Behold, I Come
The sermon emphasizes the longing of old testament saints and new testament believers for Jesus' coming, and the importance of realizing his words by faith and inviting him into the heart.
Robert Hawker preaches on the anticipation and longing of both Old and New Testament believers for the coming of the Lord Jesus. He encourages believers to open their hearts to Jesus' grace and Holy Spirit daily, eagerly desiring His presence. Reflecting on the various instances of Jesus' coming throughout history, from His visits to the patriarchs and prophets to His promised return, Hawker urges believers to eagerly anticipate and welcome the Lord's presence in their lives, echoing the church's cry for His swift return.
Text
DECEMBER 23.
MORNING.
"Behold, I come." Psalm 40:7
What a longing had old testament saints for the Lord Jesus' coming! And what an earnest wish and prayer it is among new testament believers, for Jesus' coming by the visits of his grace, and the sweet influences of his Holy Spirit, from day to day! My soul, how I desire to realize by faith this day, even this very day, these words of your Redeemer, as if he were now standing at the door of your heart, and asking for admission. And shall I not say, under this sweet impression, "Come in, you blessed of the Lord, why do you stand outside?"
Oh blessed Jesus, when I consider the many precious instances of your coming, set up from everlasting in your goings forth for the salvation of your chosen, your anticipation, in your visits before the season of your sojourning in our flesh; your visits to the patriarchs and prophets; your manifestation openly to the people; your secret, sweet, and inexpressibly gracious visits now, and your promised return in the clouds at the final consummation of all things; Oh Lamb of God, cost you say, "Behold, I come?" Oh for the earnestness of faith, in all her devout longings, to cry out with the church of old, and say, "Make haste, my Beloved, and come! Oh come quickly, Lord Jesus!"
Sermon Outline
- The Longing of Old Testament Saints
- The Earnestness of Faith
- The Precious Instances of Jesus' Coming
- Visits to the patriarchs and prophets
- Manifestation openly to the people
- Secret visits now and promised return
Key Quotes
“Oh blessed Jesus, when I consider the many precious instances of your coming, set up from everlasting in your goings forth for the salvation of your chosen, your anticipation, in your visits before the season of your sojourning in our flesh;” — Robert Hawker
“Oh for the earnestness of faith, in all her devout longings, to cry out with the church of old, and say, 'Make haste, my Beloved, and come! Oh come quickly, Lord Jesus!'” — Robert Hawker
Application Points
- You can realize Jesus' words by faith by being earnest and devout in your longings and crying out to him to come into your heart.
- You should invite Jesus into your heart and ask him to make haste and come quickly.
- You should have a deep desire for Jesus' coming and his sweet influences in your life.