SERMON XXI. 1 THESSALONIANS iv. 13, 14.-I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep; that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. -none of HERE is a Christian speaking to Christians; them Christians of that questionable sort, which we constantly see around us-but Christians indeed; men who had received the word of Christ in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost;" and who had even become examples (such was their faith and love and patience) to believers in the regions around them.1 These eminent Christians were not exempted (who is?) from severe and painful trials. They had lost friends by death-probably by martyrdom; and were in danger of being "swallowed up of overmuch sorrow." In my text, their affectionate counsellor labours to comfort them; and, as usual, his consolations are drawn from the doctrine of a crucified and risen Saviour. They are applicable, moreover, in all ages, and with equal force, to those who mourn over the ravages made by death, whether in private families, or in the Church at large. "Sorrow not," saith he, " even as others which have no hope for if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him." 1 Chap. i. 6, 7. : 66 From these words I shall take occasion to shew, I. WHAT IT IS TO "SLEEP IN JESUS." To be in Christ," is a very frequent expression in the New Testament; and its meaning may be seen by attending to various similitudes, which describe the relation subsisting between Christ and his people. Thus, for example, our Lord compares himself to a Vine," and his true followers to "the branches." The Church is a building, which rests on him as its 2 foundation." He is the Ark, for saving lost sinners from the flood of God's wrath; and the deliverance is obtained by being in that Ark. In all these comparisons, the leading idea is Union; it is from union that the vine-branch derives its nourishment, and the building its strength.-Now such Union exists between Christ, and the soul that is "in Christ." It begins in a new birth-in regeneration by the Spirit of Christ. The Holy Ghost is one with the Son of God; and, through his presence, every soul in which he dwells becomes in like manner one with Christ. From this spiritual Union two effects necessarily flow. 1. He who is united to Christ is freed from condemnation in the sight of God. The merits of Jesus cover all his unrighteousness and sin. However corrupt he may be by nature, however depraved by past wickedness, however feeble in present obedience, all his guilt is "blotted out,' ," "cast into the depth of the sea,' "4 and "behind God's back,"5 never more to be remembered against him. For such is the sure word of promise→ "There is now no condemnation to them that are IN CHRIST JESUS."6 But again, 2 1 Cor. iii. 11. 1 John xv. 1. 4 Micah vii. 19. 5 Isa. xxxviii. 17. 3 Ísa. xliv. 22. 2. He who is united to Christ derives from that blessed union spiritual grace, strength and holiness. You remember how the mere touch of the hem of Christ's garment fetched virtue out of him, to staunch the issue of blood.' And shall not the close contact, effected by the indwelling of the Spirit of Christ, be much more powerful to restrain our sinful lusts, and to renew us "after the image of him that created us?" Yes-here is the only effectual means of our bringing forth the fruits of holiness. Our natural strength is perfect weakness.' The Tempter laughs at human vows and resolutions. But he that abideth in me, and I in him,” saith Jesus, "the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing."2 And the language of the Apostle Paul entirely accords with this statement, where he says-" If any man be IN CHRIST, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."3 In fact, it is by this rule that he teaches us to examine whether we are so "in Christ," as to be justified by him; there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, “who walk, not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Here then is much room, my friends, for solemn and serious inquiry concerning your own state. Are you "in Christ?" In other words, is the Spirit of Christ in you? Have you ever yet emerged out of the awful condition in which you were born; a "child of wrath""child of disobedience" a With many, 66 and of the mind; 66 -an enemy of God?" I fear, it is not the case. You live even as others," 4 fulfilling the desires of the flesh some more decorously perhaps than others yet so as to shew that you are still destitute of the Spirit of Christ. Alas, if this be so, you are not saved from condemnation; you have as yet no 1 Mark v. 30. 2 John xv. 5. 3 2 Cor. v. 17. 4 Eph. ii. 1-3. 66 new heart, no spiritual grace. And I must tell youkindly, but faithfully-that if you die in this state, you will lift up your eyes in torments." Some of you may think that I have wandered from my subject; but I have not. We were to explain what it is to sleep (that is, to die) in Jesus; and the meaning is now evident. Such persons as those whom I have been speaking of—who live in Christ, and act habitually under the influence of the Spirit of Christmust at length, notwithstanding their blessed privilege, draw near to "the house appointed for all living." But the act of dying can make no alteration in their state toward God. Death finds them "in Christ "—they enter the grave" in Christ”—their spirits, "absent from the body," are "with Christ: the very noisomeness of the tomb itself, with its worms, corruption, and dishonour, all are sanctified to the believer, by this spiritual Union-perfumed by the fragrancy of those merits of Jesus, which formed a sacrifice of a sweet savour, acceptable in the sight of God. 2 You need no further explanation. Oh that there were in you all an earnest desire, endeavour, and prayer, for the attainment of so blessed a state! Oh that you would now, if never before, seek for that spiritual conversion of the heart, without which you must be far from Christ, both now and for ever! But let us proceed to consider briefly, II. WHAT ARE THE FUTURE PROSPECTS OF THOSE WHO SLEEP IN JESUS. 1. I must begin by desiring you to notice the expression that is used, in describing the death of true believers. It is a Sleep-nothing more. Violent causes may have produced this sleep. It may have been 1 Job xxx. 23. 2 2 Cor. v. 6. Phil. i. 23. Yet it is but a Here occasioned by disease-or by tortures. sleep after all; sleep, moreover, without a dream, without a pang or sigh, without a chance of danger— for there the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest."1-But, if death be only a sleep, the very word implies that there will be a wakening again— a morning of light, gladness, and joy. Be assured, that it is not without special meaning, that death is in Scripture called sleep. The death of no other creature but Man is thus named: and, in the New Testament, the term is still more closely restricted to "them that sleep in Jesus; as though it were unfit to be given to that death-the death of the ungodly-which must be followed by "the second death."2 2. But we need not stand criticizing the term. is an express Assurance, that "God will bring" again all those who have slept in Jesus. The meaning of this may be seen from a parallel passage-" The God of peace brought again from the dead the Lord Jesus." 3 In language exactly similar, we are here told, that God will also bring up from the grave the bodies of his faithful disciples. He will bring them "with him." They belong to him; and nothing must be lost, that hath ever belonged unto Christ. It may for a season be put away-hidden from sight-laid up for future use; but it will be re-demanded-in that day "when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe." 4 "When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall we also with him"--both soul and body-" in glory." appear 3. The Pledge and Earnest of this promise is to be found in the death and resurrection of Jesus himself. Nothing could be more improbable, than both those 3 Heb. xiii. 20. 1 Job iii. 17. 2 Rev. xxi. 8. 5 Coloss. iii. 4. |