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James Smith

Jesus and the Sinner

Romans 3; Romans 5
James Smith • February, 3 2011 • Audio
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James Smith
James Smith • February, 3 2011
Choice Puritan Devotional

The sermon "Jesus and the Sinner" by James Smith addresses the central theological topic of Christ's ongoing relationship with sinners, emphasizing His grace and active roles in their salvation. Smith argues that Jesus calls, receives, cleanses, and nourishes sinners freely, demonstrating His unconditional love, and initiating their sanctification. He draws upon Romans 3 and Romans 5, highlighting that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) and that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8), thus validating the necessity of looking solely to Christ rather than to oneself for assurance. The significance of this sermon lies in its focus on the transformative effects of Christ's work in the lives of believers, encouraging them to not only receive His grace but to live lives evidencing that grace through faithful witness and obedience.

Key Quotes

“Come, just as you are. Come, this moment. Come, for all that you need.”

“He receives the sinner graciously, pardoning every sin, forgiving and forgetting all that he has done amiss.”

“In the fountain of His precious blood and in the lava of His holy Word, He cleanses him from guilt and pollution.”

“O wondrous grace of a wondrous Saviour! Believer, this precious Saviour is yours.”

What does the Bible say about Jesus calling sinners?

The Bible reveals that Jesus invites sinners to come to Him freely for salvation, emphasizing His grace and willingness to receive them.

Jesus calls sinners to Himself in a profound expression of grace and compassion. He says, 'Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest' (Matthew 11:28). This invitation underscores that no matter how unworthy one may feel, Jesus' arms are open wide to receive every sinner, emphasizing His readiness to forgive and heal. The call is not only for initial salvation but for continual coming to Him with one's burdens and needs, highlighting His ongoing relationship with believers.

Matthew 11:28

How do we know that Jesus cleanses our sins?

Jesus cleanses our sins through His precious blood, which purifies us from guilt and makes us fit for service.

The cleansing of sins is a fundamental aspect of the work of Christ, established through the atonement of His blood. Hebrews 9:22 states, 'Without the shedding of blood is no remission.' This highlights the vital role of Jesus' sacrifice in the forgiveness of sins. Moreover, the continual working of His Spirit, in conjunction with His Word, facilitates this cleansing process, making believers fit for holy service both on earth and in eternity. By faith, we acknowledge that our guilt is washed away by His blood, revealing the depth of His redemptive love.

Hebrews 9:22

Why is it important for Christians to be assured of their salvation?

Assurance of salvation brings peace and joy, dispelling doubts and fears in the life of a believer.

The assurance of salvation is crucial for Christians as it strengthens their faith and brings inner peace. When Jesus assures believers of His love and their standing before Him, their fears and doubts are alleviated. As stated in Romans 5:1, 'Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.' This peace empowers believers to live confidently in their identity in Christ, prompting them to serve and share the Gospel with others. It also strengthens their resilience in trials, knowing they are secure in His promises.

Romans 5:1

What does it mean that Jesus restores sinners?

Jesus restores sinners by seeking them when they stray and renewing their relationship with Him.

The restoration of sinners is a beautiful depiction of Christ’s relentless love and grace. When believers wander from Him, as is often the case, Jesus pursues them compassionately. In Luke 15:4, the image of the shepherd leaving the ninety-nine to find the one lost sheep illustrates this active pursuit. Restoration involves reconciling the believer, renewing their sense of joy and purpose, and allowing them to experience His nourishment again. This transformative process not only brings healing but also reintegrates the believer into a vibrant relationship with Jesus, fueling their passion for His service.

Luke 15:4

Sermon Transcript

Auto-generated transcript • May contain errors

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. Jesus and the Sinner by James Smith.

All that Jesus does for lost sinners, He does freely out of pure pity, kindness and love. Yet, we are always looking for something in ourselves to encourage us. On the other hand, we tend to look at some sin committed by us which discourages us, whereas we should look only to Jesus.

I want now, for a few minutes, to fix the eye of your mind on what Jesus does for sinners, how He acts toward them at the present day.

Jesus calls the sinner. He says, Come unto me. Come, just as you are. Come, this moment. Come, for all that you need. Come, for all that you desire. Come, and be saved. Come, and I will satisfy you. Come, and commit all your concerns to me. and I will make all things that occur work together for your good."

Jesus receives the sinner when He comes. He receives every sinner, however base, vile, or unworthy he may be. He receives the sinner graciously, pardoning every sin, forgiving and forgetting all that he has done amiss, and treating him with the utmost kindness.

Jesus cleanses the sinner. In the fountain of His precious blood and in the lava of His holy Word, He cleanses him from guilt and pollution, fitting him for holy service on earth and for holier service in heaven. Nor is there any getting rid of guilt but by His blood, nor of impurity but by His Spirit working with His Word.

Jesus clothes the sinner. Cleansed from guilt and filth, we are clothed in His garments of salvation and are covered with His robe of righteousness. All that is necessary for our honorable appearance in heaven among the glorified, He undertakes to provide. Those who trust in Him are completely nourished by Him.

Jesus feeds the sinner. His flesh and blood becomes our daily food. We can no more live and be healthy without nourishing food for the body, than we can live and be happy without sweet and frequent nourishment from Christ. There is in the renewed soul a craving for Christ, and it is never satisfied. but as it realizes his presence, meditates on his word, or is solaced with his love.

Jesus employs the sinner. Having called, received, cleansed, clothed, and nourished him, he sets him to work, he gives him a cross to carry, and a plot in his vineyard to cultivate. He sends him to speak to others of his grace, and to manifest to others his temper and disposition. He sends him to the poor widow's cottage, to the sick man's chamber, and to the ignorant soul's home, and says, Feed them for me, comfort them for me, and teach them for me.

Jesus comforts the sinner. Yes, when he is depressed and discouraged, when he is low and cast down, he consoles by some special providence, by some seasonable portion of his word, by the counsel of some friend, or by the sweet whispers of his Spirit.

Jesus assures the sinner. assures him of his love to him, of a saving interest in his finished work, and of a title to heavenly mansions. When Jesus assures us, our doubts and fears depart, our unbelief is destroyed, and our souls are filled with peace and joy.

Jesus visits the sinner. He says, I will come unto him, And he does come, and brings with him pleasant light, precious fruits, and joy, and peace. He says, I will come and sup with him, and he with me. And he draws him out into such sweet, near, and dear communion with himself, that no costly meal, no delightful company can be compared to it.

Jesus restores the sinner. For as astonishing as it may appear, it is nevertheless true, that we are prone to wander. We leave light for darkness, we leave plenty for poverty, we leave joy for sorrow, we leave a paradise for a desert. and having wondered, we would never find our way back if He did not come after us. But blessed be His holy name, He does, and then He restores our souls, and again feeds us in green pastures, causing us to lie down beside the still waters.

Jesus reproves the sinner. However He may spare our persons, He never spares our sins. He visits our transgressions with a rod and our iniquities with stripes. His reproofs are often sharp, cutting convictions, heavy losses, severe trials, perplexing troubles, bodily sickness, and painful bereavement. are some of the rods which He employs, but however numerous and heavy His strokes, they are lighter than our guilt, and fewer than our sins. He deals with us as with sons, He chastens us for our profit, and to make us partakers of His holiness.

Jesus glorifies the sinner, glorifies him with himself, and confers on him an eternal weight of glory. What it is to be glorified, we do not fully know. At the least, it is to be freed from all that is sinful, painful, and degrading, and to be invested with all that is bright, beautiful, and blessed. It is to be made as like Jesus as possible, and to be with Him where He is for ever.

O wondrous grace of a wondrous Saviour! Believer, this precious Saviour is yours. Will you not love him then? Will you not bear witness to the power and sweetness of his love, to the joy and happiness that are found in his ways? Will you not observe his statutes and keep his laws? Will you not come out of the world, which is peopled by his enemies, and be separated to him? Can you mingle with the carnal and frequent places of worldly amusement? Must you go to the world to be gratified and amused? Beware how you wound your precious Saviour's loving heart.
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