2 DECEMBER (PREACHED CHRISTMAS EVENING 1769)
Lost
‘For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.’ Luke 19:10
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Matthew 1:18–21
The return of this day has by long custom been observed as a commemoration of the coming of Christ in the flesh. But how is it observed by many—alas, as a time of riot and folly for the indulgement of those sins and follies, those works of the devil, which Christ was manifest to destroy—a little lip service and outward attendance at church and the rest of the day and many following days (which instead of holidays might rather be called sinning days) spent in dissipation. So I fear it is with many here and perhaps you are waiting to close this very evening as you might do if you thought, or were sure, that Christ came into the world to procure you a liberty of sinning without control. The Lord give you a better understanding of my text before you go from hence.
The state of mankind, which moved the pity of Jesus to come that he might seek and save them, is expressed fully and briefly by that which was lost—which may be considered either as a thing is lost, when the rightful proprietor is deprived of it, or as a person is said to be lost, when he is in a miserable, hopeless, state, so as to be beyond all ordinary means of assistance and recovery. Thus sinners are lost to God and lost in themselves.
FOR MEDITATION: Thus I was as miserable on all hands as could well be imagined. My breast was filled with the most excruciating passions; eager desire, bitter rage, and black despair … no hope of relief or mitigation; no friend to take my part, or to listen to my complaint: Whether I looked inward or outward, I could perceive nothing but darkness and misery. I was tempted to throw myself into the sea, which would put a period to all my sorrows at once. But the secret hand of God restrained me. Help me to praise him, dear Sir, for his wonderful goodness to the most unworthy of all his creatures.
Narrative, April 1745
Jesus my Saviour, who has redeemed my lost title to the good things of both worlds.
John Newton to David Jennings, 29 August 1752
SERMON: LUKE 19:10 [2/5]
Milo 