* * * * * *

SERMON XIX.

Confessing Christ an indispensable Duty.

2 Timothy ii, 12.

“—­If we deny him, he also will deny us.”

This is predicated of Christ; and looks forward to the day when all mankind will stand before him as their judge.

Denying Christ is here declared to be a mortal sin.  Those found guilty of it will hear that sentence—­“Depart ye cursed!” But this is to be understood only of a persevering denial of him.  Those who turn by a timely repentance, will find mercy.  This is true of every sin.  But repentance may be too late.  It must antecede death, or it will be of no avail.  The day of grace terminates with life.  From that period man ceases to be a probationer, and his state is unalterably fixed.

When the offers of pardon and peace are sent abroad, some will not hear.  Who will receive, and who reject the grace of life, is to us unknown.  Our expectations are often disappointed.  Some come to Christ of whom we had little hope; others cannot be persuaded, of whom our hopes were strong.  We have only to “preach Christ; warning every man, and teaching every man,” and must leave the event.

Some live where the sound of gospel grace is not heard.  “We” are made to differ from them.  “To us is the word of this salvation sent.”  But this doth not secure salvation to us.  We must hear and obey.  “If we neglect so great salvation, we shall not escape.”

Among the indispensable requirements of the gospel, is that of confessing Christ, Himself hath determined it.  “Whosoever shall confess me before men, him will I confess before my Father which is in heaven; but whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I deny before my Father which is in heaven.” *

* Matthew x. 32.

Whether the apostle had this declaration of our Savior’s in his eye; or it was revealed to him by the holy Spirit, we are not informed; but his language in the text is express to the same purpose—­If we deny him, he also will deny us.

These declarations have a particular reference to the duty of appearing openly to be Christ’s disciples; especially in times of persecution, when Christian’s are exposed to sufferings and death for his sake.  Even in such times, confessing Christ is a condition of being confessed by him.  If we think this a hard requirement, and refuse compliance, we shall have no part in him.

What are we then to understand by confessing and denying Christ.

Considering one of these may suffice.  The text regards the latter.  To this we will therefore turn our attention.

Christ may be denied in words; or in works; or by a perversion of the gospel, causing it to become another gospel.  We will treat of each briefly.

I. Christ may be denied in words.

As “with the mouth confession is made to salvation,” so with the mouth we may “deny the Lord who bought us.”  This is done by those who deny that Jesus is the Christ; Thus he was denied by the Jews, among whom he was born, and passed the days of his earthly residence.