He Went A Little Farther
Introduction
1. The principle of submission - first, to God, and second, His commands - is taught in the Bible from instruction to the first family to the last words of prophecy. Genesis 3; Revelation 22.
2. On the earth Christ set the example that men ought to go the second mile of the way in patience, forgiveness, tribulations, longsuffering without retaliation against man or against his Saviour. Matthew 5:41; Luke 6:27-38.
3. On the night of His betrayal, Christ went a little farther in his example and his teaching that we might have an example how far we ought to go in service for Him. Matthew 26; John 13-17.
Discussion I. Christ Went A Little Farther Into The Garden, And Prayed.
1. Christ leaves the "Upper Room," having sung a hymn (Matthew 26:30) and comes to the Mount of Olives, crossing the brook Kidron, and enters a garden called Gethsemane. Matthew 26:30,36; John 18:1.
2. The Garden of Gethsemane - a place of prayer. The Saviour often retired to this place, perhaps with his disciples. Luke 22:39.
3. He takes with him Peter, James, John, and goes farther into the Garden. And leaving them, He goes farther on to pray.
4. Three times Christ prayed to His Father. Three times he found his disciples sleeping. Matthew 26:36-46 5. The Last Hours before His death, Christ went farther in prayer.
A. His disciples would not watch or pray.
B. Do you pray enough?
C. Prayer is not just an emergency measure, but the true Christian, like Christ, finds strength consolation, comfort, and guidance through prayer.
II. Christ Went A Little Farther In His Example.
1. Christ was free from sin.
A. Baptized to "fulfill all righteousness." As for sins, he had none.
B. Hebrews 4:15. He was tempted like we are, but without sin.
2. Christ as our example, went a little further in that "He had no guile in his mouth." 1 Pet. 2:21-24.
III. Christ Went A Little Farther In His Zeal, Sincerity, And Fidelity To The Principles Of Righteousness.
1. His actions are proof.
A. Jesus and the moneychangers.
B. Opposition by the scribes and pharisees.
C .His boldness to tell the people they were wrong. Luke 13:3,5.
2. The testimony borne by His Father. Matthew 3:17; 17:5; John 12:28.
3. His profound respect for His Father's Word. Matthew 4:4, 7, 10.
4. We must do likewise. Jude 3; 1 Timothy 4; 2 Corinthians 13:5.
IV. Christ Went A Little Farther In His Death,
1. Willingly Christ died for our sins. Jahn 10:17,18.
2. Christ died once for all. Hebrews 2:9; 9:22-28.
3. Jesus went a little farther in the nature and design of his death upon the cross. Romans 5:8,9; Acts 5:29-32.
4. His death enabled all men of every nation, race, and tongue to be saved eternally. Romans 1:16,17; 1 Corinthians 12:13.
5. Men must themselves die to sin (Romans 6) and live for Christ. Romans 12:1,2; 1 Corinthians 15:22,58.
V. Christ Went A Little Farther In The Forgiveness Of Sins.
1. Ephesians 1:7. Through his blood we are forgiven our sins.
2. He gave a perfect plan whereby men might be saved. Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 8:35-38; 16:31-33.
3. Obedience Is required of all subjects. Hebrews 5:8, 9.
4. Baptism, the final step into Christ.
A. In Baptism contact to the blood is made. Romans 6:3,4,6,7.
B. Saving power. 1 Peter 3:21.
C. Remission of sins. Acts 2:38.
D. Get Into Christ. Galatians 3:26,27.
E. Lord does the adding to the Church. Acts 2:41,47; 5:14.
VI. Christ Went Farther In That He Was Raised From The Dead.
(This is the cardinal truth of Christianity.)
1. Death had no dominion over Him. Romans 8:8, 9.
2. The first-fruits of them that sleep. 1 Corinthians 15:20-22.
3. Christ given Immortality. 1 Timothy 6:16; Hebrews 1:3-4.
4. True saints can attain immortality through faithful service. 2 Timothy 1:9,10.
VII. Jesus Went A Little Farther In His Pleading.
1. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. John 14:1-8.
2. In Him there is rest from our labors. Matthew 11:28-30.
3. He pleads for all men to come unto Him. Revelation 22:12-17.
Conclusion
1. In every way Christ went a little bit farther. In those things that are righteous, good, necessary to man's instruction and eternal salvation.
2. Your salvation depends upon your faith in Jesus as the Saviour of the world. Jesus said: "Except ye believe that I am He, ye shall the in your sins." Hear Christ, accept his teachings, obey his commands, defend his cause, live faithful until death. Rev. 2:10. In this way you can proceed further and closer to an upper and better kingdom that fadeth not away.
— Box 327, Perry, Florida