Matthew

[0:00] Depending upon the Lord for help, I'll direct your attention to Matthew 17 and reading verse 8.

[0:26] Matthew 17 and reading verse 8. And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man save Jesus only.

[0:47] And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man save Jesus only.

[1:00] What a blessed spot that is. Though sunk so low, so though we may feel our insignificance.

[1:17] When thus we find ourselves aroused by a touch from Jesus. That touch penetrates all circumstances.

[1:34] That touch, it goes straight to the heart. That touch gives that amount of courage to lift up our eyes and to see Jesus and Jesus only.

[1:50] For we read here, and when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no man save Jesus only.

[2:02] Could it please the Lord, even today, that he might lift up our eyes by precious faith? For faith that is real, faith that is genuine, will act according to its nature.

[2:24] It looks to no one else than the Lord Jesus Christ. What a test for our faith.

[2:34] Whatever our circumstances it might be, to lift up our eyes and see no man save Jesus only.

[2:47] What did they see in Jesus only, friends? They saw Jesus still in complete control of all their circumstances.

[3:03] They saw Jesus as the eternal Son of God as they heard that voice from heaven. Which said, this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.

[3:22] This was never said of any other. No, not even John the Baptist, who leaped in his mother's womb at the salutations of Mary, consoling the birth and conceiving the Lord Jesus Christ.

[3:50] It was Jesus only, the Son of God. Let us never, never forget this.

[4:03] That though Jesus was born of a woman, he was conceived by the Holy Spirit. A wonderful work of Almighty God.

[4:16] It was indeed according to that agreement that the Eternal Three made to save his people from their sins.

[4:31] Yes, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. And it was Jesus only. They agreed to come into this world to stand in the place instead of those that were condemned because of their sin.

[4:55] that he would suffer in their place instead. Friends, no one else could stand in his place either.

[5:11] Friends, it was Jesus only. There was nothing to be added to this. No, indeed. We cannot make any contribution for the putting away of our sins ourselves.

[5:30] We need to have this clear in our hearts and minds. Because if we think that we can make some contribution, or some man can make some contribution, then we are looking at a salvation, which is only partial, not a full salvation.

[5:57] for all will fail other than the Lord Jesus Christ. But I do want to make this point to cover myself here with regards to salvation.

[6:14] Jesus Christ, my friends, he doesn't do anything by little pieces or in part. It's Jesus only.

[6:25] And he alone can cleanse his people from their sin. It was Jesus only, my friend, who suffered, bled, and died at Calvary.

[6:42] It was Jesus only who heard those solemn words springing from, My God, my God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

[6:58] Ah, and that was so, wasn't it? When thus Jesus knew that he must die, when thus the clouds, the sky was darkened, his father's face turned away from him.

[7:16] There he was bearing the entire weight, all the weight, of what his people should suffer and endure through a never-ending eternity for sin.

[7:33] He bore it completely, my friend. At Calvary, he bore it for his people.

[7:45] It was Jesus only. And only Jesus, my friends, could do this. Could he? I often quote these lines, I know.

[7:58] But it's true. There was no other good enough to take away our sins.

[8:09] No, there was no other that could bear the sins of his people. Only Jesus, my friends. Listen. And who is it, besides Jesus, that came down from heaven into this world?

[8:29] Why? There has been no other. And I don't believe there will be another. It is Jesus only.

[8:41] But there's a great depth of teaching here and a great depth of inquiry needed here. I say, what wondrous love is that, that a man should lay down his life even for his friend.

[9:03] It has been known. But I say, Jesus had such a love to his people. He not only laid down his life for his people, but he gave them eternal life.

[9:21] Oh yes. We need to remember this. I give unto my sheep eternal life.

[9:32] Jesus only can give you this. Here's a simple soul here today. deeply and concerned because of their sin and God's most holy word concerning their sin.

[9:54] And who is there that can help you and deliver you from that sin? as being faithful I can but point as a finger post in one direction and that is to Jesus only.

[10:21] He alone can do helpless sinners good. therefore there is not there is neither mercy or remedy to be found in any other than Jesus only.

[10:41] I say what a mercy that is and that it is he that permits poor sinners to draw near unto him.

[10:56] I often have used that word the coming sinner the coming sinner and what do I mean by the coming sinner why that sinner that hears the voice of Jesus and his voice only what it is that voice and only that voice that causes him to come Jesus teaches us so beautifully if we'd only but listen to it my sheep hear my voice he tells us plainly that another will they not follow and who then do they follow they follow my friends

[11:56] Jesus only and this morning I ask you this question yes you may have been in the way of profession many years but I say who is it you're still following do you have to say this Jesus only you may be turning around and looking over your shoulder at what other people may be saying are thinking or thinking about you yes they may be saying they may be thinking all kinds of things about you but at the end of the day what they say and what they'll think will make no difference to your eternal destiny but there is one my friend that will make that difference and it's

[13:07] Jesus only what a wonder that is he is not influenced all by man he's not influenced by the weight of opinion no nothing can turn him nothing can alter him nothing can persuade him to abandon what he has gloriously designed in what we call that covenant of grace a covenant that which has gone into and entered by agreement but you know my friend I want to point this out with regards to a covenant if we make a covenant one with another it is indeed an agreement yes between you but my friend

[14:12] Jesus he did it for us that is the wonder of it isn't it we could not enter into an agreement with God because my friend we were destitute of righteousness we were enmity to God and indeed we did not want reconciliation to God we wanted our own way and to do our own thing but I say what has made that difference who has changed it why Jesus only why he comes he speaks into a poor sinner's heart and therefore we have this distinct mark have we not that we hear no other voice we want to hear no other voice than the

[15:15] Lord Jesus Christ Jesus warns us doesn't he that there will be many voices saying lo Christ is here and lo Christ is there and what does he say follow them not that is plain enough isn't it follow them not who will you follow will you follow them or are you brought to this place Jesus only why say him I will follow all other voices all other influences will lead us astray but my friend Jesus only it is he that never never leads us astray he leads your poor sinful soul unto his own precious self it's

[16:27] Jesus only that speaks to as I say the poor coming sinner why we know indeed that it is Jesus only by the direction in which we move how are we moving and what direction are we moving I didn't say how fast you're moving but my friend he leads his people gently on does he not Jesus only we know that this world will shortly come to an end and then where will we be found then shall we be found at

[17:29] God's right hand my friend or shall we be lost forever and ever my friend Jesus will never be found in hell will he those who are found there will never be redeemed from hell but those who are found in heaven will see him face to face without a veil between Jesus only as we I believe I spoke from those words a little while ago that same Jesus Jesus only why who encountered us engaged our hearts here below he leads his people to a city whose builder and whose maker is God

[18:34] Jesus only why it is thus then he gives a desire he gives a love to the Lord Jesus Christ that they might be with him now and through eternity what wonderful truth then this is with regards to the holy son of God that there's none other besides the Lord Jesus Christ you know Jesus only is the head of his church we speak about the national church and our queen being the head of the figure of our national church well the non conformists have never agreed to that theory why because of

[19:43] Jesus only the Roman Catholic church they say why the Pope is the head of their church what he says goes they say the Pope indeed has control over us all my friend what does he where does Jesus come in his religion we mustn't enter into this now but my point is this the true church the one church of God Jesus is the head of the church he is the great federal head yes and all the truths of salvation hang upon him and him alone oh

[20:44] I say the wonders of Jesus only but I want to just go a little further here it isn't just known on block it's known to his people as individuals just see the tense in which it is spoken by Jesus my sheep hear my voice that is all a sheep each sheep has ears each sheep has life because Jesus gives it to them the great question is then has the

[21:45] Lord given to us hearing ears and understanding hearts has he given to us that life wherein we now desire to cast aside everything else that we clung and cleave to before you come to this point I want to know no other than Jesus only that word that him has been much on my mind of late in fact I think I might have quoted it here him 1100 let worldly minds the world pursue it has no charms for me once

[22:49] I admired its trifles too but grace has set me free we sing it do we believe it I say do we desire Lord bring me along this pathway and let me Lord let all fruitless searches go its pleasures now no longer please no more content afford far from my heart be joys like these now I have seen the Lord the good hymn writer he was in that place he could say I've seen the Lord he seen Jesus only I say what is it that raises the heart by faith that you see in

[23:56] Jesus that fullness that greatness that completeness to all his need Jesus only he says here creatures no more divide my choice I say can we sing it Jesus only Jesus says this except you give up all others wives husbands fathers mothers children for my namesake you cannot be my disciple it when Jesus only is the central object of our love my friend that does not mean to say that we got to discard all those no but we love them we love the

[25:05] Lord Jesus Christ before all others therefore I say oh will it not be a desire oh for our offspring for those that we dearly love that Jesus only may be their chiefest treasure and their chiefest desire my friend Jesus only first and foremost but I want to move and slide the way from this line of thought but not losing sight of Jesus only his disciples they were in trouble they were greatly perplexed of what had happened to them but my friend it was Jesus that took them apart up into that high mountain in other words it was his appointment and I'm sure of this that his appointments are right and best for us so when

[26:21] Peter said it is good for us to be here how accurate and how true that was it may be it is good for us to be here why they knew Jesus only he was transfigured before them they were shown indeed Moses and Elias great figures in the Jewish church weren't they but Jesus would have them know this no there's no tabernacles for these men these men are not to be worshipped they indeed are those whom Jesus only was brought to a saving knowledge of the truth and we in like manner need to be brought into a knowledge of the truth even as

[27:27] Moses and Elias were friends it speaks indeed then of union union with the present church and the past church what by by Jesus only this word unity yes is often used in the day in which we live but sadly to say sadly to say I don't believe there's much knowledge of it how dare you say such a thing as that why my friend because there cannot be union without Jesus only socializing yes and social facilities will not bring union no because the very nature of man is not union but when

[28:41] Jesus Christ my friends comes and reveals himself one unto another then indeed they have something common one with the other why like the two men on the road to Emmaus they could say did not our hearts burn within us were we not affected by the same person Jesus only now I say why should we thank for a moment that we need some other adjective in the church of God today to bring union sadly to say it's the world that's come into the church that's caused the disunity in the church is it not oh yes but

[29:46] Jesus only brings unity see the vying for the top place in which we live see how indeed people want to be greater than others my friend what is absent the teaching that Jesus only is the great thing and that's all important not just only in the congregations but friend in the ministry too I say I once knew a man a well known man who used to boast that he was in the top ten by counting up how many engagements he got where was

[30:47] Jesus in all that we in prayer needn't look at others we need indeed oh to be jealous for his honour and glory that we may be kept and preserved from such a spirit as that why Jesus only I know no man likes to be as surplus to requirements though in fearing that he is left in the marketplace unwanted unrequired but my friend let us remember this Jesus only he guides and directs his people aright remember he gives us that parable with regards to this concerning those two sons one son he said son go and go and go and go and work and go and go and go and in my vineyard he said yes

[32:12] I'll go but he never did go I say Jesus only it is he that knows and he that discerns who goes and who does not go it is Jesus only that changes our spirit renews our will and makes us submissive to his mind and will Jesus only I want to speak just a little here with regards to submission submission we know that men can be brought into subjection by others by the power that they wield just like prisoners of war they have to do just exactly as they're told they're in submission to those who have captured them but my friend we can never speak of the submission to Jesus Christ like that can we it's a submission my friends of love yes indeed it is submitting to Jesus mind and will because of our love to him is it why have I been so constrained why have I been so affected likely because of

[34:01] Jesus only he that has made me willing not just only willing but shall I say he put a desire there do you really want to do what he wants you to do it's a good question isn't it for you younger people with regards to whether a thing is right or wrong is this just as Jesus would have me to do it you wouldn't say well I'll do it partly but wholly completely all his mind and all his will if we say this well Jesus I know approves of this but he may not approve of that you won't be able to join the two things together friend no it is

[35:09] Jesus only in the whole matter from the beginning to end it is Jesus that leads us Jesus that teaches us to walk in his wires and his commandments Jesus only but I say what about our state and our condition what about all our abilities is ah that is a point I fear to come to I am so poor and I'm so helpless yes I believe the psalmist was so too he said I am poor and needy yet the Lord sinketh upon me I say who is the Lord the Lord

[36:11] Jesus Christ I am poor and needy yet he sinketh upon me friend he knows that in and of ourselves we can do nothing but Jesus sinks upon us whereby he does everything for us oh yes I shall never forget soon after I was in the ministry a man rudely and roughly came to me took me by the lapels and said do you realise young man what you have taken on for yourself I was somewhat taken back I said well I haven't taken on anything he said I understand you've gone into the ministry I said that's true

[37:12] I said but the Lord Jesus has undertaken to do everything for me friend this is the way we have to walk isn't it Jesus only he alone can help us he alone can guide us he alone can direct us my friend what a mercy that is oh in our helplessness and our helplessness but how much more so I say when it comes to our sins and our thoughts and filings friend who is it that can make wrong things right you say well you can't do that no but my friends the Lord Jesus Christ he takes away that which is wrong and unacceptable pardons and forgives the poor sinner and there he leads them in paths of righteousness for his own namesake it is

[38:28] Jesus only that can do this it is he that shows us where we are wrong and what we have done wrong our thoughts and filings did he not say unto Baruch seek thou great things for thyself seek them not my friend truly Baruch was out to seek great things for himself but it was Jesus only my friend that stopped him it was God almighty he said seek them not so my friend the Lord may be curving quietening and preventing you from some hideous pathway of temptation that might lay before you why my friend

[39:40] Jesus never leads his people into evil and temptation in the Lord's prayer we have it like this and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil oh Jesus only he is the only one that can deliver us from temptation and from all evil I say is this thy prayer all tonight today for you know when opportunity and inclination may it we are in a dangerous situation oh yes you younger ones may not quite understand what I am saying here but you older ones will surely will perhaps thy experience but my friend it is

[40:48] Jesus only that can intervene and overcome all the evils of our heart why I put it to you younger ones like this when Abraham and Lot

[42:10] Sodom and Gomorrah for in that direction there were those well watered plains you say well you must have thought well my sheep will do well there, that's the way I will go that is what we might say a good business proposition but Abraham went the other way you say well you can't fall out with that ah but wait a minute if we truly fear God if we truly seek real prosperity we'll need God's blessing upon it wherever we go, whatever we do and if we can't ask God's blessing upon it I say then there's something wrong is there not therefore we find that he had the opportunity didn't he, of going and his inclination was

[43:22] I want to have the best for myself but where did it lead him friend it led him to a place where God was not where those evil practices yes which are so common today were practiced and God's anger burned against Sodom and Gomorrah Jesus only my friend can keep us these things Jesus my friend can teach us what is the best for the future oh yes for remember Lot went out with all his possessions and entered into Sodom with his possessions but he came out with nothing great mercy friend even if he bring us out with nothing except we have

[44:28] Jesus only but what shall it what shall a man profit if he gain the whole world and lose his never dying soul why Jesus only is so essential and so necessary having Jesus says to him my dear what just look at the store that I possess yes Jesus only is so so very very needful to guide us and direct us in the way that we take so this is what I say where inclination and opportunity made so Satan often leads his people into temptation but Jesus only he alone can guide and direct us in the best way

[45:31] I've often said to young people especially those who have had disappointments in friendships God gives the best that leaves the choice to him Jesus only my friend he never makes a bad choice does he Jesus only teaches us in the way that we should go now listen the God's people his church they're not stationary they're not just parked here and parked there I