A desire after Jesus (Quality: Good)

[0:00] depending upon the Lord for much needed help. Friends, I ask your attention this evening as the words we'll find in Luke chapter 23 and the last two words of verse 26.

[0:23] Luke chapter 23 and the last two words of verse 26. After Jesus.

[0:35] The whole verse reads, And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus.

[1:00] From one own personal experience, it's very seldom one has a word laid upon one's spirit much before the service time.

[1:25] These words have been on one's spirit for a number of weeks. Once or twice lately, I thought it might be the word to speak from here and there.

[1:40] It's very seldom one's spirit for a number of years. It's very seldom one's spirit for a number of years. The concern in this evening service, over the past week, the burden of it has been greater and greater after Jesus.

[2:03] After Jesus. And friends, if we have not that desire after Jesus, how solemn is our state and case.

[2:20] As we read in our lesson concerning that which the Lord spake unto his disciples, whom say men that I am.

[2:46] Our dear friends, many may say a good man. Many may speak of him as the saviour of sinners.

[3:03] But oh, to have that engraved upon our hearts. As Peter by the spinet was enabled to say, the Christ of God.

[3:21] After Jesus. How the poet, my dear friends, speaks of that. What think you of Christ is the test to try both your state and your scheme.

[3:40] You cannot be right in the rest unless you think rightly of him. As Jesus appears in your view, as he is beloved or not, so God is disposed to you and mercy or wrath are your lot.

[4:01] We said in prayer, how often the Lord's dear people feel to be in a barren state, how they feel to be in the wilderness.

[4:23] But is there not that desire in your heart after Jesus? Come, dear Lord. Come, ah, enter this wretched heart of mine.

[4:42] Reveal thyself as the Prince of Peace after Jesus. Or do you know what it is to go aside and plead?

[4:55] May not be in words. But, dear friends, in sighs and tears. Groans are after him.

[5:12] To be able to say with the publican, God be merciful to me, a sinner. And where's that mercy centered, dear friends?

[5:23] Is it not in Jesus? Jesus, the Savior of sinners. That name that is above every name. Ah, we read again and again how the multitudes came after him.

[5:45] Thought it had come to mind concerning that dear woman with an issue of blood. she spent all she had and grew nothing better.

[5:59] Oh, do you know what it is to have that issue or sin? and the Lord's people will feel the burden of sin more and more as a journey on or know anything of it.

[6:16] The Lord will have it so. So that you have to cry after Jesus for his mercy, for his healing power, for his hand to be upon you, that he may bless you.

[6:34] And as that dear woman came, my dear friends, ah, unto him, she'd heard of Jesus.

[6:44] all many of us can say we've heard the name of Jesus many, many times. But now there's an aching void of the world and the things of it cannot satisfy.

[7:04] You cannot go to him as it were to his face. You had to come as that dear woman in the press behind after Jesus.

[7:22] She came, my dear friends, in faith. You say, well, if I had more faith I could believe better. It's recorded not in the portion we read concerning that dear man and his son.

[7:41] Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief. But you have to come. That dear woman had faith, dear friends. Is it not so when you come after Jesus to feel and have a touch of his gracious hand upon your heart, upon your spirit, to have indeed that sprinkling of his precious blood, and if I may but touch the touch his clothes, I shall be whole.

[8:20] If I may but come in faith, I say again, you may not say, you may say you have so little faith, feel you have none at all, why do you seek after Jesus?

[8:34] Why do you plead that name at the throne of grace? why do you come with such a burden of sin to him who is the healer, he who alone bore the sin of his people?

[8:52] She came, my dear friends. Did she come in vain? So did she come in vain?

[9:07] No, dear friends, she came and fell down before him and told him all the truth. Oh, do you know what it is to come after Jesus, to pour out your heart, to tell him all your woes, the sins that so easily beset you, your wandering spirit after Jesus.

[9:41] Oh, how the apostle right into the Hebrew speaks of this, for we are not an high priest. Oh, many go to the priest, in confession of sin that is after Jesus.

[10:00] He alone whose ear is open, he alone that can heal, he alone that can cast out the devours you feel to be in your heart. For we have not an high priest that cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities.

[10:19] Or is that the reason you go to him? that he knows. For he knoweth our frame, he remembereth that we are dust. He knows all things.

[10:34] He was not touched with the feelings of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

[10:50] Or to come, my dear friends, after Jesus. Or do you know that precious name? For there is none other name under heaven by which men shall be saved.

[11:04] And it is, dear friend, that name which gives to a soul that's burdened with sin that hope that they may, they shall one day come and worship him in sincerity and truth after Jesus.

[11:34] We read, my dear friends, after Jesus. We read, dear friends, in our lesson that word concerning that which our Lord himself speaks of.

[11:59] He said to them all, if any man shall come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

[12:20] If any man will come after me, when there is that true seeking after Jesus, there will be those things, my dear friends, which will have to be dispensed with.

[12:44] Our Lord said himself, you cannot serve God and mammon. Let him deny himself. Oh, how self must be brought down.

[13:00] all how there must be that whole dependence. The poet says, I hold dependence on me, thinks, and venture to be not.

[13:18] If any man but what I said to him, he said to them all, not one of the Lord's dear people will go through this pathway, this veil of tears, without a cross to carry.

[13:40] We've spoken that cross are of sin, that burden. but if any man will come after me, let him deny himself to take up his cross.

[13:57] I know not what cross you have to bear, dear friends, but Jesus does as you go after him, as you seek his blessing, as you confess your needs, there will be those things, my dear friends, which render heart, as it may be, in twain.

[14:30] There is the company of the two armies, in the Canaanite, still in the land, but he said, if any man will come after me, you cannot serve God and mammon.

[14:47] The thoughts have come to the word, one can find it, I think, Paul, right into the Romans, where he speaks of that. Know ye not that to whom ye hold yourselves servants, ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom you obey, whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness.

[15:17] you can you go on, my dear friends, those that are after Jesus will indeed render thanks unto him as the apostle did, but God be thanked that ye were the servants of sin, but now, but ye have obeyed from the heart the form of doctrine which was delivered unto you.

[15:44] Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. Know ye not that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey.

[16:01] They are the who do we serve. I say where that burden of sin is, where that cross is to be carried, you'll want that support, you'll want that help, you'll want him to be near to you.

[16:26] There's a lovely word we read, I will allow her and bring her into the wilderness. After Jesus.

[16:41] Those thoughts, those longings after him, and yet you feel to be further off from the object of your love.

[16:54] Makes these things around you to be a wilderness. But he said, I will allow her and bring her into the wilderness. After Jesus. And speak comfortably to her.

[17:12] Then we read, who is this that cometh up out of the wilderness leading upon our beloved? After Jesus. Oh, can you say, my dear friends, with that well-known psalm, the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

[17:36] He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness. He restoreth my soul. He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness.

[17:50] There's the evidence, dear friends. Lord, you know what it is to be restored. You cannot restore that which you haven't had.

[18:04] One real thought after Christ and his atoning work at Calvary. One plea at the phone of grace for that precious blood be upon your heart and conscience.

[18:17] one answered prayer, maybe in providence, is the evidence after Jesus. he restoreth my soul.

[18:35] He leadeth. He said, I will lead the blind by a way that they knew not. After Jesus. He goes before I say again a high priest, one who was tempted in all points, like as we are, yet without sin.

[18:57] the servant is not greater than his Lord. And he said, if they persecute me, they will persecute you.

[19:12] So, dear friend, that cross, the onslaughts of Satan, is that a cross? Satan doesn't tempt his own.

[19:24] they'll lull to sleep in the sea of complacency, where eternal death will be their light.

[19:37] But one who is after Jesus will know the onslaughts of Satan, will know the stirring up of the mud and mire in her own breasts, will have to come again and again against thee, thee only, have I sinned and done this evil in thy sight.

[19:59] You'll have to come again with Hezekiah, O Lord, I am oppressed, undertake for me.

[20:10] Why? Only Jesus. Only him can be of help to you.

[20:22] I say as the adversary tempts and beset you, you'll have to come unto him.

[20:36] O Lord, I am oppressed, undertake for me. Maybe, dear friends, maybe that rebuke in your heart tonight, where have you rested your soul?

[20:56] It's so easy, my dear friends. You may have made a profession for many years, but how often, under the allurement of Satan, how easy it is to rest in a profession.

[21:14] Dear Mr. Dawson, you may have your name on a church roll. That alone, my dear friends, will not shame you. But I say, you may feel you're resting on that which is of man.

[21:37] As that dear man is, I've sought thy disciples to cast him out, and they could not. Jesus answered and said, O faithless and for first generation, how long shall I be with you and suffer you?

[21:55] But did his compassions fail not? Did it love change? Oh friend, you may this night feel far off from God and Satan, I say, hurling those massive waves against you.

[22:17] But remember this, he is still the same after Jesus, an almighty saviour, an ever loving saviour, one who comes where you are.

[22:34] As he said unto that dear man, bring thy son hither after Jesus. Take your burden, cast it as dear feed, tell him all your sad complaints.

[22:53] He said, bring them, bring thy son hither. Oh how descriptive it is of a child of God that is burdened.

[23:04] You may be going up to the house of God. You may have had a burden, a spirit of prayer throughout the day, and yet you have entered the house of God, got nearer to it, and if you enter the house of God, it seems to dry up.

[23:23] You are cold and hard. As that father obeyed that command of Jesus and as he was a coming that dredvelled threw him down and tear him, but Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the child and delivered him again to the father.

[23:49] He will come. He said, call upon me in the day of trouble and I will deliver you after Jesus. And those things, my dear friends, which the Lord leads his dear people into, brings them, my dear friends, to those times and seasons where they know not what to do.

[24:16] They know indeed that this is the way after Jesus. And the thought that has come to mind, it's recorded by Jeremiah the prophet.

[24:28] Surely I've heard he bemoan himself thus, thou hast chastened me, and I was chastised as a bullet unaccustomed to the yoke.

[24:44] Is this Jesus chastising you? We need chastising. Paul said, now no chastising for the present, seem to be joyous but grievous, nevertheless afterwards it gives the fruit of righteousness.

[25:05] You have to come, turn thou me and I shall be turned for thou art the Lord my God. Faith, live in faith, live in desires after the saviour sinners.

[25:24] Surely after that I was turned after you felt the Lord's chastening hand, those rebukes.

[25:35] As we read in our lesson did we not, concerning those that followed him, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow him with us wherever thou goest.

[25:57] He said to another, follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. So let the dead bury the dead, but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

[26:09] God said to you know, no chastening for the presence seems to be joyous. And friends, if there's something one hears rebelling against the word of the Lord, the Lord knows the exercises.

[26:25] The Lord knows indeed the burden of this word and one spirit these last couple of days. But Lord, the Lord knows surely after this I was turned.

[26:41] I repented. Oh, confess, Lord of sinned, thy hand has been upon me. Surely after that I was turned, I repented.

[26:57] After that I was instructed. The Lord doesn't lay his people low in chastisement, whether in spiritual exercises, bring them down in providence, maybe in affliction.

[27:13] But dear friends, all to make us sick of self and fond of him. After that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh, was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I bear the reproach of my youth.

[27:36] Yet those words of comfort, is Ephraim, my dear son, is he a pleasant child, for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still, therefore my bowels are troubled for him, I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the Lord.

[27:58] Then that command, set thee up way marks, and make thee high heaps, set thy heart toward the highway, even the way which thou wentest, turn again, O virgin of Israel, turn again, these thy cities, turn again, unto Jesus, turn unto him, for he will have compassion on him, because he has lent, because he has put in your heart that desire after him, after Jesus.

[28:46] Friends, the Lord knows the exercise of this word upon one spirit. As he said unto another, who said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee, but let me first bid them farewell, which are at home in my house.

[29:12] And Jesus said unto him, no man having put his hand to the plough and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. Pay thy vows unto the Most High.

[29:32] Has there been those desires after Jesus? Has there been those times and seasons when the Lord has given you a hope beyond the grave? That he suffered upon Calvary to you?

[29:46] That he bore your sins and stood in your place bearing the whole wrath of God due to you?

[29:58] Had there been those softened heart a measure of thankfulness? Why was I made to hear thy voice and enter while there's room while thousands make a wretched choice and rather starved than come?

[30:15] There's been a spirit of thankfulness for thy disciples friend you put your hand to the plough all my mind I say to the glory and honour of God the early days of the ministry standing wheelchair when felt in bond I laboured that Sabbath morning after lunch I went to walk and looked across that field nearly ripe for harvest I thought I gotta go home I can't face the people again all the deaths that was in my spirit these words came no man having put his hand to the plough looking back is fit for the kingdom of God friend that broke my heart down it was a kingdom of God a hope that I should be amongst that number that no man can number and the

[31:17] Lord and his great father are granted his blessing a soul was blessed that night dear friends well dear brethren know what it is you have to walk the depths my dear friends so that you can set forth those things that his dear people have to walk in said early the Lord is my shepherd my sheep hear my voice have you heard his voice his call have you heard his word has it laid with burden upon your soul my sheep hear my voice and I know them you say yes Lord thou hast known me known me in my sin known me in my adversities there's been the lifting up out of the mire clay and what else and

[32:18] I know them and they follow me the Lord knows the exercise concerning our closing hymn there's one task during the night hour concerning a hymn closing hymn those words humble souls who seek salvation through the lamb's redeeming blood hear the voice of revelation tread the path that Jesus tried there's the example and the last line of his of this hymn after his example rise oh what an example now

[33:20] Lord did not consider it debasing for want of that expression ah he humbled himself he took upon him the body like on her own yet without sin that he might suffer death upon the Calvary and he set that example as he went to Jordan ah unto John where he came my dear friend then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John be baptized of him oh John felt so unworthy he said early on whose shoes latched are not worthy to unloose ah he may know him to come to him to follow him

[34:20] John forbade him saying I have need to be baptized of thee and comest thou to me what did Jesus say and Jesus answering said unto him suffer it to be so now for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness that commandment my dear friends given unto his disciples the Lord has left it on record for his servants to set forth these precious truths those things my dear friends which have been preserved to us throughout the ages Satan has done his best to eliminate to destroy but still the word of God stands and the word of the Lord abideth forever go ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the

[35:21] Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you all things an example our Lord said that which he has commanded if ye love me keep my commandments and dear friends in keeping those commandments there is great reward and what reward is it and lo I am with you always even unto the end of the world when thou passest through the waters I will be with thee I know a young man exercised about believers baptism but oh how he dreaded water holiday time sea time hardly had his feet wet he detested it hated it and how satan laid his burden upon his heart right up to the time but how did the

[36:38] Lord appear the Lord's dear servant was unable to speak in those words my sheep hear my voice and I know them and I follow and they follow me and I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish friend fear of water was taken away lo I'm with you all way dear friend remember this too oh how the Lord spake in our words and our lesson for whosoever shall be ashamed of me and my words of him shall the son of man be ashamed when he shall come in his own glory and in his fathers and of the holy angels ashamed of Jesus that be a friend on whom my hopes of heaven depend know when I bless be this my shame that I no more revere his name after

[37:54] Jesus all friends I feel he's been around tonight the Lord knows the exercise of one spirit he knows the exercise of each one here may pardon all that's been amiss and use it to his honour and glory Amen May the Lord help us to close with hymn 428 humble souls who seek salvation through the Lamb's redeeming blood hear the voice of revelation tread the path that Jesus trod flee to him your only saviour in his mighty name confide in the whole of your behaviour own him for your sovereign guide 428 oh

[39:14] I hates ever every means about his fors In picture shot, our history Amen.

[40:10] Amen. Amen.

[41:10] Amen. Amen.

[42:10] Amen. Amen.