M'Cheyne - The Saviour's Tears Over the Lost

The 19th Century Scottish preacher Robert Murray M'Cheyne preached from Luke 19:41-42 where Jesus wept over Jerusalem before His crucifixion. I have changed some of the wording for easier modern reading from the Banner of Truth book of compilations of his sermons. From this sermon, I encourage you to read these words:

I come now to show you that Christ is willing to save even the hardest of sinners.

“And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it;" Christ here gives two proofs that he is willing to save sinners: 

(1) His tears; and 

(2) His words. 

These were the tears of one who never wept but in reality; and these were the words of one who never spoke but in reality. It is impossible for him to lie. “O, if you had known,” he said. It was a broken wish. It shows a feeling of the greatest love and tenderness. His bowels were yearning with tenderness within him, for the love he bore to their souls. His desire was a true desire. He saw them lying in their sin. They had slain the prophets, and despised their messages. He saw that they would soon crucify himself. He saw their hands red with his own blood; and yet, for all that, he wept over them. He saw the judgments that were coming on them. He saw that they would soon lie down in hell; and therefore he wept and cried, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes."

I believe there are some here tonight over whom Christ says the same. He sees that you have sinned against light, and against love, and that you have resisted the Holy Spirit these fifty-two Sabbaths which have now gone over your heads. He sees how you have withstood every warning, how you have resisted his ministers, how you have resisted and crucified the Son of God afresh, how you have wounded Christ in the house of his friends; and yet he says, “O, if you had known”. Perhaps, sinner, you will not turn, perhaps you will perish, and before another year has passed, you may lift up your eyes in hell, being in torments. He that cannot lie says, he would have saved you; and if you perish, sinner, your blood be on your own head. It is the very essence of the gospel that Christ is willing to save. He wills not that any should perish, but that all should come to him and live. Some will say, why did he not save Jerusalem, if he was willing? To this I answer, that you must take the gospel as you find it. It is not your business nor mine to inquire into anything of the sort. It is sufficient for us to know that he is willing to save. He said, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.” (John 7:37); “He who comes to me I will never cast out.” (John 6:37).

Now, brethren, in conclusion, I beseech you, strive to enter in at the strait gate. Many have entered, why not you?

Let My Candle Go Out - Thomas Watson

Those of you who know me well know I am very non-competitive by nature. Coupled with my natural timidity, I was certain not be called into preaching so many years ago. Now nearly 14 years into preaching ministry, I am still a bit put off how competitive preachers can be. Yet, when I hear solid preaching, I rejoice. Some praiseworthy preaching comes from competitive men, while still others are tempted to think themselves spiritually superior for being non-competitive. 

The truth is not found in the manner of preaching or the preacher, but all the glory is to be to Christ. I meditate on this as I read the great Puritan preacher Thomas Watson's lectures on the shorter catechism in print as The Body of Divinity. The preacher's candle is a flame to go out that Christ may be the only One shining. Watson makes this point:

"We aim at God’s glory when we are content to be outshined by others in gifts and esteem, so that his glory may be increased. A man that has God in his heart, and God’s glory in his eye, desires that God should be exalted; and if this be effected, let who will be the instrument, he rejoices. ‘Some preach Christ of envy: notwithstanding Christ is preached, and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice’ (Philippians 1:15); they preached Christ of envy, they envied Paul that concourse of people, and they preached that they might outshine him in gifts, and get away some of his hearers: well, says Paul, Christ is preached, and God is like to have the glory, therefore I rejoice; let my candle go out, if the Sun of Righteousness may but shine."

Spurgeon - "Blessed Beyond Measure"

"I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore." -Genesis 22:17

Charles Spurgeon was not just a great preacher, but he was also a great writer of devotionals. One of the daily devotionals I am reading this year is Beside Still Waters: Words of Comfort for the Soul, updated in modern English by Roy H. Clarke. Here, Spurgeon comforts the soul with the reminder that our highest blessedness is God with us.

"The greatest blessing God gives is His presence. If I could choose any of life's blessings, I certainly would not ask for wealth, because wealth cannot bring freedom from pain, concern, or anxiety. I certainly would not ask for popularity, because there is no rest for the world's leaders. My choice, my highest honor, would be to have God with me always. 

When God is with us, there is no difference between Nebuchadnezzar's fiery furnace (Daniel 3:19) and a comfortable bed. It does not matter! We will be happy in either. If God is with us, if His divine love surrounds us, then we carry our own atmosphere and residence wherever we travel, and we can say with Moses, 'Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations' (Psalm 90:1). The individual who can say this is full of heaven, full of God, and blessed beyond measure. This is the privilege of all who truly believe in Jesus, of all who come out from the world, and of all who, like Abraham, live a life of faith (Genesis 12:4). Bow your head, believer, and let the Lord God pronounce this blessing, 'I will bless you.'

 If you are sorrowing, suffering, weary, or burdened, receive the blessing from God's own mouth, 'I will bless you.'

If you are poor, despised, or slandered, this blessing is not shortened. Take it with you, and go on your way rejoicing."

The Value of Training in Godliness

“While bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” –I Timothy4:8

Once again, it is time to discard the old calendar and put up the new. A New Year ushers high energy right out of the gate with well-intended resolutions for change, typically with exercise topping most lists. Bodily training has some value, says the Apostle Paul to his young disciple now Pastor Timothy. As to the limited value, I intend to train for a 5K this year and accompany my oldest in a run. But this body is wearing out, and no amount of bodily training will last.

Paul contrasts the value of bodily training with godliness. Just as the gym is of some value for training the body, this life is meant for training in godliness at everlasting value. Yes, for the life to come, but Paul emphasizes that training now for godliness has promise for this present life. Godliness here means devotion, holding a heart devoted to God. While our earthly body wears out and withers like the grass, training in godliness proves most valuable as what is devoted to God is as eternal as God Himself.

As you make good earthly resolutions for the New Year, consider the limited value of such a resolution in contrast to the things devoted to God. With bodily training through 2023 may make you faster and stronger and physically feeling better by December than you do now, imagine with devotion to the study of the Bible, with resolve to serve the saints of Jesus Christ in the assembly of His church, with a serious attention to the commands of Christ such as repentance, rejoicing, reconciling, loving and praying for enemies, using your mouth for praise and not cursing, devoting time for prayer, having a reputation for peace and gentleness, and evangelizing the lost. How much healthier would you be spiritually by December?

Training in godliness is founded in knowing God’s revelation in the Bible. In order to be complete for every good work of eternal value, there is found a treasury for your training in righteousness in the Bible (II Timothy 3:16-17). As the problem in Ephesus for Timothy was people believing and teaching false doctrines (I Timothy 1:3-4) and talking about “irreverent, silly myths” (ITimothy 4:7), the problem for so many Christians today is susceptibility to things which sound Christian but are in fact false doctrines and spending their time knowing and talking about everything but the things of God. The best defense for the church from such attacks from Satan is a devoted knowledge of God who revealed Himself in His Word.

May the Lord in His excellent power and grace grant to us hearts devoted to godliness. With such devotion, our hearts will be strengthened in assurance of God’s saving grace and to be complete for every good work in the present life. Such eternal value is the promise that such a life glorifies God.

Heavenly Father, we approach You in prayer with one encouragement to our souls: Your mercy. Grant to us hearts devoted to training in godliness with assurance of Your promised eternal value for the life to come and to this present life that Your name would be glorified in the life of Your saints. Bless us by Your needed mercies rich and free in Christ our Lord and Savior. In Jesus’ name. Amen.