Works (Vol 4) - Newton - XXXIX - Sermon XXXIX (Job's faith and expectation)

Required reading
The Works (Vol 4) of John Newton (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Sermon XXXIX (Job's faith and expectation).

My summary
This week Newton preaches on: 'For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God' (Job 19:25-26).

Newton makes four observations about the Messiah:
(i) the title of 'redeemer';
(ii) the appropriating word 'my';
(iii) his standing upon 'the earth';
(iv) Job's expectation of seeing him 'in his flesh'.

What grabbed me
I enjoyed the emphasis on the word 'my': 'But Job uses the language of appropriation. He says, 'My Redeemer.' And all that we know, or hear, or speak of him, will avail us but little, unless we are really and personally interested in him as Our Redeemer. A cold speculative knowledge of the Gospel, such as a lawyer has of a will or a deed, which he reads with no further design than to understand the tenour and import of the writing, will neither save nor comfort the soul. The believer reads it, as the will is read by the heir, who finds his own name in it, and is warranted by it to call the estate, and all the particulars specified, his own. He appropriates the privileges to himself, and says. The promises are mine ; the pardon, the peace, the heaven, of which I read, are all mine. This is the will and testament of the Redeemer, of my Redeemer. The great Testator remembered me in his will, which is confirmed and rendered valid by his death ;* and therefore I humbly claim, and assuredly expect, the benefit of all that he has bequeathed.'

How wonderful it is to be able to say that Jesus is 'my' redeemer.

Next week's reading
Read Sermon XL (The Lord is risen indeed).

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.