Sermon # 631 Luke
Sermons
Title: “He
Steadfastly Set his Face”
Text: Luke
9:51
Subject: Christ’s
Determination to Suffer for His People
Date: Sunday
Morning –
Tape # W-64a
Introduction:
(Luke 9:51)
"And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be
received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to
Let’s begin in Isaiah
50:4-9. These verses are prophetic declaration of our Lord Jesus Christ. The
one speaking here is our great Savior himself. He speaks here as Jehovah’s
Servant. Everything in these five verses is about him.
Here our Savior is described
in all three of his mediatorial offices.
·
Christ our Prophet (v. 4).
(Isaiah
50:4) "The Lord GOD hath given me
the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him
that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear
as the learned."
·
Christ our Priest (vv. 5-8).
(Isaiah
50:5-8) "The Lord GOD hath opened
mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back. {6} I gave
my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid
not my face from shame and spitting. {7} For the Lord GOD will help me;
therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint,
and I know that I shall not be ashamed. {8} He is near that justifieth
me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine
adversary? let him come near to me."
·
Christ our King (v. 9).
(Isaiah
50:9) "Behold, the Lord GOD will
help me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax
old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up."
Notice how the character of
our Redeemer is set forth in this passage of Holy Scripture. Every word should be
mediated upon thoughtfully and carefully.
·
vv. 4-5 – The Willing Servant (Ex. 21:1-6).
(Isaiah
50:4-5) "The Lord GOD hath given me
the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him
that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear
as the learned. {5} The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not
rebellious, neither turned away back."
·
v. 6 -- The Humble Sufferer.
(Isaiah
50:6) "I gave my back to the
smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face
from shame and spitting."
·
v. 7 – The Determined Substitute.
(Isaiah
50:7) "For the Lord GOD will help
me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a
flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed."
·
vv. 8-9 – The Successful Savior.
(Isaiah
50:8-9) "He is near that
justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine
adversary? let him come near to me. {9} Behold, the Lord GOD will help
me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old
as a garment; the moth shall eat them up."
Look at verse
7 again.
(Isaiah
50:7) "For the Lord GOD will help
me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a
flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed."
Luke seems to have had this
very text in mind when he wrote the words of our text. -- “It came to
pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he steadfastly set
his face to go to
Proposition: From old eternity the Son of
God determined to save his people by the sacrifice of himself; and nothing
could keep him from the accomplishment of his determined purpose.
1. Having pledged himself as
our Surety in the covenant of grace, he never went back on his word, or even
thought about doing so (Pro.
(Proverbs
8:23-32) "I was set up from
everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. {24} When there
were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding
with water. {25} Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was
I brought forth: {26} While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the
fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. {27} When he
prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face
of the depth: {28} When he established the clouds above: when he
strengthened the fountains of the deep: {29} When he gave to the sea his
decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the
foundations of the earth: {30} Then I was by him, as one brought
up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before
him; {31} Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were
with the sons of men. {32} Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye
children: for blessed are they that keep my ways."
2. Though we fell in the
garden, through the sin and fall of our father Adam, our Lord’s purpose was not
changed.
3. Often the Angel of the
Covenant visited fallen sinners in the earth in anticipation of what he would
do.
·
Skins for Adam and Eve!
·
An Ark for Noah!
·
A Mercy-Seat for Israel!
·
A Deliverer for the Three Hebrews!
4. At last the appointed time
Came and the Son of God assumed our nature that he might die in our stead upon
the cursed tree (Rom. 5:6-8; Gal. 4:4-6).
(Romans
5:6-8) "For when we were yet
without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. {7} For
scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some
would even dare to die. {8} But God commendeth his love toward us, in
that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
(Galatians
4:4-6) "But when the fulness of the
time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
{5} To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the
adoption of sons. {6} And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the
Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father."
·
He had a baptism to be baptized with.
·
He had a cup to drink.
·
With ardent desire, he longed to eat that last passover supper with his
disciples.
·
Now, his hour had come. – Now, in due time, when the fullness of time
was come, Luke tells us -- “It came to pass, when the time was come that
he should be received up, he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem”
He had set his face like a flint upon the
accomplishment of the great work he had undertaken for us and refused to be
hindered. With the Son of God, there was no turning back. Though there were
none to help and many who tried to hinder him, he would not be deterred from
his great work1.
Divisions: I want to do two things in
this message.
3
I want to show you our Redeemer’s commitment to us.
3
I want to challenge us to imitate our Redeemer in our commitment to
him.
Christ’s
Steadfast Commitment
I.
First,
I want to show you our Redeemer’s
commitment to us.
In our text we see the Lord Jesus’ resolution and
commitment, the entire resolution and commitment of his very Being to the
redemption and salvation of our souls, knowing full well that the price of our
ransom must be his own death.
A.
This commitment, this resolution, this determination
of Christ to suffer and die as
our Substitute at Calvary was greatly
tested.
Remember now, I am talking about the man Christ
Jesus, The God-man, our Savior. His determination to fulfill his covenant
engagements as our Surety was put to the test.
1. Our Savior was tempted to
turn aside from his purpose by the offers of worldly advantage (John 6:15).
(John
6:15) "When Jesus therefore
perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he
departed again into a mountain himself alone."
a. For awhile his miracles made
him famous.
b. The Jews would have taken
him by force and made him a king.
c. His triumphal entry into
Jerusalem made it obvious that the masses were ready to follow him on their
terms. – A Political King and Kingdom!
d. In the wilderness Satan
offered him the kingdoms of this world (Matt. 4).
NOTE: Many a man has been turned aside from good purposes
by the bauble of worldly advantage – But not our Savior!
2.
Our lord’s determination to redeem us was also tested by the persuasion
of his closest friends.
a. The disciples tried to
dissuade him (John 11:8, 16).
b. Peter rebuked him (Matt.
16:22-23).
c. His family would have chosen
other things for him.
NOTE: If we would do the will of God, we must not consult
with flesh and blood (Gal. 1:15).
(Galatians
1:15) "But when it pleased God, who
separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,"
3.
Certainly the unworthiness of those for whom he was determined to die
might be considered a great hindrance to him.
a. Peter denied him.
b. All forsook him.
c. Some for whom he died were
among his murderers. (1 John 3:16 – “Hereby perceive we the love of God,
because he laid down his life for us!”). The Son of God died for us, a people…
·
Who wished that he should be made to die!
·
From whom he would get no love in return, except he create it!
·
Who would never be worthy of his love!
·
But this is the greatest wonder of his death: -- Christ died for me! –
“The Son of God loved me and gave himself for me!”
4.
Our Savior’s determination would be tested again by the bitterness he
tasted in Gethsemane.
“If anything could have broken our Savior’s
resolution it would have been the agony and bloody sweat of Gethsemane.”
(Spurgeon).
5.
Certainly the ease with which he could have avoided his ignominious
death was a temptation to do so.
·
His Arrest in the Garden – “Whom seek ye?” – “Twelve legions of
angels!”
·
Before Pilate. – “Thou couldst have no power over me, except it were
given thee of my Father.”
Our Lord was not compelled to go to Calvary by any
lack of ability, but only by his love, which is strong as death. When he said,
“If it be possible, let this cup pass from me,” the only thing that made
that impossible was his determination to redeem and save us.
6.
The taunts and jeers of the people who scoffed at him must have tested
his determination too.
·
“If thou be the King!”
·
“Let us see if Elias will come to save him!”
·
“If thou be the Christ, save thyself and us.”
·
“He saved others, himself he cannot save!” (Mt. 27:42).
NOTE: Many a strong man is turned aside from his good
purposes by the jeers of others.
7. Our dear Redeemer must have
been tempted to turn back from his determination to save us when he felt in his
soul the full agony of his sufferings (Lam. 1:12).
·
“My God, my God, Why hast thou forsaken me!”
(Lamentations
1:12) "Is it nothing to you,
all ye that pass by? behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my
sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the LORD hath afflicted me in
the day of his fierce anger."
B.
Yet, in spite of all these temptations, our dear Savior was sustained
in his determination to redeem and save us.
1
By His Divine Learning (v. 4; Heb. 2:10-18).
(Isaiah
50:4) "The Lord GOD hath given me
the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him
that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear
as the learned."
(Hebrews
2:10-18) "For it became him, for
whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many
sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through
sufferings. {11} For both he that sanctifieth and they who are
sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call
them brethren, {12} Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in
the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. {13} And again, I
will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath
given me. {14} Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and
blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he
might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; {15} And
deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to
bondage. {16} For verily he took not on him the nature of angels;
but he took on him the seed of Abraham. {17} Wherefore in all
things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might
be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to
make reconciliation for the sins of the people. {18} For in that he
himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are
tempted."
2. By His Conscious Innocence (v. 5).
(Isaiah
50:5) "The Lord GOD hath opened
mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back."
·
He was personally innocent.
·
He would be made innocent as our Representative (v. 8).
(Isaiah
50:8) "He is near that
justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine
adversary? let him come near to me."
3
By the Joy set Before Him
(v. 8) – (Heb. 12:2).
4
By
the Confidence of Success
(v. 9).
(Isaiah
50:9) "Behold, the Lord GOD will
help me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax
old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up."
A
Challenge
II.
Second, I want to challenge myself and you to imitate our blessed Redeemed in our commitment to him (Rom.
12:1-2; 1 Cor. 6:19-20).
(Romans
12:1-2) "I beseech you therefore,
brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living
sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
{2} And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the
renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and
acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
(1
Corinthians 6:19-20) "What? know ye
not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you,
which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? {20} For ye are bought
with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are
God's."
A. Consecrate yourself to do
the will of God for the glory of God.
B. Seek in all things to be
taught of God – (4).
(Isaiah
50:4) "The Lord GOD hath given me
the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him
that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear
as the learned."
C. Ever Be Obedient To Your
Father –
(5-6).
§
Passive Obedience.
§
Active Obedience.
(Isaiah
50:5-6) "The Lord GOD hath opened
mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back. {6} I gave
my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid
not my face from shame and spitting."
D Ever live by faith. – Trust God (9-10).
(Isaiah
50:9-10) "Behold, the Lord GOD will
help me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax
old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up. {10} Who is among
you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in
darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and
stay upon his God."
Application:
·
“Whatsoever he saith unto you, Do it” (John 2:5).
·
Illustration: The Preacher and the
Businessman
1 NOTE:
We are saved by the faith or faithfulness of Jesus Christ- (Rom. 3:22; Gal.
2:16). -- (Romans 3:22) "Even the righteousness of God which
is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for
there is no difference:" -- (Galatians 2:16) "Knowing that a man is not justified by
the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed
in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by
the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be
justified."
1 Isaiah Series #157 The Determination of Christ to Suffer for His People
Isaiah 50:7 – Danville (PM 07/25/93)