Atos 21:13

DISCOURSE: 1804
PAUL’S READINESS TO SUFFER FOR CHRIST’S SAKE

Atos 21:13. Then Paul answered, what mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.

INNUMERABLE are the devices of our great adversary, to blind our eyes, and to keep us in a course of sin; and, when we have been enabled to burst the chains in which he once led us captive, he labours still to tempt and beguile us in every possible way, if so be he may prevail at last to turn us aside from God. None, whilst they continue in the flesh, are out of the reach of his assaults. Even our blessed Lord, when he condescended to assume our nature, “was in all things tempted as we are, though without sin.” And such is the subtlety of Satan, that he will instigate even the best of men to become tempters to their brethren. He stirred up Peter to dissuade his Lord from submitting to those sufferings which he had covenanted to endure: and in like manner he moved the saints at Cesarea to dissuade Paul from going up to Jerusalem, whither he was proceeding for the furtherance of his Master’s cause. There was at Cesarea a prophet named Agabus, who took Paul’s girdle, and bound with it his own hands and feet, and then declared that the owner of that girdle should so be bound by the Jews at Jerusalem, and be delivered into the hands of the Romans. Immediately all the saints at that place besought Paul with tears to desist from his purpose, that by staying away from Jerusalem he might avoid the predicted evils. This advice, though well meant on their parts, proceeded in reality from Satan himself; who knew, that if he could intimidate the Apostle Paul, he should gain a material advantage over the whole Church of God. But Paul was aware of Satan’s device, and saw his agency, though under the semblance of an angel of light: and his answer to his weeping friends shews how every Christian should act, when tempted to turn from the path of duty; “What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
From these words we shall take occasion to shew,

I. That the Lord Jesus Christ is worthy of all that we can do or suffer for him—

Were Christians as well acquainted with their Lord as they ought to be, there would be no occasion to insist upon so obvious a truth. But that none may continue ignorant of it, we entreat you to consider,

1. Who he is—

[He is no other than God’s co-equal, co-eternal Son; “God of God, Light of light, very God of very God;” even “God over all, blessed for evermore.” Every perfection of the Deity is his — — — He is “the brightness of his Father’s glory, and the express image of his person.”
Now we are told, that “for a good man some would even dare to die:” shall less regard then be shewn for him who is God, as well as man? If our admiration of a creature’s excellence be such as to make us voluntarily surrender up our life for him, shall any thing be deemed too much to do or suffer for the Creator, in whom all excellence is combined, and from whom all excellence proceeds? Shall a star be so admired, and the sun itself not be glorious in our eyes?]

2. What he has done and suffered for us—

[From all eternity, before we or even the worlds were made, did he set his love upon us, and enter into a covenant with the Father to redeem us from the miseries, which he foresaw we should bring upon ourselves. In the fulness of time he took upon him our nature for this very end: yes “though he was in the form of God, and thought it not robbery to be equal with God, he emptied himself of all his glory, and took upon him the form of a servant.” During his whole stay upon earth he was a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and, when the appointed hour was come, he surrendered himself into the hands of his enemies, and “became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
What shall we say to these things? Did he act thus towards us when enemies; and shall we account any thing too much to do or suffer for Him, who has shewn himself so great a. friend?]

3. What he is yet doing for us—

[Day and night is he interceding for us, that the wrath of God, which we have merited, may be averted from us. Whence is it that such barren fig-trees as we are, are yet permitted to cumber the ground? If he had not so often pleaded, “Spare them, O my Father, yet another year!” should we not have long since been cut down, and cast into the fire?
Behold how, notwithstanding all our obstinacy in sin. he is yet sending his word to instruct us, his ministers to invite us, yea more, his good Spirit also to strive with us, if by any means he may save our souls alive. Know ye, that every good purpose or desire that has ever existed in your bosoms, has been inspired by him, with a view to bring you home to the fold of God.
Above all, see what he is doing for his believing people; bow he watches over them for good, supplies their every want, carries on his good work in their souls, and makes them more than conquerors over all their enemies!
Think of these things; and then say, Whether such love should not constrain you to live to him, and, if need be, to surrender up your life for him?]
Verily, if we feel no weight in such considerations as these, we can have no interest in Christ; for it is certain,

II.

That the true Christian has learned duly to appreciate his worth—

We say not that every Christian has the attainments of the Apostle Paul: but every one resembles him in this, that he entertains worthy thoughts of Christ,

1. In the convictions of his mind—

[Merely nominal Christians are content to compliment Christ with the name of Saviour: but the true believer has a practical sense of his excellency: he views Christ as the one foundation of all his hopes: he sees that nothing but his atoning blood could ever have obtained reconciliation for him with his offended God — — — Except as redeemed by the blood of Christ, the believer has no more hope than the fallen angels: he is convinced that with them he must take his portion to all eternity, if he be not interested in that great Sacrifice which was made for the sins of the whole world.
As bought with the precious blood of Christ, the believer sees that he is the Lord’s property, and that to devote himself wholly to him is not only an acceptable, but a highly “reasonable, service.” In the deliberate conviction of his mind “he thus judges, that if one died for all, then should all live, not unto themselves, but unto Him that died for them and rose again.” And this we say is the universal sentiment of all true Christians: for the Apostle says, “None of us (of us Christians) liveth to himself, and no man dieth unto himself; but whether we live, we live unto the Lord, and whether we die, we die unto the Lord; so that, whether living or dying, we are the Lord’s.”]

2. In the purposes of his heart—

[This is not a speculative sentiment in the believer’s mind, but a rooted principle, that operates in the whole of his behaviour. In his eyes, Christ “is exalted, and extolled, and is very high.” No words can express how “precious He is to him.” Hence he gladly gives himself up to Christ; and seeks to have, not his actions only, but his very “thoughts also, brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” As for the opposition of an ungodly world, he cares not for it: whatever crosses lie in his way, he takes them up; and “rejoices that he is counted worthy to bear them” for his Redeemer’s sake. It he be called to sacrifice friends, or interests, or liberty, or even life itself, he draws not back: he has counted the cost, and is ready to pay it; desirous only that “Christ may be magnified in his body, whether by life or death.” Like Moses, he “esteems the reproach of Christ greater riches than all the treasures of Egypt;” and, like Paul, “counts all things but dung, that he may win Christ.” In a word, he is “ready, not to he bound only, but also to die, at any time and in any manner, for his name’s sake.”]

Address—
1.

Those whose views of Christ are imperfect—

[Doubtless there is no man that knows him fully, or can “search him out unto perfection.” The Apostles themselves “knew him but in part,” and “saw him only as through a glass, darkly:” but the generality of Christians behold “no form or comeliness in him” at all, or at least not such as to stir up in their hearts any ardent “desire after him.” Now in our text we have a criterion whereby to judge of our views of Christ: do we find our hearts so knit to him with love and gratitude, as to render his “yoke easy to us, and his burthen light?” Is liberty or life itself of no account with us, if by the sacrifice of it we may glorify his name? Then indeed we may be said to know him; then have we that “knowledge of him which is life eternal.” But, O, how rare is this! Beloved brethren, search and try your own hearts in relation to it; and if, as is to be feared of too many amongst us, you have never yet been transported with love to his name, beg of God to “reveal him in your hearts” by his Holy Spirit, and to “shine into your hearts, to give you the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”]

2. Those whose attachment to him is wavering—

[Many desire to follow Christ, but are afraid to bear his cross. But, brethren, you must have a cross to bear. Though I am no prophet, like Agabus, yet I can tell you, by the Spirit of God, that “all who will live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer persecution.” You may not be called to suffer imprisonment and death; but you must be prepared to welcome them, if they should be allotted to you for the sake of Christ. You must expect that your friends will dissuade you from exposing yourselves to the contempt of some, and the hostility of others: and, if your dangers should be great and imminent, they will even try to prevail upon you by their entreaties and tears. But beware how you listen to any advice which may divert you from the path of duty. Even good people will sometimes be crying, “Spare thyself,” when they see you “abounding” with more than ordinary zeal “in the work of the Lord.” But, whilst you tenderly reprove their weakness (as Paul did,) be firm and steadfast to your purpose: for “if once you put your hand to the plough, and then look back, you are not fit for the kingdom of God.” “Be faithful unto death, and God will give you a crown of life.”]

3. Those who are practically manifesting their zeal for his glory—

[Blessed be God, there are some who have already begun the employment of heaven, and are singing, “Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, be glory and dominion for ever and ever.” And, as in heaven there are multitudes who “loved not their lives unto the death,” so amongst us, I trust, there are some who would willingly die for the name of the Lord Jesus. Happy, happy they who feel this readiness of mind to do and suffer whatever they may be called to; for great is their reward in heaven. Go on, beloved, steadfast in the faith, and never giving way to terror on account of any adversaries. Are you advised to shrink from trials? reply with Nehemiah, “Shall such a man as I flee?” But remember, that your sufficiency for this proceeds from God alone: if not upheld by him, you will, “as soon as tribulation and persecution arise because of the word,” be turned aside, and make shipwreck of your faith. Live nigh to the Saviour then, and maintain sweet fellowship with him: then you will find his service a delight; and whatever sufferings you are called to endure for him, you will easily sustain. But, if once you decline from Christ in your heart, his commandments will become grievous to you, and every cross a burthen. The true way to meet even the most formidable death with joy, is to “die daily,” and to be continually “looking for, and hasting unto the coming of the day of Christ.”]