060. PHP 2:1. CONSOLATION IN CHRIST

Php_2:1. Consolation In Christ

If there be, therefore, any consolation in Christ."’97Php_2:1.

Christ is God’s grand depositary of spiritual blessings for the children of men. In him is treasured up a fulness of grace and truth. There is wisdom for the ignorant, pardon for the guilty, peace for the distracted, and salvation for the lost.

Among the rest of the blessings treasured up in him, is consolation; which ought to be preeminently valuable to man, who is "born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward."

We shall endeavor to show,

I. That true and real Consolation is in Christ.

Simeon, who was waiting for the Messiah, is said to have waited for the "consolation of Israel;" Luk_2:25. Paul says, that our "consolation aboundeth by Christ;" 2Co_1:5. And that these statements are founded in truth, will appear when we remember that consolation is associated with every thing connected with Christ.

1. His name is full of consolation.

Especially his name Jesus’97the Saviour; man’s only deliverer from the wrath to come. His name Christ’97the anointed Son of God, the anointed Messiah of the world. Yes, his very name

"Is music in the sinner’s ears,

‘Tis life, and health, and peace."

There is consolation,

2. In the constitution of his person.

That he is divine; therefore possessed of all dignity and virtue, and ability to save to the uttermost. That he is really human; bone of our bone, flesh of our flesh. The kinsman of the slave, having the nature of him for whom he came to atone. Capable of suffering; and his sufferings possessing infinite efficacy and value. God’s only-begotten Son; and man’s brother and friend. There is consolation,

3. In the work he effected.

Magnified the law; opened the gates of heaven, by the shedding of his blood; and procured all the sanctifying influences of the Holy Spirit. Died, the just for the unjust, that he might bring man to God. There is consolation 4. In the offices he bears.

He is the true Prophet, and enlightens man. He is the Priest of the Christian economy, and has offered up an eternal sacrifice for sin. He is the King of kings, and his throne shall endure forever and ever. There is consolation,

5. In the station he now occupies.

Our intercessor before God. Our advocate with the Father. By whom we treat with Deity, and have our prayers, services, and persons accepted. And by whom God descends to shed his love abroad in our hearts, and to give us grace for even time of need.

Let us then consider,

II. For whom there is Consolation in Christ.

1. For the convicted sinner.

He who has had his eyes opened to behold his sin and misery. Who sees his poverty, and nakedness, and danger. Christ presents himself before him as a refuge from the storm; and as a cover from the tempest which threatens him with destruction. Yes, he proclaims aloud, that "all manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men," &c.

2. There is consolation in Christ for the contrite.

The gospel is especially presented to the brokenhearted. "Blessed are they that mourn," &c. To that man he has engaged to look, who is poor, &c. He says, Be of good cheer’97only believe’97thy sins are forgiven thee.

3. There is consolation for afflicted and tempted believers.

They have a sympathizing High-priest,

"Who knows what sore temptations mean,

For he has felt the same."

In all their affliction he is afflicted. He is ever with them; and his grace is all sufficient for them. He will hold them, and keep them to eternal life; and they shall never perish.

4. There is consolation in Christ for dying Christians.

He hath overcome death for them. Destroyed its sting. Chartered it, and employs it for the Christian’s well-being. Yes, death is theirs. And because Christ lives, they shall live also. His presence irradiates the valley; and his rod and stall comfort them. They die in Jesus, and are blessed evermore.

5. There is everlasting consolation in Christ for the spirits of the glorified in heaven. 2Th_2:16.

Yes, he gives them a mansion of glory’97crowns them with eternal life’97leads them in the flowery meads of paradise’97gives them free access to the tree of life’97and they are forever with the Lord.

Application

Learn, 1. Where there is true consolation’97in Christ. And in him, it is rich, abundant, suitable, and eternal. 2. It is in him only. Not in sin or the world. Not in Moses or the law. Not in a name or a profession. But in Christ. And he who receives a whole Christ, for all the purposes of salvation, shall receive all that consolation which is treasured up in him.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS