487. LUK 4:18. SINNERS CAPTIVES

Luk_4:18. Sinners Captives

"Deliverance to the captives."’97Luk_4:18.

This is a part of the Saviour’s first sermon. He began his public ministry by exhibiting the riches of his grace to sinners. His ministry was eminently one of mercy and love. In him dwelt an infinite fulness of grace and truth. He was in all things a Saviour suited to the exigencies of our ruined race. He came to redeem us from all iniquity, and from its effects both in this world and in that which is to come. Hence, knowing man’s enthralled condition, he proclaimed, "Deliverance to the captives." In the text observe,

I. The State of Mankind supposed.

"Captives." That is, in a state of vassalage. One who has been made prisoner in war. Man fell through the agency of Satan, and became the victim of his infernal tyranny. Now, as captives,

1. Sinners are in bonds.

Enfettered in spirit, and bound with the manacles and chains of iniquity. Of these bonds there are ignorance,’97superstition,’97slavish fear. Now, as captives,

2. Sinners are in exile.

Excluded from their original country and inheritance. Far from God, and from holiness and peace. In an enemy’s territories, &c. They are captives,

3. In darkness.

It was an ancient practice to put out the eyes of distinguished prisoners of war, and otherwise to maim them. See the case of Zedekiah, Jer_39:7. Now Satan, as the god of this world, blinds his victims He keeps them in a state of darkness, &c.

4. In prison.

Under the reign of Satan, sinful men are as in prison. Strangers to holy freedom and spiritual liberty. As such, his captives are,

5. Wretched and miserable.

Their professed pleasures are fictitious’97imaginary’97mere delusions. They are without peace; without solid enjoyment, and without hope. This captivity is connected,

6. With extreme peril of eternal ruin.

It is the design of Satan to involve his victims in everlasting misery. He intends their unending ruin. Hence, those who are not liberated from his power, and translated out of his kingdom, will go down into the dark abyss of wo, to be tormented with the devil and his angels forever and ever. Observe,

II. The Deliverance announced.

This deliverance has been rendered,

1. Possible through the redeeming power of Christ.

Jesus is the deliverer. He came to rescue us from the power of the devil. He has bruised the head of the serpent. He has overcome all his enemies by his triumphs on the cross, and his resurrection from the dead. He hath opened a glorious highway for the return of Satan’s captives to the liberty and favor of God,’97from the regions of death to the kingdom of life This deliverance,

2. Is proclaimed in the gospel.

It is the design, the great end of the gospel, to offer liberty to the bound, and deliverance to the captives. The gospel is the gracious annunciation of hope and life to wretched perishing sinners.

3. This deliverance is offered to all.

God addresses men as sinners, and all such are invited to enjoy the redemption of the gospel. There is no restriction, no limitation. Whosoever will, may freely come, and not one of such shall be cast out

4. This deliverance is obtained by faith.

The hearty belief of the gospel proclamation gives instant deliverance to the captive. The truth known, at once makes free. The gospel to every believer is the power of God to salvation. God says, it is not by works of righteousness, but by grace, and through faith. But this faith is the exercise of the heart, and embraces the whole gospel, and yields implicit homage to the authority of Christ.

5. This deliverance is connected with blessings of indescribable value.

It is connected with remission of sins; renewal of the heart; adoption into God’s family; enjoyment of internal peace; and the hope of eternal life.

Application

1. To enslaved sinners. How deplorable your state. How infatuated to reject the deliverance. O be wise and turn unto the Lord.

2. To emancipated freemen. Rejoice. Bless your deliverer, Jesus. Show forth his praise. Tell others of it.

"Point dying sinners to his blood,

And say Behold the way to God."

Autor: JABEZ BURNS