Forty-Six Sermons in Vol II of the Works - Edwards - XLI - Sermon XIV of 'Seventeen Occasional Sermons'

Required reading
Forty-Six Sermons in Volume II of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) -  Read Sermon XIV from the section entitled 'Seventeen Occasional Sermons'.

My summary
This week Edwards preaches from Hebrews xiii. 8: 'Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever.'

His main doctrine is straightforward: 'Jesus Christ is the same now that he ever has been and ever will be.'

Edwards thus shows us that Christ is unchangeable in two respects:
(i) in his divine nature;
(ii) in his office as Mediator and Saviour of his church and people.

Then Edwards spends a good deal of time applying his doctrines.  He observes that:
(i) we learn from the truth taught in the text, how fit Christ was to be appointed as the surety of fallen man;
(ii) this truth may be well applied to the awakening of those who profess to be Christians;
(iii) the truth in the text may be applied by way of reproof;
(iv) the truth taught in the text may be applied by way of encouragement;
(v) the truth taught in the text may be applied by way of consolation to the godly.

What grabbed me
A most encouraging text.

Edwards is right to comment: 'You may greatly comfort yourself that you have an unchangeable friend in Christ Jesus. Constancy is justly looked upon as a most necessary and most desirable qualification in a friend; that he be not fickle, and so that his friendship cannot be depended on as that of a steady sure friend. How excellent his friendship is, you may learn from his manner of treating his disciples on earth, whom he graciously treated as a tender father his children; meekly instructing them, most friendlily conversing with them, and being ready to pity them, and help them, and forgive their infirmities. And then you may consider this doctrine, and how it thence appears that he is the same still that he was then, and ever will be the same. '

The amazing Jesus we see loving his disciples in the New Testament is the same Jesus who loves us today.

Next week's reading
Read Sermon XV from the section entitled 'Seventeen Occasional Sermons'.

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