Twenty-One Sermons on Hebrews 10:20-24 - Traill - XXI - Sermon XXI

Required reading
Twenty-One Sermons on Hebrews 10:20-24 in Volume III of the Works of Robert Traill (Available from Reformation Heritage Books or free here) - Read Sermon XXI.

My summary
Today we finish Traill's sermons as he continues to look at what it means that Jesus is priest 'over the house of God'.

Last week Traill established that we are the house of God and so he makes some further application of this truth by telling us to:
(i) know humbly and remember frequently our great debt unto our Lord Jesus;
(ii) know where our standing is, what foundation we stand on;
(iii) mind the perfection of our state, press towards that;
(iv) concern ourselves in the prosperity of the great house of God.

Then Traill gives us his third and final point from the text by explaining the interest that the church has in the high priest.  He teaches us that our high priest is:
(i) man as we are;
(ii) with us;
(iii) made, framed and shapen for us;
(iv) sent to us;
(v) done with the greatest part of his work and the rest is doing;
(vi) possessed of us.

Traill then applies his last main point by exhorting us to try and see carefully whether we have Christ or no.

What grabbed me
Traill made an important exhortation at the end: 'The only thing I would speak to you about from this truth is, That since believers have Christ the High Priest, I would exchort you to try and see carefully whether you have him or no. That is a plain question, Have you Christ or no ? Christ saves none but them that have him : Christ saves no man at m distance ; he enters into us, and we into him ; and if I may so speak, we go to heaven together. The question is this now, and it is a very plain one, and an important one ; and it is a pity that the question is not more frequently put, and seriously considered, and that there are so few can truly answer it. Whether you have Christ or no ? I believe if there were one to stand at the door as you go out, and ask every one this question, whether you have Christ or no, there would be confounded answers. You can tell what you have, and what you want of worldly things, cannot you tell, whether you have Christ or no ? The importance of this inquiry should prompt you highly to the resolution of it. '

It is sad indeed that the greatest question we can be asked is not asked more frequently.

Next week's reading
Commence The Sermons of William Bates in Volume IV of his Works (Available from Amazon or free here) by beginning Sermon I 'God is' and reading up to the paragraph starting 'Thirdly.  The third argument is drawn from the consent of nations.'

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