Amenable to Agony

Pastor Cory Herthel

Midland SDA Church

April 15, 2017

Key Texts: Isaiah 53:3-6; Philippians 2:5-11; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Luke 22:44

SOP Reference: Desire of Ages, pg. 753.1

Introduction: Life is destined to experience painful moments.  Some, even agonizing.  Some of these experiences seem almost unbearable at times (loss of a loved one, certain illnesses/injuries…) and others come with the understanding that “this will be worth it in the end” (A soldier in basic training, a mother giving birth to her baby)

Lead into Christ’s suffering and why He thought it was worth it

I. A Man of Sorrows (Isaiah 53:3-6)

  - Break down the details of the text

II. Amenable to Agony (Philippians 2:5-11)

  A. The Mind of Christ (v. 5-7)

    1. He exhibited no selfish ambition

    2. He gave up everything He had previously known

      a. This offers us the ability to become righteous (2 Corinthians 5:21)

      b. We have the opportunity to exchange our filthy rags for a robe of righteousness

  B. Character of Humility (v. 8)

  C. Now Exalted (v. 9-11)

SOP: Upon Christ as our substitute and surety was laid the iniquity of us all. He was counted a transgressor, that He might redeem us from the condemnation of the law. The guilt of every descendant of Adam was pressing upon His heart. The wrath of God against sin, the terrible manifestation of His displeasure because of iniquity, filled the soul of His Son with consternation. All His life Christ had been publishing to a fallen world the good news of the Father’s mercy and pardoning love. Salvation for the chief of sinners was His theme. But now with the terrible weight of guilt He bears, He cannot see the Father’s reconciling face. The withdrawal of the divine countenance from the Saviour in this hour of supreme anguish pierced His heart with a sorrow that can never be fully understood by man. So great was this agony that His physical pain was hardly felt.

Closing: It would be well for us to spend a thoughtful hour each day in contemplation of the life of Christ. We should take it point by point, and let the imagination grasp each scene, especially the closing ones. As we thus dwell upon His great sacrifice for us, our confidence in Him will be more constant, our love will be quickened, and we shall be more deeply imbued with His spirit. If we would be saved at last, we must learn the lesson of penitence and humiliation at the foot of the cross. (Desire of Ages, pg. 83.4)

May we truly examine our own lives in contrast to the life of Christ.  Do we have the ability to go through anything and everything that we may obtain the glory that He has laid up for us?  Remember, that whatever you must go through to come through as a victor…it is worth it.  Christ went through IT ALL.  And during the entire time…for you and me, He was amenable to agony!