198. 1TH 1:10. THE BLESSED DELIVERANCE

1Th_1:10. The Blessed Deliverance

"Jesus, who delivered us from the wrath to come."’971Th_1:10.

In the text we have, I. A Perilous State adverted to. II. A Happy Deliverance declared. And, III. The Blessed Deliverer acknowledged. We have,

I. A Perilous State adverted to.

Exposed to "wrath to come." This wrath includes,

1. The actual infliction of the Divine displeasure.

Exclusion from heaven’97angels’97God Positive misery. An inhabitant of darkness. "Cast into the lake of fire." "Turned into hell." Represented as fire brimstone, horrible tempest, &c., &c. "Worm dieth not," &c.

2. This wrath will respect both body and soul.

The soul, immediately at death; and body and soul, after the second and general resurrection.

3. This wrath in its intense fiercer ess is yet to come.

The day of wrath. The appearance of the Judge. The tremendous sentence, and he fierce outpouring of his judgments yet to come.

4. This wrath will be proportionate’97To mercies perverted’97privileges abused’97mercies neglected’97light possessed’97sins committed, &c.

5. This wrath will be eternal.

An eternal night. Impassable gulf. Unquenchable fire. Now those in a state of sin and unbelief are exposed to this wrath’97condemned already’97heirs of wrath’97meetening for it, &c. But observe,

II. A Happy Deliverance declared.

This deliverance is the privilege of the justified believer. Now such are delivered,

1. From the sentence.

No longer condemned, but justified freely. Rom_8:1.

2. Delivered from the meetness for this wrath New creatures. Regenerated. Adopted. Sanctified. Accepted in Christ Spiritual’97Holy.

3. Delivered from the gloomy forebodings of this wrath.

No restless anxiety. Mental anguish. Terror, &c. Peace, hope, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

4. Delivered absolutely from the possibility of inflicted wrath.

Interested in God’s love and favor. Heirs with Christ. Internal attestations of the Spirit. An evangelical claim to all the promises. Such cannot possibly perish. Must assuredly be saved. Word and honor of God pledged. Notice,

III. The blessed Deliverer announced.

"Jesus," who hath delivered us from the wrath to come. Jesus is the divinely appointed Deliverer. The only one. The efficient one. The gracious one. But how does he deliver?

1. Meritoriously by his precious blood.

He suffered for us, the just for the unjust, &c. Died for our sins, &c. Bore our iniquities, &c. Redemption in his blood, &c. Col. i 14: Isa_53:5; Joh_1:29

2. Instrumentality, by his word.

It is the word of salvation. "Able to make us wise," &c. "Ye shall know the truth," &c. "Power of God to salvation," &c.

3. Efficiently by his Spirit.

Spirit uses the word. Makes it effectual in illuminating, convincing, saving, &c.

4. He will deliver us personally and eternally.

By raising our bodies, and receiving us into his kingdom, and bestowing the crown of glory that fadeth not away. 1Pe_5:4

Application

(1) Let the believer be grateful, holy, and devoted to Christ. (2) Encourage the inquirer. (3) Warn the careless. (4) Threaten the incorrigible. (5) Exhort all to seriousness and consideration.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS