2 NOVEMBER
Gospel doctrine
‘The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.’ John 3:2
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Galatians 2:15–21
Let us briefly speak of gospel doctrine. Its chief points are:
(i) to show that all mankind are by nature under the curse of the law.
(ii) that there is no deliverance from this curse but by Jesus.
(iii) that no work of man contributes in the least to their acceptance with God.
(iv) that true religion supposes an entire change in the soul and all its faculties and that without this change of the heart the most costly or painful services are of no value or acceptance before God.
This is what we mean by the gospel doctrine. The sum and substance of it is Jesus Christ and him crucified. This awakens the opposition and scorn of men, even as the appearance and preaching of Christ in the flesh did. But we are bold to say that by this doctrine as the means, such mighty works are wrought as necessarily declare the power of God does accompany it—such works as no other sort of preaching can effect, such works as in the spiritual sense are answerable to the miracles which our Lord wrought in the view of the Jews, and are equally sufficient to condemn those of obstinacy, who refuse to acknowledge the doctrine to be of God.
FOR MEDITATION: With regard to the work—I hope I am in some measure aware of its weight and importance and am willing to enter upon it accordingly, so as to make it the sole business of my life: to devote all my time, strength, talents and interest to the carrying it on; to allow myself in no engagement, converse, correspondence or study, which I cannot conscientiously pursue as subservient to this main point. Having a view of the pearl of great price, I am willing to part with all to receive it, and to take the apostle’s resolution to know nothing but Jesus Christ and him crucified, that I may declare his unsearchable riches to sinners.
Miscellaneous Thoughts, Monday 26 June 1758
SERMON SERIES: JOHN 3:1–2, NO. 2 [3/6]
Milo 