The Person of Christ
The Person of Christ11
The Man Whom He Hath Ordained
By T. Austin-Sparks0ROM 8:29GAL 4:19EPH 2:15T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes that God's ultimate answer to the complexities of life, sin, and human destiny is found in 'the Man Whom He hath ordained,' referring to Jesus Christ. He explains that the universe's meaning, the solution to the Fall, and the essence of salvation are all encapsulated in this Man. Sparks argues that God does not offer a religion or a set of doctrines but presents a personal relationship with Christ, who embodies wisdom and power. The sermon highlights that true unity and resolution of human problems—be it racial, social, or existential—are found in Christ, who is the key to understanding and fulfilling God's purpose. Ultimately, the message calls for believers to recognize their vital union with Christ as the foundation for spiritual success and transformation.
In the Gospel by John
By T. Austin-Sparks0JHN 1:1T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the significance of the Gospel of John, written during a time of spiritual decline and confusion in the early church. He highlights that John's Gospel serves as a bridge between the old and new dispensations, focusing on the person and place of Jesus Christ and the spiritual nature of the new covenant. Sparks urges the audience to recognize the greater works that believers are called to perform in this spiritual dispensation, which surpass the physical miracles of Jesus. He stresses the need for spiritual understanding to grasp the deeper meanings of Christ's works and the transition from earthly to heavenly realities. Ultimately, the message calls for reliance on the Holy Spirit for spiritual intelligence and empowerment.
The Person of Christ the Most Ineffable Effect of Divine Wisdom and Goodness
By John Owen0ISA 9:6JHN 1:14ACT 20:28ROM 1:182CO 3:18COL 1:171TI 3:16HEB 1:1HEB 11:11JN 2:1John Owen emphasizes that the person of Christ is the most profound manifestation of divine wisdom and goodness, serving as the foundation of true religion and worship. He explains that while God is the ultimate object of worship, it is through the person of Christ that this divine essence is revealed, obligating rational beings to honor God. Owen highlights the mystery of Christ's incarnation as a miraculous union of divine and human natures, which surpasses all other acts of creation and providence. This union not only restores humanity but also establishes a new foundation for the relationship between God and man, making the Christian faith uniquely glorious. Ultimately, Owen calls believers to admire and embrace this mystery as the source of their faith and salvation.
The Person of Christ the Foundation of All the Counsels of God
By John Owen0EPH 1:9John Owen emphasizes that the person of Christ is the foundation of all God's counsels, particularly concerning the church's vocation, sanctification, and salvation. He explains that God's eternal glory is intricately tied to Christ, who was set up from everlasting to execute these divine plans. Owen highlights the delight of God in these eternal counsels, which were established in Christ, showcasing His wisdom, goodness, and love. The sermon underscores that all things were created and renewed through Christ, making Him central to God's redemptive work. Ultimately, Owen asserts that understanding Christ's role is essential for grasping the fullness of God's purpose for humanity.
The Faith of the Church Under the Old Testament in and Concerning the Person of Christ.
By John Owen0GEN 3:15GEN 12:3GEN 15:6JOB 19:25ISA 59:20MAT 16:16GAL 4:4HEB 3:5HEB 10:11PE 1:11John Owen emphasizes the faith of the Old Testament church in the person of Christ, asserting that their belief was foundational for their salvation and deliverance. He explains that while they had limited understanding of Christ's redemptive work, their faith was centered on His divine person, as revealed through promises and types in Scripture. Owen highlights that this faith was essential for obedience and that over time, the church's understanding became corrupted, leading to a reliance on their own righteousness rather than on Christ. He warns that just as the early church faced ruin by losing sight of true faith, modern churches risk the same fate by allowing their beliefs to degenerate into lifeless opinions. Ultimately, Owen calls for a return to a vibrant, faith-filled relationship with Christ as the Savior.
Opposition Made Unto the Church as Built Upon the Person of Christ.
By John Owen0MAT 16:18JHN 10:28ROM 8:312CO 10:4EPH 6:12COL 2:81TI 6:12HEB 12:31PE 5:81JN 4:4John Owen emphasizes the promise of Christ regarding the church's preservation and the inevitable opposition it faces from the forces of hell. He explains that this opposition manifests through both persecution from the world and heretical teachings that seek to undermine the faith in Christ's person and work. Owen highlights that the church, built upon the foundation of Christ, will endure despite these challenges, as the gates of hell cannot prevail against it. He calls believers to remain steadfast in their faith and to recognize the importance of Christ's dual nature as both God and man, which is essential for the church's foundation. Ultimately, Owen encourages the church to uphold its confession of Christ as the Son of the living God amidst the ongoing spiritual battles.
The Nature of the Person of Christ, and the Hypostatical Union of His Natures Declared
By John Owen0JHN 1:14PHP 2:6John Owen addresses the profound mystery of the person of Christ and the hypostatical union of His divine and human natures. He emphasizes the necessity of understanding Christ's nature for a proper faith, warning against heresies that distort His identity. Owen outlines the significance of Christ's assumption of human nature, the union of His two natures, and the implications of this union for believers. He asserts that this union is unique and distinct from any other relationship between God and creation, underscoring the importance of adhering to scriptural truths. Ultimately, Owen calls for a reverent acknowledgment of the mystery of Christ's person as foundational to Christian faith.
The Person of Christ the Great Repository of Sacred Truth
By John Owen0JHN 1:4JHN 1:18JHN 14:6ACT 20:32ROM 11:332CO 4:6EPH 4:21PHP 3:8COL 2:9TIT 1:1John Owen emphasizes that the person of Christ is the ultimate source and representation of divine truth, which is essential for understanding God's nature and will. He explains that all truth derives from God, with Christ being the essential image of the Father and the repository of all supernatural truths. Owen argues that without recognizing Christ's central role, spiritual truths lose their light and efficacy, rendering them ineffective in transforming lives. He warns that rejecting Christ leads to a distortion of all other truths, as they are interconnected through Him. Ultimately, true knowledge of divine truth is only possible through a relationship with Christ, who is the life and light of all understanding.
We Beheld His Glory - Volume 1
By T. Austin-Sparks0JHN 1:12JHN 1:14EPH 1:22T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the profound significance of the Gospel of John, highlighting that it uniquely presents Christ as the Son of God and the importance of union with Him. He explains that the manifestation of Christ is characterized by grace and truth, which the Church is called to embody. Sparks points out that the Gospel addresses the religious intellectualism of Judea, where the true testimony of Jesus is often obscured by tradition. He stresses that the essence of the Testimony of Jesus is not merely in teachings but in a living union with Him, which should reflect life, light, and love. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a deeper personal relationship with Christ, urging believers to manifest His grace and truth in their lives.
The Nature, Operations, and Causes of Divine Love, as It Respects the Person of Christ
By John Owen01JN 4:9John Owen emphasizes the profound nature of divine love as it pertains to Christ, explaining that God created our capacity for love to be directed towards Him, rather than transient earthly things. He argues that true love arises from recognizing God's infinite goodness, which is fully manifested in Christ, making Him the ultimate object of our affection. Owen highlights that our love for God is rooted in His love for us, particularly through the sacrifice of Christ, and that this love should inspire a desire for union and conformity to God's nature. He also discusses the importance of understanding Christ's dual nature as both divine and human, which enhances our love for Him. Ultimately, Owen calls believers to engage deeply with the scriptural portrayal of Christ to cultivate a genuine love for Him.
Learning by Revelation
By T. Austin-Sparks0EZK 40:2EZK 43:10MAT 11:27JHN 1:1JHN 1:14JHN 1:51T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the necessity of divine revelation in understanding God's purpose and the person of Jesus Christ, particularly in times of spiritual decline. He draws parallels between Ezekiel's vision of a new temple and John's Gospel, highlighting that God's response to the Church's loss of purity and power is to present Christ anew, revealing His heavenly and spiritual nature. Sparks argues that true knowledge of God is only found in Christ and that revelation comes through practical situations where believers are in need. He stresses that the Holy Spirit's work is to open our eyes to see Christ, not merely to understand doctrine. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a deeper, experiential knowledge of Jesus as the key to spiritual life and glory.