Romans 12:9-10

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which Is evil; cleave to that which is
good. In love of the brethren be tenderly affectioned one to another; in
honour preferring one another. (ASV) 

El amor sea sin fingimiento. Aborreced lo malo, seguid lo bueno. ¹⁰ Amaos los unos a los otros con amor fraternal; en cuanto a honra, prefiriéndoos los unos a los otros. (RVR 1960)

SERMON 

Love That Can Hate

Text: Romans 12:9-10 

ALEXANDER MACLAREN

(1826-1910)

This Scottish preacher was known as the ‘Prince of Expositors’ and “the supreme example of the Protestant expository preacher.” He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, the son of a merchant and lay preacher.  The family moved to Edinburgh, where as a 12 year old, MacLaren accepted Christ and was publicly baptized. He was educated at Glasgow University and Stepney College, a Baptist college in London. He became thoroughly grounded in Greek and Hebrew and learned to study the Bible in the original languages. This laid the foundation for his distinctive work as an expositor and for the biblical content of his preaching. He became a much sought after preacher and accepted the pastorate at Union Chapel in Manchester in 1858.  He was the pastor there for 45 years until 1903. His emphasis on exegeting the text was a lifelong hallmark.  He refused many preaching engagements in order to further his studies in the Word and was fundamental is his doctrine, never veering off the path of the historic truths.  He usually preached about 40 minutes, his voice strong and diction clear, his Scottish brogue making his words musical and penetrating. Almost always dividing his text into three parts, Robertson Nicoll said he served the Bread of Life “on a three pronged fork.”  He was a preacher who loved his craft, saying,  “I cannot ever recall any hesitation as to being a minister. It  just had to be.”  Along with Spurgeon, his sermons are the most read of the 19th century.  He was truly a man that today’s preacher would do well to study and emulate.