Series: Secondhand Sermons
AKA: Hand-Me-Down Homilies
From: The Expositor’s Antique Shoppe
Sermon #1: Convicted to Christ
Introduction:
The catechetical method of instruction and education was
widespread, and recommended for centuries in Christian education.
An example from the 17th century:
James Ussher, A Body of Divinity: Or, The Sum And
Substance Of Christian Religion Catechistically propounded and explained, by
way of Question and Answer. Methodically
and familiarly handled, for the use of Families., ed. Michael Nevarr
(Birmingham, AL: Solid Ground Christian Books, 2007; from 1648 original).
An example from the 19th century:
Robert Lewis Dabney,
Lectures in Systematic Theology
(Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, n.d.; 1985 reprint from Syllabus and Notes of the Course of Systematic Theology and Polemic
Theology Taught in Union Theological Seminary, Virginia, 6th
ed., Richmond: Presbyterian Committee of Publication, 1927).
Question: What conviction of a state of sin, and of the
guilt of sin, is necessary to cause a soul sincerely to look after Christ?
From:
Sinclair B. Ferguson, John
Owen on the Christian Life (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1987), pg. 51.
John Owen, The Works of John Owen, 16 vols., ed. William H. Goold (Carlisle, PA: Banner
of Truth, n.d.; 1965 reprint of Johnstone & Hunter ed. of 1850-1853),
IX:359-361, cp. IX:292-293.
Outline:
I. A man must
realize he is not righteous in and of himself (Mk. 2:17)
II. He must have
a sense of dis-ease with sin (Mt. 9:12)
III. He must be
weary of his own efforts for acceptance with God, and see that it can be found
in Christ alone (Mt. 11:28)
Transition:
Why is this important?
1. You may not be a Christian even if you think you are
if you have not dealt with these issues. This is not a subject to be ignored,
or lightly dismissed.
2. You may be involved in evangelizing others who need to
understand where they are at in relation to Christ. You need to understand what
to press home to the lost while ministering the Gospel to them. These are
considered “indispensable” by Owen, and should be by ourselves as well.
3. We all need to maintain these attitudes toward sin,
righteousness and the Savior throughout our Christian lives by coming back to
the foot of the Cross regularly.
I. A man must realize he is not righteous in and of
himself.
Mark 2:17 — When Jesus
heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the
physician, but they that are sick: I came
not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Context (Mk. 2:13-17):
13 And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude
resorted unto him, and he taught them. 14 And as he passed by, he
saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting
at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and
followed him. 15 And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in
his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his
disciples: for there were many, and they followed him. 16 And when
the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said
unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and
sinners? 17 When Jesus heard
it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician,
but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to
repentance.
1 Tim. 1:15 — This is a faithful saying, and worthy of
all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom
I am chief.
1. Those who trust
in themselves that they are righteous
Rom. 10:3 — For they being ignorant of God's
righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not
submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
2. Those who may
not trust in themselves that they are righteous, but seek to establish their
own righteousness by works of the law
II. He must have a sense of dis-ease with sin.
Matthew 9:12 — But when
Jesus heard that, he said unto them,
They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
Context (Mt. 9:9-13):
9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named
Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me.
And he arose, and followed him. 10 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat
at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with
him and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why
eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? 12 But when Jesus
heard that, he said unto them, They
that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. 13 But
go ye and learn what that meaneth, I
will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous,
but sinners to repentance.
What does it take to get you to the doctor?
Love of lollipops?
1. Uneasiness
2. Fear of death
III. He must be weary of his own efforts for
acceptance with God, and see that it can be found in Christ alone.
Matthew 11:28 — Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will
give you rest.
Context (Mt. 11:25-30; cp. 11:1-24):
25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord
of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and
prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. 26 Even so, Father: for
so it seemed good in thy sight. 27 All things are delivered unto me
of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any
man the Father, save the Son, and he
to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
28 Come unto me, all ye
that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take
my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye
shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Is. 57:10 — Thou art wearied in the greatness of thy way;
yet saidst thou not, There is no hope: thou hast found the life of thine hand;
therefore thou wast not grieved.
“God in a cloud”:[1]
“When God converts a soul, he comes into it with a
cloud….God generally takes possession of souls in a cloud; that is, there is
some darkness upon them: they cannot tell what their state is; — sometimes they
have hopes, and sometimes fears; sometimes they think things are well, and
sometimes they are cast down….seldom have I heard of any that have come unto
God, but that God first took possession of them in a cloud.”
1. Try, and hope
2. No hope…go unto
Christ
[Sermon preached 23 AUG 2015 by Pastor John T. “Jack”
Jeffery at Wayside Gospel Chapel, Greentown, PA.]
End Notes:
[1] John Owen, The
Works of John Owen, 16 vols., ed. William H. Goold (Carlisle, PA: Banner of
Truth, n.d.; 1965 reprint of Johnstone & Hunter ed. of 1850-1853),
IX:292-293.
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