5 DECEMBER (PREACHED CHRISTMAS EVENING 1769)
To seek and to save
‘For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.’ Luke 19:10
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Psalm 80:1–19
He came to seek and to save—to restore man to God and to restore life and peace and happiness to man. This magnifies his grace. He did not come to save those who, sensible from their misery, were imploring his compassion, but he must seek them as well as save them. It magnifies his power. Had not this ruin been under [his] hand, we must have been lost for ever. For none less than Almighty could save us. Nor could he save by speaking; it was necessary he should come, that is, take our nature upon him, take our sin upon him and stand in our place for obedience and atonement. He came for these purposes and he effectually fulfilled them. Thus he saves by price and redemption. Farther, he saves by power—this is the seeking spoke of. They are insensible of his love and their own misery—in seeking he employs his providence, Word, ordinances and Spirit. May I not hope that he has come thus here to seek and to save some of you tonight? When he saves, he saves completely, he removes the curse, restores access and power with God, renews the divine image upon the soul, and thus reclaims the rebel and teaches him to reverence, love and serve the God of his life.
The Lord is now seeking. O may you be willing to be found of him, or else you are lost for ever. And let those whom he has redeemed out of the hand of the enemy, praise and magnify his name and renew their engagements in his strength to serve him and walk before him in holy obedience all their days.
FOR MEDITATION:
Sinner, hear the Saviour’s call,
Raise thy downcast eyes, and see
He now is passing by;
What throngs his throne surround!
He has seen thy grievous thrall,
These, though sinners once like thee,
And heard thy mournful cry.
Have full salvation found:
He has pardons to impart,
Yield not then to unbelief!
Grace to save thee from thy fears,
While he says, ‘There yet is room;’
See the love that fills his heart,
Though of sinners thou art chief,
And wipe away thy tears.
Since JESUS calls thee, come.
SERMON: LUKE 19:10 [5/5]
Milo 