The Father Sent the Son to Be the Saviour of the World
Jesus Christ was sent by the Father to be the Saviour of men, and our union with Christ means union with God.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes that Jesus Christ's mission as the Saviour of the world was initiated by the Father's authority and consent, highlighting the unity and equal honor of the Trinity in the work of salvation. He warns against attributing the glory of salvation solely to Christ, reminding believers that the Father played a crucial role in equipping the Son for His redemptive work. Spurgeon encourages Christians to recognize their deep connection with God through their relationship with Christ, affirming that faith in Jesus links them to the Eternal Father. He invites the congregation to meditate on the profound love of God the Father in sending His Son and to see the unity of purpose among the Trinity in the act of salvation. Ultimately, he calls for a holistic understanding of the roles of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in the believer's faith journey.
Text
It is a sweet thought that Jesus Christ did not come forth without His Father's permission, authority, consent, and assistance. He was sent of the Father, that He might be the Saviour of men. We are too apt to forget that, while there are distinctions as to the persons in the Trinity, there are no distinctions of honour. We too frequently ascribe the honour of our salvation, or at least the depths of its benevolence, more to Jesus Christ than we do the Father. This is a very great mistake.
What if Jesus came? Did not His Father send Him? If He spake wondrously, did not His Father pour grace into His lips, that He might be an able minister of the new covenant? He who knoweth the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost as he should know them, never setteth one before another in his love; he sees them at Bethlehem, at Gethsemane, and on Calvary, all equally engaged in the work of salvation. O Christian, hast thou put thy confidence in the Man Christ Jesus? Hast thou placed thy reliance solely on Him?
And art thou united with Him? Then believe that thou art united unto the God of heaven. Since to the Man Christ Jesus thou art brother, and holdest closest fellowship, thou art linked thereby with God the Eternal, and "the Ancient of days" is thy Father and thy friend. Didst thou ever consider the depth of love in the heart of Jehovah, when God the Father equipped His Son for the great enterprise of mercy? If not, be this thy day's meditation. The Father sent Him! Contemplate that subject.
Think how Jesus works what the Father wills. In the wounds of the dying Saviour see the love of the great I AM. Let every thought of Jesus be also connected with the Eternal, ever-blessed God, for "It pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He hath put Him to grief."
Sermon Outline
- I. Jesus Christ was sent by the Father
- A. With His Father's permission, authority, and assistance
- B. To be the Saviour of men
- II. The Trinity is not divided by honour
- A. All persons in the Trinity are equally engaged in salvation
- B. We should not ascribe more honour to Jesus than the Father
- III. Jesus' work is a result of the Father's love and power
- A. The Father poured grace into Jesus' lips
- B. Jesus works what the Father wills
- IV. Union with Christ means union with God
- A. As a Christian, we are united with Christ and God
- B. The Father is our friend and our God
Key Quotes
“It pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He hath put Him to grief.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“What if Jesus came? Did not His Father send Him?” — C.H. Spurgeon
“Since to the Man Christ Jesus thou art brother, and holdest closest fellowship, thou art linked thereby with God the Eternal, and 'the Ancient of days' is thy Father and thy friend.” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- As a Christian, I am united with Christ and God, and the Father is my friend and God.
- I should consider the love of the Father, which equipped Jesus for the great enterprise of mercy.
- I should remember that Jesus works what the Father wills, and that the Father poured grace into Jesus' lips.