The final sola of the Protestant Reformation we will be addressing is formally known as solus Christus or solo Christo, that is, through Christ alone. This phrase is used to summarize the belief that salvation is in and through Christ and that he stands as the only mediator between God and man. The following sermon was delivered in Nigeria several week ago as part of a conference on the truths of the Reformation.

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"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).

For several years during the course of his long ministry at the Tabernacle in London, England, a friend would send Charles Haddon Spurgeon a text from which to preach. On the first Sunday of each year he would deliver a sermon on the text suggested. I have not been given a text to preach from but in the three lectures I have been asked to deliver I have been given a suggested outline which I have tried to incorporate in the message. The outline for this seminar is very short and very simple.

I. Christ: One Person

II. Christ: One Savior

III. Christ: One Redeemer

IV. Christ: One Mediator

The words of Jesus as recorded by Matthew were spoken to a generation full of people just like ours for human nature does not change. Technology changes and modes of transportation changes. Nations come and go on the political scene. Time marches on, but the fundamental needs of individuals do not change nor does the natural heart. Every person born is born physically alive and spiritually dead.

Every person that comes into the world is stained by original sin for in Adam we all die. Romans 5:12 states, "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." When we sin we die, first spiritually and then, apart from regeneration, we die the second death. But there is hope for salvation when we hear the words of Jesus saying, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

To whom was Jesus speaking? He was speaking to a large crowd that included Pharisees. The word "Pharisee" comes from a word which means "separated." The Pharisees had separated themselves from others in order to keep the Law of God. It was a noble objective except for the fact that no one has ever been saved by keeping the Law. What then was the purpose of the Law? 

The first purpose of the Law was to reveal the character of God who is holy, just, and good. Second, and closely related, the Law revealed God's intent for the behavior of mankind by revealing the character of God. God told Moses to say to the Israelites, "You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy" (Lev. 19:2).

At the very heart of the Mosaic Law, summarized in the Decalogue or Ten Commandments, there is the revelation of the character of God (Exod. 20:3-7). God is unique and worthy to be worshipped. God is life, faithful and true. He lacks nothing and is the provider and sustainer of all we need. Man was created to know the divine character and express it. 

The Pharisee’s said, "We will do it. We will keep the 613 provisions of the Mosaic Law. We will honor God." But they did not do that. Instead they became legalistic, self centered and adopted too high a view of themselves. They condemned others for not being as zealous as themselves. Pride filled their hearts. They had zeal for God but not according to knowledge. The harshest words Jesus ever spoke during His ministry were directed to the Pharisees. And yet, to the Pharisees Jesus said, "Come unto me." Some did come such as Nicodemus as per John 3:1-2. "There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him."

Perhaps you know of a modern day Pharisee. There are those who are religious but not righteous. They have much knowledge about the Bible and about God but have never come to Christ for salvation or for sanctification. Jesus says to such a sad soul, "Come to me."

to be continued...