Christ the Believer's Sweet Nourishment
Ralph Erskine's sermon highlights Christ as the believer's essential nourishment, emphasizing His sacrificial love and the promise of eternal communion.
Ralph Erskine preaches about the spiritual nourishment and sustenance that believers receive from Jesus Christ, their heavenly husband. He emphasizes how Jesus provides everything believers need, including love, grace, and forgiveness through His flesh and blood. Erskine highlights the sacrificial nature of Jesus as the source of faith and strength for believers, preparing them for the challenges ahead and the ultimate joy of being reunited with their husband in eternity.
Text
Thy food conform to thine array,
Is heavenly and divine;
On pastures green, where angels play,
Thy husband feeds thee fine.
Angelic food may make thee fair
And look with cheerful face;
The bread of life, the double share,
Thy husband's love and grace.
What can he give, or thou desire,
More than his flesh and blood?
Let angels wonder, saints admire,
Thy husband is thy food.
His flesh the incarnation bears,
From whence thy feeding flows;
His blood the satisfaction clears,
Thy husband doth bestows.
Th' incarnate God a sacrifice,
To turn the wrathful tide,
Is food for faith; that way suffice
Thy husband's guilty bride.
This strength'ning food may fit and fence
For work and war to come;
Till through the crowd, some moments hence,
Thy husband bring thee home:
Where plenteous feasting will succeed
To scanty feeding here;
And joyful at the table-head
Thy husband will appear.
Then crumbs to banquets will give place,
And drops to rivers new:
While heart and eye will face to face
Thy husband ever view.
Sermon Outline
- I points: - The nature of divine nourishment - Comparison of earthly and heavenly food - Role of Christ as the believer's sustenance
- II points: - The significance of Christ's flesh and blood - The incarnation as a source of spiritual feeding - The relationship between faith and nourishment
- III points: - The strength provided by Christ's sacrifice - Preparation for spiritual battles - The promise of eternal feasting
- IV points: - The joy of communion with Christ - The transformation from scarcity to abundance - The ultimate fulfillment in God's presence
Key Quotes
“Thy husband is thy food.” — Ralph Erskine
“Is food for faith; that way suffice Thy husband's guilty bride.” — Ralph Erskine
“Where plenteous feasting will succeed To scanty feeding here.” — Ralph Erskine
Application Points
- Reflect on how Christ nourishes your spiritual life daily.
- Embrace the strength that comes from understanding Christ's sacrifice.
- Look forward to the eternal joy of feasting in God's presence.