What think ye of Christ?

 

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SERMON NOTES SUNDAY 24 SEPTEMBER 2023

MATTHEW 22 VERSES 34 – 46 – “WHAT THINK YE OF CHRIST?”

Whilst performing his Father’s business on earth Jesus was confronted with many people.  They came with curious questions.  They were sparked by genuine curiosity but many of them were trying to undermine the Lord and his teaching.  He had a confounding answer to their questions.  These people were trying to draw him into a state of confusion.  When they were unsuccessful they gathered together with the Pharisees.  Some of them were lawyers but they did not get far when asking questions.  When Jesus answered them they were put to silence by his own question – “what think ye of Christ?”  Who is he – what do you think about Jesus, how do you view the Son of the living God?  Sadly many never think of the Lord.  He never entered their thoughts but to them that believe he is precious.  He is the lily of the valley, the bright and morning star, the fairest of ten thousand to my soul. 

 

Firstly, think of the life he came to live.  He lived a life through that human body.  He spoke outstanding words.  His life was characterised by his actions and the words he spoke.  “I must be about my Father’s business.” (Luke 2 verse 49)  He was very aware of his identity from his early years.  He knew he came for a special purpose, a divine mission, to preach the full counsel of God.  He never missed an opportunity to tell people to flee from the wrath to come.  The master called on the necessity of repentance from the outset of his ministry.  Chapter 4 verse 17 “from that time Jesus began to preach and to say repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”  That is how his ministry started and how it continued.  He longed for men and women to turn from their sin and turn to him in repentance.  He wanted people to know he was the only way to heaven – John 14 verse 6 “I am the way, the truth and the life, no man cometh unto the Father but by me.”  The life he lived was distinguished by the words he spoke.  The Lord is still in the business of speaking to individuals, to men and women today.  Could it be as you sit under the sound of God’s word tonight is the Lord speaking to you?  He has been speaking to you and you are still outside of Christ, without a Saviour.  You are still living in sin.  You hear the Saviour speaking directly to your heart.  Let me ask you – “what think ye of Christ?”  What are your thoughts of the Lord as he speaks to you?  Are they thoughts of rejection – I will never allow the Lord to live in my heart?  Have you ever thought of opening your heart’s door and inviting him in?  Hebrews 3 verse 15 “Today if you will hear his voice harden not your hearts.”  The master spoke mighty words.  He performed miraculous works.  The man in the Gadarenes had an encounter with the Saviour and his lifestyle was wonderfully changed.  He lived in the tombs night and day, cutting himself with stones.  Jesus set him wonderfully free.  Mark 5 verse 15 ”he was sitting clothed and in his right mind.”  The Lord is still able to wonderfully change lives.  Has he changed yours?  Let me ask you again – “what think ye of Christ?”  Have you allowed him to change your life.  Many today have this mindset that Jesus has come to destroy lives.  That is not the case.  You were living a life of bondage but when you come to the Lord you will be living a life of joy and glorious freedom. 

 

Glorious freedom, wonderful freedom,
No more in chains of sin I repine!
Jesus the glorious Emancipator,
Now and forever He shall be mine.

 

The devil has come to destroy lives.  The Saviour has come to give life and life more abundantly.  Jesus said “the thief cometh not but for to steal and kill and to destroy, I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10 verse 10) “What think ye of Christ?”  Think about the life he came to live.

 

Think about the death he came to die.  What a painful agonising death the Saviour went through.  Many a death is quick and sudden but no so for the Lord Jesus.  His was a painful process.  It was a slow process.  It was made very painful by the Roman soldiers.  It was always their intention to put them through as much agony as possible before their death but he willingly gave his life over unto death even death on the cross. (Philippians 2 verse 8)  Jesus, the Son knew before the foundation of earth that one day he would leave the glories of heaven and come into this world to offer his life willingly on the cross. “Because I lay down my life that I might take it again.  No man taketh it from me but I lay it down and I have power to take it again.” (John 10 verses 17 and 18)  Man may have killed him on the cross but he allowed them to.  He gave himself over unto death.  The Saviour not only offered up his life as a sacrifice he died a lonely death.  There in the Garden of Gethsemane he was forsaken by all.  He stood alone in Pilates hall.  No-one to defend him.  He was despised and rejected of men.  He was forsaken and rejected even by those known to be his close friends.  Think of the disciples – everyone of them fled and forsook the master.  When the master was arrested they abandoned him.  They had seen him perform wonderful miracles and proclaim amazing truths.  Matthew 26 verse 56 “then all the disciples forsook him and fled.”  As far as Peter was concerned he was loyal to his master.  He insisted he would die rather than be arrested.  He became a spectator from a safe distance.  He declared “I know not the man” when Jesus was arrested.  At that moment the rooster crowed.  Peter remembered what the Lord had said “verily I say unto thee before the cock crow thou shalt deny me thrice.” (Matthew 26 verse 34)  Think about the death he came to die.  He offered up his life.  He was despised and forsaken.  It was a painful death.  He was stripped of his clothes.  He was spat on.  They placed a crown of thorns on his head.  They flogged him.  The nails were driven into his hand and feet.  A spear was plunged deep into his side.  It was all for you and for me.  “What think ye of Christ?”  What do you think of him for doing all that? 

 

Think of the salvation he loves to offer.  After his cruel death he rose again and he ever lives to make intercession for us, to offer salvation to all through faith.  It is only offered through one source – the Lord.  Acts 4 verse 12 “neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”  No salvation without Christ.  The exclusive Saviour.  By his name alone.  “One way God said to get to heaven, Jesus is the only way.”  Many are seeking salvation in many other ways.  Where are you searching for salvation?  Have you asked the Lord to be your Saviour or could it be you are searching in all the wrong places?  Are you depending on your own self righteousness and good works?  Salvation is obtained by faith in Christ Jesus.  Ephesians 2 verses 8 and 9 “for by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: Not of works lest any man should boast.”  This salvation that the Saviour loves to offer is not of works.  People are not saved by their works nor faith plus works.  It is by faith alone in Jesus Christ alone.  The minute you add works of any kind salvation is no longer by grace.  Romans 11 verse 6 “and if by grace then it is no more of works; otherwise grace is no more grace.  But if it be of works, then it is no more grace; otherwise work is no more work.”  A gift cannot be earned.  What is free cannot be bought.  What is unmerited cannot be deserved.  The source of this so great salvation is the Lord Jesus.  The wonderful thing is it is offered to whosoever will receive him as their Saviour.  Tell me, have you received the Lord as your Saviour?  “What think ye of Christ?”  “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10 verse 13)  Everyone is welcome to partake of this salvation.  It can reach the vilest offender who truly believes.  “That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.”  Salvation has been purchased at immense cost at Calvary.  Jesus poured out his blood for the sins of the entire world.  What are you going to do with him?  Are you going to trust him?  “What think ye of Christ?”  Who is the Lord Jesus as far as you are concerned?  How do you view the Saviour of the world today?  There are some in scripture who had wonderful thoughts about the Lord.  John the Baptist in John 1 verse 29 said “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”  He triumphantly announced the arrival of the true Lamb of God.  Song of Solomon 5 verse 16 “he is altogether lovely”.  One of the Saviour’s disciples Thomas said “my Lord and my God.”  Thomas had the assurance that Jesus was his Lord and his God.  Do you have that assurance?  Could you say “O my Lord and my God”?  What think ye of Christ?  Think of the life he came to live.  Think of the death he came to die.  Think about the salvation he loves to offer.