Fragments
The sermon explores the transformative power of grace through Christ, emphasizing forgiveness and our relationship with God.
John Nelson Darby emphasizes the transformative power of grace in his sermon 'Fragments', explaining that righteousness is based on Christ's obedience rather than our own sins. He highlights that while we may feel burdened by our failings, God is constantly engaged with us, offering grace and forgiveness. The rending of the veil signifies the end of the old covenant and the beginning of a new relationship with God, where our sins are permanently removed. Darby reassures that through Christ, we can stand in the presence of God's holiness, cleansed by His blood. Ultimately, he reminds us that in judgment, Christ pays our debts, inviting us to confess all our sins to Him.
Text
(Words in Season, Vol. 4, 1890, page 249.)
Exodus 32:31-33; Isaiah 43:25. - Grace makes righteousness rest on the obedience of another, and so now it is not the sinner who is blotted out, but his sins, let them be never so vile. If I say I've sinned, and perhaps He will blot me out of His book, I am standing on law; but the moment I understand Christ is my righteousness, the ground is altered altogether, and I find God occupied with me constantly, and I say, "Go with me, for I am a poor stiff-necked, rebellious creature." What a God we have! No wonder if God can be with me when I am walking with Him; but to know that He is occupying Himself with my failings, well may we "joy in God."
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GOD does shew us what we are, but He brings us what we want in that state.
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CHRIST has taken the fruit of my doing, and I have got the fruit of His.
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THE conscience follows the throne. If God's will be unanswered, the conscience is not perfected; if His demands or will be answered the conscience is perfected, and we are sanctified.
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THE rending of the vail marked four things: - (1) That Judaism of the past was over; (2) that man had consummated his guilt; (3) that God had disclosed Himself in perfect grace; (4) and the sins of the believer were swept away by the same stroke for ever. The vail being rent, I see the holiness of God; but the very stroke that rent the vail, and thus unveiled the holiness of God, has put away the sin that hindered me from standing in the presence of that holiness; God coming out to me, and I enabled to go with Christ into the rest of His holiness. The more the eye of God scrutinises and searches us, the more it brings out the blessed truth that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin. The light shews the whiteness of the robe that has been washed in the blood of the Lamb.
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IN the day of judgment God comes to claim what man owes, but in Christ He comes to pay it; and if one comes to pay all my debts, I'll take care that there is not a single debt I don't tell him of.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Understanding Grace
- Righteousness through Christ
- God's Constant Occupation with Us
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II
- The Role of Conscience
- Perfection through God's Will
- Sanctification Process
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III
- The Significance of the Rending of the Vail
- Judaism's Conclusion
- God's Perfect Grace Revealed
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IV
- The Cleansing Power of Christ's Blood
- Standing in God's Holiness
- The Assurance of Forgiveness
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V
- Judgment Day and Christ's Payment
- Acknowledging Our Debts
- Embracing Full Redemption
Key Quotes
“Grace makes righteousness rest on the obedience of another, and so now it is not the sinner who is blotted out, but his sins, let them be never so vile.” — John Nelson Darby
“The rending of the vail marked four things: - (1) That Judaism of the past was over; (2) that man had consummated his guilt; (3) that God had disclosed Himself in perfect grace; (4) and the sins of the believer were swept away by the same stroke for ever.” — John Nelson Darby
“In the day of judgment God comes to claim what man owes, but in Christ He comes to pay it.” — John Nelson Darby
Application Points
- Recognize that your sins are blotted out through Christ's righteousness, not your own efforts.
- Understand the importance of a perfected conscience in your walk with God.
- Embrace the assurance of forgiveness and the cleansing power of Christ's blood in your life.