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[0:01] Depending upon the Lord for help, I direct your attention again to the 17th chapter of Matthew and the 8th verse. Matthew chapter 17 verse 8. And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man save Jesus only.

[0:42] They saw no man save Jesus only. What a beautiful lesson taught in a beautiful place. That is with no man save Jesus only.

[1:10] No one else there. We may at times be verily concerned at the time, the place and the circumstances wherein blessings might come.

[1:28] Friend, we need to ever remember, places and people have nothing to do with the blessings that God imparts to his people.

[1:48] But there is one thing that is certain. Jesus only will be the sum and substance of those blessings.

[1:59] It may be where we have looked for blessing and a time of great favour and have been bitterly disappointed.

[2:14] And what has been absent at such times as this? Why, what has been absent? Absent is Jesus only. He hasn't been there.

[2:29] I say, have we not sometimes gone to the house of God and come away feeling, why? So desolate, so destitute, feeling that Jesus is not in our heart.

[2:50] And perhaps we are totally deceived of everything. But all the alternative, the difference there is when Jesus comes and when we can say Jesus only is there.

[3:08] When indeed the place of worship or the building, the environment may be full of people, yet not noticing them, observing any one of them, but only observing Jesus only.

[3:30] A knowledge, an understanding of his presence. Now we read in this beautiful chapter this afternoon, concerning the meeting place with God through Jesus Christ, his own dear son.

[3:53] He says, now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. For it is Jesus only that has effectively put away the sins of all his people.

[4:13] Jesus will never have to suffer again before his people. For you will remember that there was a sacrifice made in a special way every year for the atonement of sin.

[4:33] Or rather, it was to type, wasn't it? It was to indicate, it was to show that sin could not be put away other than through the shedding of blood.

[4:47] So when Jesus came into this world and shed his blood, that was indeed done once and for ever.

[5:00] I thought it was Jesus only that could say, it is finished, it is finished. It is not what we say, it is what Jesus has said.

[5:15] And so, in this wonderful chapter, the apostle points out that Jesus only is now the new and living way.

[5:31] Not the old and dead way. Not the old way that has to be continued every year. But that will suffice.

[5:44] That will be effective forever and ever. By a new and living way. Now Jesus Christ, in the 14th chapter of John, he speaks to his disciples and says, I am the way, the truth and the life.

[6:07] No man cometh unto the Father but by me. Our men seem to have adopted the idea that, oh, we do need this man or that man to be part of our salvation.

[6:31] But that's not so, is it? No. No. No. No. It is by Jesus only. I can remember laying down the law in my own mind that the blessing had got to come through a certain person and in competition with him.

[6:59] friend, the Lord Jesus Christ will call his own sheep out by name. And he does not indeed give that office unto another.

[7:15] So therefore, if we think that we can dictate to God the means by which the blessing will come, we're not giving him all the honour and all the glory.

[7:33] And this brings me to another point, the honour and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. The honour and glory, oh, of salvation.

[7:47] Friend, oh, let us ever be jealous of this, that Jesus only should have all the honour and all the glory, that we should ever speak well of him and not of another, lest we should give any indication, oh, that man plays a part or a hand in these things.

[8:17] Jesus only. People speak of their spiritual father. Well, I think I know what they mean when they say this.

[8:32] But just in case we do not know, remember, it is Jesus only that is the true spiritual father.

[8:43] He may use other men to relay the gospel of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, to our souls.

[8:56] But my friends, it is Jesus only that has to be preached there. You remember when Philip encountered the Eudoc in the desert of Gaza.

[9:14] He said to the Eudoc, understandest what thou readest, is how can I except some man show me.

[9:27] And he was reading the prophetess, I guess. And he goes up into the chariot and began the same scripture.

[9:38] And what did he preach? He preached unto him Jesus. He didn't preach unto him what had happened to Simon Magus.

[9:51] He didn't preach unto him about the deacon Philip. No. He preached unto him Jesus.

[10:02] And in the sending forth of all his disciples, the Lord Jesus Christ gave them no other commission than this, than to preach Jesus only.

[10:21] And why there is no other way, a living way, for the remission of sins. for he likens, the apostle likens him here in the 21st verse and says, having a high priest over the house of God.

[10:43] That is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, a high priest. One that is able to perfectly and correctly officiate in the capacity of a high priest forever.

[11:02] Not a high priest that shall be changed and relieved of his office by another. But no, as one who is after the order of Melchizedek.

[11:16] Yes, forever and ever. Jesus only. Friend, what a wonder that is. I want to just point out this little thing which we're apt to forget.

[11:34] And that is, there is no confusion with the teaching of the Holy Spirit. Remember this, that the Holy Spirit preaches and teaches to us nothing else than Jesus only.

[11:54] I say it's a good point to remember because there is much confusion and people say they are confused and they don't know the answer to things.

[12:11] Remember this, whatever your problem may be, whatever your difficulty might be, the answer is Jesus only.

[12:25] Friend, he alone can put us right. He alone can explain things. The difference I say with Jesus and with men is this.

[12:39] Men make simple things difficult. difficult. Jesus makes difficult things simple. Why then can't people see this so clearly as they ought?

[12:56] The reason is because we must be born again. And as Jesus tells us, all that we could remember it and not forget it, it is the Spirit that quickeneth and the flesh it profiteth nothing.

[13:17] Friend, has the Spirit so quickened you that you see nothing else to be needful, nothing else to be essential than Jesus only?

[13:33] look at all the arguments and contentions of man. Where does it get them? And what does it do for you? I tell you what contentions do for me, and I feel it keenly.

[13:48] It brings deadness to my very soul. It brings indeed such sadness there. It doesn't help me one whit at all to take one step further.

[14:03] it is that perhaps which rather pushes me backward. Other people may find it different. But my friend, Jesus only, he doesn't lead us astray.

[14:18] He doesn't push us backward. It is he that leads his people gently and safely on. How often fear and awe overtakes us in the way.

[14:35] Yes, and I can't go on. I can't continue. I cannot cope with these things.

[14:46] And how can I? Look what I am up against. Friends, there's one answer, isn't there, to this, and that is Jesus only.

[14:57] I like those words. I believe they're found in Timothy. Who is that which can harm you if ye be followers of that which is good?

[15:16] Jesus only. You cannot follow two men at once. God forbid that we should follow man and abandon Jesus.

[15:30] But rather may God give us that grace to follow Jesus only and abandon all the thoughts, arguments, and contentions of man.

[15:44] Jesus only. Where does the crown, where does the glory and the honour of the salvation of his people belong?

[15:57] Does it belong with man? Or would indeed we rob the Lord Jesus Christ to give man a little? Or shall we indeed imply by arguments and contentions that there is some sort of virtue in man that he can bring forth something new?

[16:21] Not so my friend. Not so. It is Jesus only. He is a new and living way.

[16:33] I say sweet indeed if we find that to be so. And why is it spoken of as the new and living way?

[16:46] Why as it is a new and living way opposed to the original way? When man was born without sin and had his own free will then and that my friend that covenant that God made with him it broke down entirely.

[17:11] You say man had his own free will? Yes he did in creation and what did he do with his own free will?

[17:23] He hearkened to Satan he disobeyed God he brought the curse of God upon the whole of creation and that's exactly what man will do with his own free will to die but salvation my friends from that fallen state is of the Lord Jesus Christ himself Jesus only we sometimes sing don't we that him he saw me ruined in the fall and loved me not withstanding all he saw me in my lost estate his loving kindness oh how great you didn't see him did you no not until he opened your eyes

[18:25] Jesus only when the Lord did open the eyes of that blind man and nobody believed the poor man that he was blind and that Jesus had done it and when he was put under pressure because the scribes and the Pharisees hated the Lord Jesus Christ they hated him only why he said why here in as a wonderful thing for where I know I was born blind now I see it was none of you that did it he could have said to them it was none of you it was no man on earth surely he was preaching to them in his way that it was Jesus only when they persuade gospel and the work of his sovereign grace is known they despise it and reject it and say we don't believe it happened but if they done something they want everybody to know it why oh why then when

[19:46] Jesus has done something shall we be reluctant to tell aloud what Jesus has done why Jesus has done all things well why Jesus only it is he that opens the eyes of the blind spiritually go back to the days of your unregeneracy what did you see why you didn't see things as you see them now you looked at things with different eyes as born in sin and shaped in iniquity we were blind to the truth until Jesus opens a poor sinner's eyes oh I say it is

[20:47] Jesus only that brings us to that saving knowledge of the truth in the prophecy of Ezekiel I think it is in those days it will be then that I will take away the heart of stone and I will give to your heart of flesh and who alone can do this Jesus only it was so I say with the apostle Peter it was so indeed with the mad Gadaraean no my friends could tame him no they all done their bit they all tried and they all failed and they very likely come to the conclusion that this man is beyond redemption have you heard that language beyond redemption yes and such was some of you says

[22:06] Paul to the Corinthians but my friend Jesus only could save the mad Gadaraean from his own self and the doubts and fears of others I say who is this that can bring the poor sinner out of himself and bring him close and in his right mind sitting at the feet of Jesus or Jesus only where oh where is it that you are sitting this day who indeed are you listening to ah some might say we sit and listen to a very good man so indeed did the apostle Paul he listened he sat at the feet of

[23:06] Gamaliel he was well taught in theology yes a brilliant scholar I take it to be but friend it didn't give to him a heart of flesh it didn't take from him the heart of stone but not just the reverse he would put men and women to prison and why did he why did he because my friend it was Jesus only he hated it wasn't it he hated that very name of Jesus but blessed be his name he wasn't beyond redemption for it was Jesus only that stopped him it was Jesus only that said Saul

[24:07] Saul why persecute thou me does Jesus so speak to thee this day and what is thy answer to the question the apostle Paul he never answered the Lord Jesus Christ questioned it he and neither will you and I be able to answer that question but he answered it indirectly he said who art thou Lord who art thou Lord I say Jesus only can bring about that immediate change in

[25:27] Murrayrer Jesus only is there anything more vital more important to you than Jesus only I can't nobody can do anything with me and I can't do anything with myself but Jesus can who art thou Lord I say what a solemn indictment that must have been to poor Paul when he said I am Jesus whom thou persecutest does the Lord so speak to us friend we do indeed need Jesus only to keep us from persecuting his people the apostle Paul thought he was doing right but he was far away from doing right as far as he could get because my friends it wasn't the people that he hated so much as the very name of Jesus him only

[26:47] I say that Jesus tells us that they will persecute us because they have persecuted him persecuted him my friend they persecuted Stephen because he preached Jesus whom they had crucified and he told them straight to their face it was them that did it he didn't get any prizes from them for telling them that but no they took him out and stoned him this is what we would have done to Jesus and this is what we'll do to him friends he suffered and died for Jesus only and a great mercy if the Lord so makes us willing so to suffer and endure yea even die for the name of Jesus persecution friends

[28:02] I'm sure will sort us out if it comes to this land of ours it will speak and testify of what our religion is whether it is all talk and hot air or if there is something in it friends there is only one thing that will give us substance for the day of persecution and that is Jesus only Jesus tells us with regards to this matter that when we are brought before kings and rulers for his dear name's sake not to meditate or prepare ourselves how we shall answer them for the truth is we do not know the questions that they will answer Satan you know has indeed a volume of questions and answers and answers to use against the Lord's people but my friend in that day it shall be given you and I say

[29:25] Jesus only can give to us in that day how we shall answer oh yes because he will not leave his people to fall and pray to be confused by the questions and answers of that wicked Satan no Jesus only my friend he is the complete saviour of his people he is able to keep them from falling I remember experience I had when I worked at the spastic society and I went into the professional staff room as they called it to do some work there and a young girl there said hey did I see you

[30:26] Sunday evening going to into Holt Chapel Horsham with a Bible under your arm you know I panicked I know I did I was worried I felt dreadful what am I going to say what am I going to do in front of all these people so I said I paused if you wait for a minute I have something to say to you if you see a man going down the road with the daily worker under his arm you know he is a communist if you see him with the daily mirror you expect he is a socialist if you see him with the telegraph you think he was a conservative and I'm sure you wouldn't mock him because he had that newspaper under his arm wherever he was going if you see a man

[31:32] I said with a Bible under his arm going into a place of worship you know he is a Christian therefore I say what reason have you to mock him I felt the Lord gave me those words in that very hour and you know I felt somewhat sorry for the girl because she was absolutely embarrassed because the whole staff room they said very very well said and some the head minister said gives us food for thought every one of us I did my work to the electrical equipment there and came out oh friend but I didn't come out feeling very big I thought oh if left if left I would have denied my Lord and Master like Peter did oh yes but Jesus only my friend he is able to keep us from falling or did not one say now unto him that is able to keep you from falling friend what life before us shall we be ashamed of him in the circumstances we find ourselves in friend our only the only one that can hold us up is

[33:12] Jesus only Jesus only what a mercy that is that he is able to keep us from falling it's a solemn thing isn't it to deny our Lord and Master but even in that that is not a sin that is unpardonable no I'm sure of this if we have committed such a sin we seek for pardon and for mercy it will be a bitter cup won't it you ask Peter oh the dear apostle he knew it he denied his Lord and Master with oaths and curses and I'm not one which better than Peter it was Jesus only oh that saved him it was

[34:15] Jesus only that brought him back it was Jesus only that delivered him for I have prayed for thee that thy face fail not who in heaven or earth can really pray to God the Father that our face fail not but Jesus only and my friends he is still able indeed to intercede for us we are so poor so weak and so needy bless his dear nine friend Jesus only is immutably the same and he is able to keep us from falling all these deep things of experience what do they do for us well Jesus said except ye be converted and become us little children ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven and where all these things performed and how can they be performed can they be done by professional classes or by catechism classes no my friend these things are done are they not by

[35:51] Jesus only Jesus my friends drew near and went with them Jesus indeed remembered Peter when he rose from the grave and he said and tell Peter also I like that word and tell Peter also why pick Peter out why give him preferential treatment that was not the situation was it it was Peter that stumbled and fallen it was Peter that heard the cock crow and gone out and wept bitterly friend it is Jesus only his love my friend that indeed can restore us again and lift us up can yield comfort the Lord Jesus Christ he knew exactly what

[36:55] Peter was passing through Jesus only knew Jesus only knows exactly what you are passing through and he knows indeed how to comfort your heart that starts to convey to you that Jesus is not dead but is living that he is Lord and Saviour and that he will see you again he will meet with you he will commune with you I say Jesus only oh no other person or with him he is the one thing very needful and essential to us to bring us on our way that we might be converted and become as little children we need to remember that conversion almost seems to be a continual thing when we take it in the light that

[38:16] John the Baptist spoke of it he must increase but I must decrease and strangely enough when Peter was in prison he decreased in that way he said art thou he or do we look for another lord reveal to me that I'm not deceived that all these things have really happened that all the past is of thy grace my friend who indeed answered a John the Baptist petition Jesus only go and tell John again oh what a deep meaning there is in that little word again I'm sure all you children know the meaning of the word again

[39:16] I say so Jesus speaks to John as he go and tell John again that all what is happening what is being done yes indeed that he is not deceived that I still am the same and that I am with him Jesus only well I've been speaking much of time's ends but you know the time comes when all of us shall leave this world when we shall be separated from everybody we have known in this world what a solemn chilling thought there is but friends there is one and one only that the Lord's people shall not be separated from and that is

[40:19] Jesus Jesus only because he will never leave his people he'll never be he'll never forget his people no Jesus only he that begun the good work of grace he'll be with them in it until the end what a mercy that is and as I've often indicated that verse in John 14 is I will come again and receive you unto myself often it is related isn't it of those that were around the deathbed sometimes much importance and stress is put upon it but if you're really real about these things there's only one that is needful to be at our deathbed friend and that is the

[41:27] Lord Jesus Christ him alone but he alone is able he alone is able to help us he is able to convey us out of this world into the next nobody else Jesus only I shall never forget being at the deathbed of dear Mr.

[41:55] Maid it seemed that he would never speak again I can't go into it all but time would not allow but his last words there was no hope for him that I felt how could the Lord leave a man who had pleaded so often with the law for pardon and for mercy and the staff told us to go home because he wouldn't regain consciousness the dear man like a complete skeleton sat up in bed and he said he has come he has come I am washed I am clean he said Jesus is here Jesus only he put his hand above his head and said hallelujah laid back and died friends that man was a blasphemer that man was a hard man all manner things might be remembered of him of what he was but friends the

[43:18]  Lord by his grace made him a vessel of mercy it was Jesus only that took him like the clay formed him and renewed him again and made him a vessel to his honour and his glory friend no potter on earth can do that but Jesus only Amen