Christ Despised # 2

 Christ Despised # 2

A solemn illustration of this occurs in John 7. To the Jews He said, "Did not Moses give you the Law? Yet none of you keeps the Law! Why do you want to kill Me?" (v. 19). And what was their response? This, "The people answered and said, You have a devil!" (v. 20). Who was so unwelcome here?

Third, the One who denounced human tradition in the religious sphere. Despite the Fall, man is essentially a religious creature - the image of God in which he was originally created, has not been completely destroyed. The world over, blacks and whites, reds and yellows - pay homage to gods of their own devising and there are few things on which they are more sensitive - than their religious superstitions - he who condemns or even criticizes the devotees of any religious belief or practice, will be greatly disliked. Now Christ drew upon Himself the hatred of Israel's leaders, by His denunciation of their religious inventions. He reproached them, "you nullify the Word of God by your traditions!" (Mark 7:13). When He cleansed the temple, the chief priests and scribes, "were indignant" (Matt. 21:15). Who was so unwelcome here?

Fourth, the One who repudiated an empty profession. Nothing so infuriated the Jews, as Christ' exposure and denunciation of their vain pretensions.

Being omniscient, it was impossible to impose upon Him; being inflexibly righteous, He could not accept deceptions; being absolutely holy, He must insist upon sincerity and reality. When they declared "Abraham is our father!" He answered, "If you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham!" When they added "we have one father, even God," He replied, "If God were your Father, you would love Me...you are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do!" This so filled them, that they exclaimed, "Aren't we right in saying that You are a Samaritan and demon-possessed!" (John 8:39-48).

On another occasion the Jews asked Him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." (John 10:24). He at once exposed their hypocrisy by saying, "I did tell you but you do not believe. You do not believe because you are not My sheep. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." (John 10:25-27). So angered were at this that they "took stones again to stone Him." Men will not tolerate One who pierces their religious disguise, exposes their shams, and repudiates their fair but empty profession. It is the same today. Who was so unwelcome here?

Fifth, the One who exposed and denounced sin. Ah, this explains why Christ was not wanted here. He was a constant thorn in their sides! His holiness condemned their unholiness. Men wish to go their own way, to please themselves, to gratify their lusts. They want to be comfortable in their wickedness - therefore they resent one who searches the heart, pierces the conscience, rebukes their evil. Christ was absolutely uncompromising. He would not wink at wrong-doing, but unsparingly denounced it, in whoever it was found. He boldly affirmed, "For judgment I have come into this world" (John 9:41), that is, to unveil men's secret characters, to prove they are blind in spiritual things, to demonstrate they loved darkness rather than light. His Person and preaching tried everything and everyone He came into contact with.

Why was (and is) Christ "despised and rejected by men?"

First, because He required inward purity. Herein is the great difference between all human religions and the Divine religion. All human religions concern themselves with external performances - but the Christian religion is only concerned with the source of all conduct. "Man looks on the outward appearance - but the Lord looks on the heart" (1 Sam. 16:7). It was Christ's exposition and enforcement of this truth, which made Him so unpopular with the leaders. "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness!" (Matthew 23:25-28).

~A. W. Pink~

(continued with # 3)

Christ Despised # 1

Christ Despised # 1

 "He is despised and rejected by men." (Isaiah 53:3).

Our text forms part of one of the Messianic predictions, in which God made known long beforehand the treatment which His Son would receive when He became incarnate.

The prophecy of Isaiah was in the hands of the Jews seven hundred years before the Lord Jesus was born at Bethlehem - yet so exactly did it describe what befell Him that it might well have been written by one of the Apostles. Therein is supplied one of the incontrovertible proofs of the Divine inspiration of the Scriptures, for only One who knew the end from the beginning, could have thus written history beforehand.

It might well have been supposed that the advent to earth of such a One as the Lord of Glory, would meet with a warm welcome and reverent reception, the more so in view of His appearing in human form, going about doing good. Since He came not to judge - but to save; since His mission was one of grace and mercy, since He ministered to the needy and healed the sick - will not men gladly receive Him? Many would naturally think so - but in so thinking they overlook the fact that the Lord Jesus is "the Holy One," and none but those who have the principle of holiness in their hearts, can appreciate ineffable Purity. Such an assumption as the one we have just mentioned, ignores the solemn fact of human depravity - the heart of fallen man is "desperately wicked" (Jer. 17:9). How can the Holy One appear attractive to those who are full of sin? Nothing so clearly evidences the condition of the human heart, and so solemnly demonstrates its corruption, as its attitude toward the precious Saviour.

There is much recorded against man in the Old Testament Scriptures, as for example in Psalm 14:1-4; yet dark as is the picture there drawn of fallen human nature, it fades into insignificance before what the New Testament sets before us. "The carnal mind is enmity against God." (Romans 8:7), and never was this so frightfully patent, as when Jesus was manifested in flesh. "If I had not come," declared Christ, "and spoken unto them, they had not had sin - but now they have no cloak for their sin." (John 15:22). The appearing of Christ has fully exposed man, bringing to light as nothing else ever has - the desperate wickedness of his heart!

Now let us ask and supply answer to three questions - Who was (and still is) "despised and rejected by men?" Why is He so grievously slighted? In what way is He scorned? Who was so unwelcome here?

We answer, first, the One who pressed upon men the absolute sovereeignty of God. Few things are so destasteful to the proud human heart, as the truth that God does as He pleases, without in any ways consulting with the creature; that He dispenses His favors entirely according to His imperial will. Fallen man has no claims upon Him, is destitute of any merit, and can do nothing whatever to win God's esteem. Fallen man is a spiritual pauper, entirely dependent upon Divine charity, and in the bestowal of His mercies God is regulated by nothing but His own "good pleasure." "Is it not lawful for Me to do what I will with My own?" (Matt. 20:15) is His own unanswerable challenge - yet, as the context there shows, man wickedly murmurs against this.

Now the Lord Jesus came here to glorify His Father, and therefore we find Him maintaining His crown-rights and emphasizing His sovereignty. In His first message, in the Capernaum synagogue, He pointed out that though there were many widows in Israel during the days of Elijah, when there was a great famine throughout all the land, unto none of them was the Prophet sent, except unto one at Zarephath. And that though there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha, none of them were healed - yet distinguishing mercy was shown unto Naaman the Syrian. The sequel was, "When they heard this, everyone in the synagogue was enraged. They got up, drove Him out of town, and brought Him to the edge of the hill their town was built on, intending to hurl Him over the cliff!" (Luke 4:28, 29). For pressing the truth of God's absolute sovereignty, Christ was 'despised and rejected by men." Who was so unwelcome here?

Second, the One who upheld God's Law. Therein is the Divine authority expressed, and complete subjection thereto is required from the creature; and therefore did Christ pressed the demands of God's Law upon man. Said He, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." (Matt. 5:17; "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." (Matt. 7:12). But fallen men resent restraints, and want to be a law unto themselves, and their language concerning God and His Christ is "Let us tear off their chains and free ourselves from their restraints." (Psalm 2:3). Because the Lord Jesus enforced the requirements of the Decalogue He was "despised and rejected by men."

~A. W. Pink~

(continued with # 2)

The Great Day Of God's Wrath # 10

 The Great Day Of God's Wrath # 10

Use 2. EXAMINATION and self-trial. "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves." (2 Cor. 13:5). Oh friends! how much does it concern you and I to examine our standing, that we may be able to stand in the day of God's wrath, which is coming so fast upon us.

Examine yourselves, and try your selves! Examine your faith, whether it is true! Examine your knowledge, whether it is sanctified! Examine your hope, whether it is purified! Examine your love, whether it is sincere! Examine your evidences, whether they are sound! Examine your hearts, whether they are gracious! Examine your desires, whether they are holy! Examine your lives, whether they are heavenly!

And all that you may be able to stand in the day of God's wrath, in the day of death, and in the day of judgment!

Use 3. EXHORTATION. I hope you will not think the time long - for this may be the last sermon that I may preach, or you may hear. Well, beloved, is it so, that the greatest part of men and women will not be able to stand in the great day of God's wrath? Let me therefore to exhort you to these three things:

First, Let me therefore to exhort who are lost sinners, to repent of your sins. "He who conceals his sins shall not prosper - but whoever confesses and renounces them shall find mercy. Blessed is the man who always fears the Lord - but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble." (Proverbs 28:13-14).

Oh, sinners! you have grievously sinned against God! You have deserved as many hells as you have committed sins! You have sinned against His mercies! You have abused His patience! You have resisted His Spirit! Oh, sinners! all this have you done - and yet the Lord has spared you. Oh, let His goodness lead you to epentance, that you do not die in your sins. Consider what I say! Why will you die - seeing God will have you live? Why will you damn yourselves? Why will you go to hell - seeing God would have you go to heaven?

Secondly, Let me exhort you to get a saving interest in the Lord Jesus, that you may be able to stand in the day of His wrath. There will be no standing before Christ without a saving interest in Christ. His Spirit is ready to assist you, and His angels are ready to attend you, and heaven itself is ready to receive you! 

Thirdly, and lastly, Let me now exhort you, who have turned from sin, are separated from the world, are espoused to Christ, are reconciled to the Father: to "walk worthy of God, who has called you to His kingdom and glory!" (1 Thess. 2:12). Oh, precious saints! let me exhort you to keep your lamps burning, your loins girded, your lives holy, your hearts upright, your judgments sound, your consciences pure, and your garments unspotted!

Therefore, O precious saints, you ought to be quiet, and to submit to the will of God, and to say as David, "I was silent; I would not open my mouth - for you are the one who has done this!" (Psalm 39:9).

Now, I beseech you, both saints and sinners, to consider of these things. May the God of heaven give you understanding in all things which concern His glory, and your eternal good.

~William Dyer~

(The End)

The Great Day Of God's Wrath # 9

 The Great Day Of God's Wrath # 9

Objection: But, beloved, it may be you will say, "If none of these are able to stand, who then will?"

Answer: All those who shall be found having on their wedding garments, and in the Spirit of the Lamb, will be able to stand in this day, and they are these: First, those who overcome, (Revelation 2:11; 3:21; 12:11; 21:7. Second, those who keep the commandments of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ, (Revelation 12:17; 1:9. Third, those who stand with the Lamb, (Revelation 14:1; 17:14). Fourth, those who have their Father's name written on their foreheads, (Revelation 14:1). Fifth, those who sing a new song, (Revelation 14:3). Sixth, those who are redeemed from the earth, (Revelation 14:3). Seventh, those who follow the Lamb wherever He goes, (Revelation 14:4). Eighth, those who are not defiled with the pollutions of the whore of Babylon, and in their mouths is found no lies, (Revelation 14:5).

Now, beloved, these are those who will be able to stand in that great day of God's wrath, when others will not be able - but call "to the mountains and the rocks - fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!"

I shall now proceed, in the fourth place, to the use and PRACTICAL APPLICATION of the point.

Use 1. INFORMATION. If it is so, that the greatest part of men and women will not be able to stand in this great day of God's wrath - then this may inform us of three things:

1. As men have had their day - so God will have His day. Men have had their day of sinning - God will have His day of punishing. Men have had their day of treasuring up wrath - God will have His day of pouring out of His wrath. Men have had their day of defiling - God will have His day of refining. Men have had their day of fornication - God will have His day of indignation. "The day of the Lord is near for all nations. As you have done - so it will be done to you. All your evil deeds will fall back on your on own heads!" (Obadiah 1:15).

2. Though God bears with sinners in the day of His patience - yet He will not bear with them in the day of His wrath! "Go through the city, and smite. Show no mercy; have no pity!" (Ezekiel 9:5). Oh, beloved! in the day of God's patience He bears with you, and waits to be gracious. Oh, how many hundred years has God borne with the whore of Babylon, notwithstanding of her great provocations and wickedness? But now in the day of His wrath, the Lord will not spare her, nor show pity on her - but pour out His wrath and indignation upon her to the utmost! "Therefore, these plagues will overtake her in a single day - death and mourning and famine. She will be completely consumed by fire, for the Lord God who judges her is mighty!" (Revelation 18:8).

Oh, see that terrible word, "The Lord will march forth like a mighty man; He will come out like a warrior, full of fury. He will shout His battle cry and crush all His enemies! For a long time I have kept silent, I have been quiet and held Myself back. But now, I will destroy and devour at once!" (Isaiah 42:13-14).

Do you see this, sinners, how God is resolved to proceed against you in the day of His wrath, though He bears with you in the day of His patience!

3. This day of God's wrath will be a very dreadful and terrible day to the wicked, as appears by what has already been said. Oh, sinners! It will be a day of astonishment, a day of terror, a day of distress, a day of contempt, a day of destruction, a day of wrath! Oh! it will be "a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds, and thick darkness," (Joel 2:2). "The great day of the Lord is near - near and coming quickly. Listen! The cry on the day of the Lord will be bitter, the shouting of the warrior there. That day will be a day of wrath, a day of distress and anguish, a day of trouble and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness!" (Zephaniah 1:14, 15). Oh, who is able to express the terror of the Almighty, in the day of His wrath! Oh, that every soul that hears me this day, would lay it to heart, and consider with themselves, that they may be able to stand in this day of of God's wrath. So much for this use of information.

~William Dyer~

(continued with # 10)