Introduction
- We must not falsify the Christian life.
- There is pain also: see chapter 11 and 12.
- But we must look at our trials in the correct way: TEXT.
THE JOYFUL STATE OF CHRIST'S MIND AS HE SUFFERED
- The sufferings of Christ are the worst that ever any man suffered in this life:
- rejection by His own people
- unjustly condemned by graceless men
- shame and indignity heaped on Him
- all the intense pain of scourging and the cross
- those deeper, unknown pains of the soul
- But our Saviour bore it all because of His joy:
- He "endured the cross" - His mind joyful
- He "despised the shame" - His heart joyful
- What was His joy?
- to glorify His Father
- to show His love to the world
- to save us
- to have His dear people in heaven with Him.
THE IMPORTANCE OF TAKING CHRIST AS OUR EXAMPLE
- "looking unto":
- looking "far off"
- and so forgetting yourself
APPLICATION: O do forget yourself!
OBSERVE: We are to look to Christ as our Saviour whose death was unique - but also as our Example.
- This is a very full statement; I explain:
- The Christian life has many difficulties (v.1)
- It is important always to keep up our joy
- APPLICATION: Amidst life's trials, keep up your joy.
ILLUSTRATION: fruit that is sour is disappointing. - The cure is to consider our blessed Lord
- This life is only the prelude to our life
ILLUSTRATION: a woman in the pain of child-birth - What are 70 years of time to an eternity of joy?
So Christ thought: "Soon, soon - I and they in glory." - He is on the throne: sin / death / sorrow over
- We are to know of His love to us NOW
ILLUSTRATION: a young woman and her soldier fiance
- SUM: "Christ so loved us that He gladly went through it all to have us there with Him in glory". Think much of this.
APPLICATION: The woman who heard Rollock preach - let this be our example (Whitecross, O.T., p.343).
HOW THIS PRACTICE IS A COMFORT TO US
It comforts the Christians to look unto the Saviour in this light for many reasons:- We see our troubles in due proportion
ILLUSTRATION: Billy Bray: "teaspoon...ladle!" - Christ's life is the pattern of every believer's:
i.e. first pain and shame - then heaven.
APPLICATION: The true Christian life is stamped with a hall-mark, like Harris Tweed. It is the stamp of the cross. ("Take uphis cross"). - Our Lord owns us, has paid dear for us.
ILLUSTRATION: a young man with new car. - Christ's joy is to have us all with Him at last
CONCLUSION
"Tell mother, I'll be there!"