Confession of Christ; or, persuasives to church fellowship
As Laban said “I have prepared the house,” so Christ has ordained the Church and provided it with all things necessary for the refreshment, repose, and invigoration of His people.
As Abraham’s servant was invited to enter, so the ministers and stewards of God’s word, and all the members of His Church, should bless those whom the Lord has blessed, and affectionately invite them to participate in all the privileges of the Lord’s house.
I. WHO ARE THE BLESSED OF THE LORD? The Lord Jesus answered our question in the very first sentences of His great sermon on the mount. “He opened His mouth and taught them, saying, ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit.’” The Lord also said, “Blessed are they that mourn.” The Lord also said, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness.” These are “blessed of the Lord.”
II. Let us inquire WHY THOSE WHO ARE “BLESSED OF THE LORD” SHOULD ACCEPT THE INVITATION of the Church to “come in,” by personal confession of Christ.
1. The Lord commands it (Mat_10:32-33; Mar_8:38).
2. The Church solicits it. A Christian who never confesses Christ and who holds aloof from fellowship with the Church, might as well not exist, so far as the interests of the Church are concerned.
3. The world needs it. The stronger the Church the more potent is the influence at work for the world’s good.
4. Your own spiritual welfare requires it. The value of association is recognized in other things. And thus church fellowship is useful in strengthening the convictions of those who share in a common faith and love towards Christ. An additional safeguard is thus furnished in seasons of temptation.
III. Let us now examine SOME OF THE EXCUSES adduced by those who, though “blessed of the Lord,” yet “stand without.” Some are ashamed of Christ, and shrink from the ridicule or enmity which confession might bring upon them. But these are not “blessed of the Lord,” for He says to them: “He that is ashamed of Me, of him shall the Son of Man be ashamed.” Some keep outside that they may be free from the restraints of membership, and have more liberty for sin, or at least for folly. Others keep outside because they resolve to postpone repentance. But why do any who really trust in Jesus and who desire to love and obey Him “stand without”? They are hindered by unscriptural obstacles, erroneous opinions, or misapplied humility. (Newman Hall, LL. B.)
The blessed of the Lord
I. WHAT IT IS THAT CONSTITUTES REAL HAPPINESS IN THE SIGHT OF GOD. It is being blessed of the Lord.
II. WHO ARE THEY THAT MAY BE SAID TO RE EMPHATICALLY BLESSED?
1. They who are justified in the sight of God.
2. Those who are sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
III. IN WHAT RESPECT AWE THEY BLESSED?
1. In their souls.
2. In their trials and sorrows.
3. In their mercies and prosperity.
4. In their labours.
5. In their relationship.
6. Throughout all eternity.
IV. And those, in the next place, who are thus blessed of the Lord, may TEST THE REALITY of their having that benediction by what they do for, or distribute amongst others, to whom the knowledge of that blessing has long been strange. He who is most blessed of God is always the greatest blessing to those that are about him. The greatest receiver of spiritual things is always the greatest giver; and the more he gives the more he gets, till he learns, by blessed and practical experience, “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” (J. Cumming, D. D.)
