaac himself, in like manner, there were again two--Esau the profane, and Jacob the pious. So, first in birth, as the first born in the world, was the high priest Aaron, then the lawgiver Moses.
Sermon Outline
- God's Ways vs. Man's Ways
- Examples of God's Order
- Examples of Man's Disorder
- 'Aaron, Moses: Birth Order'
- 'Deucalion: Impure Raven, Pure Dove'
- 'Abraham: Ishmael, Isaac'
- 'Isaac: Esau, Jacob'
Key Quotes
“For whereas from Him the greater things come first, and the inferior second, we find the opposite in men--the first worse, and the second superior.” — Clement of Rome
“Therefore from Adam, who was made after the image of God, there sprang first the unrighteous Cain, and then the righteous Abel.” — Clement of Rome
“So, first in birth, as the first born in the world, was the high priest Aaron, then the lawgiver Moses.” — Clement of Rome
Application Points
- We should strive to live in accordance with God's ways and values, rather than following our own desires and impulses.
- We should seek to be righteous and pure in our thoughts and actions, and to live in a way that honors God.
- We can learn from the examples given in scripture, such as the contrast between God's order and man's disorder, and the significance of birth order.