Being the Followers of the Love of God Towards Man
The sermon emphasizes the importance of living a life of love, righteousness, and faith in Christ Jesus, and striving to perfect the work of righteousness.
Ignatius of Antioch commends the believers for their faith, righteousness, and love in Christ Jesus, acknowledging their support and prayers as he faces martyrdom for the sake of Christ. He praises their unity and the leadership of their bishop, Onesimus, urging them to love and emulate him. Ignatius expresses gratitude to God for granting them such a remarkable bishop and encourages them to continue in faith and love.
Text
I have become acquainted with your greatly-desired name in God, which ye have acquired by the habit of righteousness, according to the faith and love in Christ Jesus our Saviour. Being the followers of the love of God towards man, and stirring up yourselves by the blood of Christ, you have perfectly accomplished the work which was beseeming to you.
For, on hearing that I came bound from Syria for the sake of Christ, our common hope, trusting through your prayers to be permitted to fight with beasts at Rome, that so by martyrdom I may indeed become the disciple of Him "who gave Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God," [ye hastened to see me ].
I have therefore received your whole multitude in the name of God, through Onesimus, a man of inexpressible love, and who is your bishop, whom I pray you by Jesus Christ to love, and that you would all seek to be like him. Blessed be God, who has granted unto you, who are yourselves so excellent, to obtain such an excellent bishop.
Sermon Outline
- Introduction
- The church's love for God and man
- The speaker's reception by the church
- Through Onesimus, a man of inexpressible love
- The church's excellent bishop
Key Quotes
“you have perfectly accomplished the work which was beseeming to you” — Ignatius of Antioch
“who gave Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God” — Ignatius of Antioch
Application Points
- We should strive to live a life of righteousness and faith in Christ Jesus.
- We can apply the church's excellent bishop as a model for ourselves by living a life of love and seeking to be like them.
- Martyrdom can be seen as a way to become the disciple of Christ, who gave Himself for us as an offering and a sacrifice to God.