Old Testament Sermons

by Robert Murray M'Cheyne

At the beginning of the twentieth century, James Macdonald of Edinburgh purchased a box of old papers which had belonged to a preacher of around sixty years earlier. The contents might have seemed of little value, but to some they were altogether priceless. They were the notebooks and sermon notes of Robert Murray M'Cheyne, the godly and devoted minister of St Peter's Church, Dundee. From these papers, lodged in the library of New College, Edinburgh, Dr Michael D. McMullen has transcribed the sermons found in this set of three volumes. They are indeed a precious treasure. Whether based on Old Testament or New, every sermon is full of the sinners need of Him, the fullness of His grace, the happiness of those who come to Him, and the danger of stopping short of genuine faith in Him. They will remind preachers and ordinary Christians alike that to preach Christ aright, one must first know Him, and live in the atmosphere of His love.

183 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2004

About the author

Robert Murray M'Cheyne a minister in the Church of Scotland from 1835 to 1843. He was born at Edinburgh, was educated at the University of Edinburgh and at the Divinity Hall of his native city, where he was taught by Thomas Chalmers. He first served as an assistant to John Bonar in the parish of Larbert and Dunipace, near Falkirk, from 1835 to 1838. After this he served as minister of St. Peter's Church (in Dundee) until his early death at the age of 29 during an epidemic of typhus.

Not long after his death, his friend Andrew Alexander Bonar edited his biography which was published with some of his manuscripts as The Memoir and Remains of the Rev. Robert Murray M'Cheyne. The book went into many editions. It has had a lasting influence on Evangelical Christianity worldwide.

In 1839, M'Cheyne and Bonar, together with two older ministers, Dr. Alexander Black and Dr. Alexander Keith, were sent to Palestine on a mission of inquiry to the condition of the Jews. Upon their return, their official report for the Board of Mission of the Church of Scotland was published as Narrative of a Visit to the Holy Land and Mission of Inquiry to the Jews. This led subsequently to the establishment of missions to the Jews by the Church of Scotland and by the Free Church of Scotland. During M'Cheyne's absence, his place was filled by the appointment of William Chalmers Burns to preach at St. Peter's as his assistant.

M'Cheyne was a preacher, a pastor, a poet, and wrote many letters. He was also a man of deep piety and a man of prayer. He never married, but he did have a fiancée at the time of his death, Jessie Thain, who died heartbroken.

M'Cheyne died exactly two months before the Disruption of 1843. This being so, his name was subsequently held in high honour by all the various branches of Scottish Presbyterianism, though he himself held a strong opinion against the Erastianism which led to the Disruption.

M'Cheyne designed a widely used system for reading through the Bible in one year. The plan entails reading the New Testament and the Psalms through twice a year, and the Old Testament through once.

Reviews

[Ivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

To read M’Cheyne is to always have my heart warmed toward Christ and recommitted to following him in obedience.

[Ryan Hawkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

In late 2017 I read McCheyne’s “Sermons on Hebrews” book in this same series (see review here: [[https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...]]). I mention that because much of what I had to say about those sermons apply here as well: he’s my favorite dead preacher but these are less sermons and more just outlines, and if you want his actual sermons read his Memoirs sermons or other collections.

Nevertheless, these 23 sermons were still a very enjoyable read. But again, I wouldn’t recommend it unless you’ve read his Memoir sermons and even his Sermons of R.M. M’Cheyne collection first—those are actual sermons and much better.

[Timothy Crockett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book of sermons by a great preacher who died at a very young age. This book is a compilation of Old Testament sermons preached by Robert M. M'Cheyne. It is 183 pages long and, as far as sermons go, is an easy read. Twenty-three sermons were transcribed from his manuscript notes.

I personally appreciate the preacher's format and preaching style. The outline format with a solid practical application is much appreciated.

Yes, I would recommend this book of sermons.

[Timothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's always helpful to read sermons of men of God throughout history.
Some are more of an outline than others.

[Mark A Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

M’Cheyne, a Scottish minister who died at the age of 29 in 1843, left behind notes containing many of his sermons. This edition, edited by Michael McMullen, collects sermons from a variety of passages in the Old Testament. While language and structure border on archaic at times, M’Cheyne speaks with authority from the timeless Scripture. Though some messages resonate more than others, he consistently heralds the atoning work of Christ and the unalterable glory of God.

[Stephen Mccollum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some very edifying and challenging sermons.