Tuesday Evening Service 24/2/26

Jonathan Edwards – Christ’s Example To Ministers

Watch the Full Sermon HERE.

Well its been a month since we met on a Tuesday night. Due to some renovation work, causing a few issues. Last time I had intended on sharing from a sermon by the American 18th century theologian, and revivalist, Jonathan Edwards: 1703- 1758. So not a really long life, dying at age 55.

But as I looked at his life to give a small overview before his teaching, I just thought you would have all benefitted from hearing a longer portion of his biography, which we covered last time.

Of course, that still only scraped the surface, as almost to a man everyone who has ever written about Edwards said that it took way, way longer than they expected, due to the vastness of his work and the impact he had.

It is said if Calvin was the greatest theologian, post-Apostles, and George Whitfield the greatest evangelist, then Edwards may well have been the greatest philosopher. Of course, above all he was an evangelist.

In his vast writings, he doesn’t write a single treatise, (work) on evangelism. But you will not read a single sermon, or anything he did write, that is not saturated in soul winning.

Yes, Edwards was known as a so-called fire and brimstone preacher. But spend time with his work, and you see a man full of love and gentleness, and kindness and patience.

I suppose we could say, as we have spoken of recently on the sons of thunder Apostles James and John, Edwards was also was mastered by Christ to live with both zeal and gentleness; the lion and the lamb. Which brings me to the sermon I had intended speaking about the last time.

Edwards’ sermon called ‘Christ the Example to Ministers.’ Edwards shares from Jesus’ discourse in the upper room, on that fateful evening when he was betrayed and arrested.

In particular: John 13:15-17

“For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.”

Edwards in this sermon is speaking at a church that is not his congregation, but one where their late pastor has died and a new one is about to start his work. The message is predominantly to him, but also its to the congregation.

I think what he says in his sermon makes it most fitting for all of us, not just the minister about to take office. However, I must say, if the minister was in any doubt about his role and weight of his new ministry, he certainly would after the sermon.

Edwards is simply. as the title says, preaching on how we are to follow Christ’s example in our ministry, in our lives, and in all we do.

We read in the text of scripture what is at the core of imitating Christ, and that is as a servant.

Let me read an extract from another sermon by Edwards. That sermon is called ‘God Makes Men Sensible In Their Misery’:

When men consider themselves, by themselves, and compare themselves among themselves, they are ready to entertain high thoughts of themselves. They think of themselves as something, and look big in their own eyes. But when persons come to have a sight of the greatness of the majesty of God, it will alter their opinion of themselves. When they see how great and high, and glorious God is, then their great imaginations of themselves vanish away, and they shrink into nothing in their own eyes. When a man comes to see how great God is, this and this only will make a man sensible of his own nothingness. For there is an infinite distance between God and man. The greatest man is, before God, as nothing, and worse more – definitely less than nothing.

Yet he chose to wash the disciples’ feet, the lowest of the low of servant roles.

If Him being God in the flesh can wash feet and serve, surely we ought to be willing to serve and lay down our lives and desires.

Edwards said:

Especially have we reason to wonder that God would employ, not only the holy and glorious angels, but feeble, frail, sinful worms of the dust for his work, who need redemption themselves.

Surely then brothers and sisters, the greatest work of all in our lives is that of imitating Christ. No other thing in the life of a believer is either more important, or I would add more rewarding. Nothing even comes close to touching true joy than imitating Christ.

Edwards says:

On being comforted by Christ’s example, will also be the way for us to be comforted in him, and partake with him in his privilege’s. It is way for us to have joy fulfilled in us.

I will tell you here and now brothers, the greatest joy and intimacy with Christ I’ve ever experienced in my life, is when I choose to remain full of compassion and speak not ill, but love deeply those whom I’ve every right to be offended by.

But even more than that, be willing to wash their feet and share neither the gripe, the offence, nor the good deed. Nothing will bring you into a deeper place of intimacy, privilege, or joy. To run the race for that eternal and everlasting crown.

I’ve never stopped being astounded by what happened in that upper room with Judas.

John 13:21-25

When Jesus had said these things, he became troubled in spirit, and bore witness and said, “truly, truly, I say to you, that one of you will betray me.” The disciples began looking at one another, perplexed about whom he *spoke. There was reclining on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. So Simon peter *gestured to him to inquire, “who is the one of whom he is speaking?” He, leaning back thus on Jesus’ bosom, *said to him, “Lord, who is it?”

That word ‘perplexed’, or in the King James ‘doubting’, is:

ἀπορέω- aporeo - ‘To be without resource’.

How quick are we about telling of the source?

As Edwards points out, that we are not imitating when we are, and I quote:

…when we have our hearts overcharged, with time filled up with worldly affections, cares and pursuits.

On the other hand, Christ, and again I quote:

Many could not quench his love, neither could the floods drown it, for his love was stronger than death, yes even the mighty pains and torments of such a death.

He adds:

…but he, as it were, forgets his own sorrow and death, and weeps over the misery of his cruel enemies.

As partakers with Christ, as His people chosen and set apart, should we not, as Edwards implores the congregation, be:

…the person of the same mind and spirit as that of their Lord.

He adds:

…the same spirit in humility and lowliness of heart.

Edwards throughout, calls for that same spirit of love to others. Especially those in our circle of care. Especially those in the household of faith. That is where we ought to show the greatest of compassion to.

Edwards says:

We should be ready to spend and be spent for them.

Oh how sad and un-christlike it is when we see believers having no real heart, or time for their fellow brothers, all they have real time for is their own thing. Their own pursuit, their own ministry, their own endeavours.

I spoke to a minister not long ago who resigned due to not wanting to deal with the fractions in the church. He said he wasn’t interested in dealing with mess, but only wanted to preach.

Brothers and sisters, I was livid. Why? Because we are called to tend the miseries and troubled among us. Yes, if they cause fractions and trouble they must be called to repentance. But we are to care for people who are in turmoil and misery

What example are we imitating if we just quit, or become unloving in that situation?

Edwards says:

We should have compassion to men in their miseries… they should travail, in birth with souls that are committed to their care, seeing their own salvation is the fruit of the travail of Christ’s soul.

To travail is to be in intense labour, a labour that is in pain.

It pained me to write to my brother on his quitting. It pained me to see him so hurt, yet it pained me more that he never chose to stay and fight the good fight for the souls of those who needed him.

Calvin says this:

The pastor ought to have two voices, one to gather the sheep, and one another for warding off the wolves and thieves. The scripture supplies him with the means of doing both.

Edwards closes the sermon by pleading to the congregation in regards to the new incoming minister. Of course, Edwards is much freer to speak what he does, as he is not speaking to his own congregation but to one about their pastor.

I will only say this, as I find it hard to ask on my own behalf, and somewhat in my mind needy and demanding. But I simply share what Edwards said:

Seeing the work of your minister is in some respects is the same as the work of Christ, and he is appointed and devoted to do this, work for your souls in particular, surely you should esteem him highly in love for his works sake and do all in your power to help him and put him under the best advantages to imitate his great master.

Amen.