Works (Vol 4) - Newton - XLIV - Sermon XLIV (Triumph over death and the grave)

Required reading
The Works (Vol 4) of John Newton (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Sermon XLIV (Triumph over death and the grave).

My summary
This week Newton preaches on: 'O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.' (1Co 15:55-57)

Firstly Newton examines the view of death which speaks of its formidable sting.  He teaches us that the sting of death is effective because the law is:
(i) not arbitrary;
(ii) by the highest authority;
(iii) extensive;
(iv) sanctioned.

Secondly Newton examines the view of death which speaks of its softening into a privilege by him who has brought life and immortality to light.  Thus believers can sing a song of triumph:
(i) before their departure out of the world;
(ii) with the highest advantage at the great resurrection day.

What grabbed me
I appreciated the comment about man's view of authority when he is in charge, in comparison to his view of it when God is in charge: 'Men are usually tenacious of their authority ; they seldom allow their dependants to dispute or disobey their commands with impunity. It is expected that a son should honour his father, and a servant his master. And when men have power to execute the dictates of their pride, they frequently punish disobedience with death. But how will these haughty worms, who trample upon their fellow-worms, and think they have a right to the most implicit obedience from their inferiors ; how will they tremble when they shall appear before God, who is no respecter of persons, to answer for their contempt of the authority of the sovereign Lawgiver, who, alone, is able to save or to destroy ? That 'we ought to obey God rather than man,' will, perhaps, be allowed as a speculative truth ; but whoever will uniformly make it the rule of his practice, must expect, upon many occasions, to be deemed a fool or a madman by the world around him.'

Amen!

Next week's reading
Read Sermon XLV (Divine support and protection).

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