Works (Vol 4) - Newton - VIII - Sermon VIII (The sun rising upon a dark world)

Required reading
The Works (Vol 4) of John Newton (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Sermon VIII (The sun rising upon a dark world).

My summary
This week Newton preaches on 'The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.' (Isa 9:2)

Newton himself gives us a good summary of the sermon at the beginning: 'The people who are spoken of as rejoicing in a great light, were, till this light arose and shone upon them, in darkness ; walking, sitting, living in darkness, and in the land of the shadow of death. That this passage refers to Messiah, we have a direct proof. The evangelist refers it expressly to him, and points out the time and manner of its literal accomplishment. I shall first consider the literal sense and completion of the prophecy, and then show how fitly it applies to the state of man- kind at large, and to the happy effects of the Gospel of salvation, which, by the blessing of God, has been the instrument of bringing multitudes of many nations, peoples, and languages, out of a state of gross darkness, into marvellous light. '

What grabbed me
I liked Newton's conclusion to the sermon: 'How greatly are they to be pitied who reject the light of the Gospel ! It is true, they cannot see it ; but it is equally true they will not. But may I not hope that this is a day of divine power in which some of you shall be made a willing people ? Do not reason against your own life, but repent and believe the Gospel. The light shines around you, whether you perceive it or not; and it has an efficacy to open the eyes of the blind. Where the Gospel is preached, the Lord is present. If you call upon him, he will hear, and you shall receive your sight. If the grace and the glory of the Saviour have hitherto made no impression upon your heart, you are spiritually blind. Could you be sensible of your disorder, the remedy is at hand. If now, at last, you are willing to seek him, he will be found of you. But if you deliberately prefer darkness, your state is awfully dangerous; and if you persist in your obstinacy, your ruin is unavoidable. God is gracious and long- suffering, but he will not be mocked. Humble your- self at once, and implore his mercy, or else prepare to meet him in judgment. But be assured he will not meet you as a man. You must either bend or break. The Lord forbid that he should say to any of you, in the great day of his appearance, ' Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire !' '

What a way to exhort sinners to repent!

Next week's reading
Read Sermon IX (Characters and names of Messiah).

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